Western Weekender June 14 2024

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icantly

Infrastructure

The

Bradfield breakthrough

Tunnel Boring Machines complete their journey as Metro steps closer to reality

It was a political who’s who at the site of the future Bradfield Metro Station on Wednesday as the Metro came one step closer to completion.

Prime Minster Anthony Albanese was joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns, Deputy Premier Prue Car, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Catherine King, NSW Minister for Transport Jo Haylen and NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully to announce that three tunnel boring machines (TBMs) named Catherine, Eileen and Peggy have completed their journeys.

The TBMs were working to connect the points of the new Metro Transport network from St Marys to the Western Sydney International Airport.

Haylen said that the construction created local jobs and will continue to do so.

“Half of the people working out here on this airport link come from this part of Sydney,” she said.

“In fact, over 550 people were delivering those tunnels under our feet for the last year.

“They have moved at over 120 metres a week and the second last TBM broke through last Friday.

“We are making incredible progress on this game-changing project that is not only delivering jobs right now but will make sure there are quality jobs here in the heart of western Sydney into the future.”

Albanese said the TBM breakthrough is giving western Sydney the infrastructure it needs.

“The breakthrough represents a major progress for western Sydney. This project will transform the way that Sydney operates,” he said.

“For too long, everything has looked towards the CBD and the centre, what this airport will do [along] with the Aerotropolis is make sure that Sydney doesn’t just look in, [but] it looks out.”

Minns said the Metro sites are a game-changer for the communities serviced by the airport and Metro line.

“This is an absolute game-changer in how people interact with the airport but also for the emerging communities that will spring up along this airport line in the decade ahead,” he said.

Flanked by Premier Chris Minns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the future Bradfield Station site on Wednesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Story continued from » p. 1

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

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Gap between governments and reality has never been wider

One of the first things I tell young journalists when they first start out in the job is that when it comes to political stories, a ‘third voice’ is critical.

Governments will always tell you whatever they are announcing is wonderful. The Opposition will tell you it’s horrible. The truth sits with that third voice.

And the third voice should be someone directly impacted by whatever the announcement is.

It feels at the moment that the gap between what governments of all levels tell us and the actual lived experience has never been wider.

Last week’s decision by the Fair Work Commission is a case in point.

A 3.75 per cent increase to modern award minimum wages is “a win” according to Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

“A win for workers, a win for women and it will help with the cost-of-living,” he declared. It kicked off a 600-odd word press release where Chalmers patted himself and Labor on the back for delivering for low paid workers, all while blaming the previous government for it not happening sooner.

But in those 600-odd words, Chalmers didn’t find the room to acknowledge such an increase would be tough for many business operators to implement.

He didn’t acknowledge it could actually result in people losing their jobs, because many businesses simply won’t be able to absorb the hit of such an increase.

That’s not to say an increase in the minimum wage isn’t deserved. Times are tough, and any increase is a huge benefit.

But to not even acknowledge the impact this will have on businesses shows that the government lives on one planet, and the rest of us are on another.

They simply don’t understand the lived experience.

Despite the stereotype we love to push, not every business owner is sipping pina coladas

on a beach somewhere while their staff slave away making their bosses more money.

Most business operators who will have to cop this increase in wages are being kept awake at night by sky-rocketing power prices, rents going up, customers holding back on spending and profits dwindling, if they are making profit at all.

If small business is the backbone of our country, as we’re always told, then at least acknowledging them in your fluff and PR would be nice.

“The general public appears to have a very apathetic view of government and politicians”

But the increase in the minimum wage is just one example of governments and reality not being on the same page.

The State Government this week announced an “emergency department relief package”, designed to ease the pressure on stretched NSW hospitals.

And then we had this PR fluff to follow it up: “Patients, paramedics, and emergency department staff will benefit from a $15.1 million nation-leading upgrade to the ambulance patient allocation matrix system which will help identify the most appropriate emergency department (ED) for patients to be transferred to.”

All this makes it sound like solving a health problem, urgent or not, is being made a lot simpler by our friends in government.

But the lived experience is very different. Not a week goes by when someone doesn’t share their Nepean Hospital wait time experience with me, the shiny new emergency department doing very little to help with the ridiculous wait times we experience in this community.

Think about all the years of announcements, promises, figures and PR fluff we’ve experienced in this space.

Where has it got us when it comes to the lived experience of turning up to the Emergency Department and waiting for hours and hours to be seen?

The list goes on.

Reams and reams of press releases every week, all largely featuring the government patting itself on the back and the opposition pretending they’d achieve a different result.

Politicians wonder why people don’t trust them and why government is not treated with respect.

It’s because people don’t feel any of these announcements actually help them on the ground.

That’s not totally true, of course. Good government can deliver positive change and a better standard of living.

But on the whole, right now the general public appears to have a very apathetic view of government and politicians.

Fixing it will take more than carefully crafted election campaigns, pointless press releases and promises without punch.

Until people’s lived experience actually changes, there’s little hope that the community’s feeling towards government and politicians will change.

And until politicians work to close that gap, to understand the on the ground realities better, that change is a long way off.

The gap has never been wider, and I’m not sure it will close any time soon.

Give us a future

Luddenham locals still in dark over long-promised plan

TROY DODDS

The Luddenham Progress Association is demanding the State Government immediately implement the Luddenham Village Strategy.

The Association met last week to discuss continued delays in the Strategy being signed off.

“We need the approval now; we have been uncertain about our future, and it is still creating uncertainty for our community, residents and businesses,” a spokesperson said following the meeting.

Luddenham Village is the only area in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis that was excluded from the finalised rezoning plans released by the NSW Government in March 2022.

Earlier this year, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the impacts of aircraft noise and the airport’s EIS were still being considered.

But the Progress Association says there’s no need for continued delay.

“We are calling on Paul Scully

(Minister for Planning and Public Spaces) to immediately approve and implement the NSW Planning recommended Luddenham Village Strategy, allowing an increase to the population to the north of the existing Luddenham Village which is outside of all the noise contours,” the spokesperson said.

“The State Government’s new Bradfield City is the same distance from the airport as the extension of Luddenham Village.

“It’s time – since the Airport was confirmed we have had 13 Premiers of New South Wales and Australia has nine Prime Ministers and none have confirmed the Luddenham Village future. Our residents are fed up and deserve better – we should not have to wait any longer. It’s time to approve the Luddenham Village Strategy.”

When asked about the status of the Strategy on Wednesday, Premier Chris Minns told Weekender journalist Emily Chate: “I must admit I’m not sure where that’s up to... I’ll take it on notice and come back to you.”

Building damaged by fire in 2021 to be demolished soon

Penrith City Council will demolish the old Community Connections Building on Henry Street that was damaged by fire in 2021. The building, which housed a range of community groups and businesses at the time, has been unhabitable since the blaze around Christmas time.

Due to the extensive structural damage, Council says the safest option is to demolish the building with works commencing this week until the end of September 2024.

To facilitate the demolition of the building, 10 car spaces at Allen Place are temporarily closed until the end of September 2024 for the storage of construction materials. The majority of the car park is still open.

Council says it will assess future opportunities for the site once demolition is complete.

Vice President of the Luddenham Progress Association, Wayne Willmington. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The Henry Street building will be torn down.

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Penrith: Man charged after assaulting police at NRL match

A man has been arrested after assaulting police at a Panthers game.

At about 6.30pm on Sunday, June 9 police were patrolling at BlueBet Stadium for the Panthers v Manly game. A 42-year-old Cranebrook man was at the location and had consumed alcohol.

At the conclusion of the game when the crowd was dispersing, the 42-year-old man became involved in a physical fight with two other men. Security intervened and called for police.

Two officers attended and the 42-year-old was identified by security to police and the 42-year-old refused to supply his details to police. Without warning the 42-year-old then pushed one of the officers in the chest. The 42-year-old was wrestled to the ground and continued to refuse to cooperate with police. He refused to be handcuffed and pulled his hands underneath his body. A short struggle ensued and the man was handcuffed.

The 42-year-old was sat upright and has sworn at police and made threats to officers. The man then kicked out and was forced back onto the ground. Whilst on the ground the 42-year-old kicked a female officer in the shin and then threatened her.

The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged. He will appear in Penrith Local Court at a later date.

Kingswood: Man arrested after positive breath test

A man has been charged after failing an RBT.

At about 10.50pm on Friday, June 7 police were patrolling Somerset Street, Kingswood when they stopped a vehicle for a random breath test.

Police had a conversation with the driver, a 33-year-old Kingswood man. The man was breath tested which returned a positive result.

The man was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis that returned a positive reading of 0.171. The man’s licence was suspended on the spot and he was charged.

South Penrith: Duo arrested after break and enter

A male and female have been arrested after breaking into a closed pharmacy.

At about 3.10am on Saturday, June 8 it is alleged a 20-year-old Jamisontown female

and a 20-year-old Kingswood male have attended a pharmacy on Bringelly Road, South Penrith when the pharmacy was closed.

The pair have broken into the location by smashing the front window and entered the premises. A passerby witnessed this and called 000.

Moments later police arrived at the scene and entered the premises. They located the female curled up on the ground. She was instructed to stay where she was. A short time later the male made himself known to police.

They were both arrested and charged.

Penrith: Man accused of masturbating in Thornton says he was doing a wee

A man has been charged after exposing himself in Thornton.

At about 9.15am on Saturday, June 8 a 30-year-old Mount Druitt man was at Thornton Canal, Thornton Drive, Penrith. At the same time a female was at the same location.

Without any warning the 30-year-old male has pulled down his tracksuit pants and began to masturbate. The female saw this and called 000 to provide a description of the man.

Police attended the scene and located the man on Lord Sheffield Circuit, Penrith. The man was stopped and spoken to. The man admitted to urinating in the river.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, June 20.

Werrington: Suspended learner caught driving without instructor

A learner driver has been caught driving without an instructor and with a suspended licence.

At about 10.40am on Saturday, June 8 police were conducting stationary breath testing on the Great Western Highway, Werrington. A vehicle was directed to enter the breath testing site.

Police had a conversation with the driver, a 30-year-old Llandilo man where he was asked to produce his licence.

The man produced a class C learner’s licence. Police noted that the man was alone in the vehicle. The breath test returned a negative result.

The man was spoken to about being a learner and driving unaccompanied. Checks were made on the man’s licence and revealed that the licence was endorsed as suspended.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, July 23.

ART OF THE PERFECT COMPROMISE

If you have been involved in a legal dispute you might have heard of the term alternative dispute resolution before.

Alternative dispute resolution is just another word for resolving whatever dispute you are involved in without litigation or without going to a final hearing where a Judge decides the outcome.

Alternative dispute resolution comes in a number of different forms and can occur at different stages of your dispute.

Common types of alternative dispute resolution include things like Informal Settlement Conferences, Conciliations or Mediations.

While there are slight differences, they essentially are all the same thing – that is, a roundtable discussion to see if parties can agree to resolve a dispute.

Where an Informal Settlement Conference may just be between the parties and their lawyers, a Mediation or Conciliation usually involves a third party to facilitate discussions known as a Mediator or a Conciliator.

Generally speaking, Mediators and/or Conciliators do not have any power to bind the parties or make a decision on their behalf, they are simply present to assist in constructive discussions about how disputes might be resolved.

Sometimes parties to a dispute would decide to engage in alternate dispute resolution prior to a Court case being commenced.

This often assists in saving legal costs on all sides if a deal can be done before the matter is formalised by way of Court proceedings.

More often, alternative dispute resolution takes place once Court proceedings have already begun.

Usually what happens is one party will start to sue another and as part of the Court process, before a final hearing where a Judge or Magistrate decides the outcome of the case, a Mediation or Informal Settlement Conference will occur.

Most jurisdictions require some form of alternative dispute resolution before the matter can proceed to a final hearing, so even if you do not want to engage in alternative dispute resolution, you will usually have to.

The general process is that each party will be invited to put their position to the

other party either in the form of some sort of document often called a “Position Paper” which summarises their case. If the parties do not reduce their summary of their case to writing, they will usually do this in an “opening session” where essentially each party or their lawyers verbally summarises their respective client’s position before the parties try to strike a deal.

If there is a Mediator or Conciliator involved they will usually bounce between both parties confidentially and communicate offers and/or suggestions as to what might resolve the matter.

The upside of alternative dispute resolution is essentially two-fold.

Firstly, you save yourself a lot of legal costs. Litigation is extremely expensive and by settling your case early without going to a final hearing you usually do not have to pay your lawyers and/or barristers the same amount of money you would have to pay if your matter proceeded to a final hearing.

The second main benefit is that you have certainty of outcome. The risk of litigation is that there is no guarantee that you are going to win. Lawyers will often say they have seen the unwinnable case won and the unlosable case lost. This is because litigation has many variables. Usually your matter will be determined by some sort of Magistrate or Judge who has to hear evidence from witnesses, read certain documents and ultimately decide which version of events to accept. There is no way of knowing what conclusion a Judge or Magistrate is going to reach so by agreeing to compromise and resolve your dispute by way of alternative dispute resolution you are in control of the outcome as opposed to it being in the hands of the Court.

The downside of alternative dispute resolution, or at least the perceived downside, is that you do not necessarily get to have your say entirely. Some people are determined to have their “day in court”.

There is an old saying that goes, “The perfect compromise is one in which neither party gets exactly what they want”.

In other words, alternative dispute resolution usually requires some give and take as opposed to the all or nothing approach with seeing litigation through to a final hearing.

Complete Legal & Conveyancing • 4704 9991 • Suite 11, 354 High Street Penrith

with Daniel McKinnon

Mayoral Charity Fundraiser

FRIDAY 21 JUNE 2024

ST MARYS LEAGUES CLUB

Time: 5:30 – 11pm

Dress: Cocktail Ticket: $110

Enquiries: 4732 7777 events@penrith.city

Contact Us

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

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).

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

24 June 2024 – 7pm (Ordinary Meeting) Online via penrith.city

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

Council Briefs

● Don’t miss Penrith’s Mayoral Charity Fundraiser on Friday, 21 June at St Marys Leagues Club. This gala event will include a three-course meal, drinks, a silent auction and a fabulous show. Ticket sales will raise much-needed funds for the Penrith Community Kitchen, assisting people who are doing it tough in our community.

Visit penrith.city/mayoralcharity

● We’re hosting Breakfast with the Birds on Saturday, 29 June from 8am–12pm at Mountain View Reserve. Join our Bushcare team and Mark Fuller from Avianation for a guided walk and talk around the reserve, identifying birds, weeding, and a yummy breakfast.

Spots are limited so bookings are essential. Find out more at penrith.city/events

● The former Community Connections Building located at December 2021. Due to the extensive structural damage, the safest option is to demolish the building with works commencing from late May to the end of September 2024. To facilitate the demolition, 10 car spaces at Allen Place are currently closed until the end of September 2024 for the storage of construction materials. The majority of the Allen Place car park will remain open.

For more available parking locations visit penrith.city/parking Find out more at yoursaypenrith.com.au/114-116henryst

● Penrith City Council has completed vital upgrades to the turf and irrigation system at The Kingsway Playing Fields in Werrington.

A much-needed new irrigation system has been installed as well as the completion of a two-year turf sprigging program, where the turf and soil has been converted to Couch grass playing performance, and turf management for the precinct,

This project was proudly co-funded by the Australian Government, the NSW Government and Penrith City Council. Since 2020, Council has delivered a series of multi-million dollar upgrades across The Kingsway Playing Fields.

For more information on upgrades at The Kingsway go to penrith.city/spros

Public Notice

Section 47/47A of the Local Government Act 1993 - Proposed Lease on Community Land

Under Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993, notice is hereby given that Penrith City Council intends to grant a Lease located at 35B Colorado Drive, St Clair as detailed:

Applicant: M & R Childcare Centre Pty Ltd t/as Little Smarties

Proposed Use: Childcare Centre

Term: Five years

Description of Land: Lot 21 DP 1231344

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, being Wednesday, 10 July 2024.

