Western Weekender November 25 2022

the paper is available. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au/getapaper.

Key local seats still missing major party representation Candidate cloud

EMILY FESZCZUK

The 2023 State Election is fast approaching but a cloud of uncer tainty hangs over which candidates will be locked in for the major parties in local electorates.

Just four months out from the election, the Weekender understands that Labor pre-se lection for Badgerys Creek (formerly Mulgoa) is not set to open until later this year.

“I have been a strong representative for my community and I hope to win support in next year’s election to continue to build a brighter future for western Sydney.”

Despite the criticism from Ms Davies, the Liberal Party has ironically seemingly conceded the seat of Londonderry with a spokesperson from the NSW Liberals confirming that they still do not have a candidate to take on Labor incumbent Prue Car.

We’d like your feedback on proposed changes to the Aerotropolis Precinct Plan by Friday 16 December 2022.

We’d like your feedback on proposed changes to the Aerotropolis Precinct Plan by Friday 16 December 2022.

The proposed changes to the planning controls affect:

The proposed changes to the planning controls affect:

building heights, floor space ratios and lot sizes for a site within Sydney Science Park in Luddenham

building heights, floor space ratios and lot sizes for a site within Sydney Science Park in Luddenham

As part of the redistribution of electoral districts, the seat that takes in a number of Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) suburbs such as Glenmore Park, St Clair, Erskine Park, Mulgoa and Luddenham will also include significant portions of the Liver pool LGA and parts of Camden.

With Penrith being home to three marginal seats, Ms Car said she is preparing for a hardfought contest.

“Labor is working hard to address the prior ities of local residents, including expanding local manufacturing, building schools and ending the Perrottet Government’s privati sation agenda,” Ms Car said.

• building heights at 2700 Elizabeth Drive, Luddenham.

• building heights at 2700 Elizabeth Drive, Luddenham.

The current sitting MP Tanya Davies has been endorsed by the Liberals.

Tell us what you think by Friday 16 December 2022.

Tell us what you think by Friday 16 December 2022.

To give the NSW Department of Planning and Environment your feedback on the proposed changes:

• scan the QR code, or visit planning.nsw.gov.au/ aerotropolis

To give the NSW Department of Planning and Environment your feedback on the proposed changes: scan the QR code, or visit planning.nsw.gov.au/ aerotropolis

“I do not take my community for granted and I will be fighting for every vote. Even if I upset my own party, I am not afraid to ensure that the voices of my community are heard loud and clear,” Ms Davies said.

“I am already working hard doorknocking and meeting community leaders to under stand their needs and aspirations.”

Ms Davies said the Labor Party’s delay in opening nominations for candidates demonstrates a lack of interest in the western Sydney area.

“Labor are sending the message that they are just not up for the task when it comes to fighting for communities like mine. Labor pretend to have the interests of western Sydney at heart but they take our hard-work ing families for granted,” she said.

“There are so many great things happening in western Sydney like the new Aerotropolis and toll-free M12 to connect businesses and families with new opportunities.

“I look forward to putting my record of hard work forward to local residents and asking for their support in March.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres also has a battle ahead of him as he will take on Labor’s Karen McKeown in a re-match of the 2019 State Election.

Being held by Mr Ayres with a slim margin, it will be made even tighter as the seat will now end at Leonay with Glenbrook and Lapstone transferred to the Blue Mountains as part of the redistribution.

The election is due to be held on Saturday, March 25.

Sitting Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies.

Fatal fear: Fire officials warn of battery danger

EMILY FESZCZUK

Christmas is just around the corner and presents under the tree usually invoke excite ment, but some popular choices have the potential to be life-threatening.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has observed a significant rise in fires related to Lithium-ion batteries this year and is warning shoppers of the dangers related to powered gifts.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Steph Cook, and FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Stra tegic Capability, Trent Curtin, raised awareness at the Emergency Services Academy in Orchard Hills to ensure community members stay safe.

Devices such as phones, laptops, toys, electric bikes, garden tools and

e-scooters contain rechargeable Lith ium-ion batteries and since January 1, FRNSW crews have responded to 180 fires related to the batteries.

This is compared to just over 16 in 2021, which Acting Deputy Commis sioner Curtin said is a “concerning trend”.

“We want to raise awareness with the community to make sure people are aware of the risks of overcharging or having damaged Lithium-ion battery devices in their home,” he said.

“This is happening around the world. In New York there has been 200 fires which resulted in six deaths and 130 fires in London. I’m really concerned we’ll see a death in NSW.”

When a battery is overcharged or damaged by being dropped or crushed and still used, it can overheat and release a toxic vapour that can ignite.

“When Lithium-ion batteries fail, they are prone to ‘thermal runaway’, which sees them build up intense heat until they violently burst, caus ing toxic, flammable and explosive gases and flames that are extremely difficult to extinguish,” he said.

“It can require copious amounts of water to cool the battery system… in

many cases firefighters have had to immerse batteries in buckets of water for hours and sometimes even for days to make sure it doesn’t reignite.”

FRNSW is currently conducting research on the incidents and aims to influence policy and standards that will help prevent injuries and damage.

“When charging these devices in your home never leave them unat tended or charging overnight and if you are charging laptops or phones never charge on soft furnishings like under a pillow or bed. Only on a hard surface,” he said.

“Don’t charge things in an area that could prevent you from getting out of the house in the event of a fire like near a door and if you are concerned about a damaged battery don’t use it.”

Ms Cook praised FRNSW and reminded consumers to buy from reputable brands that sell high qual ity products.

“Fire and Rescue is doing an amaz ing job in this space leading the way in understanding these fires,” she said.

“It is really important we heed the warnings and make sensible purchasing decisions.”

FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner Trent Curtin warning about Lithium-ion batteries. Photo: Melinda Jane.

A laptop damaged by fire.

the western weekender

PO BOX 7105 South Penrith NSW 2750 P (02) 4722 2998 • F (02) 4731 6255

www.westernweekender.com.au www.facebook.com/westernweekender www.twitter.com/wwpenrith westernweekender

There’s many ways to get your paper each week – including via email! Visit westernweekender.com.au/getapaper to find out more.

Advertising: sales@westernweekender.com.au

Editorial: news@westernweekender.com.au

Distribution/delivery queries: distribution@westernweekender.com.au

Published by: Western Sydney Publishing Group

Managing Editor: Troy Dodds troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

Weekender Newsroom:

Deputy Editor: Nathan Taylor @natetaylor87

Journalist: Emily Feszczuk @emilyfeszczuk

Journalist: Cassidy Pearce | @cass_pearce

Photographer: Melinda Sanders

If you have a story suggestion or news tip, email news@westernweekender.com.au

Sales Director: Chris Pennisi chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au

Sales Executives: Andrew Harris, Chris Middleton, Angela Jevdich, Megan Dunn, Leanne Valentini, Michael Lee

To receive a copy of our media kit and advertising prices, email sales@westernweekender.com.au

Production: Ian Beard, Zoe Merrick, Kacey Wilson

Administration: Michelle Mifsud, Madeline Dantier

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

So what does ‘living with the virus’ actually look like when it comes to COVID-19?

The first real test of our mettle when it comes to the ‘new normal’ has been intrigu ing to watch unfold.

As a wave of COVID-19 cases spreads across the country (not unexpectedly), we’re being asked to hunt down those masks we’d discarded of.

NSW Health wants us to wear masks on public transport, and indoor spaces where social distancing is not possible.

It has also upgraded its COVID-19 risk rating to amber requiring masks to be worn in all hospital areas while visitor numbers will be “monitored”.

Carnival Cruises says masks are back on their ships when it comes to indoor areas.

Jimmy Barnes cancelled a planned appear ance in Penrith this weekend, throwing COVID-19 out as an excuse as if it was 2020 or 2021.

I went to a vet last week where all customers (of the human variety) were still expected to mask up, despite the spacious waiting room.

There is no chance of any mandates return ing in New South Wales in terms of masks or event capacities. It would be political suicide and the public has largely moved on from worrying all that much about COVID-19.

That’s not to minimise the reality confront ing many who may be vulnerable to the virus and indeed, we are all free to take our own level of desired personal responsibility and caution when it comes to COVID-19.

But the impact of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns when it comes to mental health, finances and business survival was enormous.

But the call for masks in certain indoor settings, and on public transport, only serves to worry and concern people more than it should. We need to be moving forward with confidence, and accepting that ‘living with the virus’ means spikes in case numbers and even hospitalisations.

There is no suggestion the health system is being overwhelmed by the current case rise and no suggestion any new variant is causing any more serious symptoms than any other. COVID can be serious for many, but so can the flu or a whole heap of other viruses that don’t have such ongoing attention.

The irony of Carnival Cruises issuing its mask mandate is obvious given cruises have for decades been known as floating petri dishes. Why is it that COVID, above everything else, has earned itself a mask mandate?

In a press release issued last Friday afternoon, NSW Health said: “People are reminded if you test positive or have any cold or flu symptoms, please stay home.”

Sorry, what?

We have removed legal requirements to stay at home if you have COVID-19, and test ing is no longer mandatory, but NSW Health is suggesting that’s what we should do if we test positive?

For how long? Who will pay the rent, mort gage and bills? The government certainly won’t, with support payments now a thing of the past.

The suggestion that anyone with cold or flu symptoms be forced to stay at home is preposterous and further evidence NSW Health and the government are not singing from the same hymn sheet.

And it certainly is proof that we aren’t “living with the virus” at all. Indeed, we are trying to run from it, spooked by the unknowns of 2020 and 2021.

This stuff really needs to be sorted out.

Dominic Perrottet and his government can’t keep issuing press releases and declar ing Sydney is “open for business” while at the same time his health officials are ordering us to stay home if we have a sniffle.

Just like Gladys Berejiklian did at the height of the virus, Mr Perrottet must show true leadership and make it as clear as possible to the people of NSW what is expected of them in this next chapter of COVID-19.

We have to accept the person next to us on the train, or sitting across from us at work, may have COVID-19. Just like we’ve accepted it in the past with colds, flus or other viruses.

The Western Weekender is bound by the Standards of Practice of the Australian Press Council. If you believe the Standards may have been breached, you may approach the newspaper itself or contact the Council by email (info@presscouncil.org.au) or by phone ([02] 92611930).

For further information see www.presscouncil.org.au.

And some of the stuff that’s happened in the past week or two has sent a shiver up the spine of many heading into summer, traumatised by the events of 2020 and 2021, and in particular the summer of chaos in 2021/22.

NSW Health would argue that it has a duty of care to issue whatever health advice it feels necessary, regardless of what the govern ment’s position may be.

Recommendations about masks on public transport and events being cancelled out of ‘caution’, seem odd when there’s no legal requirement to get tested for COVID-19, no rules in place that prevent you from circulat ing in the community with COVID-19 and no orders to work from home should you happen to get the virus.

Though NSW Health don’t seem to be on the same page when it comes all of that and one particular piece of advice is a real headscratcher.

Rightly, COVID-19 was treated very differ ently than a typical cold or flu at the height of the pandemic and the actions taken by health officials were largely right and deserve to be applauded.

But now, it is time to move on. Time to not feel that having COVID makes you an outcast who should sit quietly in your room for a week and not go to work or outside.

COVID-19 messaging has always been a little confusing, but right now in NSW it seems to be about as clear as mud.

Index

“NSW

Locals can now access expanded mental heath support with the launch of a new service in Penrith, Safe Haven.

Co-located within the Head to Health Centre at 111 Henry Street, which is funded by the Federal Government, the space is open seven days a week for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress.

With no bookings or referrals required, Safe Havens have been co-designed by people with lived experience of suicidal distress and provide calmer environments as an alterna tive to going to the Emergency Department.

The NSW Government has funded $45.7 million for the initiative as part of the $143.4 million investment across four years in Towards Zero Suicides initiatives.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Chief Executive Kay Hyman commended health district staff, along with Wentworth Healthcare and Neami National who have partnered to ensure a coordinated delivery of mental health care for the area.

“The new service is staffed by peer-support workers who have lived experience with suicide and recovery,” Ms Hyman said.

“The workers are uniquely placed to offer emotional support and provide information on local services, ensuring people have imme

diate support when they need it most – with out fear or judgement. There is no doubt this much needed service will be very well utilised and take some of the tension out of navigating the system for people and ensure those in their most vulnerable times are supported.”

Officially opening the space on Tuesday, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said a “no wrong door” approach is needed to support community members.

“Quite frankly a person who is distressed seeking guidance could not give a rats where the dollars come from,” Mr Ayres said.

“They do not care what government funds it or who is running the service. What they want to be able to do is access a safe environment where they can find the person who can help them with the challenge that is facing them at that very emotional and immediate time and that is what we are providing here today.

“We want to see people we know don’t belong in the Emergency Department at Nepean Hospital, and in the case of those with a mental health challenge, being in a space like this rather than sitting in a very confronting and difficult environment.”

If you are concerned about your own mental health or that of someone else, the Mental Health Line is available seven days a week on 1800 011 511.

Penrith MP Stuart Ayres officially opens Safe Haven at Penrith.

Safe Haven offers a more relaxed environment than hospitals.

Scams likely on the rise

If you’ve recently fallen victim to an online scam, you’re not alone. With giants such as Medibank and Optus being hacked, it seems no one is safe. It’s for this reason that it’s now more important than ever to scrub up on your digital literacy skills, so you can recognise a scam before it hits you.

Digital Literacy Foundation Digital Director Chris Olsen says that though it’s not entirely the fault of the individual, human error plays a role in the vast majority of scams.

“It takes a certain level of understanding to be able to spot an email, for example, that may be a vulnerability tactic or a risk of any type,” he said.

“The majority of all attacks, 95 per cent of them, occur because the user lets it occur, or the user has somehow allowed the attacker in.”

Though text message and email scams are always around, as we move closer to the holiday season more and more people are learning that if a sale online looks too good to be true, it probably is.

When it comes to identifying and avoiding scams when shopping online for loved ones, Mr Olsen has a few tips.

“One very important way to avoid getting your credit card number stolen is to use PayPal. You can use PayPal as a shield, to

74-78 & 90-104 ALDINGTON ROAD KEMPS CREEK, NSW

Fife Land 3 Pty Limited and Stockland Development Pty Limited c/o Fife Development Services Pty Limited is proposing the subdivision and civil works of the above-mentioned site (Lot 42 DP708347 and Lot 41 DP708347). EMM is undertaking an Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment to inform the activity. The aim of this study is to inform the cultural heritage of the proposed works, supported by the extensive work done for the original development, and to develop suitable management and mitigation measures to allow the works to proceed.

The proponent is Fife Land 3 Pty Limited and Stockland Development Pty Limited c/o Fife Development Services Pty Limited, and the key contact is Richard Harris, Fife Capital (Level 12, 89 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000; Telephone: +61 2 9251 2777; Email: richard.harris@fifecapital. com.au).

Registrations are invited from Aboriginal individuals and organisations who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places in the area, and who wish to be involved in the consultation process undertaken as part of the assessment. The purpose of consultation is to assist the proponent in: 1) assessing the Aboriginal heritage values of the area; 2) to assist NSW Government in the assessment of Aboriginal heritage reports prepared for this project; and 3) to support any future applications or approvals for the project sought under Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and/or National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

Registrations of interest should be provided by no later than 9 December 2022 to Alan Williams, EMM Consulting Pty Ltd 20 Chandos Street, St Leonards, NSW 2065 T: 0438 104 740

E: awilliams@emmconsulting.com.au

hide your credit card number when making a payment to the third party, and if that third party doesn’t provide some sort of gateway payment service like PayPal or Afterpay or Zip Co, then you wouldn’t buy from them,” he said.

“You also need to ensure on the website that the certificate is valid. If you look at the URL bar on your browser you’ll see a little lock, and if you click on that lock, you’ll see a certificate and it should show the details of the vendor’s company. If that’s not there, or it looks suspi cious, then that’s not a site you should visit.”

With the return of live entertainment, many are also being caught up in the purchase of concert tickets, spending thousands just to end in disappointment.

“Never purchase a ticket from a vendor that’s not the event organiser. For example, Ticketek or Ticketmaster will protect you in the event that anything happens,” he said.

Most of all, Mr Olsen recommends thinking twice before making a purchase, or clicking a link.

“If you’re not certain of something on the Internet that looks suspicious, then don’t take the risk, because there’s a good chance that if there’s smoke about, there’s a fire,” he said.

“If there’s something of greater importance, make sure you contact an IT professional, or at least a friend or family member who can

Chris Olsen pointing out real time attack vectors on the screens.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Dad’s fury at $8,000 bill

care

CASSIDY PEARCE

Penrith resident Richard Hamlin came across an unwelcome surprise when he opened his letter box last Thursday; an invoice addressed to his disabled son demanding payment of more than $8,000 connected to his care services dating back more than three years.

“It was attention to our son, and [my wife Michelle] saw this letter with Smith Hancock Reconstruction and Insolvency, and thought ‘That’s not a letter that would normally go to him’, so she opened it,” he said.

Richard’s son has both physical and intellectual disabilities, and has been supported under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since its incep tion, primarily to have a support worker help him with daily activities.

One of the firms that supplied this historically was Community Access Western Sydney Incor porated (CAWS), though they have not worked with him for several years due to his support worker becoming a sole trader, and have since been placed into liquidation.

Despite this, in the envelope Mr Hamlin found enclosed an invoice from Parramat ta-based accountants Smith Hancock, stating they had data substantiating he owed $8463.27 for services prior to 2019, to be paid within 14 days otherwise risking them passing the information on to their solicitor for further action.

The email had no invoice numbers or summary indicating what the debt was for, and upon contacting Smith Hancock, Mrs Hamlin was informed that they didn’t know either.

