Western Weekender August 16 2024

METRO ON TRACK

This is your first glimpse at what the new metro stations and precincts along the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport alignment will look like.

The new artist’s impressions have been revealed as the community is invited to have its say on the designs.

The next stage in the planning process includes the designs for the St Marys Metro Station and Precinct, Orchard Hills Metro Station and Precinct, Luddenham Precinct, Bradfield Metro Station

and Precinct, as well as active transport for the whole alignment.

The plan has been developed in two stages to allow for the construction of the new metro line to be delivered progressively.

Stage One exhibition and consultation on the designs for the Stabling and Maintenance Facility at Orchard Hills and the Metro Station Building at Luddenham was completed in late 2023.

The proposed design included in Stage Two is inspired by the qualities of the Cumberland Plain

landscape to establish a sense of connection to place, people and communities of western Sydney. Major construction work on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line started in late 2022, with the 9.8-kilometre of tunnelling for the project completed in June 2024. Work is now underway to fit out the tunnels and build six new world-class stations along the 23-kilometre alignment.

What the new Orchard Hills Metro Station is set to look like.

The exterior of the new transport hub at St Marys.

Jess gets new keys

Olympic hero earns special recognition from Penrith Council

Penrith golden girl Jess Fox is set to have another major honour bestowed on her.

This week, Penrith Mayor Todd Carney announced that Fox would receive a key to the city of Penrith.

“As a way for the City of Penrith to congratulate Jess on her outstanding performance at the Paris Olympic Games, as well as her contribution to the sport of paddling, it is fitting that we present her with the Key to the City,” Carney said.

“This symbolic gesture is the highest honour awarded by the City of Penrith to individuals or organisations and is only awarded in exceptional circumstances to acknowledge an outstanding achievement or contribution.”

Council is giving this great honour to Fox for her significant contributions to the community and her success at the Paris Olympics.

“I’m sure everyone in Penrith was cheering on our golden girl Jess Fox OAM as she made history in Paris, winning gold in Women’s C1 and K1 Slalom events,” Carney said.

“The win meant that she is the first ever athlete to win golds in both Olympic canoe and kayak.

“Jess is one of our all-time great Olympians. She now has six individual Olympic medals including three gold, one silver and two bronze, more than any Australian in history.”

The award will be presented to Fox at an event later in the year.

“At a suitable event in the coming months, Council will bestow this honour to Jess,” Carney said.

“Congratulations to Jess, the G.O.A.T [greatest of all time] of Australian and international paddling.”

Council last presented a key to the City of Penrith to the Penrith Panthers 2021 NRL premiership-winning team, following their Grand Final triumph over South Sydney.

METRO STATION DESIGNS REVEALED

Story continued from » Front Page

Separately, Transport for NSW has released the Place, Urban Design and Corridor Landscape Plan for a new footbridge to connect the current St Marys Station with the future metro station, and landscaping for the northern entry on Harris Street. The community is invited to provide feedback on the plan up until Sunday, September 8, 2024.

When Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport opens, passengers will have a worldclass transport option directly to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and major job hubs and connections to Greater Sydney, including Bradfield city centre.

It is expected that the end-to-end journey time between the St Marys Metro Station and Bradfield Metro Station would be around 20 minutes.

For more information on the proposed designs, please visit https://sstom-pudclp. interactivetour.com.au for station precincts, and https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ stmarys for the St Marys footbridge.

Jess Fox will be bestowed with a symbolic honour by Penrith Council.

The overview of the Luddenham station.

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

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Staying Safe

We all have the right to feel and be safe whether at home, the

or travelling. Psalms 91 tells us that when we turn to wings” and that we “shall not fear” no matter what our circumstance. Scriptures found this

her life. She wrote, “Divine

The problem with top cop’s

Webb of confusion around gin saga

I think the point is being lost in the whole drama surrounding NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and her penchant for gift giving in the form of gin.

Repeatedly, the Commissioner has been at pains to point out that from a legal standpoint, she’s done nothing wrong.

“The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission has investigated this issue and not found any evidence of serious misconduct,” she said in a statement last week.

But the point is that regardless of questions of misconduct, Webb still – at some stage in the process – felt it appropriate to sign off on buying 50 bottles of gin with taxpayer funds.

“I would like to reiterate that the purchase of alcohol for ceremonial gifts and charitable donations was a tradition I continued as Commissioner, continuing with the same supplier as previously used,” she said.

So in other words, she had no issue with this tradition and thought it was a perfectly fine use of funds.

And another interesting point: Only 32 of the original 50 bottles of gin were given out as gifts, with the others waiting in the wings.

But that didn’t stop Webb’s office ordering a second lot of 50 bottles, which had not yet been paid for and, according to the Commissioner, will be returned.

Wouldn’t want to get low on the gin stock.

Ever since being appointed Police Commissioner, Karen Webb has been fighting both internal and external battles.

Some of the finger pointing has been unfair and political.

There’s no question Webb is a poor media performer, perhaps one of the reasons a press conference to address the gin saga never went ahead as planned last week.

There’s an argument that it shouldn’t matter, as long as you do the core job well.

But perception, as they say, is everything.

Regardless, her inability to read the room over things like dozens of bottles of gin for gifts while her police on the ground have shaky faith in the boss, and while the humble taxpayer struggles through a cost-of-living crisis, is concerning.

“I am reassured by the fact that I have always acted honestly and in the best interest of the NSW Police Force and the people of NSW,” Webb said last week.

How is it possibly in the best interests of the Force or the people of NSW to be funding thousands of dollars worth of alcohol so guests and dignitaries can get buzzed on our dime?

There appears to be very little regret over the actual purchase; moreso defence and a frustration it ended up in the media.

On the scale of dramas, this doesn’t rate very highly. But the response is what causes the most concern for mine.

ABC staff perfect the art of whinging

According to The Australian on Monday, ABC staff who have been relocated from Ultimo to Parramatta are “grumbling” about the travel and inconvenience involved.

One ABC insider told The Australian: “It’s been a disaster, quite frankly. Almost everyone is complaining about the commute (to Parramatta) and no one can really see the point of it all.”

Well, boo-hoo.

Parramatta is about a 25-minute train trip from Central Station, close to where some of these staff were located previously.

“Why do presenters, who live in studios, need to be moved out of the CBD? And not only do journos still need to do a lot of their work in the city, but on-air talent who might have previously been happy to come into the studio for face-to-face chats are reluctant to do so,” the source told The Australian I’d love to see the evidence of a politician, business person or anyone for that fact who loves a bit of PR who wasn’t willing to travel to Parramatta for an on-air interview.

As for presenters and journos, perhaps living in studios is the problem.

Your audience is in western Sydney.

The people dealing with the struggles you report on every day, are in western Sydney.

And that commute you’re talking about?

Try chatting to someone battling much longer journeys every day on the unreliable train network or the busy roads.

The ABC do some tremendous work. As I write this column, I’ve just finished watching their frightening expose on the Seven Network on ‘Four Corners’ on Monday night.

But they will forever be tarnished with an attitude that separates them from what should be their core audience.

If the ABC only wants to appeal to city dwellers and those on the North Shore, perhaps its government funding should be more under the microscope than it already is.

Minns right with work from home call

Premier Chris Minns was absolutely right with his call last week to order public servants back to the office.

It should be pointed out he wasn’t declaring that work from home was dead, just that the concept of working every single day of the week in your pyjamas from your couch was not the future.

I’m not against working from home. Particularly for people with long commutes, it can be a deal breaker when it comes to fulltime work.

But like with everything, there needs to be a balance.

The idea that you could work every single day from home and never go to the office is simply not sustainable.

The BS about being equally productive or more productive at home is just that. That may be the case for a day here and there, but certainly not in the long-term.

Collaboration with colleagues, the odd bit of office gossip, and feeling the culture of the business are critical elements of any job.

The vast majority of people can’t work from home. Not teachers, not tradies, not truck drivers, not waiters or chefs.

The laptop class do not deserve some elite status that allows them to binge a bit of Netflix while they tap away on the keyboard, do the washing, pick the kids up or even throw in a few days away.

Minns was simply striving for balance and the best productivity and accountability possible with his edict last week.

He got it 100 per cent right.

Penrith Councillors will have to seek approval from the General Manager before attending public meetings remotely.

It comes after Council reviewed its Councillor attendance requirements following concerns raised by veteran Liberal Councillor Ross Fowler.

Fowler raised his concern at Council's May Ordinary Meeting and a report was presented at the June meeting outlining the facts of Councillors attending public meetings.

At the time, Fowler said he requested the report because there had been instances where Council Chambers had been half empty at public meetings.

“It probably goes back to a meeting several months ago and it was a public meeting, an ordinary council meeting, and half the chamber was empty,” Fowler said at the time.

“I thought we really do have a responsibility to the community and to the people who elected us to actually turn up to meetings and be present rather than online.”

Fowler believes that due to Councillors being publicly elected representatives they have a responsibility to attend the meetings in person and not remotely.

“I thought that yes, the responsibility as elected people is to be present for at least the

public meetings which are 11 ordinary meetings and probably five or six policy review committee meetings a year which is not a big ask for our people to be there,” Fowler said.

“We do go to a lot of functions and a lot of

other things, but the public meetings are the important place where people see their representatives in action and also make presentations if they want to and expect the people who represent them to listen to them."

At the June meeting, Councillors moved to have the Model Code of Meeting Practice exhibited to the public and then brought before Council at the August meeting for endorsement.

The code was officially adopted at this week’s Council Meeting with amendments made to certain clauses.

It was agreed that provisions would be inserted in the Code that outlines criteria for remote attendance and that Councillors are required to seek approval from the General Manager providing reasons for the requirement to attend remotely.

The General Manager would then consider this in accordance with the Code. It was also suggested a statement be included in the Code indicating that Councillors should attend public meetings where possible in person.

Councillors are encouraged to attend the public meetings in person but there will continue to be a remote option.

“While encouraging Councillors to make reasonable efforts to attend Council meetings in person, the option of remote or hybrid attendance to Council meetings is also available to Councillors in certain circumstances with the approval of the General Manager," a report to Council said.

“This is to facilitate greater inclusion and diversity in civic participation, by making the role of Councillor more accessible to people with work, disability and caring obligations.”

Councillor Ross Fowler wants his Council colleagues to attend meetings in person.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Cranebrook: Man charged after ice found in car

A man has been charged after driving dangerously and having the drug ‘ice’ in his car.

At about 11.40pm on Friday, August 9 police were patrolling Sherringham Road in Cranebrook. Police sighted a silver VW Golf turn into Pendock Road at speed.

A short time later police located the vehicle in the driveway of a house in Pavey Place. The driver had fled the scene and left a female passenger in the vehicle. The woman was spoken to.

Police reviewed the CCTV in the area and obtained a description of the male driver. A short time later the man was discovered underneath a nearby vehicle, and he was arrested.

Police had a conversation with the 40-yearold Werrington man and the vehicle was searched. Police located a clear resealable bag containing methylamphetamine.

The man was asked what the substance was, and he told police it was ‘ice’. Checks were made on the man’s licence which revealed he was disqualified from driving.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local court on Thursday, September 19.

Werrington: No lights sparks police interest in vehicle

A woman has been arrested for drink driving after driving without her headlights turned on.

At about 12.15am on Sunday, August 11 police were patrolling Victoria Street in Werrington and sighted a vehicle driving without the headlights on.

Police stopped the vehicle and had a conversation with the driver, a 31-year-old Kingswood woman. The woman was breath tested which returned a positive result.

The woman was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where she underwent a breath analysis that returned a positive reading of 0.156. The woman was charged and had her licence suspended on the spot. She will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, September 12.

St Marys: Two men caught trespassing in abandoned house with drugs

Two men have been arrested after trespassing in an abandoned home with drugs.

At about 4.00am on Sunday, August 11 police were informed that two males had

broken into an abandoned house on Champness Crescent in St Marys. At the time the house had been boarded up.

Police attended and have seen that the rear door board had been removed. Police entered and searched the house. Police located a 33-year-old St Marys man and a 21-year-old Wyong man. Both men were informed that they were under arrest.

The 33-year-old was asked to stand up and as he stood, he dropped two small resealable plastic bags containing methamphetamines.

The man was asked what the substance was, and he informed police that it was ‘ice’.

Both men were charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Friday, September 13.

Kingswood: Man dies following house fire last week

A man has died in hospital after a house fire in Kingswood last week.

As reported by the Weekender last week, at about 6.55am on Tuesday, August 6 a 71-yearold man was taken to Nepean Hospital in a critical condition following a house fire in Orth Street, Kingswood.

Following inquiries, a 63-year-old man was arrested nearby at 3.15pm and taken to Nepean Hospital for medical treatment. After being discharged from hospital, the man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was formally charged.

At about 9pm on Saturday, August 10, the 71-year-old man died in hospital. A report will now be prepared for the Coroner.

South Penrith: Woman charged over involvement in drug supply

An elderly woman has been charged over her involvement in a prison drug supply ring. Strike Force Wessex was established by the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad in April 2023 to investigate alleged criminal groups involved in drug supply using drug run or ‘dial-a-dealer’ phones across Sydney.

During the investigation, detectives identified a syndicate operating within a correctional centre. Two men were arrested earlier this year and are currently before the courts.

Following further inquiries, at about 8.30am on Monday, August 12 detectives attended an address in South Penrith where they arrested a 75-year-old woman.

The woman was taken to St Marys Police Station where she was hit with drug supply charges. She will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, September 24.

EXPLAINER: DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESOLVE LEGAL DISPUTES with Daniel McKinnon

We have written in this column before about alternative dispute resolution. Alternative dispute resolution refers to ways to resolve legal disputes that does not involve litigation. There are many reasons why you should try to avoid litigation, the most obvious being the eye watering cost which often stretches into the tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands even if the value of the dispute is small. This is because most litigation is very time consuming and requires a significant amount of preparation. Often, litigation also requires that a solicitor and a barrister be involved. It is very easy to see how even small disputes can result in substantial legal costs. Litigation inherently involves more than one party as well, so if both parties, or if there are more than two parties, are all legally represented legal costs can get out of control very quickly.

The other main reason you might want to avoid litigation is that it is very stressful. Most people who are not lawyers are not used to being in and around the Court process. Irrespective of whether your matter is a criminal or civil matter, Court is stressful and the process is fairly complex. It usually involves many meetings with lawyers, hours long conferences telling your side of the story and having to relive things that are stressful (even in civil disputes) and having to participate in things like giving evidence in a courtroom which can be quite daunting.

“Formal” forms of alternative dispute resolution include things like mediations where parties and usually their legal representatives meet with the assistance of a Mediator to act as a middleman to see if they can come to some sort of compromise about the dispute at hand. For example if party A is suing party B for $100,000 then a mediation is designed to see if party A would be willing to accept a sum less than $100,000 and whether or not party B is willing to pay something to settle the matter, stop the litigation and prevent the parties from incurring any further legal costs.

Informal settlement conferences are similar to mediations but usually do not involve a Mediator. An example of this is when the

parties sit around a table together with their lawyers to see if a deal can be done before a matter proceeds to formal determination by a Court.

There is also often utility in taking a breath and considering contacting the party you are in dispute with to see if the matter can be resolved without lawyers.

Just this week we had a situation where a client reached out to us who was being pursued by another party for a sum of less than $5,000. Given the costs that would be involved in paying a lawyer to represent them and the very high chance that before long the legal fees would exceed the amount in dispute, we discussed whether or not it would be viable for the client to contact the person they are in dispute with direct to see if they could come to some sort of settlement without the involvement of lawyers, at least on our client’s side.

