Weekender March 20

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EXTRA TIME Penrith’s leading coverage of the NRL See centre pull-out

Unfinished business Historian’s emotional Gallipoli project pays tribute to Penrith’s fallen DALE DRINKWATER

Amazing live show coming to Penrith p.52

Passion for the community p.14 KATRINA WINS Local woman’s fight for justice finally over p.10

@daledrinkwater

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here couldn’t be a person more passionate and excited about a history project than Penrith City Library’s historical archives buff Lorraine Stacker.

Mrs Stacker is travelling half way across the world to finish a project she started in 2008 – to photograph the Gallipoli graves of local men who lost their lives in 1915 and turn it into a book.

Mrs Stacker almost completed the task in 2008, capturing 15 of the 17 known men who died in battle on the incredible Turkish coastline.

On her first trip, she visited Shrapnel Valley, Lone Pine and Skew Bridge.

“We only had a certain amount of time, and we were able to get around to some cemeteries, but there were a few others that I missed,” she said.

“Especially graves at Lone Pine because there was so many people who were there.

“One guy is buried at Hill 60 cemetery and we never got to Hill 60. They’re all over the place.”

Mrs Stacker is heading to Egypt at the start of her trip where another three men are resting, but said she doesn’t think anyone else will want to go to the cemetery there.

“I am going to Cairo (on a tourist trip), but I just don’t know if they’re going to take us to the cemetery,” she giggled.

“They might take us to the pyramids instead! I’ll go ‘no, can we just go to the cemetery?’.”

Mrs Stacker is extremely excited to pursue such a project, and urges anyone else heading to international grave sites to take photos of the local men’s resting places for her archive.

Historian Lorraine Stacker researching ahead of her overseas trip. Photo: Melinda Jane “It’s not just Gallipoli, it’s any of our local guys who are buried overseas,” she said.

“For example, there is one of our fellows, he is buried in Baghdad. But it’s just as important for someone to go there and acknowledge they are remembered.”

She even has her daughter on the task to take photos of the fallen soldiers when she takes her

students to France’s Villers-Bretonneux on a school trip.

Mrs Stacker will be in Gallipoli on April 25 for their ANZAC ceremony, and said to be there on that day is very important to her and her trip.

“It’s so peaceful there now, it’s just amazing that you would think there was the futility of fighting over land like that,” she said.

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Friday 20 March 2015 ÂŤ the western weekender

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Council

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Mulgoa Road or the Las Vegas strip?

Councillors express concerns over large number of advertising signs on Council-owned land DALE DRINKWATER

@daledrinkwater

ulgoa Road has been compared to the Las Vegas main strip in a Penrith Council meeting that reassessed its position on movable signage.

Councillor Mark Davies made the call amid the flurry of a state election highlighting the combination of election signage, business signage and safety and direction signage.

“I felt that Mulgoa Road has started to look like Las Vegas’ main street and that’s not the look that we want,” Cr Davies said.

In the Council Policy Review meeting, Councillors raised the issue of the extensive amount of signage on Council land, public roads and road reserves causing obstruction to traffic or pedestrians.

Councillor Greg Davies, who initially requested the report into confirming Council’s position on movable signage, said people should have to apply to put up signs on Council owned and public land.

“People should have to pay to register signs. I don’t think we should have an allowance that says if you’re doing it tough you can have it for free. I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

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“As for signs on school fences, I don’t have a major problem with those but you should have to have an application to put them up.

“In the inner city suburbs, every pole is covered in signs and not taken down. If one business does it then everyone wants to.”

However, the recommendation in the report for Council to adopt a position to not support movable signage on Council owned land extends far beyond aesthetic concerns.

“I have had some residents suggest concerns about advertising signage trailers on the side of the road,” Councillor John Thain said.

“They said if their trailer’s parked there and it’s not attached to a vehicle then it’s not insured… if that is the case then they shouldn’t be attached to the road.”

A spokesperson from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) said the insurance is just like that of a caravan, and it depends on the level of coverage for that specific trailer.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler suggested to have this issue investigated and to come back to a briefing in the middle of May. Councillors carried the recommendation and a draft signage policy will be created.

Mulgoa Road is cluttered with signs. Digitally altered image

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Your (un)official A to Z guide of the NSW State Election campaign With the State Election just a week away, I thought I’d put together a little A-Z guide of the campaign so far.

A is for Ayres. His rise through the political ranks needs to be recognised – a solid local member who is now Police and Sports Minister.

B is for big promises. There’s been quite a few in this region during the campaign, and that means we’ll get to watch very carefully over the next four years to ensure promises are delivered.

C is for Carney. Seriously, how unlucky is the bloke given his namesake’s poor reputation in rugby league and the wider sporting world.

D is for Duncan Gay. Made one of the bigger announcements during the campaign with the Mulgoa Road upgrade commitment.

E is for Emma Husar. She’s made a solid impact in her first political campaign. If Stuart Ayres does win as expected next weekend, Labor needs a permanent opposition spokesperson in the seat of Penrith and perhaps Ms Husar is the right option.

F is Foley. I think it’s been a reasonable campaign from the new Opposition Leader. He won’t win Government, but Labor needs to give him a full four years in Opposition.

G is for graffiti artists. They’ve certainly been plying their trade when it comes to damaging political signage around the place.

H is for Homebush. No, the Panthers aren’t moving there.

I is for idiots. Both parties have supporters who fall into this category – most of them seem to like social media.

J is for Jackie Kelly. A strange campaign full of questionable promises and distractions that completely fell apart when she suggested there was a Liberal plan to move Penrith Panthers matches to Homebush.

K is for kissing babies. There hasn’t been enough of this age-old tradition in this campaign.

I’m outraged!

the western weekender Suite 2, 42-44 Abel Street, Penrith NSW 2750 P (02) 4722 2998 • F (02) 4731 6255

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TROY DODDS @troydodds

Questions: There’s usually more of them than answers

L is for lead pencils. They’ll be in school halls around the country next weekend.

M is for March 28. It’ll all be over then.

N is for non-answers. Politicians have mastered it at press conferences and in media releases.

Seriously, just answer the question.

O is for Opal Card. The State Government is thanking its lucky stars it hasn’t been a disaster as it would have dominated the chatter during the campaign.

P is for privatisation. It’s been the big talking point of this campaign and I think the public is legitimately confused and divided, particularly given the various advertising campaigns that are running, some of them just pure scare tactics.

Q is for questions. There’s usually more of them than answers.

R is for radioactive waste. Hasn’t been the talking point it probably should have been during the Mulgoa campaign.

S is for sausage sizzles. The best part about polling day next Saturday.

T is for train stations. Don’t worry, the pollies won’t block your morning commute with offers of a flyer and a chat after March 28.

U is for underdog. In the local sense, that sums up Emma Husar, Todd Carney and Bernard Bratusa who all have a pretty big fight on their hands. The latter is probably in the closest battle of all in Londonderry.

V is for victory party. Mike Baird’s should kick off around 8.30pm next Saturday.

W is for worn out. Given how much the candidates door knock, their shoes are pretty much ready for the scrapheap.

X is for the X Factor. Mike Baird has it – ladies love him, hell even I’ve got a little man crush on the bloke.

Y is for your vote. It’s what the whole campaign is all about.

Z is for zoo. Because that’s what it can feel like during the campaign.

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State Election 2015

Member for Mulgoa

Both major parties make Nepean Hospital election commitments DALE DRINKWATER

@daledrinkwater

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P 0434 374 734 E mulgoa@nsw.liberal.org.au M PO Box 8015, Glenmore Park NSW 2745

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epean Hospital has become an election battleground with both major parties making health commitments in the past week.

Labor announced a major funding pledge last Thursday (see page six), while the Liberals were at the hospital on Wednesday for their announcement.

Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies and Liberal Candidate for Londonderry, Bernard Bratusa gathered at the hospital’s entrance to announce a $4 million Baird Government investment if re-elected next week.

Mr Ayres said the funding will be used to plan the next stage of development for a number of different upgrades, including a multi-million dollar expansion for St Marys Community Health Centre.

“The Local Health District has valued the redevelopment at $370 million, which includes $12 million for expanded community health services at St Marys,” he said.

“One development for Nepean Hospital I can confirm that will be a part of it will be the expanded emergency department.

“That’s a core component, the rest of

Authorised by Tony Nutt, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

2016 Annual Bridal Magazine Stuart Ayres, Bernard Bratusa and Tanya Davies at Nepean Hospital on Wednesday the work will be flushed out through the planning stage.”

Mr Ayres said the difference between the Liberal and Labor announcements is that they’ve added the St Marys centre investment.

“Labor forget that St Marys is an important health centre,” he said.

Mr Bratusa said the $4 million for planning was critical.

Bernard Bratusa and Mike Baird have a long term plan for Londonderry.

“There’s no point planning things like Luke Foley air bubbles if you don’t have the money and the master plan,” he said.

“I’m particularly pleased St Marys has been included in this spend.”

Mrs Davies was thrilled with the news.

“We are getting in and getting on with keeping the health system working by planning and investing for the future,” she said.

• New schools and upgraded classrooms with more teachers and modern equipment • Better hospitals with more frontline healthcare workers, including more nurses, doctors and paramedics

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What we will do is lease the use of only 49 per cent of poles and wires to the private sector.

They’ll pay us rent and they’ll pay it in advance.

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We’ll build roads, rail, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure.

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All these assets remain in public ownership, but you and your family get the new infrastructure we all need to better. make our community work be bett tter er.. er

• A much improved rail system with new lines and reduced congestion • More police with extra resources to fight crime and make our streets even safer and ces • Lower electricity network prices

da Only with your help can the benefits of a growing economy and better community be delivered for you and your family.

For more on our plans please go to www.BackBaird.org.au Authorised by Tony Nutt, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

or email: linda.miller@westernweekender.com.au

We’re going to keep ownership of the state’s electricity distribution system.

By working together, over the next four years, in March 2019, we will have:

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Tanya Davies

Hospital becomes battleground

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

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State Election 2015

Labor splashes cash at Nepean Health promise: Foley commits $351 million for Stage 4 redevelopment of local hospital DALE DRINKWATER

“We are keeping the hundreds of millions of dollars of profits that our electricity network returns to the state every year in the state budget to pay for the nurses we need,” he said. ‘”That’s why I can promise nurse to patient ratios [1:3] delivering 840 new nurses, nurse led walk in centres delivering 45 new nurses and 500 new paramedics,” he said.

Labor’s investment commitment will be extracted from their $1.7 billion hospital infrastructure fund, under their $10.5 billion A Better Way infrastructure plan.

Labor Candidate for Mulgoa, Todd Carney, said the staff at Nepean Hospital are working heroically amid funding cuts, in one of the most over-worked emergency departments in NSW. “44 per cent of patients are forced to wait more than four hours for treatment. A Labor Government will ensure the hospital finally receives the funding it needs,” he said.

Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, said the electorate needed to be wary of Labor’s commitment.

“This is nothing more than a cash splash for votes – Labor cannot be trusted to deliver hospital upgrades,” Mrs Skinner said.

@daledrinkwater

epean Hospital will receive more than just a facelift if a Labor Government keeps its promise to invest $351 million if elected at next weekend’s State Election.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley made the promise at the entrance to the hospital last Thursday. It would see the long-awaited Stage 4 of the hospital’s redevelopment get underway “immediately”.

The redevelopment will upgrade the hospital’s renal, cardiology and neurology services, introduce up to four new operating theatres and a new High Dependency Unit.

Mr Foley said the redevelopment will include more first class services to ensure Penrith and the Lower Blue Mountains cope with population demand in coming years.

“Stage 4 will deliver an enhanced Comprehensive Cancer Centre, it will upgrade the very busy emergency department and deliver new and enhanced birthing suites,” he said.

Mr Foley believes all this can happen without the privatisation of the electricity network, by using its profits to reinvest.

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Prue Car, Catherine King, Luke Foley, Emma Husar and Todd Carney at the hospital

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Police snapshot

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

PUBLIC NOTICE Naming of roads Pursuant to Clause 9 of the Roads Regulation 2008, notice is hereby given of the naming of the flowing road/s.

NAME LOCATION Macadamia Court Caddens, Off Casuarina Circuit Burrawang Close Caddens, Off Angophora Avenue Bridport Place Luddenham Farmingdale Court Luddenham Ganton Way Luddenham Extension of Halmstad Boulevard Luddenham Extension of Miner Glen Erskine Park Alumuna Circuit Jordan Springs Carcoola Way Jordan Springs For further information please contact The General Manager, Mr Alan Stoneham, Penrith City Council on 4732 7777.

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St Marys: Teenager caught driving at more than 200km/h

Londonderry: Police suspect house fire was deliberately lit

A teenager has been stripped of his licence after he was allegedly caught driving over 200km/h on the M4 last week. Police were patrolling the motorway in an unmarked vehicle at about 11pm on Thursday, March 12, and were travelling at the signposted speed limit when they were overtaken by a Holden Commodore, with red P-plates. Police allege the vehicle was travelling well over the speed limit and indicated for the vehicle to stop. Police allege it reached speeds between 190 and 205km/h. The car was eventually stopped near the intersection of Roper Road, St Marys, and officers spoke to the driver and the three passengers. The 17-year-old driver had his license suspended on the spot and is due to appear before Mt Druitt Local Court on April 16.

Police are appealing for information from the public about a house fire, which they believe may have been deliberately lit.

At about 11.30pm on Thursday, March 12, emergency services were called to a home on Bennett Road, Londonderry, after reports of a fire. Upon arrival, the residents of the home told police that they heard a noise at the front of the property and when they went to inspect it, saw that the front veranda was alight. They called emergency services and tried to put the fire out with a garden hose until fire fighters arrived at the scene.

Police say that there was no one injured during the incident however, the front of the home was significantly damaged. Police are investigating and believe the fire was deliberately lit.

Kingswood: Robbery at servo on Great Western Highway

Penrith: Early morning fight turns nasty at train station

Police are searching for three people who they believe can assist in their investigations into an armed robbery at a local service station in Kingswood. At about 2am on Thursday, March 12, police say that two men entered a service station on the Great Western Highway at Kingswood. One man threatened the attendant with a knife, demanding he hand over money. Both men fled the store with an amount of cash and cigarettes and were last seen running towards Morley Street in Kingswood. St Marys Local Area Command are investigating and wish to speak to anyone who may have information.

Two men have been refused bail after they were allegedly involved in a fight near Penrith Railway Station. Police allege that at about 2.20am on Sunday, March 15, the pair were involved in an incident at the taxi rank at the railway station. They allege that a 34-year-old from Granville and a 29-year-old from Glenmore Park got into an argument with a 25-year-old from Jordan Springs before punches were thrown. The 25-yearold was conveyed to hospital with facial injuries, while the two others were charged with ‘Affray’. Both men were refused bail and will appear again in Penrith Local Court today (Friday, March 20).

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9 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

PENRITH

VISIT JAPAN BE PART OF OUR STUDENT EXCHANGE

NEWS

Find out more on Wednesday 18 March 2015 • 7pm at the Penrith Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith.

T: 4732 7736 E: khardman@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au www.pifc.org.au

CONTACT US ADMINISTRATION Penrith Office Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri. St Marys Office Queen Street Centre, 207–209 Queen Street.

Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri. Switchboard Open: 8.30am–5pm. Mon–Fri. P: (02) 4732 7777 F: (02) 4732 7958 Write to: PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

E: council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

SERVICES Waste Hotline: Freecall 1800 734 735 Illegal Dumping: Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad).

Graffiti Hotline: Freecall 1800 022 182

MEETING DATES Council Meetings 23 March 2015 – 7.30pm (Ordinary Meeting) 20 April 2015 – 7pm (Policy Review Committee)

penrithcity.nsw.gov.au penrithishere.com.au

COUNCIL BRIEFS s Penrith rail commuters are being asked to share their experiences as part of Council’s advocacy campaign for better parking and more express train services between Penrith and Parramatta.

State Governments are responsible for providing parking at train stations and residents tell us the 1,000 space car park, which opened in 2012, is regularly full. Council is also pushing for more express services between Penrith and Parramatta to enable people to get to key employment centres more easily and has been speaking to candidates for the major parties ahead of the State election on 28 March about these two important issues Council is keen to hear from regular train users as well as those who use trains only every now and then.

Help us make the case for better parking and faster trains: http://surveyanyplace.com/s/pentransport You can also share your views on facebook and Twitter, use the #PenTransport and #PenrithExpress tags. s In the lead-up to the 2015 state election, Council has developed a list of 16 priorities to build, invest, grow and connect our City.

Some of the identified priorities have a regional focus and are new projects, while others address existing challenges, such as road congestion and commuter frustration. Want more info?

Go to penrithcity.nsw.gov.au and search ‘advocacy’. s Penrith Council is pleased to support Poppy Park which will see over 102,000 commemorative artificial poppies symbolically planted with each one having the name of a fallen soldier attached.

Everyone can participate by purchasing a poppy or a number of poppies therefore ensuring that every soldier, sailor and airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice is individually remembered each and every year. The park will be open for display for five weeks from 21 March to 29 April, 2015 at Judges Park, Woodriff Street, Penrith.

For more details on Poppy Park, or to purchase a poppy, go to poppypark.org.au

DEVELOPMENT CONSENT/S DETERMINED Pursuant to Section 101 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act, the schedule below lists applications recently determined by Penrith City Council.

Details of these determinations are available for public inspection free-of-charge during Council’s normal business hours at the Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith.