For all enquiries: Please contact the Property Development Department on property@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

• Idis & Co Pty Ltd

Lot 1 DP 611050, 92–112 Henry Street, Penrith

DA24/0252

Use of Shop 4 as fashion retail, supplies and accessories shop and design studio including associated signage

• Abed Alrahman Chamma

DA24/0028

Lot 19 Sec E DP 25020, 141–147 Reynolds Road, Londonderry

Secondary dwelling with attached carport and installation of an OSSM System

• Gurpreet Singh Chandi

Lot 823 DP 1279915, 84 Ghera Road, Caddens

Two-storey dwelling

• Flossiy Rutter

Lot 110 DP 264550, 1 Cobra Street, Cranebrook

Strata subdivision x 2 lots

• Wayne Wilson

Lot 1210 DP 1171492, 24 Sydney Smith Drive, Penrith

DA24/0298

DA24/0206

DA24/0190

Construction of studio loft and Strata title subdivision x 2 lots

Changes to Emu Hall approved, including function overhaul

The parking situation at Emu Hall is expected to change with ticketed boom gates set to operate during events.

A Development Application (DA) was last week approved by Penrith City Council giving Emu Hall the go-ahead to make modifications to the external design of the function centre and amendments to the car park layout.

Parking at Emu Hall on a busy day has notoriously been tricky but the restaurant has made its plans clear to mitigate this via a ticketed boom gate.

The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA outlined ways in which the site will aim to reduce parking demand including the proposed boom gate.

“It is proposed to implement the following measures to maximise the availability of parking supply and minimise the cumulative parking demand,” the SEE attached to the DA said.

“Install ticketed boom gates on-site to restrict access to the site

and reduce parking by non customers. Dining and function centre customers will have their parking tickets validated so they do not have to pay.

“There will be a focus on booking daytime, weekday corporate func-

Dev. Consent/s Determined (cont.)

• Ml & Jm Cole Pty Ltd

DA23/0791

Lot 20 Sec 14 DP 758387, 9–11 Bedford Street, Emu Plains

Demolition of existing structures and Torrens title subdivision x 3 lots

• Morgan Gary Buckley

DA24/0321

Lot 118 DP 258807, 7 Gloria Place, South Penrith

Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling including attached garage

• Allworth Constructions Pty Ltd

DA24/0307

Lot 153 DP 251393, 51 Drake Street, Jamisontown

Two-storey dwelling

• True North Design & Drafting Pty Ltd

DA24/0193

Lot 43 DP 240985, 18 Hunter Street, Emu Plains

Alterations and additions to existing dwelling

• The Trustee for Legpro Orchard Hills

Mod24/0085 Unit Trust

Lot 9 DP 1344, Lot 12 DP 1344, Lot 13 DP 1344, Lot 14 DP 1344, Lot 16 DP 1344, Lot 17 DP 1344, Lot 35 DP 1344, Lot 36 DP 1344, Lot 37 DP 1344, Lot 100 DP 700141 and Lot 101 DP 700141, 106–112 Caddens Road, Orchard Hills

Consent DA23/0948 to allow the staged subdivision of the approved Integrated Development for the Torrens title subdivision of Lot 1 into 3 lots at 114–146 Caddens Road, and works including demolition of 3 dwellings and associated structures, bulk earthworks, and remediation – site includes 106–154 Caddens Road and 91–107 Castle Road

Integrated Developments

Penrith City Council has received a Development Application in respect of the subject property. The consent authority for the application is Penrith City Council.

tions on-site when demand and café visitation is at its lowest.”

The report outlined that when there is overlap between events, mitigation plans would be in place.

For large events, measures such as allocation of off-site parking

at neighbouring properties (with permission), event shuttle buses to key locations and allocation of reserved car parking spaces will be considered.

The amendments outlined in the approved DA are expected to cost

• BlueCHP Limited DA24/0385

Lot 4211 DP 1234611, 12 Squadron Street, Jordan Springs Construction of a permanent group home comprising of 4 single resident rooms

The proposal is an Integrated Development under Section 4.46 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and requires approval from the NSW Rural Fire Service and 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 in the period from Monday, 17 June 2024 to Tuesday, 16 July 2024.

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 is to include Council’s reference number DA24/0385. For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Natalie Piggott on 4732 7607.

Penrith City Council has received an amended Development Application in respect of the subject property. The consent authority for the application is Penrith City Council.

• The Trustee for Legpro Orchard Hills DA23/0969 Unit Trust

Lot 6 DP 1344, 2 Kingswood Road; Lot 7 DP 1344, 90–96 Caddens Road; Lot 8 DP 1344, 98–104 Caddens Road; Lot 9 DP 1344, 106–112 Caddens Road; Lot 100 DP 700141, 114–122 Caddens Road; Lot 101 DP 700141, 124–130 Caddens Road; Lot 12 DP 1344, 132–138 Caddens Road; Lot 13 DP 1344, 140–146 Caddens Road; Lot 36 DP 1344, 99–105 Castle Road; Lot 37

$2,600,000 and will see other parts of Emu Hall also revamped.

“The... SEE is to accompany a modification application to Penrith City Council seeking consent to amend the location of the approved function centre and undertake related layout and operational changes...” the SEE attached to the DA said.

The footprint of the function centre will be moved further to the north-west, which will substantially improve the visibility of Emu Hall when viewed from the north-east to south-east and also improves site functionality.

The function centre will be reduced in size with a vestibule, back of house and ‘meet and greet’ area to the rear.

Emu Hall plans to use the former stables at the historic property as a back-of-house space at ground level and as a bridal party room at the upper level.

The stables had not previously been used since Emu Hall was brought back to life several years ago.

Work is expected to begin in the near future.

DP 1344, 107–115 Castle Road; and Lot 14 DP 1344, Lot 15 DP 1344, Lot 16 DP 1344, Lot 17 DP 1344, 148–154 Caddens Road, Orchard Hills

Integrated Development for Torrens title subdivision of 1 lot into 88 residential lots and 1 residue lot, including upgrade works to Caddens Road and a portion of Mariposa Circuit, drainage works in Braeburn Street, earthworks, new roads, landscaping, retaining walls, stormwater works and associated works

The amended proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the NSW Rural Fire Service and Department of Planning and Environment (Water).

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations

in the period from Monday, 17 June 2024 to Sunday, 14 July 2024.

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 is to include Council’s reference number DA23/0969. For any queries relating to the proposal:

Please contact Jake Bentley on 4732 8087.

Viewing of Development Applications

The above development application/s may be viewed on Council’s DA Tracker via penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/DATracker

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

Emu Hall. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE

PAGE TEN

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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

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the performance of Gozney’s professional ovens, used by leading chefs and restaurants all over the world. Visit https://au.gozney. com/products/roccbox. The Weekender has a Gozney Roccbox to give away. For your chance to win, send an email to competitions@ westernweekender. com.au with ‘Pizza’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, June 30 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www. westernweekender. com.au or Weekender reception.

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: 0066, 0368, 1002.

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 newly constructed yellow News Express stand is located at Penrith Train Station. Have you seen this on your travels yet?

The freezing weather of the past week has got us wishing for spring and another summer. Who else has been reaching for an extra blanket in recent times?

We’d like to wish Chris Pennisi and Megan Dunn all the best, as they finish their long journeys with Western Sydney Publishing Group today. Here’s to what comes next!

Buck passed on water leak

Laughable:

The condition of the Emu Heights off leash dog park has been deteriorating for months and it appears nobody wants to take responsibility to fix it.

Rashmi Verrier and her two dogs Nacho and Nugget are regular users of the park, and noticed in March that a rusted bore pipe had water beginning to gush out of it.

“It’s been like this now for about four months,” Verrier said.

“It hasn’t been fixed.

“I wish I could do more, [and] I wish my voice was more heard, but I just don’t know what else to do.”

Verrier reached out to Penrith City Council when the pipe first began to leak water, but they confirmed to her that while the park was their asset to maintain, the pipes were not.

Verrier then reached out to Sydney Water, who also confirmed the pipes did not fall under their jurisdiction.

“I contacted Penrith City Council on the 3rd of March and let them know and they put a case through,” Verrier said.

“They said they had someone come out and have a look at it and he just said it wasn’t a Penrith City Council issue.

“So, then they told me to contact [the] water [company] which they had already done for me, but they never got back to me either.”

Verrier is mainly worried about the health of her dogs and other animals as the water has settled into a stagnant creek which has an orange tinge to it.

“I think it is more the fact that the rust is seeping out and the oil around it,” Verrier said.

“I’m concerned about the dogs licking it [and] the children playing near it.

“We get kangaroos, we get red belly [black snakes] here and I just feel like it is a bit of a concern for all the animals and for the people

walking through it.”.

The sign on the rusted pipe is worn away but clearly has the stamp of the NSW Government and the Office of Water on it.

The Weekender reached out to various water and government agencies this week but has been given no clear indication as to who’s responsibility it is to fix this issue and when it will be fixed.

In the meantime, the rusted pipe continues to leak water.

Rashmi and her dogs Nugget and Nacho. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The source of the water. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Why restaurants are hitting the road

Restaurants forced to close their permanent locations are resurfacing thanks to the food truck phenomenon.

Burger restaurant Burger Head and Greek eatery Avli both closed their physical stores last year and have now made their comebacks as food trucks.

Sophia Griggs from Avli said that coming back as a food truck wasn’t something originally planned for the restaurant.

“When we closed up late last year, a lot of our loyal customers were quite upset,” Griggs said.

“I went to school with the guys who own Squinters Brewery.

“The week of Christmas we went up there to pick up some beer and they said ‘[Our chef] is going on holiday for one week and we need to have food here. Would you guys be interested in doing something?’.

“I said ‘no’ straight away and my husband Dane said ‘yes’… so then we decided ‘why not? It’ll be fun’.”

After being out of the hospitality business for six months, the pop-up was a big success.

“So, then we did the event, and it was such a big success, not just for us but for Squinters as well.

“And people thought we were back.”

Sophia and her husband Dane held another event with their food truck in April, which was just as successful, and it helped them to decide to bring Avli back.

“We are still nervous, even though it is hospitality it’s a different ball game, [and] it’s a slightly different avenue,” Griggs said.

“We are still having to learn how to work within that aspect of hospitality… but it is something we are really excited for.

“We’re excited to do more street-style food

and bring more of a flair to our food as well.”

Avli will now be a pop-up van at events as well as being available for functions and events.

Another Penrith restaurant turned food truck is Burger Head and one of the founders, Josh DeLuca, said that their transition into a food truck was partly because of the economic pressures of operating a business but their already established brand has helped them make the transition.

“For us it has worked because we had a brand originally, our food truck was second to our shop,” DeLuca said.

“We’d sort of developed a following and a

brand and what we were about was already existing whereas I feel that’s a little bit harder to come across as a truck.

“If you’re starting from scratch and you have nothing, it’s a lot more difficult getting customers in the door because people are going to gravitate to experiences they know [and] feel comfortable with.”

Burger Head now has a permanent location on the grounds of Penrith Paceway, but keep an eye on their social media for their pop-up locations.

Avli’s official launch will come next month, so keep an eye on their social media for the latest news.

The Avli team is back, this time with a food truck.

Burger Head’s popular food truck.

EMILY CHATE

Connection with the UK is hard to break

The opportunity of a public holiday for the King’s Birthday was probably enough to turn most Australians into ardent monarchists. We’ve all memorised the date of Christmas and ANZAC Day. However, this one snuck up on me.

Monday, June 10 was not even King Charles’ real birthday, which falls halfway through November.

I guess most of us simply shrugged our shoulders and pocketed the win.

Allocating a day on our national calendar to commemorate a head of state who resides some 17,000 kilometres away might strike some as an anachronism.

In fact, it probably felt that way to a good many residents in the Penrith Council area, even though a big percentage of us still trace our ancestry back to the Mother Country. Nonetheless, a certain reverence remains towards royalty. And after a life in the public eye that has endured more twists and turns than Coronation Street, the King has earned broad respect for his resilience, particularly since being diagnosed with cancer.

Here in Australia, predictions that support for a republic would turbo-charge with the change of monarch have fallen flat. And the reason is something of fascination to me. I

think it’s that for all the ways Australian society has changed, there is still something that many of us find comforting about familiar figures, cultures and institutions.

In a world variously in flux from geopolitical conflict, economic disruption, technology revolution, increased secularisation and social change, Australia’s bedrock characteristics have remained steadfast.

This is a concept I would have laughed at when I lined up to vote ‘Yes’ in the 1999 republic referendum. It’s natural to feel restless with the status quo at 19, and almost certainly, I would vote ‘Yes’ if the question came up again. However, it’s when you get older that you realise the status quo has its benefits as the alternative might be worse.

I spent the first seven years of my life growing up in north London. Many memories remain vivid: my first piano lesson, watching ‘E.T.’ at the cinemas, catching the Jubilee Line into the city, jumping on the living room settee to ‘Top of the Pops’.

When we migrated to Australia in 1987 for Dad’s work, carloads of weeping extended family came to see us off at Heathrow. It was Qantas Flight 2, stopping at Bahrain and Singapore en route to Sydney. I threw up in the airsick bag on the first leg.

The sunset descent into Changi felt ethereal to a seven-year-old boy, as we pierced through translucent clouds to glimpse the water. Dad bought me a Rubik’s Magic at the airport.

When we landed in Sydney at dawn, our uncle, aunt and tiny cousins were there at the terminal.

“I suspect we’re going to be celebrating the King’s Birthday for some time yet”

I still remember that first drive back to their place in Campbelltown. Everything felt drier, sunnier, wider and flatter; the streets perpendicular and houses squat.

We flew back to London two years later after Dad passed away. This time, I remember Mum crying as she led my sisters and I to the aircraft, after we had farewelled our relatives at the departure gate.

We wouldn’t go back for another 10 years

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until the Christmas of 2000. This time, it was me crying as we left grandma on the doorstep and got in the taxi for the airport.

Something told me we wouldn’t see her again.

During my backpacking days, London was a regular stop as I zoomed between the likes of New York, Reykjavik, San Sebastian and Budapest.

Summers were always best, like the time I flew in during the epic 2005 Ashes cricket contest or revelled in the atmosphere of the 2014 World Cup Football.

On my last visit, I somehow corralled family members from all parts of the city to attend a big reunion in the West End.

This past week, with the weather in Sydney cold and wet, I’ve found myself wistfully checking the summer temperatures in London, only to find out things are not much different there.

Nonetheless, the UK continues to be a place that weaves in and out of my life, as it does for many Australians.

It’s always there, like a sentimental piece of crockery waiting to be plucked from the shelf.

I also suspect we’re going to be celebrating the King’s Birthday for some time yet.

There’s plenty of ways to catch up on what’s happening in Penrith, including via our WhatsApp updates. That’s right, hit the ‘channels’ button your WhatsApp and search Western Weekender, or head directly to: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vad8DTL0QeahKbnYn62p.

Wester n Sydney University, Hawkesbury Institute of Environment, Richmond, NSW

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment REGISTRATION OF INTEREST

Urbis has been commissioned by Architectus on behalf of Wester n Sydney University (‘the Proponent’) to conduct an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) at the site located on the cor ner of Resource Road and Science Road, Wester n Sydney University Campus, Richmond, NSW legally described as Lot 2 in DP 1051798.

The ACHA is being prepared to support a State Signi cant Development Application (‘SSDA’) under Division 4.7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), which seeks approval for the construction of a single level education and research building within the subject area.

The proponent contact details are as follows:

Wayne Clark

Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Wester n Sydney University w.clark@wester nsydney.edu.au

The ACHA is to be carried out in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 (NSW) and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents (DECCW 2010) and will include consultation with local Indigenous community groups, Knowledge Holders and individuals who hold local cultural knowledge relevant to the local area.

Urbis invite local Indigenous community members and Knowledge Holders who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the signi cance of Aboriginal object(s) and/ or places in the location of the study area to register their interest in being involved in consultation as a Registered Aboriginal Party (‘RAP’).

Please register your interest in writing to the contact details provided below by 21 June 2024

Kirsten Downey Consultant Urbis Ltd Level 8, 123 Pitt Street Sydney, NSW, 2000 E: kdowney@urbis.com.au

Please note that any details relating to Indigenous community groups, Knowledge Holders or individuals who should be consulted with respect to this project may be provided to the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Heritage NSW Registrants are welcome to request that their details are not provided to Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Heritage NSW.