With our encouragement, our client was able to have a reasonable conversation with the representative of the other party and a deal was struck that was very commercially sensible and meant that our client did not have to pay significant legal costs.

The challenge with this kind of approach is that quite often parties who are in a dispute cannot see the forest for the trees and are too focused on their outrage to be able to communicate constructively without the help of lawyers and/or other alternative dispute resolution practitioners like a Mediator – but in some cases, if cool heads prevail parties may be able to resolve disputes commercially and by way of compromise without needing to accrue significant legal costs.

If you are a party to a legal dispute and cannot resolve your matter by way of compromise or settlement you will have to put all of the information in the hands of a Judge or other judicial officer who will make a decision for you.

This removes control from the parties to determine the outcome and means that quite often no compromise is possible, there is simply a winner and a loser.

If you have found yourself in a legal dispute please contact us to discuss how we can help.

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Retiring Eric plans to keep learning

For over 30 years Eric Wright has sat at the helm of the Nepean Community College but now he is moving on to a new chapter of his life.

Wright has decided to retire as Principal of the college after 36 years and was this week honoured by Penrith Mayor Todd Carney to thank him for his long period of service to the community.

“Since its founding days in 1988, Eric Wright has been Principal at Nepean Community College for over 35 years,” Carney said at Monday night’s Ordinary Council Meeting, which Wright attended.

“Throughout the years, Eric has nurtured and transformed the college into the thriving institution and the community education hub that it is today.

“During Eric’s time, he has overseen many thousands of students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds come through the doors.

“I have had the privilege of working closely with Eric during my time on the Board of the Community College and have witnessed firsthand Eric’s constant quest for ways in which the college could innovate and find different and engaging ways to provide a supportive and effective education service to the community.

“Eric has been instrumental in imple-

menting processes and procedures for other colleges across the state, and mentoring principals on how to create successful educa tional organisations.

“The community, his staff and students are constantly at the forefront of Eric’s mind, motivating him through the years to guide and lead with the upmost enthusiasm.”

Fellow Penrith City Councillors Mark Davies, Ross Fowler, John Thain and Bernard Bratusa all spoke highly of Wright and wished him a happy and healthy retirement.

Wright said he looked back proudly to his achievements over the last three decades.

“I think often I underestimate what the college achieves,” Wright said.

“You feel like you are just a small part doing small things [in a] small organisation but when I did the numbers recently from 1997 through, we’ve had something like 60,000 individual people that have done stuff with the college and if every person becomes part of a network in the community, then that’s a lot of community that’s been built in the classrooms.”

As for what he has planned for his retirement, Wright wants to keep learning.

“I’m thinking about learning Hindi and maybe harmonica,” Wright said.

“Learning stuff and catching up on the really long list of stuff I haven’t done around the house.”

Spring, and dreaded hay fever season, is around the corner

CASSIDY PEARCE

As spring gets closer and closer, so does the threat of itchy, watery eyes, and everything else that comes along with hay fever.

According to Penrith optometrist Vaishali Dhanji, if you’re starting to feel allergies coming on, you’re not the only one.

“The pollen content is a lot higher [in spring], so we find a lot more people coming in complaining of those watery, itchy eyes, and even red eyes,” she said.

Overall, she said that almost 80 per cent of the population deals with some sort of allergies, whether it be hay fever or perennial allergies triggered by dust or animal fur.

But, you may not know you have it until it’s in full force.

“Half the time, a lot of people don’t even know they have allergies until they get ocular symptoms like itchy eyes, watery eyes, or red eyes. It tends to be quite a silent condition until it cumulatively becomes worse, and that’s when people tend to come in and get their eyes checked,” she said.

Other symptoms can include sore or tired eyes, blurred vision, or eyelid swelling.

Regardless of whether you’ve experienced these or not, Dhanji said the most

important way to protect your eyes is to get them checked regularly.

“The first and foremost thing is to, even if you don’t feel there is an issue with your eyes, get routine eye

tests done every one to two years,” she said.

“That way, we’re picking up on those silent conditions that might be lurking in the background.”

But, when it comes to addressing allergies or hay fever symptoms that have already presented themselves, there are a few easy treatment solutions to take note of.

“I would recommend your daily oral antihistamine, and then depending on the visit you have with the optometrist and the type of allergy or conjunctivitis that you’re getting, we’ll determine the course of treatment,” she said.

“Generally, we’ll recommend a cool compress to help with the eyelid swelling and that itchy sensation. We also try to urge people not to scratch and rub their eyes if they can!

“On top of an oral antihistamine on a daily basis, we sometimes will prescribe an eye drop or lubricant antihistamines, and that’s just to cater for that itchiness that they might be noticing.”

Do you have any tricks and tips to battle allergies? Let us know: Email Cassidy. Pearce@westernweekender.com.au.

Integrated Development

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

• The Planning Hub DA24/0545 Lot 72 DP 32140, 263–269 Mt Vernon Road, Mount Vernon

Integrated Development to subdivide the site into 2 lots, with tree removal, and civil works including new driveway access and Wastewater Systems

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

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected period from Monday, 19 August 2024 to Tuesday, 17 September 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 reference number DA24/0545.

For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Jake Bentley on 4732 8087.

Viewing of Development Applications

via penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/DATracker Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

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

Vaishali Dhanji

Eric Wright from Nepean Community College has announced his retirement after 36 years.

PAGE TEN

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LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The purple illuminated reindeer light is located outside Elk Bar at 562 High Street, Penrith. Have you had a drink here yet?

We’re saddened to hear that ‘Busco’ has been let go over at SWR 99.9. His breakfast show was appointment listening each day for western Sydney locals.

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Housing plan approved

traditional” subdivision

Alot on Laycock Street in Cranebrook has received an approval to remove identified trees and undertake an integrated housing development.

Located within close proximity to Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre, Penrith City Council has given the associated Development Application (DA) the green light.

The development will see the construction of 16 detached two-storey dwellings with community title subdivision at a cost of $5,425,000.

“The development will deliver a total of 16 new lots capable of accommodating 16 separate residential dwellings,” the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the DA said.

“It is noting that all 16 dwellings are … architecturally designed in such a manner that each dwelling has its own distinct architectural features and façade presentation.”

The proposal follows a prior refused application that sees the dwellings reduced from 22 to 16 and the removal of trees from 85 per cent to 39 per cent to reduce earthworks and overdeveloping the site.

setback to the front, side, and rear of the lots, remaining compatible with the low-density character of the existing local area.

The new development plan is set to deliver a more traditional residential subdivision lot pattern.

conducted to assess the impact of the development on the local street network.

The developed site will consist of three precincts of houses that are connected via private roads and expects 13 additional peak hour vehicle trips from the site compared to the previous one.

“The development is within proximity to local bus services that are scheduled to provide direct connection with CityRail services and the bus services provide access to Penrith and associated railway station,” the SEE said.

Situated close to Cranebrook Village Shopping Centre, the Laycock Street development has strong access to many local facilities.

“The development site is in close proximity to a local high school, place of public worship, childcare facilities, public reserves/sports grounds and a large industrial precinct,” the SEE said.

The development also includes the construction of private roads, stormwater and other associated civil infrastructure works.

“In redeveloping one of the last few remaining large land parcels within the area, this development is proposed to increase the stock of modern high-quality housing within Cranebrook.” 16 new dwellings to be built at Cranebrook in “more

This allows for larger common open spaces, separation between buildings, and an increase of the

The proposed developed lots will range from 305.86m2 to 508m2 and will contain four bedrooms and a double garage, offering space for two cars per dwelling.

A substantial number of new planting is also proposed in accordance with the Landscape Plan attached to the DA to offset the planned tree removal.

A Traffic Management Report was

The currently vacant land at Cranebrook. Photo: Melinda Jane.

HAYLEY ROCHESTER

More families express concern over ongoing drainage issues

Drainage continues to be a major problem in the northern parts of Penrith and one family is demanding for more to be done.

Sarah Vassallo and Robert Craig live on a property in Londonderry which has experienced significant flooding and erosion problems due to unresolved drainage issues on the land surrounding their property.

Vassallo and Craig where both present at a Penrith City Council meeting last month where a motion to spend $7.1 million to fix drainage and flooding issues in the North Ward as identified by a Council-ordered audit report was voted against.

Craig has taken to cleaning the affected areas himself in order to mitigate some of the adverse effects on his property.

“We sort of keep this area tidy, but this is not part of our property, our property is where the fence is,” Craig said.

When it rains heavily the area surrounding the property becomes a major through way for water. The build-up of fallen trees and debris from the flow of water allows the excess water to impact their property.

“It (the water) comes up to the fence line [and] over the top of the fence along the back here,” Craig explained.

“So, it’s four-foot deep into the paddock but it’s not too bad yet.

“But each time I turn around it comes up further.”

Vassallo believes there are others in her

community who face issues worse than her but knows that her family has had to pay to fix issues they didn’t cause.

She is worried about what the future holds for her property.

“The water comes further and further and it’s scary how quick it’s coming up too,” Vassallo said.

“I hate saying this, but we are one of the lucky ones.

“We are probably better off than others, but still.

“At one point we had to fix the whole fencing, out of pocket.”

Vassallo shared that she feels extremely disappointed by the current representation her and her community receive from their elected representatives.

She is hoping for change after next month’s Council election.

“I am beyond disappointed because this is a basic need and we would love for more things to happen out here in the North Ward,” Vassallo said.

“So, anything else we need or want in this community we are not getting because we are... not even getting the basic needs of our land being protected [and] maintained.

“So, even asking for this feels like it is so much for Council to hear us, it feels like we are asking too much but it isn’t.

“It is just a basic need and it’s only going to get worse and be bigger and a more expensive problem.”

The drainage issue is expected to be reassessed by the new Council following the September Local Government Election.

Sarah Vassallo and Robert Craig. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE

rumblings roll on

The incoming Western Sydney International Airport continues to be a contentious topic, with an all-day forum being held to discuss the issues last week.

Last Friday, Senators Matthew Canavan, Bridget McKenzie, Glenn Sterle, Lisa Darmanin and Steph Hodgins-May were joined by stakeholders and community members to discuss issues surrounding the new airport as part of a Senate inquiry into the impact and mitigation of aircraft noise.

President of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Annette Cam, presented at the inquiry and said it was important to her group that the surrounding bushland would be protected.

“To me, as a person who loves the bush, all bushland areas are important [but] this in particular is a world heritage area,” Cam said.

“So, it is an internationally [and] globally recognised area of wilderness and the Federal Government in signing us up for that agreed to a whole lot of legal regulations on protecting it.

“So, it is not like they can say ‘Oh,

it doesn’t matter’ [because] legally they have said ‘We will protect this area’… the government really has to look at how they are going to mitigate the detrimental impacts.”

On behalf of the community group Residents Against Western Sydney Airport (RAWSA), Trevor Neal said there was a similar theme among the day’s presentations.

“They all had a pretty consistent view on the airport’s operations, particularly demanding a curfew, particularly demanding a longterm operating plan and particularly requiring that the flight paths that have been released... requiring that the flight paths should be redesigned for both Sydney Airport and Western Sydney Airport to make it fairer across the whole Sydney basin area,” Neal said.

“What people don’t realise is that this airport has been given unprecedented permission to structure [operations] how they like [and] when they like without any regulation and that’s quite different to Sydney Airport that has a long-term operating plan, that has a curfew, [and] has flight caps and so people are saying we didn’t particularly want this airport in the first place and now you are giving us flight paths and operating parametres that are nothing like what you said they were going to be.”

Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, has been outspoken about changing the flight paths to be more equitable across Sydney and said after the event that Lindsay is the area most affected by the proposed flight paths.

“It was really important to have the Parliamentary Senate hearing in Penrith,” McIntosh said.

“I worked hard to get the senators out to our community because we are the most impacted community by flight paths and right now people aren’t being felt listened to by the Albanese Labor Government and it is clear, because there was over 8,000 submissions to the Environmental Impact Statement process. So, this was another opportunity for people to have their say.

“A couple of the big issues that came out, one was that there is less than 100 homes that are earmarked for noise mitigation and we’ve heard from Luddenham residents who are parallel to the runway to the airport

itself and one resident said his home is 750 metres away from the airport and he is not receiving any insulation on his home.

“We have a whole township there that feels left behind, they had one pop-up consultation by the government at the local IGA on a Sunday and it was raining. That’s all they got.

“So, there is a lot of emotion from people about what is going on and ultimately what we’re asking for and what we’ve always been asking is to have fair and balanced flight paths, for it to not be just concentrated over one electorate being the electorate of Lindsay.”

Inquiries across Australia into the issues are ongoing. Federal

Melissa McIntosh speaking after the hearing. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The hearing was held last Friday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Trevor Neal speaking at the inquiry. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The hearing at The Joan last Friday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE

Historic property opens its doors

In celebration of the 200-year anniversary of the original Winbourne mansion, the gates to the property are being opened for the first time in years, encouraging locals and history-lovers to go in and see everything it has to offer.

The first Winbourne mansion was built by one of the area’s most iconic historical families on their Mulgoa land back in 1824.

“The mansion was built by the Cox family. They were quite a wealthy family that was given a grant by the NSW Government, so they had Fernhill, they had Winbourne, and they had the cottage, and they had Glenmore,” said Conference Venue Manager, Lisa Hodgskin.

Initially, it was just a one-storey building, though it was extended to a second just years later as their family grew.

The Cox’s lived on the property and aimed to develop it as a centre for agriculture, complete with a baker, and a butcher, a blacksmith and a distillery, making the property a fairly self-sufficient town.

The financial crash of the 1890s forced the Cox’s to sell the property in 1901 to Peter Hewitt, whose family, after his passing, leased it out, and it became a guesthouse

until it burned down in the 1920s.

“When it burned down, Winbourne was being run as a holiday resort for the wealthy in Sydney. They would come out here by horse and cart back in those days, and they would stay out here to shoot, to fish – it was kind of like their country escape,” she said.

At the time, Mulgoa and Wallacia were incredibly popular holiday destinations, meaning that once the original mansion burned down, the owners wanted to do their best to stay in the industry, instead creating a new guesthouse out of the stables.

The stables were designed by the same architect as Sydney’s St Marys Cathedral, and remained a popular holiday destination until 1958, when the property was purchased by the Christian Brothers. It’s been run as a retreat since the 1970s.

“Majority of our business is Catholic school camps, church groups, we do weddings, we do corporate – pretty much anything that we can run here,” she said.

Hodgskin said that they’re hoping to highlight the site’s history once again with the Open Day celebration, to be held on August 25.

“They used to run open days back in the past, but it hasn’t been done for a while, and we know that people drive past that iron gate out the front and wonder what’s down the end of that driveway,” she said.

According to Hodgskin, the Open Day event has become much larger than she anticipated, with plenty on offer.

“We’ve got about 40 market stalls and about eight food trucks coming,” she said.

“We’ve got historical talks – Dr James Broadbent is doing two historical talks, and they booked out really quickly.

“Friends of Fernhill will also be here doing history tours of the museum, and if anyone’s got any

questions, I’ve made a whole heap of information posters that I’m going to have around the property, so people can walk around and read them.”

Hodgskin said she’s hoping to see as many people come through the gates as possible, to allow them to feel what she does working there each day.

“It’s just such a lovely spot, and it’s got such a lovely feeling, driving through those gates every day,” she said.

“We just want people to come and see us, and see what’s here.”

For more information, visit the ‘200 Years of Winbourne – Open Day’ Facebook page, or www. winbourne.org.

