Western Weekender August 11 2023

POST OFFICE FURORE

“Australia Post has made the difficult decision to close the Penrith Westfield Post Shop from September 29 this year, following a drop in customer visits of around a third over the past five years,” an Australia Post spokesperson told the Weekender Australia Post has confirmed that the Penrith Business Centre, which is a 10-15 minute walk from Westfield, will open

refreshed on September 30, renamed as the new Penrith Post Office.

“Our Business Centre on High Street, just one kilometre away, will be upgraded ahead of the change to become Penrith’s central Post Office, with Saturday hours, a refreshed interior, extra serving capacity and more post office boxes,” the spokesperson said.

McIntosh urged Australia Post to review

their decision, saying it would have a major impact on residents.

“Many locals, particularly seniors, go to the Plaza for shopping, lunch, and to visit Australia Post to collect their post and make multiple payments given the closure of some local bank branches,” she said.

Photo: Megan Dunn.

Pick up a copy of the paper

Caddens

Caddens News (Caddens Corner)

Clementine’s Café

Woolworths

Cambridge Gardens

Coles

Mcdonald’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

Mcdonald’s

Mother Earth Nursery

Plus Pharmacy

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

Mcdonald’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

Mcdonald’s

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

Jamisontown

Abcoe

Abel Street Eatery (Happy Harrys)

Batt Street Take Away

Grey Gums Hotel

Harvey Norman

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

Brooks Tavern

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

Grow Café (Formerly 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

The Bunker

North St Marys

Boronia House (Retirement Community)

Mfc Food Stores

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris Care & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Astina

Atmosphere Gym

Australian Arms

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley Café)

Brisket Boys

Café Fred

Caltex Coreen Avenue

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles (Westfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mart

High Street Pies

Hoyts Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

Liquor Stax Peachtree

Mcdonald’s High Street

Mcdonald’s Panthers Leagues

Mcdonald’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

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

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St Clair

Blue Cattle Dog Hotel

Foodworks

Melville Road Takeaway

St Clair Library

St Clair Shopping Centre 7/11 St Clair

St Marys

Andrew’s Corner Store

Ampol Foodary

Astley Pharmacy

Cassandra’s On Queen

Guido’s Hair Care

Jayam Supermarket

Mcdonald’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

Mcdonald’s

Supa Iga

The Foodary

Werrington Newsagency

Save Skippy: Fears development is killing beloved local kangaroos

CASSIDY PEARCE

Claremont Meadows resident Zoe Schmidt has always been fond of the kangaroos in the area. But, in the last few months, she’s become less of a casual observer and more of an advocate.

Despite residing mostly on Western Sydney University grounds, these kangaroos have been known to spend time across a number of green spaces in the surrounding area, meaning a new development in Caddens – just across from the campus – has impacted them greatly.

Just in the last two months, as the area has been sectioned off and big machinery has started to roll in, Schmidt said that the mob’s numbers have diminished drastically.

“They started out with about 30 in there, but where they’ve cornered off the area, it’s where the mob used to go and rest,” she said.

“The fencing has driven them towards the Great Western Highway, so in the last two months we’ve lost five, including one small joey.”

According to Schmidt, it was discussions with the local community online which encouraged her to come forward.

“A lot of people were saying they’d put in submissions to stop the development or contacted Council and asked them to do something for the kangaroos, but nothing had happened, so I thought, ‘I can send

an email, I can make some phone calls, I can see if there’s something we can do’,” she said.

Noting that she sought out answers from Western Sydney University, TAFE, Penrith City Council, and the developers involved, with the number of stakeholders making it difficult to come to a conclusion, Schmidt said it was time to do more.

“Those kangaroos that have been there for years and years really just need someone to speak up for them, and for somebody to give a s**t,” she said.

Given their experience with other similar scenarios in the area, Schmidt is now working closely with the Animal Justice Party.

“Older people have been fighting for these kangaroos, and kangaroos in our area for over 20 years, and I’m just following in the footsteps of whatever trail they blazed before me,” she said.

Though they realised stopping the developments may not be an option, it’s relocation which has been decided as the best and most realistic solution.

“There are a couple of really cool people, animal activists, who are ready to get on board and help to try and get the animals relocated – it’s happened before, they’ve done it in other sites,” she said.

Schmidt and the Animal Justice Party are seeking support from

HELP GUIDE PALLIATIVE CARE DESIGN

The community is being invited to contribute to the design of a new palliative care unit at Nepean Hospital, which will provide specialised care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses in Penrith.

The NSW Government has allocated $93 million to redevelop and refurbish palliative care units across the state as part of the World Class End of Life Care commitment, including a new palliative care unit at Nepean Hospital.

“The new purpose-built Palliative Care Unit will complement Nepean Hospital’s existing palliative and supportive care teams by providing a higher level of care in a comfortable and welcoming environment when care at home is not possible due to acute clinical or social needs,” said State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown. Visit www.nepeanredevelopment.health. nsw.gov.au/opportunities/have-your-say to submit feedback.

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport – Community Information and Feedback Sessions

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts has released the preliminary flight paths for the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and will be holding Community Information and Feedback Sessions in the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains areas over July & August 2023

More information is available at www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au

www.infrastructure.gov.au

both the key stakeholders and the community to get their idea across the line. They’ve also launched an online petition.

“I’m hoping to get the developers, the uni, the TAFE, and hopefully Council on board to raise some money for that. The community has been really supportive,” she said.

A Western Sydney University spokesperson said it was working with experts regarding kangaroo management on its Werrington campus and surrounds.

“In February 2022, Western Sydney University announced a partnership with Stockland to create a sustainable innovation precinct on its Werrington campus. The site has

unique features and biodiversity, including the kangaroos which will be considered as part of the precinct,” the spokesperson said. “Western Sydney University recognises the kangaroo population of the Werrington campus as a valued part of the local urban ecology, and that kangaroo management must be informed by research, data, and specialised knowledge. Under the partnership, we will continue to work with experts and relevant authorities to ensure best practice is followed. An independent advisory committee has been established, comprising relevant experts and representatives from Government Authorities.”

Western Harbour Tunnel Modification

Have your say on proposed changes to how we tunnel under Sydney Harbour.

We are proposing to change the construction method from an Immersed Tube Tunnel (IMT) to a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) to cross under Sydney Harbour, which will minimise impacts to the community and environment.

This change reduces the overall number of construction support sites needed and includes some changes at the Rozelle Rail Yards, Glebe Island and Ridge Street sites. There is also a new support site proposed at Emu Plains.

The proposed changes are detailed in our Western Harbour Tunnel Modification Report, which is on exhibition for community feedback until 11:59pm on 15 August 2023. SB0812

More information

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Western Harbour Tunnel project team on 1800 931 189, email whtbl@transport.nsw.gov.au or visit nswroads.work/whtportal

Translating and Interpreting Service

If you need help understanding this information, please contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1800 931 189.

Photo: Megan Dunn.

Photo: Megan Dunn. Kangaroos live on and near Western Sydney University grounds at Werrington. Photo: Megan Dunn.

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

Middle ground needed on The Voice

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There is still time for Anthony Albanese to save The Voice, but it would require a significant pivot that I doubt the Prime Minister is willing to consider.

The referendum slated for later this year appears headed for defeat, no matter which poll you look at.

It will be a damning result for Albanese, given how strongly he has attached himself to the ‘yes’ vote. Indeed, rather than accept any result is the will of the people, he seems adamant to convince anyone voting ‘no’ that they are wrong – simple as that.

I fear for what the days and weeks after the referendum will look like, especially if it fails to succeed. Australia will not be a pretty place during that time.

But there is a sensible middle ground here.

The referendum should only be about recognition for Indigenous people in the Constitution, not about The Voice itself.

The Voice should then be legislated through the Parliament, just like countless other laws and processes we live by every day.

I understand the arguments against this method, chiefly that it does not provide The Voice certainty in the future, and does not fully deliver on the reforms called for in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

But what’s better? The Voice being completely ripped apart at the referendum, setting reform back years if not decades, or establishing The Voice through legislation and letting the proof be in the pudding?

If The Voice works as its supporters say it will, no future government will dismantle it – it just wouldn’t make sense.

But for those who are uncertain about which way to vote, and who as a result will likely side with ‘no’, it would be an acceptable compromise.

People would feel more comfortable with The Voice if they knew it wasn’t totally set in stone and could face amendments. Perhaps later, the cementing of it in the Constitution could be an option.

The Voice can still succeed and be effective without being in the Constitution. It is surely middle ground worth considering.

Post Office closure a bad move

The decision by Australia Post to close its Westfield Penrith branch is a slap in the face to many local residents.

It is clearly a decision made without any serious local, on-the-ground knowledge given Australia Post’s answer to customers is to pop up to the Business Centre at the top end of High Street.

That’s a 10 minute walk on a good day –and an impossible feat for many vulnerable people in our community who rely on Post Offices, like elderly residents or those who struggle with technology.

Even if you do have a car, parking at that end of town is difficult and the car park itself at the Business Centre, which will undergo an upgrade and re-naming late next month as a result of the changes, is troublesome to navigate.

Penrith’s main Post Office needs to be located in a central position with convenient public transport access. Westfield Penrith is the logical location.

Australia Post says customer visits have dropped by a third in the past five years. Given the past five years includes 2020 and 2021, when Post Offices were open but only to essential services during lockdowns, that figure is surely questionable. A serious re-think is needed here.

Cleary forgotten in race for top award

It would seem the Dally M Coach of the Year award is down to two men: Brisbane mentor Kevin Walters, and Warriors head honcho Andrew Webster.

How is Penrith coach Ivan Cleary possibly the forgotten man in this race?

I understand the award is not just for first past the post and circumstances and context must be applied to it.

And there’s no question Walters and Webster have had strong seasons at their respective clubs.

But even when circumstances and context come into it, Cleary must come out on top.

He is currently guiding one of the most extraordinary Premiership defences of all-time.

Penrith sit on top of the table with a month of the regular season remaining, with a points differential more than 100 points better than any other club.

Cleary has done it despite the loss his two assistant coaches in Cameron Ciraldo and Webster, which critics argued would be a body blow to Penrith’s chances this year.

He has masterfully guided the side through a demanding State of Origin series, and a limited preparation for the season itself given a host of players only returned to pre-season training in February due to the World Cup.

Sure, other clubs were impacted by the World Cup. But only Penrith and Parramatta played all the way into October last year, further limiting the next season’s preparation.

It would be extraordinary if Cleary becomes the first coach in the NRL era to guide a team to a three-peat, yet he’s not declared Coach of the Year.

It seems he’s not even in the conversation amongst the experts.

Incredibly, Cleary has not won Coach of the Year in either of Penrith’s two Premiership seasons. He won it in 2020, when Penrith went on to lose the Grand Final, but was beaten by Craig Bellamy and Todd Payten in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

No matter which way you look at it, Cleary is the only logical choice to win the award.

“I fear for what the days and weeks after the referendum will look like, especially if it fails to succeed”

Nicola’s loss a sad end to tough fight

She said she felt helpless after hearing the news and wanted to do something.

Afundraiser has been set up to try and support the family of a nine-year-old, who lost her battle with brain cancer.

Nicola Smith – affectionately known as Poppet – was a Llandilo local who was diagnosed with a brain tumour 12 months ago.

After chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she was told the tumour was slowly shrinking but, in late June, her family received the devastating news that it was growing again.

Nicola was moved into the care of Bear Cottage, the only children’s hospice in NSW, where she spent her last few weeks of life.

Kathy Howard – a friend of the family –said she became friends with Nicola’s mum through Henry Fulton Public School, where their kids both attended.

“You often become friends with other mums because you’ve got something in common,” she told the Weekender

“Our boys became friends and Nicola is just this very friendly, chatty, little girl, so when her brother would come over to our place she wanted to come as well.

“She would hang out with us a lot, so it was just heart breaking when her mum told me she was sick.”

Last month, Howard set up a GoFundMe to try and ease the Smith family’s financial stress.

“She (Nicola) was constantly sick with headaches and vomiting,” Howard said.

“Unfortunately, the treatment wasn’t as successful as they had hoped.

“The tumour had come back… she was in hospital in July and that’s when they said, you’ve only got about a month left with us.”

Howard recalled how the Smith family had made the most of every opportunity to ensure the rest of her life was the best it could be.

She said Make a Wish took Nicola to the Christmas Lights Spectacular at the Hunter Valley and Llandilo Fire Brigade even named a fire truck in her honour.

Her family stayed by her side at Bear Cottage in Manly, until she peacefully passed away in the early hours of Monday morning.

Howard said she had been to visit Nicola and, even though they are doing an amazing job of creating a homey environment for sick kids, it was heart breaking to see her decline.

She is encouraging people to donate and show their support to this local family as they are faced with planning their daughter’s funeral and memorial.

“This family needs your support,” she said.

“We might not be able to take away the emotional pain but at least we might be able to take away some of the financial burden.”

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/ our-beautiful-nicola-smith.

Nicola Smith passed away earlier this week.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Post Office closure a hit to locals, as Federal MP calls for review

“Additionally, many businesses use this Post Office to send their products to purchasers across Lindsay and beyond,” McIntosh added.

She questioned the use of visitor numbers over the last five years as a reason for the closure, given lockdowns and the pandemic impacted significant portions of that period.

“The closure of the Westfield Post Office is based on data collected from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 to now, it would make sense that patronage took a hit during this period of economic and social recovery,” she said.

“I understand Australia Post has made this decision after a process, but I believe our community should have been consulted.

“I know there’s concerns around parking at the High Street Post Office with increased customers, and I would like this issue to be adequately addressed.”

Australia Post has confirmed that all Penrith Post Shop team members will be offered roles at one of their surrounding outlets.

Australia Post acknowledged that

a lot of customers will be sad to hear of the closure but emphasised that there will be a lot of other outlets customers can go to for their post needs.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and thank customers for their understanding,” the spokesperson said.

On social media, locals expressed

their disappointment at the decision with hundreds of responses to the Weekender ’s initial online story last Friday.

“Why would you do something

so bloody stupid? So the nearest one would be up next to the Fire Station. Gee I can see a lot of elderly people walking up there to pay their bills,” Karen Sue Bennett said on Facebook.

Kerry Dean Walker added: “Still shaking my head on this what a joke no thoughts to the elderly or people that don’t have transport bad move.”

Others said the move was taking us back to the “dark ages”.

“What is wrong with this country. Why is the government letting this happen,” Susan Gallagher asked.

“We are going back to the dark ages. The Post Office in Westfield is so convenient as most shoppers shop there... and what about the elderly now they will they have to make their way to the top end of Penrith just to post a letter and buy a stamp? I don’t get it.”

Australia Post is understood to be in the process of contacting post box holders, with redirections likely to be offered to impacted customers, who will be forced to change their postal addresses.

What do you think of the closure?

Email us at news@westernweekender.com.au.

Australia Post has been located inside Penrith Plaza for decades.

Fox’s Matildas moment

Penrith Olympic champion Jessica Fox had the honour of delivering the match ball for Monday night’s clash between Australia and Denmark at the World Cup.

The slalom superstar was given the honour in front of more than 75,000 fans at Stadium Australia.

The Matildas went on to win the game 2-0 and progress to the quarter finals.

“Just buzzing!” Fox said on Instagram.

“So epic to be named stadium captain and bring out the Adidas Oceanz ball tonight. Seeing the Matildas in action in front of 75,000 people was incredible.”

The Matildas have captured the heart of the nation this World Cup, including here in Penrith where thousands watched Monday night’s game at pubs and clubs, and at a live site in St Marys.

Australia faces France in the Quarter Finals this Saturday at 5pm. A live site will be held at The Mondo in Penrith, with activities starting at 4pm.

Jessica Fox with the match ball at Stadium Australia. Photo: Instagram. Jessica Fox supporting the Matildas on Monday night. Photo: Instagram.

PERFORMANCES

RIVER ACTIVITIES

ART INSTALLATIONS

KIDS ZONE

FOOD & BAR

WORKSHOPS

News

Contact Us

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 August – 7pm

Online via penrith.city (Ordinary Meeting)

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Council Briefs

● Are you a creative person wondering how you’re supposed to find the time to run a creative career, pursue your practice, and have a life as well?

We’ve partnered with Creative Plus Business to host the Time Management for Creatives Workshop on Wednesday, 16 August from 5.30–7.30 pm at the Borland Lounge in the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. Register at penrith.city/events

● Join our Be Energy Efficient at Home and Save Money webinar on Thursday, 24 August from 6-7.30pm on Zoom where you’ll discover the simple practices that optimise your home energy use, improve your comfort, reduce your environmental footprint and save money.

The webinar is free, but bookings are essential. Find out more at penrith.city/events

● A new pedestrian pathway and quietway are planned for Nepean Avenue. Penrith City Council has prepared a revised design and is inviting feedback to help finalise the project. The new pathway will improve pedestrian safety and provide the missing link to the popular Bridge-to-Bridge loop of Penrith’s Great River Walk. The reduced 30km/hr speed limit will encourage more active transport and calm traffic. Learn more and provide feedback at yoursaypenrith.com. au/nepeanavenue before 5 pm Monday 14 August. You can also provide feedback directly via email to nepeanavenue@ penrith.city

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured a $1.25 million grant, with a further $2.5 million allocated from Council’s District Open Space Contributions Plan.

Public Notice

Section 38B Roads Act 1993 –Proposed Road Closing

In pursuance of the provisions of the Roads Act 1993, notice is hereby given that Penrith City Council proposes to close the council public road listed in Schedule 1.

Schedule 1: Unformed Road Off Chain-O-Ponds Road Mulgoa. The location of the road is identified in the map below outlined in yellow. The road lies between 115–129 & 133–145 Chain-OPonds Road.

realfestival.com.au

Upon closure of the road, council intends to sell the land to an adjoining land owner.

All affected parties are hereby invited to make submissions concerning the proposal. Submissions must be received in writing addressed to the General Manager, Penrith City Council to PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 or council@penrith.city, within 28 days of the date of this notice.