Approved Development Applications s Morson Group Pty Ltd DA14/0795 Lots 25–26 DP 32610, (No. 6–8) John Tipping Grove, Penrith Construction of residential flat building containing 32 apartments and basement car parking s Clarendon Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd CD15/0002 Lot 23 DP 216087 (No. 39) Desborough Road, Colyton 2-storey dwelling

s PreTech Pty Ltd DA14/0823 Lot 1 DP 714168 & Lot 7 DP 32349, (No. 92–94) Great Western Highway, Kingswood Demolition of existing structures and construction of 10 x 4-bedroom townhouses s Property Innovations Group DA14/1177 Lot 12 DP 30559 (No. 12) Braddon Street, Oxley Park Demolition of existing structures and construction of 5 x attic style villas with associated car parking, tree removal, drainage and landscaping works s Lend Lease DA14/0766 Lot 1 DP 1132380 (No. 75–103) Links Road, St Marys Construction of a temporary haulage and associated infrastructure upgrades to facilitate the movement of trucks associated with future works within the central precinct, St Marys

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT Penrith City Council has received a Development Application in respect of the subject property. The consent authority for the Development Application is the Penrith City Council. s Crab Investments Pty Ltd DA15/0212 Lot 52 DP 270488 (No. 177–215) Andrews Road, Cranebrook Mixed-use – Construction of a service station, convenience store, restaurants and gymnasium and associated earthworks, underground fuel tanks, car parking, landscaping and signage works The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the Roads and Traffic Authority – Roads Act 1993 Section 138.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time during ordinary office hours, in the period from 23 March 2015 to 8 April 2015.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds of objection are to be specified in the submission.

The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA15/0212.

For any queries relating to the proposal, please contact Pukar Pradhan on 4732 7726.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts Development Applications are displayed at the Penrith Civic Centre.

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 Viewing of Development Applications The above development determination/s may be inspected between 8.30am and 4pm Mondays to Fridays (except Public Holidays) at Council’s Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith. Officers of Council’s Development Services Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

State Election 2015

Baird admits mistake on compensation reform TROY DODDS

@troydodds

or Katrina Keshishian, it is the sweetest of victories.

The local gang rape victim has been fighting for a fair go for herself and other victims of crime after compensation payments were retrospectively cut by the State Government.

Last Sunday, NSW Premier Mike Baird admitted the cuts were a mistake and said victims of crime whose claims were caught in the transition between the old Victims Compensation Scheme and the new Victims Support Scheme will be eligible to have their claims re-assessed.

“The improvements we made to the scheme in 2013 meant that victims got the support they needed within 30 days, rather than having to wait 31 months under the old scheme,” Mr Baird said.

“However, we have listened to the concerns raised by victims, and victims’ groups, about the transition from the old scheme to the new scheme.

“As more recent cases have been brought to our attention, following the widely reported representations by Katrina Keshishian, it has become clear that the retrospective nature of the reforms has

F

resulted in some serious inequities. I am not prepared to allow this – and if that means conceding that this particular aspect of our reforms was a mistake, so be it.”

Attorney General Brad Hazzard said victims who suffered crimes prior to the 2013 legislative changes and had lodged claims under the old scheme will be able to apply for funds under the provisions of the former scheme as if no changes had been made.

Ms Keshishian was told of the news shortly after appearing on ‘Hinch Live’ last Saturday night, where she continued her fight.

“I’m so glad that this fight is finally over,” she told the Weekender.

“Knowing that Mike Baird realises that the retrospective cuts to victims of crime compensation was a mistake means that this bureaucratic nightmare can finally be put to rest not only for myself, but the 24,000 other victims affected by these cuts.”

Ms Keshishian is hoping to start a centre to support victims of crime, and will now focus her attentions on achieving that goal.

The State Opposition welcomed Mr Baird’s announcement.

NSW Premier Mike Baird. Inset: Katrina Keshishian “I am pleased that the Liberals have come to their senses and will scrap their unfair changes to victims compensation,” said Shadow Attorney General, Paul Lynch.

Genevieve Jereb’s

“It is unfortunate that Mike Baird had to be shamed in metropolitan press and prime time TV to finally decide to scrap these unfair rules.”

Mayor’s News

The Traffic Jam in My Brain

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

A New and Innovative Sensory Processing Approach that works “from the inside out” to empower the child, with Autism, ADHD, ADD, Learning, Sensory and Behavioural Differences Commuter parking and trains This week I met with Penrith Station users to talk about the parking situation and the lack of express train services from Penrith.

Council is campaigning for better parking and more express train services and I appreciate the time people took to talk to us this week and fill out our survey.

State Governments are responsible for providing parking at train stations.

We know the 1000 space car park, which opened in 2012, is regularly full and we need more spaces for commuters.

Council welcomes the commitment by the State Government to increase parking at Penrith Station by an additional 300 spaces if re-elected and we are pleased our calls have been heard.

Council will continue to speak up for commuters and will ensure that the commitment is honoured.

We also know people catching trains often use all day spaces in the City Centre which can make it harder for

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shoppers, local workers and other visitors to find parking too.

Council is also pushing for more express services between Penrith and Parramatta to enable people to get to key employment centres more easily and has been speaking to candidates for the major parties ahead of the State Election on March 28.

An express service can be up to 15 minutes quicker between Penrith and Central, and half an hour less a day spent commuting would certainly be welcomed by our residents.

Whether you catch a train regularly or just every now and then, you can help us make the case for better parking and faster trains by taking part in the survey.

Find the survey at surveyanyplace. com/s/pentransport. You can also share your stories on Facebook and use the #PenTransport and #PenrithExpress tags.

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NEXT WEEK: In next week’s edition of the Western Weekender, we will bring you your last minute guide to the State Election including profiles of all candidates in the Penrith, Mulgoa and Londonderry electorates.

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

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Friday 20 March 2015 ÂŤ the western weekender

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State Election 2015

Exclusive: Bratusa promises $200,000 to Bennett Road Public School DALE DRINKWATER

@daledrinkwater

ennett Road Public School will receive funding to upgrade their school no matter who wins the State Election next week.

Liberal Candidate for Londonderry, Bernard Bratusa joined Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli on Wednesday to announce a re-elected Baird Government would provide $200,000 to fix a number of maintenance issues.

Mr Bratusa said the work will upgrade plumbing on the COLA roof, replace flooring in a number of classrooms and be used for roof maintenance.

“I have been talking to the school and the P&C since being preselected and I know how much this work is needed,” he said.

Labor has committed $350,000 to the school for air-conditioning, but Mr Bratusa is sceptical.

“I think that they’re making all these promises because they know they won’t have to honour them,” he said.

“There are 60 odd schools in the electorate, and I think we need to be looking at all of the issues for all of the schools, not just one or two.”

Mr Piccoli explained under the Depart-

B

Funding boost

Bernard Bratusa, P&C representatives Michelle Lyons and Ursula Crow, and Adrian Piccoli at Bennett Road Public School on Wednesday morning

Bernard Bratusa and the Baird Liberal team at Bennett Road Public School

Thursday 26th March

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ment of Education’s policy on air cooling, the hottest schools are prioritsed to receive air conditioning first.

“There would probably be a school down the road that doesn’t have air conditioning that is the same temperature as this school,” he said.

If Labor won the state election, Mr Piccoli said this policy would still be in place.

10am - 2pm Come and get your photo with the Easter Bunny!

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Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian has announced a re-elected Baird Government will increase funding for community transport by a further $12 million over the next four years – a huge boost for vulnerable members of the community.

During a visit to Great Community Transport in Penrith on Wednesday, Ms Berejiklian said community transport provides a lifeline for people who can’t drive or catch regular public transport.

“Without community transport, thousands of people would struggle to do what many of us take for granted, like going to the shops or chemist, getting to a medical appointment or leaving the house to see friends and family,” Ms Berejiklian said.

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Big education promises continue

If elected next week, Labor will provide $7.4 million to deliver free whooping cough vaccines to pregnant women in their third trimester (28 weeks) so their newborns will have immunity at birth.

One in 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die as a result of the disease.

Pregnant women should be vaccinated against whooping cough before their baby is born in order to help protect their baby from the potentially deadly illness in their first weeks of life.

The free whooping cough vaccine will be available to pregnant mothers from GPs – similar to Queensland.

“No newborn baby should be at risk of contracting whooping cough and potentially losing their lives – it is a vaccine preventable disease,” said NSW Shadow Health Minister, Walt Secord.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

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State Election 2015

He’s got more than ‘just an opinion’ Paper boy, bank teller, newspaper editor – now Bernard Bratusa wants to represent Londonderry TROY DODDS

@troydodds

rom club boards to local Council, Bernard Bratusa’s name has appeared on many ballot papers over the years.

So what keeps him coming back?

The Liberal Candidate for Londonderry sat down with the Western Weekender to discuss his deep passion for the Penrith region, his desire to give back to the community and the enormous challenge of winning the seat.

F

» Why he’s running “I’ve always wanted to give back to the community,” Mr Bratusa said.

“I’ve spent 35 years in this city, raised three children here, and I love the place.

To me, with all of the commonsense experience that I’ve been able to garner living in this city and having the privilege of working here for 15 years, it gives me a real feel and an opportunity to give back.” » The Liberal Party “My family moved to Smithfield in 1964 and we lived opposite a tip in a ‘fake brick’ house. I actually joined the Young Liberals back then. I liked the positive feel about it,

Bernard Bratusa is the Liberal Candidate for Londonderry at the March 28 election. Photo: Melinda Jane

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State Election 2015

» His career background “I haven’t got any fancy letters beside my name. The University of NSW was far too close to Randwick Racecourse,” he joked.

“I’ve had a crack at real estate, my first job was at a supermarket, I’ve worked in a petrol station, I was the newspaper boy on the corner. My very first job as a paper boy was opposite a cemetery, so as you can imagine there wasn’t too many papers sold on that corner.

“I really enjoyed my 15 years at the Weekender. I got to meet so many real people from different walks of life. We invested in business and business invested in the Western Weekender.

“I’ve also had a career in banking. I’ve been a fraud investigator, I’ve been an auditor, I’ve been a communications manager but I’ve also been a teller.

“I’m not a career politician. I’m on the back nine of my life and I’ve got one goal

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

particularly down there in Smithfield,” he said.

“I looked around at people getting kicked in the head and taken for granted and I thought this just isn’t right. Every time I turn around it’s the Liberal Party that has the structure and the ideas to dig in particular this state and this country out of its financial problems – the history books show that, that’s nothing new.

“You’ve now got a Premier who was the Treasurer who has taken NSW from the bottom of the rung on every single economic indicator to number one.

“My passion for the Liberal Party is that I like the way they always roll their sleeves up and get the job done.”

and one goal only and that is to represent the people of Londonderry to the absolute best of my ability.” » Electricity privatisation “We’re not selling anything, let’s make that point very, very clear,” he said.

“It’s a lease – it’s 49 per cent and if you use my analogy, picture yourself with five factories. You rent two of those factories, and you retain the other three. The guy who is renting those two factories is going to give you the rent up front. All of a sudden you have this big bag of cash that is in 2015 dollars, not 2025, 2035, this is real money – you’ve got it right now.

“You can invest in your current three buildings, you can buy a fourth building if you want to, you can get yourself a couple of extra trucks – basically you are reinvesting in your own infrastructure, that’s the message.

“It’s not as if you’re going to walk outside on March 29 and the telegraph poles are slowly disappearing and getting sucked into the ground – it’s a myth. At the end of the lease, and yes it’s a long term lease, the product still comes back to the Government. It stays in taxpayers’ hands.” » Life’s ups and downs “I’ve had an interesting journey and one of the things I learned at a very early age was to always treat people as they treat you,” he said.

“There’s been some savage bumps in my life... when you lose your mother at 16 years of age and your father leaves home and you’ve got to raise three kids, you become an adult very quickly.

Bernard Bratusa speaking at a recent community forum “Those responsibilities don’t leave you later in life – there’s always the opportunity to fall off the rails somewhere down the line, but the short answer is that I’ve been an adult for a very long time because of those early experiences.

“Life can be cruel, it’s a hell of a roller coaster, but it’s those life experiences that make you who you are.

“In my case, I think it gives me a real appreciation of people who are doing it tough.”

» Mike Baird “I’ve got a Premier, a boss in waiting for me, who is extremely down to earth and very focused and committed,” he said.

“He could quite easily have tried to mislead the voting public and made decisions post March 28, but he hasn’t done that.

“I think that’s one of the biggest assets I have going into this election – Mike Baird is a straight shooter and is not hiding behind misleading strategies.”

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State Election 2015

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Rising from the ashes: Liberals promise St Clair High $3 million DALE DRINKWATER

@daledrinkwater

t Clair High School staff and students can let out a huge sigh of relief after the NSW Government announced $3 million of funding to rebuild its infrastructure destroyed by fire.

80 per cent of the school’s buildings were left in ashes after flames tore through 30 of its classrooms, staff rooms and library back in June last year, with the school operating out of 24 portable classrooms on their sporting ground ever since.

NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance and Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies met with the school’s principal, Chris Presland, last week to announce the funding that will go ahead if a Liberal Government is re-elected next weekend.

Mr Constance said the funding is in addition to the insurance payment the school will receive and will go towards building improved classrooms.

“This $3 million will go a long way to ensuring St Clair High School is rebuilt to be even bigger and better than it was before,” he said.

Ms Davies said the additional funding will build safe, state-of-the-art facilities for future students.

Mr Presland welcomed the news, and

S

Liberal Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies with Principal Chris Presland (middle), NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance and staff from St Clair High School last week said after extensive consultation with students and the local community, the new classrooms will look nothing like the 30 square classrooms that were lost in the fire.

“Instead of just replacing the building, we are now able to build a really contemporary learning environment for this community,” he said.

The school will boast a commercial grade kitchen, a mezzanine level connecting the new building with the existing building, overhanging shade areas and flexible learning spaces.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

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Bundraiser a major success KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

State Election 2015

More parking for frustrated commuters on the horizon 300 more spaces at Penrith Station if Liberals win State Election next week

The Bakers Delight St Marys team Bakers Delight bakers across the country sold hundreds of thousands of hot cross buns last Saturday, March 14, for the company’s annual Bundraiser.

Joining the campaign was the team from Bakers Delight St Marys, who loved seeing the community dig deep to support the TLC for Kids programs, which support sick children and their families.

“We do a lot of fundraising throughout the year to support the community but the Bundraiser is run across each of the 700 Bakers Delight stores. We have it every year,” said Bakers Delight St Marys Franchisee, Gavin Tamang.

“For every six pack of hot cross buns we sell on the day, $1 was donated to TLC for Kids. It is a good thing that we do for the community, to help these sick kids.”

TLC for Kids works with over 400 hospitals across the country and not only provide critical care but emotional support as well.

“The support of an Australian business like Bakers Delight helps fund our critical impact services and enables us to further respond to sick children’s needs as part of our Rapid TLC and Distraction Box program. Our thanks goes out to Bakers Delight and their customers for their generosity,” TLC for Kids founder and CEO, Tim Conolan said.

The team at Bakers Delight St Marys began work much earlier than usual on the day, in order to meet the demand and started in the very early hours of the morning.

“We made double the amount of hot cross buns on the day and we also had a special table outside the store to help us to sell as many as possible. People had the option to just buy some hot cross buns or could put some money in the tin instead,” Mr Tamang said.

Local residents were able to make donations at any Bakers Delight franchise across the local area.

Gladys Berejiklian and Stuart Ayres at the existing commuter car park DALE DRINKWATER

@daledrinkwater

t may be easier to find a parking spot at Penrith Station in the not-too-distant future, with the announcement of 300 more parking spaces to be built if the NSW Liberal Government is re-elected.

Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres met with Minister for Transport, Gladys Berejiklian at Penrith Station’s current multistorey commuter car park to announce a second replica.

Mr Ayres said the additional multistorey car park will be built right next to the current one at Lord Sheffield Circuit as soon as possible if a Baird Government is re-elected.

“I have been fighting for more parking at Penrith and that’s why, last month, we delivered two new car parks for customers, providing nearly 100 additional free commuter car parking spaces at the station,” he said.

“Labor’s record in western Sydney has been an absolute disgrace. From day one this government hit the ground running on public transport reforms and customers are now seeing the results.”

Mr Ayres said in addition to the extra parking spaces, Penrith Station will see construction begin this year for a major upgrade. “[The upgrade will include] new lifts, stairs to a new station concourse and bus interchange – a huge win for the elderly

I

“Labor’s record in western Sydney has been an absolute disgrace. From day one this government hit the ground running on public transport reforms and customers are now seeing the results.”

and people with wheelchairs or prams,” he said.

“There’s still a lot of hard work to go but the announcement reinforces that the Baird Government is listening to what’s important and delivering the transport infrastructure the community desperately needs.”

As part of the Baird Government’s commitment to cut congestion, Ms Berejiklian said the new parking spaces will encourage more people to catch public transport.

“We all know how frustrating it is trying to find a car sport close to the station,” she said.

“With more people wanting to catch trains than ever before, parking is a big issue for the community and one Stuart Ayres has been fighting for.”

Ms Berejiklian said the issue of train punctuality has improved since last year despite tougher punctuality standards.

“We are very encouraged by the latest reports that show train punctuality is improving,” she said.

“These results are even more satisfying as we’ve been able to improve reliability for customers while running an extra 1000 extra train services and measuring ourselves against tougher criteria.”

The T1 Western Line experienced punctuality of 96.7 per cent in January, an improvement on November’s figure of 90.5 per cent that was under the target of 92 per cent.

19 the western weekender Âť Friday 20 March 2015

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Labor promises brand new school DALE DRINKWATER

@dakedrinkwater

Labor leader Luke Foley has announced a $25 million funding reservation for a new school in Jordan Springs.