Place, Urban Design and Corridor Landscape Plan

Parklife Metro is delivering the Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) works for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. Under the project’s Conditions of Approval, a Place, Urban Design and Corridor Landscape Plan (PUDCLP) is required to document and illustrate permanent built works and landscape designs.

The PUDCLP has been staged to allow construction to commence while design progresses:

•Stage One PUDCLP, which focused on the Luddenham Metro Station building and the Stabling and Maintenance Facility, was re leased for public exhibition in late 2023.

•Stage Two PUDCLP, on public exhibition from Monday, details the remaining SSTOM project elements: St Marys Metro Station and Precinct, Orchard Hills Metro Station and Precinct, Luddenham Metro

Ways you can view and comment on the Stage Two PUDCLP:

SSTOM virtual engagement room

Scan the QR code with your phone to go to the virtual room, or visit www.sstom-pudclp. interactivetour.com.au

Local libraries

St Marys Library 270 Queen Street, St Marys

St Clair Library 12/155 Bennett Rd St Clair

Wednesday August 14 10am - 2pm Caddens Corner, 68 O’Connell Street, Caddens

Saturday August 17 - Friday August 23 10am - 2pm (except Thurs 2pm - 6pm)

St Marys Shopping Centre, Charles Hackett Dr, St Marys

Saturday August 24 and Sunday August 25 Penrith Show, 141-147 Station Street, Penrith

Saturday August 31 10am – 2pm Luddenham Shopping Centre, 2130 The Northern Road, Luddenham

Conference Venue Manager, Lisa Hodgskin. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The ruins of the original Winbourne. Photo: Penrith City Library.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Stage Two PUDCLP public consultation period from Monday August 12, 2024 to Sunday September 8, 2024

Community pop -ups

How one woman’s journey to motherhood resulted in new children’s book Book inspired by NICU

Werrington Downs mum Emma Ferguson has put pen to page on her first book, inspired by her daughter’s journey in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

For Ferguson, pregnancy came with its challenges.

“At 12 weeks, we found out that she had a two-vessel cord, which means that the umbilical cord was missing an artery in it, which means she was going to be quite small to begin with already. So, when we went to our 25-week scan and they said she was small, we thought, ‘Well that’s because of that, that’s normal’, and then it turned out she was less than the first percentile, and that I had preeclampsia, so that’s what was making her so tiny,” she said.

After a three-week ‘staycation’ at Nepean Hospital, baby Celeste Moran was born at 31 weeks, followed by a six-week stay in the NICU.

Though she’s not new to the writing game entirely, having written romance poetry in the past, Ferguson never thought her first book would be a children’s book. However, she said that this stage of the journey was what immediately inspired her.

“We used to do cares every three hours where we would cuddle her, change her

nappy, and we would be sitting there in a room with maybe four other parents, and I would be sitting there thinking, ‘Does she even know that I’m her mum?’, and wondering what she was thinking about, and what she could and

couldn’t see,” she said. What resulted was a poem written from Celeste’s perspective, which, almost a year later, would be turned into a book, called I love you little baby: A Baby's NICU Story

According to Ferguson, it was incredibly surreal when she received the first copy a few weeks ago, and the process has only gotten more exciting, having received a great response from other local mums so far.

Ferguson said she’s hoping to see anyone who has or is going through what can be a scary journey in the NICU pick it up.

“I’d recommend it to anyone who’s been through the NICU journey, past, present, or is about to go through the NICU journey,” she said.

“It’s incredibly comforting. It’s a book that I would have loved back then, just to have that reassurance that bub knows who you are, what’s going on, and they’re happy.”

As for what’s next for Ferguson, she said there may be a new series in the works.

“The book mentions mum and dad, so I had a few people comment asking for a single mum version, or a same-sex version, and I had one of my friends reach out to me who knows that I’ve written poetry before, and she went through IVF, so she asked for an IVF book,” she said.

“I think that will be up next, because I’ve already started the poem – I’ve sent it to her, and she’s given it the OK!”

I love you little baby: A Baby's NICU Story is available now on Amazon, with fast delivery to the local area.

Visit https://amzn.to/3yJCPE to purchase your copy.

DEAR WEEKENDER

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

Dog owners called out

To the people who walk their dogs along the footpath on River Road at Emu Plains. It is disgusting that some dog owners do NOT pick up after their dog. They just walk on leaving the dog’s mess on the footpath. Well SHAME ON YOU! To the owners who do the RIGHT thing, thank you!

IRENE LOGAN, VIA EMAIL

Curious timing on road upgrade

Local Londonderry MP and local resident Prue Car’s very recent update on the Jordan Springs connector road proudly announced that Lendlease and Penrith Council have reached a ‘legal agreement’ to deliver the missing link between Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing. She then goes on to state that ‘this is the culmination of years of advocacy by our community’. Please. There is a Council election in a month. The only people in Jordan Springs who believe there is any significance in this “update” also believe that the word gullible has been removed from the dictionary. Anyone with some intelligence can see straight through this PR stunt. If Penrith Council believe that the residents of Jordan Springs are to be placated by this update just weeks prior to an election than they are very very much mistaken. Residents have endured years of delays by both the developer and Council regarding the delivery of this road which was guaranteed to be delivered in 2019. Had Penrith Council enforced Lendlease to deliver the road as guaranteed to mum and dad homebuyers then no advocacy from the community would have ever been required. Perhaps the Weekender could uncover who

is to pay for the completion of the road after this legal agreement: the developer, as originally approved, or the NSW taxpayer? This update included no dates, no guarantees, no timeline and no assurances: all these would have been included in a genuine and meaningful update. Penrith Council have four weeks to change thousands and thousands of people’s minds, as this announcement due to its timing fooled no one.

JEFF (SURNAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST), JORDAN SPRINGS

Ideas to farewell stadium

Firstly, in relation to the commemoration on the last home game of the year. I think it would a great to invite the oldest living Panther. Does the club actually know who this is, because they should? He could be paraded in a car around the ground. Also couldn’t we invite the earliest Panthers (numbers 1, 2, 3 etc) from the 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 teams, and more if possible, and parade them in cars around the ground (like the AFL does in Grand Finals). The oldest living Panther would probably be one of the earliest Panthers. Finally, whilst we are in the midst of this golden era now is the time, with such peak support, to establish a museum within the club. Surely a space/room could be found to do this?. It would be a tourist attraction in itself. It would bring people into the club with spin off commercial benefits. All great sporting organisations around the world have their own museums to display their greatness. You could employ the services of a sports museum expert about displays, interactivity, design, set up, etc. CLARK STONE, VIA EMAIL

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

Emma Ferguson and Celeste Moran, now 15-months-old. Photo: Melinda Jane.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Cuckson family’s special

• Eric Cuckson brought his family to Australia in 1949 • W.E. Cuckson and Son

It’s a name that has faded with the passing of time, but there can be no denying the impact of Eric Cuckson on Penrith, and its business community.

Eric Cuckson and his wife Marie came to Australia from Wales around 1949 and established his factory at St Marys.

He created and perfected high speed weaving looms for tape and manufactured zippers. Later they developed the Nyguard

zipper, regarded by many as the world’s best heavy duty slide fastener.

He created a working environment in which employees would experience free cooperation, enthusiasm and interest in their work.

Cuckson developed a thermal aluminium foil ceiling system to reduce the heat from the factory roof and improve employee working conditions, named ‘Rondo Foil’ and this later became a product that was manufactured, distributed and installed.

Today, Rondo is based at Erskine

Park and dates its company history back to Cuckson.

In the late 1950s, Cuckson was contacted regarding the manufacture of a concealed ceiling grid system, and this connection became the catalyst for Rondo today.

In 1969 Cuckson Textiles Pty Ltd became Cuckson-Scovill when the U.S. company Scovill Manufac-

turing Company took a financial interest in the Australian company.

Cuckson-Scovill later became Scovill Australia Pty Ltd, after being completely absorbed by the American parent company.

Eric Cuckson died in 1981.

Eric and Marie had three children: Robert Cuckson, Margaret Cuckson and Barbara Cuckson.

Eric wasn’t the only Cuckson with business in their veins. His daughter Barbara Cuckson established the Rozelle School of Visual Arts and celebrated 50 years running the business in 2021, only retiring last year.

Barbara learned to dance in her father’s St Marys factory – as part of the social activities at the business.

Legendary local businessman, Eric Cuckson.

Eric Cuckson at work in St Marys in 1954. Photo: Penrith City Library.

W.E. Cuckson and Son Pty Ltd on Windsor Road at St Marys in the 1960s.

TROY DODDS

And just last year, a reunion was held of those who danced at the Cuckson factory classes from 1954 to 1973.

Barbara Cuckson is a special guest on the Weekender ’s ‘On The Record’ podcast this week, where she speaks with passion about St Marys and Penrith in the 50s and 60s.

“I’ve got very vivid memories. There was a feeling of hope and camaraderie in the community,” she said.

Search ‘Western Weekender ’ wherever you listen to podcasts, or visit www.westernweekender.com.au/ podcast.

Barbara Cuckson at home in St Marys in 1950. Photo: Penrith City Library.

The Cuckson family in the 1950s. Photo: Penrith City Library.

How joy quickly turned to fear for new parents

This National Stroke Week, an Emu Plains family is sharing their story of how a seemingly unique incident changed their lives forever, and encouraging others to be aware.

After being induced at 41 weeks of pregnancy back in January 2021, Catherine Bedford gave birth to her first child, Charles Bedford.

However, she knew immediately that something wasn’t quite right.

“Charles didn’t cry and was quite floppy. He required oxygen and was admitted to the special care nursery. When I was finally able to hold him, I noticed that he felt stiff, his eyes would glaze over and he would rhythmically squeeze my finger,” Catherine said.

“The doctors and nurses told me I was being anxious, but I listened to my gut instincts and persisted. Eventually the nurses recorded a video to send to a paediatrician for a second opinion, and within minutes of that video being sent, we had people running into the room to take Charles to the ICU.”

Catherine and her husband Matthew Bedford were soon told that

their little one was having seizures as a result of a stroke – something they didn’t know was possible.

“At a measly 24-hours-old, our first precious, helpless little baby boy was subjected to countless needles, medicines, tests, exams and not a single hug from his parents. The suffering this caused was immense and long-lasting,” Catherine said.

“We had so many questions about what his future would look like. After two weeks we were sent home from hospital and told to administer medication twice a day.”

Though in his first few months, the family’s days were filled with appointments and rehabilitation. However, after a year, Charles began hitting every milestone, and is now thriving at age three.

“Looking at Charles today, he’s three-years-old and doing incredibly well. He is a true miracle, and we consider ourselves to be so lucky. He still receives early intervention which he really enjoys,” Catherine said.

This week, during National Stroke Week, the Bedford family are sharing their story to encourage everyone, particularly parents, to be aware.

Stroke Foundation’s Dr Lisa Murphy said around a third of all strokes in

children occur under one year of age.

“Perinatal stroke happens before birth or shortly after birth, between 28 weeks of pregnancy and one-monthold. Childhood stroke happens in a child aged from one month to 18-years-old,” Murphy said.

“Stroke is more common in newborns and young babies than older children. It affects one in 2300 to 5000 newborns.

“We know the faster an adult or child with stroke gets to hospital and receives medical treatment, the better their chance of survival and a good recovery.”

Mayor’s News

views

Real Festival is back from September 20 and 21 to once again take over the Nepean River with art installations, food trucks, a Festival Bar, arcade games, performances, workshops, on-water activities and market stalls.

Nestled along the picturesque banks of the Nepean River at Tench Reserve, Jamisontown, it’s an unforgettable weekend to spend with friends and family.

The Real Festival is a free event that offers an exciting program of activities, entertainment and activations that celebrates the landscape of the Nepean River. Festival goers can explore hands-on workshops, on-water activities and attractions, as well as seeing the beautiful riverside become an illuminated playground in the evening.

It is the perfect family-friendly event, with spectacular activities for kids and adults of all ages. I’m looking forward to the return of the hugely popular 30-minute skate sessions, including skate hire at the Roller Rink by Busways (pre-booking

required) and the neon-lit silent disGLOW.

The open-air arcade, kayaking and standup paddle boarding, circus skills, lantern making, and yoga workshops are exciting activities to catch at this year’s Real Festival.

Another highly-anticipated must-see installation is The Guardians — the giant, whimsical wildflower sculptures bursting with vibrant abstract patterns in the sunshine and glowing brilliantly as night falls.

A diverse line up of wholesome entertainment including pop up performances and side show stages. Don’t miss your Friday night treat for pure entertainment –with a passion for entertaining, the Stacey Street Band also performing.

The countdown is on to this fantastic event that has been running for many years and one that I know the community loves and enjoys. I look forward to seeing you there! For more information, head to www.realfestival.com.au

CR TODD CARNEY

Mayor

of Penrith

LOOKING FOR A PAPER?

Did you know there’s a number of ways to get your hands on a copy of the Western Weekender each week?

Head to www.westernweekender.com.au/ getapaper to find out how you can make sure you never miss out.

Charles had a very tough start to life after suffering a stroke.

Charles is thriving today.

CASSIDY PEARCE

The weekly

of Penrith’s Mayor

Real Festival is back!

Michael makes a difference

Local resident’s “completely insane” mission to walk 100 kilometres in 24 hours

Following the success of his inaugural event in 2023, Michael Kelleher is bringing his walk for mental health back for round two.

For Kelleher, the idea to do the walk came from a period of darkness in his life, after the passing of a number of people close to him.

“To lose all of my male role models and go through the walk of life and all the difficulties without having that advice or support or that channel of someone I could go to, not being able to pick up the phone, was really hard, and I went to a really bad place with mental health,” he said.

After a year of this, Kelleher said that rather than doing a new year’s resolution, he committed to a ‘new life resolution’, where each year he would undertake a task which is “completely insane, and weird and wonderful” to challenge the stigma around mental health.

Last year, this was his walk for PTSD, which saw him walk 100km around Hickey’s Sporting Complex in just 24 hours in support of TIACS – a free phone and text counselling

service offering mental health support to Australia’s blue-collar community.

“Last year’s response for my walk for PTSD was unreal. I had over 200 people come down to support the event and walk with me, and we raised over $5900 for TIACS,” he said.

“The best part was, I made it! I walked 100kms in 24 hours, with seven seconds to spare on the clock.”

Following this response, Kelleher decided to turn the event into an annual one, bringing it back on

Saturday, September 14 with a twist that means anyone can get involved.

“There will be a QR code where people can either register to come and join me and just support me in doing my walk, the same as what I did last year, or they can make their

own pledge, so they might want to pledge to walk for five hours, or they might want to pledge to walk for 10km, or there might even be a nut job out there that’s crazy enough to walk 100km in 24 hours with me!” Kelleher said.

This year, Kelleher is aiming to beat his goal and raise $10,000 for TIACS, with as many people pledging to join him on the walk as possible.

But, with plenty to see and do on the day, it seems there’s no reason not to pop down and enjoy the day.

“We’ve got food trucks, we’ve got a coffee van coming down, between 3pm and 8pm we’ve got exhibition matches being hosted on the football field, we’ve got a nighttime disco that’ll be after the football matches, and then we’re advertising a camp out under the stars for kids that want to get involved as well,” Kelleher said.

“There’s lots and lots of free activities for people to come and participate in, and the opportunity for people to just come and do a lap and have a chat.”

To register for the MENTAL Walk, visit https://bit.ly/3yAPmdk.

To donate to the cause, visit https://bit.ly/3Ao9boT.