“He basically admitted that

they didn’t know when the debt actually was from – it was previ ous to 2019. He even said to me, ‘Do you think it’s been paid?’, so they didn’t even know if it was paid, and they had no knowledge of what it was for, or what it could be about, and yet they sent that letter out,” she said.

The invoice was also sent in an email to their son directly, which Mrs Hamlin said she was grateful she was able to intercept.

“If he got that email, and he couldn’t pay it, he would be still carrying on about it and talking about it for six to 12 months. It would affect him massively,” she said.

“They’re very vulnerable. People that have this type of care provided only have it because they actually can’t go out them selves. It’s very poor form and very bad that would be sent direct to a past client – it doesn’t make any sense.

“It would usually be directed to his support workers.”

Though Mr Hamlin notes that the issue was resolved once he contacted the team directly, with them requesting that he disregard the letter, his concerns remain for others who formerly received services under CAWS, and may have received similar invoices.

“I’m still not happy with the way they’ve approached it and the way they’ve responded,” he said.

“My biggest concern is that there are a lot of families out there, and there’s people like my son, where, if he’d gotten that letter and he had enough money, he would have just gone and paid it, and they wouldn’t have cared. This is a perfect example of a liquidator that doesn’t know anything about the industry and is just going to go and do a cash grab.”

The Weekender understands that up to 15 individuals received notices. Though Smith Hancock were contacted, they did not wish to comment on the record.

Richard Hamlin’s son was sent an unexpected invoice related to his NDIS

Richard Hamlin is concerned for other families who may have received the letter. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Love our Bushcare events?

Volunteer with a BUSHCARE GROUP today!

penrith.city/bushland

Administration

Penrith Office

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

St Marys Office

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

Contact Centre Open 8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777 PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city

Council’s services are accessible via the online portal at my.penrith.city

Services

Waste Services 4732 7777

Illegal Dumping

Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad.

Graffiti Hotline Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

28 November – 7pm Online via penrith.city (Ordinary Meeting)

penrith.city.council penrithcouncil penrithcitycouncil penrithcitycouncil penrith.city visitpenrith.com.au

Council Briefs

● Penrith City Council has planted 28 trees in Robinson Park, Jamisontown, to commemorate The Queen’s service to Australia and the Commonwealth. Her Majesty reigned as Queen for over 70 years, making her our longest-serving monarch.

Her Majesty reached the Platinum Jubilee milestone in June 2022 and passed away on 8 September 2022.

The trees will enhance the shade canopy of the park to ensure it can be enjoyed by the community throughout the year, including the warmer summer months. This tree planting also supports Council’s Greening our City program.

This project received funding from the Australian Government’s Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program.

● It’s almost here! ROAM Penrith is this weekend: Saturday 26 November 2022 from 5–10pm and Sunday 27 November 2022 from 11am–9pm.

How many panthers are you able to find? What flowers are you going to create for our secret garden? Come along to High Street, between Woodriff Street and Triangle Park. Explore your CBD, get creative and have a heap of fun. Hope to see you there!

For more information, visit penrith.city/events

● Have your say on Council’s Community Engagement Policy, Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan 2022–26. In the documents, you can read about our guiding principles and methodology to understand what good engagement looks like at Penrith City Council and how you can be involved in shaping the future of our City.

The documents are on exhibition until Monday 12 December 2022 at yoursaypenrith.com.au/community-engagementstrategy-2022

Hard copies are available at the Penrith Civic Centre, St Marys Business Office and Library, Penrith City Library and St Clair Library.

Development Consent/s Determined

Pursuant to Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the schedule below lists applications recently determined by Penrith City Council.

Approved Development Applications

• Local Pools & Spas

Lot 201 DP 1231224, 16 Tranquil Way, Glenmore Park

• Melissa Vella DA22/0909

Lot 22 DP 115874, 35 Tadmore Road, Cranebrook

Relocation of an existing single storey dwelling to create a detached dual occupancy

• NF Billyard Pty Ltd DA22/0385 Lot 520 DP 1280582, 168 Canberra Street, St Marys

Demolition of existing structures and construction of 6 x 2-storey town houses and associated works

• Fernleigh Drafting DA22/0783

Lot 1 DP 1266710, 124 St Thomas Road, Mulgoa Shed

• New Edge Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd DA22/0770 Lot 8066 DP 261683, 6 Granary Court, Werrington Downs 2-storey dwelling

• Universal Property Group Pty Ltd DA22/1054 Lot 26 DP 1241192, Lot 26 Amit Road, Claremont Meadows

Single storey dwelling

• Allworth Constructions Pty Ltd DA22/0773 Lot 23 DP 243308, 60 John Oxley Avenue, Werrington County

Single storey dwelling and tree removal

• Fernleigh Drafting DA22/0946

Lot 332 DP 1231225, 174 Forestwood Drive, Glenmore Park Retaining walls

• The Trustee for Metricon Homes Unit Trust DA22/0888 Lot 329 DP 270417, 15 Farmingdale Court, Luddenham

Single dwelling house

• Eden Brae Holdings Pty Ltd DA22/0902 Lot 124 DP 800074, 96 Chameleon Drive, Erskine Park 2-storey dwelling

Refused Development Applications

• Cohesive Planning DA22/0539 Lot 7 DP 752021, 332–340 Cranebrook Road, Cranebrook

Free-standing awning for use as a dressage arena

• Fernleigh Drafting DA22/0692 Lot 13 DP 27107, 318–324 Caddens Road, Claremont Meadows Shed and awning

• Principal Healthcare Finance Pty Ltd DA21/0607 Lot 36 DP 239502, 94–100 Explorers Way, St Clair

DA22/0596

Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling including an in-ground fibreglass swimming pool, retaining wall and landscaping

• Stephen John Costa and Momo Romic

Mod22/0168 Lot 54 DP 850645, 21–33 Cross Road, Orchard Hills

Section 4.55 modification of DA21/0752 to amend front setback, floor levels, shed size and colour schedule

• William Clinton

DA22/0918

Lot 1 SP 93427, 21 Harvest Drive, Werrington Downs Demolition of existing carport & garage addition to existing dwelling

Demolition of a dwelling, tree removal, and construction of a 2-storey residential aged care facility, comprising of 153 beds with associated facilities/services, an ancillary café, and health consulting and treatment rooms

Viewing of Development Applications

The above development application/s may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracker via penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/DATracker Officers of Council’s Development Services Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

By law, reportable political donations or gifts must be disclosed by anyone lodging a planning application to Council. Call 4732 7649 or visit penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Approval for first stage of mega Wallacia cemetery development

EMILY FESZCZUK

After years of debate, a new cemetery in Wallacia will finally be a reality as a $105 million Development Applica tion (DA) has been approved and the land the project will sit on is now for sale.

Slated for 1290 Greendale Road, Wallacia, the DA lodged with Liverpool City Council has been given the green light from the Sydney Western City Planning Panel.

The 73-hectare site, which backs onto the Nepean River, has a concept design for the construction of a cemetery including mauso leums, crematoriums, a chapel, function room, gatehouse, administration building, and a café.

Forming part of a nine-stage plan, the DA for Stage 1, which has been approved, will see the demolition of existing structures and the construction of four new raised landforms, identified as pads to deal with flooding issues.

Stage 1 will also include a loop road, car park and landscaping including 35,000 inground burial plots for the first pad.

A flood wall, gatehouse, administration building, and crematorium will also be constructed.

The proposed Western Sydney Cemetery Complex could accommodate 775,000 burial plots once all nine stages are built.

Ray White Commercial Western Sydney and Stonebridge Property Group are currently reviewing Expressions of Interest for the property, which could house NSW’s largest scale cemetery approval in over 70 years.

“We have a number of larger cemetery groups that are looking at it as well as a number of high-net-worth investors who are looking at a legacy style investment for their families into the future,” Ray White Commercial Western Sydney Managing Director Peter Vines said.

Disability workers want fair go

“The NSW Government’s 11th Hour Report discusses the constraints with burial space and the lack of, and we appreciate that this is a sensitive issue for some people, but it is a necessary thing.”

While it is difficult to reference a price point, Mr Vines said it will be a successful long-term investment.

“Getting an approval for properties like this can be very challenging but the location is ideal as it is very close to Sydney and in a

fast-growing area,” he said.

“The fall of the land and topography is beautiful, and it has a sereneness to it which will provide a lovely setting for people to pay tributes to their loved ones there.”

Not everyone is happy though, with residents and Wallacia Progress Association opposing the development.

“The decision by Liverpool Council and the Sydney Western City Planning Panel is extremely disappointing,” Wallacia Progress Association President Margaret Stepniewski said.

“There are already three other approved cemeteries on Greendale Road and the scale of this latest development is totally inappro priate for the site on the banks of the Nepean River which was under water during the recent floods.”

Public Exhibition Planning Proposal

As the Federal Government has committed to a review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability support workers, providers, clients and their families are voicing their opinions on what needs to be improved.

The Australian Services Union (ASU) NSW & ACT branch held a ‘Let’s Make the NDIS the Best it Can Be’ event in Penrith last week, calling for reform to support essential work ers in the disability sector.

With claims that some providers are charging the NDIS for disability support work while paying workers on the lower aged care wage rate, then pocketing the difference, the need for guaranteed equal pay has been raised.

“What we are seeing is some providers prioritising profits over their people. We just cannot tolerate fraud or wage theft in the NDIS,” ASU’s Angus McFarland said.

“Providing sensible working conditions and entitlements will boost staff’s waning morale, put an end to the workforce exodus, and fill the service gaps that people with disabilities are facing.”

Marcelina Peihopa, who spoke at the event, works for a disability service in Penrith.

The Kingswood resident’s 26-year-old son also has Down Syndrome and accesses the scheme.

“I don’t think it is an issue for my company as our rates are pretty much on par with the award, but I know people who have tried to apply to other service providers and have been offered so much less which is way below the minimum rate,” Ms Peihopa said.

A scheme to let employees keep annual, sick, and long service leave as they work between or change jobs has been suggested, along with more training.

A Department of Social Services spokes person said the government is committed to examining ways to build a more responsive, supportive and sustainable market and workforce as part of the review.

for Affordable

Rental

Housing Contributions for Glenmore Park Stage 3 and Orchard Hills North

Council invites you to view and provide feedback on a Planning Proposal to amend Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010 (LEP 2010) to enable Penrith City Council to collect contributions for the delivery of affordable rental housing. The Planning Proposal applies to future residential development within the proposed urban release areas of Glenmore Park Stage 3 and Orchard Hills North.

The objective of the proposed amendment is to increase affordable rental housing within Penrith Local Government Area.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has authorised Council to exercise delegation to make this plan.

Viewing the exhibition and making a submission

The Planning Proposal, and supporting information are on public exhibition until Monday 19 December 2022. The documents can be viewed online at yoursaypenrith.com.au at Council’s Civic Centre and at Penrith and St Marys Libraries.

You are invited to provide feedback by making a written submission to Council by Monday, 19 December 2022 by:

• Email: cityplanning@penrith.city

• Post: The General Manager (Attention: Kathryn Sprang) Penrith City Council PO Box 60 Penrith NSW 2751

• Online: planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr

Please include a subject line indicating ‘Affordable Rental Housing Contribution’ in emails and letters.

For further enquiries: Please contact Kathryn Sprang, Senior Planner on 4732 7834 or email cityplanning@penrith.city

The land on Greendale Road that will house a cemetery development. Photo: Melinda Jane.

An artist’s impression of the development.

EMILY FESZCZUK

ASU NSW & ACT Secretary Angus McFarland at the Penrith event. Photo: Melinda Jane.

cupboard prize

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The mural of the big fat purple pig wearing a top hat yelling ‘corrupt’ is located on the side of a building at 32 Belmore Street, Penrith.

Week of the

Acclaimed Welsh actor and producer Michael Sheen will star as Salieri in a gripping new production of Peter Shaffer’s Tony and Academy Award-winning masterpiece ‘Amadeus’.

Portraying the glorious artistic rivalry of two great classical compos ers – Salieri and Mozart – the show is the first event to be announced as part of the Sydney Opera House’s year-long 50th anniversary cele brations, supported by the NSW Government.

The ambitious contemporary production combines theatre, opera and classical music with lavish costumes directed by Australian fashion house Romance Was Born. It will be staged in the newly trans formed Concert Hall from December 27 until January 21.

The play reimagines the lives

of Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in a narrative fuelled by power, jealousy, revenge, and symphonies. It reveals Salieri’s inner torment as he grapples with Mozart’s genius and sets out to destroy the brilliant, flamboyant young star. It explores life’s big ques tions: ambition, legacy, and who among us deserves ‘genius’.

For tickets, visit www.sydneyoper ahouse.com.

The Weekender has two double passes to ‘Amadeus’ on December 27 at 7pm to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@westernweekender. com.au with ‘Amadeus’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Thursday, December 8 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www.westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

paceway winners lucky

Dose

of

Coles at Nepean Village now has even more self-service registers.

Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh was a great sport when a technical snag hit Penrith’s Christmas Tree Lighting event last Friday. She busted out a brilliant rendition of the ‘Macarena’.

cupboard prize BONUS

It

Packed

ATruff Spicy Lovers Pack is the perfect gift for Christmas.

For the thrill-seekers, this spicy lovers bundle is guar anteed to match that summer heat this Christmas day.

The pack features Truff’s HOTTER Hot

Sauce, Spicy Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce and White HOTTER Hot Sauce – this gift is sure to be the hottest one your loved ones will pull out of their stocking.

into an elegant red and gold foiled VIP box.

The Truff Spicy Lovers Pack is available

from David Jones or online at www.truff. com.au.

retails for $118.95.

The Weekender has three Spicy Lovers Packs from Truff to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@westernweekender.com.au

with ‘Truff’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Thursday, December 8 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www. westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

YOU’RE INVITED TO ROAM PENRITH AS HIGH STREET COMES ALIVE WITH THE SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND TASTES OF THE CITY.

This fantastic two day event will be fun for all the family, with entertainment from local performers, art installation workshops, a secret garden and even a panther hunt.

To find out more, visit penrith.city/events

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

with Daniel McKinnon

St Marys: Man tried to steal razors from centre he was banned from A man has been charged after trespassing and shoplifting in St Marys.

About 10.10am on Wednesday, November 16, it is alleged a 40-year-old Penrith man entered a shopping centre on Charles Hack ett Drive, St Marys.

The man was allegedly sighted by security staff at the location wandering the aisles of the store when he was seen to place two boxed razors into the pocket of his jacket.

He continued around the store and proceeded to the checkout where it is alleged, that he paid for some items but not the razors in his pocket.

As the man left the supermarket he was stopped by security and police were contacted.

Checks made on the man revealed that he allegedly had a banning notice from the shopping centre and was not allowed to enter.

The man was charged and appeared in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, November 22.

St Marys: Police assaulted during Friday night incident

A man has been charged after assaulting police in St Marys.

About 10.10pm on Friday, November 18, police were patrolling Coachman’s Park, St Marys when they sighted numerous people drinking alcohol in the alcohol-free zone.

When spoken to, a 27-year-old Blackett man immediately became aggressive and started swearing at officers.

It is alleged as police attempted to calm the situation; the 27-year-old got up and grabbed the arm of another man.

The other man told officers that he did not want to go with the 27-year-old, and he was asked to let go. At this time, the man contin ued to be aggressive and yelled into the face of a male officer. The officer pushed him out of his personal space before the 27-year-old allegedly stepped forward and used both hands to forcibly push the officer in the chest.

Both the man and the officer fell to the ground.

Other police assisted and the man was arrested and charged.

He will front Penrith Local Court on Thurs day, January 19, 2023.

Winmalee: Kingswood man charged over Blue Mountains home invasion

A man has been charged after an alleged

home invasion in the Blue Mountains earlier this week.

About 11.30am on Monday, November 21, a 55-year-old woman was in her home on Hawkesbury Road, Winmalee, when she was allegedly confronted by a man who entered the home via an unlocked door and threat ened her with a knife.

The man allegedly started to ransack the home where a struggle ensured between the man and the woman.

The woman’s adult sons – aged 24 and 19 –went to her aid and the man fled the scene.

Officers from Blue Mountains Police Area Command conducted an extensive search of the area where a 26-year-old Kingswood man was arrested at 2pm the same day on George Street, Springwood.

He was taken to Springwood Police Station and charged with ‘Aggravated break and enter’ and ‘Commit serious indictable offence – people there’.

The man was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, November 22.

The woman and her younger son suffered minor injuries that did not require any medi cal treatment.

Cranebrook: Drugs found on man during police search

A man has been charged after possessing prohibited drugs in Cranebrook.

About 9.30pm on Wednesday, November 16, police were patrolling Pershore Road, Cranebrook when they sighted a man walk ing along the roadway.

Police stopped and spoke with the 34-yearold South Wentworthville man, who was allegedly very nervous when interacting with officers.

When the man was informed that he would be searched, he allegedly quickly put his hand in his pocket and pulled it out clench ing something.

He would not release his grip and when he did, it is alleged that he was in possession of an “ice pipe”.

The man was searched further by police and a small balloon was located in his pocket, which police will allege is methylampheta mines.

A small resealable plastic bag allegedly containing cocaine was also located on the man.

The man was charged and will appear at Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET ARRESTED?

Each criminal case is different, but this arti cle sets out the general process if someone is arrested.

The starting point for criminal proceedings is that someone has made a complaint to Police about conduct that may constitute a criminal offence or Police have observed what they believe to be a crime being committed, and based on said complaint or observation Police make the decision to arrest a person, potentially interview them, and charge them with whatever offences they see fit.

Sometimes there will be some investigation that occurs before an arrest, for example an allegation about a sexual assault where the alleged crime has already been commit ted and the Police wish to interview the complainant and perhaps conserve things like DNA evidence and talk to witnesses before they decide to speak to the accused.