For all enquiries, please contact Laura Gray, Development Manager on 4732 7777 or laura.gray@penrith.city

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

• The Trustee for AE Property

Lot 14 DP 1195110, 1 Charlotte Street, Jordan Springs

DA22/1052

Torrens title subdivision of 1 x lot into 21 x lots with associated stormwater facilities, landscaping, pedestrian footpaths works and public road

• DK Pty Ltd

Lot 76 DP 244894, 30 Currawong Crescent, Leonay

DA23/0436

Demolition of existing structures, construction of 2-storey attached dual occupancy and Strata title subdivision x 2 lots

• NF Billyard Pty Ltd Mod23/0079

Lot 1 DP 111896 and Lot 1 DP 219187, 40 Mamre Road, St Marys Section 4.55(1A) modification to REV22/0005 a multi dwelling housing development involving the replacement of the Canary Island Date Palm and retention of the existing power pole

penrith.city

MARKET STALLS WW51819

Testing boost as pathology lab at Nepean Hospital opens

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park officially opened Nepean Hospital’s new state-of-the-art pathology laboratory on Tuesday.

The latest in cutting-edge medical technology is being rolled out at Auburn, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Mount Druitt, Nepean and Westmead Hospitals, as part of a $29 million investment in NSW Health Pathology laboratories across western Sydney and regional NSW.

The new facility is a key feature of Nepean Hospital’s $1 billion redevelopment, and one of the first to be fitted with advanced new chemical pathology analysers and will provide a range of common tests such as liver and kidney function tests and diabetes monitoring.

According to Park, this state-of the-art diagnostic equipment will enhance the services available to patients and further improve efficiencies around the movement and processing of samples.

“The expanded Pathology Laboratory is 1.5 times larger than the previous lab and features the latest equipment which will revolutionise the way staff work and carry out testing,” he said.

“Pathology is a crucial tool in detecting,

diagnosing and treating disease, as well as an important aspect of managing long-term medical conditions.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said she was thrilled to mark the opening of the new Pathology Laboratory.

“This hospital has been at the heart of this community for more than 150 years and will give the communities of Penrith and the Blue Mountains access to world-class diagnostic health care,” she said.

“During Stage 1 of the redevelopment, more than 3,700 contractors were employed to work on this major project, with 73 per cent of them living in western Sydney, and thousands of

Development Consent/s Determined (cont.)

• Momo Romic

DA23/0496

Lot 2 DP 506524, 25 Great Western Highway, Oxley Park Strata title subdivision of an existing neighbourhood shop and residential dwelling into 2 lots

• Graeme Nichols

DA22/0611

Lot 9 DP 263353 and Lot 10 DP 263353, 26–28 Plasser Crescent, North St Marys Alterations and additions to an existing industrial building and change of use to a depot

• Defuse Pty Ltd

Mod23/0091

Lot 6 SP 33596 and Lot 7 SP 33596, 7/123 Coreen Avenue, Penrith Section 4.55(1A) modifications to DA22/1117 for Yoga & Pilates Studio to include expanded food & drink options for Hydration Bar

• Fernleigh Drafting

DA23/0460

Lot 223 DP 708572, 7 Colorado Drive, St Clair

Shed

• Development Assist Consultants Pty Ltd

DA23/0376

Lot 6217 DP 1211124, 62 Ninth Avenue, Jordan Springs

Shed

• Darren Love

Lot 49 DP 2167, 18 Brown Street, Penrith

Attached dual occupancy and Strata title subdivision x 2 lots

Refused Application

• Baini Design Pty Ltd

DA23/0175

more jobs will be supported during the Stage 2 development.”

Stage 2 of the Nepean Redevelopment, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, will include a new adult intensive care unit, renal services, medical imaging and more than 100 patient beds.

Park said the partnership between Nepean Hospital and other hospitals, universities and healthcare providers is unique.

“We need to foster, develop and grow that partnership to ensure that those in rural regional remote communities have access to the same level of health care that many of us take for granted,” he said.

Deferred Commencement Modification Application

• Slr Consulting Mod23/0117

Lot 13 DP 286568, 1 Renshaw Street, Cranebrook Section 4.56 modification to DA21/0837 for a mixeduse development involving changes to a food & drink tenancy including internal layout, signage and associated external works

Integrated Developments

Penrith City Council have received Development Applications in respect of the subject properties. The consent authority for the Development Application is Penrith City Council.

• Maryland Development Company Pty Ltd DA23/0551

Lot 6 DP 1248480, Lot 6 Wianamatta Parkway, Jordan Springs

Bulk earthworks including excavation and reinstatement of fill (Stage 6)

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the Department of Planning & Environment – Water.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time during ordinary office hours, in the period from Monday, 14 August 2023 to Tuesday, 12 September 2023.

“I’ve got a big task ahead to close that gap when it comes to healthcare and healthcare outcomes for our Indigenous brothers and sisters.”

He also commended the workers for the amount of tests, samples and specimens they were able to process, during arguably one of the most difficult times our community has ever faced.

“I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I think NSW Pathology was truly the unsung heroes in the last few years,” he said.

“I want to say how grateful we are on behalf of the New South Wales community for the work that you do each and every day.”

• Lendlease Communities DA23/0626 (Werrington) Pty Ltd

Lot 1256 DP 1272642, Lot 1256 Peartree Circuit, Werrington

Subdivision to create 9 x Torrens title residential allotments, construction of 9 x dwellings and associated civil and landscaping works The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time during ordinary office hours, in the period from Thursday, 14 August 2023 to Thursday, 28 August 2023.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds of objection are to be specified in the submission. The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA23/0626. For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Hannah Vousden on 4732 7646.

Viewing of Development Applications

DA22/1065

Lot 579 DP 12590 and Lot 580 DP 12590, 86 Sydney Street, St Marys

Demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of a childcare facility x 120 children with basement parking and associated works

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds of objection are to be specified in the submission. The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA23/0551. For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Lucy Goldstein on 4732 8136.

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

Health Minister Ryan Park helps open the new lab on Tuesday. Photo: Megan Dunn. Health Minister Ryan Park.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

PAGE TEN

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paceway winners lucky

Members of the Penrith Paceway in Penrith have the chance to win great prizes thanks to a special promotion involving the club and your favourite newspaper, The Western Weekender Club members can pick up a free specially numbered

ISPY

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For the more budget conscious, consider the Logitech Desk Mat – Studio Series ($39.95) or the MX Palm Rest ($39.95).

Charge up for Father’s Day with these sensational products from Logitech, available online or at electronics retailers.

The Weekender has a Logitech prize pack to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@westernweekender. com.au with ‘Logitech’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, August 25 and the winner will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www. westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

Do you know where this picture was taken?

Tell us exactly where this week’s featured I Spy image is located in Penrith and you could win! Email ispy@westernweekender.com.au with your answer for your chance to win two movie tickets. Our winner will be notified by email. Entries close each Wednesday at 5pm.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The giant cartoon lion is located on the front windows of Kidz Klub, situated at 46-48 Abel Street in Jamisontown. This was definitely hard to spot!

bumper sticker from the Paceway or the Weekender office, and our spotters will be out and about in the community.

Three spotted bumper sticker numbers will be printed each week, with winners needing to report to the Pace-

way to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out for new winners on this page every single week!

This week’s lucky winners are: 0742, 0841, 1009.

Commonwealth Bank’s $10 billion profit is a slap in the face to customers struggling with interest rate rises and less services at bank branches. It’s nothing to celebrate.

us online...

The incredible atmosphere for the Matildas game at Stadium Australia on Monday night was something to savour. A real win for women’s sport, and stunning TV ratings too.

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

COMPILED BY MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Penrith: Disqualified driver busted behind the wheel

A disqualified driver has been charged after he was caught behind the wheel in Penrith.

officer away. The man grabbed a male police officer and pushed him in the chest, but other police stepped in and he was handcuffed and arrested.

About 8am on Wednesday, August 2, police were patrolling Castlereagh Road when they made checks on the vehicle travelling in front of them.

Police stopped the vehicle and had a conversation with the driver, a 55-year-old man from Moss Vale.

It is alleged that the man was asked to produce his licence, but he couldn’t and produced a photo identification card.

Checks were made on the man’s licence which revealed that he was currently disqualified from driving.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on August 24.

He was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with intimidation, and resisting police.

A personal violence order was taken out on behalf of the 43-year-old.

The 42-year-old man will appear in Penrith Local Court on August 8.

Penrith: Drugs, cash found during search of unit on Woodriff Street

A man and woman have been charged after they were caught with drugs in Penrith.

About 1am on Friday, August 4, police were called to an apartment building in Woodriff Street.

LAWS FOR SOCIAL GROUPS

There are different ways that people can come together to achieve a common goal. Whether that is in business, for example the incorporation of a company or establishment of a partnership, or to pursue charitable interests, in the form of an ACNC registered unincorporated organisation/association or a unit trust or other type of trust.

In this column we look at unincorporated associations or organisations.

• How any funds, for example management fees or other monies, are managed.

• How often the group meets and if votes are required to determine certain matters, what the voting procedure is.

• Dispute resolution procedures.

You need to be careful with an unincorporated association when it comes to a charter or statement of objectives because unless it can be shown that each member agreed to be legally bound by the document, there can be some problems with enforceability.

St

Marys: Agitated woman admits to having cannabis in handbag

A woman was charged after she was busted with cannabis in St Marys.

About 5pm on Thursday, August 3, Police were patrolling St Marys Railway Station.

It is alleged that a 31-year-old Kingswood woman was pacing up and down outside the ticket barriers.

When police stopped and spoke with the woman, she allegedly became very vocal.

Police have asked the woman if she had anything in her possession, and she allegedly admitted to having cannabis in her handbag.

Police have searched the woman and the handbag and located a “clip lock” container containing cannabis.

The woman was charged and will appear in Penrith Local court on August 28.

It is alleged staff at the location had witnessed numerous people coming and going all night. Police attended and knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

Staff have opened the room and police spoke with a 34-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man.

It is alleged the man gave a false name, until he was questioned by police.

It is alleged the woman asked to go outside to smoke and at the same time the man made his way to the toilet, where he allegedly tried to throw two plastic bags in and flush them.

They were too large to flush and were retrieved by police.

It is alleged they contained Methylamphetamines, and the man was arrested.

As police attempted to cuff him, it is alleged he ran from the unit.

An unincorporated association is a group of people who have come together to further a common interest without forming a separate legally recognised entity or structure such as a company.

This means that an unincorporated association or organisation is not a legal entity unto itself, thus it cannot enter into contracts, cannot own assets or have liabilities in its own name, cannot sue or be sued and is essentially run by the members thereof and any managing committee in their individual capacities.

There is no requirement of law for an unincorporated association to have a charter or statement of objectives that sets out their main purpose or details basis rules about how the association will be run.

It is however recommended so that all members are on the same page and the group can pursue its purpose with clarity about how the association will be managed.

This is usually not the case when the group is formed as it is best practice to have each member sign a copy of the charter or statement of objectives, but if new members come on board at a later date and there is some dispute that requires the charter or statement of objectives to be relied upon, a basic defence that might be raised against a person who is the object of some action based in the charter or statement of objectives is that they never agree to be legally bound by the document and therefore it does not apply to them.

An obvious way to guard against this is to make clear in the charter or statement of objectives that each person signs it and each member intends to be legally bound by it. New members should also be provided with a copy of the document and should agree in writing to follow the rules set out therein.

Londonderry:

Neighbourhood

dispute turns ugly with officer assaulted

A man has been charged over allegations that he assaulted a police officer in Londonderry.

About 9.30pm on Thursday, August 3, police were called to an address on Kenmore Road.

It is alleged that a 43-year-old man was home alone in his granny flat at the address, when he heard yelling coming from a neighbour, a 42-year-old man.

It is alleged the neighbour has rattled off a tirade of abuse towards the man, and that the 43-year-old began to film the man’s actions.

The neighbour threatened the man with physical harm and police attended.

It is alleged an officer attempted to grab the 42-year-old man’s arm but he pushed the

Police apprehended him in the hallway and female officers arrived to search the woman. According to police, they found a considerable amount of cash.

They also searched the unit and located a small container containing more Methamphetamine and a number of plastic bottles believed to be GHB.

Police also found electronic scales, a large number of small resealable plastic bags and glass pipes and spoons.

The woman was charged with dealing with property proceeds of crime and supplying a prohibited drug.

She was due to appear in Penrith Local Court on August 10.

The man was charged with supplying a prohibited drug and hindering a police officer. He was bail refused to appear in the same court last Thursday.

EXPLAINER: WW51579

A charter or statement of objectives covers things like:

• The purpose of the association – for example the pursuit of education with respect to a particular vocation (for example knitting, gemology, orienteering).

• The definition of what constitutes a member of the group including any eligibility requirements and the method for accepting and removing members.

• The structure through which the association will be managed – is there a management committee or board of members who are appointed to make keys decisions of the group?

Unincorporated associations are great for groups who wish to come together for a common purpose but don’t do things like invest or derive a profit or enter into contractual relationships with other entities. This is because there are no ongoing compliance costs like might be the case with respect to a company for example.

It also avoids the need to comply with the Corporations Act and subscribe with the strict rules set out in the Legislation for the operation of a company.

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READ ALL ABOUT US

What can cause hearing loss?

Guildford Montessori Academy provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged six weeks to six years old and is designed to help children foster a life-long love for learning.

Hearing loss in adults can either be inherited from your parents or acquired from illness, ototoxic (eardamaging) drugs, exposure to loud noise, tumors, head injury, or the aging process. This loss may occur by itself or with tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Acquired in January 2023 and newly fit-out in recent months, this is Montessori Academy Group’s 50th Australian childcare centre.

What causes age related hearing loss?

Hearing loss occurs when the tiny hair cells are damaged or die. The hair cells do not regrow, so most hearing loss caused by hair cell damage is permanent. There is no known single cause of agerelated hearing loss. Most commonly, it is caused by changes in the inner ear that occur as you grow older.

The beautifully refurbished centre features four classrooms equipped with a full suite of Montessori materials, two magnificent play areas with an epic plane fort, sandpits, and climbing equipment to engage children’s curiosity and potential.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the families in Guildford and surrounding areas,” said Montessori Academy Group’s Chief Operations Officer, Rami Nassif.

Is there a connection between hearing loss and dementia?

According to several major studies, older adults with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, compared to those with normal hearing. Further, the risk escalates as a person’s hearing loss grows worse. Those with mild hearing impairment are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia compared to those with normal hearing. The risk increases three-fold for those with moderate hearing loss, and five-fold for those with severe impairment.

Untreated hearing loss can put such a huge load on the brain in challenging environments that it can have adverse effects on long-term health, such as stress and mental fatigue. Hearing loss can lead to disengagement in conversation and interaction, which can result in social withdrawal, isolation and depression, and has even been linked with the acceleration of cognitive decline.

“Our goal is to provide a nurturing environment where children can develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life. We believe that Montessori philosophy is the perfect way to achieve this.”

The Montessori method is a child-centred approach to education that promotes independence, self-directed learning, and respect for each child’s individual pace and interests. This approach encourages children to explore and discover the world around them, while also developing a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Hearing loss was recently reported as the number one modifiable risk factor contributing to dementia in a study authored by the Lancet commissions on Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care*. Staying “sharp”

Several recent and well-regarded studies raises the possibility that treating hearing loss more aggressively could help stave off cognitive decline and dementia.

Guildford Montessori Academy is run by a team of qualified and experienced educators, who are passionate about helping children reach their full potential. The centre is also equipped with a wide range of educational resources that align with the Early Years Learning Framework to deliver the best early childhood outcomes for children.

The newly renovated centre offers educational childcare in a long day care format and is open from 7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.

“When you struggle to hear what is happening, during a noisy family dinner or out for a coffee with friends, you not only get extremely tired trying to keep up, but many also tend to simply stop going out or socialising altogether.

Families who are interested in enrolling their children at the centre are invited to attend the Grand Opening Event on Saturday 20th May 2023 or contact their Enrolments Team on 1300 000 162.

A new Montessori childcare centre has official 4 Chamberlain Road, Guildford N ADVERTISEMENT

Call

FREE HEARING SERVICES FOR AGE PENSIONERS & VETERANS

-Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.

Book appointment on 4742 3636

Key construction milestone for Gipps Street Recreation Precinct

Construction is underway on the main amenities building for the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct in Claremont Meadows.

The building will feature eight modern change rooms, a large-scale canteen, change rooms for officials, multi-purpose area, storage, parents’ room with baby change table facilities, ambulant toilets, MLAK-fitted accessible toilet with shower, and scoring, administration and first aid rooms, in the centre of the 32-hectare precinct.

A MLAK-fitted ‘Changing Place’ facility will also be installed which is designed for those in the community with high support requirements.

According to Council, it will include a height-adjustable adult-sized change table, ceiling track hoist system, centrally located peninsula toilet, privacy screen, and automatic door.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the amenities building will be a central feature of the precinct and the largest amenities building in the Local Government Area.

“This facility will complement the floodlit sports fields, netball courts and cricket nets also being built here, to provide our local sports clubs with the high-quality infrastruc-

ture they need for competitions and training,” she said.

“It will also be an inviting space for residents and visitors to meet up, enjoy a snack from the canteen, and soak up the atmosphere.”

“After extensive remediation and landscaping across the precinct, it is exciting for us to take the next step towards Gipps Street becoming a landmark sport and recreation destination for the community.”

The main amenities building is funded by Penrith City Council and the NSW Government, who are contributing $1 million through the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said that the new amenities will send the message that all are welcome at the precinct and will have the opportunity to access high quality facilities right at their doorstep.

“It's great to see another landmark destination coming soon to western Sydney,” she said.

“As a mum, I understand how important these facilities are for everyone in our community.

“I cannot wait to see the precinct buzzing with families and local residents, building and fostering connections with each other.”

Gipps Street Recreation Precinct will also feature children’s play areas, youth precinct with floodlit skate park, pump track and multi-sport courts, floodlit dog park, outdoor fitness equipment, walking trails, picnic areas and car parking, once complete.

Council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy, which is a 15-year road map for the future provision of sport, play, recreation and open space facilities across the City, helped create the vision for the project.