This request can be made at the time of registration, or by contacting Wayne Clark, w.clark@wester nsydney.edu.au

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The Speedway tragedy

Horrific and tragic are the only words to describe a devastating crash at Penrith Speedway in the late 1930s.

On Monday, June 13, 1938, families were enjoying a relaxing day out watching cars speed around the local racetrack, with no one anticipating the eventual tragedy that would soon follow.

A grandmother and her two grandchildren would not return home that day.

Maria Jones was spectating that fateful day with her three daughters, Elizabeth, seven, Clarice, 23, and Mary Baker, 27, and Baker’s two children, Walter, two, and Pamela, five months.

The family sat on the sideline to eat their lunch and watch a race that would have an unexpected and tragic conclusion.

The 10 mile (16km) championship race was for cars of various powers, with around seven racers hitting speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (over 110km per hour).

It was the final lap, and the lead car, driven by a 27-year-old male from Randwick, was trying to negotiate one of the worst bends in the track.

His car started to skid sideways, became uncontrollable and then hurtled over a ditch.

It then charged side-on to the spectators who were separated by only a wire fence on the inside of the track.

Surrounding spectators tried to jump clear, but many had no time to escape the speeding vehicle coming toward them.

Video footage of the accident shows people being thrown on impact from the force of the car.

Jones, who was nursing her five-month-old granddaughter, Pamela, received full force of the impact when the car landed on top of them. Both the baby and Jones were killed on impact.

Jones’ second grandchild, two-year-old Walter, was also badly injured and died at the scene.

“As the car jumped into the crowd, men, women, and children seemed to be hurled into the air,” an ambulance officer said.

“One of the victims appeared to be thrown 10-feet, and the screams of the injured were hurled together with screams of spectators.”

A story from The Argus on June 14, 1938.

The car hit a post in the fence before it could plough through the crowd any further, potentially preventing the loss of more lives. Jones’ three daughters, including the mother of the two deceased children, suffered severe injuries, but survived the tragic accident.

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Ted King at Penrith Speedway in 1925. Photo: State Library NSW.

that rocked community

Speedway • Track closed just three years later

In a sad twist, the father of the two deceased infants witnessed the event, and only narrowly missed being struck.

Other spectators were admitted to Penrith Hospital after collapsing from severe shock, with 10 others physically injured.

Newspaper reports from the time made special mention of a local reverend, Father Peter Gallagher, who knelt by the bodies of the

deceased and prayed for them and their families.

Incredibly, it wasn’t the only accident at the Speedway that day.

Reports said there was an accident earlier that morning, where a motorcycle racer fractured his skull during a practice ride.

There were two extreme accidents in the finals race that day, with the first incident occurring in just the second of 10 laps.

A car carrying both the driver and mechanic rolled over after skidding at a bend close to the railway line at the track, throwing the driver out and breaking his leg, and then somersaulting through the fence.

The mechanic was stuck in the car, and the ambulance officer rescuing him severely burnt his own arm.

While this rescue took place, and just eight laps later, the second car skidded into spectators.

Since opening in 1924, the one mile track was referred to as the

‘The World’s Greatest Dirt Track’ by international competitors.

The speedway had been operating for 14 years before this day of unfortunate events, with another fatal accident in 1925, killing one competitor.

However, in 1941, just three years after this tragic day, it was compulsorily acquired by the Commonwealth Defence Department.

The speedway closed forever in May 1941.

Today, the Thornton development sits where the Speedway once thrived and where the lives of Maria Jones and little Walter and Pamela came to an end.

Deli ve r ing the next generation o f of health care to the Nepean region

Matilda Nepean provides specialist inpatient care and day therapy programs that foster health and wellbeing

Matilda Nepean provides specialist health care services in rehabilitation, medical, ger iatr ics, palliative care and mental health within a purpose-built five-star boutique hotel-style environment.

Visiting hour s: Mon to Fr i 8am to 8pm Sat & Sun 9am to 5pm

The Sydney Morning Herald ’s story on June 14, 1938.

Penrith Speedway in 1928.

The moment of the tragedy in 1938.

Doing their bit: Childcare centre steps up during cost-of-living crisis

Green Garden Childcare Centre is stepping up to do its part in tough economic times.

The centre has kicked off their community drive and are encouraging people to drop off children’s clothes, toys and books.

Centre Director Melanie Carter said the program is about everyone doing their part.

“We just know that at the moment there is a lot of people affected in the community with the cost-of-living crisis happening and the rise of the cost-of-living, so we just thought we can do our part by asking for donations of brand new or in good condition clothes, toys and everything like that,” she said.

“So, the community can come in and go through and grab what they need and hopefully it helps just that little bit.”

Fellow educator Olivia Bateup said that the drive is already being utilised by the public.

“It’s actually been very popular,” she said.

“We had someone walk through

the other day and they just grabbed so much.

“They were like ‘Is this OK?’ and we were like ‘Please take what you need’.”

Carter said they are encouraging people to take whatever they need in these times.

“We have bags available if people feel a bit embarrassed or anything so they can kind of pop it in the bag,” she said.

“The only thing we ask is that they don’t take the clothes hangers, it’s kind of a bit of a struggle to keep replacing the clothes hangers but otherwise they can take whatever they need and as much as they need.”

The community drive is planned to be a feature of the centre year-round, and Carter said it is good to be helping their community.

“It makes you feel good that we are able to help that little bit and it’s not actually us doing a lot but it’s helping people,” she said.

All donations are welcome at

the Green Garden Childcare Centre on Lethbridge Street, Penrith.

Melanie Carter and Olivia Bateup are spear-heading a community drive. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE

Law prize’s latest winner named

Penrith High School’s Pranavan Prakash has won the 34th Bateman Battersby Law Bursary.

Pranavan completed the HSC in 2023 achieving an ATAR of 98.70 and has been admitted to the University of New South Wales to study for a combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws degree.

The Bateman Battersby Law Bursary has been awarded since 1990. It was instigated by the partners of Penrith legal firm Bateman Battersby Lawyers to encourage high school students in the Penrith and Blue Mountains Local Government Areas to undertake legal studies at a tertiary level and to assist them financially in their initial year of legal study.

Many of the previous Bursary winners have

achieved great success in practising Law in a variety of fields, working in high level management positions in both the private and public sectors and teaching law at universities both in Australia and overseas.

Firm partner John Bateman stated: “All of our 34 Law Bursary winners have exhibited the immense depth of talent and capacity that exists in the high school students of western Sydney”.

As the 34th winner of the award, Pranavan was presented with the Bateman Battersby Bursary trophy and bursary winner’s cheque by firm partners John Bateman and Michael Battersby.

Applications for this year’s Bateman Battersby Law Bursary are now open.

Boost for community providers

Nepean Food Services is among the local organisations to receive funding as part of the latest round of the Community Building Partnership Program, run by the State Government.

The Penrith electorate has secured almost $300,000 in funding through the program for new projects.

Nepean Food Services will receive $60,000 for a bus to support social activities for the vulnerable and isolated clients in the Penrith community.

“This is fantastic news for Penrith,” said State Penrith MP Karen McKeown.

“This grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.”

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Funding boost for St Marys Council is working hard to ensure the St Marys Town Centre is ready to make the most of the changes that are coming with the opening of the Sydney Metro –Western Sydney Airport rail line. It’s critical that the St Marys community has the infrastructure and services needed to thrive now and into the future.

A key part of this work is to create a more vibrant Town Centre that is appealing to residents, visitors, and businesses, which in turn helps to grow and strengthen the local economy.

We’ve received $400,000 to support our efforts through the NSW Government’s Community Improvement District (CID) Pilot Program. The funding will be used to enhance the Town Centre with lighting and streetscape improvements, signage, programs to help prepare local businesses for future growth, and more events that celebrate local culture.

Some of the funding will also be used for a marketing campaign to attract more people and investment into the St Marys

St John Ambulance will receive more than $56,000 for a vehicle to be customised with medical equipment and resources, enhancing community healthcare and emergency response capabilities in Penrith.

“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area,” McKeown said.

Other community organisations to receive funding include PCYC, Baptist Churches of NSW Property Trust, Leonay Public School P & C Association and the Museum of Fire.

The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 19,700 community projects since it commenced in 2009.

Town Centre.

These initiatives were identified in Council’s recently endorsed St Marys Town Centre Place Plan, which outlines actions over the next five years to enhance the Town Centre and was developed in consultation with the community.

They will complement other projects in the Town Centre including St Marys Central Park, which is set to become a community hub with ample green, open space for recreation, play areas for families and children, shade, public artwork, and an entertainment area.

Speaking of entertainment – St Marys Lights Up is on again this Saturday, June 15 from 4-9pm. The free winter festival will see Queen Street transformed with roving performers, amusement rides, creative workshops, food trucks and live music. Grab your family and friends, rug up, head out to the festival, and don’t forget to support the fantastic local businesses.

CR TODD CARNEY Mayor of Penrith

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John Bateman and Michael Battersby with Pranavan Prakash.

Nepean Food Services General Manager Ditte Kozak with State Penrith MP Karen McKeown.

Beef cheeks at Panthers aim to be pick of the club food bunch

EMILY CHATE

Kelly’s Bar + Kitchen at Panthers

Penrith Leagues Club has entered their beef cheeks into the Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards.

Over 150 clubs from across New South Wales have selected a dish from their menu to be entered into the competition for the public to vote on what the most ‘perfect plate’ is.

Celebrity chef Courtney Roulston stopped by Panthers to talk about the awards.

“The idea is diners come in until the 16th of June and we want them to try the Perfect Plate dish, there is a QR code you can scan, and we get them to give it a score out of five,” Roulston explained.

“So, it is up to the public to pick who wins out of the clubs and I just think it’s something fun and it’s competition. We are here at Panthers and competition brings out the best in people whether it’s on the rugby league field or in the kitchen.

“Perfect Plate is all about showing off what club dining is all about and showing off how good it is and how much variety there is.

“But also, for the clubs who haven’t entered, we want them to see what clubs

are doing and we want them to enter next year. The aim of it is to drive the quality of the club food even higher than it is and to get people thinking differently about club food.”

Roulston gave Panthers submission, the Asian Braised Beef Cheeks, her stamp of approval.

“Out here at Penrith now that we are in winter, I think that’s the kind of food that you want particularly if we’ve got people coming in after the games or families coming in for dinner,” Roulston said.

“A beef cheek when the weather’s cold, I think that is the perfect plate to have at this time of year.”

Roulston said that the quality of the dishes from the clubs around the state has been amazing.

“You can just tell from a snapshot of today the variety that’s on offer from clubs these days and the quality and value for money,” Roulston said.

Head down to Panthers to try the Perfect Plate dish or visit www.perfectplate.com. au to find your nearest participating club and make sure to give the dish a rating.

The two diners who vote for the most Perfect Plate dishes will win a ‘foodie getaway’ valued at $3,500.

Get in quick! The competition closes this Sunday, June 16.

Celebrity chef Courtney Roulston tries the beef cheeks at Panthers.

Defining moment: Threepeat for WSU

Western Sydney University has been named number one in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings released this week, topping the world’s leading university sustainability ranking for an unprecedented three years in a row.

Western Sydney University placed first overall in Australia and internationally for its social, economic and environmental impact in the prestigious annual rankings, competing against more than 1,900 higher education institutions from 125 countries.

“It is a remarkable and defining moment for an Australian university to be recognised as number one in the world in such a highly competitive global rankings system for three years in a row,” said Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Clare Pollock.

POTHOLE ISSUES ON THE RISE

The NRMA has seen growing calls for help from motorists stranded due to wheel and tyre damage over the last two months following wet weather with more than 12,000 calling for roadside assistance in April and May.

“While cars are becoming more reliable, pot holes are one issue no car can stand up against and many drivers may not be aware that their vehicle isn’t fitted with a spare tyre until they need it, which is especially the case with newer vehicles and electric vehicles,” said NRMA Roadside CEO Carolyn Darke.

The NRMA has called for more funding to be delivered to local Councils are flood events to help repair potholes.

Delight for Dorin

Western Weekender cartoonist honoured on King’s Birthday

When he is not at the drawing desk, Western Weekender

cartoonist Paul Dorin is also a Station Commander with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW). And this week, Dorin has been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours, receiving an Australian Fire Service Medal for his more than 30 years of dedicated service to FRNSW and his community.

Throughout his career, Dorin has exemplified the values of FRNSW and is well-regarded by firefighters and staff alike as a passionate, knowledgeable, supportive, empathetic and humble leader.

Dorin has been the brainchild for two great community initiatives, including the Home Care & Disability Fire Safety Program, which he developed after recognising the potential link between clients and carers and how this could help support fire safety efforts. The program uses a QR code which becomes part of a client’s communication folder which allows access to fire safety resources including

an electronic form to book a free safety visit where local firefighters will attend a client’s home and identify any potential fire hazards and ensure working smoke alarms are present.

As part of this year’s Winter

I’M HERE TO HELP YOU

Fire Safety Campaign, Fire and Rescue NSW launched the inaugural Smoke Alarm Action Day, or SAAD, on Saturday, June 1. Smoke Alarm Action Day was also the brainchild of Dorin, and takes a FRNSW principal

Karen’s Comment

The weekly views of the State Member for Penrith

community safety message and gives it its own day to help make the public take action. Dorin’s concept is simple – all he asked is for people to check their smoke alarms were working, on the first day of winter, a time that usually sees an increase in residential fires.

Throughout Captain Dorin’s three decades as an on-call firefighter, he has consistently upheld FRNSW values and shown a level of dedication to improving community safety that is second to none. He is regarded as a role model not only to his crew, but throughout Fire and Rescue NSW, and is an inspiration to all who know him.

“I feel very fortunate to be recognised in this way. I also feel very fortunate to be part of an organisation that is highly regarded within the community. Being a firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW is in its own right is a great privilege. Receiving an AFSM today is surreal and an absolute honour,” Dorin said. You can view Dorin’s cartoons on Page 10 of the Weekender every week.

Penrith granted seven Community Building Partnership Projects

I am proud to announce that the electorate of Penrith has secured $295,143.00 in funding for a number of projects through the NSW Government’s 2023 Community Building Partnership Program.

The State Government funds will deliver much-needed improvements to local facilities, including the delivery of custom fit medical equipment for St John Ambulance and resources for emergency response capabilities in the Penrith area. The funding will also allow Leonay Public School to refurbish their original canteen, ensuring it is fit for purpose.

Since commencing in 2009, the Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 19,799 community projects. The grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental, and recreational outcomes.

I congratulate all the organisations in the Penrith electorate that were successful in their application for the 2023 round. As the year progresses, I look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area.

Congratulations also to:

• Nepean Food Services Inc

• Baptist Churches of NSW Property Trust

• Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) NSW Ltd

• St John Ambulance Australia (NSW)

• Mama Lana’s Community Foundation

• Leonay Public School P & C Association

• Museum of Fire Inc

Paul Dorin has been honoured with the Fire Service Medal.

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Δ New chicken shop: Paradise Chicken has opened at Caddens Corner Shopping Centre. Say hello to charcoal chicken with a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean twist (pictured). Paradise Chicken sells delicious chicken with a wide range of Lebanese dishes to choose from too. It’s open across from Falak Indian restaurant seven days a week.

Δ Foodie shake-up: No Way Jose! Prepare your palate for an unprecedented culinary experience never seen before in Sydney!

Discover the fusion of Mexican and Indian flavours, crafted with 18 years of hospitality mastery, now available in Penrith. Craving some Dirty Nachos with soy keema? Join ‘No Way Jose’ at Manufactor every Sunday outside of Drink West, open from 12pm to 7.30pm. Permanent dates are also being looked at.

Δ KFC fan-favourite returns: The Double has officially returned to KFC. And if that wasn’t enough, the Colonel has cooked up something truly special for fans across the nation who have waited patiently for its return with not one, not two, but three variations of the Double on their way, including what may be the most delicious incarnation yet: the Waffle Double. Available across the country for the very first time, the Waffle Double (pictured) is made with a golden, fluffy waffle, bacon and Smokey Maple Mayo packed between two fillets of the new Original Crispy chicken, bringing together sweet, savoury and smokey into one mouth-watering treat. And if that isn’t enough, they are also hard launching the Original Double, now featuring the

new Original Crispy fillets, and bringing back the beloved Zinger Double! Gracing menus until July 8, the Waffle Double, Zinger Double and Original Double can be purchased from participating restaurants nationwide as a standalone treat or in a Combo or Box if you want a full feed.