Mr Foley and Labor Candidate for Londonderry, Prue Car visited the growing area on Wednesday and said that if elected next Saturday they will fill the vacant block that was set aside and deliver a brand new public school.

Luke Foley and Prue Car at the empty school site at Jordan Springs â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jordan Springs is one of the newest suburbs in the area. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud to be part of a Labor team that is committed to building schools when and where they are needed,â&#x20AC;?

Ms Car said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Labor has a fully-funded infrastructure plan that will keep our electricity network in public hands and invest in local schools for our growing community.â&#x20AC;?

The school for Jordan Springs is expected to have its own before and after school care facilities.

Community

Guiding girls to a brighter future Girl Guides looking for new leaders to help teach life skills and confidence KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

renewed partnership between the Baird Government and Girl Guides NSW has put a spotlight on the latter service in the local area.

Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Victor Dominello and Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies made the announcement in Glenmore Park last week that the Baird Government will provide $45,000 to continue its partnership with the organisation.

The grant is largely about encouraging cultural diversity within Girl Guides, which is something that is already an important part of the organisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of our fundamentals is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;world guideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The girls learn about different cultures as part of their programs. A lot of our units have girls from diverse cultural backgrounds; no one is excluded based on race or religion,â&#x20AC;? said Girl Guides Region Manager for the Greater Rivers Region, Kerrey Williams. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recruiting girls from different cultures adds another dimension to the units and groups. The girls can learn from each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultures and a huge benefit of having leaders of diverse backgrounds is that they can share their experiences.â&#x20AC;?

A

Stuart Ayres MP

barely able to look at anyone in the eye but then months later, she is standing in front of a group talking about something she is passionate about,â&#x20AC;? Ms Williams said.

The organisation is always looking for new girls to join.

Currently, the region is low on leaders and Girl Guides are looking for women over the age of 18 to sign up.

New partnership to provide help to small businesses in new areas KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

newly announced partnership between Lend Lease and the Penrith Valley Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) is hoped to be a game changer for local small businesses in Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing.

The partnership was announced last week to give small businesses in Lend Lease-managed areas easy access to a support network of business advisers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the number of small and medium sized businesses in Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing expected to grow substantially in the near future, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that support is readily available to assist them,â&#x20AC;? Peter Berger, Chairman of Penrith Valley BEC said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Penrith Valley BEC is one of the leading centres in Australia and will provide much needed business skills and networking opportunities for home-based businesses, to help them maximise their potential.â&#x20AC;?

It is hoped that through the partnership, local small businesses will band together to support each other as well.

For local residents running at-home businesses, the partnership is nothing but positive, according to Jordan Springs business partners Julie Palmer and David Stead of fitness company, Hard Work Pays Off. The business owners have had involve-

A

Member for Penrith S Đžg e P

Phone 0402 610 250 Email penrith@nsw.liberal.org.au Mail PO Box 4217, Penrith Plaza NSW 2750 Web www.nsw.liberal.org.au Facebook StuartAyresMP

Authorised by Tony Nutt, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

The organisation is based on informal learning; basically, the girls come together and spend time learning from each other and learning from their leader but in a very relaxed environment.

Rather than teaching maths or English, Girl Guides indirectly teaches practical life skills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The greatest stories from leaders are the ones where a quiet girl joins and is

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Victor Dominello and Tanya Davies visited the Girl Guides in Glenmore Park

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Julie Palmer and David Stead ment with the BEC already, when they approached the organisation for support in the early days of their business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everyone at the BEC has been super helpful and they have been instrumental in getting our business off the ground.

They are sticking around to support us now, helping us to set goals and know how to reach them. They also make us aware of the opportunities we can have,â&#x20AC;?

Ms Palmer said.

Mr Stead said starting a small business can be daunting but with the BECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help, he and Ms Palmer have been able to get their business off the ground.

He added that he was excited to soon see a network of local businesses created through the new partnership.

21 the western weekender Âť Friday 20 March 2015

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

22

dear weekender...

Political advocacy The first casualty of political campaigning is often the truth.

In Penrith, in the lead up to the NSW election, a number of candidates’ promises and assertions, dialogue and opinions could be considered to be falling short of the mark with no concern for the affect they can wreak on our community.

The truth is, Penrith Council does not have a position on the government’s proposed sale (lease) of poles and wires. Penrith Panthers are not moving from their home city of Penrith. There is no approval for 5,000 homes to be built at Penrith Lakes. These are just a few of the dubious ‘facts’ and the scaremongering being played out in the public arena in the lead-up to Saturday, March 28.

Of course the challenge for candidates is to reduce complex policies and issues to simplistic concepts, not easy, but the facts must be at the core of the comment.

The real danger in propagating negative misinformation is to overshadow the positive progress of our city.

The recent launch of the Penrith

Progression Action Plan was the culmination of months of dedication from stakeholders across the city and beyond. It welcomed solidarity and unity. It laid the foundation for Penrith to progress beyond the purview of traditional urban planning. This is only one exciting achievement, there are many others including Council’s advocacy for arts and cultural funding for Penrith. Of course there is much more to achieve.

So I want to encourage all candidates to think twice about the validity of their political advocacy and to take on the ‘real’ issues that affect our community.

ROSS FOWLER, MAYOR OF PENRITH

Pre-polling issues The two weeks of election pre-polling was introduced specifically to drain the resources of the minor parties and independent candidates. Deliberately put in place by the two party system to prevent any challenges to this democratically unfair advantage.

The politically ignorant population are treated with contempt as the pre-poll is viewed by them as the easy way to vote and doesn’t

interfere with Saturday activities.

Postal votes are available for anyone with a genuine excuse.

The cost of hiring suitable premises to accommodate staff for the two weeks is a waste of money and the expense must be considered by government.

PETER TOWNSEND, SOUTH PENRITH

Praise for candidate It is good to see that Maurice Girotto has decided to put his hand up and run for the seat of Londonderry. He might refer to himself as the “accidental councillor” but has proven to be very effective in responding to ratepayers concerns and taking the role of councillor seriously.

This should hopefully mean a respectable result and provide the electors with real choice.

DION BAILEY, VIA EMAIL

Deep concerns I am deeply concerned by the lack of funding and underresourcing at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the affect this is having on our returned soldiers. In short, traumatised veterans are being

email: news@westernweekender.com.au post: Suite 2, 42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown 2750

betrayed by the very system set up to help them. Budget and staffing cuts combined with an unwieldy and chaotic structure is causing major delays and, in some cases fatal delays, for returned soldiers needing access to vital medical and psychiatric care.

With more troops being deployed overseas we need to be sure that the structures and resources are in place to ensure our troops are able to transition into civilian life properly when they return. We are already seeing the results of the previous deployment with more and more young soldiers coming back from Afghanistan being discharged yet unable to access help through DVA. I have seen cases where soldiers have ended up seriously ill, facing family breakdowns and even homelessness because they have been unable to access the treatment and care they so desperately need. It can be hard enough for veterans to come forward and put their hands up for help, so when they do, they need to be supported. Instead we’re seeing resources and budgets slashed which is not just placing DVA under pressure but

is exacerbating the trauma and suffering of our returned soldiers.

The Government needs to be putting more resources and funds towards helping our veterans, not turning their back on them when they return home.

BRIAN BRIGGS MILITARY COMPENSATION LAWYER, SLATER AND GORDON LAWYERS

Bali executions In a perfect world they shouldn’t be executed for drug smuggling but that is the law over there and we should respect their laws, our government wouldn’t like it if other countries tried to tell our Prime Minister how to run his country (Local students hold vigil for Bali duo, Western Weekender March 13). All countries have different laws and the punishment varies due to the severity of the problem it has on the country.

Maybe our government taking our judiciary system and punishment more seriously instead of slapping everyone on the wrist would be better than sticking their nose into other countries’ business.

MARK COSTELLO, VIA FACEBOOK

The Western Weekender reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of accuracy and space.

For more information, see our public notices section.

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23 the western weekender Âť Friday 20 March 2015

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Community

Congratulations to…

Sunnyfield’s future looks much brighter at new St Marys site

Monica Lesslie Monica, from Cranebrook, is the winner of our Old Wives Tales promotion that ran in the Western Weekender last week.

KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

Her entry was: “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back”

We hope you enjoy your prize , Monica

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Enquiries 0416 291 280 Visit us on facebook at Penrith Collectormania Fair

unnyfield Disability Services has answered the growing demand for disability support services in the area with the opening of its St Marys Community Services Hub. Officially opened by Minister for Disability, John Ajaka on March 11, the Hub will allow for the organisation to expand its services and introduce new programs to benefit adults with disability in Penrith and its surrounds.

By doing so, the organisation is creating new opportunities for people with disability and hopes to help them actively participate in the community.

“The centre is located right in the heart of St Marys. It is close to transport, which means that it is easy for our clients and their families to get to and the location also supports our Transport Training Program as well,” said Sunnyfield Regional Manager, Kelly Jones.

“Because of its location, our clients are able to become more engaged in the local community in the same way that you and I can. Before the Hub we were located at a much smaller site in a less central location, which meant that our clients weren’t able to be as involved in the local community as they are now.”

The Hub, which is located at a former

S

This Old Wives Tale – related to walking on a footpath – was actually submitted by three entrants, with Monica chosen at random as our winner.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

24

ADMISSION ADULTS $6 CONCESSION $4 PENSIONERS $2

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Janelle Auatika, Kelly Jones and Kirsty Pedras at the new Sunnyfield site McDonald’s at 369 Great Western Highway, St Marys, has allowed for the organisation to introduce a range of new programs.

It offers both centre-based and community-based activities, including music therapy, cooking, money handling training, gardening, health and fitness programs, arts and culture programs and TAFE courses.

The organisation has partnered with other local businesses to offer some of these programs.

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25 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

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Community

DALE DRINKWATER

Amazing show of spirit and support from PAC students and staff

Olga Kiss has worked at St Dominic’s College since 1986 and last week celebrated her 75th birthday with a special surprise party at the school.

Miss Kiss joked about trying to keep her age a secret before she said she was humbled and “feels like she is in heaven”.

“Because that’s what I feel heaven is about – a lot of love,” she said.

@ktweed_

pon hearing that one of their own was diagnosed with leukaemia, the Penrith Anglican College (PAC) community took action, raising over $50,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation in a matter of days.

In a huge act of compassion, a group of 14 people including students, teachers and the school headmaster put their hands up to ‘Be Brave and Shave’ for their classmate, while the school community dug deep in support.

The community’s effort resulted in over $50,000 in donations for the Leukaemia Foundation through its World’s Greatest Shave campaign, a handful of bald teachers, a group of hairless students and one chuffed leukaemia patient, who watched on as his mates went under the clippers for him on Friday, March 13, just over a fortnight after his diagnosis.

“What we have done is a small gesture in comparison to what sufferers of leukaemia go through,” said PAC Headmaster, Mark Lewis.

“When someone in your community has an issue and needs help and support, the community bands together. It is a really encouraging way to support them.”

@daledrinkwater

U

Olga Kiss celebrates her 75th birthday Students and teachers at Penrith Anglican College have ‘braved the shave’.

The school started with a goal of just a few thousand dollars but it didn’t take long for their fundraising efforts to well exceed that.

“First of all it was a few students wanting to raise $1,000 each. Then I said that I would do it for $10,000 and then there were some more staff and then some female staff members. It was all about raising that bar a little bit further and

further again. The community has just totally got behind that and have been incredibly supportive,” Mr Lewis said.

Year 5 student Hamish Dillon said that having his head shaved was a scary experience but he was glad that he did it.

“It is a good cause and my friend was diagnosed with leukaemia. I wanted to shave my head because he is a good mate,” he said.

“I’m very very humbled, and thank the lord for giving me the good health and the strength to do this.”

St Dominic’s Principal, Michael Ronchetti said Miss Kiss is an important part of the school community.

“Being here for so long, she has such strong connections with not only staff but families,” he said.

Miss Kiss has no plans to retire and as long as she remains in good health, will keep teaching at St Dominic’s.

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Braving the shave for their mate KATHERINE TWEED

27

Surprise party for Olga’s 75th

On Saturday March 28th

say

NO

to

Stuart Ayres

The NSW State Election is your chance to vote out Stuart Ayres, Member for Penrith and Minister for Police and Emergency Services § Lack of hazard reduction activities. § Volunteers are losing local control and input at bush fires. § Volunteers are not being listened to.

Meetings are held but nothing changes. § Emergency Services need a stand-alone State Government Minister. § Excessive waste of money by an over bloated RFS bureaucracy. § Loss of the blue drill shirt.

www.volunteerfirefighters.org.au/no Authorised by the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, Peter Cannon OAM - President PO Box 148, Peak Hill NSW 2869

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If you are worried about your property, your environment, your community and Volunteer Fire Fighters, then say...

NO to Stuart Ayres at this election.

As so ciatio n

Your local volunteers have had enough.

Mr Ayres is NOT LISTENING to the voice of Volunteers, the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association.

We are the only organisation that solely represents Volunteer Fire Fighters within the NSW Rural Fire Service.

As Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mr Ayres is not addressing our concerns.

V

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

28

Fighters

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29

Community

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quarter chicken & chips or salad Must present coupon. One per person Noleen Hoskins has turned her life around. Photo: Melinda Jane KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

ranebrook woman, Noleen Hoskins, started out in life with little opportunity, which saw her struggle with alcohol and drug abuse and involvement in crime, until a Sydney organisation offered her a hand and steered her in the right direction.

With their support, Ms Hoskins found her way, a job and has now been nominated for the Santos Indigenous Achievement Award, which is part of the NSW Young Achiever Awards.

“It is all down to the hard work I have been doing with the young people in the Waterloo and Redfern community.

I didn’t really realise that I was working in the beginning, I was just giving them advice and sharing my story but everything picked up really quickly. I was offered a Youth Advocacy job with

C

Weave [Youth and Community Services] and I took it; I was thrilled because I had never held a job in my life,” she said.

“Straight out of school I started drinking alcohol and smoking cannabis. It didn’t take long for me to be so involved that it got to the point that I was taking part in criminal activity. It lead to ‘juvie’ [Juvenile Justice] and then to prison,” she said.

She gave birth to her son while she was in prison and he was taken away from her, but after her stint there she wanted things to change and set out to get him back. She enrolled herself in rehab and through it became involved in Weave, the organisation that has played a huge role in her turnaround.

The organisation saw her determination to make a change in herself and supported her as she advocated for her son’s return.

She won the case.

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How much does one

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cage egg really cost?

You wouldn’t keep your pet like this. But hidden away in sheds across Australia, hens who are just as smart and sensitive as the family pet spend every waking moment in a cage — all for the sake of a cheap egg. She cannot sit comfortably or stretch her wings.

Without the ability to exercise, her body is weak. Chances are that she, or one of her cage mates, is living

with an untreated broken bone.

But trapped in a cage, in a shed with thousands of cages, no-one is ever likely to notice. Here she will spend 30 long hours to produce just one cage egg. The first time she will see the outside world — the world she was meant to live in — will be on the last day of her life, as she is trucked to the slaughterhouse.

“THAT AIN’T NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY” MAKE CAGE EGGS HISTORY. AnimalsAustralia.org/ladies

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Amazing turnaround

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

30

HISTORY

Turning back Time

Never forgetting Sarah Marshall

Reports suggest the pair were very close and had eight children together, all out of wedlock, which was severely frowned upon during this time.

But perhaps the biggest mystery in the case of Sarah Marshall was what happened to her on the evening of December 10, 1838.

Legend suggests that on her way home, Sarah was set upon by a group of men who had been following her in the shadows.

“Sarah was brutally murdered in a fit of lust. Her remains were left near her home in Castlereagh, and the cowardly men raced off into the darkness,” freelance journalist, Dane Millerd reported.

It’s believed that when Sarah’s battered and scarred body was later found, her partner John Simpson was utterly devastated. John was left a widower, a single father with eight children, trying to piece together what exactly happened to the love of his life.

Sarah Marshall, 42, was buried as Sarah Simpson as it’s widely believed that John married her at her graveside to “allow her to pass without sin into the next life”.

These days Sarah’s Grave, as it’s commonly known, is a hot spot for ghost hunters and history buffs in the local area.

Legend suggests that Sarah continues to harass young men that lurk near her graveside while, at the same time, many young women claim to have seen her ghost in the branches above.

One person by the name of ‘Dave’ reported an incident at Sarah’s Grave back in 2007.

“I have been there many times with friends and never felt anything in particular but on one occasion two mates and I, who are into the paranormal and don’t scare easy, brought another friend along who does scare easy,” Dave recalled.

“The plan was to mess with him by having one of the other guys walk off when we got to the rear of the cemetery and then jump out at us.

“We got about halfway into the cemetery when I started getting a negative feeling.

All of a sudden we heard a high pitch scream, it was extremely loud – it was the scream of a woman. Needless to say we all turned around and ran the hell out of there.”

The origins of Sarah Marshall and her apparent brutal murder on that fateful December night will continue to remain a part of Penrith folklore.

Nathan Taylor looks into one of the most mysterious stories in Penrith’s history – the murder of Sarah Simpson and the rumours that she continues to haunt men who visit her grave...

I

t’s one of Penrith’s oldest and greatest mysteries that still has people talking to this day.

It’s the grave of Sarah Simpson (nee Marshall), which is located in an old bush cemetery at Castlereagh.

The story you’re about to read could be fact, fiction or legend.

No one really knows for sure what happened to Sarah or how she died nearly 180 years ago, but the most common theory is as follows.

Way back in 1818 Sarah Marshall, a British woman, arrived in New South Wales from the United Kingdom as a convict on the Friendship – a ship used in the First Fleet.

Sarah was transported to Australia after she was busted stealing clothing to the value of fivepence.