For more information, visit yoursaypenrith. com.au/gippsst.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen, General Manager Andrew Moore and NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car in front of the site of the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct main amenities building.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Firefighters dramatically rescued a cow stuck in mud at Kemps Creek last week.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) rescued the animal, which was stuck up to its neck in thick mud, on a rural property.

About 6pm last Wednesday, the calf had wandered into the dam on Mamre Road, where it found itself unable to move.

A neighbour alerted the RSPCA, which requested the assistance of firefighters.

Three FRNSW crews and the NSW Rural Fire Service responded, trudging more than

350 metres, with their heavy equipment and lighting in tow, to reach the animal.

Rescuers placed slings around the calf’s legs and a slide board underneath it, safely wrangling the creature and ‘steering’ it to a nearby paddock.

One of the on-call firefighters who responded to the incident is a veterinary nurse and supported the calf’s welfare, alongside Uni Vets Camden, which provided drips and medication.

According to FRNSW, the calf was freed after the ‘high steaks’ two-hour operation and returned to its herd.

The RSPCA and local vets continue to monitor the cow’s wellbeing.

Applications for the final round of Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grants are now open to people living in the Penrith floodplain.

Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is now accepting applications for the grants, which are funded through the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care as part of the response to the 2022 floods.

Funds can be used to deliver activities that encourage social cohesion, connectedness, community wellbeing, resilience and mental health healing of affected communities.

To date, the program has awarded 44 grants worth over $250,000 and Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay, said a huge variety of funded grants are making a difference.

She said the Community Wellbeing and Resilience Grants build on existing and emerging connections and allow communities the opportunity to choose their

own way to respond to the losses, anxiety and distress they have experienced.

“Funded activities thus far have been diverse. Some examples include, a community festival hosted by Wallacia Progress Association, a series of free concerts with afternoon tea and music appreciation talks supported by the Macdonald Valley Association, and a two-day pony club camp hosted by Londonderry Pony Club. These activities were all delivered in areas that were directly impacted by the multiple floods that occurred last year,” Reay said.

“We see huge benefits from these programs in affected communities. New friendships are formed, and residents get the opportu-

nity to connect with local services that they may not have known about or felt comfortable reaching out to.

“Residents who participate in these programs report a greater sense of belonging and strengthening of ties with the broader community. This helps ensure that when the next disaster hits, they don’t feel alone and have a whole community network to lean on.”

A variety of initiatives that encourage community-led wellbeing in the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Penrith local government areas will be considered.

Applications will close on Sunday, August 27. For more information or to apply, visit www.nbmphn. com.au/floodgrants.

Fire crews work to rescue the cow at Kemps Creek last week.

The Penrith floods in 2022.

Photo: Megan Dunn.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Parents urged to ensure children are hitting developmental milestones

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District has joined forces with local parents and their children to launch ‘The First 2000 Days’ campaign.

Many people opted to avoid healthcare settings and delay important health checks during the pandemic, and as a result, there has been a decline in the number of families attending for important developmental checks with their children under the age of five.

Now health experts are calling on parents to visit their closest community health centre and give their little ones the best start in life. The multimedia campaign features local parents and their children, from one week to four-years-old, to encourage families to book a free milestone assessment at their closest community health centre.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) Family Health Manager, Leanne Clayton, said the first 2000 days of life are critical for physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.

“Developmental checks for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers are a crucial component of a child’s first 2000 days of life,” she said.

“Almost 90 per cent of brain development occurs before the age of five, known as the first 2000 days of life.

“Our developmental checks allow our child and family health nurses to work with parents to help their child reach their full potential if they detect any issues.”

Penrith’s Clarinda Oliveux knew the importance of developmental checks when she took her then six-month-old Jordan for a check-up at her local community health centre.

“Even if I have no concerns, the visits reassure me Jordan is on track for his age,” she said.

“The nurses are very thorough and I can ask questions I may not ask my doctor.

“They are providing me with support, education, and information on all aspects of parenting until Jordan is ready for school.”

Clarinda and Jordan are part of a multimedia campaign featuring local parents and their children from just a few-weeks-old to pre-schoolers to encourage families to book a free developmental check.

Specialist nurses work with parents to achieve the best possible outcomes for each child.

“We work with mothers and fathers to achieve their parenting goals and support them in building a strong relationship with their baby or child,” Clayton said.

“Our aim is to improve the lives and experiences of parents and families in the first 2000 days of their child’s life and better support all children to achieve the best start in life.”

Weekender Editor nominated for gong

The Western Weekender has been nominated for a major award at the prestigious Mumbrella Publish Awards, to be held next month.

Now in its 28th year, the awards, originally run by Publishers Australia, feature 25 categories across the publishing industry.

Weekender Managing Editor Troy Dodds is nominated for Editor of the Year, alongside Josie Rozenberg-Clarke (Pedestrian.TV ), Justine Cullen (InStyle Australia), Marc Dodd (nine.com.au) and Nick Hall (Man of Many). Man of Many has racked up 11 nominations, including Newsletter of the Year, Website of the Year and Publication of the Year. The publication joins Private Media and The Local Project on the shortlist for the new Best Engagement Strategy category.

The 2003 Mumbrella Publish Awards will be held on Thursday, September 7 at Doltone House in Sydney.

TEACHER DEAL NOT YET REACHED

NSW Education Minister Prue Car says negotiations with the Teachers Federation continue over a new pay deal.

“I have been engaged in active and productive negotiations with the Federation, and I have not walked away from them,” Car said. “Productivity improvements need to be identified and agreed, and we know that teachers have ideas about how to do this while enhancing learning outcomes for students in the classroom.”

Worthy nominee

Nepean Hospital midwife recognised for extraordinary work

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Nepean Hospital’s Tracey Codner has been named as a finalist for this year’s ‘Midwife of the Year’ award.

She is one of 29 finalists nominated for the 11th annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

“It’s humbling,” Codner told the Weekender

“It’s a reflection of my team, not just me, because I work with a wonderful team of people that try their best to look after everyone.

“I don’t think it should be just one person singled out because it’s a collaborative thing.”

Codner has been working as a midwife for more than three decades.

She said she got into the profession because she wanted to help people and spend her life being

part of other people’s pregnancies.

“I like my job,” she said.

“I’m just a little cog in a big wheel and I really enjoy interacting with everyone, whether it be doctors, other staff members or the families

that we’re looking after. I’m sure many other people would love to be doing what I’m doing, so I count myself very privileged to be able to do it.”

In a statement, Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District said

Codner has showcased exceptional talent, skill, and compassion.

“Nepean Hospital Clinical Midwifery Consultant and Midwife of the Year finalist, Tracey Codner has been an integral member of the Women’s Health team,” the statement said.

“Tracey has the ability to really see the woman, understand their position and deliver individualised care that is exceptional in every way.”

According to Codner, it is extremely rewarding to be able to streamline the experience for expectant parents at what is at times a nervous period in their lives.

“Most of the families I care for have a high risk pregnancy, so it’s either a mum that has a medical condition or a baby that has a complication,” she said.

“Particularly if you’ve lost a baby, I can’t imagine

how triggering it must be to come back here and then to go through another pregnancy.”

Codner said she is there to support parents every step of the way through the process.

“I say to them, I’m your PA so if you need anything, let me know,” she said.

“I think it’s just comforting for them to have a point of contact and someone that’s a continuum.”

NSW Health said the awards are an important occasion to recognise the incredible achievements of our nurses and midwives and celebrate their commitment, compassion, innovation and exceptional care for the people of New South Wales.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony, which will be held at Parliament House, later this year.

Midwife of the Year nominee Tracey Codner.

Students take a bite out of creative centre

12 Western Sydney University (WSU) students from the School of Humanities and Communication Arts have immersed themselves in New York City – one of the most creative places in the world.

After the long journey, the group arrived for their two-week stay at Pace University where they got a taste of campus life and enjoyed workshops exploring critical media topics such as ‘Barbie culture’ and ‘Media, Culture and Society in the US’.

Throughout the program, students were exposed to leading media and public relations agencies including Red Havas and WE Communications where they learnt directly from industry experts about pitching, social media, design, and the future of the industry.

The exposure to media and public relations firms was a highlight for Brayden Gennari, a Bachelor of Design and Bachelor of Creative Industries (Advertising) student.

“It was eye-opening to see how the many communication firms work, learning how to approach

the process of creating a campaign and how the many specialisations are helping hands in creating major campaigns,” he said.

“The experience showed us what our careers might look like after we complete our degrees, which is a great insight as emerging communicators.

“The entire trip gave us access to the professionalism of the industry that we might not learn through the classroom.”

The group also toured the purpose-built public space Little Island, designed for play, communication connection and performance, hearing from the initiative’s Communications Manager. They also enjoyed a vibrant Broadway performance of ‘Six the Musical’ where they were invited to hear from the Director in Residence after the show.

Reflecting on the experiential study tour, Bachelor of Communications and Bachelor of Creative Industries student, Tully Jackson feels as if the trip has unlocked a world of possibilities.

“The places we visited on the trip were incredibly insightful and rewarding, from visiting the

SoundLab at Arup, the stages of the Jazz at Lincoln Centre, to meeting with Ping Chong and Company and the director of ‘Six the Musical’; I was truly inspired,” she said.

“I didn’t realise there were so many niche careers not only in existence but completely achievable for me.”

The mix of work and play allowed students to immerse themselves in all that the Big Apple has to offer including walking the world-famous High Line, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, catching the Staten Island ferry, and more. Students also took time to visit and pay their respects at the 9/11 memorial.

The students also enjoyed a tour of the United Nations Headquarters, visiting various chambers and learning about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The group was proud to tour the SDGs chamber in the same year that WSU has been named number one in the world for its social, economic, and environmental impact in the prestigious 2023 Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings. Western

Sydney University students in New York.

Marcel Bar and Bistro offers a unique menu and dining experience to savour

service that we feel is worthy of awards, but most importantly seeks to delight and indulge our guests.”

Upscale restaurant Marcel Bar and Bistro is set to transform western Sydney’s dining scene with a dazzling showcase of the region’s produce, design and history.

The Weekender can reveal that Marcel’s refined modern European menu will showcase exceptional ingredients sourced from a line-up of talented local producers. And while the restaurant’s name might sound more Paris than Penrith, it reveals the little-known and deeply local story of Marcel’s design inspiration.

Marcel pays homage to late great modernist architect and designer Marcel Breuer, whose sole Australian project was the acclaimed 1976 Torin Factory building – located just five minutes away from where the restaurant now stands at the Western Sydney Conference Centre and Pullman Hotel at Panthers.

Chef Colin Chun is a pioneering visionary with a passion for quality local produce and fresh, authentic flavours, which was instilled by his formative years in his family’s restaurant in Korea. At Marcel, he’s collaborating with ethically driven local producers including Sun’s Fresh Farm and Heng Fresh Farm in Western Sydney Parklands, certified organic Rita’s Farm in Wallacia, and free range and organic egg supplier Clarendon Farms.

“Western Sydney and its surrounds have so many excellent local producers and it’s exciting to be working with them,” he said.

“Our focus will be on simply cooked dishes that celebrate the taste and quality of these outstanding ingredients.

“Penrith is an area with a strong and fast-evolving culinary scene, and I want to elevate it even further and contribute some-

thing different and special. I want to push boundaries.”

General Manager Glen Erickson believes Marcel will set new standards of culinary excellence for western Sydney.

“Our ambition is for Marcel to attract a new level of critical and customer acclaim to Penrith,” he said.

“We’re presenting benchmark food and

In the bar of Marcel, wine takes centre stage in a stunning open cellar, where guests are invited to browse, select and chat with sommeliers. Director of Food and Beverage, Akshay Arora said their main focus is on the art of wine, offering a carefully curated collection from around the globe.

The intimate space also features curated cocktails anchored by premium Australian spirits.

“At Marcel, our team of mixologists has meticulously crafted our cocktail menu to ignite your senses with a captivating blend of theatre, laughter and romance,” Arora said.

“We’re bringing back old-school hospitality with a touch of elegance, attention to detail, and also some really interactive experiences to enrich our guests’ enjoyment.”

Just like Breuer himself, Marcel Bar and Bistro is set to bring beauty, creativity and joy to this dynamic destination, and Erickson hopes the new landmark and its delicious fare will transform outdated perceptions of Penrith.

“Penrith deserves this recognition. It’s a vibrant city of its own with a need for somewhere iconic to celebrate special occasions; a place where locals can invite others from near and far and show off the pride of Penrith,” he said.

Inside the new Marcel Bar and Bistro in Penrith.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Workshops for creatives

Cultural entrepreneurs and arts practitioners encouraged to sign up for sessions

tive’s knowledge and provide networking opportunities,” she said.

Penrith City Council and Creative Plus Business are offering three exciting workshops that will give creatives the opportunity to develop their business skills and network.

The bespoke program focuses on topics of importance for cultural entrepreneurs and arts practitioners because it can be difficult to turn great ideas into a business. Each workshop will cover a range of subjects, giving creative workers practical strategies, free resources, and opportunities to ask questions.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen encourages local creatives and businesses to register for one –or all – of the workshops.

“Council partnered with Creative Plus Business to deliver the workshops after receiving interest from the community in participating in classes and activities covering topics to help further a crea-

Melissa’s Message

The weekly views of the Federal Member for Lindsay

Post Office to close Australia Post has announced it is closing its Westfield Penrith Plaza post office on September 29, and our community has shown its strong disappointment about the decision.

I understand the closure is due to a 44 percent reduction in foot traffic.

This data has been taken over four years, including across two COVID-19 lockdowns and recovery periods when it would be logical that foot traffic is much lower, including no traffic at all.

The next closest Australia Post Office is on the High Street of Penrith, which has been identified as the location to take on the majority of customers from the Plaza. There are only six car spaces at the High Street Post Office and one accessible space.

Street parking is very difficult to find. The position of the Post Office with cars enter-

“We held a Freelance Skills for Creatives workshop in March with great success, with participants commenting that it was delivered by a passionate, inspiring and knowledgeable presenter.

“Penrith has a growing creative industry that offers jobs for many people, and it can be difficult to know where to get started on your creative journey as an artist or a business owner.”

The program includes a Time Management for Creatives Workshop on Wednesday, August 16, Pricing for Creatives Workshop on Wednesday, September 13, and Creative’s Guide to Marketing Workshop on Thursday, November 30 at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. A light dinner will be provided at each free session, which will run from 5pm to 7.30pm.

To find out more and to register, visit penrith.city/events.

ing and exiting parking is not pedestrian friendly.

I do not believe the High Street Post Office is going to give residents and small business owners an adequate customer service experience based on the above issues.

I want to ensure local services are kept to a high standard and that sites are accessible and easy to use for everyone in the Lindsay community, particularly seniors and local small businesses.

I have raised the issue with Australia Post and in Parliament this week I asked the Minister for Communications to review the decision.

This is an important issue for our community, and one that is very much worth trying to find a better outcome.

MELISSA MCINTOSH

Federal Member for Lindsay

PLEDGE TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Having a local news service is vital to a community such as Penrith. In recent years we have seen national news organisations pull print publications in our area, while digital content is often beyond a paywall. Western Sydney Publishing Group, publishers of The Western Weekender, have committed to keeping our content in both print and online completely free for our readers. Quality news is, however, expensive to produce. That’s why your support is critical. Find out how to support us at westernweekender.com.au/ pledge.

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre will host the workshops.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

As your local member in the Australian Parliament, there’s nothing more important to me than representing and supporting our community.

If I can help in any way please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or my office.

Emu Plains plays a role in finding homes for misplaced animals

An innovative tree carving technology pioneered by Transport for NSW has so far provided 1500 new homes for animals across the state.

The Habitat Hollows program is being used to offset habitat loss from road projects from the Snowy Mountains to Sydney and the North Coast. The program creates sustainable homes within trees for hollow-dependent birds, bats, reptiles and mammals, replicating the cavities in trees that can take 70 to 120 years to form naturally.

The Hollowhog carving tool used in the program was designed and developed by a passionate environment officer within Transport for NSW and is being manufactured in Emu Plains.

“Trees that have hollows carved into them are not harmed and what’s better is that we have already passed 1500 new homes for animals in habitat that is nearby roads projects,” Minister for Roads, John Graham said.

“New and upgraded roads do result in tree removal and some habitat loss, we don’t pretend otherwise, but this program has so far ensured

Karen’s Comment

The weekly views of the State Member for Penrith

Having your say

Community members are invited to contribute to designing a new Palliative Care Unit at Nepean Hospital which will provide specialised care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses in the Penrith and Blue Mountains regions.

The NSW Government has allocated $93 million to redevelop and refurbish palliative care units from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for NSW Health as part of the World Class End of Life Care commitment.

Health Minister Ryan Park said community input into the design of the new dedicated unit is vital to meet individual and family needs.

“As well as featuring the latest technology and equipment, the new Palliative Care Units will provide a comfortable and home-like setting to provide peace of mind to patients, families and carers when they need it most,” Park said.

The new Palliative Care Unit at Nepean Hospital will provide community members with the unique opportunity to design a

world-class Palliative Care Unit at Nepean Hospital, and it is vital that we have local community input for such an essential service.

Master planning is underway to determine the campus location and its co-location with other hospital facilities. Consultation with health staff and community members will continue until the expected commencement in 2024. Penrith and BlueMountains members can provide design input using the QR code or by emailing, NepeanRedevelopment@health.nsw.gov.au

KAREN MCKEOWN OAM Member for Penrith

new living spaces for many native Australian species that have been observed using the hollows. It is great to watch night vision of native animals using these hollows as their home.

“The carving tool is the first of its kind in the world and ensures we don’t have to wait up to seven decades or more for tree hollows to form naturally. Replicating hollows by carving into the tree without causing any damage is a game changer for supporting biodiversity.”

Penrith MP Karen McKeown said it was great that Emu Plains was playing its role in the manufacturing.

“Compared to traditional nest boxes that sit outside the tree, carved hollows are there forever, require less maintenance, and are used by a broad range of wildlife, including gliders, microbats, owls, possums and parrots. It’s fantastic that Hollowhog is manufacturing right in Emu Plains,” she said.