Δ Ferry farewell: The MV Evonne Goolagong has made her last trip up the Parramatta River as the ferry officially enters retirement. Named in honour of Australian tennis legend and Wiradjuri woman Evonne Goolagong Cawley, fans of the ferry turned out to farewell the vessel with a smile, a wave, and some special cupcakes. Ferry Master George Gow was emotional as he said goodbye to the vessel he’s steered for more than 20 years. The iconic RiverCat vessel was built in 1993 and has been in service for more than 30 years, ferrying passengers up and down the Parramatta River on the F3 route.

Δ Half July: With Dry July only weeks away, the idea of teetotaling our way through the whole month is admirable. And while plenty of us beer lovers head into Dry July with the best of intentions, who can blame us for falling off the wagon a couple of weeks in (or in some cases, days), when our options are reduced to water, nootropic wellness drinks and non-alcoholic beers that, let’s face it, still taste like non-alcoholic beers. There has to be a way we can feel like we’re behaving ourselves without too much sacrifice? After all, isn’t life hard enough these days? Enter Hawke’s Half XPA (pictured right) – a deceptively full-flavoured, multi-award winning, low-alc (1.75% ABV) pale ale that’s only half a

standard drink in a tin. It’s all about delivering big on flavour, while keeping things easy and breezy, not boozy. Perfect for when you’re up for a beer but only half up for a drink. Which is what Half July is all about. Pours pale and golden with a slight haze. Generous additions of Citra and El Dorado hops bring forth aromatic bursts of mango and pineapple, while lashings of orange wrap around the palate. An easy-drinking XPA, complemented by subtle malt sweetness and low bitterness. A drop in alcohol without a drop in flavour.

Eight ways to expand your small business social media reach BUSINESS

HWITH HANNAH STACK

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS CENTRE • 4721 5011

ere are eight powerful strategies you can use today to expand your social media reach and get your brand noticed:

1. Embrace the power of short-form video

Let’s face it, our attention spans are shrinking. Short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are exploding in popularity for a reason – they’re engaging, informative, and easily digestible.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with creating visually appealing, bite-sized content that showcases your brand personality and resonates with your target audience.

2. Hashtag research

Hashtags are like social media keywords, helping users discover content related to their interests. But don’t just throw in random hashtags – a strategic approach is key. Focus on a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags. Popular hashtags attract a broad audience, while niche hashtags connect you with a more targeted group or location. Branded hashtags, unique to your business, help build brand awareness and encourage user-generated content.

3. Build relationships

Take the time to actively engage with your audience and other relevant accounts.

Leave thoughtful comments on posts, participate in industry discussions, and respond promptly to messages and questions. Building genuine connections fosters a sense of community.

4. Collaboration is key

Ever heard of the saying “two heads are better than one”? This applies to social media too! Partnering with complementary businesses on co-created content or joint giveaways is a fantastic way to tap into new audiences.

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A consistent presence increases the chances of your content being seen by your followers and the algorithm gods. Consider using a content calendar to plan and organise your posts in advance, ensuring a steady stream of engaging content.

6. Giveaways: The gift that keeps on giving

Who doesn’t love free stuff? Running contests and giveaways on social media is a tried-and-true method for generating excitement, boosting brand awareness, and expanding your reach.

7. The Power of User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful tool to showcase your brand through the eyes of your customers.

Encourage your audience to share photos or videos using your products or services.

Repost and share this UGC on your channels, giving credit to the creators.

8. Schedule in advance

Managing multiple social media platforms can be overwhelming. Luckily, there are user-friendly scheduling tools available to streamline the process.

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Tthe finalword

he Panthers head to Newcastle this Sunday with a renewed confidence after bouncing back from a horror performance against the Dragons to beat the Sea Eagles last Sunday at BlueBet Stadium.

The 32-22 victory was a relief to players and fans alike but still exposed a few chinks in the armour as Penrith’s Premiership defence rolls on.

While the Panthers still have the best defensive record in the competition heading in to Round 15, gone are the days where you could trust Penrith to concede a maximum of two tries in a game, their steel-like defence a key factor in three straight Premierships.

Worrying of late in particular is the defensive lapses of Izack Tago and Sunia Turuva, Tago in particular found all at sea against Manly last Sunday with Tommy Talau having a field day down the Penrith right side.

And it’s not only in defence where Tago is having some trouble – he’s got 20 errors next to his name this season, and leads the competition in penalties conceded with 14. Something just isn’t right there at the moment, but you’ve got to have confidence that a player as good as Tago can get it sorted before the business end of the season arrives.

The Panthers welcome back Dylan Edwards and possibly Liam Martin this week, Edwards having one last opportunity to prove to New South Wales coach Michael Maguire that he had it right the first time around when selecting him at fullback for Origin I. A trouble-free performance should see him get the opportunity that so cruelly evaded him at Accor Stadium.

There is no question Martin will be there for game two of Origin and we’d love to see him bring some of the aggression he brought to the

biggest stage last week back to his club football. Martin has been a little quiet for Penrith this year but proved in a blue jumper he’s still got that ferocious spirit that makes him one of the best second-rowers in the game.

So what do we make of this Newcastle team of 2024?

With so much hope for a solid season, Adam O’Brien’s side finds itself sitting in 13th spot on the ladder and in real danger of missing the Finals if they don’t string wins together soon. They were tough against the Storm last week but in the end, their leaky defence let them down.

O’Brien has struggled all year to nail down the team line-up and find the right combinations. The constant switches in the halves have only shown more uncertainty.

At home on a Sunday afternoon, however, the Knights would rate themselves a chance

against a Penrith side that has proven itself beatable at times this year, including by sides outside of the eight.

The key will be to put pressure on Penrith through the middle and to somehow stop the side’s powerful running game, which was on show in spades against the Sea Eagles.

It’s no surprise to anyone that the Knights have made more tackles than any other club this season. They put themselves under pressure far too much, and no side giving up that much ball can get the momentum needed to win games consistently.

If Newcastle can deliver a solid completion rate and get their fair share of field position, they’ll be a chance of winning this one.

But ahead of a bye and with Edwards and Martin back in the side, the Panthers should have too much class here.

Tip: Panthers by 14.

TROY DODDS SUNDAY, JUNE 16 | 4.05PM | MCDONALD JONES STADIUM | REFEREE: GRANT ATKINS | BUNKER: ASHLEY KLEIN

panther rumblings

MAY FRONTS PANTHERS BOARD

! Batman brings Justice League: Stood down Penrith centre Taylan May fronted the club’s Board on Tuesday afternoon in an effort to save his future at the club and likely his NRL career as a whole. The Board has hit May with a breach notice over a range of off-field issues, all unrelated to the domestic violence charges he is currently fighting in court. May cut a powerful figure on arrival – flanked by his manager and three members of his legal team. A legal quandary now emerges out of the situation, with the Panthers weighing up whether to pull the trigger and terminate May’s contract, with question marks over whether their justification is water tight. Expect the next move to play out in about a week’s time.

! Spotted: A flag featuring Taylan May still flying proudly on Mulgoa Road despite the serious allegations of domestic violence against him. While May is entitled to the presumption of innocence, Penrith City Council would probably be wise to remove the flag for now given the city’s stance on violence against women.

! Lomax in town: My new text line (0434 986 622) was going off last Sunday when a number of fans spotted Dragons winger Zac Lomax in the stands at BlueBet Stadium. And it had a little extra spice to it because a few days earlier, there’d been a story about Lomax potentially joining Penrith for the run to the Finals before he switches to the Eels next season. Long-time fan Ben Cummins even snapped a photo with Lomax (pictured). But Dragons fans can rest easy. Lomax was there to support a mate in NSW Cup – not to scope out potential new digs.

! New podcast launches: The Western Weekender is today launching a brand new podcast, ‘Tension’s Running High’, available wherever you listen to podcasts or on the Weekender website at www.westernweekender.com.au. The podcast, hosted by Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor, replaces the ‘10 Minute Match Day’ podcast which has been running on game days throughout the 2024 season. The new podcast will be longer and offer a more expansive look at what’s happening around the Panthers. It’ll be out every Friday. Search ‘Western Weekender’ wherever you listen to podcasts.

! Big Marn’s big tribute: Former Panther and now media superstar Darryl Brohman has paid tribute to former teammate and business leader Lou Zivanovic. In a fascinating chat on James Graham’s podcast, Brohman opens up about his life and career, and speaks highly of a number of former Panthers, including Phil Gould and Royce Simmons. He offers tremendous insights into his relationship with both. But he saved the most glowing tribute for Zivanovic. “He’s done brilliantly,” Brohman said. “I don’t see a lot of him but I have great

Lisati departs: The Panthers have lost youngster Ativalu Lisati after he was granted an immediate release to join the Melbourne Storm. “Valu has been a great player for our club over the past few years, and made a positive impact on those around him,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said this week.

! Spotted: Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai giving up time pre-game last Sunday to sign autographs and take photos with young fans. Luai is still one of the most popular Panthers around.

respect for him. He worked his butt off to get to a situation where he then took a few risks financially... he came from nothing. I’m really happy for him.” You can watch The Bye Round Podcast with Darryl Brohman and James Graham on YouTube.

! Origin on the move? Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher is supporting a push to move State of Origin matches to Mondays when it comes to the next TV deal. There’s a theory that while clubs would still miss players leading up to Origin games, participants would be more likely to back-up with a long recovery period. Origin scheduling is always a difficult one for the NRL – but I feel the league was a lot closer to minimising the impact when it had the rep round a few years back with one Origin match on a Sunday. They’ve gone backwards in having all three games on Wednesdays.

! Kepaoa joins Panthers: The Panthers on Wednesday announced the signing of Asu ‘AJ’ Kepaoa on an immediate transfer from the Wests Tigers. The 24-year-old, who made his NRL debut in 2020, has signed until the end of next season.

! Making cash in Vegas: The Panthers will be paid $350,000 by the NRL to give up a home game to play in Las Vegas next March. It’s a sweet deal for Penrith, who will be homeless next season as their home ground is redeveloped. Penrith will also cop a cash bonus for taking a home game to Magic Round.

! Annesley’s admission: NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley has admitted Josh Aloiai should have been sin-binned for his trip on Penrith fullback Daine Laurie last Sunday. The incident went un-noticed on the field by the match officials and wasn’t called back by the Bunker, but Aloiai was later charged and suspended for two weeks. “It should have been a sin bin,” Annesley said. “Even though play may continue, it doesn’t prevent a player going to the sin bin... even though the officials missed it in live play.”

! Brothers picked for Blues: Penrith’s Jesse and Casey McLean have both been picked for the New South Wales Under 19s side that will play Queensland in State of Origin on Thursday, June 20 at Leichhardt Oval.

PAUL ANSWERS CALL OF THE CHAMPS

Penrith’s Paul Alamoti thought he would be a Bulldog for life – that was until the three-time NRL Premiers came calling.

The 20-year-old centre made his NRL debut for Canterbury in the opening round of the 2023 season before going on to play 19 games in the top grade.

A strong goalkicker and versatile in multiple positions, Alamoti was earmarked as a star of the future before his time at Belmore came to an abrupt end last year.

“As soon as Penrith approached me, I was all-in,” Alamoti told Extra Time

“I never thought I’d end up here; I always thought I’d be a Doggies player for the rest of my career, but the world works in mysterious ways and I ended up at Penrith.

“It was a no-brainer decision to come.”

Canterbury’s loss is Penrith’s gain, with Alamoti running out for the Panthers seven times this season and crossing the line on four occasions.

The Milperra Colts junior said he didn’t expect to play too many games in the NRL this year, but has enjoyed every minute playing alongside some of the best in the business.

“To get half a dozen games under my belt so far has been really good and it definitely helps when you’re playing with a lot of quality players,” Alamoti said.

“I think playing so many games for the Bulldogs last year helped me massively also. I was

able to get a year of NRL under my belt before coming here and every bit of experience playing in the NRL arena definitely helps.”

Despite still living at home to “save cash” because “it’s not cheap out here”, Alamoti has fit into the Panthers system and community like a glove.

If you think the 98kg former Australian Schoolboy looks comfortable out on the field already, it’s because he is and there’s a few big reasons for it.

“Firstly, the work we put in on the training paddock, everything that’s designed for the boys to do day in, day out, is meant to help you if you do end up in the NRL team. So, if you do get a chance to slot in, all the training and drills they put you through, it’s all meant to enable you to slot in with ease and make you comfortable,” Alamoti said.

“Secondly, what’s good about this club is that it’s a tightknit group where everyone gets along with each other.

“There’s always different things going on around the joint – boys playing basketball, boys playing cards, boys having a laugh in the corner. I, personally, try and mingle and learn off everyone – be a sponge.”

As for Alamoti’s future at the foot of the Mountains, he’ll remain a Panther in 2025 with the club expected to provide more details in the coming weeks.

“I definitely want to stay,” he confirmed. “I’ve found a home here, it’s very enjoyable, I love coming to work, so hopefully I can be here a bit longer.”

Paul Alamoti has been strong for the Panthers this season. Photo: NRL Photos.

TAYLOR

FOOTY

feature

LATE BLOOMER KEEN TO PROVE HIS WORTH

If you were looking for information on Penrith’s latest debutant Trent Toelau recently, you wouldn’t have found much on the club’s website.

Apart from a headshot, the date he made his debut and some stats from his first game, Toelau is somewhat of a mystery man.

But, not for long…

Born in Victoria and raised in Melbourne, Toelau is among the rare group of NRL players who played their junior footy in the AFL capital of the world.

Plying his trade in the burgeoning Melbourne Storm system, Toelau won the Thunderbolts Player of the Year Award in 2018 followed by the Darren Bell Medal in 2019 after being judged the Storm’s best in the Jersey Flegg competition.

“I was born and bred in Melbourne. I grew up there and played all of my junior and Flegg footy there,” Toelau told Extra Time

“I’d just won back-to-back awards but, after my final year of Flegg, it came time for me to move on.”

Unable to see a path to first grade, Toelau moved to Sydney for a bigger opportunity.

He landed at Newtown initially before joining Penrith’s feeder club St Marys, where things really started to take off.

Off the back of some hard work and perseverance, Toelau netted himself a pre-season at the Panthers before bouncing between Ron Massey Cup and NSW Cup over the past couple of seasons.

Toelau admitted that while he relished the opportunity to play in rugby league heartland, he was missing home a fair bit.

“At the start it was hard to move up here – just more homesick, missing Mum and that, family, friends, but now I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.

“It’s been a dream come true moving here and, in hindsight, it was probably the right thing to do.”

After strong performances in NSW Cup last year, Toelau earned the

opportunity to train with the NRL team during pre-season and now he’s starting to get the attention he very much deserves.

“This is my first year full-time, all the other years in the Cup squad, you’d come to training in the arvos,” he said.

“[The attention] is crazy… it’s something you want because it means you’re doing something good. I’m very grateful to have the support from all the fans and members.”

Following some stunning performances in NSW Cup this season and the Panthers down on troops due to Origin, Toelau finally got his chance to play in the NRL when he was named on the bench for Penrith’s Round 13 clash against the Dragons.

His 24-minute stint – at the age of 24 – was a dream come true for the self-confessed late bloomer.

“Playing NRL was something that I’d been looking forward to for a long time… the game was a dream come true,” Toelau said.

“I’m 24, turning 25 in November. I’m a bit older than most debutants but it was the best day. It’s something

I’ve been working at for a long time and to finally achieve it, and at this club as well, it was pretty special.”

And fortunately for Panthers fans, they’ll be seeing a lot more of this talented Melbournian in the years to come after the father of one recently inked an extension with the club.

“I’m here until the end of 2026,” Toelau, who became a dad five weeks ago, confirmed.

“I signed on a month or two ago, locked down my future for a couple of more years.

“I’m a five-eighth but I’ll play wherever I can. That #14 spot is somewhere I feel like I can add to the team, playing in different positions. But, at the moment, I’m still trying to learn and I want to get better.”