It’s understood Sarah served her sentence obediently, which ultimately earned her the freedom she deserved.

During this time, Sarah met a fellow freed convict by the name of John Simpson, a tailor, and moved out west.

Sarah Simpson’s grave at Castlereagh

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

A caring hand when you need it most

BUSINESS TIPS

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

32

I

Two gutsy women: What we can learn from them

Starting a business requires strategy and direction

Michelle Grice // Founder of Shel Design

Michael Todd // Small Biz Connect Advisor Penrith Valley BEC

had intended to choose just one inspirational woman to write about this week, but the following two women were inseparable in my mind, and just happen to both be part of the film industry and share the same (spelt differently) name.

Katharine Hepburn has always been a favourite actress of mine, both for the characters she played on screen (which were usually strong-willed women) and for her off screen actions.

She would often wear masculine style clothes, such as trousers which at the time were considered taboo.

One of Hepburn’s quotes I love is: “If you obey all the rules you miss all the fun”.

Another more current inspirational woman is American film Director, Kathryn Bigelow.

She is the first woman to win an Academy Award for a war film (‘The Hurt Locker’).

She has been quoted as saying: “If there’s specific resistance to women making movies, I just choose to ignore that as an obstacle for two reasons: I can’t change my gender, and I refuse to

stop making movies”.

The common theme for these two women is that they haven’t let other people’s expectations or gender stereotypes dictate how they should behave.

It is obvious that they have both done what they naturally wanted to do, and thankfully (for filmgoers!) they didn’t succumb to pressure to conform.

Our business journey can often feel like this.

It takes a particular personality type to want to run a business, and equal parts tenacity and skill to make it successful!

You will no doubt come across naysayers (if you haven’t already) or people who think that what you are attempting to achieve in business is not what women ‘should’ do.

My tip is simple: ignore them.

And continue to ignore them as you listen to your gut instinct.

As Ms Hepburn advises, you’re likely to miss all the fun if you don’t!

Do you know an inspirational woman who should be profiled in Michelle’s column? Email news@westernweekender.com.au.

BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO IT ALONE

W

hen it comes to start ups, I have heard many stories of magic marketing tactics that had a big impact on the business and its success from day one.

What we talk less about is the daily grind of testing and discarding failed marketing programs that don’t deliver much of anything. After all, marketing during start up does involve some trial and error.

As much as we love stories of specific examples of the hacks that grew successful companies, rarely are those tactics applicable to the business we are trying to run right now. This makes these stories pure motivation and nothing else.

The strategy from the start is important, but even a perfectly executed strategy layered over a flawed foundation will fail.

When you start a business with someone else, the first and most crucial decision you make is whom to start it with. Choosing a partner is like getting married, and founder conflict is just as ugly as divorce.

Optimism levels are at their highest at the start. The problem here is people involved in start-ups don’t think about what could go wrong. If you and your

partner’s relationship has some deficiencies, sort them out from the beginning.

A foundation of customer knowledge is really important. This has to go way beyond basics and should include the unique characteristics of your target customers, their big pain points, where these prospects gather and how they learn about new products and solutions.

Messaging is also important. Every campaign and sales call relies on your ability to communicate what you do in a way that gets prospects excited to hear more. That messaging needs to describe your unique value in ways that your customers can easily understand, clearly explains how you are different from other alternatives and points to proof that what you claim is actually true.

Every customer segment makes purchase decisions in different ways.

Understanding the buying process and how they move along this journey and where they might be getting stuck is really important to understand.

Whatever the industry is that you are starting up in, it is important to harness your enthusiasm levels whilst building the foundations.

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WW16181

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

34

Australian A ustralian W Women omen & C Children’s hildren’s R Research esearch F Foundation oundation

YOUR Y OUR INVITATION INVITATION T TO O JOIN JOIN US US AT AT THE THE

Heroes and Villains Charity Ball Satu Saturday, turd tu rd day, 16 6tthh May ay y 2015 Chairman’s Lounge, Sportingbet Stadium Penrith Hosted by Tara Dennis, Entertainment by Brittanie Shipway, The Veritable String Trio & DJ

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Bookings: www.ozwac.com.au or (02) 4734-3205 WW16614

35

PANTHERS 1

Matt Moylan

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Josh Mansour Dean Whare Jamal Idris Dallin Watene-Zelezniak Isaac John Peter Wallace (c) Sam McKendry James Segeyaro Brent Kite Sika Manu Lewis Brown Elijah Taylor Tyrone Peachey Jeremy Latimore Reagan Campbell-Gillard Bryce Cartwright

ROOSTERS

FACT CHECK Ê Penrith’s last trip to Allianz Stadium resulted in a 19-18 win over the Roosters in last year’s Finals Series Ê Josh Mansour plays his first game of 2015 on Monday night Ê Penrith has a 37.3% all-time winning record against the Roosters Photo: Melinda Jane

1

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Daniel Tupou Michael Jennings Blake Ferguson Shaun Kenny-Dowall James Maloney Mitchell Pearce (c) Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Matt McIlwrick Sam Moa Boyd Cordner Aidan Guerra Isaac Liu Mitchell Aubusson Dylan Napa Kane Evans Sio Siua Taukeiaho

Penrith’s test of character TROY DODDS @troydodds

A

fter two strong performances to start the season, the undefeated top-of-the-table Panthers face their toughest test so far against the Sydney Roosters on Monday night at Allianz Stadium.

And they’ll do it without playmaker Jamie Soward, who underwent minor back surgery earlier this week and will be out for at least a month.

Soward’s injury opens the door for Isaac John, who has plenty of first grade experience and certainly won’t let the side down.

The Roosters went down to the Rabbitohs last Sunday but throughout the game proved why they are among the competition heavyweights this season.

Penrith thrashed Gold Coast 40-0 but the Roosters will not be as forgiving if Penrith produce a first half as sloppy as the one they did at Carrington Park in Bathurst.

An 80 minute performance as good as what they produced in the second half will ensure the Panthers are in the contest.

Here’s what I can assure you about the Roosters: They won’t lie down like the Titans did in the second half last weekend, and they won’t be as flat and tired as the Bulldogs were in round one.

This means Penrith very much needs to step up another gear on Monday night.

Certainly, things are starting to click just as Ivan Cleary would have hoped.

Some of the backline moves last weekend were pure brilliance, particularly Bryce Cartwright’s try late in the game that saw some beautiful lead-up work from Jamal Idris, Jamie Soward and Matt Moylan.

Moylan is again a key on Monday night.

He has got plenty of wraps on him and it would now seem that he’s the favourite to wear the number one jersey for New South Wales later this year, but it’s in games like this that he needs to step up.

Penrith cannot afford for Moylan to have an off-night, particularly against a Roosters side that will punish every dropped ball, every error of judgement.

PANTHERS V ROOSTERS MONDAY, MARCH 23, 7PM ALLIANZ STADIUM REFEREES: GERARD SUTTON AND MATT CECCHIN TV: FOX SPORTS LIVE 7PM RADIO: TRIPLE M LIVE 7PM Cleary has resisted the temptation to move Moylan into the halves to cover the loss of Soward, a smart move given how much Moylan injects himself into attacking plays anyway.

Penrith were gifted plenty of football by the Titans last weekend, who had an awful completion rate of 52 per cent. Compare that to the Roosters, who despite losing, completed 86 per cent of their sets.

The Roosters will not give Penrith as many opportunities as the Titans, or even

the Bulldogs, did and that means the Panthers must take advantage of every chance they get.

The Roosters have plenty of speed out wide, but the Panthers have probably the best centre pairing in the game at the moment with both Jamal Idris and Dean Whare enjoying dream starts to the season.

In both attack and defence, Whare and Idris are solid – that’ll make it very hard for the Roosters to focus their attack out wide.

Hence, I think you’ll find the Roosters will try their luck through the middle where players like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Boyd Cordner and Sam Moa would rate their chances against Penrith’s pack.

That said, they can take on Sam McKendry and Brent Kite at their own risk.

With the Panthers looking to prove themselves against a premiership heavyweight and the Roosters determined to bounce back from a loss to the Rabbitohs last Sunday, this game promises to be an absolute corker.

TIP: PANTHERS BY 4

the western weekender • extra time » Friday 20 March 2015

MATCH PREVIEW

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

36

PANTHER RUMBLINGS

SEND YOUR PANTHERS GOSSIP AT NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

with the

Masked Panther

» Forward Brent Kite is calling it quits at

the end of the season. The 105kg front rower made his first grade debut all the way back in 2002 for the Dragons against Cronulla at the Sydney Football Stadium.

He of course had a long, successful history at Manly before joining the Panthers last year, where he celebrated his 300th first grade game. Kite has had a brilliant start to the season – his tackles have been ferocious and he’s clearly going to make the most out of his last year in top flight rugby league.

» One to watch out for – Penrith have

signed Australian schoolboys centre Paul Simona on a one-year deal. He is the younger brother of Wests Tigers star Tim Simona.

KITE TO CALL IT QUITS AT END OF 2015

» The Panthers will release a special jer-

sey for ANZAC Day this year. Penrith play against Cronulla the day after ANZAC Day and are hoping to make it a really special event given other key rounds, such as Women in League and the Indigenous round, fall on away games. I’m told the jersey is something very, very special and the club is keen to get as much publicity as possible for it. It’ll be an uphill battle because the NRL’s publicity machine will be focused on a super-sized version of Super Saturday, which sees five back-toback games being played on ANZAC Day.

Brent Kite will retire at the end of the season to see how hard Penrith worked. 14 of the 17 Penrith players, including all four replacements, ran more than 100 metres, with Matt Moylan leading the way with 210 metres. Conversely, the Titans only had one player – Ryan James – crack the 100 metres.

» It’s understood that the Dragons leaked details of Trent Merrin’s deal with the Panthers, perhaps in an effort to make it look like he left the club for money.

For the record, I’m told that the figure of $750,000 per season that has been thrown around the media is wildly inaccurate.

» Congratulations to Pantherette Jess

Gilarte who has made it through to the next round of the Big League Cheerleader of the Year competition. We wish her all the best for the rest of the competition.

» The future of Adam Docker has a

» We may only be half-way through

huge question mark over it. Docker has started the year in the NSW Cup, and is off-contract at the end of the season.

He’d be desperate to prove his worth to coach Ivan Cleary, but will need injury, suspension or unlikely bad form from one of the current forwards to get his chance.

Docker may regret a pre-season decision to stay at Penrith – I’m told a deal was on the table for him to join the Dragons as part of an early release deal.

» Plenty of people have said the Titans

were unlucky in stages against the Panthers last weekend but you only have to look at the Total Running Metres statistic

Jess Gilarte

a long-term deal to play matches at Bathurst, but I’m told there’s already preliminary talks about extending the deal past 2018. Bathurst Council is thrilled with the way the Panthers have engaged with the community and is keen to see NRL matches played at Carrington Park for a long time into the future. With a crowd of less than 7,000 turning up to see the match, it’s understood Panthers and Bathurst Council are happy to discuss scheduling the game for later in the season – with both parties accepting the match being early in the season may have affected ticket sales.

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37 the western weekender • extra time » Friday 20 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Manu playing for his future He’s off contract at the end of the season, but Sika Manu says he’s determined to earn a new deal with the club

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

P

enrith Panthers second-rower Sika Manu has revealed he found out about off-season rumours linking him to the St George Illawarra Dragons from his fellow teammates.

When Penrith signed NSW Blues and Dragons forward Trent Merrin on a threeyear deal earlier this month, rumours swirled that Manu and teammate Adam Docker would shift to the Red V immediately, so Merrin could start his career with the Panthers a year earlier.

“I didn’t know anything about it (Dragons rumours) until the boys told me, I didn’t hear anything from the club either,” Manu told Extra Time this week.

With the 28-year-old’s three-year contract officially expiring at season’s end, Manu was adamant that he wanted to remain a Panther for the rest of this season and beyond.

“I’d like to stay here but I’m not too worried about that at the moment, I’m just focusing on playing football and everything will fall into place after that,” he said.

“But, to be honest, I’d like to stay around here, mate. My family and I have settled in well and we love it here.”

And it seems Panthers fans also want to see the big fella stick around beyond this season after a sensational start to the year.

Initially many fans thought Manu may struggle to find a place in this year’s first grade line-up but coach Ivan Cleary has thrown faith behind the 14-time New Zealand international by starting him in the second row, and he’s yet to disappoint.

Manu admits his 2014 season wasn’t one of his best after he struggled all year recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

Last weekend Manu scored his first try of 2015 after going try-less all of last season.

“I feel a lot better this year, I have no issues with my shoulder and it really helped getting a full pre-season under my belt,” Manu said.

“I think I’m a lot fitter this year as well.”

This Monday night the Panthers will take on the Sydney Roosters in what’s being billed as the club’s biggest test of the season so far. While the Panthers are the unbeaten of the two sides, it’s the Roosters who are going into the game as favourites.

“It’s a massive test for us… the Roosters are a quality side and play for the full 80 minutes,” Manu said.

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38

KEV’S KORNER

WITH KEVIN KINGSTON

T EVOLUTION OF THE DUMMY HALF

his week I want to talk about the evolution of rugby league’s dummy half.

There is no other position in the modern game that has changed more than hooker.

In the 1980s, the player in the #9 jersey was primarily a defender, making 40 tackles a game, and a big part of the job was winning contested scrums.

Fast forward to 2015 and you have the likes of James Segeyaro, Isaac Luke, Cameron Smith, Matt Ballin, Jake Friend and Robbie Farah all still making the 40 tackles, but on top of that, they are now also the core of the attack system whose sole job is to lead the offensive charge when the opportunity arises.

And they do all of this while under pressure from opponents who are sometimes 10-20kg heavier!

A hooker who can play a full 80 minute game is a huge advantage for a club for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you get to name an extra forward on your bench, but having the same guy out in the middle of the field for the whole game creates good cohesion and rhythm.

If the backbone of your team – #6, #7, #9 and #1 don’t change for weeks, or even the full season, attack and defence becomes one smooth machine which can operate seamlessly. Each player knows exactly what the other is thinking and the play he is about to execute, without even saying a word.

Cameron Smith, Matt Ballin and Michael Ennis are of the old school and they build

James Segeyaro in action for the Panthers their game on controlling the ruck and steering the team around the park with precision. While James Segeyaro and Isaac Luke, for example, have the ability to create something out of nothing, and rely on spontaneity, which allows them to completely break a game apart.

In every successful team there is a smart and calculated dummy half.

Segeyaro is doing a brilliant job for us at Panthers, and we have Api Koroisau waiting in the wings.

Both players are guaranteed to bring us good things this year!

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Mixing footy, study and kids With a little boy to look after and university studies to tackle, prop Jeremy Latimore does not live up to the rugby league stereotype

NATHAN TAYLOR natetaylor87

U

nsung Penrith prop Jeremy Latimore has all he could ever want.

Not only does he have a very crucial role with the Panthers on the field, but he also has a very important one off it as an upstanding university student and doting dad.

The 28-year-old, who’s now in his third year with the Panthers, loves mixing business with pleasure and couldn’t love life any more than he does right now.

While most footballers are too busy concentrating on their game and what their hair-dos are going to look like next week, Latimore is quite the opposite.

“I just returned to the University of Wollongong last week to finish off my final five subjects in my Bachelor of Business degree,” Latimore told Extra Time.

“I go every Thursday and I’m lucky that everything’s on in the same day. My hands are full right now but it’s good to keep me active and my mind busy away from rugby league.

“I’ve also got the young fella as well, so I’m never bored which is cool.”

Latimore debuted for the Parramatta

Jeremy Latimore Eels as a 22-year-old back in 2009 and went on to play with two other clubs including the Warriors and Dragons.

Since arriving at the Panthers in 2013, Latimore has endured injuries, played in parks in reserve grade and, best of all, played his most consistent footy to date.

2014 wasn’t just a breakout season for

the Panthers, it was also a stellar season for the man they call “Lats”.

Latimore was far and away Penrith’s standout prop in 2014, topping the stat sheet in nearly every category.

“I’ve been around for a few years but I hadn’t performed to the level I did last year,” Latimore admitted.

“I definitely have good memories of last year and how we went as a squad. We have a lot more expectations on us this season as a team, and even myself, I have some goals this year that I want to achieve like performing every week and being better than last year.”

For the second straight season, the Port Macquarie-born forward is yet again in the middle of another contract year. With fellow props Brent Kite and Nigel Plum expected to hang up the boots at season’s end, Latimore is hopeful he’ll still be in Penrith colours leading where those men left off.

“I just have to start the year well and that [new contract] will sort itself out, they know what I can do now,” he said.

“Obviously with Trent Merrin coming next year, that’ll be good, I’ve played with him before at the Dragons. He’s a great player to play alongside, so I hope I’m here next year.”

WW16458

the western weekender • extra time » Friday 20 March 2015

FEATURE STORY

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

40

PANTHERS IN PICTURES

Magical Moylan @wwpenrith

Panthers fullback Matt Moylan is the name on everyone’s lips at the moment. There’s every chance he’ll take a huge step later this year and play Origin football...

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Matt Moylan has had a magical start to the 2015 season, carrying on from a stellar 2014 in which he became a household name in rugby league.

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the western weekender • extra time » Friday 20 March 2015

HART TO HART

WITH STEVE HART

P

BLESSING IN DISGUISE FOR PARRAMATTA

arramatta’s shock loss of Jarryd Hayne was to be the end of the world as we know it for the Eels.

They can’t win without him they said!

No one will want to come and play at the Eels now they said!

Funny how life works because on the very same day that Jarryd Hayne walked through the departure gates at Sydney Airport bound for the San Francisco 49ers, Parramatta was announcing the signing of Kiwi international and Manly star fiveeighth Kieran Foran.