Michael Kelleher and his family ahead of this year’s MENTAL Walk. Photo: Melinda Jane.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Δ Nepean Roteract established:

On Thursday, July 25, a group of 15 passionate young people convened for their first official meeting, marking the inception of the Nepean Region Rotaract Club. Rotaract is the youth version of Rotary for ages 18-31 and encourages young people to bond over service above self. The gathering was honoured by the presence of the Rotary District Governor and executives from St Marys Rotary Club, who underscored the event’s significance. During this inaugural meeting, the Nepean Region Rotaract members

adopted their constitution and by-laws, formalising their commitment to service and community and eagerness to start giving back to their community. The group then voted to elect their executive team (pictured above), with St Clair local Jacob Gormley emerging as the club’s first president.

Δ Take my dough: KFC has launched Kentucky Fried Cookie Dough, available now at all its stores.

“We’re always seeking to delight fans of our iconic fried chicken with new and exciting taste sensations,

and we’re thrilled to introduce this delightfully moreish treat for those with a sweet tooth to enjoy after their KFC meal,” said KFC Australia CMO, Tami Cunningham. “However, like all good things, Kentucky Fried Cookie Dough won’t be available forever so head in store and grab them while they’re here.”

Δ Macca’s launches new collector’s item: McDonald’s Collector’s Edition Glasses (pictured top right) featuring nostalgic designs are coming to Australia, available for free with the purchase of any Large Quarter Pounder Meal. From this week, for a limited time, there will be six premium collectible glasses with embossed designs available to inspire customers to relive those special moments and create nostalgic joy for a new generation. The new Collector’s Edition Glasses put a fresh spin on classic collectibles from McDonald’s. Each glass spotlights iconic McDonald’s keepsakes from different eras that customers cherish, including the Grimace Mug

in 1976, Pet Lovin’ Barbie in 1999, Hello Kitty Crew Keychain in 2000, and Shrek from ‘Shrek the Third’ in 2007 and more.

Δ Pool party: Saturday, August 24 marks 20 years since the new Springwood Aquatic and Fitness Centre opened, and Blue Mountains

Council is celebrating this exciting milestone with a birthday party and presents for everyone. There will be free entry to the whole centre on August 24, group fitness class trials, waterslide and inflatables, giveaways and promotional discounts, and a BBQ. The celebrations will take place from 11am to 6pm.

for

This photograph shows debutantes preparing

the Mayoral Ball at St Marys Memorial Hall in 1986. The Matron of Honour was Mrs

Marjory Ross, who can be seen seated in the middle. She trained the debutantes for their presentation.

The Mayor Brian King can be seen on the left.

The debutantes initiative was a popular concept that featured as part

of the Mayoral Ball right through the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. (Photo thanks to Penrith City Library)

WITH NATHAN TODD WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS CENTRE • 4721 5011

The best content to post on socials BUSINESS

The best content to post on social media can vary depending on your goals, target audience, and the platform you’re using. However, here are some general ideas that tend to perform well:

High-quality visuals: Images and videos (Reels and TikTok) grab attention and tend to generate more engagement. Use visually appealing content that is relevant to your brand or message.

Educational or informative posts: Share valuable information, tips, or tutorials related to your niche. This type of content is used to show the expertise you have and helps your audience learn something new. Give users a reason as to WHY they would keep following your content.

Behind-the-scenes: Offer a sneak peek into your work process, product development, or events. Authentic and relatable behind-thescenes content helps your audience learn more about your business and gives a sense of connection to them.

User-generated content: Encourage your audience to share their experiences with your product or service and repost their content. User-generated content (or UGC) not only strengthens your relationship with customers but also acts as social proof, encouraging others to engage with your brand.

Polls and questions: Encourage interac-

tion by asking questions, conducting polls, or seeking opinions from your audience. It encourages engagement and helps you understand their preferences. They follow your brand and have an interest in what you do, why not get their opinions on what they want to see?

Social media trends: Stay up-to-date with current trends on the platforms where you have a presence. For example, using a trending song/sound could be the reason why your content gets more views.

Humorous or entertaining content: Everyone enjoys a good laugh. Share funny memes, jokes, or light-hearted content that aligns with your brand’s values. Use social media to bring your personality to life, and most importantly, be yourself!

Personal stories or experiences: Share personal stories that relate to your brand or offer insights into your journey. This creates an emotional connection with your audience and helps them relate to your brand on a deeper level.

Remember, it’s important to tailor your content to your specific audience and platform.

Experiment with different types of content, analyse the engagement and feedback you receive through your insights, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Need help? Contact us at Western Sydney Business Centre.

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NEWSLETTER

HENRY STEPS UP

RISING FORWARD PREPARES FOR FIRST NRL FINALS CAMPAIGN READ THE INTERVIEW: PAGE 35

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Photo: NRL Photos.

the finalword

Regular season games don’t get much bigger than this.

First versus second, a month out from the Finals, the Minor Premiership in play. It’s amazing that we ended up here.

Prior to 2020, the Panthers and Storm didn’t have the biggest of rivalries – the two sides rarely crossed paths during successful eras, and the Panthers became easy whipping boys for Craig Bellamy’s side for quite a while there.

Along came the 2020 Grand Final, where the Storm proved how much experience matters in big games, and a new rugby league rivalry was created.

Since then, we’ve had that epic Preliminary Final in 2021 where Penrith exorcised their demons to win 10-6 and make the Grand Final, eventually going on to win the Premiership.

Another Finals battle arrived in 2023, this time Penrith wiping the floor with Melbourne 38-4.

And earlier this year, Melbourne kept Penrith scoreless with a gritty 8-nil win to open the regular season at AAMI Park.

In the five months that have followed, both sides have gone on their own paths and they land here in Round 24 at BlueBet Stadium with very little separating them.

The Storm have the advantage, sitting in first spot on the ladder with 38 competition points. Penrith follow with 36. Just five points separates the sides in for-and-against, with Penrith +164 and the Storm +169.

And right on cue, both delivered shaky performances last weekend to throw that extra little bit of doubt into how this one is going to unfold.

Melbourne scored five tries to three but their 28-16 win over South Sydney was far from impressive last Thursday night, finding it difficult to make the most of an 18-point half-time lead. Putting the foot down and closing out

games has been an issue at times this year.

Meantime, it took another miracle for the Panthers to win last weekend – scoring three late tries to beat Parramatta 36-34, the third time in a month they’ve needed to pull something out of the fire late to get the victory.

That will either steel Penrith for a game like this against the ladder leaders, or is simply getting them closer to a defeat sparked by lapses in concentration and defensive concerns.

Wins over the Dolphins, Knights and now Eels have been thrilling to watch – but they don’t necessarily scream Finals football at you.

That said, there was a little bit of ‘best of both worlds’ out of that performance against the Eels.

The side still got the win, keeping their Minor Premiership hopes alive and again proving this is a side that is never dead and buried, but they also likely learned some crucial lessons.

Making victory tougher this weekend is issues for Penrith in the back-row. Liam Martin will

miss this game through suspension, while Scott Sorensen is out with a hamstring injury. With Luke Garner still sidelined, the Panthers will go with Mav Geyer and Liam Henry in the second-row.

The loser of this game won’t necessarily sound alarm bells about what’s to come in September, but there’s no question that a victory will provide enormous confidence to the winner. And it will also likely to deliver the Minor Premiership, though that could come down to a mad scramble around for-and-against in the last three rounds of the competition.

I’m confident Penrith won’t leak anywhere near as many points as they did last weekend, and in what is likely to be their final hit-out against a top eight team before the opening weekend of the Finals, I expect a totally committed effort. A close game, but at home, Penrith just have the edge.

Tip: Panthers by 6.

panther rumblings

PANTHERS LOCK DOWN BLAIZE

! Talagi locked in: Penrith confirmed on Monday what was known almost two weeks ago, being that Blaize Talagi will join the club from Parramatta next season. He’s signed a three-year deal. There's plenty of rumours doing the rounds that Penrith see the 19-yearold as a five-eighth and therefore as a replacement for Jarome Luai. But plenty of water will go under the bridge before a ball is kicked in Las Vegas next March. One thing is certain –the Panthers felt they needed to go outside the club to lock up stocks in their backs for next year, particularly when you consider Luai, Taylan May and Sunia Turuva won’t be there in 2025.

! Perfect timing: The Panthers will be presented with the J.J. Giltinan Shield at their final regular season home game against Gold Coast should they finish first past the post. The presentation will form part of the wider Penrith Park farewell. Melbourne play on the Thursday night in the final round, so destiny will be in Penrith's own hands by then as far as the Minor Premiership race is concerned. Of course, plenty could happen between now and the end of the season to change the Minor Premiership race.

! Finals schedule: Penrith are eyeing a Friday night fixture at BlueBet Stadium should they secure a home Final this year, which is looking increasingly likely. The NRL is far from locking in a schedule given so much could change but the Panthers are very keen for a Friday night timeslot. The only real issue standing in the way of a Friday night blockbuster is if Penrith play Cronulla or Manly in the opening weekend. The NRL would be hesitant to force the Sharks or Sea Eagles to play on the Friday given they play on the Sunday in the final round.

! Spotted: Matilda Mary Fowler, who is also Nathan Cleary’s partner, doing some shopping at Penrith Homemaker Centre last week – and happily posing with locals.

! Threepeat up for award: The Western Weekender's Threepeat magazine, which has been such a huge hit with fans, is up for a major award. It's been nominated for Custom Publication of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards, which will be held in the city next month. Congratulations to all involved in the project. How there wasn’t a special edition Masked Panther column is beyond me!

! Spotted: Former Panther and now CEO of the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) Clint Newton in Penrith twice last week. He was first in town to watch the Panthers play the Knights at BlueBet Stadium, and last Thursday attended a function with exclusive business group GTM, where he was interviewed by the Weekender's own Troy Dodds.

! Nod to long-time sponsor: Business group Olatype has moved its planned function this week to the Allam Homes Chairman's Lounge in honour of Barney Allam, who was a member of the group. Allam, a long-time Panthers sponsor and naming rights holder to the Chairman’s Lounge, sadly passed away earlier this month. There will be a special tribute to Allam at the function.

! Spotted: Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher with a couple of Parramatta legends

! Spotted: Blues coach Michael Maguire at Sydney Airport on Monday.

! Annesley clears Penrith try: NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley was comfortable with Izack Tago’s match-winning try for Penrith against Parramatta last Friday night. Cries of an obstruction in the lead-up to the try from a salty Eels coach Trent Barrett and fans across social media were quietened by Annesley on Monday, who said Liam Martin had met his obligations as the lead runner. Annesley admitted it could have gone either way and that some fans would disagree, but he

was comfortable with the Bunker’s decision and its explanation.

! Marto cops a week: Liam Martin submitted an early guilty plea to a dangerous contact charge stemming out of Penrith’s win over Parramatta last Friday night, and was outed for one week. It’s a harsh suspension but the Panthers had no chance of fighting it and winning.

! Eisenhuth close to new deal: Matt Eisenhuth is hopeful of locking in a new deal with Penrith before the end of the season. He’s been in negotiations with the club about extending his stay. He certainly hasn’t let anyone down this season, called upon to fill plenty of gaps during an injury-strained run for Ivan Cleary’s side.

! Spotted: This young fan at CommBank Stadium last Friday night having a bet each way in terms of his hero player.

in Peter Wynn and Eric Grothe at CommBank Stadium last Friday night.

Blaize Talagi. Photo: NRL Photos.

FOOTY CLUB

LAURIE HOLDS HIS OWN FOR PREMIERS

When champion Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards suffered a monthlong knee injury during the third State of Origin game in mid-July, there was some concern as to how the club would manage without their number one man.

Fortunately, Penrith had the perfect replacement to fill Edwards’ big boots in Lower Clarence Magpies junior, Daine Laurie.

The 25-year-old has featured in a dozen games for the Panthers this year, but it’s his performances playing fullback that have got

“But it all happens because of the boys, my teammates.”

Laurie was an integral part to Penrith’s incredible match-winning try against the Eels last Friday night at CommBank Stadium.

Down by four with less than four on the clock, Laurie dummied and broke the line, ran 30 metres before passing to his support man Izack Tago to score and level the match.

Laurie said it was “mad” to be part of the winning play.

“I was feeling a little bit nervous when Gutho (Clint Gutherson) scored his last try to make it 34-20, but we ended up coming back,” he said.

“We didn’t want to fall into our shell and just

Penrith fans buzzing the most. Laurie’s games in the number one jumper have been so strong, that he currently sits in sixth place with 35 points in the Western Weekender’s Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition.

Speaking about his recent form with Extra Time on Tuesday, Laurie says Edwards has been a big inspiration for him this season.

“I have big shoes to fill, so I just go out there wanting to do my job for the team,” he said.

“What Dyl has been doing has been unreal and I just try and replicate my game off him.

“What he does at training and all that type of stuff, it’s been good, and my form has been good [off the back of that].

not play, so the chat behind the goal line was all positive. We just stuck to it, just kept playing and came away with the win.”

Laurie said the ultimate key to victory was remaining calm under adversity and to follow the lead of the “Ice Man”, Nathan Cleary, who, in the end, slotted over the match-winning conversion from the sideline.

“It was up to Nat to kick that goal and he’s just clutch with it. He has ice in his veins, that lad,”

Laurie said.

“He just put it though the sticks. I was confident that he was going to do it too – I was like, ‘happy days’.”

Laure is signed until the end of 2025.

PATIOMAN PATIOMAN

Journalist Nathan Taylor chatting with Daine Laurie on Tuesday. Photo: Emily Chate.

Fullback Daine Laurie in the clear against the Eels last Friday night. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

FOOT CLUB

HENRY STEPS UP FOR FINALS RUN

After missing last week’s thriller against Parramatta due to illness, Liam Henry says he’s fit, healthy and looking forward to his first NRL Finals.

The 23-year-old was a late withdrawal from last Friday night’s match at CommBank Stadium after waking up sick on game day.

“I woke up pretty crook, but I am better now,” Henry told Extra Time on Tuesday.

“I felt it coming on for a couple of days, but I was pretty knocked around come game day.

“I went in, and Ivan was really good about it. He said to go home and rest.”

But while Henry did his best to rest, his teammates some 35km away were making that quite a challenge.

The Panthers were on the brink of defeat to the second-

last placed team before seven minutes of utter brilliance changed everything.

“I was sitting on the edge of the lounge for most of the game, that’s for sure,” Henry said.

“It was a tough grind but the boys did well to come home in the end.

“14 points down with seven to go, I was a bit worried, but they did awesome.

“I was pretty excited when Daino (Laurie) got through, that was awesome. They hung in, dug deep and got the result.”

The Blayney Bears junior has enjoyed an excellent first full season in the NRL, notching up his 18th game of the year against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night.

And with the Finals just four weeks away, Henry is already starting to imagine what that’s going to be like playing.

“It’s definitely on the back of my mind when I lay down on the pillow at night,” he admitted.

“It’s going to be unreal and

an awesome opportunity. Obviously, it’s there and I think about it, but I try not to week to week because I need to focus on what’s ahead and not too far into the future.”

While Henry is doing his best to keep a lid on things, he does believe he’s ready to tackle the toughest part of the season and help deliver the Panthers a fourth straight premiership.

“I definitely try and take each week as it comes and get better and grow, but it’s all stepping stones until the Big Dance,” he said.

“You learn lessons throughout the year and you hope that puts you in good stead for Finals football.”

OPEN 11:30AM - 3PM

SUNDAY 1stSEPTEMBER

Let’s say thank you to all the dads, grandpas and poppies for bringing so much happiness to our lives! Enjoy a set three course meal where one entree, main and dessert can be selected for $79/person.