“My community has been affected by the removal of some large old trees during the upgrade of Mulgoa Road but it is heartening to know that this area is also a location where Habitat Hollows is making a difference.”

Animals are finding new homes thanks to the idea. Tree carving technology is being created locally.

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app an added help for domestic violence victims

and I couldn’t be prouder seeing this concept from the team at Blacktown come to life,” she said.

Victims of domestic violence now have access to a new mobile phone app designed to discreetly document abuse and provide better access to support services.

Assistant Commissioner Stuart Smith unveiled the ‘Empower You’ app on July 23, which was developed as part of the commitment to ensuring better outcomes for victims of domestic and family violence across the state.

The concept was presented by the Blacktown DVLO Team to senior officers as part of the Domestic and Family Violence Reform Project, which was established last year to change the way police respond to and prevent domestic violence.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the initial idea for the app came from an officer with extensive experience in dealing with and supporting victims of domestic violence in western Sydney.

“A call was put out to all staff to submit their ideas in terms of improving the victim experience

The Commissioner said Sergeant Lisa Clemence’s experiences with victims inspired the idea of putting all the right information in one place, which is easily accessible at any time.

The app includes a private diary, simple connectivity to Triple Zero, a coded emergency signal feature and links to local support services.

“Not only does this app allow for victims to easily document abuse, which is often difficult to recall when in distress or when it occurs over long periods of time, we believe this app has the potential to save lives,” Webb said.

Smith said it’s intended the ‘Empower You’ app will do exactly that – empower victims of abuse.

“The ‘Empower You’ app was designed to be user friendly, intuitive and interactive, while still having the best safety features for user privacy and discretion,” he said.

“It has inbuilt features to keep it private on any mobile, including passcodes and quick lock, and has

minor or whether they report it to police at that time.

“This is especially important in terms of coercive control, where we know a victim often feels helpless.”

The app has undergone rigorous testing, which included intensive consultation with experts in dealing with domestic and family violence victims, service providers, advocates, and other key stakeholders.

Domestic Violence NSW’s Bridget Mottram congratulated NSW Police on the launch of the app, saying it will assist victims.

“Police play a vital role in responding to domestic and family violence in our community,” she

“This app is an additional resource for victim-survivors who wish to report to police that may support and streamline the process.”

Nepean Police Area Command were unavailable for comment in relation to the local impact of the new app.

The ‘Empower You’ app is now available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Solar car built by students

Western Sydney University set to shine in race across the country

this

October

Western Sydney University (WSU) students are ready to race to the finish line, thanks to a solar car they built from scratch.

Named UNLIMITED 5.0, the solar car was officially unveiled last week at WSU’s Parramatta South campus. Taking two years to design and manufacture, the solar car features a three-wheeled design, with aluminium suspension and a carbon fibre chassis, manufactured entirely in-house by the team of students.

Team Mechanical Engineer Nina Walters, who is in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Engineering at the university, said it was exciting to finally reveal what she and the other students had been working so hard on.

“It’s been a long time in the making, we’re all very excited and it’s really cool when you get to see all the hard work that’s gone into it over the two years coming together,” she told the Weekender

“This car will be the first time that we’ve actually made a three-

wheeled car, which is very exciting.

“We’re also using a different battery to what we’ve used before, we’ve done lithium-ion in all the other cars, but this time we’re doing lithium-ion phosphate.”

For the first time since the pandemic, 25 students from a range of disciplines across WSU have managed every aspect of the production and design of the vehicle, as well as sponsorship,

marketing and administration.

The students hope the project sends a message about the importance of renewable energy and the future of transportation.

“We have a lot of people say ‘well, you couldn’t drive that car every day’, which is not really the point,” Walters added.

“The point is to push the technology and everything as far as we possibly can so that what we learn

from that can be put into a more practical everyday purpose.”

UNLIMITED 5.0 will now get ready to compete in the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a race which will see the solar car travel across 3,000km of rugged outback terrain, all the way from Darwin to Adelaide in October.

It will also mark the fifth time the WSU team will compete in the Challenger Class – the most competitive

class – which requires teams to produce a high-quality single-seat car built for sustained endurance and energy efficiency.

Walters said she’s confident the solar car has what it takes to win it all.

“It’s definitely a bit nerve-wracking, racing a car that you’ve designed and built through the desert, but I’m also very excited and I’m very confident in our team,” she said.

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The WSU solar car was revealed last week. Photo: Angie Way.

Plant a tree for your Dad

Popular Father’s Day event returns to Kingswood after success in recent years

If you’re looking for a gift for Dad this Father’s Day, Penrith City Council’s annual Trees for Dad is returning for its fifth year at Peppermint Reserve in Kingswood.

Everyone is invited to plant trees and shrubs to celebrate the father figure in their life on Sunday, September 3.

The community tree planting event will be divided up into 30-minute sessions, with the first session starting at 8.30am and the last session at 12pm.

Council’s Bushcare team intends to supply enough trees and tags for participants to plant and write on with some help from the nursery.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen was excited that the event was returning for its fifth year and encouraged residents to register to plant a tree to remember and celebrate their Dad.

“Planting a tree is such a simple gesture to honour your Dad, grandfather, uncle or a father figure in your life and can be a very positive and meaningful experience to share with family and friends on Father’s Day,” she said.

“When we held our successful Trees for Mum event on Mother’s Day this year, it was touching for the Bushcare team to hear beautiful stories from the participants about why they had come to celebrate and honour their

Mum, and I hope Trees for Dad continues to provide such a space to remember Dad.

“Trees for Dad is not only a great way to gift Dad something special, but it’s an opportunity to learn about our local environment and help restore our endangered bushland

by planting native trees or shrubs. Council’s Bushcare team is looking forward to another great day planting trees and celebrating our local Dads.”

On the day sunscreen will be provided and participants are advised to wear closed-toe

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Major milestone reached

Construction is now underway to build the main amenities building in Gipps Street Recreation Precinct, marking an exciting milestone in the journey to make our shared vision for this precinct a reality.

Spanning 32-hectares, the precinct will be about twice the size of Sydney Zoo and will have something for everyone to enjoy from floodlit sports fields, netball courts, cricket practice facilities, children’s play areas including water play, a dog park, youth precinct with a skate park and pump track, walking trails, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic areas, and car parking.

The amenities building will be a central feature of Gipps Street Recreation Precinct and has been designed to be inclusive and accessible for all future users and visitors.

There will be eight modern change rooms which can be converted into four larger change rooms, change rooms for officials, a multi-purpose area, storage,

shoes and a hat.

To ensure there are enough trees for everyone and so the Bushcare team can coordinate the 30-minute sessions, bookings are required. Book your attendance by registering at penrith.city/events.

and scoring, administration and first aid rooms for sports groups.

A parent’s room, ambulant toilets, MLAK-fitted accessible toilet with shower, and MLAK-fitted ‘Changing Place’ facility for those with high support requirements will also be installed.

And there will be a large-scale canteen for people to grab a snack to enjoy while soaking up the game day atmosphere, strolling along the walking trails, or for the kids to recharge after making the most of the play areas.

Thank you to the NSW Government who contributed $1 million towards the main amenities building through the Office of Sport’s Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund. You can keep up to date on this project’s progress at yoursaypenrith.com.au/ gippsst.

CR TRICIA HITCHEN

Mayor of Penrith

BEAN BAG COVER DANGEROUS TO KIDS

A Beachside Style bean bag cover is being recalled due to concerns over its warning label.

Sold online in various material colours, the bean bag cover does not comply with standards. The product was supplied with

a paperclip which can facilitate movement of the child-resistant fastener (zipper) used to insert or remove the polystyrene bean filling, sparking choking and suffocation fears for children.

Call the company on 0403 205 324.

A Penrith family attending Trees for Dad in 2022.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

launch of the Steak & Oyster Co. by Sean Connolly earlier this year.

Do you ever wonder about the history behind the street signs we look at every day?

Named after the mansion erected by Sir John Jamison in 1824 and called ‘Regent Villa’ in honour of Prince Regent. The house burnt down in 1869.

If you know the meaning of a street name in the Penrith LGA email news@ westernweekender.com.au.

Source: A History of the Nepean and District Street Names compiled by Lorna Parr.

Δ Oysters for a buck: Australia’s oyster king, executive chef Sean Connolly (pictured), is urging Australians to rethink the delicious bivalve as only a summer celebration and enjoy them while they are at their peak – the end of winter. Every year, the oyster advocate goes out of his way to celebrate his favourite ingredient in August, and this year is no different, with Sean’s Steak & Oyster Co at West HQ offering $1 oysters. During the entire month of August from

Sunday to Thursday, Steak & Oyster Co. by Sean Connolly will be serving up Freshly Shucked Oysters with Red Wine Vinegar and Lemon, the iconic Oyster Kilpatrick, and his succulent Crumbed Oyster with Lemon Mayonnaise. In addition to the incredible $1 deal, available for any order of three or more oysters, guests of West HQ can also experience a menu that is fast proving a food lover delight with its premium meat and succulent seafood since the

Δ Collab returns: After receiving thousands of messages from avid fans, Krispy Kreme and Peters Ice Cream are bringing back their most epic collaboration ever – the iconic Maxibon Doughnut! If you weren’t lucky enough to get your hands on one back in 2018, get ready for a mind-blowing flavour combination of Krispy Kreme’s legendary doughnut and Maxibon’s mouth-watering ice cream sandwich that will have you jumping with joy.

www.pancakesontherocks.com.au

Maxibon Krispy Kreme doughnuts are now available online and in-store at Krispy Kreme, in 7-Eleven stores and selected Woolworths for a limited time.

Δ Savoury Dining returns: After another brief closure, Savoury Dining on High Street is back with the Vietnamese all you can eat buffet now back as an option. The restaurant is located at 407-411 High Street.

Δ Getting cheesy: Cheese lovers will be melting over Macca’s newest Cheesy range, back by popular demand as part of its delicious new winter menu. Available in stores now, the Cheesy range will include the brand new Cheesy Angus (pictured below), along with the returning Cheesy Chicken and Cheesy Beef. All burgers feature a decadent melting mozzarella cheese patty, made with Australian milk.

Since 1975 Pancakes On The Rocks has been a Sydney favourite with restaurants at The Rocks, Northmead, Darling Harbour, Beverly Hills & Darling Square. With something for everyone from Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Dessert we have a wide range of meals including Ribs, Steak, Pizzas, Salad, Crepes & of course our Pancakes.

THE DHARUG CONNECTION

A special weekly focus on local Indigenous affairs and services

Joy Impiombato Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services

Keeping mob healthy at Kooly

On the first Wednesday of every month, a partnership between NCNS Kooly team and the Nepean Local Health District (NBNLHD)

Aboriginal Health Unit, brings specialist allied and medical health professionals – out to the community. In the past two months alone, we’ve been able to screen over 40 people, and provide what was needed for free! No waiting rooms, no transport hassles, no cost, and a culturally friendly space.

In August, Hearing Australia came out and screened 12 community members for their hearing. If mob need extra assistance, as some did – then additional follow up is arranged at no cost.

In July, the Brien Holden Foundation came out, and conducted 30 eye tests. 30 community

members were screened, with 15 identified as needing glasses. These are made to fit for each person, at no cost!

This is a great partnership between the NBNLHD’s Mootang Tarimi outreach health bus and the Kooly team. It’s playing a small part in the big picture of Closing the Gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Of course, when we look after our health, we are also looking after our families. And vision and hearing checks for kids can make a huge difference to how they are going at school.

NCNS provides free transport to these outreach health days, as well as some tasty morning tea – so it couldn’t be easier to look after yourself, and your family.

Our next Health Outreach day is 10am – 12 noon on Wednesday,

September 6. You can just turn up at Kooly on the day, or call Carolyn to arrange transport. The friendly staff include an Aboriginal Health Worker, Registered Nurse, and Aboriginal

Helpful Contacts

Community Worker – so you’ll be given the very best care by mob looking after mob.

To book transport, call Carolyn on 0437 083 839 or Kooly on 4706 0280. See you there!

Government puts focus on hearing

The Albanese Government is improving the hearing health of First Nations children through the delivery of the Hearing Assessment Program – Early Ears (HAPEE), established in 2019 to reduce ear disease and prevent hearing loss in young First Nations children. This is part of the Government’s $100 million investment over four years (from 2022-23) in a range of programs to improve the ear and hearing health outcomes for First Nations children.

Hearing Australia runs the HAPEE Program, which is avail-

able to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are not yet attending full time school.

In 2022-23, the program provided over 14,000 First Nations children with free clinical assessments of their ear and hearing health. Around 49 per cent were found to have undiagnosed ear disease and 26 per cent had undiagnosed hearing loss, with many requiring referral to medical practitioners and specialists for follow up care.

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

and Minister for Government Services, Bill Shorten, said the HAPEE program is making a real difference in the early identification of ear disease and hearing loss in young First Nations children.

“More than 60 per cent of children seen for a follow-up appointment now have better ear health and hearing, and this is just wonderful because not only is access to sound important for early language development, it is integral to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s connection to culture, family, commu-

nity, and history,” Shorten said.

“These results would not be possible without the strong support of local community-controlled health services.”

A recent evaluation of the HAPEE program found parents and health workers agree that HAPEE is helping to identify problems early and has helped them understand more about ear health. More than 90 per cent of parents and carers indicated high levels of trust and rapport with HAPEE audiologists and an important success factor was the consistency of audiologist.

Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services 4721 8520

nepeancommunity.org.au

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service 4729 7300 27-29 Lawson St, Penrith

Muru Mittigar 4730 0400 murumittigar.com.au

KARI Aboriginal Resources (02) 8782 0333 kari.org.au

Aboriginal Home Care 1300 973 058 australianunity.com.au

NSW Aboriginal Affairs 1800 019 998 aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au

Real Futures Women’s Business Second Chance Hub 1800 732 538

Creating wealth through property

Are you thinking about investing in property? As housing values continue to rise nationally, mortgage holders are building equity in their homes and some are starting to consider property investment as a wealth creation strategy.

MoneyQuest Penrith & Blue Mountains specialise in providing investment loan options, and as franchise owner Peita Davies explains, education is key to understanding the investment lending process.

“There are lots of people out there who have worked hard to pay down their mortgages and have built considerable equity in their homes. However, many of them don’t know what equity is, how it can be used to benefit them, or what the next step is. We are passionate about educating our clients and making them aware of their options,” Davies said.

“Equity is the difference between the value of a home and how much is owed on it, and in some cases, equity can be used to

help purchase an investment property. We specialise in assessing people’s borrowing capacity and helping our clients to choose the right loan for their circumstances, if they decide to go down the property investment path.”

In addition to educating clients about their investment loan options, Davies also prioritises partnering with reputable property experts so that she can provide her clients with the latest property market research and information.

“We have a strong relationship with Blue Wealth Property who specialise in property research. We are hosting a free educational seminar in conjunction with Blue Wealth on Tuesday, August 22 at Penrith RSL, which will feature a local property market update, as well as information on what is happening around the country, and how property investment can be used to build wealth,” she said.

“This session is an opportunity to learn without any obligations. You can just sit back and listen, and if you like what you hear you can chat further with Blue Wealth. And of course, our MoneyQuest team will be there to answer any loan-related questions you may have!”

To register for the MoneyQuest Penrith Exclusive ‘Wealth Through Property’ event, simply scan the QR code and fill out the booking form. To learn more about your investment loan options, call 0452 214 202 or send an email to penrith@moneyquest.com. au.

BUSINESS

WITH GRAHAM FITZPATRICK WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS CENTRE • 4721 5011

How e-commerce has evolved

As the cost-of-living increases, more and more people are looking for ways to generate extra income with low startup costs. Bearing this in mind, starting an e-commerce business becomes an attractive option.

Traditionally, starting an e-commerce business means having to build a website, which you then sell products through. However, over the years, how we can start an e-commerce business has evolved. There are three ways today in which someone can start an e-commerce business:

1. Sell on your website: Either have a website designed, customised, and build from scratch or use DIY (Do-It-Yourself) template sites such as Wix, WordPress, Shopify or Big Commerce. DIY template sites have low barriers to entry and are an easy way to start a website. A disadvantage to this approach is if you have special design requests such as a separate login field for customer memberships or wholesale accounts; in this case, you may need to engage with a website designer to engineer features to your needs.

2. Sell on third party platforms: Platforms such as eBay, Amazon, or Catch already have an existing brand reputation with customers out in the market, and all you will need to do is open an account. Depending on the platform in question, there may be a fee to open an account,

products online without having to store inventory or handle fulfilment; the manufacturer will send orders directly to customers. As a seller, you will need a website, a few great products, and plenty of marketing. As a word of advice, many sellers who chose this option do not account for the higher cost of marketing at the start of the business and forget to consider the number of competitors that sell the same product.

You can choose to use only one option or decide to utilise all three when starting an e-commerce business.

Regardless of which type you choose, you will need to be aware of the pros and cons of any option such as start-up cost and commissions, product selection, product restrictions, and marketing guidelines on some sites.

If you already have a physical brick-andmortar store, you will also need to consider the logistics and the stock control for both physical and online stores, to ensure smooth dispatch and customer service satisfaction, which is critical.

As always, I’m here to help.

We know that as a small busines you just want to be productive and not have to worry about all that “business stuff”.

But that “business stuff” is so important to your success. That’s where the Western Sydney Business Centre can help. We have been helping small businesses for years with things like Business Planning and Marketing, Pricing and Sales, Business Resilience and more. Choose a One on One advisory sessions with a professional, independent business advisor who will come to you. Or sit in on one of our many tailored webinars or workshops.

Get started today, call 4721 5011.

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Notice for Registration of Interest

Greenfields Development Company (GDC) is undertaking initial development planning for lands located at 1675 The Northern Road, Greendale NSW. The subject area is located within the Agribusiness Precinct of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Precinct Plan, within the Liverpool Local Government Area. GDC is now seeking to develop a Masterplan for the proposed development. The proponent is GDC (Allan Boustani, Senior Project Manager: Bay 6, 6 Middlemiss Street, Lavender Bay NSW 2060).