Trent Toelau made his NRL debut on June 1. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SCOTT SORENSEN

WHERE ARE TOP JUNIORS NOW?

When you think Panthers, you think of the wonderful junior nursery and the incredibly successful Pathways Program, particularly, over the last five years.

The strong form of Liam Henry this year, himself a graduate of that program had me thinking. I wonder what happened to past players who had won the Panthers Holden Cup/ Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year Awards.

Between 2020-2022, due to COVID and the disruption it caused to lower grades, a Jersey Flegg Cup Player of the Year was not given out, so I thought I’d look at the last 10 winners dating back to 2011 and find out what happened to them.

2011 – Kurt Horton – Unfortunately Horton never played first grade, but he did play a lot of football, first for Mt Pritchard in the VB NSW Cup before moving to the UK and turning out for Workington. He finished with the Asquith Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup in 2018.

with Peter Lang

2012 – Vaipuna Tia-Kilifi –Vaipuna easily won the Panthers Holden Cup Player of the Year. Unfortunately, Vaipuna could not get past reserve grade at Penrith. He did go on to play for the Northern Pride in the Queensland Intrust Super Cup before joining the Mt Pritchard Mounties in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership in 2017.

2013 – Daniel Foster – Foster played International Rugby League for Tonga (2013-15) and for Penrith’s NSW Cup side in 2014-15.

2014 – Brendan Attwood –Attwood played reserve grade for Penrith in 2015-16 before finishing up at Blacktown Workers in 2017 in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership.

2015 – Moses Leota – Four-

time Grand Finalist, three-time Premiership winner for Panthers. He has also played six test matches for New Zealand over the last two years. Leota is signed with Penrith until the end of 2027. He has no plans to ever play for any other club.

2016 – Corey Waddell – Is currently playing in the secondrow for the Manly Sea-Eagles. After

playing reserve grade for Penrith he had stints with Manly (2019-20) and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (2021-23).

2017 – Wayde Egan – Egan played made his first-grade debut for Penrith in 2018 before going on to play a total of 29 first grade games for the club. He signed with the New Zealand Warriors in 2020 where he has become a mainstay of the side.

2018 – Daine Laurie – Laurie went on to play three first grade games for the Panthers in 2020 before joining the Wests Tigers for the next three years. He returned to the foot of the mountains at the start of this season and played his best game ever for Penrith against the Sea Eagles last weekend.

2019 – Charlie Staines – The ‘Forbes Ferrari’ scored four tries in his first grade debut for the Panthers in 2020 before moving to the Tigers in 2023 after the Panthers told him he was free to look elsewhere at the end of 2022.

Special mention to Jack Cole who last year won the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Player of the Year Award. Finally last year’s Jersey Flegg Cup Player winner was Sam Lane, who is currently plying his trade by playing in the centres for the Panthers Flegg side.

He still dreams of playing first grade in the NRL.

The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.

Corey Waddell was Penrith’s Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2016.

panther memories

Did you know that a young Kelly Clarkson performed live at Penrith’s 2003 Grand Final win over the Roosters?

In fact, it was a star-studded Grand Final entertainment line-up, with Meat Loaf the headline act.

But while Meat Loaf may have been the top attraction, securing Clarkson – just 21 at the time – was a huge get for the NRL.

She had won ‘American Idol’ just a year before, kickstarting what would become a successful pop career.

Who would have thought just 12 months after winning America’s biggest TV talent show, she’d be the opening act for the likes of Craig Gower, Ryan Girdler and Preston Campbell?

(Photos thanks to NRL Photos)

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BRONCOS TITANS

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DRAGONS PENRITH

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BRONCOS TITANS WARRIORS DRAGONS PANTHERS

RABBITOHS TIGERS

BRONCOS TITANS

WARRIORS ROOSTERS

STORM ROOSTERS

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DOLPHINS RAIDERS

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ABOUT THE AWARDS

It o ers networking opportunities with industry leaders and parliament members, featuring food, wine, entertainment, and recognition of excellence in Western Sydney. POWERED

KEY DATES

NOMINATIONS & TICKET SALES OPEN

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FINALIST ANNOUNCED AWARDS NIGHT NOW JULY 15 31ST JULY 24TH OCTOBER 6:30PM, THE WILLIAM INGLS HOTEL

1. CAMPAIGN AWARD 2024 - HOTELS/TOURISM BUSINESS

2. EVENTS CAMPAIGN AWARD - COUNCILS

3. BUSINESS EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR

4. TOUR GROUP EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR

5. BEST VISITOR ECONOMY EVENT - DAY VISITATION

6. BEST VISITOR ECONOMY EVENT - NIGHT VISITATION

7. OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

8. OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

WESTERN SYDNEY TOURISM AWARDS

The Western Sydney Tourism Awards 2024, scheduled for October 24th, celebrate achievements in Southwest and Western Sydney’s tourism industry. The event aims to set industry benchmarks for growth and participation, coinciding with the upcoming WSI opening.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

FRESH TAKE ON A CLASSIC

Whether you’re an avid lover of the ballet or not, everyone knows the story of ‘Swan Lake’.

Famously choreographed in the late 1800s to one of the most recognisable scores of all time by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, ‘Swan Lake’ tells a tale of love, treachery and forgiveness, featuring Prince Siegfried, the White Swan Princess Odette, and Odile, the Black Swan.

Over the years, hundreds of iterations have seen the light, created both by ballet companies all over the world, and in television and film, though the roots have always been the same. But, what if it had an ugly twist?

When Yaron Lifschitz, the artistic director for ‘Duck Pond’ by Circa, came up with the idea to merge the stories of what’s considered one of the most romantic and traditional ballets with the tale of the Ugly Duckling and turn it into a circus spectacular, he admits he knew he would have a few cynics.

But, he said it was all for the greater good, making the production more accessible, and more playful.

“I love the hold that ‘Swan Lake’ has over so many people – this classic, mythic story that inspires and delights. But, it also strikes me as being a tale that’s really rich and resonant and full of ideas, as well as beautiful moments, and I wanted to try and do that in acrobatics and circus, and add a little bit of our lack of poshness, and approachability,” he said.

“Nobody’s ever gone out of ‘Swan Lake’ and said, ‘Gee, I wish that was longer’. It’s a bit long and a bit boring, so I thought we could take those elements out, and give it a little bit of energy, and a little bit of oomph, and also meld in the story of the Ugly Duckling, which is this incredible tale of discovering your true identity, and putting up with life’s hardships.”

His version sees a character called the Fairy Swan Mother usher in the force of magic and identity throughout the piece.

It begins at the end of the traditional ‘Swan Lake’ story, before bringing in the character of the Ugly Duckling, when true chaos ensues.

The show has been touring the country for a year and, according to Lifschitz, reception has been unprecedented.

“We’ve never had more diverse audiences,” he said.

“The show has children and families, but it’s by no means a children’s show. We get ballet audiences who really do like seeing different reinterpretations and perspectives, and we get circus audiences full of great skills and circus acts, and we just get people who like good theatre.”

However, with so much to love, he isn’t entirely surprised.

“It’s funny, it’s beautiful, it’s sexy, it’s approachable, it’s got elements of romcom, it’s got elements of fantasy, and it’s got some edge to it,” he said.

“I’m really pleased with how much we’ve packed into 75 minutes.”

‘Duck Pond’ will be on at Sydney Coliseum from Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 6. For more information or to book, visit sydneycoliseum.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

13 - 19 JUNE

WesternSydney GigGuid e

If you have a gig or event you would like to promote please contact Megan on 0433 241 737

Trivia with gaz

7pm

heath franklin’s chopper

Mr Watkins thu 13

8pm

evan theatre, panthers

7pm

Endless summer Beach party

9pm

Trip Jacket & Mafia Presents:

Bangers DJ Joey K-Hole, Eystephen, DZ & Friendly Fire, Skythe B2B TripBrad, moeb, Mr Meegley & No-Syt

penrith rsl sat 15 the tap pack

Gutless w/Carcinoid, Cryptivore & Bludger 8pm

St Marys lights up

4pm - 9pm

Queen street, st marys

evan theatre, panthers sat 15

8pm elton chong

mr james band

8pm - 11pm

kingswood sports club

Elton chong sat 15 sat 15

Ladies Night - DJ13, Talisha, Ellen Rose

6pm

emu hall

2024 Mayoral charity fundraiser

Friday 21st June 5:30pm - 11pm

st marys leagues club

can me to check out these events! o

THINGS TO DO

St Marys Lights Up this Saturday

Returning for its third year, Penrith Council’s St Marys Lights Up carnival-style event will transform Queen Street into a winter playground. On Saturday, June 15 from 4pm-9pm, Council’s event will host a range of activities, including free rides, activities for young kids and teens, entertainment and a variety of food trucks complementing the restaurants.

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 from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Rob Caudill is a dead-on Rod Stewart impersonator. He’s got the high-definition jawline, the shock of spiky blonde hair, but most importantly, he has the nose. Vocally, his distinctive, naturally raspy voice sounds like the legendary Stewart, and his range easily nails every high note from Stewart’s younger days. Forever Rod will be on at Panthers on Saturday, June 22. Just like the real Rod Stewart

Probus Club of Nepean

First Wednesday of the month at Emu Sports Club, Leonay from 10.30am. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Faye on 0417 267 866 for more information.

Kingswood-Caddens Probus Club

Meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Kingswood Sports Club from 10am. New members are welcome to join.

Penrith Lions Club

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

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

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

Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club

Club meets at 7pm on the first Friday of the month at the old scout hall at 4 Moore St, Glenbrook. Call Ron on 0408 483 269 for more information.

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.

Penrith NASHOS

The Climber Collective are all about creating a fun and casual experience with a warm, open, and inclusive environment. Climber Collective was founded on the idea of how a climbing gym can create its own inclusive community. Everyone shares the same goal. Get to the top! Primarily an adult suited facility. Visit www.climbercollective.com.au for more information. Get climbing at Climber Collective

Monthly meeting on the third Sunday of the month at Penrith RSL. Call 0448 983 399 for details.

Nepean Evening VIEW Club

Meets the third Monday of the month at Panthers from 7pm, with dinner and interesting speakers. Call 0411 306 150.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

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.

Arms of Australia Inn

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm, 4735 4394. 127 Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group

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

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.

VIVID for Couples: breakfast for 2, bottle of wine, parking, late 12pm checkout, glow sticks. bottle

At the movies...

A different kind of coming-of-age movie, ‘Inside Out 2’ might just be Disney and Pixar’s best sequel in years.

It’s no secret that sequels often struggle to live up to the original, especially movies for kids. They try to replicate the same feeling as the first, use gags that don’t land quite as well and introduce characters no one really cares about.

That’s not the case for ‘Inside Out 2’.

It stands on its own two feet as a film, delivering an emotional gutpunch that’s different – but not worse – than the first.

Returning to the mind of Riley, the film follows the 13-year-old as

she enters a new phase of her life – becoming a teenager.

The new changes lead to the arrival of new emotions, including Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke), Envy, Embarrassment and Ennuii.

It shakes up the successful operation that has been long run by the always-positive Joy (voiced by Amy Poehler), alongside Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. Chaos, of course, ensues.

There’s plenty of laugh-out-loud moments for children, as well as a few tear-jerkers. At its core though is a powerful message about growing up and accepting the emotions that make up who we are – both the good and the bad.

For the adults, Riley’s puberty-related changes bring on a wave of nostalgia. Every adult will remember the anxiety that comes with trying to make new friends, transitioning into high school and

the need to stand out – but not too much.

It truly is a movie for the whole family.

The new characters are a great addition to the cast, with Hawke a

definite standout as the neurotic and controlling Anxiety.

Visually stunning, hilarious and heartfelt, ‘Inside Out 2’ tugs at the heartstrings of people of all ages. – Ellie Busby

www.hoyts.com.au

COUNTRY CORNER

Combs to drop new record

Luke Combs is set to release a brand new album today (Friday, June 14) and you’ll need the tissues.

The emotional record, ‘Fathers & Sons’, has been inspired by Combs bringing up his two boys.

Combs last week released ‘The Man He Sees In Me’ as the first single off the album.

Tracks on the album include ‘In Case I Ain’t Around’, ‘Front Door Famous’, ‘Remember Him That Way’ and ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’.

The album is out on all streaming services now and will be available in physical copy from all good retailers.

Scullion’s Aussie beauty

Golden Guitar winning Australiana singer-songwriter, Matt Scullion, has teamed up with iconic outback songman, Ted Egan, for the beautifully crafted piece, ‘Beer Box Man’.

The release is a tribute song written and sung by Matt about Ted, who also features on

New Dolly musical

Country music icon Dolly Parton (pictured) has announced that she will partner with ATG Productions to bring a new musical inspired by her life and trailblazing career titled ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ to Broadway in 2026.

Produced by Parton, Adam Speers for ATG Productions, and Danny Nozell for CTK Enterprises, the new musical borrows its title from the name of Parton’s first studio album released in 1967.

‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ will feature a score by Parton that will include some of her biggest hits as well as new songs she has written especially for the musical, and a book by Parton and Maria S. Schlatter. Additional members of the creative team and casting will be announced at a later date.

“Hello, I’m Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage. I’ve written many original songs for the show and included all your favourites in it as well.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll clap, you’ll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol’ Opera. Pun and fun intended.

Don’t miss it!” Parton said of

Nathan Taylor

TV NEWS

Ê New Channel Nine medical series ‘Do You Want To Live Forever?’, fronted by Tracy Grimshaw and Dr Nick Coatsworth, will premiere on Monday, June 17 at 7.30pm. Four duos will embark on a 12-week journey of discovery, exploring the intricacies of health and ageing, seeking the secret to turning back their biological age. From billion-dollar breakthroughs to simple secrets, Tracy and Nick will travel the globe, visiting the blue zones – regions known for their high concentrations of centenarians – to investigate scientific advances in ageing and discover the latest developments in longevity.

Ê Crushing news for fans of BBC content, with four channels set to exit Foxtel and Binge at the end of July. It’s been confirmed that the BBC First channel, home to first run premium British dramas, will be exiting the platform on July 31, along with BBC Earth, BBC News and CBeebies. Only entertainment channel UKTV will remain with the Foxtel

Group. In some good news, Fetch TV viewers will be getting a new BBC Drama channel which will be home to library titles including ‘Death in Paradise’, ‘Call The Midwife’, ‘Silent Witness’, ‘Sixth Commandment’, ‘Happy Valley’ and ‘Unforgotten’. Fetch TV has also extended its contract to retain BBC UKTV, BBC Earth, CBeebies, BBC Kids and BBC Brit, alongside BBC News and Britbox. No doubt Foxtel won’t lower their prices despite this news.

Ê One of the ABC’s best shows, ‘The Newsreader’, has wrapped up filming season three, however it won’t hit our screens until next year. It’s also been confirmed that the “emotional” third season will be the last for stars Sam Reid and Anna Torv. Devastated!

Ê The new season of hit Foxtel drama ‘The Twelve’ will premiere on Showcase and Binge on Thursday, July 11 at 8.30pm. Season two will feature a new crime, new jury and two ex-lovers accused of murder.

‘The Twelve’ comes to Western Australia, to the rural township of Tunkwell – a world away from the urban city landscapes of the first season. When local landowner and respected town matriarch, Bernice Price is found dead at the bottom of her farm’s pump well, two ex-lovers stand accused of her murder. 12 ordinary citizens from diverse backgrounds have been plucked from the township and its surrounds to decide the fate of the co-accused – was Bernice the victim of a crime of passion, a workplace accident or just misfortune?

Ê Actress, comedian, and star of the Emmy-winning comedy series ‘Hacks’, Hannah Einbinder takes the stage at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles for her first stand-up special. ‘Hannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go’ is currently streaming on Binge and Foxtel. Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that the mega hit Stan series ‘Hacks’ will be back for a fourth season, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder.