Other times, like in the context of a public assault where Police observe an offence being committed or a person being caught drink-driving, little to no investigation occurs; the Police simply make a record of the facts as they observed or understand them and charge the relevant person with the relevant offences.

In most cases an accused will be invited to engage in some sort of interview or discussion with Police to give their version of events.

Most criminal lawyers will normally say that you should say as little as possible. For the record, this is simply our observation and is not legal advice. If you find yourself in Police custody you should seek independent legal assistance as soon as possible.

The rationale behind declining to be interviewed by Police is that in the criminal system it is up to the Police to gather suffi cient evidence to prove that an offence has been caused.

This is why you will sometimes hear about people who are accused of criminal offences observing their right to silence. In other words, they choose to say nothing and see if the Police are able to adduce enough evidence to prove to a Magistrate/Judge or jury that they are guilty of the offences they have been charged with, depending on how they plead to each offence.

Generally speaking however, a decision to charge a person with an offence will usually have already been made by Police before they interview an accused. This is why there is sometimes no utility in offering a version of events because you are going to be charged anyway – but this is not always the case and we reiterate that if you find yourself in Police custody you should seek independent legal advice about your individual circumstances at the time.

Once you have been arrested and charged, the Police will then usually decide whether to release you on bail pending you going through the Court process.

There are typically two types of bail. The first type is where the Police decide to release you on certain conditions, and there is legis lation that gives them the discretion to do so.

For more serious offences however, the Police may refuse bail and a bail hearing will take place before a Magistrate or Judge to determine whether or not you will be released from custody.

The Police and/or Court will also consider whether granting you bail jeopardises the safety of any victim or complainant, increases the risk that you might flee and not show up to Court when you are required to, and/or whether or not there is a chance that witnesses may be tampered with or influenced.

Generally, the less serious the offence the more likely you will receive bail. It is also relevant whether or not you have a criminal record. If you are a “clean skin”, your chances of bail may be higher than if you have an extended criminal record because the Police and/or Court might form the view that you are likely to reoffend.

Generally speaking, you only get one “bite of cherry” with a bail application. You should take expert legal advice before making a bail application to ensure that it is done properly.

If you are refused bail, this means you remain in Police custody or in the custody of a Detention Centre (for example, if you are a juvenile) until your Court matter is finalised.

In next week’s column in the Weekender, we will discuss what happens after you have been charged and either granted bail or bail refused.

COMPILED BY EMILY FESZCZUK

Taking the arts forward

Penrith Performing & Visual Arts appoints new CEO to lead local arts scene

Penrith Performing & Visual Arts has announced that Krissie Scudds will be taking over as CEO from Hania Radvan, who has been in the position for nearly a decade.

Ms Scudds is coming into the role with years of experience across advocacy and leadership roles within the arts space. Currently PP&VA’s Marketing Director, she said that moving up into the role of CEO has always been a goal.

“I’ve been working in the arts for 30 years, and it’s always been my biggest passion to connect artists and audiences and the arts generally, so I’ve been steering in this direc tion for a long time,” she said.

“When I started at PP&VA, I came in saying that I’d be able to help out for maybe 21 hours a week for three months, and that was eight and a half years ago. Since then, I’ve been chipping away at the bigger picture and look ing more closely at our audiences and what we can do and how we can work strategically, so I’ve stepped in that direction and fulfilled that passion about redefining the arts in the eyes of the public.”

Having developed a strong background in the administrative side of the organisation, Ms Scudds is most excited to continue build ing connections both within and outside of PP&VA.

“I’m really looking forward to getting into making some stronger relationships with local business, and philanthropy, and doing what I can there,” she said.

“I’ll be out in the public a lot more, as I have been a bit more behind the scenes in the last few years.”

Moving forward, a lot of time and energy will be put into care, after what Ms Scudds said has been a difficult period for those in the arts.

“We’ve got to acknowledge that our industry has been through three years of really tough stuff, and people are feeling burnt out, so we need to make sure that the staff and the artists are well looked after at this point,” she said.

Though the program for 2023 is set, Ms Scudds said that we have a lot to look forward to in the next few years, intending to work closely with Penrith City Council and the local community more generally, with a focus on culturally diverse audiences.

“We are so lucky to have such a diverse, interesting and supportive community, but there’s also a lot of great stories to tell, and we’ve got great teams in our theatre and visual arts and music teams, so they’re all out there programming and producing great work,” she said.

“For me, it’s really about joining that up and working out how I can elevate everybody else’s vision into one cohesive whole that responds to community.”

She begins the new role in January.

Krissie Scudds. Photo: Melinda Jane.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Demand high for Christmas trees

CASSIDY PEARCE

With last year’s droughts meaning many were unable to get their hands on a real Christmas tree, demand is well and truly up for the festive season this year. However, with supply down again, it’s more important than ever to be first in line.

Glenmore Christmas Tree Farm was one local seller who was forced to close last year due to the droughts. As a result, it was no surprise owner Mark Ford was concerned about this year’s forecast.

“Last time I was interviewed by you guys and a photographer came to the property, I was showing trees that were dead by virtue of drought, and now of course what you’re hearing is true, that even though there was already a shortage, the shortage is made worse because of the rain,” he said.

Like many, Mr Ford says that his farm has been impacted by the onset of rain and floods throughout this year.

“We’ve lost a lot of trees, as a result of too much water,” he said.

“We planted about 1000, but with all the trees we’ve lost in this crop, we’re down to probably 300.”

However, he notes that he’s excited to be open again in some capacity, hoping to see many families out bright and early.

“I expect that we’ll probably sell out on the first day that we’re open,” he said.

“I think most of the people who will come early will be customers that we’ve had in the past, and of course everyone is hearing about the shortage, so there aren’t many places around where they’re going to be able to get them, so if you’re not early this year, you’re going to miss out!”

Glenmore Christmas Tree Farm will be opening at 9am on Saturday, December 3, selling trees for $100.

Emu Plains Lions will also again be selling trees, in what President Cheryl Devine said is her favourite fundraiser of the year.

“It’s really good fun, because the families all come, and grandparents come, and they all pick out their trees, it’s very rewarding,” she said.

The Club will be selling 100 trees from Oberon on Saturday, December 3 at Lions Park in Emu Plains. Trees will be $45 each, with the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House.

“When we arrive there to set up, there are already usually a dozen people in the line waiting to get their Christmas tree. Last year, we sold 93 trees in 45 minutes,” she said.

“We’re hoping that they go quick again this year – it’s first in best dressed!”

Real Christmas trees can also be purchased from Christmas World Penrith from Saturday, November 26, with prices starting at $90.

Mark Ford from Glenmore Christmas Tree Farm. Photo: Melinda Jane.

SAFEST SUMMER

STAYING SWIM SAFE

WITH JULIE SHELDRAKE NEPEAN AQUATIC CENTRE & EVA BORY’S SWIM SCHOOL • 4730 8900

Anew report commis sioned by Swim Australia has discovered only 23

cent of parents believe their child is a capable swimmer and 56 per cent were not confident their child could get them selves out of trouble in a water safety emergency. This week is SWIMSAFER Week, an annual national event designed to help parents understand swimming is an essential skill every child needs. The results of the Swim Australia report were cause for concern, particularly as last year in Australia 25 kids aged 0-4 lost their lives to drowning.

“The report revealed that 43 per cent of kids are not enrolled in swimming lessons and 45 per cent of parents had no plans to enrol their children in swim ming lessons,” said Alan Bentley, Director of Nepean Aquatic Centre.

“It’s so important that parents get their children into lessons so they are confident and safe.”

The impact of children not learning to swim has far reached consequences and paints a grim picture for long-term water safety in Australia. The earlier you start water familiarisation the better, as the skills learned build upon each other at each stage of development. We believe every child should be taught to swim in a proper learning facility, unfor tunately the research shows 16 per cent of parents plan to teach their child to swim themselves. We support families having fun and helping children outside of lessons become more confident with their swimming skills but the right foundations need to be developed with trained profes sionals.

This year’s campaign speaks directly to children, with SWIMSAFER Week being ‘powered up’ by PJ MASKS to encourage children’s love of the water and promote the value of swimming lessons. The campaign aims to inspire young

children and parents on the importance of swim safety along with heroes Catboy, Owlette and Gekko, and includes Campaign Ambassador Olympic gold medallist Giaan Rooney, whilst also promoting Swim it Forward – an initiative that aims to reduce the barriers for parents by gener ating funds to help families afford swimming lessons next year.

“By donating one swimming lesson or just $20, people can potentially save a life by helping a child get back in the water and find their confidence,” said Rooney.

Swimming lessons promote confidence in the water, learning to float, knowing how to react if you fall into water, being comfort able submerged in water and learning how to safely breathe while in the water, and well as improving fitness and encour aging safer fun in the sun with family and friends.

Rooney says: “Swimming lessons are a non-negotiable and

should be the priority before other sporting or physical activ ities. Swimming lessons are the one physical activity that could help a child save their own life or the life of another child.”

Of course swimming lessons are just one of the layers of protec tion of water safety, so please also remember supervision, checking fences and gates and learning CPR so you would know what to do in an emergency.

Parents can find more informa tion online at www.swimsafer. org.au.

With summer just around the corner, local experts are calling for parents to remain vigilant at home, keeping an eye out for little ones around water sources, big and small.

Parents play an integral role in ensuring that their children know how to be safe around water, according to Laura Buckler from JUMP! Swim School St Marys.

“Parents are the primary educator of kids on water safety, and they’re, too, responsible for the environment that they take the kids to, and the activities,” she said.

“It’s not that we should be avoiding these activi ties, it’s just that we should be doing them in a safe manner.”

For Ms Buckler, this education starts at home, making sure that both children and parents are aware of hazards and safety precautions before heading out.

“If Mum and Dad can get involved, and make sure their house is a safe environment, and just be aware of potential hazards when they’re out on holidays or at the beach or the river, that helps too,” she said.

“It’s a rounded education.”

And there are more hazards than many may think, with water sources as small as dog bowls providing a risk.

“The main ones that would stand out would be the bathtub, having pools and leaving the pool gate open, wading pools, and even large dog bowls concern me – that’s still a risk if you have a crawling toddler around the house,” she said.

Once in the water, Ms Buckler enforces that parents should remain cautious, regardless of the safety apparatus used.

“We don’t teach with floaties. I think they give parents a false sense of security that the kids are okay in the water, but really, they need to be quite close to them to assist them,” she said.

“Floaties shouldn’t be something to use to let a kid swim and watch them from a distance – the parents still need to be in the water. We encourage the parents to be closer, and for kids to learn their skills without the need of a floatation aid.”

When it comes to teaching your children about water safety, Ms Buckler assures doing it sooner will be more beneficial in the long run.

“I’ve got three young kids myself, and my eldest is eight,” she said.

“At the moment, although the kids are quite close, and they’re not going out by themselves, I think for me as a parent, knowing that I’ve taught these skills from a young age, once they’re older and going out and doing these things by them selves, I’d feel more comfortable knowing they’ve got those foundational skills to keep them safe.”

Ending our city’s darkest shame

CASSIDY PEARCE

With Penrith continuing to be a hot spot for domestic violence year after year, it’s more important than ever to find a reason why.

White Ribbon Day has a focus on men and boys working to end male violence against women.

Penrith Mayor and Director of The Haven, Tricia Hitchen, notes that education is the most important thing in making this happen.

“If you’re looking to try and stop violence against women, you have to go to the perpe trators. They have to be educated,” she said.

“I think young men in particular have to be educated at an early age about respectful behaviours and consent and what’s appro priate in how you deal with women.

“If they’re not going to learn it at home, then they have to learn it somewhere else, so it’s our job to make sure that they do.”

Women’s Community Shelters runs a program called Walk the Talk, which has been administered by The Haven in a number of local schools in recent years.

The program aims to educate students around consent, types of control in relation ships, and coercive control, with the schools then taking on The Haven as a charity for the year.

“It’s been really, really successful, and we’ve been invited back to St Dominics every year to give that program again,” she said.

“I think it was about two or three years ago that the Year 12 students actually lined up out the front of St Dominics on White Ribbon Day and held up signs about stopping the violence.

“It was really inspiring.”

But, Ms Hitchen notes that education can be just as important for women.

“A lot of people feel that as long as you don’t punch a woman or hit a woman, then it’s not domestic violence. They don’t understand all the different types of violence and control that is exerted over women,” she said.

“I’ve given a lot of talks in community organisations, and when I’ve been going through the different types of domestic violence, you can see the lights go on.”

The Haven provides domestic violence victims and their children with a number of vital resources. Ms Hitchen encourages those who are in these situations to seek help when possible.

“The Haven runs financial training, we look for jobs for them, we find them accom modation, we upskill them,” she said.

“All those things that need to be done, we look at doing, so when they leave us, they’re competent and confident.”

Need support? Call 1800 737 732.

DEAR WEEKENDER

NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU SUITE 2, 42-44 ABEL STREET, JAMISONTOWN 2750

Company’s behaviour a concern

We dodged a bullet with this company (Left in the dark, Weekender November 18). Went through the design and approvals process and that was bad enough – red flags the entire time. We lost $10k but refused to sign the contract after all the red flags. We were spun the usual BS that they told everyone else but nothing ever came of it. I just hope no one else gets caught out by them and they at least finish the work on the jobs people have paid them for. No ethics at all, not sure how they can sleep at night.

SANDRA ALESSIO, VIA FACEBOOK

Please Keep Watch this summer

Following on from a record number of drowning deaths in the past year, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia is urging all parents and carers in your area to always ‘Keep Watch’ around the water. Our latest research reveals 549 children aged zero to four have died from drowning in Australia in the past 20 years. 40 per cent were aged just one-year-old. This clearly reveals there needs to be much more action on supervis ing young children around water – which is why we urge everybody to ‘Keep Watch’. The drowning risk for young children peaks in summer; 38 per cent of all drowning deaths take place between December and Febru ary. More than half of all deaths occurred in swimming pools, making pools the leading location for drowning among young children. Drowning in young children is often quick and silent. Everyday distractions like answering the front door, checking on dinner in the oven or answering a text message can divert someone’s attention

away from the crucial task of supervision. This can then enable a child to enter the pool area unaccompanied. Active supervi sion means giving your full attention – and avoiding distractions. It is important that you check your pool fence and gate. Pool gates should never be propped open for any reason. For more information about Royal Life Saving’s Keep Watch campaign, visit www.royallifesaving.com.au/keepwatch.

JUSTIN SCARR, CEO

ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY

Fitting tribute to Barry

Well said Troy (Editor’s Desk, Weekender November 18). A truly remarkable man was Barry Leavett-Brown. The Penrith commu nity was so fortunate Barry and Joyce decided to call our fair city of Penrith home. Lovely to see him honoured in this way.

LINDA LAMOND,

VIA FACEBOOK

That time of year again

You can never quite pinpoint the date, but it’s usually mid-November, sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later. Christ mas arrives in Penrith, and don’t we know it. No, it’s not the carols in the shopping centres, the man in the big red suit or the decorations. It’s the maniac drivers. People who don’t know how to park, who forget how to use round-a-bouts and who develop some sort of God complex when it comes to their rights on the roads. Yes, that time of year has arrived in Penrith again. Now that I’ve done all my Christmas shopping, I think I’ll leave the CBD alone until January.

LARRY CLARKE, VIA EMAIL

The Western Weekender reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of accuracy and space. For more information, see our public notices section.

Penrith Mayor and The Haven Director, Tricia Hitchen. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Δ

This

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Δ Santa mail: With the countdown to Christmas upon us, Australia Post is calling on children to pick up some paper, secure some stamps and get their letters to Santa in the mailbox. Sacks of letters have already

arriving at the North Pole from eager

and Australia Post says there are some key dates to ensure everyone gets a response before Santa and his elves get busy loading the sleigh. With more than 118,000 letters received last year, Santa needs families to post their letters before December 2.

Help Council engage better Community engagement is at the heart of local government. It helps communities to be active participants in shaping their own future and play a part in positive change.

Council has a vital role to play in pro viding meaningful opportunities for you, the community, to be actively involved in creating good public policy and ensuring relevant, quality services are planned and delivered for our growing, future City.

Penrith City Council is currently review ing the Community Engagement Policy, and the Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan 202226, formalising our commitment to better decision-making through meaningful engagement.

In these documents, you can read about our guiding principles and how we intend to deliver community engagement so you can understand what good engagement looks like at Penrith City Council.

Engagement is fundamentally about seeking better outcomes for everyone. An engaged community that has the knowl edge and the ability to provide insights and feedback on the projects or issues that affect the way they live, work or play in our city will lead to better outcomes.

This is our promise to the Penrith com munity and stakeholders, that they’ll be involved in shaping the future of our City. The documents are on public exhibition from November 15 to December 12 at yoursaypenrith.com.au/community-en gagement-strategy-2022.

Hard copies are also available to view at the Penrith Civic Centre, St Marys Business Office and Library, Penrith City Library and St Clair Library. Don’t miss this opportuni ty to be part of an important conversation

will ultimately make our City a better place to live, work and visit!

Head to www.westernweekender.com.au/ getapaper to find

that

CR TRICIA HITCHEN Mayor of Penrith

IGA and Coles supermarkets nationwide.

New Indian restaurant: Dosa Hut at Westfield Penrith has closed and been replaced with a new Indian restaurant. Spicy Sizzlers is open now for dine-in and take-

Doggie doughnuts: Spoil your dog this Christmas with Krispy Kreme’s delicious Doggie Doughnuts (pictured bottom left).