The proposal may be the subject of Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) applications made under section 90A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. GDC proposes to carry out consultation with Aboriginal communities in accordance with the Heritage NSW Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation requirements for proponents 2010. Information obtained from the consultation process may be used in the preparation of AHIP applications and will assist Heritage NSW in the consideration and determination of the AHIP applications. Kelleher Nightingale Consulting Pty Ltd has been engaged to facilitate the consultation process.

GDC invites Aboriginal groups and/or Aboriginal people who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and/or places at Greendale to register interest in a process of community consultation with the contact shown below (on behalf of GDC):

Kelleher Nightingale Consulting

Suite 505-507, 155 King Street

Sydney NSW 2000 phone 02 9232 5373

The closing date for registration is 25 August 2023.

Please be advised that in accordance with Heritage NSW requirements, we are required to record the names and contact details of each Aboriginal person who has registered an interest in this project and provide a copy of that record to the relevant Heritage NSW o ce and Local Aboriginal Land Council. If you are registering your interest, please let us know if you do not want your details forwarded to these organisations.

ROAD TO THE FINALS

PENRITH MAY BE TWO-TIME PREMIERS, BUT FOR SOME 2023 WILL MARK THEIR FIRST FINALS CAMPAIGN.

SEE PAGE 42

LINDSAY SMITH

POSTER INSIDE

MASKED PANTHER

SEE PAGE 41

PETER LANG

SEE PAGE 47

SEE PAGE 48

Sunia Turuva will play Finals for the first time.

Photo: NRL Images.

Acouple of weeks ago as both Penrith and Cronulla warmed up pre-game at BlueBet Stadium, Nathan Cleary and Nicho Hynes were both practicing goal kicking – pretty standard from both halfbacks. But the way the build-up ended couldn't have been any more different.

After landing his last kick, Hynes walked off the field alone – joining his team mates in the sheds, ready for the official run out.

Cleary, meanwhile, was greeted by the rest of the Penrith team – waiting patiently for him to finish his personal preparation. The team then jogged off together as one.

That, my friends, is culture in a nutshell. Don't let anyone tell you Penrith don't have it.

As long as moments like that are continuing, this Penrith side will be a force to be reckoned with for a long time to come – no matter who comes and goes or what challenges are put before them.

Penrith travel to 4 Pines Park (or Brookvale Oval, for us traditionalists) in Round 24 to take on a Manly side that sits on the cusp of the top

the final word

eight with their season very much hanging by a thread.

The Sea Eagles sit just one point outside the top eight and that single point – courtesy of a draw with Newcastle earlier in the season –could ultimately be the deciding factor one way or another when it comes to playing Finals. For-and-against will not become an issue, unless it is the Knights themselves who are also fighting it out for a spot in the last couple of weeks.

None of that will really matter though unless Manly can spring a monumental upset and down the high flying Panthers, who are heading towards yet another Minor Premiership and last week overcame an early scare to dispose of Melbourne.

The Sea Eagles close out their season with relatively easy games against the Bulldogs and Tigers, but the next fortnight is where their fate will be decided, taking on the Panthers and the Warriors (the latter in New Zealand).

You would think Manly would have to grab one of those two matches to even make the

final two games count. Their best chance is surely at Brookie.

As it turns out, Penrith may well spoil a number of teams' Finals chances over this run home. While the Titans can now be considered out of contention, their other three games –against Manly, Parramatta and North Queensland – will all have some degree of bearing on the top eight.

And it's for this reason you couldn't rule out an upset at some stage over the next month, despite how dominant the Panthers have been. When you're coming up against teams with their season on the line week after week, there's a chance you eventually slip up.

But it would have to be a mighty misstep from Ivan Cleary's side, who seem head and shoulders above the rest of the competition at the moment. Their attack is just too slick and too quick for opponents, even though Cleary would probably mount an argument that it's been far from perfect in the last few weeks. We know that defence is where Penrith have won their past two Premierships though and that is

again holding strong, conceding only one try in the past fortnight.

These sides met back in April with Penrith running out 44-12 winners, and it was a contest Manly were never in. In fact, Penrith laid on 18 straight points in a nine minute period approaching half-time that left the Sea Eagles obliterated before oranges at the break.

Coach Anthony Seibold probably won't want to remind his side of the 32-0 half-time scoreline last time around but he will be focused on having a good start. The only way of potentially getting on top of the Panthers is by scoring the first couple of tries and hoping to hold them out from there – comebacks against this team are just too rare.

With three straight home games behind them in front of huge parochial crowds at BlueBet Stadium, perhaps a trip to Brookie on a Thursday night does present something of a danger game.

But let's face it – you'd have to be a brave person to tip against the visitors.

Tip: Panthers by 12.

Brian To’o scores against Melbourne.

Photo: NRL Images.

nrl ladder & fixtures

together no matter what.

panther rumblings

PANTHERS FUME AT TALLIS

! Panthers fume over Tallis comments:

‘NRL 360’ personality Gorden Tallis has issued a short retraction after he made comments last week that suggested Penrith and other recent NRL Premiers were rorting the salary cap. The comments hit Panthers officials particularly hard as they pride themselves on their cap management – especially Football CEO Matt Cameron, who is a master at the numbers and intricacies involved. Anyone who has had the opportunity to sit through one of Cameron’s presentations on the salary cap would know how well he is across it and how meticulously it’s managed at Penrith. Group CEO Brian Fletcher went as far as to label the comments from Tallis as defamatory. The club has sought legal advice previously about commentary on ‘NRL 360’ and in the News Corp media, but has never had any previous issue with Tallis. On Monday night’s ‘NRL 360’, Tallis officially retracted the comments – brief as it was.

! Spotted: The TVs in the bathrooms at Fox Sports showing rival Channel Nine’s coverage of Sunday’s clash between Canberra and Wests Tigers.

as Luai has gained plenty of understandable support in the wake of the whole issue becoming public and Carayannis’ initial approach, privately there’s been a few concerns about his Instagram post this week, which featured a picture of Carayannis and the word ‘gronk’ splashed across it. Luai knows better than anyone the perils of social media bullying. It was a questionable look.

! Spotted: Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary catching up with old mate Josh Mansour at Stadium Australia on Monday night for the Australia v Denmark World Cup clash.

million a season if he puts himself on the open market on November 1. The Panthers won’t be able to match that figure, but will table an impressive offer to Luai. While the bonds of family and friendship hasn’t been enough to keep some players at Penrith, it may be enough to save Luai, who I’m told has no real desire to go anywhere else.

and Izack Tago are both at $51.

! Spotted: Penrith coach Ivan Cleary catching up with family, friends and fans long after full-time at Panthers Leagues Club on Friday night.

! Spotted: Panthers legend Mark Geyer has not taken up modelling in France, despite strong rumours doing the rounds. This doppelgänger was spotted in an advertisement on the streets of Paris this week.

! Luai’s beef with journo: There’s been a mixed response to the now publicly revealed spat between News Corp journalist Michael Carayannis and Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai. Many believe Carayannis was out of his lane when he approached Luai privately about his now infamous Instagram post after Origin II, arguing he wasn’t a dickhead, but was coming across like one. Carayannis is a decent journalist and broadcaster and only opted to make the spat public after Luai pulled out of a pre-planned interview at Panthers HQ a couple of weeks ago. The truth about that particular part of the situation lies somewhere in the middle. On that day, Carayannis tried to speak to Luai privately to clear the air and secure the interview, but Luai refused. As much

! Spotted: Former Panthers marketing guru Max Cowan making his long-awaited return to BlueBet Stadium to watch Penrith battle Melbourne last Friday night.

! Phoning it in: Fox Sports is a premium, subscription product but it persists in short-changing fans by calling many matches off TV. On Sunday, they didn’t even send the commentary team down to Canberra – calling the Raiders v Tigers match from their Artarmon studios.

! Luai poised to stay: Penrith remain very confident that Jarome Luai will stay at the club, despite any negotiations stalling due to the playmaker’s management issues. The 26-yearold would almost certainly attract offers of $1

! Cleary favourite for Clive: Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is the current favourite to win the Clive Churchill Medal on Grand Final Day. Sportsbet has the Penrith playmaker at $5.00 to win the prestigious player of the match gong, ahead of team mate Dylan Edwards at $8.75. If you’re looking for some value but still want to back a Panther, Mitch Kenny

! Spill the tea: I don’t keep secrets, but I do protect my sources. If you’ve heard a rumour, spotted a Panther out and about or have some tea to spill, email me at maskedpanther@ westernweekender.com.au.

Gorden Tallis and Matt Cameron.

FINALS DEBUTANTS READY TO

This time one year ago, Sunia Turuva and Lindsay Smith were playing in front of hundreds of diehard fans in reserve grade. In one month from now, the pair will be lining up in their first NRL Finals game.

It’s been an extraordinary year for the hardworking duo, who have played in almost every game this season.

Coming into the year, no-one would have predicted both men to play so much first grade let alone have outstanding years at the same time.

But they have and, in just a few short weeks, they’ll be getting a taste of Finals football on the big stage and it doesn’t get much better than that.

“It’s always your dream to play Finals footy in the NRL – hopefully I’m blessed enough to be in that position soon,” Smith told Time

the games look to be played at a

higher intensity, the crowd is into it a lot more, and it’ll be a cool experience. It’s everything you ever wanted as a kid.

“I’m not looking too far ahead but I’m sure if I get the opportunity I’ll be very excited and ready to go.”

Turuva agreed with Smith, saying the next month or two will be very memorable.

“Especially with this team, they’ve been through it all. They’ve lost a Grand Final, won Grand Finals, the senior boys just give me so much confidence each week. I’m really going to enjoy this period coming up,” he said.

For the 20-year-old Fijian, he admits he pinches himself every day that he gets to play first grade with the best team in the NRL.

If it wasn’t for Taylan May injuring his ACL in the World Club Challenge, it’s highly unlikely that

“A couple of days ago I was reflecting on the season and how quick it’s gone. It just feels like yesterday we were versing the Broncos in Round 1,” he said.

“I don’t want to drop from here – that’s a massive thing for myself. I’m still really young and I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. Keep learning off Dyl [Edwards] and Bizza (Brian To’o) and improve my game each week.

“Thankfully my body is holding up well and I’m just having fun as the season goes by.”

After playing a smattering of games in 2021 and 2022, Smith has played 17 games for the Panthers this season, mostly off the interchange bench.

In recent weeks, however, the 23-year-old has been starting games at prop alongside Kiwi international James Fisher-Harris with Moses Leota coming off the bench.

“Starting games sort of came out of the blue, but it’s really exciting and pretty special that Ivan has the faith in me to do that job,” Smith said.

“Not much changes around my game but it’s a cool experience to

start and a lot different to when you do it at NSW Cup level.”

Smith starting games of late is just another chapter in the whirlwind year that’s been for the St Marys junior.

“To look at where I was at the start of the year to now is pretty surreal,” he said.

“I remember talking after my first or second game about biding my time and I guess it’s come a little quicker than I expected.

“I’m just trying to lap it up and really enjoy the moment.”

Fortunately for Panthers supporters, they’ll be getting to see a whole lot of Smith in the coming years with the highly regarded forward sewed up until the end of 2024.

Smith said he’d love to extend his deal beyond that and have a longterm future at Penrith.

“I’d love to be here for a long time,” he said.

“This is the club I grew up supporting, I’m a local junior and I want to stay here for a long time. Hopefully there’s something in the works but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Sunia Turuva being interviewed by the Weekender on Tuesday. Photo: Megan Dunn.

Lindsay Smith has been a huge success for the Panthers this season. Photo: Megan Dunn.

NATHAN TAYLOR

PLAYERS: HONOUR OUR IVAN

NATHAN TAYLOR

Panthers players have thrown their support behind two-time Premiership winner Ivan Cleary, the seemingly forgotten man in this year’s Dally M Coach of the Year race.

For the second straight year, Cleary has guided the Panthers to the top of the NRL ladder with a month of the season remaining – that’s despite him losing both of his assistant coaches from last season and several players from his 2022 premiership-winning squad.

While other candidates, including Kevin Walters from Brisbane and Andrew Webster from the Warriors, have done wonders with their respective sides this year, it’s the calm and collected Cleary who has stood out above the pack, according to his players.

Panthers prop Lindsay Smith, who’s enjoying a breakout season in first grade, said Cleary is the best coach in the game.

“He’s unreal… just look at the performances over the last four years and where we’ve come from as well,” he told Extra Time

“From where we were in 2019 to 2020, and then to maintain that for the next four years has been nothing short of unbelievable and he’s been a massive part of that.

“Obviously I’m biased but I think he’s the best coach in the league.”

Panthers winger Sunia Turuva agreed with his teammate’s sentiments, saying no-one deserves Coach of the Year more than the

52-year-old, who has guided Penrith to three straight Grand Finals.

“It wasn’t that long ago he was having a tough time here but then just to bring the club through all the downs, losing a Grand Final and then going back-to-back, I think he deserves it 100 per cent,” Turuva said.

“I put a lot of his success down to the trust he puts in us players as well as the people around him. Not only does he have full trust in his new assistant coaches this season, but also the trust he’s had in players like Lindsay and I, who hadn’t played many games in the NRL before this year.”

Turuva, who has played every single game in first grade this season, said Cleary has been nothing short of incredible for his development as a footballer. The Fijian international believes private one-on-one chats with him have helped grow his game immensely.

“He gives me confidence each week and has full trust in me,” the 20-year-old said.

“He just gave me the confidence ever since Taylan [May] went down – checking in on me, seeing how I’m going.

“Even if there’s something I need to work on in my game he will tell me and make sure I work on it at training – that’s why he’s doing so well.”

Making the Dally M Coach of the Year race even more juicy is the fact Cleary is up against Andrew Webster, a former assistant coach of his during Penrith’s last two Premiership-winning seasons (2021 and 2022).

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary seems to be the forgotten man in the Dally M Coach of the Year race.

THE POWER OF THE 18TH MAN

There’s more to a rugby league team than just the starting 17 and that’s why players like Matt Eisenhuth, Lindsay Smith and Thomas Jenkins are but some of the unsung heroes and reasons why the Panthers sit in first place on the NRL Ladder after 23 rounds of the competition.

You can also add the following names to the list, Luke Garner, Liam Henry, Mav Geyer as well as Jesse McLean and Jack Cole.

Each week these players and many others from the NSW Cup, train full-time with the first grade squad in opposed sessions, plus fill-in roles during Origin, everything to make sure that the top team is fully prepared to beat their opposition each week.

Eisenhuth and Smith have made the starting line-up numerous times this season with Smith even developing into a starter of late. Eisenhuth has also played a vital role both on-and-off the field especially in recent weeks with Spencer Leniu injured.

The 18th man is perhaps one of the most important

roles in the team, but the player often doesn’t even make it onto the field. Numerous players have filled that role this season like Luke Garner, Zac Hosking, Matt Eisenhuth, Tyrone Peachey and Jack Cole.

Garner came to the club on a good three-year deal and was expected by many to make the starting 17 each week. To date he has made

it onto the field in only six first grade matches but you won’t hear him complaining about it because he’s a team man. If he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have been asked to join the club in the first place.

On game day the 18th man dresses with the team, warms up with the team and then sits on the bench for 80 minutes ready to come on if needed. They’re

not often required but they still have to put in all the work to even get that coveted spot.

First grade regular Zac Hosking filled the 18th man role for the first three rounds of the competition and was 19th man in Round 4 this year before finally getting a start in the 17 in Round 5.

Garner or even youngsters like Jack Cole and Liam Henry that being 18th man or even part of an extended squad is not an important part of the first grade team.

If Penrith are fortunate enough to hold aloft the NRL trophy for a third year in a row, it will be because of more than just the 17 players who ran out on the field that day.

Remember there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’.

Not in this team anyway.

Hertz Director says thanks

Managing Director of Hertz Penrith Craig Thompson was moved with the respect the entire Panthers organisation showed his father Kevin Thompson, who sadly passed away recently, by honouring him with a minute’s silence at the home game against the Storm last Friday night.

“Panthers are truly an amazing club,” Craig said. “My family and Hertz have been a major sponsor for a long time, but we never expected such a huge

Luke Garner celebrates a try. Photo: Megan Dunn.

with Peter Lang

WAYNE’S STILL MAKING HEADLINES

The original supercoach, Jack Gibson, was fond of the saying “Winning starts on Monday”.

Jack knew a lot about winning, and his five premiership titles at the Roosters and Eels in the 1970s and ’80s looked likely to remain the modern high-water mark until Wayne Bennett made the move from the Brisbane competition to the Canberra Raiders in 1987.

36 years later he’s still here, seven champion-

warren smith

ship rings in his bedside drawer, and sticking solid to his wellworked Clint Eastwood routine of being short on words and big on aura.

Except Wayne’s act isn’t modelled on old Dirty Harry –that’s a media invention – but rather it’s a facsimile of the man who recommended to the original Brisbane Broncos owners that Bennett should be their inaugural coach –Gibson’s right hand man, the legendary Ron Massey, was a close confidant of Bennett’s during his long tenure as coach of the Broncos, and would be a regular at the

Brisbane team’s pre-game buffet where knowledge was dispensed and consumed in equal measure with chicken and pasta.

Massey would sit with Bennett in the coach’s box when he was leading the Broncos to six titles and the Dragons to their drought-breaking win in 2010, but when 50 years of helping the game’s greatest coaches came to an end with Massey’s passing in 2016, the man who took his place was Phil Jauncey, the renowned sports psychologist and now a permanent fixture in the Dolphins dressing room.

Jauncey can’t see the untapped potential in a player the way Massey could, but he knows how their minds work and he knows that winning no longer starts on Monday.

Success in the next game in any professional sports league begins in the minutes following the game that just finished, and when Wayne Bennett walks into a media conference following a close loss, as he did in Perth last Saturday night, he knows the people most interested in what he has to say aren’t the media or the fans or even the club administrators he works for, it’s the players.

If the Dolphins coach feels like he can help the team’s chances of winning next week by offering

hidden panther

a few home truths in front of the microphones and cameras, he’ll trot them out and let the players stew on that until training.

If he thinks there’s nothing to be gained, or if telling it how it is could in fact be detrimental to the Dolphins’ prospects of success seven days later, he’ll give you the two minute, you-saw-it-youwrite-it routine that has dominated the NRL news cycle.