TV Guide: June 14 – 20

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Planet America (PG) 10:30 That Pacific Sports Show 11:00 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Silent Witness (M v) 2:00 The Cry (M l) 3:00 Love On The Spectrum (PG) 3:55 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:45 Grand Designs NZ (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Gardening Australia 8:30 Silent Witness (M l) 9:30 Gruen (PG) 10:10 Hard Quiz (PG) 10:35 Austin (PG) 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “No One Would Tell” (M) (’18) Stars: Shannen Doherty 2:00 House Of Wellness (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens 8:30 Movie: “Knives Out” (M) (’19) Stars: Daniel Craig 10:50 TBA 12:35 Boy To Man (PG) 2:00 Home Shopping 4:00 Million Dollar Minute 5:00 NBC Today 5:30 Today 9:00 Today Extra 11:00 Swimming: Australian Swimming Trials: Heats *Live* 1:30 Mr Mayor (PG) 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 NRL: Rabbitohs v Broncos *Live* 9:55 NRL: Golden Point 10:40 Movie: “Point Break” (M l,v)

3:30 Storage Wars New York (PG) 4:30 Storage Wars (PG) 5:00 American Restoration (PG) 5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 AFL Friday Night Countdown 7:20 AFL: Round 14: Brisbane v St Kilda *Live*

And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures 8:00 Hard Quiz Kids (PG) 3:00 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00

4:45 Jabba’s Movies (PG) 5:15 Declassified: The Royal Scandals: Queen Elizabeth: Politics, Power And Prime (PG) 6:15 Movie: “A Dog’s Journey” (PG) (’19) Stars: Dennis Quaid 8:30 Movie: “The Sixth Sense” (M v) (’99) Stars: Bruce Willis

3:40 Bushwhacked 4:05 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea 4:35 Motown Magic 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Africa’s Hidden Kingdoms 7:30 Movie: “The Care Bears Movie” (G) (’85) Stars: Georgia Engel

George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 6:15 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Must Love Dogs” (M s) (’05) Stars: John Cusack 6:00 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn 6:30 Food Safari 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Jimmy’s Taste Of Florida 8:30 Secret World Of Snacks 9:30 Come Dine With Me Couples 10:30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw

8:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 10:30 JAG (PG) 12:30 Bull (PG) 1:30 NCIS (M v) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 Bull (PG) 8:30 NCIS (M) 9:25 CSI: Vegas (M v) 11:15 48 Hours (MA15+) 1:30 Rules Of Engagement (PG) 2:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef 4:30 Becker (PG)

12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing *Live* 5:00 Bargain Hunt 6:00 Heathrow (PG) 6:30 The Highland Vet (PG) 7:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country 11:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 12:30 Escape To The Country 4:00 Hustle & Tow (PG) 5:00 Counting Cars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 Storage Wars (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” (PG) (’97) Stars: Jeff Goldblum 10:10 Movie: “Predator” (M l,v) (’87)

2:30 Frogger (PG) 3:30 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 4:40 Movie: “King Kong” (M) (’76) Stars: Jeff Bridges 7:30 Movie: “Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (PG) (’98) Stars: Drew Barrymore 10:00 Movie: “The Shack” (M) (’17) Stars: Sam Worthington

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 Insiders 10:00 Offsiders 10:30 The World This Week 11:00 Compass (PG) 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Landline 1:25 Gardening Australia 2:25 The Secret History Of The British Garden 3:25 Simply Nigella 3:55 Secrets Of The Museum 4:45 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG)

Escape To The

3:35 BBC News At Ten 4:05 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:30 PBS Newshour 5:30 Modern Marvels (PG) 6:15 Forged In Fire (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 2:30 The Nanny (PG) 3:30 Seinfeld (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 Transformers: Cyberverse (PG) 5:40 Movie: “Monster Family” (PG) (’17) Stars Dick Stolberg 7:30 Movie: “Parenthood” (M s) (’89) Stars: Steve Martin 3:00 Antiques Roadshow 3:35 Movie: “The Last Days Of

4:10 Bigger & Blacker: Steven Oliver, My Life (PG) 4:30 NITV News: Nula 5:00 Africa s Hidden Kingdoms 5:50 Going Native 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 Strait To The Plate 7:00 The Other Side 7:30 The Walk-In (M)

Royal Kitchen Gardens 7:30 Hairy Bikers Go North 8:30 Rick Stein’s Long Weekends 9:35 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 10:30 Amy Schumer Learns To Cook

Supercars Championship: Darwin Triple Crown - Day 2: Qualifying & Supports/ Pre-Race & Race *Live* From Hidden Valley Raceway 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Sydney Weekender 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Dream Home (PG) 8:45 7News Spotlight

Town (PG) 6:30 Escape To The

7:30 Mrs. Brown’s Boys (PG) 9:00 Endeavour (M) 3:00 American Restoration (PG) 4:00 AFL: Round 14: GWS v Port Adelaide *Live* 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Mummy” (PG) (’99) Stars: Rachel Weisz 11:00 Movie: “Priest” (PG) (’11) 10:45 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 12:00 Australia’s Cheapest Weddings (PG) 1:15 Home And Away (PG) 4:00 Dream Home (PG) 5:30 Animals Aboard With Dr. Harry (PG) 6:30 Bondi Vet (PG) 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M)

In The Outback: The Spy Who Loved Alice 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 Insiders

4:05 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 4:35 Mythbusters (PG) 5:25 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 6:15 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:00 QI (PG) 8:30 Louis Theroux Interviews Ashley Walters (M l)

6:00 Home Shopping 9:00 Destination Dessert 9:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 11:30 Snap Happy 12:00 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 1:00 I Fish 2:00 JAG (PG) 4:00 Tough Tested 5:00 Escape Fishing With ET 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (PG)

2:55 United In Tears: The Oatlands Tragedy (PG) 3:25 BBC News At Ten 3:55 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:25 PBS Newshour 5:25 Tattoo Age (PG) 5:55 The Food That Built The World (PG) 7:35 Impossible Engineering

12:30 Frasier (PG) 1:30 Becker (PG) 2:25 MasterChef Australia (PG) 5:00 Deal Or No Deal (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:30 Two And A Half Men (PG) 12:00 Home

3:10 Indycar Series Highlights 4:15 A1: Highway Patrol (PG) 5:15 Sunnyside (PG) 5:45 Movie: “Yours, Mine And Ours” (PG) (’05) Stars: Dennis Quaid 7:30 Movie: “Deepwater Horizon” (M l) (’16) Stars: Mark Wahlberg

2:00 Scott Of The Antarctic 4:15 Movie: “On The Beach” (PG) (’59) Stars: Ava Gardner 7:00 Rugby Union: Super Rugby Pacific: Semi Final: Teams TBA *Live* 9:30 Rugby Union: Post Match 9:45 Movie: “The Mechanic” (M) (’72)

3:40 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) 4:35 Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy (PG) 6:10 NITV News Update 6:20 Animal Babies (PG) 7:30 Homesteads 8:30 Movie: “Mr. Untouchable” (MA15+) (’07) Stars: Leroy ‘Nicky’ Barnes

11:00 Escape Fishing With ET 11:30 JAG (PG) 1:30 Exploring Off The Grid 2:00 MasterChef Australia (PG) 3:15 Buy To Build 3:40 On The Fly 4:05 Camper Deals 4:30 What’s Up Down Under 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 11:30 Friends (PG) 12:30 Ready Steady Cook (PG) 1:30 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 2:30 The Middle (PG) 4:30 Deal Or No Deal 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 8:30 Two And A Half Men (PG) 10:00

The Streets Hong Kong 6:00 Flat Out Food 6:30 Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking 7:30 Be My Guest With Ina Garten 8:30 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 4:30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 5:00 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic 5:25 Alone Denmark (PG) (In Danish) 6:35 Great Australian Walks With Julia Zemiro (PG) 7:35 Abandoned Engineering (PG)

3:45 Movie: “The Black Stallion Returns” (G) (’83) Stars: Kelly Reno 5:45 Movie: “Show Dogs (PG) (’18) Stars: Ludacris 7:30 Movie: “The Next Three Days” (M l,v) (’10) Stars: Russell Crowe 10:10 Movie: “The Adjustment Bureau” (M l) (’11)

1:45 Movie: “Went The Day Well” (PG) (’42) Stars: Leslie Banks 3:45 Movie: “The Pride And The Passion” (PG) (’57) Stars: Cary Grant 6:30 M*A*S*H (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Apollo 13” (PG) (’95) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:20 Chicago Med (MA15+) Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Get Macca’s® delivered.

6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Ridley Road (M v) 2:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 2:30 Back Roads 3:00 Tony Armstrong’s ExtraOrdinary Things (PG) 4:00 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:45 Grand Designs NZ (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 8 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00

6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The

(PG) 12:00 Movie: “A Party Gone Wrong” (AKA ‘Trapped Daughter’) (M) (’21) Stars: Carol Ann DeMarco 2:00 Surveillance

(PG) 2:15 Catch Phrase (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 7:30 Dream Home (PG) 9:00

6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 The Inbestigators 8:05 Fresh Off The Boat (PG) 5:00

4:35 Mythbusters (PG) 5:25 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 6:15 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Wreck (M) 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Rick Stein’s Food Stories

l,s) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Nanny (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 3:20 Movie: “The Story Of Gilbert And Sullivan” (G) (’53) Stars:

Bad Chef 4:30 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 8:30 Two And A Half Men (PG)

1:00

1:30

Bradbury (PG) 1:55 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 2:30 Back Roads 3:00 Tony Armstrong’s ExtraOrdinary Things (PG) 4:00 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:45 Grand Designs NZ (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30

(PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 11:10 HMP Styal -

Countdown (M l,s) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Nanny (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 3:30 Movie: “Folly

FOR YULEFEST WITH OUR

• Saturday night accommodation for two in the heart of the festivities

• Indulge in a lavish 7-course Christmas Dinner

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Book your Yulefest accommodation and add our Yulefest experience for an additional $360 per couple twin share Available Saturdays 6, 13, 20 & 27 July 2024

TOP 10 SPOTS FOR YIELD AND CAPITAL GROWTH

notably, but rental yields have increased because there has been an exceptional increase in rents,” Hyde said.

Those looking for a smart investment might have to look outside of Sydney and New South Wales, with not a single local suburb making the top 10 list.

“One of the stand-out markets highlighted by this report is the Queensland town of Dalby, the key regional centre for the Western Downs region, west of Brisbane,” Hyde said.

“With vacancies near zero, rents have risen 24 per cent in the past 12 months, with the median rental yield increasing from 6.6 per cent to 7.2 per cent in the past three months. Property values have also soared, with the median house price up 15 per cent to $350,000 over the past year.”

Hyde said on top of stellar price, and yield growth in the top performing locations, investors were also benefiting from thousands of dollars of depreciation benefits each financial year.

“In Murray Bridge in South Australia, for example, investors could claim about $5,200 in depreciation benefits on the median-priced established house,” he said.

“The top industries in Murray Bridge include health care and social assistance – which employs about 15 per cent of its workforce – as well as retail trade, manufacturing and agriculture.”

Platypus Street, Marsden Park

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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 cook top, rangehood, buil t-in microwave oven and dishwasher plus striking Parisi tapware, tinted mirror splashback and Caesarstone benchtop centrepiece

• Ceramic tile floor throughout with carpet to bedroom s

• Ground floor entr y, two levels of secure parking and a communal roof top with barbeque faciliti es

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DO YOU NEED A TOP OF THE RANGE MOBILE PHONE? The Experts

Iupdate my mobile phone every two years, so I have started looking at what I might want as a replacement. Historically, I have been a Samsung Galaxy user. My primary phone use is for calls, email, web browsing, audiobooks, photos, and Multifactor authentication. Should I get a flagship phone that boasts the latest technology and premium design but comes with a price tag to match, or a mid-range phone that balances affordability with decent performance and handles all the tasks I have outlined? Let’s delve into the key differences.

Performance: A phone’s performance lies in its processor and memory. Flagships typically sport the most advanced processors, ensuring smooth multitasking, handling demanding games, and enabling faster app loading times. Mid-range processors provide enough power for most daily tasks and even lighter gaming.

Flagships often come with 12GB -16GB of RAM, while mid-range phones usually have 6GB to 8GB of RAM, which is adequate for regular use.

Security: Security is another area where flagship smartphones excel. They often include advanced biometric security features like facial recognition and in-display fingerprint sensors.

Display: Flagship phones often boast gorgeous displays with

Bhigh refresh rates that translate to smoother scrolling and a more responsive feel. They have higher resolution panels, like QHD+ or AMOLED, offering sharper visuals and richer colours. Mid-range phones typically have lower refresh rates and Full HD+ resolutions.

Camera: Flagships pack multilens systems with high megapixel counts, offering zoom capabilities, wide-angle options, and superior low-light performance. Mid-range phones might have fewer lenses and lower megapixel counts, but they can still capture decent photos and videos.

Design and durability: Flagship phones are designed to impress. They often use premium materials like glass and metal, giving them a luxurious feel. However, this can also make them more prone to scratches and breakage. Mid-range phones typically use plastic backs, which are lighter and more durable.

ell Partners Finance can assist if you are considering purchasing properties through a trust or self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF).

Purchasing properties in a trust can also be the way people are able to purchase multiple properties for a portfolio.

A big advantage of buying property in a trust is that the structure provides flexibility in distributing both income and capital gains to a group of people at the discretion of the trustee.

Battery life: Flagship phones often have larger batteries to power their powerful hardware and displays. However, their feature-rich nature can sometimes drain the battery faster. Mid-range phones might have slightly smaller batteries, but their less demanding processors can improve battery life.

Price: Flagship phones come with a premium price tag, often exceeding $2000. Mid-range phones, on the other hand, offer excellent value for money, typically ranging from $300 to $800.

So, which one? Mid-range phones are becoming increasingly powerful, and the gap between them and flagships is narrowing. Ultimately, the best phone for you is the one that strikes the perfect balance between your needs and your budget. For me, the deciding factor was the size of the phone. I like to work with bigger phones, so I upgraded to the Galaxy Ultra.

While there are set up and ongoing fees associated with a trust, the tax benefits usually outweigh the costs in the long term.

Bell Partners Finance can assist your trust or SMSF with obtaining a property loan. The process is similar

Another advantage of a trust structure is that it can provide legal and financial protection. A trust structure increases the chances that the property will not form part of a person’s asset base in the event of legal or creditor action.

Trusts can enable great benefits for affordability if set up correctly and they are usually tax efficient for distributing profits, reduce land taxes and boost asset protection.

to a normal home loan although there are usually more documents required.

The SMSF can use its funds as a deposit to purchase a residential or commercial investment property and take out a loan for the remaining amount required

to fund the purchase. Strict conditions apply when using your SMSF to purchase property. Any rental income or capital gains from the property are reinvested into the fund. To apply for an SMSF loan, you will need to provide a certified copy of the SMSF Trust Deed, a certified copy of the Custodian Trust Deed, at least three years of the SMSF’s audited financial statements, 12 months of SMSF bank statements as well as rental estimates and a copy of the contract of sale for the property being purchased.

Talk to Bell Partners Finance for more information about purchasing property through a trust.

The Experts

MASSAGE THERAPY AND MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT

In a world where movement is often taken for granted, the restorative art of massage therapy emerges as a key player in reclaiming the fluidity of motion that life’s stresses and strains can erode. This ancient practise, with its roots deeply embedded in the annals of healing, is not merely a luxury but a necessity for those seeking to improve their mobility and quality of life.

Massage therapy, characterised by the manual manipulation of soft body tissues, has been shown to alleviate pain, enhance muscle flexibility, and improve joint movement. It’s a holistic approach that not only addresses the physical ailments but also promotes mental relaxation, which can indirectly contribute to better mobility.

stretching can improve balance, reduce the risk of falls, and encourage a more independent and engaged life.

Moreover, massage therapy serves as a preventive measure, safeguarding against the gradual loss of mobility that comes with sedentary lifestyles. It’s a proactive step towards ensuring longterm musculoskeletal health, particularly for those who spend hours in static positions, whether at a desk or in a vehicle. Regular massage can reawaken dormant muscles, fostering resilience against the rigours of daily life.

In essence, massage therapy is more than a mere indulgence; it’s a vital component of a proactive approach to health. It empowers individuals of all ages to lead a more dynamic and fulfilling life, free from constraints of limited mobility. As we embrace the healing power of touch, we unlock the potential for a more agile and resilient body, ready to navigate the twists and turns of life with grace and ease. ETHAN NEVES One Point Health

For individuals suffering from chronic conditions such as arthritis or lower back pain, massage therapy can be a gateway to greater freedom of movement. The targeted pressure and

strokes help to reduce inflammation, ease muscle tension, and increase blood circulation. This combination of effects can lead to a significant reduction in pain and stiffness, allowing for a more active and mobile lifestyle.