Paw-fect Christmas Doggie Doughnuts four Pack will have your pooch grinning ear-to-ear and licking their chops for a chomp! The limited edition Christmas-themed treats feature one Christmas tree, one sprinkles, one Santa belly and one pudding doggie doughnut. Pick them up now from the Penrith Krispy Kreme store.

started

kids

Stimulate

School seeks raffle donations

espite being small in numbers, the staff and families at Orchard Hills Public School are constantly shooting for the stars, with only the best for the students in mind. But, it takes the whole community to get there.

After being a ‘silent’ P&C member in 2020, Carly Brown officially joined the team last year, taking on the role of Grants and Fund raising Coordinator.

As part of this, Ms Brown created ‘The Orchard Hills Project’ – an initiative which she wants to be used by those who take on the role in the future, aiming to help the school thrive as numbers soar.

“I think every child deserves the same quality of education, equipment, funding, everything that a larger school deserves as well,” she said.

“My goal was to start off small, and gradu ally try to increase it into something bigger.”

Last year, she obtained a grant of $25,000 through Londonderry MP Prue Car, which went towards starting to get covered walk ways in the school, of which they had none previously.

The school is currently preparing for their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Christmas Raffle.

Ms Brown is asking for contributions from local businesses to add to the raffle, no matter how big or small.

“We are so grateful and appreciative of everything we receive,” she said.

Ms Brown assures that the donations will go a long way at the school – with finishing the walkways the first priority.

“If we can do a really successful raffle, then that definitely would go towards the walkways,” she said.

“We also want to finish off the library, get new bubbler systems, and the school needs a COLA.”

For more information or to donate, email theorchardhillsproject@gmail.com.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Students from Orchard Hills Public School are preparing for the Christmas Raffle.

Penrith City Council has completed an upgrade of the Brooker and Day Reserve playspace in Colyton.

The new playspace design was developed in close consultation with the local commu nity and features a variety of play equipment including a multi-bay swing set, see-saw and balance trail.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the project complemented a recent upgrade to the nearby Iron Bark Way playspace.

“We are thrilled to have delivered two new recreation spaces for Colyton residents and their families to enjoy,” Cr Hitchen said. A new picnic table with awning, bin, water bubbler, pathway, trees and shade

sails were also included in the upgrade.

Council invested $131,168 in the upgrade through its ongoing asset renewal program, with the NSW Government contributing an additional $57,787 through the Community Building Partnership program.

Member for Londonderry Prue Car said she is proud to have supported the project to deliver this new recreational facility, which is now a fantastic asset for the Colyton community.

The project is part of Council’s commit ment to upgrade 40 playspaces over a five-year period between 2019-2024, with 23 playspaces now renewed across the Local Government Area.

Donations make a difference

CASSIDY PEARCE

Adonation of scarves, hats and beanies was made to breast cancer patients at the Cancer Care Centre at Nepean Hospital, with the help of a host of local businesses and community organ isations.

2022 Londonderry Woman of the Year Mariam Latifi is currently in the midst of her 12 Months of Kindness Project, wherein she’s been focusing on one random act of kindness each month.

In October, her attention went to breast cancer.

“There’s a close family member of mine who’s gone through breast cancer, and I thought with October, the next thing I wanted to do would be something to do with breast cancer, and raising that awareness, where we know that one in eight women will get breast cancer,” she said.

With the help of Nepean Hospital staff, Ms Latifi got the ball rolling.

“I reached out to our local hospital, which was Nepean, and luckily I got in touch with Sarah Maguire, who is the McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse,” she said.

“I spoke to her about this initiative, and she was so welcoming. She said it would be amazing, because many of their chemother apy patients are struggling financially to purchase these caps and beanies.”

Businesses such as The Hijab Label, Obsession The Cake Hub, The Modern Hijab Boutique and Lunar Rose and Co all contrib uted to a Breast Cancer Awareness Drive, which saw the supplies donated on Friday,

“It’s been amazing, and the response I’ve had has been so welcoming, especially when I went and dropped it off to Sarah, it just

Londonderry MP Prue Car and Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen at the upgraded playspace.

Kelly Jager, Mariam Latifi and Sarah Maguire.

women Better approach for mums

Anew pilot program running at Nepean Hospital will provide a familiar face throughout women’s pregnancies to achieve the best outcomes for mums and babies.

Under the Maternity Antenatal Postnatal Service (MAPS) women will have one midwife dedicated to providing their antenatal and early postnatal care.

“A woman will have a primary midwife that sees them for all their antenatal appointments and is available for extra support over phone, text or email for non-urgent questions,” Nepean MAPS Midwife Miriam Cook said.

“We are not there for the birth or postnatal ward but once they go home the same primary midwife sees them for a two-week period so every day for five days and then on the phone or further visits up to the two weeks.”

By seeing the same midwife, it allows women to build a rapport with their midwife, which Ms Cook said is very rewarding and benefi cial.

“Knowing the women and their story means they don’t have to waste time explaining their background every time you see them for an ante natal appointment,” she said.

“It gives time for us to provide education and to address the questions women want to know about which improves outcomes for them.”

With standard care at most public hospitals in NSW, pregnant women will see a different team before, during and after having a baby.

The alternate caseload midwifery program at Nepean Hospital allo cated the same midwife throughout the whole process from antenatal, any extra monitoring to being on call for the labour and home visits

postnatally. While the caseload program is very effective, Ms Cook said MAPS falls somewhere in the middle which will provide for more female patients.

“A full-time caseload midwife will see 40 women a year, but a MAPS midwife will see 80 so we are doubling the amount of women who receive continuity of care,” she said.

“We wish we could provide more caseload, but we need other models that can provide continuity with the resources that we have so we have to be creative with what we can provide.”

With the pilot running over the next year, Nepean Hospital now has five MAPS midwives working with local women.

“We just started in October so we are recruiting women and just had our first birth and round of post natal care which was exciting,” she said.

“It will run for a year and then because the program is set by the Ministry of Health the idea is that it will roll over and be the main form of care at Nepean.”

Ms Cook said any pregnant women who live in the areas covered by the hospital are able to take part in the trial and experience the benefits of the program.

“We are keen to see all the women we can and see what they need to expand our pilot into an ongoing successful program,” she said.

“If somebody hears about it and wants to know more, they can let the clinic at the hospital know and they can get them in touch with us.”

Midwives Dakoda Garner, Miriam Cook, Fiona Booth, Loren Posa and Maddie Lewis.

Taking blind dates to another level

CASSIDY PEARCE

For many singles, being sent on a blind date is hardly a new idea. But, what if you were actually blind?

Craig Shanahan from The Blind Chef Café & Dessert Bar is combining the concepts for his inaugural Blind Speed Dating event, to be held at the venue at 6pm on Thursday, December 1.

For Mr Shanahan, the concept was inspired not only by his own experiences, but also those of his close friends.

“I’ve got a lot of different friends that I talk to that are vision impaired, and they just talk to me about using apps, and how they find it hard with people knowing they’re vision impaired, they don’t really get a look in,” he said.

“I thought, ‘How can I create a way where people may not know they’re vision impaired initially?

“Also, with myself now becoming vision impaired, I’ll talk to girls and find out if they’re someone I’m interested in based on different senses.

“I thought it would be a cool, unique way of getting people involved in experiencing what it’s like to have to find someone that they may like with no sight.”

The event will see 14 men and 14 women, who can be vision impaired or sighted, engage in rounds of speed dating.

Sighted participants will be blindfolded, encouraging them to utilise other means of getting to know someone.

“You have to use other senses, such as, if they were attracted to their voice or their personal ity, because obviously you can’t see someone’s figure, so you’re going off other things about them that may attract you,” he said.

Mr Shanahan is hoping that the night will raise some awareness of the experiences of vision impaired individuals on the dating scene.

“The main thing is the experience, it’s defi nitely a bit of a different one, but I think it will be a cool little experiment,” he said.

But, he’s also excited to see some sparks fly in his popular cafe.

“I’m hoping that some people might take it seriously and actually come here to find a partner or go on a second date,” Mr Shanahan said.

“For me, the ideal situation would be that someone actually does come out of it and say, ‘Hey, I’m really interested in learning more about you, would you like to go on another date?’, and create a friendship or even a further bond from coming to the night.”

Tickets for the event are $35, and include an antipasto plate for individuals and a drink on arrival.

For more information or to book for the Blind Speed Dating event, head to thebccafe. com.au.

Pendragons Abreast:

supports the wellbeing of breast cancer survivors through the sport of dragon boating.

Pendragons Abreast Penrith are holding a Starz Games Fundraiser Night, this fundraiser is to support our team to attend the International Breast cancer participatory dragon boat festival in New Zealand in 2023.

What is Starz Game Show?

TV shows like Millionaire attract millions of viewers each week but only a select few get to play. Now you have the chance to “get interactive” with Starz Game Show in the style of some of the World’s most popular game shows. We’ve adopted the popular TV games so that teams of almost any size can “Hit The Buzzer” and feel the exictement!

Please help by joining us for a night of games, raffles, door prize, fun and funraising.

Tickets: $30 each

Want to know more? Find us on Facebook: Dragons Abreast Penrith Or contact our Membership coordinator 0407 278 384 Take a look at Dragons Abreast Australia website: www.dragonsabreast.com.au/penrith Pendragons Dragon Boat Club: pendragons.online

Craig Shanahan is matching local singles at a special event. Photo: Melinda Jane.

This photograph from 2002 shows roadworks taking place on High Street where it met Henry Street.

The works blocked off one of High Street's two roads that joined with Henry Street. This area would see more works over the next 17 years, with High Street being blocked off and a small car park and temporary park installed, and then in 2018 the Triangle Park opened in this spot, with traffic being diverted to Riley Street.

One memory this photo may bring back is the New Eastern Inn Chinese restau rant, which can be seen in the background.

Workin’ Gear and a real estate agency can also be seen among the retailers in the photo.

(Photo thanks to Penrith City Library)

CADDENS

CADDENS NEWS (CADDENS CORNER)

CLEMENTINE’S CAFÉ

WOOLWORTHS

CAMBRIDGE GARDENS

COLES

M c DONALD’S

OVERLANDER HOTEL

CAMBRIDGE PARK

CAMBRIDGE PARK NEWSAGENCY

CELLARBATIONS

FRIENDLY GROCER

CASTLEREAGH

AMPOL SERVICE STATION

CLAREMONT MEADOWS

IGA CLAREMONT MEADOWS

COLYTON

COLYTON CENTRE PHARMACY

COLYTON FRIENDLY GROCER

COLYTON HOTEL

COLYTON NEWSAGENCY

HEWITT STREET TAKEAWAY

CRANEBROOK

ALDI CRANEBROOK

CRANEBROOK COMMUNITY HEALTH

CRANEBROOK VILLAGE

M cDONALD’S

MOTHER EARTH NURSERY PLUS PHARMACY

WOOLWORTHS CRANEBROOK

EMU PLAINS

CHAMBERS CELLARS

LENNOX CENTRE NEWSAGENCY

M c DONALD’S

PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY

WOOLWORTHS LENNOX VILLAGE

7/11 EMU PLAINS (GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY)

7/11 EMU PLAINS (OLD BATHURST RD)

EMU HEIGHTS

SUPER SAVE COMPOUNDING CHEMIST

ERSKINE PARK

ASHCROFT’S IGA

ERSKINE PARK CTC

GLENMORE PARK COLES

MAGS NEWS

M c DONALD’S

MEDI ADVICE PHARMACY

WOOLWORTHS

JAMISONTOWN

ABCOE

ABEL STREET EATERY (HAPPY HARRYS)

BATT STREET TAKE AWAY

GREY GUMS HOTEL

NEW ON YORK TAKEAWAY

PARRABEY GOURMET KITCHEN (PENRITH HOMEMAKER)

SALT CAFE (PENRITH HOMEMAKER)

SHELL SERVICE STATION

THE COFFEE CLUB NEPEAN RIVER

THREE SUGARS CAFÉ

WESTERN WEEKENDER

YORK TAKEAWAY

ZOO FITNESS

7/11 JAMISONTOWN

JORDAN SPRINGS

JORDAN SPRINGS NEWSAGENCY

WOOLWORTHS

KEMPS CREEK

CALTEX SERVICE STATION

KEMPS CREEK BOWLING CLUB

KINGSWOOD

BARISTA BAR COFFEE SHOP (NEPEAN PRIVATE HOSPITAL)

COUNTRY BREWER

HALLANI’S

KINGSWOOD HOTEL

KINGSWOOD NEWSAGENCY

KINGSWOOD SMASH REPAIRS

KINGSWOOD SPORTS CLUB

PENRITH GAELS CLUB

RADHE INDIAN GROCERY STORE

VOLUNTEERS DESK NEPEAN HOSPITAL

7/11 KINGSWOOD

LEONAY

EMU SPORTS CLUB WILLOW TREE CAFÉ

LLANDILO

IGA

LONDONDERRY

LONDONDERRY LIQUOR STORE SHELL X ROADS

LUDDENHAM

AMPOL

AUSTRALIA POST IGA LUDDENHAM

MINCHINBURY

McDONALD’S

MINCHINBURY FRUIT MARKET MOUNT DRUITT WESTFIELD MOUNT DRUITT

MULGOA

GLENMORE HERITAGE GOLF CLUB MULGOA NEWSAGENCY MULGOA PHARMACY

NORTH ST MARYS

LUCKY AUSTRALIAN HOTEL MFC FOOD STORES

ORCHARD HILLS

FLOWER POWER OXLEY PARK

UC STORE

PENRITH ALDI

ASTINA

ATMOSPHERE GYM

AUSTRALIAN ARMS

BOREC ROAD TAKEAWAY (VALLEY CAFÉ)

BRISKET BOYS

CALTEX COREEN AVENUE

COLES PENRITH (NEPEAN VILLAGE)

CRESCENT MINI MART

HIGH STREET PIES

HOYTS WESTFIELD

JOAN SUTHERLAND ARTS CENTRE

LIQUOR STAX PEACHTREE

M cDONALD’S HIGH STREET

M cDONALD’S PANTHERS LEAGUES

M cDONALD’S PEACHTREE

MERCURE HOTEL

MUSEUM OF FIRE

NEPEAN AQUATIC CENTRE

NEPEAN MOTOR GROUP CAFÉ

NEPEAN ROWING CLUB

NEPEAN VILLAGE COFFEE CLUB

NEPEAN VILLAGE NEWSAGENCY

NEXTRA WESTFIELD

ONE POINT HEALTH

PANTHERS LEAGUES CLUB

PEACHTREE HOTEL

PENRITH BOWLING CLUB

PENRITH CBD CORPORATION

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL

PENRITH CITY LIBRARY

PENRITH GOLF CLUB

PENRITH HOTEL

PENRITH PACEWAY

PENRITH RSL

PENRITH SENIOR CITIZENS CENTRE

PIONEER TAVERN RE/MAX SITTANO’S RESTAURANT TATTERSALLS HOTEL

THE CHICKEN RUN

THE HERITAGE TERRACE CAFÉ

THE LOG CABIN WESTFIELD

WORLD GYM 7/11 HENRY STREET

REGENTVILLE 7/11 REGENTVILLE

ROPES CROSSING

COLES

ROPES CROSSING NEWSAGENCY

SILVERDALE IGA

THE CHEMIST SHOP

SOUTH PENRITH BUDGET SERVICE STATION FISH FISH

FRIENDLY GROCER GROSE’S PHARMACY SOUTHLANDS NEWSAGENCY SOUTHLANDS TAKEAWAY WOOLWORTHS

ST CLAIR BLUE CATTLE DOG HOTEL

FOODWORKS MELVILLE ROAD TAKEAWAY ST CLAIR LIBRARY ST CLAIR SHOPPING CENTRE 7/11 ST CLAIR

ST MARYS

AMPOL FOODARY ASTLEY PHARMACY CASSANDRA’S ON QUEEN GUIDO’S HAIR CARE JAYAM SUPERMARKET M cDONALD’S ST MARYS SOUTH MONFARVILLE CORNER STORE QUEEN ST NEWSAGENCY

ST MARYS BAND CLUB

ST MARYS FISH MARKET

ST MARYS LEAGUES CLUB ST MARYS LIBRARY ST MARYS PHARMACY QUEEN ST ST MARYS PIZZA HUT ST MARYS RSL ST MARYS VILLAGE

WAGON WHEEL HOTEL WALTER’S NEWSAGENCY

THORNTON PETRAMART THORNTON COMMUNITY CENTRE

WALLACIA WALLACIA GOLF CLUB

WALLACIA HOTEL

WALLACIA POST OFFICE WALLACIA TAKEAWAY

WARRAGAMBA WARRAGAMBA SPORTS CLUB

WERRINGTON

COLONIAL HOTEL

CROSSROADS CONVENIENCE STORE

DIRANI’S MFC

GEORGE’S CHARCOAL CHICKEN HENRY SPORTS CLUB

M c DONALD’S SUPA IGA

THE FOODARY WERRINGTON NEWSAGENCY

MOUNT DRUITT

ST MARYS LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

This year’s Mount Druitt St Marys Local Business Awards was a glit tering spectacular that provided a fitting finale to the annual event.

This year’s winners exchanged exuber ant hugs and cheers filled the room as they made their way to the stage on Tuesday, November 15.

Awards founder and Precedent Produc tions Managing Director Steve Loe said the evening was an exciting culmination to a successful awards program.

“The Local Business Awards recognise the vital role business people play in the lives of their communities,” he said.

“The presentation evening not only sees the announcement of the category winners but is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all the finalists.

“We had a sell-out crowd that included our finalists, their families and staff, as well as our sponsors and local dignitaries, who helped to present awards to the winners.”

The Western Weekender captured all the excitement as the finalists in each category were announced, complete with images on the big screen, followed by huge cheers as the winners’ names were read out and they took to the stage to claim their trophies.

“The winners’ speeches are always heartfelt and emotional,” Mr Loe said.