What irked Wayne so much in Perth that he couldn’t bring himself to talk about it?

Perhaps it was the fact that the Knights gave the Dolphins a massive leg-up with a sin-bin and three straight tries, but the ‘Phins then didn’t have the ability, or more precisely the game management to secure the win.

And while the Redcliffe-based outfit has bought well for 2024 and beyond with Herbie Farnworth, Tom Flegler and Jake Averillo inbound, a game-breaking fiveeighth or experienced General at halfback still eludes them.

Jack Gibson had Sterling and Kenny at the Eels, while Bennett had Alfie and Kevvie at the Broncos, and unless the seven-time winner can find a champion playmaker where none seem available, there might be a lot more blinkand-you’ll-miss-it media conferences in the Dolphins’ future.

WHO AM I ?

Brought to you by

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

Photo: NRL Images.

TOP FIVE HOPES TAKE HUGE BLOW

Penrith’s hopes of finishing in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup top five have taken a hit following a 26-14 loss to the Warriors at St Marys on Saturday.

It was a poor start from the Panthers, conceding a try to Kalani Going in the opening minute after an attempted charge down bounced kindly for the Warriors.

The Panthers slowly worked their way into the game and got on the board midway through the first half when a huge hole opened up for Preston Riki to score near the posts.

lower grades report

with Lachlan Jeffery

@LachlanJeffery

They extended their lead to 10-4 in the 29th minute when Jesse McLean broke several tackles in a 40 metre charge to the tryline.

Several sets attacking the Panthers’ line finally saw the Warriors claim their second try as the siren sounded, with Setu Tu diving over in the corner to cut the Panthers’ lead to two at the break.

The Panthers pushed their lead back to a converted try seven minutes into the second half when Jack Cogger ran the ball on the last and found Isaiah Iongi, who threw a spectacular cut out pass to Tom Jenkins for a try in the corner.

The loss of fullback Ben Farr with half an hour remaining, who was stretchered off in a neck brace, spurred the Warriors on, with Moala Graham-Taufa scoring immediately after the 10-minute

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delay. Ronald Volkman finally landed a sideline conversion to lock the scores at 14-all.

An error coming out of trouble by Daeon Amituanai gifted Michael Sio the go-ahead try on the hour,

before Freddy Lussick grounded a loose ball from a Volkman kick to wrap the game up. Volkman converted both tries to push the final score to 26-14.

In Round 24, Jersey Flegg return

from their bye to play Manly at 4 Pines Park in the curtain-raiser to first grade on Thursday night, while NSW Cup face a virtual do-or-die match against Blacktown at Parker Street Reserve on Friday.

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Thomas Jenkins scored last weekend. Photo: NRL Images.

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ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES, TELEVISION, MUSIC AND MORE – PENRITH’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

TREAT FOR THE WEST

For the first time ever, Sydney Dance Company is leaving the big city to grace the stage of Sydney Coliseum Theatre at West HQ.

According to Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, the performance at Sydney Coliseum Theatre has been a “long time coming”, having been in the works since 2020.

“A new, amazing, incredible theatre has been built, and you don’t know how happy that makes me – more theatres should be built in Australia!” he said.

“For us to have this incredibly well-equipped, brandnew theatre around the corner from where we work is so incredible.”

For their western Sydney debut, Bonachela has decided on a unique double-bill of two smash hit works, giving new audiences the best possible taster of what Sydney Dance Company can do.

“We wanted to do something special because it’s been such an interrupted journey to finally performing at West HQ,” he said.

“This will be the first time

that those two works will be performed together, and the next time the program will be performed is in Germany, so West HQ will be getting the international premiere.”

First, ‘Impermanence’ sees Bonachela join forces with contemporary composer Bryce Dessner of iconic American rock band The National.

The work, which was supposed to premiere in March of 2020, draws influence from the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire, bushfires in Australia, and the global pandemic to display the juxtaposition of devastation and beauty through classical contemporary dance.

“It’s a work that’s very charged with emotion, with everything that’s been happening in the last three years,” he said.

Then, audiences will be in for a treat with ‘Forever & Ever’ – a boundary pushing work by Antony Hamilton, set to a score by The Presets’ Julian Hamilton, which Bonachela said will make you “feel like you’re clubbing”.

It’s because of this contrast that he assures there will be something for everyone.

“Because there’s two very different works, with two dif-

ferent styles of movement to very different music, even if you’re interested in music, or if you’re interested in dance, or even fashion and popular culture, or they love The National, there’s so many ways of entering the work,” he said.

“I believe that dance speaks to everyone, no matter where you’re from, no matter what language you speak, we all understand dance, we can all look at people dancing and connect with it.”

Despite this, Bonachela said he understands audiences wanting to choose a favourite – in fact, it’s encouraged.

“I’ve always liked that, as a choreographer and as an artistic director, that audiences will say, ‘Oh, I loved the third one’, or ‘I loved the second one’. Everyone has a favourite piece of the evening, and that’s, for me, a job well done,” he said.

“If everyone loved the same piece, I’d be worried!”

Sydney Dance Company’s ‘Impermanence’ and ‘Forever & Ever’ will be on at Sydney Coliseum Theatre on Saturday, August 26 at 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets start at $65. For more information or to book, visit sydneycoliseum.com. au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

THINGS TO DO

Personal

Inspired by Margo Lewers, Silk Highways is an art piece that is rich in meaning and representation. Created by Anjum Olmo, a Blue Mountains-based artist, the works are only on display until early September at Penrith Regional Gallery. Experience a personal work full of experimentation and self discovery into culture and identity. Visit www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au.

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

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

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi classes

Saturdays 4.30pm, WSU Kingswood Campus. Guan 0422 120 738. Tai chi and qiqong exercise.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

Fourth Tuesday of the month at 10am, Jordan Springs Hub. 0414 766 763.

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Nepean Rowing Club

Gripping play comes to The Joan

Brought to the stage by playwright Tim McGarry, ‘Tim’ is a play based on the Colleen McCullough novel by the same name. Focused on the unorthodox love that develops between Mary, a career-driven, mid-50’s business executive and Tim, a handsome 25-year-old labourer, this story is filled with notions of love, loss, and acceptance. To book, visit www.thejoan.com.au.

from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Probus Club of Nepean

Meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Emu Sports Club, Leonay from 10.30am. Visitors and new members are welcome.

Penrith Lions Club

Second and fourth Monday of the month. Penrith Bowling Club. 4736 1546 for more information.

Penrith NASHO’s

Monthly meetings at Penrith RSL Club. Call 0400 129 006 for details.

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

Meets every Friday from 10am-2pm at Penrith Senior Citizens Centre. Volunteers needed. 0407 014 542.

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

Craft stall at Nepean Hospital on the first Tuesday of each month from 9am2pm. Volunteers needed. Call Helen on 4572 5244.

Red Cross Penrith

Meetings held the second Thursday of the month for lunch. Members and volunteers knit teddies for trauma victims. Call 0438 244 414.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

If you’re looking for something fun for the whole family, or to set a new family tradition, Penrith Paceway hosts a Harness Racing meeting every Thursday night at 6pm. Whether it’s sitting on the hill with the family enjoying some great food while the kids run around, or having a few drinks with friends in the Club Bistro, there’s guaranteed excitement for everybody.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Alcoholics Anonymous

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

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.

Free food shop 9am-11am every Tuesday at 51 Henry Street, Penrith.

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.

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.

Penrith Women’s Health Centre

Domestic violence support services. 4721 2499.

Penrith Autism Community Network Carers support group. Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6.30pm at Maze Cafe, Penrith RSL. Phillip on 0420 209 015 for more details.

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Meets third Monday of the month at Emu Sports Club from 6.30pm. Call 1300 13 38 78 for more information.

work on display at Regional Gallery

Harness racing at Penrith Paceway

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�� ABEL STREET EATERY (HAPPY HARRYS)

�� BATT STREET TAKE AWAY

�� GREY GUMS HOTEL

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�� PARRABEY GOURMET KITCHEN (PENRITH HOMEMAKER)

RETURN OF SCIENCE WEEK

�� SALT CAFE (PENRITH HOMEMAKER)

�� SHELL SERVICE STATION

�� THE COFFEE CLUB NEPEAN RIVER

�� THREE SUGARS CAFÉ

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�� YORK TAKEAWAY

�� ZOO FITNESS

�� 7/11 JAMISONTOWN westernweekender.com.au/getapaper

Powerhouse Museum’s annual Sydney Science Festival will be returning to western Sydney from August 11 to August 20, coinciding with National Science Week.

With the theme Trace, this festival will explore the marks humanity leaves on our environment and the sources and effects of different phenomena. This diverse program offers both free and ticketed events to western Sydney locals.

Family Science Day will occur on Saturday, August 19 in Parramatta Square, and will involve hands-on activities, interactive performances, and stalls that explore astronomy, health, medicine, and our climate. Other events include a keynote

with Dr Meganne Christian, who is soon to be one of the first Australian females to travel to space; Understanding Alzheimer’s with Neuroscientist Dr Caitlin Finney; Mapping the Human Brain with Dr Isabella Breukelaar; and Cell Therapy with Associate Professor Kenneth Micklethwaite.

The festival will also present Powerhouse Future Space: Student Exhibition which will display student experiment designs and concepts. On the final day of the exhibition, a panel of industry leaders will select one of the experiments to be built and launched to the International Space Station in February 2024.

If you have an interest in science and climate, the Science Festival is an explorative and interactive week that will be perfect for you. For more information, visit powerhouse.com.au.

HAYLEY ROCHESTER

JAMISONTOWN we’ve got you covered

Jamisontown locals can pick the paper up at the following locations:

At the movies...

The genius and hubris of the tech industry collide in this wildly entertaining account of the dramatic rise and fall of the world’s first smartphone. It was the product that would revolutionise the way we lived.

Years before the iPhone,

Canadian innovator Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) teamed up with cutthroat entrepreneur Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton) to bring the world a mobile phone that would also allow users to – you’ll never believe this – send and receive emails.

Like a blend of ‘The Social Network’ and ‘The Office’, ‘BlackBerry’ reimagines the meetings, schemes, pipe dreams and pizza boxes that gave rise to the titular tech sensation.

‘Blackberry’ opens August 17.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but what if the man is a total dirtbag? In that case, it might be time for some sweet revenge, doggy style. When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naïve, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is abandoned on the mean city streets by his lowlife owner, Doug (Will Forte), Reggie is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose.

But once Reggie falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named

Bug (Jamie Foxx), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realises he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleazeball that he is. Opens August 17.

Ê The ‘Neighbours’ revival is a little over a month away, with the soap’s “new chapter” confirmed to premiere on Monday, September 18 in a brand-new timeslot. ‘Neighbours’ will air Monday to Thursday at 4.30pm on 10, followed by a 6.30pm replay on 10 Peach. The new slot will see ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ move to 4pm Monday to Thursday on 10. On Fridays, however, it will air at 4.30pm. Slightly confusing!

Ê New Channel Nine factual series ‘Missing Persons Investigations’ will premiere this Monday, August 14 at 8.40pm. This powerful series, narrated by Australian actress Caroline Craig, gives viewers exclusive access to the epic searches, groundbreaking forensic investigations and painstaking hunts for clues undertaken by Missing Persons Units across the nation. Some investigations will lead to extraordinary happiness while others will end in heartbreak or an ongoing search for answers.

Ê The new season of ‘The Traitors’ will premiere at 7.30pm this Sunday, August 13 on 10. This season, a group of 20 duplicitous

players, also known as ‘Faithfuls’ will enter a mysterious manor in the hope of manipulating their way through their stay, to reach the prize pot of up to $250,000 in silver bars. The show is hosted by actor Rodger Corser.

Ê The longest running game show on Australian television, ‘Millionaire Hot Seat’, has been axed. Host Eddie McGuire confirmed the news on radio last week. “It’s with great pride and joy and also sadness that I announce this morning ‘Millionaire Hot Seat’ will go into hiatus at the end of January next year,” he said. Channel Nine are yet to confirm what will replace ‘Hot Seat’ at 5pm weeknights, but I’m hearing a local version of UK game show ‘Tipping Point’ is on the cards.

Ê Exciting news for people missing their MTV content on Foxtel, with free streaming service Pluto TV set to launch in Australia on Thursday, August 31. Pluto TV will launch

with 50 FAST channels including curated channels screening round the clock MTV Reality, MTV The Shores, Nick Classics and Nick Toons, in addition to legendary titles such as ‘I Love Lucy’, ‘Happy Days’, ‘Dynasty’, ‘South Park’ and more. Pluto TV’s FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channels will be available via a dedicated area on 10 Play. Paramount-owned Pluto TV already spans 35 markets in three continents. More content and channels will be announced closer to the launch.

Ê The second season of Marvel’s ‘Loki’ will drop on Disney+ on Friday, October 6. Starring Tom Hiddleston, the second season promises new excitement as it thrusts the infamous God of Mischief into a new set of adventures with the TVA.

Ê Season four of ‘The Kardashians’ will premiere on Thursday, September 28 on Disney+.

TV Guide: August 11–17

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

Get Macca’s® delivered.

Thursday 17 August

4:30 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:00 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Father Brown (M) 8:30 Miss Scarlet And The Duke (M v)

5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 The Simpsons (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” (M) (’99) Stars: Rob Schneider

5:00 The Goldbergs (PG) 5:30 Modern Family (PG) 6:30

Modern Family (PG) 7:30

Chicago Fire (M l) 10:30 Chicago PD (MA15+)

6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Volcanic

(PG) 3:40 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw (PG)

Darcey Bussell’s Royal Roadtrip (PG)

Jeopardy! 5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind Australia (PG)

SBS World News 7:30 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro (PG) 8:30 Stanley TucciSearching For Italy (M) (In English/ Italian)

Senior firefighters have expressed concern over a sharp rise in residential fires in New South Wales this winter, urging the public to end the complacency over household smoke alarms.

There were 337 residential fires in the first month of winter this year, an increase of 24 fires (eight per cent) over June 2022.

There’s been a 28 per cent rise in kitchen/cooking area fires over the same period, from 117 to 150, while fires in bedrooms/sleeping areas have risen 19 per cent from 26 to 31.

Fires in lounge rooms have risen from 17 to 19, a 12 per cent increase.

FRNSW Acting Deputy Commissioner – Field Operations, Trent Curtin, said fire crews are still turning up to house fires where either smoke alarms aren’t in working order or they don’t exist at all.

“That’s true in 44 per cent of home fires so far this winter… this time last year, it was 45 per

cent... people are still not heeding our warning… smoke alarms save lives,” Acting Deputy Commissioner Curtin said.

“An affordable smoke alarm, purchased at a hardware store, can provide you with peace of mind that you and your loved ones are protected.

“Test your smoke alarms regularly and if you are worried about fire safety, book a home safety visit with FRNSW through our website and a crew will inspect your residence and even install a free alarm if necessary. If your loved ones or neighbours are elderly, give them a helping hand and ensure they’re protected.”

Curtin said he was particularly concerned about one area of the home.

“The kitchen fire numbers are worrying. We urge the public to keep looking when cooking and invest in a fire extinguisher and fire blanket to store near the kitchen,” he said.

“Throwing water over a stove fire will only make it worse, use a

fire blanket to smother the flames if you can.

“Don’t try to put out a kitchen fire if it becomes overwhelming, escape the home and ring Triple Zero (000).

“Don’t go back inside a burning home.”

Fully Ducted Systems Includes: Reverse cycle operation check Full electrical check Zone operation check Air flow check Return air filter clean Duct Sanitising Drain check and clear Internal roof check Gas pressure check Outdoor unit and fan motor check

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Keep your air conditioning maintained with PREFERRED AIR CONDITIONING to guarantee optimal performance all year! CALL US TODAY ON: 0413 421 166 SALES, SERVICE, MAINTENANCE, INSTALLATION

• Supply and Install • Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry • FULL Renovation • HALF Renovation • CaesarStone, Quartz Stones Benchtop

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• Replacement of Doors and Benchtop • Upgrading to Stone Benchtop • Upgrading/Refurbishing Kitchen, Bathroom & Laundry • Polyurethane/Laminex • Electrical & Plumbing Works

OVER 44 YRS EXPERIENCE Buy DIRECT from the Manufacturer & SAVE $$$$$$ WW51618

Tell us about the suburb the property is in?

Leonay is without question one of the best suburbs in the Penrith district. The golf course plays a big part in achieving this as does the Nepean River. The streets are reasonably quiet but with

Currawong this is particularly true.

Who does this property suit? Buyers looking to upgrade as the property offers a 1017 square metre block or someone who wants a quiet community.

Kingswood

View Property View Property

Updated Kitchen. Updated Bathroom! Dual Occupancy – Dual Income

FOR • Carpet throughout • Dual balcony • Single lock-up garage • Intercom security block • Great location close to amenities • Rental return of $1300 per month • House & Granny Flat returning $830 per week • House features: entry foyer, laundry with extra toilet, tiled throughout & carport • Granny Flat features: Open plan living, tiled throughout, split system a/c & carport • Both properties conveniently located to schools/shops

FOR Just Listed INSPECT By Appointment ADDRESS Kingswood CONTACT Professionals St Marys 9673 4422 Jessica Grant 0418 745 442 Brad Hansen 0430 970 132 Just Listed INSPECT By Appointment ADDRESS Colyton CONTACT Professionals St Marys 9673 4422 Terry Hansen 0418 245 683

1 1 1 5 2 3

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1268412/ For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1274463/

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1283736/

View Property View Property

backyard that could fit a granny flat

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1257901/

• A very affordable opportunity to break into the Sydney market • Neat bathroom with a combined bath & shower • Great-sized yard perfect for the

$629,950 - $669,950

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1279242/

For more information visit: www.professionalsouterwesternsydney.com.au/real-estate/property/1257302/

OPEN HOME

Member Name Goes Here Penrith Greater Region and Blue Mountains

24/175 Derby Street, Penrith

• Top floor unit in prime location

• Spacious living design with high ceilings

• 2 good-sized bedrooms

AUCTION

• Galley-style kitchen

• Large under cover balcony area

• Close to Penrith CBD, Kmart shopping complex, schools, bus stops

$349,950

INSPECT Sat 12 August at 10:00am - 10:30am

ADDRESS 24/175 Derby Street, Penrith

CONTACT Professionals Penrith 4725 3100

28 Leonay Parade, Leonay – 2230m2 Vacant Land

Rare As Hen’s Teeth

• Amazing redevelopment opportunity

• Vacant 2230m2 allotment

• B1 Zoning

Auction 2nd September at 10am On Site

• Backs onto Leonay Golf Course

• Childcare centre & shops located right beside

• 2 minute drive to M4 Motorway

New Listing

AUCTION 2nd September, 2023 at 10am On Site

ADDRESS 28 Leonay Parade, Leonay

CONTACT Professionals Penrith 4725 3100

So Close to the Penrith CBD

PENRITH VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE

This is your last opportunity to secure a luxury apartment in the prestigious Metro precinct, centrally positioned in the heart of the Oran Park community.