Entrée (choiceofone)

• Antipasto Plate

-Bresaola, prosciutto,provolone &olives

•Risotto Gamberi

-Risotto served with prawns &babyspinach

•ScallopMornay(4pcs)

•GrilledHalloumi

- Served on sourdough with smashed avocado and beetroot hummus

• Terriyaki Chicken

-Served on friedricenoodles

Main (choiceofone)

•RiverinaPremium/Grain Fed RibEye

- 350-gram rib eye on the bone served with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables

•1⁄2 Free RangeChicken

-Greek marinated chickenservedwitharocket& parmesan salad, dressedwithagarlic, lemon& parsley oil

•LambShoulder Chop

-Marinated in fresh basil, lemon& chili oilservedwithroasted potatoes &tomato chutney

•Surf& Turf Spaghetti

-Prawns& beefstripsservedinacreamymushroom rose sauce

• Gnocchi Fungi

Dessert (choiceofone)

•Chocolate PannaCotta

•Warm AppleCrumble &Rhubarb Tart•Mango Cheesecake

•BanoffeePavlova

Children’smenu available

Forward Liam Henry is ready for his first NRL Finals. Photo: Emily Chate.

Liam Henry on Tuesday.

NATHAN TAYLOR

scoreboard

Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...

Tries: I Tago 2, S Turuva 2, B To’o 2 Goals: N Cleary 6/7

Tries: C Gutherson 2, B Talagi S Russell, J Tago, W Penisini Goals: C Gutherson 5/8

Tries: B Schneider 2, A Kepaoa, D Amituanai Goals: J Cole 3/4

Tries: E Martin 32, M Harper L Mulitalo Goals: E Sanders 3/5

Tries: O McCarthy 2, T Lokeni, M Tupou, S Tuivaiti Goals: T Hurinui Twidle 5/6

Tries: P Hotere-Papalii, A Warwick, S Lane Goals: J Cleary 1/3

BYE: BRONCOS

OUR BEST SLEDGERS

lang on league analysis

with Peter Lang

Rugby league loves a good villain. You know the type of player who can get under the skin of opposition players and supporters, a sophisticated sledger who can put their opponents off their game and thereby gaining an advantage for their team.

When you think rugby league player pests in 2024, you think of Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney, but surely the Panthers don’t have a player in their team who can rival him as the number one pest in the game?

If you answered ‘no’, you’d be wrong, Penrith has two sledgers who could rival Mahoney, both Jarome Luai and Liam Martin can well and truly hold their own in the sledging department.

Luai has been labelled ‘Public Enemy Number One’ on many occasions over the last few years and has made it known that he won’t change who he is for anyone. Martin on the other hand is a pest, not only to opposition players –mainly the Queensland team where he has gained a solid reputation for rubbing the Maroons up the wrong way – but he also drives his fellow Panthers’ teammates crazy with his good natured but annoying antics every day at training.

I’ve also seen Sunia Turuva chirping at the opposition from

time-to-time, particularly during a close game up at Newcastle last year. But compared to his fellow teammates in Luai and Martin, he’s on his ‘L’ plates.

However, Penrith have had also had their fair share of pests over the years going right back to the early ‘90s when Steve Carter played fiveeighth for the club.

“Scarter”, as he was affectionately known, was good at stirring his opposite number to gain an advantage and for a while he even took a liking to making the great Bronco Wendell Sailor lose his cool every time he came up against him.

There were a couple of other Penrith Panthers during the ‘90s who knew how to give a bit of lip including halfback Gary Freeman.

“Whiz” was never short of a clever quip both on-and-off the field and prided himself on getting under the skin of all the best players in the game.

In more recent times between 2010-2012, a cheeky little Panther named Travis Burns also knew how to niggle and annoy on the field.

Burns only spent three years at the Panthers but you could count on him to lock horns and grab the jersey of an opposition player at least once during a game, even if that player was twice as big as him.

Now I’ve saved the best to last.

There was one Panther, a very

recent player too, who could give both Jarome Luai and Reed Mahoney a run for their money.

He played for Penrith for a two-season stint in 2018 and 2019 and his lips never stopped flapping both on and off the field.

His name: James Maloney.

Maloney may have been in the twilight of his career by the time he

donned the black on his back, but I can still see him getting under the skin of Rabbitohs enforcer big Sam Burgess during several encounters, especially one at Penrith Stadium. Maloney is currently an on-field trainer with the North Queensland Cowboys and I bet those lips and quips haven’t stopped flapping to this day.

player of the year

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.

Liam Martin and Jarome Luai enjoy a sledge. Photo: NRL Photos.

panther memories

The biggest threat to rugby league’s survival came in 1995 when the Super League war engulfed the code.

While clubs had pledged loyalty to the ARL competition in February of that year, News Limited’s rival competition was gaining momentum.

As court battles continued and loyalty began to strain, May 12 would prove a significant day in the game’s history, and in the story of the Penrith Panthers.

It was on that day that the Panthers declared their loyalty to Super League, in a major blow to the traditional competition.

The fallout was immediate. Brad Fittler and Matt Sing were in Queensland on State of Origin duties, and the ARL rushed to sign them to new contracts, ending their relationships with Penrith. Both moved to the Roosters.

“We started out being loyal to the ARL, but then I developed a suspicion that they didn’t consider us part of their future,” then CEO Roger Cowan would later say.

Worried that Penrith would become collateral damage in the ongoing war, Cowan pursued Super League in an effort to secure the club’s rugby league presence.

While a court ruling prevented Super League running in 1996, rugby league was split down the middle in 1997 – with the ARL competition and the Super League competition, featuring the Panthers, running side by side. It lasted one year before the NRL was

‘Footy

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COWBOYS TRABBITOHS DRAGONS KNIGHTS

C addens

C addens News (C addens Corner)

Woolworths

C ambridge Gardens

Coles

McDonald's

Overlander Hotel

C ambridge Park

C ambridge Park Newsagency Cellarbations

Friendly Grocer

C astlereagh

Ampol Ser vice Station

Claremont Meadows

Iga Claremont Meadows

Coly ton

Coly ton Centre Pharmacy

Coly ton Friendly Grocer

Coly ton Hotel

Coly ton Newsagency

Hewitt Street Takeaway

Cranebrook

Aldi Cranebrook

Cranebrook Community Health

Cranebrook Village

McDonald's

Mother Earth Nurser y Plus Pharmacy

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

McDonald's

Penrith Regional Galler y Woolworths Lennox Village

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Gre at Western Highway)

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Old Bathurst Rd)

Emu Height s

Super Save Compounding Chemis t

Erskine Park

Ashcroft’s Iga

Erskine Park Ctc

G lenmore Park

Coles

Mags News

McDonald's

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

J amisontown

Abcoe

Atmosphere Fitness Signature Gym

B att Street Take Away

Grey Gums Hotel

Har vey Norman

New On York Takeaway

Parrabey Gourmet Kitchen

(Penrith Homemaker)

Patt y’s Place

S alt C afé (Penrith Homemaker)

S hell Ser vice Station

The Coffee Club Nepean River

Three Sugars C afé

We stern Weekender

York Takeaway

Zoo Fitness

7/ 11 Jamisontow n

Jordan Springs

Brooks Tavern

Jordan Springs Newsagency

Woolworths

Kemps Creek

C altex Ser vice Station

Kemps Creek Bowling Club

Kingswood

B arista Bar Coff ee Shop

(Nepean Private Hospital)

Countr y Brewer

Hallani’s

Kingswood Hotel

Kingswood Newsagency

Kingswood Smash Repairs

Kingswood Sports Club

Penrith Gaels Club

Volunteers Desk Nepean Hospital

7/ 11 Kingswood

Leonay

Emu Sports Club

Grow C afé (formerly Willow Tree C afé)

Llandilo

IGA

Londonderr y

Londonderr y Liquor Store

S hell X Roads

Luddenham

Au stralia Pos t IGA Luddenham

Minchinbur y McDonald's

Minchinbur y Fruit Market

Mulgoa

Glenmore Heritage Golf Club

Mulgoa Newsagency

Mulgoa Pharmacy

The Bunker

Nor th St Mar ys

Boronia House (Retirement Community)

MFC Food Stores

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris C are & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Astina

Atmosphere Gym

Au stralian Arms

Brisket Boys

Ca fé Fre d

C altex Coreen Avenue

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles ( We stfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mar t

High Street Pies

Hoyt s Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Liquor Stax Pe achtree

McDonald's High Street

McDonald's Panthers Le agues

McDonald's Pe achtree

Mercure Hotel

Museum Of Fire

Nepean Aquatic Centre

Nepean Motor Group C afé

Nepean Rowing Club

Nepean Village Coffee Club

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Nextra Westfield

O ffice of Karen McKeown MP

One Point Health

Panthers Le agues Club

Pe achtree Hotel

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Penrith CBD Corporation

Penrith City Council

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Penrith Golf Club

Penrith Hotel

Penrith Paceway

Penrith RSL

Penrith Senior Citizens’ Centre

Pioneer Tavern

RE/MAX

Sittano s Restaurant

Tattersalls Hotel

The Chicken Run

The Heritage Terrace C afé

The Log C abin

We stfield

World Gym

7/ 11 Henr y Street

Regentville

7/ 11 Regentville

Ropes Crossing

Coles

Ropes Crossing Newsagency

Silverdale

Mobil Ser vice Station

The Chemist Shop

S outh Penrith

Budget Ser vice Station

Fish Fish

Friendly Grocer

Grose’s Pharmacy

Southlands Newsagency

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley C afé)

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

Woolworths

St Clair Blue C attle Dog Hotel

Foodworks

St Clair Librar y

St Clair Shopping Centre

7/ 11 St Clair

St Mar ys Andrew ’s Corner Store

Ampol Foodar y Astley Pharmacy

C assand ra’s On Queen

Cr ystal C afé

Guido s Hair C are

Jayam Supermarket

Queen St Newsagency

St Mar ys Band Club

St Mar ys Fish Market

St Mar ys Le agues Club

St Mar ys Librar

McDonald's St Mar ys South Monfar ville Corner Store

READY FOR THE BASH!

Just over a year after his last stop in Penrith, country star Travis Collins is making his return to Panthers, this time as the Sunset Bash headliner.

According to Collins, last year’s Penrith show was a standout, showcasing everything he loves about western Sydney.

“That show was amazing. I think it might have been one of my favourites of that whole tour – definitely top three,” he said.

“The western Sydney area is just so rich for country music fans. They’re really committed to the genre and they have been for a long time, not just lately when it’s gotten cool. There have been die hard country fans out there for decades!”

Since then, he’s made a pivot away from solo shows and instead towards festivals – which he said he’s definitely not mad at.

“In a festival environment, there’s a different energy about people who have circled it on the calendar, they’ve saved up their money for the ticket, they’ve got their crew together, and then they just turn up with a different energy about it than they would just a normal touring date,” he said.

It’s for this reason that Collins said he can’t wait to head back to Panthers, this time to headline the iconic Sunset Bash festival.

“I watched it with the biggest FOMO last year online. I’d seen all the status updates, and on the day I was seeing people post things, a couple of friends that were there went live on Facebook, and just had mad FOMO!” he said.

“I’m stoked to be coming back to headline it

this year. I think it’s going to be a huge one!”

At September’s event, Collins will be joined by a huge lineup of homegrown talent, including Lane Pittman, Missy Lancaster, Duncan Toombs, Wade Forster, Andrew Swift and Cass Hopetoun.

“I’ve become friends with most of them after years and years of being in this industry,” he said.

“They’re all 100 per cent certified good time people, and I have no doubt they’ll get the party started for sure.”

As for Collins’ set, he said he’ll be sticking to ‘the usual mission statement’.

“We’re going to make them laugh, make them cry, make them think about a couple of things, and try and make them lose their voice,” he said.

“If they wake up the next day with a little bit

of a headache and a sore voice, then I know I’ve done my job.”

Hoping that the weather holds out, Collins said he can’t wait to hit the stage in The Backyard, and see as many people there as possible.

“I’m yet to get to The Backyard, but I’ve head that it’s just stunning and looks straight out at the Mountains, and I’m really looking forward to that; just being around that view around sunset, it’s just going to be special,” Collins said.

“I think the people that aren’t there are going to regret not being there, like I did last year!” Travis Collins will be on at Panthers as part of Sunset Bash on Saturday, September 21 at 3pm. Tickets are $59. For more information or to book, visit www.penrith.panthers.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

WesternSydney GigGuid e

13 - 19 AUGUST

IF YOU HAVE A GIG OR EVENT YOU Would LIKE TO PROMOTE PLEASE CONTACT AMANDA at AMANDA.COSKERIE@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

R’N’B Thursdays

From 8pm

Alex & Co Parramatta

Live Music Friday

From 5:30pm

Back to Reactor 1

From 8pm Tickets from $55

Evan Theatre, Panthers

Tinker & Mike

From 8pm Tickets from $55

Acoustic FridaysBlake Savage From 7pm

Mr Watkins

Redbull After Dark Party Saturdays

Happy hour from 9pm - 10pm Live DJ from 10pm Log Cabin

Commercial Hotel Sat 17

Carrington Hotel, Katoomba

Jellybean Jam

From 9pm Free Entry

STeve Edmunds Band

From 9pm

Clarendon Tavern

DJ Fresh & DJ Charlie Brown @ VIbe Saturdays

Albion Hotel Free entry before 9pm

Ettamogah Hotel

R’N’B Rewind Party

8pm - ‘til late

SEven Hills RSL SAT 17 SAT 17

Scan me to check out these events!

THINGS TO DO

Tribute to our Olivia

Don’t miss the chance to experience one of Australia’s most outstanding performers, Susannah Mirana, as she presents ‘We Honestly Love You’ – celebrating the life and music of the unforgettable Olivia Newton John. ‘We Honestly Love You’ will be on at Penrith Panthers on Friday, August 16. Visit www.penrith. panthers.com.au.

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm. Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, Kingswood. Morning tea every Friday morning.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

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

Penrith CBD Corporation

Regular meetings and networking for Penrith CBD businesses. Visit www. penrithcbdcorp.com.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

Learn and explore at Penrith Regional Gallery

Join artist Freedom Wilson for a day of reflective artmaking exploring a variety of print making processes at Penrith Regional Gallery next Sunday, August 25. Participants will create fabric or paper prints using cyanotype, screen printing, stitch and collage processes. Visit www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au for more details.

from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Kingswood-Caddens Probus Club

Meets on the last Monday of the month at Kingswood Sports Club at 10.30am.

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.

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.

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

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

Red Cross Penrith

Meetings held the second Thursday of the month for lunch. Members and

The NSW State Band Championships will be held at The Joan once again on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25. With a proud history spanning more than 125 years, the Band Association of NSW is the peak arts body representing Community and School Brass and Concert Bands, based in NSW and the ACT. Visit www.bandnsw.com for more information. Band comp comes to Penrith

volunteers knit teddies for trauma victims. Call 0438 244 414.

Penrith NASHOS

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

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 for more details.

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.

COUNTRY CORNER

Lawrence enters new era Heralding the start of the next era of Amber Lawrence music, ‘Kick The Doors Down’ is the first single from her new forthcoming album release due in 2025.

The new song was written by Amber Lawrence and Phil Barton on Lawrence’s last day of her Nashville trip in late 2023. It’s a more earthy and roots based sound for the Aussie starlet, yet still retaining her trademark uplifting vocals and lyrics.

“I was at the end of my short trip to Nashville, feeling somewhat defeated (and jet lagged), when I woke up with a fire in my belly on my last day,” she said.