WOW! How did they do that?

How could the basket case that was Parramatta just over a year ago claiming back to back wooden spoons suddenly be signing one of THE most sought after players in the game?

Put it down to one man, BRAD ARTHUR. So respected is Arthur as a coach that a disillusioned Foran just had to play under the former Manly assistant again.

Foran believes Arthur is the man who can continue his development as a player.

So worried were Manly at Arthur’s influence on their players, they desperately tried to poach him back to replace club legend Geoff Toovey.

But Arthur is a man of honour and having already lured Anthony Watmough and others to the Eels, no amount of money was going to make him walk out and leave his players.

Brad Arthur is a simple man who just wants to coach men to play football.

He dislikes the drama, the media

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commitments and all that extra stuff that goes with being an NRL head coach, but he loves the players and they clearly love him.

Dare I say it the exit of Jarryd Hayne, as good as he was, is almost a blessing in disguise that allows Arthur to build a genuinely well balanced team that doesn’t

rely on one superstar. Parramatta will ultimately be better for it.

But, hey, imagine this side in a year or two if the Hayne Plane did fly back in.

One thing is for sure, Brad Arthur is going nowhere while the Eels are going up up and away!

See you next week.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

44

NRL LADDER & FIXTURES CLUB

PD

W

D

L

B

F

A

2

2

0

0

0

64

18

+46 04

2 Rabbitohs

2

2

0

0

0

70

32

+38 04

3 W. Tigers

2

2

0

0

0

41

22

+19

04

4 Knights

2

2

0

0

0

40

28

+12

04

5 Roosters

2

1

0

1

0

54

38

+16

02

6 Bulldogs

2

1

0

1

0

50

36

+14

02

7 Eels

2

1

0

1

0

54

44

+10

02

8 Storm

2

1

0

1

0

34

28

+6

02

9 Warriors

2

1

0

1

0

32

30

+2

02

10 Raiders

2

1

0

1

0

30

38

-8

02

11 Broncos

2

1

0

1

0

16

38

-22

02

12 Sea Eagles

2

1

0

1

0

36

64

-28

02

13 Sharks

2

0

0

2

0

22

34

-12

00

14 Cowboys

2

0

0

2

0

18

44

-26 00

15 Dragons

2

0

0

2

0

8

34

-26 00

16 Titans

2

0

0

2

0

18

59

-41

1

Panthers

+/-

PTS

ROUND 3 Sea Eagles v Bulldogs Friday 7.35pm Brookvale Oval Broncos v Cowboys Friday 8.35pm Suncorp Stadium Warriors v Eels Saturday 3.00pm Mt Smart Stadium Raiders v Dragons Saturday 5.30pm GIO Stadium Storm v Sharks Saturday 7.30pm AAMI Park

00

simon.gould@westernweekender.com.au

Glossodia

Titans v Knights Sunday 6.30pm Robina Stadium

PRINTED BY Spotpress Pty Ltd / PRODUCED BY The Western Weekender

SALES MANAGER Simon Gould / 4722 2998

GEMMA SEWARD

Rabbitohs v Tigers Sunday 4.00pm ANZ Stadium

Extra Time Issue Number 003 EDITOR Troy Dodds / 4722 2998 / troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

FAN OF THE WEEK

Roosters v Panthers Monday 7.00pm Allianz Stadium

COVER PHOTO: Penrith Panthers centre Dean Whare. Photo: Melinda Jane

Years supporting the Panthers: 36 years Favourite current Panther and favourite ex-Panther: Josh Mansour and Sandor Earl Why do you support the Panthers?

Because I was born in Penrith What’s your best Panthers memory? It’s a tie between the 1991 and 2003 Grand Final What’s your prized piece of Panthers memorabilia that you’d never sell? My Panthers doll named Ryan [after Ryan Girdler] and my signed Craig Gower figurine If the Panthers won the 2015 Grand Final, how would you react? I would be excited and happy for the boys Would you ever get a Panthers tattoo and where would you get it? No, not a chance!

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NSW CUP

BY STEW MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS LET LEAD SLIP TO LOSE FIRST GAME OF THE HOLDEN CUP SEASON IN BATHURST

INJURY CONCERNS OVERSHADOW PANTHERS’ PICNIC IN THE PARK IN BATHURST

The Penrith Panthers have lost their first game of the season, going down to the Gold Coast Titans 36-26 at Carrington Park in Bathurst.

The Panthers young guns enjoyed a 12-point lead twice during the match before it all fell apart in the second half at the hands of a hungrier Titans outfit.

The Panthers got on the board first in the opening 10 minutes after winger Fuimanu Enise caught a sensational cutout pass to streak down the sideline and score his second try in as many weeks.

The Titans were the next to score after Jed Cartwright, son of former Titans coach and Panthers legend John Cartwright, barged over the line from close range to even up the score at 4-4.

Panthers winger Joshua Jay was next to post points in the 26th minute, although he did injure himself in the process. Penrith interchange player Kaide Ellis also found the stripe in the 33rd.

With the Panthers up comfortably 14-4, the Titans managed to snag a last minute try before the halftime break to trail 14-8.

When the players hit the field for the second half, it was Penrith forward Paea Pua who scored first, increasing their lead to 20-8.

Penrith maintained their unbeaten record in Bathurst, overcoming a slow start and the loss of two key players during the game to injury, to record a convincing win over a North Sydney side missing several key players from their Round 1 upset win over Wentworthville.

Despite the win, the Panthers will be without half Adrian Davis (hamstring) and wrecking ball back-rower Ben Murdoch-Masila (knee/ankle) for this weekend’s showdown with Newtown.

For Penrith, the class in their spine was telling especially Isaac John, whose manof-the-match performance is timely given Jamie Soward’s injury news, while Waqa Blake, Will Smith and Api Koroisau all made sizeable contributions.

After early dominance from the Bears, Penrith clicked into gear midway through the first half with tries to Eddie Aiono, Leilani Latu and Isaac John to lead 16-6 at half-time.

The Panthers put the game all but beyond the Bears with early second half tries to Blake and Christian Crichton before finishing off the game in style with late tries to Koroisau and Blake, again allowing Penrith to top the table with the 38-6 result.

Round 3 sees Penrith return to Pepper

The Panthers in action last week With Penrith back in front by 12 and seemingly content with their lead, the Titans clicked into gear and made the Panthers pay, scoring five unanswered tries to go out in front and win the game.

Panthers fullback Tyrone May scored a consolation try with a minute to spare but the damage had already been done.

The fifth-placed Panthers will look to get back on track this Monday afternoon when they take on the Sydney Roosters in Round 3 of the Holden Cup. Last week the Roosters were beaten by the Rabbitohs 24-22 and currently sit in last position on the premiership ladder.

Stadium for a stand-alone clash against Newtown this Saturday with kick-off at 3pm. There’s plenty of changes for Penrith with winger George Jennings back in the side replacing Crichton, while Nu’u Akerpia gets his first chance to start in the centres resulting in a reshuffled backline featuring Blake at fullback with Smith and Sam Scarlett (back from suspension) the new halves pairing.

Adam Docker’s return to the side compensates for Murdoch-Masila’s injury which sees James Fisher-Harris start at prop with Andy Saunders also returning from injury via the interchange bench.

Team as follows: W Blake, G Jennings, R Jennings, N Akerpia, E Aiono, W Smith, S Scarlett, S Anderson, A Koroisau, J FisherHarris, T Sopoaga, I Yeo, A Docker.

Bench: R Coates, A Saunders, L Latu, C Smith, L Ayoub, B Attwood.

The Jets come into 2015 having severed ties with the Sydney Roosters and have linked up with Cronulla and despite their winless start, always seem to aim up for these clashes. In 2014, honours were split between the two sides with Newtown’s amazing comeback victory coming just a week after Penrith’s home win, hence the Panthers will need to be at their best to get the two points.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender • extra time

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49 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

ENTERTAINMENT ARTS/CONCERTS/TV/CROSSWORD/SUDOKU

LIVE GIG

He’s just as Angry as ever NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

T

he Penrith Hotel is set to rock like never before when legendary Australian frontman Angry Anderson hits the stage with well known Sydney band Black Label.

The Rose Tattoo lead singer will be a special guest for the free show next month with Anderson teaming up with Black Label – which is fronted by Steve Mulry, brother of the legendary Ted – to thrash out some classic rock tunes.

Chatting with the Weekender, Anderson said he couldn’t wait to hit Penrith with a band he considers as “friends”.

“I’ve actually known Black Label for some years, they were a good double for us during the Rose Tattoo days because

they were a heavy rock band,” he said.

“When you play with a bunch of blokes a few times over the years you can usually strike up a friendly relationship, which we did. I have a couple of mates in the band including Laurie Marlow who I’ve known for 30 to 40 years.

“We found their association complimentary.”

With Rose Tattoo currently done and dusted for the time being, Anderson was looking for like-minded people or bands to team up with so he could continue to do what he does best.

“My band, Rose Tatts, doesn’t play anymore but this gives me an opportunity to get out and about still,” he said.

“Luckily, over the years, I’ve built up relationships with a lot mates that have their own band and Black Label is one of them.

“I like working with them because they

are a decent bunch of blokes and they play great rock and roll.”

Away from music, Anderson is still very well known for his charity work and political advocacy, but recently the 67-year-old dabbled into the wild world of reality television, working on two shows – Paul Fenech’s ‘Bogan Hunters’ and SBS’s ‘Go Back To Where You Came From’. “‘Go Back To Where You Came From’ was a seriously good experience to be involved in while I enjoyed being a judge on ‘Bogan Hunters’,” Anderson said.

“I’ve had a long association with Pauly

that goes back 15 years, since ‘Fat Pizza’ started. Pauly always wants me involved in any project he does.

“It’s not overly lucrative but the good thing about the entertainment industry is, the motivation is very seldom just purely monetary. Pauly is yet to come up with a bad idea, he always comes up with a winner.”

If you want to see Angry Anderson at his best, don’t miss his gig in Penrith.

Don’t miss Angry Anderson perform with Black Label at the Penrith Hotel on Thursday, April 7 at 9pm. Entry is free.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

50

YOUNG ADULTS FROM OUT WEST CAN BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS ANYBODY Stuart Ayres joins Max Potential at Penrith RSL to reinforce the power of hard work and dedication to your community.

Penrith, NSW: 19 Year 11 students from local school converged on Penrith RSL on Wednesday 11 March and were met by a rousing Speech by the Hon. Stuart Ayres. Stuart Ayers addressed the students along with their Max Potential Life Coaches and called them to “ignore the garbage some people say about the West” and set their sights high and commit to working hard. “If you aim high and miss, you still end up better off then if you aim low”, says Ayres.

Max Potential Coach and Penrith RSL Duty Manager David Want became a coach in this year’s program and says he was inspired to do it so he could become a better manager. “At work I have already started putting in to practice some of the coaching skills I have learnt and it is helping me motivate staff from the inside out, rather than me just telling them what to do. I can’t wait to see my young adult achieve his goals and serve the community.”

The students were gathered to begin Penrith RSL’s Max Potential journey, a journey that will see them achieve their personal goals and complete a unique community service project over the course of the next 5 months. Their coaches are locals who want to give something back and become better at coaching at work, home and in the community.

About Max Potential: For over 10 years Max Potential has been matching emerging young leaders with coaches from their local community.

All Max Potential coaches are trained in coaching skills they can apply not only in the program, but also in their work place, volunteering and family life.

Max Potential coaches come from all industry and community sectors. For more information please visit http://max-potential.com.au/ WW15359

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51

GIVEAWAY

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Passion never dies KATE REID @kate_reid6

F

or iconic rockers Dragon the release of their acclaimed 1980’s album ‘Body and the Beat’ marked a turning point in their music career, one which saw the band exploring new sounds.

“It allowed the band to reinvent itself with a different sort of music,” said founding member and bassist Todd Hunter.

“Which was really valuable because it meant we could play to different crowds in the 80’s, completely different crowds to 70’s crowds.”

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album’s release, Dragon will be playing ‘Body and the Beat’ in its entirety during their upcoming tour which will be heading to Wentworthville Leagues Club.

While Dragon are clearly happy to celebrate the success of past albums, they’re also committed to releasing new music rather than relying solely on a back catalogue which includes hit songs ‘April Sun in Cuba’ and ‘Are You Old Enough?’.

The current lineup has released several new albums and EP’s since the band’s reformation in 2006 and are currently working on their latest album which is expected to be released mid-2015.

“It’s pretty punky at the moment,” Todd said of the new material.

“What we’re doing is just recording everything into the microphone of laptops and iPhones and it sounds great.”

When speaking to the very energetic Todd it’s clear that the accomplished musician still has plenty of passion for what he does.

“As a gentleman of advanced years you can travel all day, get on stage feeling pretty average, and by the end of an hour and a half or two hours you just feel fantastic,” he said.

“It’s a very rejuvenating thing.”

The Weekender has two double passes to see Dragon at Wentworthville Leagues Club on Saturday, April 18 to give away.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

52

LIVE

Be struck with amazement STEPHEN BISSET

D

espite spending 18 months and giving 640 performances in the cutthroat world of Off-Broadway – to rave reviews – for Drumstruck’s Warren Lieberman, Australian audiences still trump the New York theatre crowd.

“Our time on Broadway was just incredible,” he told the Weekender.

“We had the second-longest running show in the period and it’s definitely something that I’m extremely proud of, but the audiences in America are vastly different to Australia. In New York, for example, they’ll come along and enjoy the show and then go home, whereas in Australia, we have fans waiting sitting out the front of our hotel or waiting for us before and after the show – it’s just fantastic.”

The brainchild of Lieberman and director Kathy-Jo Ross, Drumstruck is a heady and unique blend of South African music and culture, ornate sets and dazzling

costumes, interweaved with West African rhythms and a decidedly communal bent.

“There will be a drum for everyone in the audience and they will be able to play along with what is going on onstage,” Lieberman said.

“This really creates a sense of connectedness with the cast and with each other – the idea of everyone taking part in a shared, communal experience and learning together – the complete opposite of watching television or going to see a movie – it’s a real endorphin rush and the audience really does help to create the show.”

Since premiering in Johannesburg in 2002, the production has played to soldout venues around the globe and played in front of the likes of Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Queen Elizabeth and Elton John, although its origins were quite humble.

“I saw a friend of mine playing drums at a party and I asked him to come to my house and teach me,” Lieberman said.

“After a while it kind of became a regular thing and more and more people started turning up to learn drums and just play

with each other – it got to the point where I started getting 200 people in my lounge room every night and the police said it was getting a bit much so, I opened up the first Drum Café [since developed by Lieberman into a global corporate teambuilding and entertainment program] in 1996 and from there, Drumstruck was born.”

So what is it about the power of rhythm that has played such an integral part in the lives of humans since, well, the dawn of time?

Nathan

Taylor TV NEWS

“That’s something I’ve been trying to figure out for 20 years,” Lieberman laughed.

“But, on a sophisticated level, drumming produces endorphins in the brain and, on a simple level, it’s about the connection to the heartbeat and to the emotional side of the brain.”

Catch Drumstruck at the Evan Theatre inside Penrith Panthers on Friday, April 17. For more information and bookings, visit www.drumstruck.com or www. penrith.panthers.com.au.

Ê Channel Nine comedies ‘Mike & Molly’, ‘Mom’ and ‘2 Broke Girls’ have been renewed for further seasons.

‘Mike and Molly’ starring the very funny Melissa McCarthy has won a sixth season while ‘Mom’ was renewed for a third. ‘2 Broke Girls’, which began in 2011, was approved for a fifth season. Ê

Rove McManus is trying his hand in the US once again. The popular comedian has just signed on to host a game show called ‘Lie Detectors’ for cable network GSN (Game Show Network).

Based in New York, the comedy panel show sees members of the studio audience hear three comedians present outrageous facts, but only one of them is telling the truth.

Ê Legendary British interviewer Michael Parkinson is putting together two specials for Channel Ten that draw upon his interviews with famous Australians. ‘Parky’s Favourite Australians’ will include past interviews with Kerry Packer, Bob Hawke, Paul Hogan, Barry Humphries, Shane Warne and Ian Thorpe to name a few.

An airdate is yet to be announced.

WW10576

Ê New Channel Ten comedy ‘The Odd Couple’ starring

‘Friends’ megastar Matthew Perry will finally premiere this Monday, March 23 at 7.30pm. The show revolves around Oscar Maddison (Perry) and Felix Unger (Thomas Lennon), two former college buddies who become unlikely flatmates.

I’ll be watching!

Ê Former ‘Baywatch’ star David Hasselhoff has joined the cast of ‘Sharknado 3’ as the father of Ian Ziering’s character Fin. The movie will air on the Syfy channel this July. Ê This will make ‘Game of Thrones’ fans very happy… for the first time Foxtel will simulcast the hit show at the same time as the US. The season premiere will air at 11am on Monday, April 13 on Showcase with a replay later that night at 7.30pm. In previous years, Aussie viewers had to wait several hours after the US broadcast to get their ‘Thrones’ fix. Ê A new six-part series will begin on the SBS this Tuesday looking into the quirky subculture that is ‘Hipsters’.

Appropriately titled, the series explores how the hipster movement grew, not only in Australia, but across the world. It’s presented by Sam Johnson and will air at 8.30pm.

53 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

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Friday 20 March 2015 ÂŤ the western weekender

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The show will also feature a country music extravaganza which includes performances by McAlister Kemp, Kaylens Rain, The Wolfe Brothers and many more.

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So if you like your trucks big and tough, you won’t want to miss this great annual event!