Athletes, too, find refuge in the skilled hands of massage therapists. Post-exercise soreness and potential injuries can be mitigated through techniques

that promote faster muscle recovery and prevent overuse syndromes. By incorporating regular massage sessions into their training regimen, athletes can maintain peak performance and flexibility.

The elderly population, often grappling with the limitations of age-related mobility issues, can also reap the rewards of massage therapy. Gentle kneading and

IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce

Get on board with keeping your skin fresh during long-haul flights

Whether you’re heading off on an interstate trip, a ski holiday, or a Euro Summer getaway this winter, the one thing you have to get right is your travel skincare routine. No, I don’t mean what you’re going to pack for the trip itself, I mean how you’re going to take care of your skin on the journey there.

Everyone knows that getting on a plane dries your skin up like a prune like nobody’s business. Though, personally, I’m not a fan of bringing everything on my bathroom counter with me to use in those tiny plane bathrooms, there are things you can do to keep your skin as hydrated and bouncy as possible.

Pre-Flight

Using a good moisturiser is key in ensuring that your skin

stays hydrated when travelling from A to B.

Wearing makeup on a longhaul flight isn’t comfortable for anyone, so I’d recommend starting with a blank canvas. Then, prior to the flight, apply a more intense moisturiser to ensure that moisture is locked in for as long as possible. On the more affordable side, I really like the Cerave Moisturising Cream. But, if you’re willing to splurge for a more luxurious experience, opt for something by FRESH – all of their face creams

smell like a spa, and keep your skin hydrated for hours.

During Using a face mask can be a great option to replenish lost water mid-flight. If you’re looking for something more low-key, opt for a mask that’s designed to help nourish and soothe skin, and that you don’t necessarily have to wash off. The fragrance-free Jet Lag Mask by Summer Fridays is famous for its flawless blend of niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Or, go for a cult classic in the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask.

Masks can also be great for your lips on long haul flights. I’d recommend something like the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, or the Lanolips 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm. But, if you’ve got a lip balm you love already, that will do just fine – just make sure you keep it on hand for easy reapplication.

During the flight, you can also use a facial mist to quickly get some hydration back in. Just about every skincare brand does a version of this, and I will say that their effects are hotly contested, but I do like the Mario Badescu Facial Mists for a quick refresh.

Post-Flight

Once you finally stumble out of the

airport and into your hotel, there are a few things you should focus on when it comes to your skin – cleansing, and replenishing moisture once again.

Use a more heavy-duty cleaner to get rid of accumulated dirt and bacteria. Gentle exfoliation or a purifying mask can also be great here if you’re prone to congestion or breakouts. I love the Eve Lom mask as a pricier mask option, and the Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser with the exfoliant as a cleanser.

Then, go back to step one with your moisturiser to replenish what was lost during travel, and get you ready for your trip!

ARTHRITIS

As winter temperatures arrive, arthritis cases in both young and old pets often increase. Arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting dogs, with one in five dogs suffering from its pain and disability. Cats can also experience the debilitating effects of arthritis, struggling with grooming and using the toilet. Despite its prevalence, the early signs of arthritis in pets are often missed or attributed to old age, as pets cannot communicate their pain.

Arthritis is a chronic, painful, degenerative condition that develops gradually, affecting one or more joints – typically the hips, knees, and elbows – causing significant inflammation and pain. It can affect any pet, regardless of breed or age, severely impacting their quality of life and limiting their ability to enjoy daily activities such as walking, running, or playing.

Signs your pet may have arthritis

• Reluctance to walk or play

• Limping

• Joint stiffness in the morning or after sleep

• Licking or biting of joints

• Difficulty rising from a resting position

• Difficulty climbing stairs

• Change in personality – less happy/playful, or sometimes aggressive/irritable.

Managing arthritis

While arthritis cannot be cured, its pain and progression can be managed effectively. The key is to control the inflammation within the joints, thereby slowing the condition’s progression.

Weight control: Managing your pet’s weight is crucial. Excess weight puts additional pressure on already affected joints, exacerbating pain and discomfort.

Exercise: Regular walking and swimming are excellent forms of exercise for dogs with arthritis. These activities help maintain joint mobility without putting undue stress on the joints.

Omega-3 fatty acids: These help block the inflammation around joints that causes pain and suppress the activity of an enzyme that damages cartilage, thus slowing arthritis progression.

Joint cartilage protective medications: Polysulfate injections have been proven to slow the progression of arthritis and help control pain. Anti-inflammatory medications can also be used to alleviate pain.

Medical breakthroughs: New treatments, including monoclonal antibody injections, have shown remarkable results in treating arthritis pain in dogs and cats. These injections target a protein that stimulates pain in arthritic patients, offering significant relief.

Nutraceuticals: Products like Green Lipped Mussel contain chondroitin and glucosamine, which are essential for cartilage health. They have shown good results in managing arthritis in dogs.

Prescription joint diets: Specialised diets for both dogs and cats can help alleviate discomfort and improve joint function.

Arthritis is a serious condition that requires proactive management to ensure your pet’s comfort and quality of life.

If you notice any signs of arthritis in your pet, it’s important to seek veterinary advice. For a thorough assessment and tailored treatment plan, contact Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital at 4736 2027.

With the right care and treatment, your pet can continue to enjoy a happy, active life despite arthritis.

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

bohoastro.com

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Courtesy of the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, it’s a wonderful week to express your creativity in exciting new ways. But consider the consequences of what you do and say. If you act with haste – without all the facts at hand – then you could find yourself deep in a disagreement or a messy misunderstanding (especially on Monday). Friday’s Full Moon is a good time to meditate, contemplate, relax and regenerate, as you connect with the wise Aquarian within.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Neptune squares your ruler Venus on Monday, so be aware that all is not as it seems (especially involving friends and/ or finances). Then the Full Moon activates your adventure and exploration zone. Plus Mars and Uranus push you to jump out of your comfort zone, shake off bad habits, embrace opportunities and fast track changes. As birthday great Nicole Kidman observes, “Life has got all those twists and turns. You’ve got to hold on tight and off you go.”

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Lions can appear to be brazenly bold but sometimes (on the inside) you feel like a much less confident kitten. Especially this week, when confusing Neptune squares the Sun. However, proactive Mars is charging through your career zone (and there’s a Full Moon) so it’s time to ditch the doubts and talk up your talents, promote your accomplishments and tackle life with plenty of charm and chutzpah. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else?

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Neighbourhood activities and local connections are favoured, as the Full Moon urges you to be more community minded. Courtesy of the Sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter, you’ll be given the chance to heal an old emotional wound or patch up a relationship problem. Don’t let false pride and silly misunderstandings stop you from taking a giant leap forward when it comes to love and forgiveness. Accept the opportunity with outstretched hands and an open heart.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Piscean plans could be turned upside down as nebulous Neptune (your patron planet) squares Venus, Mercury and the Sun, and throws unrealistic expectations and confusing misunderstandings into the mix. Especially involving relationships, communication and confidence. Don’t let other people lead you astray, and don’t let self-doubt stymie your confidence and derail your dreams. There are lessons to be learned, so learn them quickly and then move on.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

Are you impatient for adventure, excitement and success? Awesome opportunities are circling around you, but they’re not immediately obvious. They are hidden in unexpected places, waiting for you to discover them. Gung-ho Geminis love to spring into immediate action but – at the moment – some of your best work will be done quietly, behind the scenes. Others may not notice what you’re currently doing but your efforts will be rewarded in the months ahead.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Adventurous Virgo – this week Uranus, Mars and Mercury encourage educational matters, travel arrangements, proactive communication and international connections. But don’t let yourself be deceived by fake news, sidetracked by dubious friends, or distracted by empty promises. Keep your eyes wide open and your feet firmly planted on the ground! Friday’s Full Moon favours socialising, entertaining and creating, as you tap into your inner child.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

The focus is on financial matters, as the Full Moon fires up your money zone and your spontaneous spending gene. Which is OK – as long as you have the cash flow to fund a shopping spree. If you don’t, then you’ll have to entertain yourself in more frugal ways. Family and finances are a particularly messy mix, so strive to keep the two well separated. The Mercury/Mars link favours proactive communication and dynamic ideas, especially at work.

HOROSCOPES ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Don’t barge in with Full Moon guns blazing! If you do, then you could end up smack bang in the middle of a fiery argument – especially at work. The Sun transits into your home zone on Thursday night/Friday morning, so it’s a good time to focus on home and hearth, domestic matters, your blood family or your family of choice. Whether you tackle domestic or professional projects, make sure you finish details properly before you embark on exciting new ventures.

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

This week don’t let your Crab curiosity (and fertile imagination) cloud your better judgment. Step back and view a complex situation from a wider perspective, and a more realistic angle. If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is! It’s Full Moon week, so strive to get the balance right between personal needs and relationship responsibilities. Some quiet time for rest and relaxation is just as important as being at the beck and call of loved ones.

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

On Monday your deft diplomatic skills are required to sort out a messy misunderstanding. Then Friday’s Full Moon highlights home and family, so it’s a good time to network and socialise with family and friends, as you mix business with plenty of pleasure. Librans are clever and capable but are you confident enough for big time success? This week Venus, Mercury and the Sun shift into your career zone, so step up and assume a leadership role ASAP.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Even though the Full Moon is in your sign, it’s not all about you this week Capricorn! Venus, Mercury and the Sun shift into your partnership zone, so the focus is firmly on relationships of the romantic, platonic and business variety. It’s time to walk around in the shoes of others for a while. Be inspired by birthday great, actress Meryl Streep, “The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy.” Friday night favours creative conversations.

25.

29.

32.

35.

37.

42.

51.

52.

58. Unnerve

59.

63.

64.

65.

66.

68. Nudges

71.

74.

78.

80.

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.

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about defunct newspapers in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. What was the name of the free tabloid newspaper published by News Corp between 2001 and 2015?

2. The Daily Mirror was a popular Sydney newspaper published since 1941. In what year did it close?

3. What is accepted as the first newspaper printed in

Australia, first launching in March 1803?

4. Who founded Empire, which was published from 1850 to 1875?

5. Banjo Paterson edited which newspaper from 1903 to 1908?

6. Which famous afternoon daily newspaper ceased publication in 1988?

Toyota makes big move

Dealerships will no

NATHAN TAYLOR

Toyota Australia has announced it will no longer sell petrol-only variants of RAV4 and all other models where hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) are available.

The move means that Corolla and Camry sedans and the Corolla Cross, RAV4 and Kluger SUVs are now 100-per-cent HEV for customer orders.

This expands Toyota’s HEV-only family to nine models, joining Yaris Cross SUV, Corolla and Yaris hatches, and new-generation C-HR SUV. GR models continue unchanged as they are not offered with a hybrid alternative.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, said this landmark development will accelerate a sales trend that has seen hybrid sales at record levels.

“Toyota has been implementing our HEV strategy over an extended period and remains committed to innovating across a diverse array of powertrains, which is the essence of our multi-pathway approach to decarbonisation,” he said.

“This approach was central to global decisions, made in the earliest planning stages, that the 2024 new-generation C-HR and Camry models would be offered exclusively with hybrid powertrains.

longer sell petrol-only variants of a range of popular vehicles

“Around the same time, consumer demand in Australia for hybrid models was rising consistently, including in 2020 when our overall hybrid share near-doubled to more than one-quarter of our total sales – and it has continued to grow ever since.

“Faced with this surging demand, we were confident in the future of HEV as the domi-

Experience the thrill of coming face to face with the

King of beasts!

nant powertrain of choice for most passenger cars and SUVs, which led us to make decisions that would ultimately impact on sales of petrol-only models.”

Hanley said ongoing developments, including the upcoming mandated new-vehicle efficiency standard, confirmed the foresight of Toyota’s strategy.

“Toyota has more than two decades of experience in batteries, motors and other electrification technologies with recognised benefits for fuel efficiency and emissions,” Hanley said.

“We have also made significant local investments to educate consumers and promote broad acceptance and demand for hybrid-electric vehicles.

“As a result, we are seeing more Australian motorists than ever embracing the practicality and smooth performance of this technology, as well as the fuel-saving benefits and lower CO2 tailpipe emissions compared with equivalent petrol-only cars.

“Our HEV share reached a record 33.5 per cent last year and has jumped to 46.6 per cent in the first five months of this year, including 48.9 per cent in May.

“So far this year, our total HEV sales have more than doubled to 46,821 vehicles compared with the same period last year with all models continuing to attract strong demand.

“At the same time, we have worked closely with our production teams in Japan to increase supply, which has substantially reduced wait times on popular models like RAV4 Hybrid.

“Overall, we have now sold more than 430,000 HEVs in Australia since we launched the original Prius in October 2001.”

Zambi Wildlife Retreat is an exclusive and unique Not for Profit Animal Sanctuary, set in beautifully landscaped grounds.

A tour of the retreat allows you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals and learn about their history and species. Zambi only allows limited visitors each week and you will need to book your spot on our website booking page here: www.zambi.org/bookings

The bookings are only available for a total of 7 guests and includes a tour of the retreat with an experienced guide where you will get to hand feed the macaw parrots and baboon monkeys. Complimentary hot and cold drinks and light snacks are included in the cost.

There is also the opportunity to add on animal encounters such as hand feeding the big cats and meeting the meerkats and little marmoset monkeys. This can be booked at the same time as your tour or added during your visit.

Entry is 9 years of age and older and a further age restriction of 12 years and older will apply to hand feeding the

zambi.org

2021 Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid.

PENRITH ON WINNING RUN

Story continued from » p.80

Asked whether his side were too good for Waratah 2, Porter was confident his troops would be tough to beat in the top division as well.

“I think they are good enough for Waratah 1,” he declared.

“The ruling is, if you finish in the bottom two in Division 1, you drop down a grade and that’s what happened to us last year.

“On paper, this team wasn’t supposed to be this good, but we’ve got them working really hard and they’ve got a good attitude and mindset. They are a good bunch of boys and their results have come from their effort.”

With several of their players, including Jett Hickson and Nathan Bietola, topping the league’s stats, Porter believes his side can go all the way when the whips start cracking in August.

“I think they can,” Porter said.

“At the moment, we have a couple of injuries but the beauty of this team is the depth. Our depth is what’s helping and our attitude to play for one another.”

This Saturday afternoon’s match between the Panthers and the Sea Eagles will be played at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre, tipping off at 3pm.

Meantime, Penrith’s Waratah 1 Youth Women’s side will also play Manly this Saturday. A massive upset would be needed for the Panthers to get the chocolates. They’re currently running 11th.

More honours for Pratt as teen eyes Olympics in Brisbane Rowing sensation

NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith rower Ezekiel Pratt collected so many medals, trophies, and glassware over the past year, that he doesn’t know what to do with them all.

“They are falling off my shelf!”

Ezekiel told the Weekender

“We’re looking at putting a cabinet over at my grandparents’ place for them all.”

Following in the footsteps of his father Ben, the 15-year-old has only been rowing since April 2022. Since then, the teenager has excelled on the water to become one of the best in his age group.

In 2023, Ezekiel enjoyed a stellar season including winning six medals at the Taree Regatta. He capped off the year by winning the NSW State Championship Men’s U16 Single Scull.

The Nepean Rowing Club member said it’s been a season of so many highlights.

“The Taree Regatta is a big event for Nepean,” Ezekiel said.

Eight, but I did do pretty much everything else. That would be my best Regatta so far along with the State Championships.”

Whilst in Taree, Ezekiel put down a time that had to be seen to be believed.

“The wind was insanely high that day and I rowed a 3 minute 52 seconds for the 2km,” he said.

“That’s a stupid fast time for the single scull. I was going 30km/h – you can’t do that in a single unless there’s wind like that!”

While the Western Sydney Academy of Sport athlete is a strong performer flying solo, he

also enjoys teaming up with his rowing partner from Sydney’s inner west.

“I do a lot of double scull with Peter from Leichhardt,” he said.