“This year was no exception. “It’s very emotional for everyone there to see their tears and smiles as well as hear the beautiful acceptance speeches.”

As official media partner for the Mount Druitt St Marys Local Business Awards, The Western Weekender today publishes a winners’ feature, that recognises all category winners from the presentation evening.

“Of course, the awards are only possible with the support of Major Sponsors Black town City Council and NOVA Employment

“Their involvement proves their commitment to their community and the businesses that thrive there.”

Mr Loe also thanked St Marys Band Club for the high quality food and service it provided.

“Thanks to them it was a five-star occa sion,” he said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the incredible entertainment and our fabulous MC Paul Hancock who kept the evening flowing smoothly.”

Businesses can register for the 2023 Local Business Awards at www.thebusi nessawards.com.au.

Turn the page to see the winners!

and Support Sponsors, Plumpton Market Place and White Key Marketing,” Mr Loe said.

All of the winners on stage at St Marys Band Club.

Winners are grinners!

THE DON KUTS

2022 WINNER BE A UTY SERVICES

Cosmetic Beauty Hub specialise in cosmetic and fine line tattooing, cosmetic injections including anti wrinkle and dermal fillers as well as various beauty services including skin needling, microdermabrasion, skin peels and more.

Our team are all fully trained and accredited in an extensive variety of beauty services and continue to update their skills and qualifications to keep up to date with the latest in beauty industry standards.

From the moment you walk in to the salon you will be welcomed with expert advice and exceptional care.

At Cosmetic Beauty Hub we are committed to providing the highest standards of beauty treatments.

A: 4/9 EVANS ROAD RD, ROOTY HILL P: 9677 0886 | W: COSMETICBEAUTYHUB.COM.AU

2022 WINNER BARBER SHOP

We would like to thank all our customers and the Local Business Awards in helping us achieve this dream of winning Best Barbershop in Mt Druitt/St Marys.

To say thank you we would like to invite the community to an open day held by The Don Kuts. Come take a photo with Santa for free, free face painting, free balloon twisting, free sausage sizzle and free lolly bags for the first 300 kids to walk through the door. Free raffle entry – be in the running to win mystery prizes. On the 11th of December from 10am2pm at 410 Rooty hill Road North Oakhurst. As a small business we understand the struggle that everyone is going through, so we are giving back to the community completely for free to help everyone, not just our customers. Call 0422 895 709 for any questions regarding the day and a haircut to look nice and fresh for your Santa photos.

A: 410 ROOTY HILL RD NORTH, OAKHURST P: 0422 895 709 | W: THEDONKUTS.COM.AU

2022 WINNER FRESH FOOD

Fruitworld world are now in there 18th year in our community.

We have a wide range and variety of the best available fruit and vegetables.

We also have a massive variety of groceries to cater for our very multicultural community.

We always aim to please should you have any questions please contact us on 9625 2908 or like and message us through our Facebook page (Plumpton Fruit World).

A: SHOP 3/4 PLUMPTON MARKETPLACE, 260 JERSEY RD P: 9625 2908

COSMETIC BEAUTY HUB

PLUMPTON FRUIT WORLD

2022 WINNER

CAF É

Adam, Karinn and the team at The Shed Café –ECQ are extremely honoured to be named The Most Outstanding Café for 2022.

We would like to thank our loyal customers for voting and continued support over the past year. We pride ourselves on providing an exceptional experience, every time you visit us, through the highest quality food, outstanding customer service and a great atmosphere. The Shed Cafe - ECQ offers a modern, wholesome, and generously portioned menu and exceptional coffee, along with a range of fresh juices and sweet treats. Corporate and private catering is also available through our online portal or via email.

Check out our new range of Coffee Pods, so you can experience The Shed Café coffee taste, at home. If you are currently looking to work in the hospitality industry as a barista, café all-rounder or chef, why not work for the Best!

Come into the café or contact us for a chat.

A: T39 EASTERN CREEK QUARTER P: 9677 8464 | W: THESHEDCAFE.COM.AU

2022 WINNER PROFE SS IONAL SERVICES

We are an experienced team of financia l advisors and profes siona ls wh o provid e accounting services , S MSF services , pay ro l l services cash flow mana gement bookkeepin g service s , taxation services , ma n agemen t accou nt i n g and more t hat are vital to you r g rowth p e rs o nal l y a nd professional l y Be i n g e it he r an Ind i vidua l , Partnersh i p firm s , Sol e trade r T rusts C om p anies SMS F Association s e tc SM G ma kes s ure yo u r fin ancial st ren gt h sta ys in tact i n all the as pects

Busi n ess e s d on’t pla n to fail b ut fa i l to plan We understand this and take it seriously whe n it c o me s to t he fin ances and pl an sen sibl y b e c aus e at the end of the da y, you r b u sines s is o ur b u sine ss.

PAPPARICH

2022 WINNER RESTAURANT

Our story began with a simple idea: We want to give our customers a taste of Malaysian culture and cuisine in this multicultural county, whether through a plate of Nasi Lemak or a crunchy, buttery Roti Canai, all with a cup of Teh Tarik.

Malaysia has a rich multicultural heritage, and this is reflected in Malaysian cuisine, which is heavily influenced by Indian, Chinese and Indonesian cuisine.

We are proud of our excellent customer service and our service is known for being friendly, available, attentive and quick to take care of customers’ needs. We have delicately crafted dishes that never fail to deliver bursts of flavour and colour because we use only an authentic mix of herbs, spices and fresh produce, cooked according to traditional recipes. From the fiery sambal of the Nasi Lemak to the silky-smooth Curry Laksa broth, our food reflects the balance and harmony of the different cultures in Malaysia that have combined to give us the distinctive, unique taste of Malaysian cuisine.

A: SHOP 2001 WESTFIELD 49 N PARADE, MOUNT DRUITT P: 9056 9710 | W: PAPPARICH.NET.AU

2022 WINNER SERVICE &

TRADE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

At Tank Vision, we design, fabricate and install commercial/industrial water storage tanks, as well as replace, refurbish and maintain existing ones across Australia and New Zealand.

Tank Vision was nominated as a Winner Business of the Year & Outstanding Service and Trade because:

We have a motivated and driven leadership team led by Ben Leggott, Founder and Managing Director.

• We are people focused - we continually invest in our people to succeed in their roles and beyond to grow with the business.

• We are safety-focused - we look after our people’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing. We ensure that we have all the required knowledge, resources, training and support that they would need.

• We are client focused and passionate about quality service - we listen to and understand them and do our best to meet their needs.

If you want to be part of a great culture and supportive workplace where great work is recognised and appreciated, then keep an eye on our future vacancies as Tank Vision keeps growing.

E: SALES@TANKVISION.COM.AU P: 9832 2015 | W: TANKVISION.COM.AU

BUSINESS

Reviewing your business marketing

It’s mid November which means Christ mas is around the corner and the busi ness year is coming to an end… 2022 has been another big year for small businesses.

This time of year business owners are often focusing on winding down for the year, finishing client work and having those end of year celebration dinners and drinks prior to taking a much needed break, whether that is a few days or a few weeks.

But one area that can be overlooked during this time is your small business marketing!

Christmas is a fantastic time of year to thank your existing customers for support, whilst also opening the door to a conversa tion with potential leads or inactive custom ers.

Email marketing

Mailchimp, HubSpot, YAMM, whatever email marketing software you use, craft up a ‘Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’ email to your database. This is a great way to also close out the year by thanking them for support, whilst also providing an oppor tunity to offer your services in the new year.

Key content recommendations for this email marketing strategy:

• Season’s Greetings

• Thank you for the support statement

• Reflection of 2022 for business (1-2 sentences… not a novel)

• Any shutdown periods and if there is anything required, direction of where to go

• Button and CTA to services / offerings in 2023.

Google My Business

Google My Business for many small busi nesses is their shopfront!

So ensuring you update this listing with the correct holiday closures is important.

A great feature part of Google My Business is the ability to use ‘Posts’, I would recom mend you put a post advising any changes to hours for the holiday period.

Christmas cards and gifts

Christmas Gifts whether that be a hamper, branded calendar, or a fruit basket is some thing many businesses like to offer for their key clients.

A great way of saying ‘thank you’, doesn’t always have to be $$$ but can simply be a personalised card or note, branded your business.

I recommend clients think about this in mid-November and jump on the ‘Black Friday VistaPrint’ sales where they can create a personalised card or note to send to clients the first week of December. It’s the thought that counts!

Reflect on 2022

A key step in coming into 2023 is for busi ness owners to stop and reflect on 2022.

The period between Christmas and New Year, when you’re not sure what day it is, can be a great time to write down all the goals for the new year.

Whether this is a financial goal or a personal goal.

Goal setting is a critical part of strategic business planning, and allows for you to keep focused!

BELOVED MOVIE COMES TO LIFE

Everybody knows the story of Alex the lion and his three best friends, Marty the zebra, Melman the gi raffe and Gloria the hippo, escap ing from New York Central Zoo, only to end up in Madagascar among fugitive penguins and happy lemurs.

Now, the DreamWorks movie will be coming to life, in a musical at Sydney Coliseum The atre.

Joe Kalou will be portraying Marty in ‘Mada gascar the Musical’ – a role he said was impos sible to pass up.

“It was one of those movies that came out, and I was sort of at the age where I was like,

‘Oh, is this just another kids movie?’. But, it was awesome, because Marty didn’t want to be in the zoo, he wanted to follow his own dreams, and it was so fun once he got there, I just really loved it,” he said.

“So, when that opportunity came up, I was like, ‘Yes, absolutely!”

Joe’s performance history lies primarily in musicals, from playing Chad in a local pro duction of ‘High School Musical’, to Jesus in Packemin Productions’ ‘Jesus Christ Super star’. But, he might be best known by audienc es for his work in Hi-5 – a job that he said has come in handy when portraying Marty.

“What’s so good about Hi-5 and my experi ence with that is, you have to be genuine in your performance for kids to enjoy it, because kids are the best audience of all, they’ll just

walk away and become uninterested if you’re not really feeling the performance and telling the story from a genuine place,” he said.

“Doing that for so long, it’s helped my perfor mance in general, but coming to a show like ‘Madagascar’, I feel like I’m just so prepped and ready to connect with everybody in the audience.”

In particular, Joe said that the role of Marty couldn’t be more fitting.

“Marty is voiced by Chris Rock in the film. I grew up loving Chris Rock – being a person of colour in Australia I identified with him that way,” he said.

“And, the whole story of Marty, the charac ter himself, he just wants to follow his dreams! The beautiful thing is that Alex the lion is the star of the zoo, but even though Marty’s

not the star, it’s not from a jealous place that he wants more. He just wanted to follow his dreams, and he did it.”

This December’s premiere at Sydney Coli seum is set to be fun not just for kids, but for adults, and the performers.

“I’m excited to get up there with the cast and tell this story, and have a lot of fun while doing it,” he said.

“I still remember watching it for the first time at the movies, and I thought it was so awesome, so to be a part of the musical is just going to be an awesome experience.”

‘Madagascar the Musical’ will be on at Syd ney Coliseum Theatre from Friday, Decem ber 16 to Sunday, January 1. Tickets start at $49. For more information or to book, head to sydneycoliseum.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

THINGS TO DO

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood

Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm. Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, Kingswood.

Morning tea every Friday morning.

Penrith Markets

Wednesdays. Penrith Showground.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce Regular events.

For more information about membership and upcoming events, visit www.penrithchamber.org.au.

CLASSES AND FUN

Sunset Station Singers

Mondays 7pm, St Marys RSL. Rhonda 0408 218 965.

The Sunset Station Singers entertain residents mainly in nursing homes. The song list is over 130 songs, ranging from their old time favourites to more current songs.

Free weekly Tai Chi classes

Saturdays 4.30pm, WSU Kingswood Campus. Guan 0422 120 738.

Tai chi and qiqong exercise.

This

Take your car for a spin at Luddenham Raceway

Take your car for a spin on Track Day held at Luddenham Raceway this Saturday, November 26. These days are great for vehicle testing, shakedowns or for simply getting out on a track and enjoying and exploring the limits of your car. The Motor sport Park features a purpose built circuit. To book your place and for more information, visit luddenhamraceway.com.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Penrith Rotary Club

Mondays 6.30pm. 0416 157 668.

New members welcome. The Rotary Club generally meets at Penrith Bowling Club.

Penrith Lions Club

Second and fourth Monday of the month. Penrith Bowling Club. 4736 1546. For more information about membership and upcoming events, visit the Lions on Facebook.

Cambridge Park Lions Club

Second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Henry Sports Club. Call 0484 003 571 for details.

Jordan Springs Probus Club

Fourth Tuesday of the month at 10am, Jordan Springs Hub. 0402 699 611.

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary Craft stall at Nepean Hospital on the second Tuesday of each month from 9am-2pm. Volunteers needed. Call Helen on 4572 5244.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

Tuesday and Thursday 9am-5pm. 7/458-470 High Street, Penrith.

JP Service

Victor Glanville – 0416 157 668.

Nepean Food Services

Delivered meals available to purchase for those over 65 or with a disability. Call 4733 7200 for details or visit www.nepeanfoodservices.org.au.

MUSEUMS

Penrith Museum of Printing Sundays from 10am. Penrith Paceway. 0415 625 573 for more information.

Nepean Naval Museum Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42 Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700.

The Nepean Naval Museum opened in 2014 and is the area’s first museum dedicated to the naval forces. The Museum houses a collection of Naval forces memorabilia.

Arms of Australia Inn Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm, 4735 4394. 127 Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains. A great place to discover the local history of Penrith

SUPPORT GROUPS

Alcoholics Anonymous Mondays 6pm. 1300 222 222.

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group

Third Thursday of the month at 10am, Panthers. 1300 650 594.

Gamblers Anonymous Mondays 7.30pm. 0433 018 484.

Penrith Carer Support Group

First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk Thursdays from 5.30pm. Meet at Coffee Club Nepean River.

Nepean Puffers & Wheezers 1800 654 301.

Penrith Women’s Health Centre Domestic violence support services. 4721 2499.

Relationships Australia Counselling for individuals, couples and families. Domestic violence support group also available. 4728 4800. 340 High Street, Penrith.

Crisis Sexual Assault Service 24/7 support available for any sexual assault that has occurred in the last seven days. 4734 2000.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Passionate about caravans, camping and boats? Head to the Penrith Paceway any time from 9am to 5pm November 25 to November 27 to visit the Penrith Lifestyle and Leisure Road show. Witness an impressive display of home improvements, accessories and outdoor living as well as gain tips and ideas to feed your inspiration.

Penrith Lifestyle and Leisure Roadshow

Friday, November 25 from 7.30pm-9pm, immerse yourself in the magnificence of traditional Celtic landscape in the all-singing, all-dancing, family-friendly treat, ‘A Celtic Christmas’ by A Taste of Ireland at The Joan. Irish dancers will perform a heart-warming performance that will leave your feet tapping, eyes shining, and soul yearning for more.

‘A Celtic Christmas’ comes to Penrith

Western Sydney is about to be taken over by Australia’s biggest poetry slam, and it’s kicking off at The Joan in Penrith.

Bankstown Poetry Slam is Australia’s largest regular poetry slam, which has been giving a platform to diverse artists and shar ing the power of poetry since 2013.

Over two massive weeks starting on Tuesday, November 29, Bankstown Poetry Slam will be presenting Brave New Word, a poetry festival culminating in Australia’s first national youth poetry slam.

Brave New Word promises to have some thing for everyone in its stacked program, which involves over 50 local and interstate artists, as well as international guests Rudy Francisco, Safia Elhillo and Nate Marshall.

Poetry lovers from Parramatta to Camp belltown and Casula are all covered, but it’s kicking off right here at home.

Tuesday, November 29 will see one of the most recognisable names in spoken word, Rudy Francisco, take on the Q Theatre in Penrith.

All are welcome to witness the light of his masterful wordplay, with the added opportunity for keen slam poets to show him what they’ve got, with standard Bankstown Poetry Slam rules – a three-minute time limit, with no props, and all original work.

Whether you’re looking for a place to express yourself, or for more curated events like panels, open mics and workshops, this one is not to be missed.

Brave New Word festival will be starting at The Joan on Tuesday, November 29 at 7pm. Tickets are $5. For more information, head to thejoan.com.au.

BY A TASTE OF IRELAND

CASSIDY PEARCE

CASSIDY PEARCE

Riverside Theatres has announced the cast and national tour of National Theatre of Parramatta’s Australian premiere season of ‘Choir Boy’, by the Academy Award winning writer of ‘Moonlight’, Tarell Alvin-McCraney.

‘Choir Boy’ is a Tony Award nominated play, which tells the story of a young gay man finding his voice.

NTofP Executive Producer, Joanne Kee said she is thrilled to be able to announce the fantastic and diverse cast, which sees international musical theatre performer Darron Hayes featured alongside Gareth Dutlow and Abu Kebe.

“This work is important for not only what you see on stage, but also for what you won’t see behind the scenes,” she said.

“The cast and creatives we have bought on board for ‘Choir Boy’ are from

the BIPOC and/or LGBTQI+ communities, and we are also providing significant upskilling and mentoring opportunities.”

The production will premiere at Riverside Theatres Parramatta in association with Sydney WorldPride 2023 from Tuesday, February 14 2023, before seasons in Bris bane, Canberra and Wollongong.

“I am thrilled to be working on this project, with this team,” co-director Zindzi Okenyo said.

“‘Choir Boy’ is an uplifting and challenging piece told with heart and soul. I’m excited to share this story with audiences and World Pride is the perfect place to connect.”

‘Choir Boy’ will be on at Riverside Thea tres from Tuesday, February 14 to Saturday, March 11. Tickets start at $63. For more information or to book, visit riversideparramatta.com. au.