The 28th annual Penrith Working Truck Show will be held at the Museum of Fire on Sunday, March 29 from 8am to 5pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and children up to 16 years are free with adult entry (up to three children per adult), no concession discounts available.

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ustralia’s biggest working truck show will be coming to the Museum of Fire once again this March.

2015 will be the show’s 28th year and is expected to attract more than 12,000 people and over 200 trucks, including everything from small rigids to ‘B’ doubles.

This fun family event has something for everyone. Along with the competition, that will see working trucks battle it out for the best in class trophy across 25 different categories, there will also be free thrill rides and amusements, along with food and drink stalls, free face painting and plenty of giveaways.

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE LUKE PRIDDIS FOUNDATION

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KATE REID @kate_reid6

ST MARYS

Dutch Festival March 2015

Auto Masters

At Th The R Rembrandt b dt D Dutch t h Cl Club b 87 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys

☎ 1300 AUTOMASTERS Ask about our no interest ever offer!

Air Conditioning Regas, Service & Repairs

FRIDAY 27TH – 10AM-LATE FREE SATURDAY 28TH – 10AM-LATE ENTRY SUNDAY 29TH – 10AM-4PM

Friday: ‘That Couple’ (12pm & 2pm) F Senior special

Major Service* Oil & Filter Service* $

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Unit 3, 160 Station St Ph

Jumping Castle • Clog-making • Dutch shop, food and bar • Mobile shooting range • MOCZA fossil 3D Printing • Children-festival-stall • Lucky dips • Dutch Australian genealogy group

EEntertainment i

Tony’s One man Band - Dutch treat Dutch Connection - The Great Escape Herman’s One man band - Backwater Cool River Band with Elvis Impersonator Show - The Masters Local entertainment groups will be performing - Dutch Folk Dance Group SATURDAY 8.30PM FIREWORKS

FREE 2 wheel alignment with any purchase of 4 tyres

PENRITH

Saturday/Sunday: Children’s Ride and S

1300 288 662 WW15766

Only during the Festival days a free shuttle from St Marys train station to the Rembrandt Dutch Club and back

For more information call the Club: 9623

2569

87 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys (located in the industrial area)

WW16600

*Not valid with any other offer. A small surcharge may apply to luxury, imported, commercial, diesel or high performance vehicles. Valid till 21st February 2015.

No general parking onsite – Disabled parking only Plenty of under cover parking at St Marys Railway Station

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

AUTISM

PERFORMANCE BY “THE VOICES”, BRITTANY SHIPWAY ***** LOCAL DANCE PERFORMANCE ***** APPEARANCE BY PENRITH PANTHERS PLAYERS

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

56

20-29.03.2015 EDITED BY Kate Reid

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 Acoustic Soloist Venue: Red Cow Free entry, 4.30pm 4721 5666 Safari Suits Venue: Aussie Arms Hotel Free entry, 8pm 4731 3881 Social Darts Venue: St Marys Band Club $3, 7pm 9623 1211 Sips & Sounds Venue: Penrith Regional Gallery Free entry, 4pm 4735 1100 Remember When, A Look Back With Laughs Venue: Evan Theatre $25-$40, 1pm 4720 5555 Wylie and the Wild West Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $25, 8pm 9625 5500 Rockin Mustangs Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 8pm 4728 5200 Skyz The Limit Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 8pm 4722 8180 Hard Rockin Amigos Venue: St Marys Leagues Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 Victoria Avenue Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Something To Talk About Venue: Terrace Bar at Panthers Free entry, 8.30pm 1800 061 991

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Live Entertainment Venue: Club Paceway Free entry, 6.30pm 4721 2375 Blues Brothers Rebooted Venue: Evan Theatre

Dinner and Show $35-$55, Show Only $10-$20, 8pm 4720 5555 The Whispering Jack Show Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $10-$15, 8pm 9625 5500 Bob Gillespie Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 2pm 4728 5200 Dirty Deeds - AC/DC Show Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 9pm 4728 5200 Shaylee Wilde Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 7pm 4722 8180 Urban Stone Venue: St Marys Leagues Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 Cassie Timms Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Tchaikovsky & Terracini Venue: The Joan $23-$52, 8pm 4723 7600 Safari Suits Venue: Terrace Bar at Panthers Free entry, 9pm 1800 061 991 Penrith Festival Venue: High St, Penrith Free entry, 9am-3pm

4735 5300 Social Darts Venue: St Marys Band Club $3, 7pm 9623 1211 Sips & Sounds Venue: Penrith Regional Gallery Free entry, 4pm 4735 1100 Powerhouse Divas Venue: Evan Theatre Free for members, Visitors $25, 8pm 4720 5555 Elvis to the Max Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $50, 8pm 9625 5500 The Bandits Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 8pm 4728 5200 Jalapeno Deluxe Venue: St Marys Leagues Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 The Remixes Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 8pm 4722 8180 Flaccid Mohawk Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Picture Perfect Venue: Colonial Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 9623 1387

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Karaoke Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 6pm 9623 1211 The Magic of Sankara Venue: Evan Theatre $30-$59, 4.30pm 4720 5555 Merilyn Steele Band Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 2pm 4728 5200 Drew McAlister Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 1pm 4577 3396

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 TCHAIKOVSKY & TERRACINI THE JOAN SATURDAY, MARCH 21, $23-$52, 8PM

Blake Tailor Venue: Terrace Bar at Panthers Free entry, 3.30pm 1800 061 991

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Acoustic Soloist Venue: Red Cow Free entry, 4.30pm 4721 5666 Melody Rhymes Venue: Emu Sports Club Free entry, 7.30pm

Live Entertainment Venue: Club Paceway Free entry, 6.30pm 4721 2375 Roy Orbison & The Everly Brothers Venue: Evan Theatre $49.90, 8pm 4720 5555 Rose Carleo Album Launch Venue: Rooty Hill RSL $5-$12, 8pm 9625 5500 Community Celebration Day Venue: The Joan Free with ticketed events,

9am 4723 7600 Di Bird Red Hot & Blue Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 2pm 4728 5200 Soundbird Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 9pm 4728 5200 Too Many Guitars Venue: St Marys Leagues Club Free entry, 9pm 9677 7777 The Nuts Venue: Penrith Gaels Club Free entry, 7pm 4722 8180 The Mad Hatters Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 8.30pm 4577 3396 Matt Lyon Venue: The Henry Sports Club Free entry, 7.30pm 9623 2119 The Eagles Show Venue: Blacktown Workers $16, 8pm 9830 0600 Chris Drummond Duo: Welcome to our world Venue: Blacktown Workers Free entry, 8pm 9830 0600

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 Karaoke Venue: St Marys Band Club Free entry, 6pm 9623 1211 Bryen & The Bayou Boogie Boys Venue: Penrith RSL Free entry, 2pm 4728 5200 Penny Lane Venue: Fitzroy Hotel Free entry, 1pm 4577 3396 Georgia White Venue: The Henry Sports Club Free entry, 1pm 9623 2119 Rose Carleo Venue: Panthers Free entry, 3.30pm

COLLECTORMANIA TOY AND HOBBY FAIR This Sunday March 22nd, 9am - 3pm - Penrith Panthers Exhibition Centre • Diecast Model Cars • Plastic Kits • Trading Cards • TV Movie memorabilia • Posters • Vintage Toys • Lego • Action Figures • Dolls and much more • Cosplay Competition

Enquiries 0416 291 280

Door Prizes and giveaways during the day

Visit us on facebook at Penrith Collectormania Fair

ADMISSION ADULTS $6 CONCESSION $4 PENSIONERS $2 WW16635

CINEMA

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

REVIEW W EI V E R

57

CINEMA Chappie

Rated M // STEPHEN BISSET When it comes to dodging cinematic bullets, Hugh Jackman has had a pretty good run with very few, if any, turkeys cropping up in his filmography.

Until now.

‘Chappie’ is set in a dystopian not-too-distant-future where a mechanised police force oppressively control the population.

The ambitious designer of these crime-fighters, Dev Patel (‘Slumdog Millionaire’) creates a fully operational sentient model that can think for itself – Chappie.

Before too long, Chappie is captured by a gang of miscreants who reprogram Chappie for their own nefarious purposes.

Enter rival engineer Vincent (a glo-

riously mulleted, yet, ironically possessing one of the most overworked Australian accents since Meryl Streep signed on for ‘Evil Angels’) who, with the help of his own assault robot, Moose, vow to put an end to Chappie.

While still imbued with the same unique visual style that director Neil Blomkamp brought to his previous films ‘District 9’ and ‘Elysium’, that’s about where the positives end.

This is a film that borrows so heavily from myriad sci-fi films and literature that it becomes lost in a mire of hackneyed tropes at the expense of giving us any characters to care about.

1 STAR

GAME The Order: 1886

Rated M // TROY DODDS

That Sugar Film

Rated PG // AMELIA PARROTT The documentary directorial debut for Aussie actor Damon Gameau offers a unique spin on the sugar debate.

Gameau subjects himself to dramatic diet swap, switching out his usual cleaneating regime for a manic existence fuelled by 40 teaspoons of sugar a day, in an effort to highlight the adverse effect excessive sugar consumption can have on the human body. But unlike Morgan Spurlock in ‘Supersize Me’, Gamaeu shies away from gorging on junk foods, soft drink and lollies, instead clocking up his daily sugar quota through perceived “healthy” products.

3 STARS

The most important thing to say about ‘The Order: 1886’ is that it is not everyone’s cup of tea, even those who usually love third person shooters.

The creators of ‘The Order: 1886’ have focused on the development of the game’s story, which makes for a stopstart affair as far as gameplay is concerned. You’ll often have to sit through minutes and minutes of unskippable story scenes, which to somebody looking for non-stop action, may become increasingly annoying.

But that said, the story is first class,

Easter W kend

and you quickly become involved in its development and structure.

Thankfully, this is a beautiful game – the cut scenes are some of the best I’ve seen on the PS4 as far as graphics are concerned.

The game is at times restrictive, allowing you to only pick up items the onscreen instructions suggest, rather than have the opportunity to explore rooms and locations at your will.

Quite often, the items you are told to pick up have very little relevance to your overall journey, again, adding to the

annoyance for somebody who is looking for non-stop action.

The game is set in an alternate history London, where ‘The Order’ of knights keep the world safe from half breed monsters and other nasty creatures.

You’ll work your way through guards who need to be disposed of, take on the half-breeds and protect those who you respect and love.

Taking on the half-breeds certainly offers the game’s most exciting periods, as they are not as predictable and mundane as the human rebels you’ll encounter in standard shootouts.

I found the game reasonably easy – I’m usually a ‘medium’ level difficulty kind of guy but I found myself moving the game to ‘hard’ pretty quickly, as the challenge wasn’t quite difficult enough.

Don’t get me wrong – I think ‘The Order: 1886’ is a great game and I had plenty of fun with it.

But many will think that sitting back watching what at times feel like neverending cut scenes destroys the purpose of a solid, third person shooter.

Personally, I found it to be a fun ride.

3 STARS

G d Friday

Ea er Sunday

9am (1 hour service) ∞ April 3rd

9.30am & 5.30pm ∞ April 5th

Join us at ImagineNations Church this Easter!

Cnr of M4 Motorway & the Northern rd

Our services are friendly, family orientated &

inchurch.com.au

focus on the power of the love of Jesus.

WW16656

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

58

WINE LIST

Well worth trying

W

hen you’re the only winemaker in Australia turning out a rare variety that’s even disappeared in its homeland France, it could be anticipated you’d slap on a hearty price-tag to reflect its uniqueness – and the more-so when that wine’s a ripper drop.

But Calabria Family Wines at Griffith in the NSW Riverina ask just $14.95 for their Oak Aged Saint Macaire, that’s both a great conversation starter and a wonderfully unique match with game dishes and oven-baked lamb with plenty of thyme, sage and rosemary, equallyherbed lamb chops off the barbecue, or vintage cheddar.

Saint Macaire originated in a region 40km south of Bordeaux and was named after a local village, but Phylloxera wiped out all the vineyards there in the late 1800s; the variety was introduced into Australia in the 1970s/80s with the intent of using it in making port, but when port sales crashed soon after, vines were pulled out en masse.

It was only Bill Calabria at Calabria Family Wines (formerly Westend Estate) who kept small commercial quantities of vines, while Ian Hollick at Hollick Wines in Coonawarra held 20 vines he’s been observing all those years in the event they could give him a kick-start should seasonal and market changes create a demand.

Calabria Saint Macaire has unique violet, rose petals and spice on the nose, and rewarding spicy blackberry and plums on the palate. A rare beauty well worth trying.

One to note: A 2014 Semillon from Margan Family Winegrowers’ 40-year-old vines at Broke in the Hunter Valley is drinking superbly right now.

TALENT

bank For The Dearly Beloved

GENRE: Pop Punk HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND: A mix between the old school Blink-182 and Green Day INFLUENCES: Blink-182, 5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low, Green Day, Fall Out Boy FIRST ALBUM YOU EVER OWNED: Blake: ‘Ämerican Idiot’ by GreenDay WHERE CAN PEOPLE HEAR YOUR MUSIC: tinyurl.com/ForTheDearlyBeloved and soundcloud.com/ForTheDearlyBeloved WHERE CAN PEOPLE SEE YOU PERFORM: We’re looking to get some local gigs around Penrith soon but we’ve already performed at McHappy Day and The Windsor Riverside Markets.

PCC 189

PCC 175

HCC 165

PCC 204

MALE 6 YEARS OVERDUE

FEMALE 4 MONTHS OVERDUE

MALE JOHNSON BULLDOG 12 MONTHS OVERDUE

MALE STAFFY X 12 MONTHS OVERDUE

If you are looking for a sweet, friendly and good looking man then don’t even turn the page because here he is! All the volunteers at the Shelter love this guy and we want him to find his Forever Home with a fantastic family. If you can offer a lovely natured cat a home then please come and meet him.

Just look into this girls eyes and you can see she is in need of a loving home. At just 4 months of age she has already found herself at the pound and is hoping for a brighter future. With sassy good looks and a sweet personality this could be the girl for you! Come down and meet her im sure you won’t be disapointed.

If you are looking for a large dog that has lots of personality and is a happy and loving guy with alot to offer a family then please come and meet this boy. He enjoyed spending time with the volunteers and having a run, he was non reactive with the dog in the next run though we do always recommend a meet and greet with any other dogs in the family.

We had so much fun with this young guy, he loves to run around, play and have a great time. He is still so puppy like in nature and will need a home that has time to commit to basic training. With a friendly nature and an awesome smile who wouldn’t like this guy!!

We always recommend bringing your own dogs to the shelter to meet any of the shelter dogs.

Our contact details are:

facebook.com/FriendsHCAS twitter.com/HawkesburyPdVol fohcas.com

Shelters contact details are:

Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter 10 Mulgrave Road, Mulgrave NSW 2756 ph: 02 4560 4644 companionanimal@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au WW16616

59 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Social Scene

Nepean River Sunday, March 15

Relaxing by the river!

The weather was great, the music fantastic and the atmosphere even better at Penrith City Council’s Music by the River event last Sunday.

Seven acts entertained locals over five hours, with most of the talent drawn from the local Penrith region.

With thoughts of Monday and going back to work on their minds, local residents were able to take some time out and relax by the beautiful Nepean River while listening to some amazing live music.

People came along by themselves, with family members or with groups of friends to enjoy the entertainment. Picnics were on hand along with fantastic food stalls that ensured nobody went hungry.

It was a fantastic afternoon.

SPECIALISING IN

Photos: Jay La Photography

BEER BREWING  ...................................................................

DISTILLING  ...................................................................

CIDER AND SOFT DRINKS  ...................................................................

CHEESE MAKING  ...................................................................

YOGHURT AND KEFIR  ...................................................................

TOFU  ...................................................................

SAUSAGES SMOKING CURING  ...................................................................

COFFEE ROASTING  ...................................................................

FOOD PRESERVING  ...................................................................

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FOODS  ...................................................................

CHOCOLATE MAKING  ...................................................................

WINE AND MEAD MAKING  ...................................................................

more than just homebrew • Cheese Kits • Beer Making Kits • Jerky Making Kits • Smoker Boxes

• Bacon Kits • Spirit and Liqueur Essences • Chocolate Making Kits WW16643

PH: 02 4731 5444 • 218 Great Western Hwy Kingswood

www.countrybrewer.com.au

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

60

2015 FUNDRAISING

Black

Ball

Panthers Pavilion

Friday 12th June, 6.30pm

...Dress to Impress GUEST SPEAKER

Dr Charles Teo

Master of Ceremonies

Sylvia Jefferys Thanks to Channel Nine

Join us to raise funds for the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation & solve the puzzle on brain tumours A fun night with entertainment, amazing 3 course dinner & auctions

ENTERTAINMENT BY

The Diamonds

GREAT MUSIC, GREAT CAUSE BOOK YOUR TABLE – CALL NOW Media Partners

Tickets only $140 per person or $1200 for a table of 10 Bookings essential, major cards accepted

Please contact Ann - 4731 1876 or log on the website www.musicforlife.net.au to book tickets All donations over $2 are tax deductible WW16636

61 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

GIVEAWAY

The Hobbit prize packs!

G

et excited Hobbit fans! The final instalment in the classic J.R.R. Tolkien series will be coming to DVD, Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on Thursday, March 26.

‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ is the final film in the trilogy which is set in Middle-earth 60 years before ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

Viewers will once again join Bilbo and company as they are forced into battle to protect the Lonely Mountain from being taken over by a rising darkness.

The film, which comes from Academy Award winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, features a host of stars including Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, along with Evangeline Lilly, Benedict Cumberbatch, Stephen Fry, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Billy Connolly and many more big names.