“We went to Nationals together and I’m looking forward to rowing with him again this season.”

Unfortunately not everything’s been smooth sailing for the latest Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star winner, with Ezekiel battling a serious shoulder injury of late.

Nationals back in April when my shoulder went on me,” he said.

“I discovered I had a technique deficiency and have been addressing the problem with my physio from Sydney West Sports Medicine to get it right.”

Ezekiel finally returned to the water last week to prepare for the upcoming rowing season, where his goal is to qualify for the State Championships as well as National Championships in Tasmania.

“I’m also looking forward to watching the Paris Olympics as my goal is Brisbane 2032,” Ezekiel said.

Nominated by Denise Gaston from the Western Sydney Academy of Sport, Ezekiel’s PVSF Junior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor St Marys Leagues Club.

PVSF Junior Sports Star of the Month winners take home a cool $350 each for their efforts.

If you know someone who has achieved in their chosen sport, send in your nomination to Penrith Valley Sports Foun-

“I was in the A Grade Final of the Men’s U17 Single Scull at

DISTRICT TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Local rowing sensation Ezekiel Pratt. Photo: Denise Gaston.

Finding the next Matilda

New St Dominic’s College program to support growth of women’s football

Could St Dominic’s College produce Australia’s next great female football player?

If you think that question sounds a little unusual when referring to an all-boys school, think again.

Off the back of the College’s successful Manchester City Football School for Boys Program, which launched last year, they are now expanding the partnership to include the girls.

Commencing in Term 3, 2024, the Manchester City Football School for Girls Program at St Dominic’s will be tailored to empower Year 7 and Year 8 female students from all areas, who demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing their technical ability and tactical understanding.

Led by the College’s resident Manchester City Football School head coach, Dan Reeves, participants will receive first-hand exposure to the ethos driving Manchester City teams towards excellence in football, while also honing their skills for sustained competitive success.

Following a competitive trial, which will be held this Saturday morning on the College grounds, players will be shortlisted to a group of 16 and will be led by Reeves and his team of qualified coaches,

who follow the Manchester City playing philosophy and methodology.

Speaking with the Weekender, St Dominic’s College Principal Simon Abernethy said since the Boys Program was launched in late 2023, the College has been inundated with requests to establish a program for girls.

“We have kids that are involved with the Boys Program who have sisters and their parents kept saying it would be good if their daughter could get it on this as well, and that’s when we thought there’s definitely a need and a market for it,” he said.

“You only have to look at the Matildas game in Sydney last week, which had over 70,000 people attend, to know the female game is booming.

“These players have become household names and lots of young girls see them as heroes and want to emulate them, and they also see professional sport as a viable pathway now.”

Coach Reeves, who has been in the country since March, is employed by Manchester City and has been tasked with leading the Boys Program and the upcoming Girls Program. He said some of the female talent who have applied to trial this weekend is exciting to see.

“I’m not familiar with the local football clubs, but I’m told that some of the players that have registered to trial are playing at

a very high level,” Reeves said.

“We’re limited to 16 girls for this current program, so it will be tough to get in, but we don’t want the girls to feel any pressure. We want them to enjoy their football and play freely.

“Ultimately, there is going to be further opportunities down the line, so if someone isn’t successful this time, it doesn’t mean they won’t be the next time.”

Over the coming months, St Dominic’s College and Manchester City have big plans to continue to expand their partnership by offering school holidays clinics for local primary school students as well as tours of the UK to see the top English Premier League club in the flesh.

Refusing to give up, Noemie Fox finally secures an Olympic ticket

In September 2000, six-year-old Jessica Fox and her three-year-old sister Noemie were in the grandstand watching the Olympic Games at Penrith Whitewater Stadium not realising that more than two decades later, the pair would be competing at their first Olympics together.

While 30-year-old Jessica will be aiming to medal at her fourth consecutive Games in Paris next month, 27-year-old Noemie will be making her long-awaited Olympic debut after qualifying in Prague last Monday.

Contesting the Kayak Cross final, Noemie needed to avoid finishing last to secure her ticket to Paris. Things weren’t going to plan early in the race, but Noemie managed to pull off an incredible move on the final gate, elevating her to second and ultimately a place on the Australian team.

While the Fox sisters are currently in Poland ahead of this weekend’s third World Cup in Krakow, their proud father Richard Fox – a former Olympian himself – was in England for a personal matter.

Speaking with the Weekender from Cumbria, Fox said he was “absolutely thrilled” for his youngest daughter and the entire family.

“Of course, for the family, it’s incredible. For Jess to have her sister there, for Noemie to have her sister there – it’s very special,” he said.

“Like Jess, Noemie watched the Sydney Olympics from the stands.

“She was three and, as people know, it’s in

the bloodline with her parents (Miriam and Richard were both Olympians). Instead of being the only member of the family not to go to the Olympics, now she is the latest.”

For years, Noemie watched her older sister win Olympic medal after Olympic medal, not

“Noemie has worked extremely hard for this,” Fox said.

“It’s been hard for her to follow Jess’ career, but she’s always been her number one supporter.

“I think, at times, she felt the door was closed to go to an Olympics.

“As long as Jess was competing, that door was going to be closed.

“There was definitely some frustration for her in terms of the qualification process but, in the end, she chose the right course of action [in pursuing Kayak Cross] and to not die wondering. It’s the perfect outcome for her and the Games are just around the corner.”

It’s hard to believe that at the COVID-affected Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Noemie scored a job as a ground announcer for the Canoe Sprint event, and she even dabbled in some TV commentary. She did all this, just to be at the Games to watch her sister race.

Now, in less than two months’ time, she will be gearing up to do it all herself.

“Noemie is not inexperienced internationally. It will be her first Games, but she’ll bring a lot of personality, colour, and a vibe to the team,” Fox said.

“Her event will come at the backend of the program. She just has to be patient, train when she can, and then be ready to race.”

knowing whether she’d ever get the chance to do the same.

However, when Kayak Cross was officially greenlit to make its Olympic debut in Paris this year, Noemie was determined to make that event hers.

In a unique twist, Jessica will also represent Australia in Kayak Cross, meaning there’s a chance that both Fox sisters could make it on the podium.

“There could be two Aussies in the Final or one could knock the other out on their way there,” Fox said.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Manchester City will run a Girls Program at St Dominic’s College.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Noemie Fox with family and supporters in Prague.

Long-time volunteer honoured with gong

Kingswood resident Neil Holmes will receive a Distinguished Long Service Award at next week’s 2024 NSW Community Sports Awards, presented by Sport NSW.

The Awards night, which will be held on Wednesday, June 19 at CommBank Stadium, will recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to community sport in NSW, which is largely carried out by a volunteer workforce.

Holmes is one of 21 recipients from a wide cross-section of sports to receive their award from NSW Sports Minister, Steve Kamper. He will be honoured for his decades of dedicated and unselfish service to rowing.

Holmes has made a massive contribution to rowing in many capacities at club, state and national level over several decades, including working as the Finish Timer/Result Compiler for NSWIS/NSW HPP Time Trials for more than 25

years. He is a regular volunteer at Rowing NSW regattas in whatever role is required, most often assisting with driving an umpire’s boat or with bow number distribution.

Holmes is known around the country for his work as Boat Park Manager for the Sydney International Regatta Centre / Australian Rowing Championships from 2013-2019 and in 2024.

He is also heavily involved in bump in and bump out for National regattas, particularly with setting up the boat racks in the boat park.

Sport NSW Chairperson, Chris Hall, congratulated Holmes on his award.

“Volunteers such as Neil are the backbone of grassroots and community sport and it is fitting these Distinguished Long Service Award recipients are recognised and honoured,” he said.

“We thank them for their years of selfless dedication which has enabled generations of boys and girls, men and women to participate in sport and enjoy the life skills, social benefits

and community spirit that it provides.

“Sport has the unique unifying ability to bring people of different cultures and backgrounds together. At the centre are the army of volunteers who each week dedicate themselves to ensure the games are played, the fields are marked, the canteen is stocked, and the BBQ is sizzling.

“Sport is at the heart of our local communities and, quite simply, sport would not exist without our magnificent volunteers.”

Next Wednesday’s Awards presentation evening also celebrates volunteers across 12 categories for their outstanding achievements and excellence over the past year.

The categories are Community Official of the Year, Young Official of the Year, Community Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year, Community Sports Administrator of the Year, Volunteer Director of the Year, Community Team of the Year, Community Club of the Year, Inclusion Achievement of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Innovation of the Year, and Local Council of the Year.

Neil Holmes will take home an award at the 2024 NSW Community Sports Awards.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPORTS SHORTS

WITH NATHAN TAYLOR

Bayliss has unfinished BBL business

CRICKET: Trevor Bayliss will be back at the helm of the Sydney Thunder for a fourth season after re-signing with the western Sydney club for BBL|14. The veteran mentor owns an impressive CV that includes winning the 50-over World Cup with England in 2019, IPL titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014, and a BBL crown with Thunder’s arch-rival Sydney Sixers in the inaugural season of the tournament in 2011-12. He also coached the NSW Blues to Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup titles between 2004 and 2007. This summer Bayliss is charged with lifting the Thunder to a BBL title after a disappointing campaign in BBL|13 that saw the team finish at the bottom of the ladder. Bayliss is buoyant about his team climbing the ladder, noting the recruitment taking place and the solid core of players the club already has. “The squad we are building looks good. We’ve recruited pretty well, and Thunder are just a good organisation to be involved with,” he said. “I’ve been here three years and there is probably a little bit of unfinished business, I suppose. We’ve been working towards something over the last few years. I think with that and some of the recruitment we’ve done this year, we should be in a good position to win a number of games. Our ambition should be to win the tournament.” Bayliss, who hails from Sydney’s west, also said it was important for western Sydney to have their own club. “I’m a western Sydney guy, I’m still involved with the Penrith club out here in the west of Sydney, and there’s a lot of interest in Sydney Thunder,” he said. “There are always people going to the games from out this way and asking questions about the club. Through Thunder being part of western Sydney and closer to where they live, rather than having to go to the SCG they can get along to a Thunder match and watch their own team play high class cricket.” Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said Bayliss has been entrusted with creating a new era of success in Sydney’s west. “TB comes with a great deal of experience and expertise, and we expect him to lead the team on an upward trajectory this season,” he said. “It’s no secret that the performances last season were unacceptable, so improvements across the board are required and expected this summer. We have recommitted to western Sydney with four matches to be played at ENGIE Stadium and believe the players we have signed, or are looking to sign, will provide Trevor with the tools we need to get back to challenging for a title.”

BASKETBALL: Following the King’s Birthday holiday, the Penrith Panthers will return

to the court this weekend in the NBL1 East competition. Both Penrith’s men’s and women’s teams will battle Manly Warringah on Saturday before backing up to play on Sunday against Maitland. A win for both teams is very much needed after a slow start to the year. Penrith are sitting in 15th in the men’s competition and 14th in the women’s competition.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed the departure of Valentino Yuel and Doni Grdic from the club’s A-League team following the conclusion of their contracts. Forward Valentino Yuel departs the club after joining as a mid-season signing from Iranian side Aluminium Arak. The South Sudanese international made seven appearances and scored two goals for the Wanderers. Youngster Doni Grdic also departs the club at the conclusion of his contract. Defender Grdic featured in a number of matches for the club’s National Premier League side and made his A-Leagues debut this season in Round 3 of the competition. The Wanderers wish both players all the best in their future endeavours.

LAWN BOWLS: An idea that grew became a reality on June 2 when Glenbrook Bowling Club conducted its first John Farragher Open Triples event. The brainchild of Bowls Coordinator John Leadbitter, and with great support from the Bowls Committee and generous sponsorship from Panthers, the event attracted 96 bowlers (men and ladies) from clubs as far afield as Gilgandra and Trangie. John Farragher, the former Panthers prop of the 1970s, was kind enough to put his name to the event to help with promotion and attended on the day with his great mate Royce Simmons. After the bowls was done, the pair kept the crowd entertained with some good yarns of days gone by and some positive reflections on the modern game. Farragher’s connection

with Glenbrook’s sister club Gilgandra made the day that bit more special. Even the weather gods played their part on the day with everyone getting through 36 ends in albeit overcast and cool conditions. The format was for 32 triples teams to pre-nominate and then in a random draw play four games of nine ends against different teams throughout the day. In the end the very strong Glenbrook combination of Mick Devine, Jon McDaid and Bob Coleman took out first prize, winning all their games with a +41 margin. Very commendably the second placed team of Bernie Keating and Sean Leavey included a former Glenbrook junior Sophie Payne, who is improving all the time. They too won all their games with a +28 margin.

AFL: The Penrith Rams and Ramettes will return to the field this Saturday to compete in Round 9 of the AFL Sydney Men’s and Women’s Division 2 competitions. The Rams will battle the North Shore Bombers at Greygums Oval on Saturday afternoon, while the Ramettes will tackle the UNSW-ES Bulldogs on Saturday morning, also at Greygums.

AFL: The GWS Giants have been beaten by lowly Hawthorn 85-79 in Round 13 of the AFL.

Played at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston last Saturday, the game went right down to the wire with Luke Bruest breaking at 79-79 deadlock with a goal with a minute left on the clock. To make the victory even more remarkable, the Hawks trailed by 19 points at half-time before storming home to record their fifth win in six games. The Giants will look to redeem themselves when they return home this Sunday afternoon to face-off against Port Adelaide at ENGIE Stadium.

NETBALL: Panthers Netball have gone down to the UTS Randwick Sparks 55-50 in Round 11 of the Netball NSW Premier League Opens competition. Meanwhile, the Panthers U23s team suffered a rare defeat, losing to the Sparks 45-42. Both teams will take on the Central Coast Heart in Round 12.

SUPER NETBALL: Giants Netball have bounced back from last week’s loss, defeating the Queensland Firebirds 71-67 in Round 9 of the Super Netball competition. With co-captains Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price back on deck, the narrow but crucial win keeps the Giants’ season alive. The Giants will remain at home this weekend when they take on the Adelaide Thunderbirds at Ken Rosewall Arena.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 11 of the NSWRL Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions will take place this weekend, with St Marys and Brothers Penrith battling each other. In the Sydney Shield, St Marys will line-up against Brothers Penrith at 1pm this Saturday at St Marys Leagues Stadium before the Ron Massey Cup teams do battle at 3pm. The local derby between St Marys and Brothers is always a fiery affair and Saturday afternoon’s double-header is expected to be no different.

GET IN TOUCH: To make a submission to ‘Sports Shorts’, email Nathan@westernweekender.com.au. You can also private message me on Facebook or @wwpenrith on X.

The Sydney Thunder have re-signed Penrith Cricket Club legend Trevor Bayliss.

The winning team with John Farragher.

The Giants scored another Super win.

UNBEATABLE PANTHERS

One of the hottest teams in local sport will face their toughest test of the season on Saturday.

The Penrith Panthers basketball team are currently on an undefeated run of 15 games in the Waratah 2 Youth League Men competition.

However, on Saturday afternoon at Penrith Regional Valley Sports Centre they will come up against a team who have

just lost one game themselves, for the first time.

“We haven’t versed Manly yet,” Panthers coach Matt Porter told the Weekender ahead of tomorrow’s clash.

“We’ve seen a few videos of them. We are quite even for points scored but defensively we are stronger than them and I think that’s where we are going to get them.”

It’s certainly been a season of surprise for Porter and his coaching staff, who didn’t expect this team of mostly 18 and 19-yearolds to perform to such a high standard

week in, week out.

“I only started coaching the boys this year but I used to coach them in U12’s and now I’m back coaching them again after many years,” Porter said.

“Penrith’s Youth League team last season only won one game all year, so we were using this year as a building year.

“My assistant Adam and I sat down and said, ‘let’s crack down and work them hard at training’. Our focus was defence and playing for each other, which has really shown in a lot of games.”

With four players returning from last year’s one-win team, the rest of the 15-man squad were from Penrith’s talented crop of under 18s.

After being undefeated in the trials, the Panthers started the 2024 season in March with a 112-62 win over Hornsby Ku Ring Gai and haven’t looked back since.

They then went on to notch up 15 in a row, with the average margin of victory a whopping 41 points.

NATHAN TAYLOR