Beloved Sydney rock group INXS has been in retirement for nearly 10 years, but its legacy and passion continues to live on through countless tribute bands, and one of the best will be bringing the idolised sound of INXS to the EVAN Theatre in Penrith.

Don’t Change: Ultimate INXS is consid ered to be the most authentic INXS tribute show in the world and is currently touring Australia as part of its ‘The Strangest Party Tour’. Since its outstanding 2016 launch in Sydney, Don’t Change has been enter taining audiences across the country and

has recently performed in front of 20,000 people as the pre-game entertainment at Hunter Stadium for the A-League Newcastle Jets. Also appearing twice on Foxtel’s ‘The Tribute Show’, the band is continuously challenging itself to be the best in the scene and is gradually rising to fame.

Featuring a line-up of six exceptional musicians fronted by the charismatic Blair Dwyer, one of the greatest stadium live acts in history is honoured by Don’t Change with a concert-style homage.

Don’t Change: Ultimate INXS will be on at the EVAN Theatre on Friday, December 2 at 8pm. Tickets are $42.25. For more information, visit penrith.panthers.com. au, or call 1800 061 991.

JANA BANSEMER

Newsroom drama ‘She Said’ is a suspenseful retelling of a difficult subject matter, propel ling the voices of victims and shining a light on the exploita tive and illegal acts of powerful men.

Based on the book of the same name, ‘She Said’ follows the story of New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, as they investigate sexual harassment, rape and assault accusations against Harvey Weinstein, subse quently impelling the #MeToo movement.

Starting from the conception of the story and ending as it

goes live, the film recounts the highs and lows of putting to gether such a complex piece – from locating and confront ing sources all over the world, to bits and pieces falling apart, just to come back together again.

‘She Said’ isn’t a showy film. It doesn’t have any flashy effects or fast editing, and none of the assaults are shown on screen. Instead, it’s shots floating down an empty hallway and focusing on discarded clothing which make it so terrifying, heart breaking, and uncomfortable.

Not only were the roles of Megan (Carey Mulligan) and

Jodi (Zoe Kazan) well-acted, but each of the victims inter viewed also brought depth to the story. In particular, Sa mantha Morton who portrayed Zelda Perkins – an assistant to Harvey Weinstein who was based in London during her time with Miramax, and broke her NDA to speak out against him – brilliantly narrated the accompanying flashbacks.

A gripping, slow-burn, ‘She Said’ is an almost necessary watch for those who want even a small insight into the shatter ing of decades of silence, all as a result of one article.

– Cassidy Pearce

this movie at... PENRITH

www.hoyts.com.au

Ê Nine’s Wide World of Sports will make a big splash at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Melbourne when Ian Thorpe, Ariarne Titmus and Giaan Rooney form an all-star commentary lineup. Taking place from December 13-18 on Channel 9 and 9Now in prime time, the trio of world champions will be poolside to provide expert insight when Australia’s best short-course swimmers take on the world in their own backyard. Wide World of Sports commenta tor Mat Thompson will call the races live and experienced sports broadcaster Tony Jones will host the network’s coverage from his hometown throughout the six-day event.

Ê Grab your wigs and pout those lips because the time has come… for you to be a Season 3 queen! Following two smash-hit seasons, Stan, the home of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ in Australia, has confirmed that a third season of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under’ will return in 2023 with the mother of all drag queens RuPaul once again heading Down Under to host. The first two seasons are now streaming.

Ê Controversial journalist Lisa Wilkinson has quit Channel 10’s ailing ‘The Project’.

“Network 10 would like to confirm that Lisa Wilkinson has tonight announced that she is stepping away from ‘The Project’ effective immediately,” a 10 spokesperson said on Sunday. “Lisa has been a wonderful host and important contributor to ‘The Project’ for five years and as the end of the year approaches, Lisa feels it is the right time for her to take a break. We look forward to her continued work with the network in 2023, where we can capitalise, particularly, on her superb interviewing skills.”

Ê ‘Neighbours’ has been granted a stay of execution. The much-loved residents of Ramsay Street are returning home to Chan nel 10 in 2023 after the producers secured Amazon Freevee and Prime Video as their international partner. The long-running daily series, which follows the lives, loves and challenges of the residents of Ramsay Street, will be restored to the millions of adoring fans worldwide. Production is set to com mence in early 2023 with a world premiere slated for the second half of the year.

Ê SBS On Demand

ry

‘Planet

30.

Ê Popular Foxtel series ‘The White Lotus’ has been renewed for a third season. The second season is currently airing on the sub scription TV provider, as well as streaming on Binge.

Ê Channel Seven will again delay the broadcast of ‘Carols in the Domain’ instead of taking the event live from Sydney. The event itself will take place on Saturday, December 17 but Seven won’t air it until Friday, Decem ber 23. That means back-to-back nights of carols, with Nine’s Carols By Candlelight to air on Saturday, December 24. At least that will air on the same day as the actual event.

Ê Nathan Taylor is on leave.

will screen documenta

series

Sex with Cara Delevingne’ from next week. Model and actress Cara Delevingne hosts the show, which takes a frank, fearless and fascinating look at gender, attraction and sexual identity. The show will stream from Wednesday, November

DECEMBER 13-18

FINA WORLD SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS, CHANNEL 9 & 9NOW

Troy Dodds

TV Guide: November 25 – December 1

Your

6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “The Maltese Falcon” (PG) (’41) Stars: Humphrey Bogart 2:00 House Of Wellness (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 TBA 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens 8:30 Movie: “Green Book” (M l) (’18) Stars: Viggo Mortensen 11:10 TBA 1:00 Home Shopping

3:00 STIHL Timber sports (PG) 3:30 Hustle & Tow (PG) 4:30

Aussie Lobster Men (PG) 5:30

Movie: “After Earth” (M) (’11)

Stars: Will Smith 7:30 Movie: “Men In Black 2” (PG) (’02)

Stars: Will Smith 9:20 Movie: “Men In Black 3” (PG) (’12)

6:00 Today 9:00 Today Extra 11:30 NINE’s Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Blueprint To The Heart” (PG) (’20) Stars: Laura Mitchell 1:45 Garden Gurus Moments 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Taronga: Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Bridget Jones’s Diary: The Edge Of Reason” (M d,l,s) (’04) Stars: Renee Zellweger

3:00 The Goldbergs (PG) 3:55 The Simpsons (PG) 4:45 Movie: “The Iron Giant” (PG) (’99) Stars: Jennifer Aniston 6:30 Movie: “Nancy Drew” (PG) (’07) Stars: Emma Roberts 8:35 Movie: “The Devil’s Advocate” (M l,s,v) (’97)

6:05 Ben And Holly’s Little Kingdom 6:20 Bluey 7:00 Odd Squad 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Cemetery Junction” (MA15+) (’10) Stars: Christian Cooke 10:05 Doctor Who (PG) 11:05 Staged (MA15+)

Saturday 26 November

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 rage (PG) 10:30 rage Guest Programmer (PG) 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Vera (PG) 2:00 Midsomer Murders (PG) 3:30 Stuff The British Stole (PG) 4:05 Spicks And Specks (PG) 5:10 Landline 5:35 Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat 6:10 Secrets Of The Museum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Doc Martin (PG) 8:20 Shetland (M l) 9:20 Significant Others (M d,l) 10:10 Danny And The Human Zoo (M l,s,v)

6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning ShowWeekend 12:00 Better Homes And Gardens 1:00 Border Security International (PG) 1:30 TBA 2:00 TBA 5:30 Border SecurityAustralia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 7News Presents: Sydney’s Water Torture 8:00 Movie: “The Santa Clause” (G) (’94) Stars: Tim Allen 10:05 Movie: “Unstoppable” (M l) (’10) Stars: Denzel Washington

4:35 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay (PG) 6:40 Arctic Secrets (PG) 7:30 Barrumbi Kids (PG) 8:00 Movie: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (PG) (’90) Stars: Judith Hoag

5:30 Come Dine With Me Couples 6:30 Gourmet Farmer 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 8:00 Plat Du Tour 8:30 Curtis Stone’s Travel, Cook, Repeat 9:30 Come Dine With Me UK 10:00 Bizarre Foods

6:00 The Talk 7:00 Judge Judy (PG) 7:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) 8:00 10 News First 8:30 Studio 10 (PG) 12:00 Dr Phil (M) 1:00 TBA 2:30 Entertainment

Tonight 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) 3:30 My Market Kitchen 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) 5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 The Living Room (PG) 8:30 The Graham Norton Show (M) 9:30 Just For Laughs Australia (M l,s) 10:00 Just For Laughs Uncut (MA15+)

12:00 NCIS: Los Angeles (PG) 1:00 NCIS: New Orleans (PG) 2:00 Bull (PG) 3:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 3:30 The Love Boat (PG) 4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 MacGyver (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (PG)

6:05 Jeopardy! (PG) 6:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 7:00 Football: FIFA World Cup Preview Show 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 Hoarders (M) 9:20 The Language Of Love

6:00 Getaway (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Today Extra Saturday 12:00 Golf: Australian PGA Championship *Live* 5:00 NINE News: First At Five 5:30 Getaway (PG) 6:00 NINE News Saturday 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Bourne Ultimatum” (M v) (’07) Stars: Albert Finney 9:40 Movie: “The Bourne Legacy” (M v) (’12) Stars: Jeremy Renner 12:05 Movie: “Collateral Beauty” (M l) (’17) Stars: Will Smith

5:30 Football: Group G: Brazil v Serbia *Live* 8:30 Football: Group H: Uruguay v Korea *Replay* 11:30 Football: Group H: Portugal v Ghana *Replay* 2:30 Football: Group G: Brazil v Serbia *Replay* 5:30

Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Engineering Reborn (PG) 8:30 Football: Group B: Wales v Iran *Live* 11:30 Football: Group A: Qatar v Senegal *Live* 2:30 Football: Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador

11:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 12:30 Frasier (PG) 1:30 Seinfeld (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:30 Mom (M d,s) 11:00 Frasier (PG)

5:30 Transformers: Cyberverse (PG) 5:40 Movie: “The Pink Panther 2” (PG) (’09) Stars: Steve Martin 7:30 Movie: “The Mummy” (M v) (’17) Stars: Tom Cruise 9:35 Movie: “The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor” (PG) (’08)

4:00 Restored By The Fords 4:30 Pool Kings 5:00 Buy It Or Build It 6:00 House Hunters International 7:00 House Hunters USA 7:30 Saving The Manor 8:30 Lakefront Bargain Hunt Renovation 9:30 Building Off The Grid 10:30 Lake Life

5:00 Antiques Roadshow 5:30 Murder, She Wrote (PG) 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Antiques Downunder (PG) 8:00 Antiques Roadshow Detectives (PG) 8:40 Movie: “Cast Away” (M) (’00) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:30 Snapped (M)

9:00 Australia By Design 9:30 Studio 10: Saturday 12:00 The Living Room (PG) 1:00

Everyday Gourmet 1:30 Healthy Homes Australia 2:00 Well Traveller 2:30 Cook With Luke 3:00 What’s Up Down Under 3:30 My Market Kitchen 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 Taste Of Australia 5:00 10 News First 6:00 Bondi Rescue (PG) 6:30 Hungry (PG) 7:00 Jamie’s One-Pan Wonders 7:30 Blue Bloods (M) 8:30 CSI: Vegas (M v) 9:30 NCIS (M) 10:30 My Life Is Murder (M v)

5:30 Football: Group B: England v USA *Live* 8:30 Football: Group G: Switzerland v Cameroon *Replay* 11:30 Football: Group A: Netherlands v Ecuador *Replay* 2:30 Football: Group B: England v USA *Replay* 5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Football: Group D: Tunisia v Australia *Live* 11:30 Football: Group C: Poland v Saudi Arabia *Live* 2:30 Football: Group D: France v Denmark *Live*

The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30

Escape To The Country 10:30 I

Escaped To The Country 11:30

The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 1:30

Escape To The Country 3:30

Harry’s Practice

12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing *Live* 5:30 Mighty Ships (PG) 6:30

3:00 Rides Down Under (PG) 4:00 Movie: “Ben-Hur” (PG) (’59)

Stars: Charlton Heston 8:30 Movie: “Forrest Gump” (PG) (’94) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:25 Movie: “Getaway” (M v) (’13) Stars: Ethan Hawke 1:10 S.W.A.T. (M)

3:00 Movie: “The Iron Giant” (PG) (’99) Stars: Jennifer Aniston 4:45 Movie: “Isle Of Dogs” (PG) (’18) Stars: Bryan Cranston 7:00 Movie: “The Jungle Book” (G) (’16) Stars: Jon Favreau 9:05 Movie: “Knives Out” (M) (’19) Stars: Daniel Craig

6:05 Interstellar Ella 6:30 Kangaroo Beach Summer Special 7:00 Andy And The Band 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 QI (PG) 8:30 Melbourne Comedy Festival 2021 (MA15+) 9:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? (M s)

5:30 Power To The People (PG) 6:00 Pacific Island Food Revolution 6:50 NITV News Update 7:00 On Country Kitchen (PG) 7:30 The Beaver Whisperers (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Raw Deal” (MA15+) (’86) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger

4:30 Weekend Breaks With Gregg Wallace 5:30 Spaghetti And Noodles 6:30 Ainsley’s Good Mood Food 7:30 Destination Flavour Japan 8:30 Jamie’s American Road Trip 9:30 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 10:30 Top Chef

1:00 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 2:00 A-Leagues All Access (PG) 2:30 Roads Less Travelled 3:00 MacGyver (M) 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 I Fish 6:00 Waltzing Jimeoin (M) 6:30 Scorpion (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 NCIS: Los Angeles (PG)

5:35 Vs. Arashi 6:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 7:30 Impossible Engineering (PG) 8:30 Mad Max Fans: Beyond The Wasteland (M) 10:20 Movie: “Diego Maradona” (M) (’19) Stars: Diego Maradona

8:00 Frasier (PG) 9:00 Becker (PG) 10:00 Friends (PG) 11:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 12:30 Friends (PG) 1:00 TBA 2:00 TBA 3:00 Friends (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:15 Friends (PG) 12:15 Home Shopping

3:30 Buy It Or Build It 4:30 Holmes Family Rescue 5:30 Saving The Manor 6:30 Building Off The Grid (PG) 7:30 Escape To The Chateau 8:30 House Hunters USA 9:30 House Hunters International 10:30 Beachfront Bargain Hunt 5:30

5:00 Movie: “Babe: Pig In The City” (G) (’98) Stars: James Cromwell 7:00 Movie: “Nanny McPhee Returns” (G) (’10) Stars: Emma Thompson 9:10 Movie: “Something Borrowed” (M l,s) (’11) Stars: Kate Hudson 11:30 Duncanville (M)

3:00 Movie: “Muscle Beach Party” (G) (’64) Stars: Annette Funicello 5:00 Movie: “How To Murder Your Wife” (PG) (’65) Stars: Jack Lemmon 7:30 Movie: “Something’s Gotta Give” (PG) (’03) 10:00 Movie: “The Birdcage” (M l) (’96)

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Rosehaven (PG) 1:25 Poh’s Kitchen Lends A Hand 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Gardening Australia 4:10 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:55 Back Roads (PG) 5:25 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00 Australian Story (PG) 8:30 Media Watch (PG) 8:50 Folau (PG) 9:50 Freeman

5:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue (PG) 5:30

Escape To The Country

6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Doc Martin (PG) 8:30 Inspector Morse (PG)

12:00 Movie: “Murder By Numbers” (M l,s,v) (’02) Stars: Sandra Bullock 2:30 Border Security International (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 9-1-1 (M) 9:30 S.W.A.T. (M l,v) 10:30 The Latest Seven News

6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 American Pickers (PG) 8:30 Movie: “XMen: First Class” (M l,v) (’11) Stars: James McAvoy

12:00 Lego Masters Bricksmas Special (PG) 1:45 Talking Honey (PG) 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 My Mum, Your Dad (PG) 9:10 Movie: “The Notebook” (PG) (’04) Stars: Ryan Gosling 11:35 NINE News Late

6:30 Modern Family (PG) 7:00 The Simpsons (PG) 7:30 Family Guy (M s) 8:00 American Dad (M) 8:30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares

5:30 APTN National News 6:00 Bamay 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Arctic Secrets (PG) 7:30 How It Feels To Be Free (PG) 8:30 Karla Grant Presents (PG)

12:00 Dr Phil (M) 1:00 The Challenge Australia (M) 2:00 Entertainment 2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 3:00 Judge (PG) 3:30 My Market Kitchen 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) 5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 The Challenge Australia (M) 8:30 Ghosts (M) 9:00 FBI: Most Wanted (M)

4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 MacGyver (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 10:20 The Code (M v) 11:15 MacGyver (M) 12:15 Home Shopping

World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Celebrity Letters And Numbers (PG) 8:30 Football: Group G: Cameroon v Serbia *Live* 11:30 Football: Group H: Korea Republic v Ghana *Live*

12:00 Broke (PG) 2:00 Friends (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

4:30 Pool Kings 5:00 Good Bones (PG) 6:00 House Hunters International 7:00 House Hunters USA 8:30 No Demo Reno 9:30 TBA 10:30 TBA

The Chef 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 8:00 Girls Guide To Hunting Fishing Wild Cooking

And

6:00 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 6:30 That 70’s Show (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 The Weakest Link USA (PG) 8:30 Love Island Australia (M)

Tuesday 29 November 5:00

Spectrum (PG) 9:30

(M) 10:30

11:00

12:00 Movie: “Falling Down” (M l,v) (’93) Stars: Michael Douglas 2:30 Border Security International (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 7:30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (PG) 8:30 The Good Doctor (M v) 9:30 S.W.A.T. (M l,v)