“I strutted into the song writing session with Phil

Barton and said the words “time to shine up my boots, and kick the doors down”, this mantra became the bones of the song, which took four hours to write, just before I headed to the airport to fly home.”

The song is out now on all the usual streaming services.

Rising star drops new track

In the dynamic world of country music, a fresh and vibrant talent is making waves.

Briana Dinsdale, with her remarkable voice and exceptional songwriting skills, is emerging as a captivating artist who blends heartache and hope in her music. Her journey in the industry has been marked by significant achievements, including receiving the prestigious Keith Urban Scholarship to The CMAA Academy of Country Music in 2022, a

testament to her dedication and talent.

She is now set to captivate audiences with her latest single, ‘Real Time Love’. Co-written with her sister Ashlyn and Nashville songwriter Steve Dean, the song is a heartfelt ode to old-school romance, yearning for a time when love was about genuine connection and savouring moments together. The evocative lyrics paint a vivid picture of simple yet profound expressions of love, making listeners long for those timeless, unhurried moments of togetherness.

“‘Real Time Love’ is a song close to my heart. It’s an ode to old-school romance, and it’s for all the girls (and guys) out there who cherish genuine connections and those timeless, unhurried moments of togetherness,” she said.

The song is out now to stream and download.

Nathan Taylor

TV NEWS

Ê Channel Seven has announced 7.30pm this Monday, August 19 as the premiere date for the new season of ‘The Voice Australia’. LeAnn Rimes, Adam Lambert, Kate Miller-Heidke and Guy Sebastian will coach this year’s crop of contestants, who will hope to turn their singing dreams into reality. Sonia Kruger is back as host.

Ê A local version of ‘House Hunters’ is in the works. Producers are currently seeking participants and real estate agents to be part of the new series. ‘House Hunters Australia’ will offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of life’s most significant journeys — buying a new home. Each episode will capture the highs, lows, and excitement of finding the perfect place to call your own. To apply, visit www.househunterscasting.com. au.

Ê It's the end of an era at Channel Seven with Sam Armytage quitting the network after 21 years. The former ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Farmer Wants a Wife’ host will officially exit Seven when her contract expires in October. As for Sam’s next move… we’ll have to wait and see!

AUGUST 19 7.30PM THE

Ê Our good friends at Foxtel are set to raise their prices again! Despite the loss of key channels, including BBC First, A&E and SciFi, Foxtel have confirmed they are increasing prices for several subscription packages from September 1. Foxtel Plus is increasing by $3 per month to $73; Foxtel Plus with Netflix packs (including Platinum Plus) are increasing by $5 per month to $145; 2024 Platinum with Netflix is increasing by $2 per month; and Netflix Premium Add On is increasing by $1 per month. Ridiculous!

Ê Still on Foxtel, and a BritBox app is set to be added to iQ set top boxes this month, which follows the exit of the popular BBC First channel. There will also be a few new channels added including NatureTime, The Outdoor Channel and Vevo music video channels (‘80s, ‘90s and 2K).

Ê Huge news over at Netflix, with the sec-

ond season of ginormous hit ‘Squid Game’ premiering on Boxing Day. Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport. Using this fortune to fund his search, Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the man in a sharp suit playing ddakji in the subway. But when his efforts finally yield results, the path toward taking down the organisation proves to be deadlier than he imagined: to end the game, he needs to re-enter it. Netflix also confirmed that a third and final season will drop in 2025.

Ê Foxtel’s ‘House of the Dragon’ will definitely have a fourth and final season. During a recent press conference discussing the season two finale, showrunner and co-creator Ryan Condal revealed the prequel will include two more seasons, and will conclude with season four.

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Planet America 10:30 That Pacific Sports Show 11:10 Ladies In Black (PG) 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Troppo (M l) 1:55 Guy

Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee 2:50

The Secret Lives Of Our Urban Birds 3:50

Griff’s Canadian Adventure (PG) 4:40 Grand Designs (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Guy

Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee 8:20

TV Guide: August 16 – 22

Shaun Micallef’s Eve Of Destruction 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Fallen Hearts” (M s,v) (’19) Stars: Annalise Basso 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: “A Man Called Otto” (M l) (’22) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:10 TBA 1:35 Harry’s Practice 2:00 Home Shopping 4:00 Million Dollar Minute 5:00 NBC Today 6:00 Today 6:00 Today 6:30 Today Extra 11:30 NINE News Morning 12:00 Movie: “Gifted” (M l) (’17) Stars: Chris Evans 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 4:30 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 NRL: Roosters v Eels *Live* 9:55 NRL: Golden Point (M) 10:40 Movie: “Analyze This” (M l,s) (’99) Stars: Billy Crystal 12:45 Tipping Point (PG) 10:00 Judge Judy (PG) 10:30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly Australia (PG)

5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 AFL Friday Night Countdown

3:00 Modern Family (PG) 3:25 Dogs 2 Make You Laugh Out Loud (PG) 4:15 Baking It (PG) 5:15 Dodger (PG) 6:15 Movie: “Goodbye Christopher Robin” (PG) (’17) Stars: Domhnall Gleeson 8:30 Movie: “Free Guy” (M l,v) (’21)

Saturday 17 August

(PG) 12:00

4:35 Motown Magic 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Brazil Untamed 7:45 Movie: “Enchanted Kingdom” (PG) (’14) Stars: Idris Elba 9:20 Movie: “Baby Done” (M d,l,s) (’20) Stars: Rose Matafeo

6:00 Home Shopping 8:00 Escape Fishing With ET 8:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 10:30 JAG (PG) 12:30 Bull (M v) 1:30 NCIS (M) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 JAG (PG) 5:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 2:00 Becker (PG) 2:30 Frasier (PG) 3:30 Rules Of Engagement (PG) 4:00

6:15 Forged In Fire (PG) 7:00 Jeopardy! 7:25 NITV News Update 7:30 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:25 Glastonbury Festival 2024 3:30 Seinfeld (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 Transformers: Cyberverse (PG) 5:45 Movie: “Trolls World Tour” (G) (’20) Stars: Anna Kendrick 7:30 Movie: “She’s The Man” (PG)

Horse Racing *Live* 1:30 AFL: Round 23: GWS v Fremantle *Live* 4:30 Border Security International (PG) (PG) 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Border SecurityAustralia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Die Hard” (M) (’88) Stars: Bruce Willis 10:15 Movie: “The Man From Toronto” (PG) (’22) 6:00 Hello

1:00 Harry’s Practice 1:30 Seven’s Horse Racing *Live* 5:30 Medical Emergency (PG) 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) 2:00 Rides Down Under (PG) 3:00 Circuit Boats Drivers Championship Highlights 4:00 Barrett Jackson: Revved Up (PG) 5:00 Counting Cars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 Storage Wars (PG)

2:00 ABC News 2:30

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Fireman Sam 6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 Pfffirates 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:30 The Crystal Maze (PG) 8:15 All-Round Champion (PG) 9:05 Movie: “The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants” (PG) (’05)

7:00

6:30

12:45 Bringing Sexy Back (PG) 1:55 Dancing With The Stars (PG) 3:45 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 5:25 Movie: “Spies In Disguise” (M) (’19) Stars: Rachel Brosnahan 7:30 Movie: “Uncle Buck” (PG) (’89) Stars: John Candy

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 The Stand Up Sketch Show (M) 8:55 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (PG)

5:20 Unsettled (PG) 5:50 Kairakau Haukeka (PG) 6:30 Chuck And The First Peoples’ Kitchen (PG) 7:00 The Other Side (PG) 7:30 National Indigenous Fashion Awards 8:30 Movie: “Legend” (PG) (’85) Stars: Tom Cruise

5:30 Luca’s Key Ingredient 6:00 David Rocco’s Italia 6:30 Return To River Cottage 7:30 Hairy Bikers Go West 8:30 Gordon, Gino And Fred’s Road Trip 9:30 Anthony Bourdain: The Layover 10:30 Gourmet Farmer Afloat

1:00 JAG (PG) 3:00 Tough Tested 4:00 All 4 Adventures (PG) 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 6:00 JAG (PG) 7:00 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 8:00 NCIS (PG) 9:55 Bull (M v) 12:45 Blue Bloods (M) 2:35 I Fish 3:00 JAG (PG) 12:30 Friends (PG) 1:30 Becker (PG) 2:00 Frasier (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 3:30 Becker (PG) 4:00 Frasier (PG) 5:00 Deal Or No Deal 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:35 Two And A Half Men (PG) 12:00 Home Shopping

1:00 BBC News At Ten 1:30 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 1:55 Cycling: Highlights 3:55 PBS Newshour 4:55 Extreme Food Phobics (PG) 6:00 The Food That Built The World (PG) 7:40 Impossible Engineering

3:50 Movie: “The Pink Panther” (PG) (’06) Stars: Steve Martin 5:50 Movie: “Over The Hedge” (G) (’06) Stars: Bruce Willis 7:30 Movie: “Nanny McPhee” (PG) (’05) Stars: Emma Thompson 9:25 Movie: “The Witches” (M) (’20) Stars: Anne Hathaway

3:00 Rugby Union: Shute Shield: Semi Final: Randwick v Gordon *Live* 5:00 Movie: “Support Your Local Gunfighter” (PG) (’71) Stars: James Garner 7:55 Rugby Union: Wallabies v Springboks *Live*

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 1:30 Love Your Garden 2:20 George Clarke s Amazing Spaces 3:10 Nigella At My Table 3:40 Extraordinary Escapes (PG) 4:30 Restoration Australia 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Compass (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Vera (M) 9:00 Fifteen-Love (M l) 9:55 Unforgotten (M l,s) 6:00 NBC Today 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend (PG) 11:00 House Of Wellness (PG) 12:00 Dancing With The Stars (PG) 3:25 Border Security International (PG) (PG) 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Sydney Weekender 6:00 Seven News 7:00 The 64th TV Week Logie Awards *Live* (PG) 11:00 The 1% Club UK (PG) 12:00 Repco Supercars Highlights 1:00 Lipstick Jungle (M d,s) 2:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Hello SA 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Wide World Of Sports (PG) 11:00 Sunday Footy Show (PG) 12:00 NRL: Women’s Premiership: Dragons v Roosters *Live* 1:30 NRL: Women’s Premiership: Sharks v Knights *Live* 3:30 NRL: Sharks v Knights *Live* 6:00 NINE News Sunday 7:00 The Block (PG) 8:40 60 Minutes (PG) 9:40 NINE

Vet (PG) 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M) 8:30 Law & Order: SVU (M) 10:30 Law & Order (M) 11:30 Monk (M) 12:30 The Rising (M) 5:10 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) 5:40 On Country Kitchen (PG) 6:10 NITV News Update 6:20 Natural Born Rebels (PG) 7:30 Off Country (PG) 8:30 Another Country (PG) 9:55 Movie: “The Man From Snowy River” (PG) (’82)

1:30 Exploring Off The Grid (PG) 2:00 TBA 3:10 Tough Tested 4:05 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn 4:30 Gold Buckle Campdrafting Highlights 5:00 I Fish 5:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 6:00 JAG (PG) 7:00 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 7:30 Neighbours (PG) 9:30 Becker (PG) 10:00 Frasier (PG) 11:00 Family Feud (PG) 12:00 The Middle (PG) 3:30 Becker

Get Macca’s® delivered.

4:30 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 I Escaped To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Doc Martin (PG) 8:30 Inspector Morse (M v) 4:30 Storage Wars (PG) 5:00 American Restoration (PG) 5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Outback Opal Hunters (PG) 6:00 Modern Family (PG) 6:30 Here Comes Trouble: Tiny Tots Make You Laugh Out Loud (PG) 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M v) 5:30 APTN National News 6:00 Bamay 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Brazil Untamed 7:30 Who Do You Think You Are? (PG) 8:30 Karla Grant Presents

6:05 Little J And Big Cuz 6:25 The

And

(M

(M) 2:30

1:30

(PG) 3:30 JAG (PG) 5:30 Diagnosis

(PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 9:25 FBI: Most Wanted (M v) 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

6:05 Little J And Big Cuz 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Riley Rocket 7:35 The Inbestigators 8:05 Fresh Off The Boat (PG)

4:00 Afternoon Briefing

Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

4:30 Better Homes And Gardens 5:30 I Escaped To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Heartbeat (PG) 8:45 Judge John Deed (M v)

Storage Wars (PG) 5:00 American Restoration (PG) 5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:30 Highway Patrol (PG) 6:30 Funniest Ever Toddler Tantrums Make You Laugh Out Loud (PG) 7:30 First Dates UK (M s) 8:35 Ramsay’s 24 Hours To Hell And Back (M l)

Bamay 6:40 Brazil Untamed 7:30 Kickin’ Back With Gilbert McAdam 8:00 Movie: “One Of Ours” (M) (’21) Director: Yasmine Mathurin 12:30 Bull (M v) 1:30 Blue Bloods (M) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 JAG (PG) 5:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

6:05 Little J And Big Cuz 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Riley Rocket 7:35 The Inbestigators 8:05 Fresh Off The Boat (PG) 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien 6:00 ABC News Hour 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 7.30 8:00 ABC News Tonight 4:40 Mythbusters (PG) 6:15 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Interview With The Vampire (MA15+) 5:30 My Market Kitchen 6:00 Pati’s Mexican Table 6:30 Food Safari Fire 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Marcus Wareing: Simply Provence 5:20 The Curse Of Oak Island (PG) 6:10 Forged In Fire (PG)

5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Nanny (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG)

(PG) 5:00

8:30

3:40 Movie: “Carry On Spying” (G) (’64) Stars: Kenneth Williams 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By

At the movies...

2 hours, 10 minutes

After much anticipation, Colleen Hoover’s iconic novel It Ends With Us has finally received its film adaptation, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and I must say, it’s better than I expected.

Despite what promotion around the movie may lead you to believe, ‘It Ends With Us’ is not a rom com, but rather a graphic and mind-twisting depiction of domestic violence and abuse in a multitude of forms.

The film tells the story of Lily Bloom (Lively) who, shortly after beginning a romantic relationship with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), begins to see a dangerous side to him, reminis-

cent of the dynamic between her own parents which led to trauma in her adolescence.

I will admit, I haven’t read the book due to a personal aversion to Colleen Hoover’s writing style, so I can’t speak to the accuracy or quality of the film as an adaptation.

As a stand-alone film, however, I think it was quite good.

In addition to starring in the film, Baldoni also directed it, and I think he did a phenomenal job.

The way that domestic abuse is pictured, coupled with the way he’s been speaking about the film in the press following its release, shows that ‘It Ends With Us’ was made with a high level of care and respect for victims and survivors. It also allows for viewers to step into Lily’s shoes, answering the common question of, “Why did you stay?” through changing perspectives and unique editing.

Whilst the film isn’t necessarily Oscar-worthy, and I wouldn’t say it’s for everyone given its subject

www.hoyts.com.au

HARMONY COMING TO RHODES: NEW HOUSES

Award-winning developer Billbergia has lodged a State Significant Development Application for ‘Harmony – Rhodes Central East’ – one of the first to be lodged under the NSW Government’s recent affordable housing reforms.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has now been submitted for the 48-level tower, which is located in Sydney’s inner-west and will set a new benchmark for sustainable living.

Located at 9-13 Blaxland Road in Rhodes, Harmony – Rhodes Central East is a mixed-use residential tower featuring

striking architectural design by GroupGSA and targeting an industry-leading 7.4 Star NaTHERS sustainability rating. The tower’s innovative biophilic design – described by Group GSA as a “vertical forest” – will contribute to redefining the Rhodes peninsula with elevated architecture, delivering 313 apartments in one-to-five-bedroom configurations above a mixed-use podium with 12 levels of basement car parking below.