Generously sized, this 3-bedroom apartment features ample floor space, sophisticated style and the finest finishes.

Built in partnership with the award-winning Allen Jack + Cottier Architects and currently under construction with Richard Crookes Construction, the residence is completed to a high standard with:

• Miele oven, gas cooktop, rangehood, built-in microwave oven and dishwasher plus striking Parisi tapware, tinted mirror splashback and Caesarstone benchtop centrepiece

• Ceramic tile floor throughout with carpet to bedrooms

• Ground floor entry, two levels of secure parking and a communal rooftop with barbeque facilities

Apartment G.03 3 2 2

Interior 111sqm

Exterior 33sqm

Total 144sqm

Price $829,500

9043 7500 metrocentral.oranparktown.com.au

ORAN PARK

Very Happy Seller Happy Vendor SOLD SOLD

a great job selling our house. She has great customer service, always very responsive, professional and friendly. ”

IIKER SOUTH PENRITH – Verified by RateMyAgent

A true professional in every way. Made selling simple & easy in a difficult market.

I found Litsa to be a friendly, personable and highly experienced real estate agent who planned strategically with us and delivered on all her promises and follow ups to achieve a good sales result for our home. Litsa communicated with us daily, kept us appraised of qualified prospects and prepared the home to be an attractive sale, which we achieved, quickly. We always felt we were in the good hands with Litsa, she brings a level of confidence in a tough market which is a rare quality and her honest, focused approach to client’s goals made a huge difference in the final outcome. I would refer friends and family to Litsa if they were buying or selling in the areas she manages. She clearly went out of her way to meet our needs and I will no doubt keep in touch for future deals. – Verified by RateMyAgent

Another Property SOLD!

Be my next happy client, Call or SMS

Gizzelle Powell on 0428934618 for

or for your other property requirements.

FULLY

229-235 Hinxman Road, Castlereagh 2749

The Owners are Motivated and Ready to Move!

Call Jocelyn on 040 516 4446 to arrange your private inspection today.

In an uncertain market knowing you're paying the true market value for a property is important; and losing out on buying your dream home by only a few thousand is frustrating! Openn Negotiation gives Buyers peace of mind and owners clarity they got the best price.

Welcome to Castlereagh, a semi-rural paradise located in NSW. This property, situated on a sprawling 2.14 hectares of cleared land Not Flood effected, fully fenced, is an absolute stunner and provides the perfect rural escape with all the extra luxuries of paradise you could ask for.

SPECIAL FEATURES: FOR THE FAMILY:

Large 5 bed home, 2 open plan living areas; massive kitchen with plenty of storage and prep area, outdoors is the real show-stopper here with an outdoor entertainment area featuring down lights, fans, access to the garage with toilet and shower, overlooking your in-ground salt water pool, cubby house with built in kennel, tennis/ basketball court, stables, Dam, natural boor, solar electricity.

FOR THE TRADIE:

Cement driveway graded to hold trucks, multiple large sheds with high roofing, mezzanine storage, washroom and toilet, sliding doors to allow space for forklift or large equipment, 3 phase power, separate alarms, estimated 8 car undercover parking, fully fenced and so much more!

Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5.30pm | Sat: 8am-1pm

8 Econo Place, Silverdale

Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5.30pm | Sat: 8am-1pm 4774 0749

Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

8 Econo Place, Silverdale

8 Econo Place, Silverdale

We sell various types of animal feed including Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

Mon-Fri: 9:30am-5.30pm | Sat: 8am-1pm

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

We sell various types of animal feed including Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

We sell various types of animal feed including Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

8 Econo Place, Silverdale

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

We sell various types of animal feed including

4774 0749

DOG WASH, POOL TESTING AND MACHINE H IRE ALSO AVAILABLE

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

DOG WASH, MACHINE AILABLE

We sell various types of animal feed including Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

We sell various types of animal feed including Dog, Cat, Bird, Horse, Chicken and Stockfeed.

OFFERING A FULL RANGE OF COLORBOND®, PRIVACY & SECURITY FENCING

DOG POOL TESTING AND MACHINE IRE AILABLE

We also sell Firewood and Pool Chemicals.

We we manufacture, powder coat, supply and install any fence type to what you desire. WE CAN DO IT FOR YOU!

Check out our own Colorbond: “Ozzybound”

READ ALL ABOUT US

A new Montessori childcare centre has officially opened its doors at 4 Chamberlain Road, Guildford NSW 2161

Binet Homes newest luxury display home grand opening weekend!

Saturday & Sunday 19 and 20 August 11am – 4pm

Guildford Montessori Academy provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged six weeks to six years old and is designed to help children foster a life-long love for learning.

Acquired in January 2023 and newly fit-out in recent months, this is Montessori Academy Group’s 50th Australian childcare centre.

The beautifully refurbished centre features four classrooms equipped with a full suite of Montessori materials, two magnificent play areas with an epic plane fort, sandpits, and climbing equipment to engage children’s curiosity and potential.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the families in Guildford and surrounding areas,” said Montessori Academy Group’s Chief Operations Officer, Rami Nassif.

Welcome to Binet Homes’ newest luxury display home grand opening weekend! We are thrilled to invite you to explore our stunning masterpiece located at 6 Alcorn Place in Pitt Town. This exceptional property showcases the epitome of elegance, sophistication, and country-style charm. From gourmet kitchens and modern bathrooms to spacious family rooms and a grand alfresco area, this home has been meticulously designed with your comfort and style in mind. With its separate studio, tennis

court, swimming pool, large bedrooms, home theatre, and fully landscaped gardens - this is truly a dream come true for any discerning homeowner. Mark your calendars for Saturday & Sunday 19th and 20th August as we unveil this magnificent residence during our exclusive Grand Opening Schedule. Be prepared to be amazed as you step into a world of timeless beauty blended seamlessly with contemporary features.

Location

Nestled in the picturesque suburb of Pitt Town, Binet Homes’ newest luxury display home is perfectly situated to

“Our goal is to provide a nurturing environment where children can develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life. We believe that

6 Alcorn Place Pitt Town,

7:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. Families who are interested in enrolling their children at the centre are invited to attend the Grand Opening Event on Saturday 20th May 2023 or contact their Enrolments Team on 1300 000 162.

ADVERTISEMENT

offer you a serene and idyllic lifestyle. Surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful landscapes, this exquisite residence offers both tranquillity and convenience. With easy access to nearby amenities such as schools, shops, and recreational facilities, everything you need is just a stone’s throw away.

Design

Design is at the heart of every Binet Homes display home, and their newest luxury display home in Pitt Town is no exception. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be captivated by the attention to detail and modern aesthetic that flows throughout. Spacious

family rooms provide ample space for quality time with loved ones, while the grand alfresco area seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living spaces, perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying a peaceful evening under the stars. For more information about Binet Homes’ newest luxury display home or to schedule an appointment outside of the grand opening weekend contact them today at 9868 3222. You won’t be disappointed!

Grand Opening Schedule

The grand opening schedule promises a weekend filled with excitement. The doors will open promptly at 11:00 am on

both days, giving visitors ample time to explore every exquisite detail of this stunning property. Whether you’re in the market for a new home or simply seeking inspiration, this event caters to everyone. Mark your calendars now because this is an event you won’t want to miss! To find out more information about Binet Homes’ newest luxury display home at 6 Alcorn Place Pitt Town or book your spot for their grand opening weekend on Saturday & Sunday 19th and 20th August (11:00 am -4:00 pm), visit their website www.binethomes.com. au or contact them directly at info@binethomes.com.au

LifeVac is a unique device used to dislodge food or hazardous items from the airway through a one-way suction which removes the object in the event of choking. The negative pressure generated by the force of the suction is 3 times greater than the highest recorded first-aid measure.

LifeVac has been designed to be used on children and adults and the pushpull motion can be mastered by any user. You can even use it on yourself.

ECONOMISTS AGREE RATE RISES ARE OVER The

If you can believe the predictions of most of the major banks, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is done and dusted with its increases to official interest rates and mortgage holders could even see rates come down from next year.

Bell Partners Finance bellpartnersfinance.com.au

The RBA board at its August meeting kept the cash rate on hold for the second consecutive month. Three of the big four banks now believe the official rate has peaked at the current rate of 4.1 per cent.

While soon to depart RBA Governor, Dr Philip Lowe (pictured right), hasn’t ruled out further rate rises to ensure “inflation returns to target in a reasonable timeframe”, only National Australia Bank out of the big four has forecast any more increases, with a prediction of a quarter percentage point increase in November this year, which would take the cash rate to 4.35 per cent.

But then NAB sees five rate cuts across 2024 and 2025, which by early 2025 would lower official rates to 3.1 per cent. Westpac predicts the RBA will start easing rates from late next year and the cash rate could drop to 2.6 per cent by late 2025.

Happy days!

The big banks reckon official interest rates will need pruning as the economy struggles under the weight of the RBA’s 400 basis points increase to the cash rate

since May last year to bring infla-

tion back under control.

As the RBA’s 12 rate rises and other cost-of-living pressures hit households, consumers have reduced spending with latest data showing the volume of retail goods and services sold in the June quarter fell 0.5 per cent.

The slowdown in the economy needed for the RBA get inflation back to its two to three per cent target has convinced bank economists the RBA official rates will

have to drop after rising at their fastest pace since the late 1980s. But as Lowe found when he forecast in 2021 that rates would not rise until 2024, you never know what’s around the corner. And the major bank economists also sometimes get it wrong!

nurses to identify your pet’s individual needs, is an important part of health care for your pet.

A nutritional assessment allows vets to make diet recommendations to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life. Your vet will consider the following factors:

Weight: Obesity is one of the most common health disorders seen in cats and dogs. An underweight pet may also signify an underlying medical condition that

and minerals to help them stay healthy throughout their adult years. Just as we give special attention to the nutritional needs of puppies and kittens, dogs and cats heading into their later years require a senior food diet to maintain their quality of life and increase longevity.

Breed and size: Certain breeds mature differently and can be pre-disposed to diseases like arthritis, skin allergies, dental disease, and weight issues. Feeding foods

that are specifically formulated for these conditions ensures that your pet will receive the nutrients best suited to them. For example, large breed dogs may be prone to orthopaedic issues and smaller breed dogs can be more likely to have dental health and urinary tract concerns.

Specific Needs: Appropriate feeding throughout your pet’s life can not only help prevent some health issues but can also assist in the management of other diseases. There are times where vets may prescribe a specific diet if a pet may have a disease or condition that needs nutritional support. Every pet is different so chat with your vet.

MARK STEVENSON

IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce

The underrated products that you never knew you needed!

As much as it can be good to stick to your guns, sometimes you just get an itch to try something new. Maybe you’ve just run out of a product, or maybe you’ve just got some extra spending money around and you’re in the mood to buy yourself something fun – either way, it’s important to be smart about it. Of course, there are plenty of reviews out there of almost every product, no matter how new or old. But, I’m here to let you in on a few of my personal favourite underrated products.

Tarte Shape Tape Cloud Foundation

As a long-term fan of the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, I admit I was intrigued when

I first saw this foundation on the Sephora app. At the time, I remember it having next to no reviews. But, the description pulled me over the line – and I’m so glad it did.

Despite the medium to full coverage it provides, Tarte Shape Tape Cloud Foundation feels light as air, and has a natural matte finish which wears flawlessly throughout the day. Best for normal to oily skin, this is perfect for both long days, and long nights.

Benefit Cosmetics

They’re Real! Tinted Eyelash Primer

The number of times I have repurchased the Benefit Cosmetics

They’re Real! Tinted Eyelash Primer is borderline embarrass-

ing; however, its versatility is truly unmatched. This product is the perfect primer to add under your normal mascara to boost performance, but can also be worn alone to add a tint, length and definition. I like to wear the They’re Real! Tinted Eyelash Primer on my lower lashes every day, to provide a less harsh look than black mascara.

Esmi Skin Minerals Handy Microfibre Headband

One of the worst parts of doing your nighttime skincare routine is cleansing your face – subsequently getting water down your neck and arms, and in your hair. That’s where this product comes in.

The Esmi Skin Minerals Handy Microfibre Headband is the perfect solution to keeping your hair back and dry.

One/Size BrowKiki Clear Nourishing Brow Gel

If you want your brows to feel like they’re glued to your face, you can’t go past the One/Size BrowKiki Clear Nourishing Brow Gel.

Of course, this depends on the look you’re going for, but whilst fluffy, brushed up brows are trending, this is the gel to keep your hairs up all day.

Tarte Sea Quench Lip Rescue: Nude

Another product that

SCANS

Osteoarthritis affects one in 11 Australians, which was approximately 2.2 million people in 2017–18. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease which can affect most joints in the body. People with osteoarthritis typically raise complaints of joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling and increased difficulty with joint movement. Commonly people with osteoarthritis find these symptoms can lead to changes in their functional capacity and impact their quality of life. Whether this is increasing difficulty with stairs, standing up from a seat, opening a jar and many other everyday activities we take for granted.

Often as a patient you can be told that there are structural changes taking place in your joints and when you hear this it can be daunting.

But does this imaging define you? Are you what your scans say?

No!

Structural changes do not equal pain and pain does

I will continue to repurchase time and time again is the Tarte Sea Quench Lip Rescue in the shade Nude.

As someone who doesn’t love wearing and retouching lipstick throughout the day, this product is perfect to add both colour and moisture.

not equal damage. So, what does that mean for you? This means that a strong non-surgical approach to management can help you live a happier fuller life with no risk of causing “damage” or worsening your conditions. As physiotherapists we want to shift your focus to focusing on your function rather than joint disfunction. Life is worth living to the fullest so why not focus on this.

When it comes to managing osteoarthritis you are an active participant in your care. By teaming up with your physiotherapist you can create an individualised management plan to suit your personal needs. This may incorporate a graduated physical activity and exercise

program to meet your goals, improve your function, optimise load and reduce your limitations. Research out of the USA has shown us when individuals were provided with a strong non-surgical management plan utilising their physiotherapist as coach and creating a supportive network to provide guidance on appropriate tools and exercise, 75 per cent of people with eligibility for knee replacement declined the operation at 12 months and 24 months later 68 per cent had still declined.

A physiotherapist will be able to provide you with evidence-based information and recommendations to help you make informed decisions.

Relax & Unwind

JANUARY

Love, loyalty, cooperation and compromise are the New Moon buzz words. But this week you’ll be reliably unpredictable and consistently inconsistent! One half of you wants to snuggle up close with someone special – while the other half longs to be footloose, fancy-free, and spontaneously solo. Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionship and invigorating independence. And resist the urge to be an Aquarian provocateur who is deliberately controversial.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

This week the stars activate home and hearth, as the New Moon highlights your domestic zone. It’s a good time to clean and de-clutter your living space or tackle an overdue DIY project. But Venus (your ruling planet) is in retrograde mode until September 4, so Bulls can expect a busy and bamboozling time. Prepare for some very short timelines. You don’t work well when other people try to hurry you. Have the confidence to cruise at your own preferred pace.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

With the Sun, New Moon and retrograde Venus visiting your sign, you’ll go to extremes this week as the planets press your ‘Let’s overdo everything’ button. So your motto for the moment is from music icon Mick Jagger (who has four planets in Leo), “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing”. But resist the temptation to be a right royal bossy-boots. Especially when you don’t get your way. Rather than being pushy, try being charmingly persuasive instead!

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Wednesday’s Mars/Uranus trine brings a rush of fiery energy and a fresh perspective to a stale romance or a floundering friendship. There’s no denying you’re a smart Scorpion but are you making the most of your professional talents?

The New Moon activates your career zone, so it’s time to don your thinking cap, connect with colleagues and keep them up to date with your work plans. Venus is retrograde though, so check and re-check everything twice!

PISCES

New Moon week is the ideal time to ditch bad daily habits and start afresh. Work, health, fitness and food choices are the main areas where you need to make some long overdue changes and adjustments. The sooner the better. Try to release pent up Piscean frustrations via a chat with a close confidante or a trusted family member. Spending some quality time with your favourite four-legged friend (in the great outdoors) will also help to lift your spirits.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

The New Moon activates your communication and education zone. So it’s a good time to exercise your brain cells via study, debate, teaching, reading, writing, public speaking and generally expanding your mind in all sorts of exciting new directions. But remember Venus (planet of diplomacy) is retrograde so watch what you say! Your motto for the moment is from Leo writer Dorothy Parker, “The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Mercury (your ruler) and Mars (the proactive planet) are transiting through your sign. So it’s the perfect time to be your confident, authentic self! If you don’t accept yourself (warts and all) then why should anyone else? If you don’t develop your talents and follow your dreams, then others won’t do it for you. As birthday great, fashion designer and style icon Coco Chanel observed, “How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.”

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

With this week’s fiery New Moon activating your adventure zone, you’re keen to head off on an overseas trip, an interstate holiday, or a weekend getaway. But remember Venus is reversing through your travel zone (until September 4) so be careful your spontaneous Sagittarian spirit doesn’t land you in unexpected trouble! Slow down and take the time to plan and book (and save for) an exciting dream escapade sometime from September 5 onwards.