Call The

6:00

4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 MacGyver (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 Bull (M) 10:20 48 Hours: The Puzzle (M) 12:15 Home Shopping

2:30 Football: Group H: Portugal v Uruguay *Replay* 5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 6:30 SBS World News 7:30 Who Do You Think You Are?: Jeff Fatt (PG) 8:30 How To Sleep Well With Michael Mosley (PG) 9:40 UkraineLife Under Russia Attack (PG) (In English/ Russian)

4:30 Containables 5:00 TBA 6:00 House Hunters International 7:00 House Hunters USA 7:30 Escape To The Chateau 8:30 Our Yorkshire Farm

6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Horrible Histories (PG) 7:40 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 8:05 The Penguins Of Madagascar 8:25 Lost In Oz 6:00 ABC Evening News 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 7.30 8:00 ABC News Tonight 8:45 The Business 9:00 ABC Nightly News

6:30 The Cook And The Chef 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 8:00 Shelfie With Dan Hong 8:30 John Torode’s Ireland 12:00 ABC News 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:40 Media Watch (PG) 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Gardening Australia 4:15 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:00 Back Roads (PG) 5:30 Hard Quiz

6:00 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 6:30 That 70’s Show (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 Botched (M) 8:30 Love Island Australia (M) 9:00

7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Adam Hills: The Last Leg (M) 9:15 Blunt Talk (M l,s) 9:40 Friday Night Dinner (M s)

Fisk (MA15+)

Heartbeat

(M v) 10:45

Wednesday 30 November 5:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30

12:00 Border Security International (PG) 12:30 Cricket: Pre Game 1:20 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* 3:20 Cricket: The Lunch Break 4:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* 9:00 Movie: “S.W.A.T.” (M l,v) (’03)

6:20 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 1 *Live* 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Family Guy (PG) 8:00 American Dad (M) 9:00 Movie: “Pompeii” (M) (’14)

12:00 Movie: “Calling For Love” (PG) (’20) Stars: Karissa Lee Staples 1:50 Garden Gurus Moments 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE’s Afternoon News 5:00 Millionaire Hot Seat 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Country Home Rescue With Shaynna Blaze (PG) 8:30 Dream Listings Byron Bay (PG)

12:00 Dr Phil (M) 1:00 The Challenge Australia (M) 2:00 Entertainment Tonight 2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) 3:30 My Market Kitchen 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) 5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) 9:30 My Life Is Murder (M) 10:30 Bull (M)

2:30 The Big Bang Theory (M s) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (M s)

7:30 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 8:00 Brian Johnson’s A Life On The Road (M d,l,n) 8:45 Courtney Barnett: Anonymous Club (M l)

7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 8:00 Long Weekend In... With Rory O’Connell 8:30 Gino’s Italian Coastal Escape

6:00 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 6:30 That 70’s Show (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 8:30 Love Island Australia (M) 9:30 Movie: “Bad Neighbours” (MA15+) (’14) 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Hard Quiz (PG) 1:30 Question Everything (PG) 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00 Gardening Australia 4:10 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:00 Back Roads (PG) 5:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 The Drum 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 You Can’t Ask That (M l) 8:35 Q+A 9:35 Baby Surgeons (M) 10:25 Stuff The British Stole

5:30 Murder, She Wrote (PG) 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By (PG) 8:50 Midsomer Murders (M) 10:50 Chicago PD (MA15+) 12:00 Border Security International (PG) 12:30 Cricket: Pre Game 1:20 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* 3:20 Cricket: The Lunch Break 4:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Cricket: Australia v West Indies: Test 1: Day 2 *Live* 9:00 Movie: “The Meg” (M) (’18)

7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 Land Of The Giants: Titans Of Tech 10:10 Movie: “Hunt For The Wilderpeople” (PG) (’16)

12:00 Dr Phil (M) 1:00 The Living Room 2:00 Entertainment Tonight 2:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 3:00 Judge Judy (PG) 3:30 My Market Kitchen 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The Bold And The Beautiful (PG) 5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 Ambulance Australia (PG) 9:30 Law & Order: SVU (M) 10:30 Blue Bloods (M)

7:00 The Simpsons (PG) 7:30 Family Guy (PG) 8:00 American Dad (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Romy And Michele’s High School Reunion” (M l,s) (’97)

5:30 The 77 Percent 6:00 Bamay 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Extreme Africa 7:30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) 8:30 Tribal (M d,l,v)

6:00 ABC Evening News 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 7.30 8:00 ABC News Tonight 8:45 The Business 9:00 ABC Nightly News

4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 MacGyver (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 Bull (PG) 10:30 The Code (M) 11:30 48 Hours (M d)

11:30 Football: Group C: Poland v Argentina *Replay* 2:00 Football: Group D: Australia v Denmark *Replay* 5:30 Football: FIFA World Cup 2022 Daily World Cup Show 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 Europe’s Greatest Christmas Market (PG) 8:30 Scotland’s Riverwoods (PG) 9:30 Rebuilding Notre Dame With Lucy Worsley (PG) Thursday 1 December 5:00 RSPCA Animal Rescue 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Father Brown (M) 8:30 Miss Scarlet And The Duke (M v)

5:00 House Hunters Renovation 6:00 House Hunters International 7:00 House Hunters USA 7:30 House Hunters International 8:30 Buy It Or Build It 6:30 Operation Ouch! 7:00 Horrible Histories (PG) 7:40 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) 8:05 The Penguins Of Madagascar 8:25 Lost In Oz

2:00 Becker (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Becker (PG) 5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:30 Seinfeld (M)

7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 9:00 Starstruck (M l,s) 9:45 Question Everything (PG) 10:15 Penn And Teller: Fool Us

7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 8:00 Mary Berry’s Absolute Favourites 8:30 Nadiya’s Fast Flavours

7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 The Curse Of Oak Island (PG) 10:10 Betraying The Badge (M)

6:00 3rd Rock From The Sun (PG) 6:30 That 70’s Show (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 Survivor (PG) 8:30 Love Island Australia (M) 9:30 Naked Attraction (M)

5:30 Murder, She Wrote (PG) 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Grantchester (M) 8:40 Movie: “Dr No” (PG) (’62) Stars: Sean Connery Programming information correct at time of going to press, changes are at the network’s discretion Prepared by National Typesetting Services

delivered. « the western weekender 53 Friday, November 25, 2022

Though three Presidents

Jefferson, and Monroe) died on the 4th of July, which President was the only President to have been born on that date?

Who was the 26th President of the United States?

Which President famously banned alcohol from the White House at the behest of his first lady?

TEST YOUR BRAIN Str8ts

How to beat Str8ts -

Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, e.g. [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

Hexwords

Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

can find more help and strategies at www.str8ts.com along with more puzzles, Apple apps and books.

Name the Movie

Golden Guitar Awards

Nominations for the upcoming Golden Guitar Awards in January have been announced.

The awards honour the best in Australian country music.

Amber Lawrence (pictured), Ashleigh Dallas, Hayley Jensen, Lyn Bowtell and Melanie Dyer have been nominated for Female Artist of the Year.

In the Male Artist of the Year category, the nominees are Adam Brand, Andrew Swift, Casey Barnes, James Johnston and Morgan Evans. Adam Brand, Amber Lawrence, Ashleigh Dallas, Casey Barnes and Kaylee Bell have scored Album of the Year nominations.

The awards ceremony will be held in Tamworth.

Lauren Alaina’s big news

Nashville songstress Lauren Alaina has announced she’s getting married.

Lauren has kept her relation ship with Cam Arnold a secret, hence the engagement news was a major shock to fans.

She announced the news on the Opry stage last week.

New music from Dierks

Dierks Bentley has dropped a song from his upcoming album, which is due out early next year.

He’s released ‘High Note’ on all streaming services, a blue grass-inspired track that will certainly get you moving.

Stream it now on Spotify, Apple Music or your usual streaming services.

Str8ts & Wheel Words brought to

by Western Sydney Pass | info@westernsydneypass.com.au

AQUARIUS

Retro Mars opposes Mercury and Venus (in your hopes, goals and wish es zone). So it’s time to focus on your aspirations for the future. But you must be patient and persistent about putting plans into action. Good things will eventually come to Aquarians who wait! As birthday great Louisa May Alcott wrote, “We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving, and we all have the power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.”

This week expect a dash of discom bobulation, as Neptune (your boss planet) squares Mercury and Venus. So communication could be puzzling and relationships could be a confus ing minefield. With Mars also revers ing through your home zone, expect a domestic drama and/or a family fi asco. The more stubborn you are, the more persistent the problems will be. Philosophical Fish will wind down, relax and go with the (sometimes dis rupted) flow.

The Sun, Mercury and Venus are visiting your adventure and explo ration zone. However, Mars – your power planet – is in retrograde mode. Which means you may be feeling tired, worn-out, impatient and/or irri table. So travel and holiday plans are best put on hold until after January 12. Then you can “Sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discov er.” (Quote from this week’s birthday great, writer Mark Twain.)

Are you worrying about money? This week (with impulsive Mars reversing through your $$$ zone) avoid being uncharacteristically rash with cash and credit. Mercury urges you to in crease your financial literacy, as you swap spending for saving, and nur ture your nest egg for the future. With Uranus still transiting through Tau rus, your mantra for the week is from entertainer Bette Midler (who turns 77 on December 1): “Cherish forever what makes you unique.”

Gung-ho Geminis are fantastic at starting things but not so good at finishing them. This week’s stars en courage a light-bulb moment when you have the enthusiasm to get an ambitious idea off the ground. And steady Saturn boosts your patience and persistence. Which you’ll certain ly need, as Mars continues retrograd ing through your sign. Don’t believe everything you hear on Friday when Neptune scrambles communication and confuses conversation.

With the Sun, Mercury and Venus visiting your wellbeing zone, learn to love the things that are good for you. Like nutritious meals, regular exer cise, relaxing in nature and lots of rest. (Crabs love curling up in bed and need plenty of good quality sleep.) The simple things in life are definite ly the best! Like preparing a homecooked meal, having an early night, enjoying a funny conversation with a child, or picking fresh flowers to put in your home or office.

This week a long-cherished dream may need to be re-imagined and re worked so that it better suits your current situation. Rather than seeing it as a disappointing setback, clever Cats will perceive it as an exciting new challenge. You’re keen to commu nicate about a wide range of topics, as you share ideas with family and friends. But, with Neptune squaring Mercury and Venus, avoid spilling se crets or saying something that’s inap propriately ambiguous.

Are you suffering from a crisis of confidence? Is your perfectionist streak running rampant? The more you over-think situations and try to make everything ‘perfect’, the more you will worry and obsess. Don’t waste time comparing yourself (and your talents) with other people. You need to run your own race … slowly at the moment, as Mars reverses through your career and life direction zone. Saturn cautions you to be prudent, patient and persistent.

Librans love things to run efficient ly and smoothly but (courtesy of ret rograde Mars) there’s unpredictable planetary energy about this week. So drop the perfectly planned schedule and just take things as they come. Some possible scenarios? A rela tionship with a relative, colleague or neighbour could veer off in a confus ing direction. Or something you post on social media could receive a disap pointing response. Which will certain ly keep you on your toes!

Scorpios can have trouble trusting other people at the best of times. And now – until January 12 – Mars is reversing through your trust and intimacy zone. So a loved one could let you down or an old resentment could resurface. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable asking someone for help then don’t. Your motto for the week is from birthday great, writer Louisa May Alcott, “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship,”

The Sun, Mercury and Venus are all visiting your sign. Which highlights your positive traits (being optimistic, generous and curious) and your nega tive traits (being impatient, bossy and belligerent). But your best quality is your lively sense of humour, so make sure you’re using it! Inspiration for the week is from birthday Sagittarian, writer Mark Twain (who was born on November 30, 1835): “The human race has one really effective weapon and that is laughter.”

It’s a good week for Capricorns, as Saturn (your patron planet) makes positive aspects with Mars, Mercury and Venus. Which favours planning, goal setting, problem-solving, study ing, long-term friendships and finan cial matters. But remember that Mars is reversing through your work and wellbeing zone until January 12. So –when it comes to your job and your health – slow down and be less bossy

PET HEALTH

Keeping

Fireworks may make us humans happy and excited, but the same isn’t true for our furry friends. Just like thun derstorms, the loud, unexpected noises of fireworks can cause our pets extreme distress. It’s therefore important to create a safe, calm environment for them. This will prevent them from hurting them selves or becoming lost in panic.

Prepare: Know when the fireworks night will commence and ensure your pet is in a safe and secure place a few hours before they start. Ensure your pet is exercised and well fed before the fireworks begin as this may help them de-stress, and be more inclined to nap once festivities begin

Create a safe place: Pets can have a ‘flight’ response to unexpected noises, sometimes ending up kilo metres from home in their panic. Because of this, pets should be kept indoors whenever possible, includ ing rabbits and guinea pigs.

Creating a calm, secure area for your pet inside your house will also help them feel protected.

Close the curtains and put familiar bedding in a small, confined hiding place. A laundry or bathroom is ideal. Otherwise, allow your pet to

be with you while you play music or turn the television on to cover the sounds (NOT the fireworks on TV though).

safe at Christmas

them feel comforted. If this isn’t possible, try to arrange overnight boarding at a kennel or veterinary hospital.

When the noises begin, keep an eye out for subtle stress signs. Dogs may lick their lips, yawn or begin panting. Other signs may include vocalisation, heavy panting, shak ing and shivering. If your pet does show signs that they are frightened, never raise your voice or punish him. Speak softly, stroke them, try to distract them, and reward calm behaviour with positive playtime and treats. A treat filled kong toy or filled Kong or favourite toy is a great distraction.

Microchip and collars: If your pet does manage to escape, keeping microchip and registration details up-to-date is vital. A collar with identification is also a good idea

Speak to your veterinarian early: If you are concerned about how your pet will cope, speak to your veterinarian early! Short-term

medications may help your pet but supervision is still recommended.

Monitor for signs of stress: Stay ing home with your pet will help

Locating a lost pet: Losing your beloved fur baby can be devastat ing. If you have lost your pet, contact your local veterinarians, Penrith City Council Animal Rangers, Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter and the various lost and found Facebook groups in the area. For more information about making this Christmas fireworks season less stressful, talk to a vet.

MONEY MATTERS

WITH ALEX MCKENZIE FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES • 4704 8585

The big benefit of structuring your assets to be more Centrelink efficient

Despite compulsory superannu ation being in place since 1992, most Australians still have their retirement income somewhat subsidised by Centrelink. One of the major roles of a financial planner is to arrange a client’s assets as Centrelink efficient as possible.

Most people are aware that Centrelink is means tested on both assets and income. These tests can be complicated but there are potential strategies whereby the rules can be used to our advantage.

The first strategy is often called “Super Stashing”. Funds invested in super are not assessable for Centrelink assets or income tests until you reach age pension age. There are two circumstances where this can be used. The first is where you are receiving a Centrelink payment other than the age pension that is assessable (the disability or carers pension for example), the second is when one person of a married couple is significantly younger.

In each of these circumstances the strategy is quite simple, make a large contribution into the super of the person who is not yet of age pension age. This will immediately reduce your assessable assets and income and in most cases increase your Centrelink entitlement. If you roll these funds to pension phase, these assets will become assessable.

Several things need to be considered with this strategy. Investment earnings in super

are taxed, whereas investment earnings in pension phase are not. Secondly, preser vation may become an issue if the younger person has not met a condition of release.

This strategy is most effective when there is a reasonable period where only one member of the couple is of age pension age and, if all assets were included, they would not be receiving full pension.

The use of annuities is also an effective method to increase your Centrelink enti tlement. The Centrelink treatment for longterm annuities is different to other assets. There are some conditions that need to be met to be considered a long-term annuity and you are best to discuss these with your advisor.

The Centrelink income test uses a calcu lation known as deeming to assign income to most investment assets. Annuities are calculated in a different manner. There is a calculation that also applies to older account-based pensions that uses the actual income received, less an amount known as the deductible amount. The deductible amount is essentially the balance divided by life expectancy at the start of the investment. In many cases, the calculation is far more favourable than the deeming rates. For the asset test, that same deductible amount is deducted from the starting value each year.

Annuities are a useful Centrelink strategy when the income test is the dominant test, and they also add a benefit to the asset test.

HEALTH

WITH PATRICK CELEBAN

ONE POINT HEALTH • 4732 5188

Healthy mind, healthy body: Massage has many benefits often not considered

Massage has always been known as a great reliever for physical complaints such as general aches and pains, injuries or even chronic pain etc. However, there are more benefits deep down that can be a huge help to our health that most of us may not have known about.

A clinical trial consisting of a few participants without serious immune conditions was conducted to investigate the effect of massage therapy on the immune system. The results after the massage showed a 70 per cent increase of a white blood cell type called T Lymphocytes. There have been findings like this from similar experiments for patients who have cancer and HIV, and which have shown why massage is a great stimulus to improve the immune system whether you are healthy or immunocom promised.

Emotional stress has been shown to increase the level of the stress hormone called cortisol in our body, which

can be a significant immuno suppressor. Cortisol plays its part in the immune system by keeping inflammation in check and preventing an overactive immune response.

Therefore, during moments in our life of high stress that lasts for a long period of time, our body goes in panic mode that is known as the sympa thetic nervous system which is the fight or flight state.

The body responds to these alarm bells by elevating the cortisol levels to the point that the immune system is hampered.

As a result of that we

become more susceptible to sickness as our body is not able to effectively deal with the pathogens like bacteria and viruses that invade our body.

This is when the relax ing nature of a massage treatment can reverse that stressful state into the para sympathetic nervous system which is known as the rest and digest state where our blood pressure drops back down, our digestive system can digest as normal, and our cortisol levels can return to normal etc. A healthy mind promotes a healthy body.