If you’re a fan of ‘The Hobbit’ you certainly won’t want to miss the conclusion to this epic series that had the whole world glued to cinema screens.

Get it at your local DVD store from next Thursday.

The Weekender has three ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies’ prize packs to give away which include a DVD, T-shirt, notepad, baseball cap and mug. For your chance to win one, email the code word ‘HOBBIT’ to competitions@ westernweekender.com.au with your name and contact details.

Entries close Wednesday, March 25. Authorised under NSW Permit Number LTPM/15/00066. Terms and conditions at www.westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

Blast from the past at fashion event

I

f you were to walk into Penrith Paceway on Saturday last weekend, you would have taken a step back in time to when the fashions were very different to what they are today.

The scene at the Paceway was reminiscent of the past as it was the Zonta Club of Nepean Valley’s biennial hosting of the Cavalcade ‘Luxury and Leisure’ Parade, where models displayed a collection of original heritage gowns and accessories from the 1890’s to the 1960’s.

“The event showed the change in fashion design, along with the change in life styles and morals over this time frame,” said attendee, Sue James.

the australiana pioneer village Proud to Preserve the Past Open Sundays 10am - 4pm • HeritageListed Tourist Attraction

• Picnic Areas • Shops & Food • Entertainment

Rose Street, Wilberforce theaustralianapioneervillage.com.au

WW16647

WW16219

Ph 4575 1777

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

62 TEST YOUR

brain

crossword 1

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Fill in all squares so each row, column and each of the nine 3 x 3 squares contain all digits from one to nine.

19

ACROSS 1. Festival, Mardi ...

4. Wander leisurely 8. Spend wildly, ... out 11. Precious fur 13. Once more 15. Exclusive 17. Monarch’s sphere 18. Scorpion poison 20. Heart-rending 21. Ease off (3,2) 24. Mountain chain top 27. Hot-water dispenser 28. Freshly 30. Unadventurous 31. Scent 33. Carrion-eating animals 34. Afternoon nap 35. Ireland, the Emerald ...

36. Allergy symptom 39. Entwine 42. Beer colour 44. Gangster 45. Noblemen 46. Material flaps 48. Tatter 49. Leaks 50. Opera solo 52. Bike footrest 54. Jet-baths 55. Of sea phases 56. Most uncommon 57. Unspoilt paradise 60. Terra firma 62. Soothing drug 65. Scratch 67. Frequently 69. Toastmaster 70. Jobs 72. Poetic word for night 73. Nifty 75. Viper 77. It is (2’1) 79. Keepsake 81. Sprinted 82. The ones there 84. Atlantic or Pacific 85. Foundation 86. Rational 87. Kebab sticks

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Last week’s solutions 88. Slip sideways DOWN 1. Departs 2. Incidental comment 3. Was seated 4. Assemble 5. Takes in (child) 6. Rubble 7. Sudden invasion 8. Untrue statement 9. Each year, per ...

10. Church song

12. Abdomen 14. Turn away 16. Country byroads 19. Spoken exams 22. Viewing speculatively 23. Serviceable 25. Colloquial sayings 26. Engine seal 29. If 32. Rowing aid 35. Bothersome 37. Donkeys 38. Winched up 40. Check (accounts)

41. Artist’s stand 42. Communion table 43. Speaks gratingly 44. Locate 47. Fab Four group 51. Suffering 52. Pale shade 53. Pricked (boil) 54. Unhurried (pace) 58. Operated car 59. Negative adverb 61. Cosy homes 63. Calmness 64. Appear

65. Ouija session 66. Separates 68. Criminal 71. Fast-food booth 72. Is mistaken 74. Charged atoms 76. Young society entrants 78. Convey 80. Decorate (cake) 83. Belonging to him

Simply Affordable.

FUNERAL INSURANCE COULD END UP COSTING YOU OVER $15,000* A PREPAID FUNERAL WITH AUSTRALIA’S LEADING PREPAID FUNERAL PLAN IS LOCKED IN WITH US FOR JUST $6,500 Why not talk to us today? Call us anytime on 1300 556 222 WW16640

* Subject to variables, such as age, period of cover and policy conditions.

School holidays are just around the corner! he school holidays are approaching quickly, which means that before long parents and carers will need to begin to plan some school holiday activities for the kids.

It only takes a week before the novelty of the holidays wears off and pretty quickly the words “I’m bored” are a regular occurrence, but luckily for local parents and carers, Penrith has much to offer during the school holidays.

There are many organisations including Penrith City Council, Penrith Panthers, PCYC, YMCA and local community centres that offer fun, engaging and educational activities for kids over the holidays.

Penrith Panthers, for example, have a jam packed schedule of shows, activities and competitions running throughout these April school holidays.

These include the Panthers Kids Have Got Talent competition, where kids are invited to perform, showing off their talent in a range of areas for a chance to take out the top prize.

In addition, the venue is hosting a free movie, Kids Bingo and a load of other events that can be found on their website.

T

But it is not all about structured activities these holidays, because with the weather cooling down a little, now is the perfect time to hit the outdoors as a family.

Bike riding is a great activity that allows for kids to immerse themselves in the outdoors while having a whole heap of fun and getting some physical activity into the day.

Penrith Lakes has an immense bike track and the Nepean River trail is a good one as well.

If physical activity is not favourable but spending time in the outdoors is, a picnic is a great way to spend some time with the kids.

Everyone can get involved in the preparation – making sandwiches, packing drinks, sorting out cutlery and carrying the picnic blanket.

Plus it wouldn’t be a picnic at the river without a game of cricket or kicking the footy around.

School holiday activities do not have to be expensive, you just need to be creative.

Check out our school holiday feature in today’s paper and keep an eye out in the coming weeks for great deals an offers in the local area.

Enjoy the holidays!

Mowbray Park Farm If you are under 3 then you are free at ‘Wow-bray Park Farm’

Man , you think your room’s untidy Come say G’Day to Chloe, Chester, Scooter & friends.

The days are full of fun at Mowbray Park Farm. Kid’s Club, ponies, camp fires, hay rides & more Day visits, birthday parties & weekend escapes Mowbray Park 745 Barkers Lodge Rd Piction www.farmstayholidays.com.au mowbray@farmstayholidays.com.au WW16595

Call us 02 4680 9243 for that special holiday

WW12479

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

SPECIAL FEATURE

63

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

64

A beautifully landscaped boutique cemetery, serving all denominations in western Sydney. visit us atWeek the Penrith Visit ourPlease stand at Seniors and theFestival Penrith Festival

The Kemps Creek Cemetery & Crematorium has sites available for purchase ahead of time and also at time of need. Contact our office to secure your preferred site in one of our new lawns.

Conveniently located only 15 minutes’ drive from Liverpool, Penrith, Fairfield and Blacktown.

Offers a natural landscape with tranquil lake views surrounded by native bushland. There are lawn graves, plaque lawn graves and cremation gardens available.

Has Sydney’s first natural burial park, with no formal headstones or monuments. Graves are unmarked and GPS technology is used to accurately record locations for future visits.

Kemps Creek Cemetery offers a peaceful rural alternative to built up cemeteries and has Sydney’s most affordable burial and cremation options for everyone in the community.

New office open Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.00pm Call P: 9826 2273 to make an appointment WW16646

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Joanne Madeline

Moore

HOROSCOPES

Some Bulls are ready to express the self-indulgent hedonist within, while others get uncharacteristically caught up in an exquisite dream or fabulous fantasy only to be brought back down to earth by financial considerations, or a wellmeaning family member. Don’t waste time brooding.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

With the Sun, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus all activating your social media and networking zones, you’re keen to connect with a wide range of people from a variety of places as you talk, text, tweet, post or publish. Many Geminis are natural writers and comedians, so start writing that blog, book, report or essay.

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Weekly posts at www.BohoAstro.tumblr.com www.twitter.com/JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2014

Anthony

Walker FINANCE

Teamwork and networking will get you where you want to go BUT you must be realistic about what you and other people can bring to the table. Fabulous professional and/or financial opportunities are around BUT you must work out the perfect time to strike (and don’t be afraid to ask others for help).

A little pat on the back for ourselves!

owner and manager Bank of Queensland anthony.walker@ boq.com.au

As the only Queensland bank to make the finals, BOQ has improved on its four nominations of last year, where we were recognised as the winner of the Best Relationship Management Bank category.

The awards, now in their fifth year, are judged by a panel of industry experts assessing and judging nominations based on strict and specific selection criteria, along with analysis of customer satisfaction data.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony and gala dinner this Wednesday, March 25.

Go team BOQ! If you have a finance question you would like me to tackle in next week’s column, send an email to news@westernweekender. com.au and I’ll get right onto it!

Lions appear to be confident creatures but, beneath the showy bravado, there often lies a sensitive soul full of self-doubt and fears. This week Saturn puts some steel in your spine, so you can face the world with a steady gaze and a strong, self-sufficient spirit. Plus, it’s time to value and appreciate your own worth.

VIRGO

65

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Don’t be a flash-in-the-pan Sagittarius!

While it’s a wonderful week to start projects, make sure your promises and good intentions can last the distance, so you finish what you begin. You’re also keen to assist someone in need but don’t offer more help (or money) than you can deliver.

CAPRICORN

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

The more intently you focus your mind, the better the week will be as you crunch numbers, power through paperwork, do research or fine-tune the details of an important project. When it comes to a family matter, avoid quick fixes. Strive to be patient and persistent. Concentrate on individual projects and your mistakes.

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Venus and Jupiter link up, which boosts your hedonistic side as you enjoy things like good food, fine wine, flowers, chocolates, beauty treatments and (let’s not forget your number one passion) shopping. Style-conscious Librans are the fashionistas of the zodiac, and you love to shop up a storm.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Just because things aren’t happening as quickly as you’d like doesn’t mean you’re not making progress. When it comes to finances and work, a disciplined and strategic approach leads to long-term benefits. Attached Scorpios – Venus encourages you to rev up the romance factor.

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Many serious and ambitious Goats get their rocks off by climbing the career mountain until they reach the summit of success, accolades and riches. But the danger is that you sacrifice joy and spontaneity along the way. This week the Sun puts a pep in your step and a smile on your dial, as you live in the moment.

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Are you in a hurry to travel, or to achieve a major goal or dream? Circumstances are changing quickly so don’t make any firm plans until you have more solid information at hand. It’s a super week to spruce up your domestic abode and entertain at home as you enjoy fine food and convivial company.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

The planets rev up your flirtatious side and your powers of persuasion are firing, so it’s a wonderful week to pitch an idea or ask for a favour. There is also much satisfaction to be gained via contributing your creative talents within your local community. Spending sprees are a danger though – watch your bank balance!

Coreen Avenue

Veterinary Clinic

Quality Loving Care

Western Sydney

Cat Hospital

WW15521

This column isn’t usually about patting BOQ on the back, but we’ve just been announced as nominees for a grand total of not one, but five AB&F Business Banking and Corporate Awards!

BOQ is up for a gong in the categories of: • Best Equipment Finance and Leasing Business Bank • Best Relationship Management Bank • Best Business Service Bank • Best non-major Business Bank; and • Best Business Bank

SAGITTARIUS

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Rash Rams are raring to go! The fiery Aries Sun activates your adventurous and ambitious side BUT slow down before you come a cropper. You’re keen to get started on a project that excites you BUT don’t get carried away and go over budget. If you are creatively focused and financially frugal, you’ll get more bang for your buck.

LEO

WW16528

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

I

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

66

Katherine

Tweed FASHION

It’s time to develop a plan for a plan katherine.tweed@westernweekender.com.au @ktweed_

can not count the amount of times that I have been running late for something because I have spent too much time trying to figure out what to wear.

At times I can spend more than half an hour dashing between my wardrobe and the mirror in numerous different outfits, never quite finding the ‘right’ one.

Choosing something to wear to head out is a huge point of stress for me and even though I love fashion, having to pick an outfit is often something that I dread and something that I put off for as long as possible.

Add to this the fact that I am a very indecisive person and the simple act of getting dressed becomes a nightmare.

The stress, the dread and the indecisiveness combine, making me hold off from getting ready for as long as possible and in turn, making me much later than I would have been.

We’ve all heard about meal planning; the action of physically planning out every meal that you will eat in the week so as to avoid eating unhealthy foods, to make a trip to the supermarket a little easier or to eliminate the decision-time but what about outfit planning?

I have been known to plan an outfit before an event, for example if I have a wedding coming up or a special event, and I usually plan what I will wear to work whilst I am eating breakfast – the action is helped by the fact that my work wardrobe is on repeat – but that is the extent of it.

Never before have I planned more than a day’s worth of outfits, let alone a week, but I am about to start.

I am going to start planning my week’s worth of outfits in advance for a number of reasons; firstly, I need to stop taking

so much time getting ready. Secondly, I would love to get more out of my wardrobe because as it stands, I probably only wear about 20 per cent of what is actually in there... if that.

And thirdly, I want to feel inspired by my clothes again.

I have been doing a bit of research, listening to podcasts and scouring a few blogs and in theory it is all pretty simple so for those in the same boat as me, I have created a ‘plan for a plan’: 1. The first thing to do is to get your wardrobe organised. I organise mine by colour and then by season after that but do whatever works for you.

2. Prepare yourself by setting aside some time to get to work and put yourself in the right mindframe. It is so important to keep positive because, while

Matthew

Ely

JEWELLERY

GREAT Community Transport can assist eligible clients with: Regular mini-bus shopping services (carers may be available to assist )  Social outings  Medical and hospital appointments  Cancer care appointments

WHAT TRANSPORT DO WE PROVIDE?

Small group transport is provided in:  Wheelchair accessible buses and vans  Service cars and volunteer cars.

Clients are welcome to bring their own carers but they must be registered with the service

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Blue Mountains: 4759 2403 • Penrith: 4722 3083

WW16655

www.greatcommunitytransport.org.au

A diamond falls out of your ring... what do you do?

This has to be one of the most horrible experiences for the owner of the ring!

Nothing seems ‘wrong’ with your ring one day and the next time you look down a stone is missing.

You have no idea where it fell out, what you might have been doing at the time or what to do now.

The first thing you need to do is take off your ring (or whatever the item is in question), store it safely in a box or pouch and head to your jeweller to have them assess

What to do if a diamond falls out of your ring

WHERE CAN I GO ?

Costs vary and are determined by assessment with contributions negotiated individually.

it is a daunting challenge, you don’t want to hate the outfits you create.

3. Pick out a couple of items to build your outfits around. For example, a pair of black jeans, a blouse, a pair of heels, a special dress and a cardigan.

4. Get creative. Start to mix and match by laying your chosen pieces out on the ground in front of you and picking out other items from the wardrobe.

Mix colours, patterns and textures.

5. Stand back and have a look at your outfits, make some changes and then accessorise accordingly.

6. Get snappy on the smartphone, taking photos of each outfit choice so that you can remember them later.

7. Enjoy a week of blissful ‘getting ready’ scenarios and repeat the following week.

York Jewellers Penrith

it for you. We have an on site workshop at York Jewellers and always have someone on hand who will be able to inspect your ring and offer some help as to where to go from here.

The most common cause of losing a stone would have to be wear and tear.

Over the years you wear your jewellery day in day out

(and you should!) however we must remember that the metal used to make these pieces is malleable, which means it will wear down over time.

The little claws holding onto your precious gems are there to protect them as much as keep them in the setting and these will cop the brunt of the knocks and bumps that come with wearing a piece of jewellery.

To prolong the life of your jewellery here are my top two tips: 1. Take it off when you are doing something that may damage it – think the gym, gardening, manual labour.

2. And I cannot stress enough the importance of getting your jewellery checked and cleaned regularly, every six months is perfect.

Depending on the type of design and setting, and also the amount the piece is worn (and where it is worn, i.e a ring comes in to contact with more than a pendant or earrings) you may need to have metal built up on the settings of your stones every few years. This can cost anywhere from $50 upwards depending on what needs to be done, however it will save you the heartache of discovering a missing stone one day.

67

Fitec is the Fitness Industry Training & Education Centre.

It’s where the trainers get their training!

As part of raising awareness and promoting it in our community, we present the Fitec Fitness Champion!

Each week we will interview someone who has successfully made health and fitness an integral part of their life...

Brendan Grugan

We all need to be active

David

Stein HEALTH

How does fitness feature in your life?

I grew up playing every sport I could until my early teens when I focused on basketball. I played at all different levels during my time and learnt a lot about training hard and work ethic along the way. What I didn’t learn a lot about was good nutrition and appropriate strength and conditioning. I have always looked for a better way of doing things and from my own research and listening to the right people, I have gotten to where I am today. I am married with two young girls. I work full time as a firefighter and

Guys generally don’t need an excuse for a bit of a boys weekend but if they did there are plenty out there.

Over the years some participants of said weekends have had terrible allegations cast against them, insinuating such weekends are purely an excuse for drinking beer, eating meat and reminiscing about days of old.

I recently read a few articles including one by Andrew May proving why such get togethers are a good thing not just for men, but also their partners and families.

For instance a study from

Boys trip away can be good for your health

owner and manager of Fitec david@fitec.com.au

Ohio University published in Personal Relationships highlighted that, “friends are essential because they provide emotional stability in a person’s life, and longterm friendships provide a sense of shared history that can be a rarity in today’s environment. Friends from our youth anchor us in this age of technology and constant mobility”. And another from Cornell University found

men who do not spend enough time with their friends can actually feel less attracted to their partner.

Professor Benjamin Cornwell noted that reducing contact with male friends can be dangerous.

“A man’s ability to play a round of golf or to have a few drinks with a friend who has only a passing acquaintance to his wife or girlfriend is crucial to preserving some independence in life,” he says.

The researchers even found testosterone levels could drop in the group whose wives had steadily cut ties with their husbands’ old friends.