Have you been waiting in the wings or sulking on the sidelines? This week there’s a fiery New Moon in your creativity zone, and a terrific trine between gung-ho Mars (your power planet) and adventurous Uranus. So spring into action – wake up, explore, experiment, take a calculated risk and make some noise! Be inspired by original celebrity chef – and birthday great – Julia Child “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Expect a rather disruptive week with a friendship surprise or a financial setback. The New Moon focus is firmly on money matters. Crabs have a good business brain so make sure you are using it. If you can get the balance right between being canny with cash and entrepreneurial with your ideas, then you could really go places. Venus is reversing through your $$$ zone (until Sept 4) but that’s no excuse. It’s time to improve your financial literacy ASAP!

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

The fiery New Moon reignites a special hope, dream or wish that’s been languishing on the sidelines. But remember that Venus (your patron planet) is retrograde until September 4. So – if you are stuck in a professional slump or a relationship rut – don’t dwell on the negatives. It’s time to reassess and re-calibrate. Be inspired by actress (and fellow Libran) Kate Winslet, “The good and bad things are what form us as people. Change makes us grow.”

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Venus (planet of self-love and selfworth) is still retrograde. So it’s time for active and ambitious Capricorns to pace yourself, as some plans backfire and confidence levels are lower than usual. You could also question your current trajectory and look to others for feedback and approval. Don’t overdo it! Madonna (who celebrates her birthday on Wednesday) observes, “If your joy is derived from what others think of you, then you’re going to be disappointed.”

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. The solutions will be published here in the next issue. www.str8ts.com

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.

Word Search

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

Theme: CAR WORDS

CAR PARK

CARAMEL

CARBON

CARDBOARD

CARDIGAN

CARETAKER

CARGO

CARNATION

CARNIVAL

CAROL

CAROUSEL

CARPENTER

CARRIAGE

CART

CHILDCARE

CREDIT CARD

MACARONI

SCARCE

VICAR

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about ‘Seinfeld’ in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. In what year did the first episode of ‘Seinfeld’ air in the United States?

2. Who first utters the catch phrase “No soup for you!” in the series?

3. Frank Constanza is advised to say what phrase aloud every time his blood pressure is in danger of going up?

4. When Peterman meets Cosmo Kramer, he buys his life stories for how much?

5. Aside from the four main characters of Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer, who appears in the most episodes of ‘Seinfeld’?

6. What does Elaine claim her IQ to be?

ANSWERS

1. 1989

2. Soup Nazi

3. “Serenity now”

4. $750

5. Newman

6. 145

TEST YOUR BRAIN

Previous solution - Medium SUDOKU

Hexwords

Sudoku,

The

Name the Movie

If

Carly’s back A-List country starlet Carly Pearce (pictured) will drop a new song to streaming services today.

‘Country Music Made Me Do It’ was written by Pearce and comes ahead of her American tour of the same name later this year.

“‘Country Music Made Me Do It’ is the essence of this next chapter for me,” she said.

“It’s been a crazy couple of years since I released ‘29’ into the world, and I’m ready to begin this next chapter with you.”

Download the song on Spotify, Apple Music or your usual streaming service.

Oh my Gord!

Following hot on the heels of the release of his new album ‘Fire It

Up’, Australian born Canadian raised country music legend Gord Bamford, is returning to Australia’s shores for a 12 show tour in August and September. He’ll mainly be in Queensland through August before venturing into NSW, and will play a show in Campbelltown at the Beer Shed on Sunday, September 3.

“I love touring in Australia. I feel a deep connection to the country and still proudly hold an Australian passport. This next tour is a mixed bag of shows. We will be doing a couple of Festivals including the Gympie Muster for the second time and I will also be doing some of my own shows,” he said.

For more details visit www. gordbamford.com.

HOLIDAYS FROM THE PAST ARE STILL GOING STRONG

Remember those family holidays when you were younger – cycling around camp grounds, making new friends, enjoying a BBQ in the evening and a bunch of planned activities to keep you entertained for the duration of your stay?

Some may feel these are the holidays of yesteryear – swept away in a sea of short-term rental options, cheaper overseas travel and a whole raft of new holiday destinations.

I can confirm, however, that these old-school holidays do indeed still exist – as anyone who has stayed at the Ocean Beach Holiday Resort at Umina would know.

We recently made a family trip to this beautiful part of the world, located just 90 minutes from Sydney in reality, but in truth a million miles away if you turn the phone off and let yourself relax.

With a two-and-a-half-year-old in tow, we were fortunate enough to stay in the Seabreeze

Two Bedroom Villa, a perfect option if you’re looking to house a decent sized families given one of the bedrooms has four separate beds, and its own bathroom.

The Villa definitely provided us a bit of luxury – a BBQ on our own private balcony, a private car spot and brilliant views of the beach, across from the jumping pillows, which received a rave review from the afore-

mentioned toddler (and let’s be honest, her parents too).

There are literally dozens of different accommodation options though to suit all family sizes and budgets, including the Glamtainer (pictured bottom right) – which has certainly risen in popularity lately.

just outside the holiday park’s gates, which provides delicious burgers, milkshakes, homemade pies and more – perfect for something a little different while the kids try out the large playground on site.

If you’re looking for that big family holiday with multiple generations, a tonne of kids of

The bonus with all holiday parks of this kind is that you only unpack once, and there’s so many activities at your fingertips that you don’t need to even leave the park if you don’t want to.

Apart from an ever-updating activity schedule for kids that includes everything from plaster making to movie nights and playdough activities, there’s awesome splash parks, decent-sized playgrounds, tennis courts, a kids’ club and fun ways to get around like e-bikes and pedal karts, which are available to hire.

And of course, there’s the huge pools and easy access to Ocean Beach itself – which would make this the perfect spot for a break in the upcoming summer.

For the budget conscious, there’s also the bonus of doing most of your eating on-site –there’s something about firing up the BBQ on holidays that doesn’t make it feel like work.

However, we did make the very short drive down the road to Margarita Daze – a beachside restaurant with terrific food (the portion sizes here are epic) and delicious margaritas (try the blood orange margarita for something a little different).

There’s also the Jasmine Greens cafe/kiosk

varying ages, with a load of activities but still plenty to appeal for the adults (especially after the kids go to bed at night), you really should think about staying closer to home and checking out a holiday from an era you may have thought had passed us by.

The activities are only limited by how much you or the kids are willing to squeeze in –which means boredom simply isn’t an option. We’ll definitely be back – it may even become an annual trip. We’ll also campaign for an adults-only jumping pillow, while we’re at it. Visit www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au for more information about the Ocean Beach Holiday Park, and other NRMA parks across the country.

TROY DODDS OCEAN BEACH

“THE ACTIVITIES ARE ONLY LIMITED BY HOW MUCH YOU OR THE KIDS ARE WILLING TO SQUEEZE IN”

From family driving to off-roading, new LandCruiser Prado does it all – and more

lower bumpers at both the front and rear of the vehicle.

The all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado family SUV has made its world premiere, bringing with it significant mechanical upgrades, enhanced performance, and rugged styling changes ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms mid next year.

Since its arrival in 1996, the Prado has been one of Australia's most popular large SUVs thanks to its blend of capability, amenity and passenger-oriented comfort, and the all-new model continues that brief with go-anywhere performance and a design that symbolises the essence of the LandCruiser.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the new Prado provides all the hallmarks of a LandCruiser that customers love.

“Australian customers appreciate the vast capability of the LandCruiser Prado, from use as a family vehicle, to off-roading, towing and long-distance touring, which is evidenced by its huge popularity,” he said.

“The all-new Prado takes everything that customers love about the Prado to a new level, with even greater performance, capability and technology, as well as bold new styling inside and out."

The new-generation Prado adopts a new design direction that fuses traditional and contemporary styling cues, employing horizontal lines inspired by LandCruisers of yesteryear to deliver on the theme of functional beauty.

The front end is based around a rectangular grille and tri-beam headlights, with a low-set

front cowl to improve forward visibility.

Muscular wheelarches and strong horizontal lines provide a sense of strength, with a low beltline that further improves visibility for occupants.

At the rear, the Prado features a vertically oriented tailgate and simple tail-light signature to complement the front end, with silver

Measuring 4,920mm long, 1,988mm wide and 1,860mm tall, the all-new Prado is 95mm longer and wider, and 10mm taller than before. Its 2,850mm wheelbase is 60mm longer than before, and now matches the length of the LandCruiser 300 Series.

In Australia, the all-new Prado will be offered with the 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine enhanced with 48-volt technology to help improve fuel consumption in urban settings.

Producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, the 1GD engine drives all four wheels via a new Direct Shift-8AT eight-speed automatic transmission which replaces the existing six-speed unit.

Inside, the Prado employs a clean, stylish and functional interior design with dual digital screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia system, and an intuitive layout for the switches that group basic functions together.

The Prado will be available with either fiveor seven-seat layouts depending on variant and will be offered with a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies.

Further details on the all-new LandCruiser Prado including local specification will be made available closer to the vehicle's Australian launch in 2024.

The new Toyota LandCruiser Prado will land in Australia next year.

Penrith basketball team set to shine at Club Championships

An U14 Girls basketball team from Penrith is currently raising money to help fund their upcoming trip to Melbourne, to compete at the 2023 U14 Australian Club Championships.

The side, which is made up of 10 players, qualified for the biggest tournament of their lives after a hugely successful season in Basketball NSW’s Waratah Junior Premier League competition.

Penrith battled teams from Sydney and across NSW during the course of the five-month regular season, finishing second overall to Illawarra and earning automatic qualification to September’s Australian Club Championships.

Speaking with the Weekender, Penrith coach Jenna Weekes said she’s proud of her team and believes the secret to their success is how close they are off the basketball court.

“I think what our edge has been this year, is how good friends they all are,” she said.

“I also think it helps that they enjoy playing the game, and on and off the court they get on really well and I think that’s important.”

The Penrith U14 Girls team are the only local side competing at

next month’s Australian Club Championships, but it won’t be the first-time players from the team have played in Nationals.

Five players represented Penrith at the 2022 Australian Club Cham-

pionships and that experience will be invaluable come September as they take on the might of U14 girls basketball teams from all over Australia.

“The Penrith team that played last

year didn’t qualify but instead were invited because Penrith were hosting, but this year, we qualified for it,” Weekes, who’s in her 15th year of coaching, said.

“We’ll be playing teams from all over the country during the weeklong tournament, which takes place during the school holidays from September 23-29.”

To assist the girls with their Road to Nationals journey, the whole team and their families are raising money to aid with the associated cost involved with interstate travel for a whole week.

All funds collected will be utilised to cover the cost to attend the Australian Club Championships in Melbourne, which includes transportation from Sydney, meals for seven days, training hub fees, accommodation for the whole team and staff, team gear and all the associated costs of looking after 10 athletes and staff.

A GoFundMe page has been set up where people and businesses can donate to the Penrith U14 Girls team and their quest for glory at Nationals. Visit https://gofund. me/102d01b4.

NATHAN TAYLOR

The Penrith Panthers U14 Girls team will compete at the Australian Club Championships in Melbourne.

Vision impaired cricketer set to star at World Blind Games Oscar’s UK mission

NATHAN TAYLOR

Vision impaired Penrith-born cricketer Oscar Stubbs will jet off to the United Kingdom tomorrow, bound for Birmingham where he’ll compete at the 2023 IBSA World Blind Games.

The 22-year-old multi-sport elite athlete will represent Australia in blind cricket, a sport he’s played competitively since 2016.

Stubbs was born with optic neuropathy and congenital sensory nystagmus, which is an eye condition that disturbs his optic sensor and leaves him with limited, tunnel vision.

“The nerves from my brain to my eyes aren’t computing properly and I basically look through pin holes,” Stubbs told the Weekender

But Stubbs’ vision impairment hasn’t stopped him from excelling in the sporting world. Whether it’s playing AFL, swimming, tennis or cricket, the 2022 Commonwealth Games representative is an inspiration to young disabled athletes everywhere.

After representing Australia in swimming in Birmingham last year, Stubbs said he can’t wait to return for cricket.

“For me, it’s something I aspire to do all the time. I always want to represent my country and any time I’m given the opportunity to, I’m very grateful,” he said.

“To go over there with some of my best

mates from sport and in life is something that I’m very happy about. I can’t wait!”

Stubbs has been playing blind cricket for seven years after growing up playing the regular version of the game as a kid. A big fan of fielding over bowling and batting, blind cricket does have its differences to able bodied cricket as Stubbs explains.

“When it comes to blind cricket, the ball is plastic with ball bearings inside so you can hear it. The bowlers also bowl underarm, and the ball doesn’t bounce much,” he said.

“Your main shot in the game is a sweep shot. So you’re down on one knee for the whole game, which doesn’t happen in normal cricket where you’re standing up the whole time.”

Around The Grounds

last place on the ladder with zero wins to their name. Meanwhile, the Emus have missed out on playing Finals in the Women’s competition, finishing the year in fifth spot with seven wins, one draw and six losses to their name. Penrith also missed out on playing Finals in Colts (sixth) and second grade (sixth).

NETBALL: Panthers

NETBALL: St Clair junior Paige Hadley (pictured right) and her Australian Diamonds teammates are the toast of the netball world after defeating England in the Final of the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa. Despite losing to the Roses by a point just three days earlier, the Aussies bounced back in a big way defeating England 61-45 to claim their first World Cup title in eight years. Hadley was tremendous in the victory, playing a starring role in her famous centre position.

RUGBY UNION: After a challenging season, the Penrith Emus have played and lost their final game of the year, going down to the Tuggeranong Vikings 62-11 in Round 17 of the John I Dent Cup. It was a tough second season for the Emus in the ACT Brumbies feeder competition, finishing in

PENRITH PLAYERS SHINE AT CUP

Story continued from » p.88

Stubbs said he can’t wait to battle England on their home turf on August 22 before matches against India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

“We always want to go over there and try and beat England at home,” he said.

“But the two best teams are India and Pakistan, they are a step above everyone else. We’re very keen to get over there and verse them.”

The IBSA World Blind Games, held once every four years, will make its much-anticipated return after an eight-year hiatus.

This year’s Games will be the largest event of its kind to date, with an expected 1700 competitors representing 70 nations across 11 blind sports.

Vision Australia and Blind Sports Australia have teamed up to support the Aussie on their quest for gold.

“It’s fabulous to see blind cricket included for the first time at the IBSA World Blind Games and inspiring to see such talented athletes from many different sports showcasing their determination, skill and passion,” General Manager of Commercial Services at Vision Australia, Michael Linke said. “Vision Australia’s mission is to support people who are blind or have low vision to live the life they choose and the Australian athletes heading to Birmingham are a great example of that.”

Howard said he expected Australia to do well in the ITF Tag World Cup, but what he wasn’t expecting was how many teams were tested throughout the tournament.

“The Men’s 30s got pushed all the way in their Final against Ireland and only got up in the last five minutes,” Howard said.

“The Mixed Seniors, who had been very dominant, lost one of their pool games to Great Britain and then met them again in the Final.

“It was great to see the other nations improving and pushing the Australian teams – it’s exciting for the sport.”

Not only did Penrith OzTag players make up multiple Australian teams but they also represented other nations too.

“We had quite a few players in the Great Britain Exiles team and we had representatives playing for other countries as well,” Howard said.

“On top of the players, we had three Penrith OzTag referees selected to go over. One of them was Damian Rangi, who got allocated the Women’s 30s World Cup Final, so that puts him up there in the top echelon of referees.”

Penrith OzTag said they will look to celebrate their ITF Tag World Cup Champions in the not-too-distant future.

“It will be good to see them all come back, we’ll look to do something for them,” Howard said.

Netball fought hard but ultimately went down to the GWS Fury in the Preliminary Final of the Netball NSW Premier League U23s competition. Panthers reached the Grand Final qualifier after defeating the Sutherland Stingrays 53-46 in an elimination final last week, however they couldn’t get past the Fury last Saturday evening 49-37. GWS will take on the UTS Randwick Sparks in this Sunday afternoon’s Grand Final at Ken Rosewall Arena.

AFL: The GWS Giants have had their stunning seven-game winning streak end at the hands of their crosstown rivals Sydney 96-85 in Round 21 of the AFL competition.

The deadly-accurate Swans kicked 11 goals without a miss in the first half to

bankroll the win, and held firm as the Giants made an inevitable run in the second half. GWS made a late run in the fourth quarter with successive goals to Callan Ward and Toby Greene to get within six points, but a Chad Warner snap steadied the ship for the Swans as they held on to win. Despite the loss, the Giants remain in the all-important top eight and will face Port Adelaide this Sunday afternoon at Adelaide Oval.

AFL: The Penrith Rams have been thumped by the Camden Cats 113-47 in Round 17 of the AFL Sydney Platinum Division competition. The Rams were down by 10 after the first quarter and never recovered, with Camden’s lead blowing out to 39 by half-time. The Rams will return to Greygums Oval this Saturday afternoon to battle the Parramatta Goannas in the final game of the season. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes are back in the winner’s circle following a 47-10 win over the Inner West Magpies in Round 17 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Division Two competition. The Ramettes will take on the South West Sydney Blues this Saturday morning at Greygums.

Blind cricketer Oscar Stubbs.

WW43972

OUR WORLD CHAMPIONS

The women’s football and netball World Cups have rightfully garnered plenty of attention over the past couple of weeks, but did you know there was another World Cup being held in Ireland which featured more than

30 Penrith locals?

The 2023 ITF Tag World Cup took place in the Irish city of Limerick earlier this month, with more than two dozen players and coaches representing Penrith OzTag flying home World Cup Champions.

“I couldn’t ask for more… every Penrith OzTag player that represented Australia all came back winners,” Penrith OzTag

President, Jamie Howard proudly told the Weekender

“It was fantastic to see them representing their country at that level and also representing Penrith at the same time.

“This was the biggest Penrith OzTag contingent we’ve seen go over with the Australian teams, and it was very successful.”

Penrith OzTag players were crowned World Cup winners while representing Australia in the Women’s 21s (six players), the Men’s Opens (two players), the Men’s 30s (six players), the Men’s 40s (one player), the Mixed Seniors (seven players) and Women’s 35/40s (three players).