A café will activate the podium, while an extension of the hardscape at the park junction will facilitate outdoor seating flowing into Churchill Tucker Reserve.

With a new landscaped area at ground level, the building sits between Rhodes Station, Blaxland Road, Churchill Tucker Reserve, McIlwaine Park and Brays Bay, providing easy access to transport and open space.

“Billbergia has been part of the Rhodes community for more than 15 years, delivering the homes and infrastructure needed to shape thriving communities.

Our plans for this project are aligned with the NSW Government and City of Canada Bay Council’s vision for a vibrant and connected precinct,” said Saul Moran, Development Director of Planning and Development.

“Harmony reflects our commitment to helping connected communities grow through affordable transport-oriented housing, supported by amenities and essential infrastructure.”

“APARTMENTS AT HARMONY WILL OFFER EXPANSIVE VIEWS OVER BRAYS BAY”

Alongside over 300 homes, the tower will yield 424 square metres of premium communal space for residents – including a dining and alfresco area on Level 20, crowned by a rooftop tree canopy and infinity pool.

“Apartments at Harmony will offer expansive views over Brays Bay and the nearby parklands, alongside bespoke interiors with a range of options, finishes and upgrades – so future owners can tailor their home to suit their lifestyle,” Moran said.

Importantly, significant open space will also be delivered alongside Harmony – Rhodes Central East, with 428 square metres of open space and a further 1,537 square metre landscaped area enhancing connectivity to the nearby Rhodes Train Station. 9-13 Blaxland Road sits within the Rhodes Station Gateway East precinct, rezoned by NSW State Government for residential use in 2021.

With a small tower footprint of just 680 square metres, the site currently houses Rhodes Business Centre, a four-level commercial office building, and an adjoining single level building. For more information about this project, visit www.billbergia. com.au.

Gizzelle

LJ HOOKER CELEBRATES MILESTONE WITH BIG NEWS

Three decades after taking over the ownership of LJ Hooker Penrith, owners Peter and Kerrie Stanford have celebrated the significant milestone with a further expansion of their successful business.

The Greater Western Sydney office, which specialises in property sales and management, has just acquired a substantial rentroll as they have merged with The Professionals Penrith, which has recently closed.

“TOO MANY REAL ESTATE AGENCIES JUST FOCUS ON SALES”

to thrive under their ownership becoming a trusted market leader in the region.

The recent rent roll acquisition, which was five months in the making, coincided with their

and ensuring all systems were in place to facilitate this major undertaking,” Principal, Peter Stanford said.

“Too many real estate agencies just focus on sales, but property

30th anniversary and proved to be the perfect way to mark the special occasion.

“It feels like the time has gone

management has always been an important part of our business, and it needs to be treated with equal respect.

tant as guaranteed income and asset value as well as generating more business through property management sales. It opens up opportunities otherwise unavailable and when done correctly builds an army of supporters and advocates.”

Head of Network Australia, Chris Keating congratulated Peter and Kerrie Stanford on their 30th anniversary with LJ Hooker and the growth strategy to expand their property management division.

“Three decades is a long time in real estate and it is wonderful that Peter and Kerrie continue to have the drive and passion to keep expanding their operations, while also training the next generation of up-and-coming young agents,” Keating said. LJ Hooker Penrith has also welcomed Ross Heidtmann, former Principal of The Penrith Professionals, and three property managers, Brooke De Oliveira,

Ma rian’s Mana is a pre stig iou s maste r-plan ne d pre ci nct offer i ng prem iu m land lots and a rchite ct ural ly des ig ne d res idence s i n one of South-West S yd ney’s faste st-g rowi ng com mu nities.

PR ICES START FROM $554, 50 0

FE AT URES MANICURED GARDENS AND GREEN SPAC ES , ALL MAIN TA INED UNDER A CO MMUNIT Y TITLE SCHEME

WELL PO SITIONED NE AR THE RA PI DLY EX PA NDING OR AN PA RK TO WN CENTRE

Located near Oran Park ’s most popular amenities and shopping precinct, Marian’s Mana invites you to enjoy an addres s that blends nature with urban conveniences. It ’s a place you’ll want to call ho me

INCOME STREAMS IN RETIREMENT TALKING TECH

The superannuation system is designed to build wealth in order to provide us with income in our retirement years. Once we retire and need income, the most efficient way to do this is by converting our superannuation to pension phase and commence an income stream.

Once in pension phase, all earnings are tax free as is the income you receive. There are two types of income streams; account-based pensions and annuities. Each has competing strengths and weaknesses.

An account-based pension, also known as an allocated pension, is by far the most common income stream.

Account-based pensions are offered by most superannuation providers and there is a wide array and choice of funds.

The main strength of the account-based pension is flexibility. You are able to choose how you invest your funds. You can also select the level of income you require

and are able to make withdrawals as you please. The value of the account-based pension goes up and down in line with investment returns and withdrawals. Once you run out of money, the pension stops. In the event of your death, the remaining value of your account-based pension is passed on to your estate.

The full value of the account-based pension is assessed for Centrelink asset test purposes. It is also subject to deeming for the income test, in the same way as other investment assets.

With account-based pensions, you bear investment risk and longevity risk.

Annuities pay you a set income for a set period of time. You are able to nominate a time frame and a portion of your investment you would like back at the end of the period. The annuity company will pay you a pre-determined pension for the designated time frame. You are also able to select a lifetime pension, in which you receive an income for the

The Experts

ALEX MCKENZIE

rest of your life. The newer lifetime annuities offer guaranteed payment terms, periods you can access your funds and other options that weren’t available in earlier life time annuities.

Annuities are very secure in that they offer guaranteed payments with the annuity company bearing the investment risk. Lifelong annuities and annuities with benefit periods of longer than five years with no return of capital, have favourable Centrelink treatment. In the case of lifelong annuities, they also bear the longevity risk.

The weakness of annuities is that they typically have lower investment returns and are very inflexible.

FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE

Aging brings many changes to the body, often leading to decreased mobility, strength, and balance. However, maintaining functional independence as you age is crucial for a high quality of life. Physiotherapy offers effective strategies to help seniors stay active, healthy, and independent.

Personalised exercise programs

Physiotherapists help older adults by designing personalised exercise programs focusing on strength, flexibility, and endurance, tailored to individual needs and abilities. Regular exercise helps maintain muscle mass, improve joint function, and boost overall physical health, making daily activities easier and safer.

Balance and fall prevention

Falls are a significant concern for older adults, often leading to serious

injuries. Physiotherapists assess balance and gait to identify weaknesses or instability. They then create specific exercises to improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Additionally, physiotherapists offer advice on home modifications to create a safer living environment.

Pain management

Chronic pain, particularly from conditions like arthritis, can limit functional independence.

Physiotherapists use techniques such as manual and exercise therapy to manage pain effectively. By reducing pain and inflammation, patients can move more freely and comfortably, maintaining their independence in daily activities.

Education and self-management

Education is a key component of physiotherapy. Physiotherapists provide guidance on self-management techniques for chronic

conditions, empowering patients to take control of their health and well-being.

Enhancing mobility

Mobility issues can significantly impact independence. Physiotherapists are trained in recommending assistive devices, such as walkers or canes, and train patients on their proper use.

Building confidence

Aging can sometimes lead to a loss of confidence in physical abilities. Physiotherapists offer support and encouragement, helping older adults regain confidence in their movements. This boost in confidence is vital for maintaining an active lifestyle.

IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce

Top level skin treatments from the comfort of your lounge room

When it comes to taking care of your skin, it’s easy to feel like you’re always a few steps behind. It seems like everyone on the Internet is going to all sorts of extremes to prevent acne and ageing – vampire facial, anyone?

But, what if you could reap the same benefits and feel just as glamorous from the comfort of your home?

What is LED light therapy?

LED light therapy is a non-invasive skin treatment. Specific colours are used to treat different things, together entering the skin’s layers to target concerns such as acne, fine lines and inflammation.

Whilst you can have this done professionally at many beauty salons and spas, it adds up to a hefty price tag, given achieving the desired effect requires

repetition. Thankfully, you can now do it all on your own with an LED light mask.

How does it work?

Though there are plenty of variations available on the market, if you’ve ever seen one of your favourite influencers or celebrities donning an LED mask, chances are it’s by CurrentBody.

CurrentBody is a UK brand which has taken the world by storm with the increase in interest in home-use beauty

devices. They stock devices dealing with everything from acne to hair loss, and even at-home laser hair removal.

But, by far, their most popular is the LED Light Therapy Face Mask, which you may have seen on celebs like Kim Kardashian and Suki Waterhouse, or in the most recent season of ‘Emily in Paris’.

The mask retails for $585, or you can get the full Face & Neck Kit for $923. It’s FDA-cleared and TGA-certified, and uses patented flexible silicone and

pillow technology to ensure every inch of your skin is covered.

The mask is recommended to be used three to five times a week, with results including a balanced skin tone and reduced texture within a month.

Should I invest?

I’ve been testing out CurrentBody’s LED Light Therapy Face Mask over the last month.

Though it takes a little while to charge the first time, I will

say it’s pretty easy to use as part of your nightly routine. It comes with an attached remote which you use to turn it on, then it stays on for 10 minutes before switching off itself.

The mask also comes with eye inserts, which would be really helpful if you have sensitive eyes, because the light is quite bright.

Whilst I’ve yet to see a huge visible difference in my skin, I do feel as though my skin feels tighter and smoother after each use. I wouldn’t say it’s a necessary purchase given the price, however it would be an excellent addition to your routine if you’re looking to step things up a notch, or a great alternative if you’re currently going to a spa for similar treatments, or are thinking of doing so.

I’m really looking forward to continuing using it – updates to come!

KELLIE

UNDERSTANDING LUMPS AND BUMPS IN OUR PETS

Lumps and bumps are common occurrences in pets, particularly as they age. While these growths are often seen in older dogs and cats, younger animals can also develop them. The key to ensuring your pet’s health is to regularly check their body for any unusual changes and understand the different types of lumps that can appear.

Regular checks are crucial

Performing regular checks on your pet’s body is essential for early detection of any lumps or bumps. To do this, gently run your fingers through your pet’s coat, paying attention to the head, back, sides, chest, belly, and legs. Becoming familiar with what is normal for your pet will help you quickly notice any new or unusual growths.

Types of lumps you might find

• Lipomas (fatty lumps): Lipomas are among the most common lumps found on

dogs and are more frequently seen in overweight pets. These are benign tumours that grow slowly and rarely spread to other areas. Although lipomas are usually harmless, in some cases, they may need to be surgically removed, especially if they interfere with your pet’s movement or comfort.

• Mast cell tumours: These are a common form of cancer that can present in various ways. Certain dog breeds may be more prone to developing mast cell tumours, but any breed can be affected. These tumours are potentially very serious, making early detection and treatment vital.

• Mammary tumours (breast cancer): Mammary tumours can be among the most aggressive types of cancer in pets, particularly in undesexed females. These lumps require immediate veterinary attention to determine the best course of action.

• Warts: Warts are often seen in older pets and appear as small skin tags. While they are usually harmless, they can become irritated and may need to be removed if they cause discomfort.

• Sebaceous cysts: These cysts are swellings filled with a creamy substance and are often seen in older animals. Although they may become red and irritated, they usually do not pose significant health risks.

• Histiocytoma: This is a red, button-like lump commonly found on younger pets. Histiocytomas typically resolve on their own within a few months, but they should still be monitored for any changes.

Identifying cancerous lumps

It is impossible to determine whether a lump is cancerous just by looking at it. If you discover a lump on your pet, your veterinarian will need to examine it

and possibly conduct tests, such as a biopsy, to make an accurate diagnosis. A biopsy involves collecting cells from the lump, sometimes requiring anaesthesia, to determine whether the growth is benign or malignant.

Benign vs. malignant lumps

Benign lumps are non-cancerous and generally do not spread, though they may grow over time. If a benign lump interferes with your pet’s movement or daily activities, surgical removal might be recommended. Malignant lumps, on the other hand, are aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs like the lungs and liver. These types of growths must be treated promptly to prevent further health complications. By routinely checking your pet and staying alert to any changes, you can help ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment. If you have any concerns about lumps or bumps on your pet, contact our team on 4736 2027.

HOROSCOPES

Relax & Unwind

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

This week there’s a Sun/Uranus square, a Full Moon in Aquarius, and Mercury’s reversing through your relationship zone. So you’ll be reliably unpredictable and consistently inconsistent! One half of you wants to snuggle up close with someone special – while the other half longs to be footloose and fancy-free. Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionship and invigorating independence and resist the urge to be deliberately controversial.

TAURUS

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Mercury is reversing through your daily routine zone and the Full Moon lights up your mystery/secrets zone. So many Fish are set for a frustrating and confusing week. Some possible scenarios for frazzled Pisceans? Important phone calls may be missed, diets could be broken, and paperwork could go missing. The best way to handle the ensuing chaos? Slow down … relax … imagine … daydream … meditate … contemplate … ruminate … and escape!

GEMINI

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

With Mercury reversing through your domestic zone, you’ll feel like cleaning, de-cluttering, and re-arranging your living space (or tackling a delayed DIY project). But Venus (your ruling planet) is making tricky aspects to Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, so Bulls can expect a busy and bamboozling time. Prepare for some very short timelines. You don’t work well when other people try to hurry you. Have the confidence to cruise at your own preferred pace.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

With Mercury reversing through your sign – and Uranus squaring your ruler the Sun – you’ll go to extremes as the planets press your ‘Let’s overdo everything’ button. So your motto for the moment is from music icon Mick Jagger (who has four planets in Leo), “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” But resist the temptation to be a right royal bossy-boots. Especially when you don’t get your way. Rather than being pushy, try being charmingly persuasive instead!

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Expect professional problems or domestic dramas, as the Full Moon and retro Mercury stir up old grievances. Use your diplomatic talents to help find solutions. However, if you just sit back and let others make decisions, you’ll feel powerless. So strive to be more self-sufficient, especially at home and work. Getting the ratio right between your public and private lives is challenging, but if anyone can juggle conflicting commitments, it’s a strategic Scorpio!

Mars (the proactive planet) and Jupiter (the confidence planet) are transiting through your sign. So – even though Mercury’s retro – it’s time to be your authentic self! If you don’t accept yourself (warts and all) then why should anyone else? If you don’t develop your talents and follow your dreams, then others won’t do it for you. As style icon Coco Chanel observed, “How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.”

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Many practical, sensible Virgos are set for a chaotic and challenging week. Mercury is reversing through your solitary zone (hey – where did all my friends go?) and the Jupiter/Saturn square complicates close relationships (hey – what’s the matter with my romantic partner or work colleague?). Clever Virgos will slow down, reevaluate and reboot. Maximum tolerance will get you a lot further than constant criticising and stressed-out angst.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Many Archers are restless for adventure. You’re keen to head off on an overseas trip, an inter-state holiday, or a weekend getaway. But with Mercury still reversing through your travel zone (until August 28-29), be careful your fiery, impatient nature doesn’t land you in hot water! Cautious Saturn is also squaring Jupiter (your patron planet). So smart Sagittarians will slow down and aim to get the balance right between hasty spontaneity and careful preparation.

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Are you procrastinating about which project to pursue? A bored and unengaged Ram is a recipe for trouble. With the Full Moon activating your aspirations zone, you’re keen to act, with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. However – with Saturn squaring Jupiter – too much haste could land you in trouble (especially involving family, neighbours, education and/or communication). So do your best to get the balance right between thinking things through and being proactive.