2022 WINNER FITNESS SERVICES

Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton offers a full range of facilities including kids play area with an indoor waterslide and water features, indoor 25 metre lap and program pool, outdoor 25 and 50 metre lap pools, warm water therapy pool, two court multipurpose indoor stadium, beach volleyball court, meetings rooms and a kiosk.

Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton has continued to be a first class leisure and recreation facility, which provides programs and services across health and fitness, learn to swim and multiple sports facilities. Opening in 1975 as Emerton Pools, the facility was then closed and underwent refurbishment in 2006 before reopening as Emerton Leisure Centre.

Owned and operated solely by Blacktown City Council until 2015, the venue was then redirected to be under the management of Blacktown City Council’s Blacktown Key Venues, which it continues with today. In November 2017 the venue officially changed its name to Charlie Lowles Leisure Centre Emerton in honour of former Mayor, Charlie Lowles OAM. A: 35 JERSEY ROAD, EMERTON P: 8822 6000 | W: BLACKTOWN.NSW.GOV.AU/CLLCE

TALKING TECH

Black Friday sales prompt warning

Between Friday, November 25 and Monday, November 28 one of the most significant sales periods of the year occurs. It is known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With interest rates and the cost-of-living increasing, this is a perfect time to snag a bargain for Christmas. Many vendors offer deep discounts and specials throughout the whole weekend. The best deals are released on Friday and again on Monday. It is becoming common for early release specials from early Novem ber as a teaser to the sales period.

Black Friday originated in the USA and is the Friday immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday. It marks the start of the Christmas shopping period. Black Friday was originally a retail event, with Cyber Monday being the online store equivalent. This line is now blurred, and both online and retail have substantial discounts throughout this period. This event is now a global event.

Research the items you want to buy well in advance so you can identify a bargain and move quickly. Check the vendor and retail websites for the product you want, as often retailers make the vendor throw in a

gift card or extra warranty. Remem ber to check the return policies in case you have warranty issues. Also, be suspicious of links posted

on social media or in SMS or emails with deals too good to be true, as this is a period when scammers are also hard at work. In 2019 the ACCC

reported online Black Friday scams totalling $4 million. Products typically on sale with discounts:

• Most electronic items, espe cially mobile phones, laptops, televisions, gaming consoles, and cameras. Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung, Sony, and Microsoft have Black Friday Sales. So expect to see discounts on the new iPhones and iPads, Playsta tions, laptops, X-box and Galaxy Phone products.

• Fashion, clothing and accesso ries. Local sales include – InStyle, The Iconic, RM Williams, Country Road, General Pants, Witchery, Tigerlily and more. In this category, discounts range from 20-50 per cent.

• Major retail also supports this sales period, including JB HiFi, Harvey Norman, Teds Cameras, David Jones, Myer, Rebel, Catch of the Day and Kogan.

• Shopping aggregators like eBay and Amazon will usually offer additional discount codes to be used across this period as well. While there are huge savings, make sure you research your prod uct and pricing before the event.

Also, research the online store sell ing your product; a simple Google search will highlight anything –otherwise, grab a bargain and enjoy the sales.

Add luxury to

daily drive

With miles of car and dealership heritage under her belt, Sydney based Amanda Lintott has chan nelled her automotive know-how, appreci ation of design and love of driving into the development of a range of luxury products for drivers.

The range named Automony, represents a modern take on car products and accesso ries. It has been developed and curated by Amanda, the daughter of highly respected car dealer and race driver Ray Lintott (who sadly passed away in 2010).

The range celebrates the universal pleasure of driving and includes must haves like leather covered phone charge cables, quality microfibre cloths, interior care kits, signature scent products, supremely comfortable blan kets and luxury lumbar cushions. Not only are the products sleek and beautiful, they each are designed to fit perfectly within your car’s interior.

“I was born into the motor industry,” Amanda said.

“My father was a car dealer – with sites all across Sydney – but he also collected and raced cars all over the world.

“Of course, I understand cars, but what I really love is to drive. The freedom of a road trip, the quiet and comfort of my own space or the joy and togetherness when my car is full of kids, family and dogs. I love it all but I knew

something was missing.

“I set about curating a tailored and very specific range of quality, well-designed prod ucts to complement cars of all brands, ages and stages. They are beautiful, sustainable products that don’t make cars faster or shinier but they add sophistication to the driving experience.”

Autonomy products are available online at www.autonomyco.com.au.

Autonomy’s car scent cards will add some luxury to your driving experience.

Autonomy’s microfibre cloths.

SPORT

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Kangaroos win big. See back page.

FESZCZUK

Seth Reed is a shy and softly spoken 10-year-old but when you mention go-karting, he immediately lights up.

The Londonderry resident started racing at the age of seven and has found the fast lane to success.

Influenced by his Dad Matt Reed’s car racing, Seth and his family made to the trip to the Central Coast Speedway Kart Club in Gosford earlier this month for him to compete in the Karting NSW Speedway Kart Titles.

“We left at around 6am and his last race was at 8.30 at night so it was a long day and we had to keep him in the mindset to race,” Reed said.

“He moved into the rookie class this year which is ages nine to 13 so he was the young est one there and I told him you are not going to win unless you get the start and drive it flat out.”

Seth did just that and won the race by 3.1 seconds and with a total of 17.6 seconds he set the fastest time of the race to win his division.

“I was nervous for the Titles, but I was focus ing on what I needed to remember about the track and what to do with the different flags and lights,” Seth said.

“I concentrated on my start, and I had fun going fast.

“I was excited when I won.”

Racing on Sundays between March and November as part of the Nepean Motor Club,

Seth will now set his sights to the Australian Titles in Victoria next March.

As the season wraps up, the Club is looking to encourage people to take up the sport to get their adrenaline pumping.

President of the NSW Speedway Kart Club, Reed said the sport has been impacted over the past few years but is a great option for people of all ages.

“We have been interrupted by COVID and floods so less kids are coming through, but it is good family environment and teaches a discipline as you have to abide by the rules out on the track,” he said.

“I think it is the most affordable form of motorsport, it is quite safe with all the regu lations, and both girls and boys can start

driving at seven and go up to your 70’s if you wanted to.”

If people are wanting to test out their skills, they can contact the club to try it out at the Nepean Raceway in Castlereagh.

“We are racing this Sunday for the J and D Cabinetry NSW Speedway Kart Club Cham pionship which is the final round for 2022 so I am always happy to ask questions if people want to come down and have a look,” Reed said.

“They can also contact the club and we can organise come and try days where we can supply helmets, race suits and the kart to give them a taste to see if they like it.”

Visit www.nswskc.com for more informa tion.

Seth Reed won the NSW Speedway Kart Titles and wants more people to join the sport. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY

Around The Grounds

CRICKET: Despite heading into day two of their Round 5 clash in the Belvidere Cup in a strong position, Penrith were unable to take the win against Randwick Petersham. In the first day of the match, the local side put up an exceptional innings with the bat, declaring on 8/359 after 89 overs. Though starting day two with just 20 runs under their belt, Randwick Petersham finished the day on 7/360. Penrith will be looking to make a comeback when they take on UTS North Sydney at Howell Oval this Saturday.

CRICKET: Penrith have gone down to Gordon in Round 7 of the Women’s First Grade competition. Playing in a one day match at Howell Oval, Penrith won the toss and elected to bat. Though the team put up a strong innings, particularly Rebecca Cady who clocked up 37 runs, they were all out for 127. Unfortunately, the home side were no match for Gordon, who chased the score in just 31 overs, only losing four wickets Penrith will aim to bounce back in round 8, when they take on Bankstown in another one-dayer at Blacktown International Sports Park this Sunday.

CRICKET: Results were mixed for the Panthers Cricket Club teams in this week’s round of the Nepean District Cricket Association (NDCA) Competition. First Grade had a disappointing result to lose their first game of the season. Emu Plains batting first scored 6/177. Panthers in reply were never able to establish any consistent partnerships, and were dismissed for 10/82. However, after a couple of disappointing losses, the Seventh Grade side were able to return to the winners’ list with a scrappy but vital win against Penrith RSL. Panthers were able to restrict Penrith RSL to 8/115, and despite some very nervous batting at the

end they were able to complete the win with 7/117.

BASEBALL: Greater Western scored their second win of the season against Manly Eagles in Round 7 of the NSW State Baseball League first grade competition. Wednesday’s game saw the local side take a stunning 7-3 victory. Though they weren’t able to back this up on Sunday at Chapman Gardens Baseball Oval, the team will be coming for another win in round 8, when they come up against Canterbury Vikings.

GRIDIRON: The Nepean Ducks were forced to forfeit their game for the second week in a row, this time against UTS Gators, due to having ineligible players.

BOCCIA: Members from Penrith Boccia Club dominated at the Boccia Australia National Titles which were recently held at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre.

Connor Hamlin was a bc5 gold medallist and he also won gold with his teammate Fiona Porch in the bc5 open pairs division. Liam Titterton also took home first place for the bc3 pairs division as part of a mixed individual pairing. They will be hosting the NSW Titles at the same place in April 2023.

AFL: Exciting defender Leek Aleer has re-signed with the GIANTS for a further two years, keeping him in the orange and charcoal until 2025. He made his AFL debut in 2022.

To make a submission to Around The Grounds, email cassidy.pearce@western weekender.com.au. You can also private message us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/westernweekender, or Tweet us @ wwpenrith.

Hunt to lead Wanderers

Western Sydney skipper confirmed as A-League Women season gets underway

Defender Clare Hunt has been named captain of the Western Sydney Wanderers for the A-League Women season.

Hunt, who joined the Wanderers last season, has been a prominent figure in the Red & Black’s Liberty A-League squad after a number of breakout performances in 2021/22.

The talented defender went on to be named the Wanderers Medal winner for 2022 and was on the bench in the PFA’s Team of the Season in her first season at the club.

Western Sydney Wanderers head coach Kat Smith was proud to name Hunt captain for the upcoming season.

“Clare has been an integral part of our pre-season preparations and we are delighted that she has returned to the club for her second season in the Red & Black,” she said.

“We have a number of leaders in our squad and Clare is one that upholds our values both on and off the pitch.”

Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson congratulated Hunt on the appoint ment.

“We are very proud to have Clare as our Liberty A-League captain this upcoming season as she is a fantastic example of what the Wanderers repre sent,” he said.

“Clare has been resilient and fought hard to return to regular club football and we are very excited to see what her leadership brings to the squad this season.”

Hunt said it was an honour to wear the armband for the Red & Black in the upcoming season.

“It is a very proud moment in my career to be named the captain of the Wanderers and a responsibility that I am eager to take on,” she said.

“I am a player that leads by example and sets high expectations for myself and my teammates.

“This drive to work hard, perform consistently and win, is something that I pride myself on and seek to instil within the team.

“There are a number of leaders within this squad so I feel extremely supported and well-equipped to lead this fantastic club.

“We have put in a lot of work this pre-season to make our members and fans proud of the club and look forward to continuing to have the support of the western Sydney community behind us.”

The Wanderers kick off their A-League Women campaign this Saturday when they take on the Newcastle Jets in Tamworth.

Clare Hunt has been named captain of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Aiming high with netball dreams

CASSIDY PEARCE

14-year-old Grace Tautua has been play ing netball ever since she was a little girl, and is now setting her sights on shooting goals on and off the court.

For Grace, getting into netball was a family affair.

“I was inspired by my Aunty, who played netball while I was growing up,” she said.

“I always attended her games, and when I saw the atmosphere of netball, I just fell in love.”

Grace plays both goal shooter and goal attack for her team, Erskine Park Eagles, who she’s been playing with for five years.

For the 2022 representative season, Grace also played on the Penrith District Netball Association U/14s state side.

When it comes to her playing, Grace has one key inspiration on the court.

“I looked up to the former goal attack of the New Zealand Silver Ferns, Maria Folau,” she said.

“I looked up to her because she was a shooter, she played in my position. I also looked up to her because she was one of the best Pacific Islander players. She showed me and all the other Islanders that we can make it to the top.”

Most recently, Grace has recently earned a spot representing New South Wales in indoor netball.

“Making it into state for New South Wales, I was very humbled and grateful for the oppor tunity to play with my last name on my back, and to be surrounded by the greatest players of the state around my age,” she said.

Today, this week’s Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star winner is making her way to Melbourne to compete against the best of the best.

“I was very blessed with the opportunity to be able to go to Melbourne and represent our state,” she said.

“I’m very excited – I’ve never played out of the state before, so it’s going to be very inter esting to see how the other states play. The competition’s going to be really good!”

The trip consists of 10 days of straight play ing, which Grace said doesn’t come without its pitfalls.

“The recovery is going to be hectic!” she said.

As for what’s next for Grace, she’s got some big goals in mind.

“I want to be able to be able to pursue netball as a career, but also be able to pave the way for our Pacific Islanders, because it’s just very hard coming in here,” she said.

“I hope to make it to the Giants, and hope fully the Australian Diamonds.”

Nominated by Lisa Munro, Grace’s Junior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor St Marys Leagues Club. If you know someone who has achieved in their chosen sport, send in your nomination to Penrith Valley Sports Foundation at www.pvsf.org.au.

Grace Tautua.

Photo: Melinda Jane

panther rumblings

! Show us the money: The Panthers are de manding an NRL pay day before they officially commit to the already announced World Club Challenge against St Helens. Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher wants $100,000 for participation in the World Club Challenge given the match is NRL-controlled and has likely cost the club revenue due to the traditional Battle of the West trial being pushed to the week prior, featuring almost no NRL stars. The club also believes it is owed $200,000 for winning the NRL Premiership this year, after it was award ed prize money the equivalent to the cut-down COVID years. The relationship between head office and Panthers is not as bad as it seems –much of this is theatre – but Fletcher certainly expects the $300,000 in Penrith’s bank account – that isn’t in question.

! Sad twist to World Cup success: Penrith forward Liam Martin carried plenty of emotion through his World Cup campaign. Martin’s uncle Ian passed away from Motor Neurone Disease while he was in the UK. Ian, a well known Aussie Rules player in the Riverina, was just 60-years-old and his death has shattered the tight-knit Martin family. Liam’s mother Maxine made her way to England to support her son in the World Cup Final, just days after farewelling her brother.

! NRL drops the ball: The success of Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup only further proves the NRL’s decision to axe the mid-year representative round was wrong. It caved to Channel Nine’s desire to have all three State of Origins on Wednesday nights, and with the Dolphins also in the mix from next season, the call was made to axe a round that has helped to grow the international game in recent years. The NRL says it’s looking at a dedicated inter national window after the NRL season, but it won’t have the same punch. There’s no doubt that players involved with teams like Samoa and Tonga want to play more Tests.

! Early favourites: Penrith are the second shortest priced favourites out of all teams for the opening round of the 2023 NRL season. The TAB has the Panthers at $1.30 to win their Round 1 clash against Brisbane, with the Broncos at $3.50. The shortest team of the weekend is the Roosters, who are $1.15 against newcomers the Dolphins ($5.50).

! Incredible tribute: One of the great piec es of Penrith merchandise that is out there is a split 1991 and 2003 jumper, recognising the club’s first two Premierships. Now, a similar piece has been put together honouring the 2021 and 2022 titles. It’s available now on the

! Salmon set to sign: Jaeman Salmon (pictured right) is yet to sign a deal to remain at Penrith for the 2023 season but I’m told a departure is unlikely. Salmon had a huge year,

Official Memorabilia website, but it doesn’t come cheap – with a price tag of $2,995.

! Falls trains, but no deal: Kurt Falls is yet to re-sign with Penrith, but he’ll be training with the club in the pre-season. His future will be determined before the 2023 season gets underway in March.

winning a Premiership with the Panthers and dealing with the fallout from Ricky Stuart’s public comments about him. He had some impressive moments on the field, and Penrith is likely to retain him.

! Spill the tea: Have you heard a rumour, or spotted a Panthers player out and about? I don’t keep secrets but I do protect my sources. Email maskedpanther@westernweekender. com.au. And don’t forget you can now follow me on Twitter.

Brian Fletcher.

SPORT

Panthers are on top of the world

TROY DODDS

Australia are the kings of the rugby league universe once again, winning last weekend’s World Cup Final as Penrith heroes Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin capped off their remarkable 2022 seasons in style.

Cleary and Martin in particular were stand-outs in the Kangaroos’ 30-10 victory over Samoa at Old Trafford last Sunday morning.

Samoa’s standing in the rugby league world was done no harm by the defeat, and the Penrith influence was obvious in their performance too – with Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton scoring the nation’s two tries.

Penrith players started heading back to Sydney this week for a wellearned break after a season that for many has included State of Origin duties and a long NRL campaign that resulted in the club’s second straight Premiership.

For Cleary, it’s been a whirlwind last two months he described as a “blur”.

“It still feels like a dream,” he said.

“It’s been a blur. We won the comp and came straight into camp, and now to win this it’s pretty crazy. I never would have thought this would happen.”

Cleary saved his best perfor mance of the World Cup for the Final, playing a key role in several tries as Australia proved their dominance over the tourna ment’s sentimental favourites.

“Just being able to play out there at Old Trafford... it’s pretty crazy and I’m grateful that I was able to be a part of it,” he said.

“I felt I had the best week’s prepa ration as well.

“I had to play well and link the team together if we were going to win. It’s pleasing.”

Much of the talk in the lead-up to the Final was the clash between Cleary and Jarome Luai, Penrith team-mates who’ve been playing together since they were teenagers.

“They did their war dance at the start and Romey was right in my face,” Cleary said.

“It was honestly a really cool experience.”

The Masked Panther – see

Liam Martin was in form through the World Cup. Photo: NRL Images.

Nathan Cleary. Photo: NRL Images.