Expect a disruptive week with a friendship surprise or a financial setback. The Full Moon focus is firmly on money matters. Crabs have a good business brain so make sure you’re using it. If you can get the balance right between being canny with cash and entrepreneurial with ideas, then you could really go places. But Mercury is reversing through your $$$ zone (until August 28-29) so make sure you double-check all financial transactions carefully.

This week Venus (your patron planet) squares Jupiter/Mars and opposes Saturn. If you are attached, the two of you will be under increased stress due to doubt, illness, money problems or career pressures. Don’t panic! Use the time to work on the relationship in a patient and productive way. If you are single, don’t expect much from the dating scene this week. If you do connect with someone special, there’ll be plenty of roadblocks before the romance takes off.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

This week Mercury is still retrograde, the Full Moon highlights financial matters, and Saturn (your ruling planet) squares Jupiter. Which could push your predilection for criticism and perfectionism to the max. Calm down Capricorn – and don’t take everything so seriously! Jupiter encourages you to sit in the sun with a drink (or two), read a book, play beautiful music, indulge in some birdwatching … and just relax. You might learn to like it.

14. Put up with 16. Japanese fruit, ...

19. Adversary

22. Attractiveness

37.

38.

40.

42. Irritated

43. Roof overhangs

44. Narcotics

47. Oliver Twist author, Charles ...

51. Burden (with responsibility)

52. In a jaunty manner

53. Hunting trip

54. Taiwanese city

58. Gastric ailment

59. His Master’s Voice (1,1,1)

61. Sectors

63. Directed

64. Water down

65. Display (3,3)

66. Tennis champ, ... Agassi

68. Rocky Mountains state

71. Policy reversal (1-4)

72. Canoodle

74. Singer, Diana ...

76. Artist’s inspiration

78. Note well, nota ...

80. Roman VI

83. Vineyard barrel timber

For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

Word Search

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

THEME: SQUIRRELS

ARBOREAL BURROWS

BUSHY TAIL

CHICKAREES

LEAP

PRAIRIE DOG

PYGMY

SHARP CLAWS

STRONG LEGS

TUFTED-EAR

VEGETARIAN

WOODCHUCK

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about the Paris olympics in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. Which country topped the medal tally with 40 Gold Medals and a total of 126? 2. How many Gold Medals did Australia win at the Paris Games?

3. How many Gold Medals did Australian women win at the Games?

4. Nina Kennedy won Gold for

Australia in which sport at the Games?

5. Which country took home the Gold in the Women’s Duet in Artistic Swimming?

6. Who did USA beat to win the Gold Medal in women’s basketball?

7. Which country won Gold in Men’s Handball?

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

Relax & Unwind

DESTINATION

Melbourne

WORDS

Alice Frank

IMAGES

Supplied

MORE INFO

MELBOURNE ON A BUDGET

Melbourne is one of those special cities that just keeps drawing you back.

The incredible food, the endless shopping and the rooftop bars (my personal favourite) always make for the perfect weekend escape, but with so much on offer it’s important to maximise your time.

So when I recently traveled with my toddler and my mum, I needed somewhere spacious to accommodate us comfortably, but still right in the heart of the city.

The Oaks on Collins is the perfect place.

Located on the bustling Collins Street, this budget-friendly hotel offers heritage charm while still having all the mod-cons –including good wi-fi and TVs with streaming capabilities.

It’s also a literal stone’s throw from the tram line or a leisurely stroll to Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations, meaning the entire city is at your fingertips.

“IT REALLY DOES FEEL LIKE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME”

When we arrived at the Oaks on Collins, there was a self check-in system at reception which was very fun to test out, but there were also plenty of staff on-hand to help and one lovely team member even offered my daughter some colouring pencils and paper while I collected our keys.

We stayed for two nights in a Cosmo Apartment, which really

does feel like a home away from home.

With two queen beds, one is located in a separate bedroom while the other is tucked away around a corner offering ample room for the whole family.

There was also a fully-equipped kitchenette as well as a lounge and dining area, so we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay.

Despite being right in the heart of the city, it was reasonably quiet in our room which meant we were well rested each night, too.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit

Melbourne a few times, but had never had the chance to check out the South Melbourne Markets, so we hopped on a tram and were there within 10 minutes.

As we surveyed the incredible foods on offer – from fresh-cut fruit and freshly shucked oysters to pork belly and burrata focaccia sandwiches – I was kicking myself I hadn’t been here sooner. It’s definitely a must-do while you’re visiting, and there’s also plenty of clothing and homewares stalls to check out while you’re there too.

If you’re a foodie, I’d also highly

recommend wandering down to Degraves Street – one of the famous laneways of Melbourne – and finding a spot to order a delicious brunch and watch the world go by.

Plus staying on Collins Street means you’re just minutes from the bustle of the main shopping precinct and museums that will keep the whole family happy.

So if you’re looking for a budgetfriendly weekend away, it can’t get any better than Melbourne! This writer stayed as a guest of Oaks on Collins.

LUKE’S LINK TO OLYMPIC GOLD

Story continued from » p.72

“But it all really hit home when I sent her off for the Final and I walked around the track to watch. It was probably the longest 10 minutes of my life and that’s when all the emotions started to flow.

“To see Saya execute it and have the perfect weekend, it was everything.”

Madill returned home last week, leaving Sakakibara in France where her partner Romain Mahieu resides.

Madill recalls sitting down with her after the dust had settled to take everything that she had achieved in.

“I remember sitting with her and laughing. I said, ‘this will probably change your life, so just be ready for anything when you get back home’,” Madill said.

“As soon as the plane landed, Saya was on the TV and my partner bought all the newspapers with her on the cover.”

While Madill wasn’t able to bring home an Olympic medal himself 16 years ago, he instead got to be a part of something just as special and that in itself is worth its weight in gold.

In John’s memory

Traditional golf day raises more than $4000 for charity

The John Newham Memorial Golf Day was greeted with sunshine and clear skies as they hit the ranges at Leonay Golf Club last Friday morning to kickstart the 13th year of this special family tradition.

Raising money for Legacy Australia, the Golf Day is an annual event hosted by John Newham’s family to celebrate his life.

Gloria and her husband, John, met in Penrith when he was in the Army and she was in the Air Force, and were married for 51 years before his passing in 2011.

With six children, the family was involved in a range of sports, but golf was John’s chosen game after retirement.

“He would play golf in the sun on his days off here at Leonay,” Gloria told the Weekender

At the first anniversary of his passing, Gloria’s son suggested a Family Memorial Golf Day.

“We decided on Leonay because this was where he got

his hole-in-one, and this was where he played,” she said. As word spread, what started as a family game of golf grew to

become a combination of family and friends to commemorate the first anniversary of John’s passing.

“We ended up with 60-odd people to play golf!” Gloria said. Now celebrating its 13th year, the event has grown to include 125 golfers and around 30 people who came to celebrate over lunch.

Through an assortment of raffles, activities, and donations, the day raises money for Legacy, an organisation that supports the families of veterans.

“In the 13 years, we’ve raised over $20,000 for Legacy,” Gloria said.

“We get all the donations, the raffle, and all the games we play on the course; all that money goes to Legacy.”

John’s crest is worn and displayed proudly by family and friends throughout the day, appearing on t-shirts, stubby-holders, Eskys and, of course, the winning shield.

While the Golf Day continues to be a much-loved celebration of John’s life, it has also become a day when friends and family can come together to connect and have fun.

A whopping $4050 was raised this year for Legacy Australia.

Celebrating 100 Years of Tennis in Blacktown

If you have a connection to Blacktown Tennis over the past centur y, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating this special milestone. Come and reminisce, reconnect, and enjoy a cuppa with fellow tennis enthusiasts.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024

• Time: Noon - 4:00pm

Schedule:

• 12:30pm: Formalities

• Venue: Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope, Tennis Centre Function Room.

• 2:00pm: Demonstration match on Cour t 1, featuring current tennis talents

• 2:00pm - 5:00pm: Cour ts 3 to 10 available for casual play.

Dress Code: Casual

For catering purposes, please RSVP by emailing Yvonne at info@blacktowntennis.com.au or calling 0421 645 286

Blacktown Tennis Centre Stanhope, Blacktown Leisure Centre Tennis function room, Cnr Sentr y Drive & Stanhope Parkway

We look for ward to seeing the word spread through the tennis community and hope to have a wonder ful afternoon together

Members of the Newham family at Leonay last Friday.

Luke Madill and Saya Sakakibara.

HAYLEY ROCHESTER

SPORTS SHORTS

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers FC have announced their fixtures for the upcoming 2024/25 A-League Men season. The Red & Black will kick-off the season on Saturday, October 19 when their cross-town rivals Sydney FC travel to CommBank Stadium for the opening round of the season. Following Derby Day, the Wanderers will travel to Ironbark Fields to face Western United in the second round before playing in two consecutive home matches against Adelaide United and Newcastle Jets. An international break in mid-November will then give the Red & Black ample time to prepare for the second Sydney Derby of the season which forms part of UNITE Round at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, November 23. A clash against Melbourne City at AAMI Park will then follow with a Bye Round with the Red & Black returning to Wanderland on Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 22 with Christmas clashes against Brisbane Roar and Wellington

Phoenix. During the Summer Holiday period, the Wanderers will travel to South Australia to take on Adelaide United on Friday, December 27 before returning home to face local foes Macarthur FC in the traditional New Year’s Day fixture at CommBank Stadium. The Wanderers will have a very full January calendar facing the Victory three days later at AAMI Park with a Bye Round that leads into Perth Glory at HBF Park on January 14. Three days later the Wanderers return to CommBank Stadium for consecutive home matches against Central Coast Mariners and new side Auckland FC, rounding out the month of January with an away fixture against Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, January 31. February will see the third and final Sydney Derby of the season with the Red & Black heading into enemy territory on Saturday,

February 8. The Wanderers and local side Macarthur then return to CommBank Stadium the following Sunday, February 16. An interstate trip to Industree Group Stadium at the end of February will see the Wanderers travel in the thousands on Saturday, February 22 to support the Red & Black against fierce rivals Central Coast. The Wanderers return to CommBank Stadium for the first three weekends of March with a home, bye and home match fixture pattern playing against Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory respectfully. The final six matches of the season will see the Red & Black play in a schedule of two away, two home and two away matches. First up, the Wanderers will be in New Zealand at the end of March and early April facing sides Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC. The two home matches will see Victorian sides Western United and Melbourne City travel to Wanderland with the Red & Black rounding out the regular season with short trips to Newcastle and Macarthur.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed the departure of A-League Women forward Ella Abdul-Massih effective immediately. The Mamre Anglican College student has been part of the club for the last three seasons, making her debut late in the 2021/22 A-League season against Melbourne Victory. The forward went on to feature in 21 matches for the Wanderers.

FATHER’S DAY: Australians are being called upon to nominate local dads in the community for the 2024 Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award – a national program celebrating Australia’s unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support their local sporting teams. With nominations now open until this Sunday, August 18 via sportsdads.com.au, the prestigious award provides an opportunity to recognise those dads who make a difference just in time for Father’s Day on Sunday, September 1. Whether it be cheering

from the sidelines to carpooling to games, coaching or helping to raise funds for equipment, every little bit counts. The winner will receive a Philips male grooming pack valued at over $1,000, as well as a $5,000 Rebel Sport voucher to purchase new clothing or sporting equipment for the community sports club of their choice. In 2023, Daly Cherry-Evans, captain of the Manly Sea Eagles, was awarded Philips Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year, attesting his success to his family’s support and instilling these same values in fatherhood. He emphasised that all parents and volunteers should be celebrated for their dedication in growing the next generation in sport. Nominations are now open and close midnight on August 18. To nominate a community sports dad, submit 100 words on why they should win via www.sportsdads.com.au. The winner will be notified prior to Father’s Day. Those who nominate the successful dad will also have the chance to win a Philips Multigroom prize ahead of Father’s Day.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 19 of the NSWRL Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions took place last weekend, with mixed results for St Marys and Brothers Penrith. In the Ron Massey Cup, St Marys defeated the Bulldogs 34-20, while Brothers Penrith lost to Mounties 34-28. This weekend, St Marys will play the Wenty Magpies, while Brothers Penrith face the Glebe Dirty Reds. In the Sydney Shield, St Marys smashed Cabramatta 48-20, while Brothers Penrith hammered the Moorebank Rams 52-10. This weekend, St Marys will face-off against Glebe, while Brothers Penrith take on Mounties.

BASKETBALL: The Penrith Panthers have squashed the Sydney Comets 85-56 in the quarter finals of the Waratah 2 Youth League Men’s competition. Jett Hickson and Kaelem Petersen both netted 20 points in the monster win at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre last Sunday afternoon. The undefeated Panthers will enjoy this weekend off before playing for a spot in the Grand Final next Saturday at Hills Sports Stadium.

AFL: The Penrith Rams continue to pile on the wins, this time beating the UTS Bats 51-48 in Round 16 of the AFL Sydney Men’s Division 2 competition. The players deemed best for the Rams were Kingston Edwards, Benjamin Zalac, Chris Nolan, Jack Bragg, Rhys Higgins and Layton Gray. Penrith will battle Sydney University this Saturday afternoon at Sydney Uni Oval. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes have failed to win back-to-back games, going down to the Camden Cats 22-8 in Round 16 of the AFL Sydney Division 2 competition. The Ramettes will aim to bounce back when they take on the Inner West Magpies this Saturday afternoon at Picken Oval.

AFL: The GWS Giants have shot up to third on the AFL ladder, defeating the Brisbane Lions 82-64 in Round 22 of the AFL. Trailing by 30 points at quarter-time and still by 15 early in the last term, Adam Kingsley’s men kicked the game’s final six goals to win by 18 points. It was GWS’s sixth straight win and in the process halted the Lions’ winning streak at nine. The Giants will look to keep the good times rolling when they host the Fremantle Dockers this Saturday afternoon at ENGIE Stadium.

The Penrith Ramettes suffered a loss to Camden last weekend. Photo: Charlotte White.

The Western Sydney Wanderers 2024-25 fixture has been released. Photo: Getty.

Daly Cherry-Evans with his kids.

A COACH’S PRIDE

One of the stories of the Paris Olym pics was that of inspirational Australian BMX gold medallist Saya Sakakibara.

The 24-year-old’s journey to Gold took not only Australia by storm but the rest of the world as she defied countless setbacks to become an Olympic champion.

One man who has ridden the highs and lows with her over the years is her coach, Cranebrook resident Luke Madill.

The 44-year-old is a former BMX Olympian himself, having represented Australia at the 2008 Games in Beijing. As an athlete, Madill threw everything at the sport – famously building a replica of the Beijing track in his parents’ backyard.

And it was that very backyard where Madill first got to know Sakakibara and her older brother Kai as two young kids from the Illawarra with bucket loads of potential.

“Because they didn’t live too far away and I had that replica track in my back yard, Saya and Kai used to visit me in Cranebrook a lot to train,” Madill said.

“I saw them both grow up and I knew that they had a bunch of potential. Unfor tunately, I was there the day Kai had his accident in Bathurst as well.”

Following her brother’s devastating accident in 2020 as well as her own serious crash at the Tokyo Olympics, Madill has witnessed the Sakakibara family grow through an enormous amount of adversity and that’s why her incredible gold medal in Paris will be regarded as one of the sporting stories of the year.

“Saya’s journey has been special to be a part of,” Madill told the Weekender

“I actually went over to France three weeks prior to the Olympics just to be with her for her final training session.”

Story continues on » p. 70

NATHAN TAYLOR

Luke Madill celebrating with Saya Sakakibara.