They found a man needs to have someone to talk to about the things that matter to him – whether it’s sports, politics, what car he is going to buy, or worries about his health or his job.

The important thing is that he can let it all hang out and know that what he says isn’t going to get straight back to his wife.

So get on the phone, organise the mates and if anyone asks why, let them know you are doing it for the good of the whole family!

Do you have a fitness question you would like David to answer in a future column in the paper? Email david@ fitec.com.au.

Top 3 tips for good health?

1. Eat real food and avoid processed, packaged foods. Know what you are putting into your body and the positive or negative effect that food will have on your health.

2 Eat enough quality food during the day to avoid the late night cravings.

The benefits of healthy eating and exercise happen whilst you are asleep.

At this time your body is repairing itself, so if you haven’t given your body the nutrients it requires during the day, it is going to crave food late at night.

3. Exercise smarter. You don’t have to spend all of your spare time exercising, there are far too many other important things to do in life. Go for shorter, more intense exercise such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) every 2-3 days that use whole body movement. Add some resistance, whether it be body weight, kettle bells or free weights. The aim is to increase your metabolism and these short, harder sessions that get your heart rate up will have a greater long term health benefit than long, slow sessions.

A daily ‘must do’?

Drink plenty of quality water. Hydration is very important to the function of the human body.

Biggest health/fitness misconception?

Eating fat makes you fat. Good fats are an excellent stable energy supply and help fill you up without affecting your blood sugar levels. Fats and oils are essential to optimum health. They are important building blocks for the cells of your body, as well as for key hormones.

What do you consider the biggest benefit of being fit and healthy?

Having plenty of sustained energy to enjoy life, avoid illness and set a good example for my children.

What type of activity/exercise do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy golf, skiing, short triathlons and strength and conditioning training with kettle bells that complement these activities.

How do you stay motivated when it’s so easy to just ‘take it easy’?

I find having a goal or entering an event gives me motivation. I am also motivated by the positive way I feel when I am eating and exercising correctly.

Freestyle – anything else you want to say?

Being healthy and active is the way life should be. Avoid fad diets and get back to what our bodies need. Real food and movement.

If you would like more information on personal training go to the Encompass Health and Fitness Facebook page. I can also be contacted directly via email bj.grugan@gmail.com

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WW16648

the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

am midway through a certificate IV in personal training. I will be training clients out of Encompass Health and Fitness on Henry St Penrith.

FITEC fitness champion

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

68

Desexing is one of the most beneficial things that you can do for your pets. We recommend desexing at six months of age and today we will discuss the advantages of early desexing. Desexing is a vital operation to prevent unwanted pregnancies and is also important for the long term health of your pet. As with any operation, we must consider the advantages and disadvantages of desexing.

Misty is a seven-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, she was rescued by her current owners only 12 months ago. Misty’s owners were

Nicole

McMillan PET HEALTH

Why desexing your pet early is important

Practice owner of Coreen Avenue Veterinary Clinic and the Western Sydney Cat Hospital

faced with the difficult decision of whether to desex Misty at an older age or not. Even though Misty is very healthy, she has a heart murmur and is on heart medications, thus it was decided that we would not desex Misty due to the higher risk of a general anaesthetic.

One month ago, Misty became lethargic and lost her appetite. Blood testing and an ul-

trasound were performed and this revealed that Misty had a pyometra. A pyometra is a serious infection of the uterus that results in the accumulation of pus within the cavity of the uterus. It is generally seen in older female cats and dogs who have not been desexed.

A pyometra can become life threatening especially if the uterus ruptures inside the body. Untreated pyometra can cause dehydration, kidney failure and eventual death from infection and toxin accumulation.

Despite Misty’s severe heart murmur, we had to perform an ovariohysterectomy to ensure that Misty did not die from this infection. Misty was monitored very closely while she was under general anaesthetic and thankfully, her operation was successful.

Misty took a few days to start eating but now she is back normal.

Desexing pets at a young age, prevents diseases that are related to their reproductive organs. It also avoids more complex anaesthetics such as when they are older and have heart disease such as Misty. Desexing also has the benefit of reducing the chance of your pet getting cancers (such as mammary cancers in females).

If you would like more information, call us on 4731 3055.

that build others up rather than words that tear others down. He urges his readers to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice”. These negative characteristics that do nothing to build friendship are to be replaced with positive characteristics such as kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

And if you are wondering why we should live this way, Paul points us to the example of Jesus; “Forgive each other, just as in Christ God forgave you... live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us”.

We all know how important friendship is. In this part of the Bible we are encouraged to see that when we look to Jesus, we have the perfect model for how we can grow and maintain friendship in our life.

Friendship is a great gift from God. Hopefully, all of us have good close friends, people with whom we can share life – through ups and downs – people who will stick with you through thick and thin, encourage you, cry with you, laugh with you.

Yet many of us also know how friendships can be torn apart through disagreements, misunderstandings, long held grudges or lack of forgiveness. It seems that friendship does take some work!

In the Bible’s book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul

Rev John

Lavender RELIGION

Friendships do require some hard work

www.glenmorepark anglican.com.au and on Facebook

gives some very practical hints on building quality relationships. Rather than have people thinking how others might not be friendly to them, he puts the initiative with us, urging his readers to take the lead and show friendship, saying “be humble and gentle, patient, bearing with one another in love”. He writes of the value of speaking with words

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AUTO

NATHAN TAYLOR @natetaylor87

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The value-added features are worth at least $1,000 but are now included at no extra cost on the GT manual while the GT auto price has been lowered by $300.

A full-size spare wheel can now be ordered at no extra cost, giving customers an alternative to the weight-saving tyrerepair kit which is fitted as standard.

Prices have also been reduced for the GTS grades – the manual by $500 and the auto by $800 as a result of recent duty reductions.

As a result of the running changes, the price for the most affordable 86 remains at $29,990 – unchanged from the popular car’s launch price more than two-and-ahalf years ago.

The reversing camera image is viewed on the new 6.1-inch touch-screen monitor that doubles as the control centre for the upgraded audio system. GTS variants already have these features with the addition of satellite navigation.

Other features managed through the 86 audio system include voice recognition and hands-free operation for a mobile phone, audio streaming, FM radio text, iPod control, USB input, SD card slot and a CD player.

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Fin Finishing last des deserves more pu punishment p.74 NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

hat a difference a year makes.

12 months ago the Western Sydney Wanderers were battling the Brisbane Roar for top of the table Premiers Plate honours.

On Saturday, they’ll be going head to head with Newcastle to avoid the spoon.

The Wanderers and Jets are currently sitting in positions nine and 10 on the A-League ladder, with 11 points apiece.

However, the Wanderers have the slight edge with two wins on the board to Newcastle’s one.

On the two occasions these sides met earlier in the season, both games ended in 1-1 draws. Therefore the winner out of Saturday evening’s clash at Pirtek Stadium could put themselves in a good position to avoid the dreaded spoon.

Last Friday night in Parramatta, the Wanderers continued to pay the price for their success in recent times, going down to a strong Melbourne Victory side 3-0.

Melbourne’s Besart Berisha was once again Western Sydney’s arch nemesis, scoring two goals on the night.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic said Melbourne punished his side.

Western Sydney’s clash against the Victory was their seventh game in 20 days, which includes A-League and AFC Champions League fixtures.

Popovic continued to blame scheduling and injuries for his side’s unfortunate demise.

“This is our seventh game in 20 days… we don’t have enough players to rotate, we don’t have a 50 man squad,” he affirmed.

“Players are injured, they are fatigued.”

Popovic said he partly blames the A-League’s governing body, the FFA, for not having faith in his club’s abilities.

“At the end of the day the FFA never expected us to win a Champions League, for me, that’s the bottom line. They didn’t expect us to win it because when we came back we had three days and we had to go to Wellington and Perth,” he said.

“If you expected or thought ‘what if these guys do get into the final’, maybe you can help that team out.”

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Sport

73

Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

74

Peacock’s Point

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Failure needs harsher consequences t this stage of the season, the ALeague needs all the reasons it can find to make some noise.

The climax is near, though other codes are starting. Getting lost in the crowd through irrelevance is a sure thing.

This weekend, four of the five games will have an impact on the make-up of the top six, which is what the FFA is after. They’re all anticipated clashes, rightly so, and hopefully live up to the billing like many of the games last weekend.

The other one is Western Sydney and Newcastle, in the battle to avoid last spot.

In the grand scheme, it’s immaterial.

The club that finishes last isn’t relegated.

Embarrassment is about as bad as it gets, there’s no real penalty.

There should be, and I’m not talking the presentation of a 10 metre wooden spoon after the last game, in which the club MUST display at its offices for 12 months (though imagine… shaming the wooden spooners after their last game with the “Clive Palmer Doesn’t Give a Crap Anymore Perpetual Trophy”, presented by former members of his political party).

The harshest punishment for finishing

A

last in most football competitions around the world is the horrid R word – Relegation.

That isn’t possible here in Australia right now.

With apologies to the clubs in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) around the nation – the level below the A-League – as romantic as the concept is, as hard done by as some clubs still feel as part of the eradication of the NSL in 2004, promotion and relegation isn’t going to happen anytime soon.

The finances and facilities simply aren’t there for the vast majority of those NPL clubs, and the FFA isn’t about to take a risk of opening up one spot in the A-League for a club that wins the competition set up to recognise that level of football, the NPL Finals, in the extremely slim chance that club might be ready on and off the field to be part of the top tier.

Say, for instance Brisbane gets relegated (settle down Roar fans, this is hypothetical to prove a point), are you going to try and sell TV rights without a club in Australia’s third biggest city? All clubs lose out of that reduced premium.

Relegation and promotion might happen in 10 years, 15 years, maybe 20, maybe never. All maybe’s, but point is – not now.

So what deterrent can be introduced to make finishing last feel like a real punishment?

Financial is one way, but how can you hurt a club in the hip pocket when finance in a marketplace like Australia with its four professional football codes, is so hard to come by in the first place.

Take away a foreign spot for next season? Harsh, and as the FFA found out earlier this season when a reduction of the foreign players allowed from five to four was mooted, the clubs would go postal at the idea. Anyway, what if all five foreign spots are contracted for next season – can’t just tell one of them, ‘bad luck chum, thanks all the same, but go away’.

One plausible solution is to take away the FFA Cup spot of the team that finishes last.

Finish 10th, you’re out of next season’s Cup. Give the spot to the club that finishes runner-up in the National Premier League’s Final. No player, coach or admin-

The Wanderers are facing finishing last istrator from Western Sydney Wanderers or Newcastle Jets is satisfied with where their team is at this season. That flies in the face of what they are about.

But failure shouldn’t be treated with a shrug. The rewards are there for success and while finding an equal measure isn’t possible now, the opposite can’t be just passed off as embarrassing.

Put something on a game like the Wanderers and Newcastle are playing this Saturday, to make it a little more interesting for all of us.

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Make that three: Emu boys do it again Emu Plains recover from early collapse to claim third straight first grade cricket title NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

t’s one of the hardest things any team can achieve in sport.

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls have done it while LeBron James and his Miami Heat failed at the final hurdle.

Achieving a coveted three-peat is mighty hard work.

One local team who can now lay claim to that special honour is the Emu Plains first grade cricket side who, earlier this month, defeated the St Clair Hawks to take out the Nepean District Cricket Association title for the third straight year.

Speaking with the Weekender, Emu Plains captain and 310 game veteran Martin Romer said it was one of the toughest grand finals he’s ever been a part of.

“It was an unbelievable feeling to win but we were in a bit of trouble early on,” the all-rounder recalled.

“At one stage we were 5/48 until one of our blokes, Brett Savage, hit the crease and single-handedly scored 189 runs.”

Emu Plains were later bowled out for 321 but it was more than enough to defeat the Hawks who only managed 273, thanks to a brilliant bowling display by the Emu Plains club.

I

Emu Plains is celebrating its third straight first grade cricket grand final win

“It was really good for St Clair to come back as they did and have a crack at us,” Romer said.

“The Hawks are a good bunch of blokes and the Grand Final was played in good spirit.”

According to Romer, no team has achieved a three-peat in the first grade competition in two decades.

“We’re just a bunch of blokes who have been playing together for a few years now.

Eight of us in the team have been a part of all three premiership wins,” Romer said.

One of those players is none other than Romer’s 22-year-old son, Tom, who took two wickets in the final.

“It’s great playing alongside my son… it’s something you wouldn’t usually be able to experience in other sports,” Romer said.

With the cricket season on hiatus until September, the 45-year-old Emu Plains life member says he has no plans on giving the game away and is aiming for title number four.

“I’ll keep going as long as I can, I’ll only get bored staying at home,” he said.

According to Romer, the last time Emu Plains went on a premiership-winning streak was way back in the 1950’s when they won seven straight.

Kind hearts support Family Room The Nepean Hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room has been a comfort to hundreds of families who are forced to spend long hours in hospital when their babies are being cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

But without the support of the Blue Mountains Hot Rod Club, the room would not be the success it is today, as each year they raise thousands of dollars through an annual car show, held in the Penrith Panthers car park in partnership with the Garton Group of McDonald’s Penrith.

The most recent show, held on Sunday, February 22, was the fifth annual and saw over 1000 people attend. It raised over $5,000 for the Family Room.

The team at McDonald’s Garton Group formally thanked the organisation for their annual support when the group met to hand over a cheque to the Family Room on Tuesday.

“For the past five years, the Blue Mountains Hot Rod Club has supported the Nepean Family Room by coordinating the annual Penrith Show ‘N’ Shine Car Show. They have helped to raise thousands of dollars over the years and they deserve a more public recognition this year,” said McDonald’s Garton Group spokesperson, Matthew Atkins.

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the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Cricket

Friday 20 March 2015 ÂŤ the western weekender

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77 the western weekender » Friday 20 March 2015

Junior Sport

Tanya scores a goal for Werrington FC State Government grant will buy new goal nets, balls and training bibs for stars of the future NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

errington Football Club are set to score new goal nets and soccer balls thanks to a grant from the NSW Government.

State Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies visited the local club last week to hand over the Community Building Partnership grant worth $4011.

The funds will be used to replace wornout goal nets as well as to purchase player training bibs and soccer balls to help kick start the new season.

“I advocated strongly for the club at short notice to deliver this important financial support, just as the football season is about to start,” Mrs Davies said.

The club’s committee, led by President Antony Kukac and Treasurer Joe Orlovic, welcomed the exciting news.

“I can’t recall the last time we were successful for a grant from any level of government, so our club is very grateful that Tanya has fought hard to deliver this great result for us at such short notice,” Kukac said.

“We’ve made grant applications in the past through other sources, without success, so this result is a real bonus.”

W

Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies with players and officials from the Werrington Football Club One of the players’ parents said the grant “couldn’t have come at a better time”, while Werrington FC Vice President Dale Whitchard said it’ll make a significant difference to the club heading into a busy season.

“Werrington Football Club is just one of 31 clubs affiliated with the Nepean Football Association in the Nepean region,” he said.

“Compared to other clubs in the district, we are one of the smaller clubs, so a grant

of this size makes a big difference for our members and players.”

The 2015 Nepean Football Association winter season officially gets underway next weekend, beginning on Saturday, March 28.

Bowls Mick Gilfoyle After Round 3 in the NDBA Pennants we still have Wallacia in Grade 1, Springwood in Grade 2 and Grade 4 and Windsor in Grade 3 undefeated. All other grades are close and it makes for very interesting remaining games.

The Glenbrook Panthers Women’s Nepean Plate Bowling team, on their home ground, battled it out with their counterparts from Wisemans Ferry.

Both teams played very well and produced some excellent bowls, culminating in a win for the home team. Great work Glenbrook girls, who won three of their competition games plus one draw.

Social Bowls Results: J Snape, H Wallace def A Ritter, L Andrews; D Carnevale, M

McGuinness, B Hilleard def V Fitzpatrick, J Sell, P Tolhurst; P Doggett, M Peasnell, B McNulty def J Savins, L O’Donahoe, M Jacka; B Coleman, M Woodhouse, M Wiseman def M Henry, H Hale, C Davis; J Reeves, S James, M Halford def P McCormack, M Waters, M Russell; N Willmington, J Wulff, J Goodman def J Lewis, J Holdsworth, R Havord; S Viney, E Gaynor, T Allcock def D Gray, M Dempster, D North; A Leadbitter, C Pugh, H Larsen def V Charlewood, H Tracey, V Rump, R Crimston, H Pearse, B Layton def E Hunter, Y Skinner, S O’Connell.

President Jackie Lewis congratulated all our pennants teams for their commitment and excellent team efforts.

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A good card of racing was presented with punters’ selections fairing very well. My Sweet Pawsha ($6.60) in the first started a double for Gavin Fitzpatrick.

Driver Jinaya Niass was able to get Hes a Hoover ($12.70) home after a tough run outside the leader in the second.

Attorney Stride ($3.00) driven by Steve Turnbull came from well back to take the third.

Simply Gorgeous ($5.00) driven by Glen McElhinney led all the way to win the fourth.

Race five, the Don Adams Memorial, attracted a good field. Davey Gunn and Ideal Chance raced hard early contesting the lead with Ideal Chance eventually leading. Moves started to come with first Skewbridge Road then Albert Jacka making challenges. At the bell, Im Alex and Hez The Wild Card were making runs three wide. Im Alex ($3.70) sustained his run to win from Hez The Wild Card and Skewbridge Road third.

Sally Fletcher ($3.00) driven by Gavin Fitzpatrick won the sixth, Big Lucy ($4.00) driven by Tod McCarthy the seventh. The eighth went to Sams The Master ($2.60) and the last to The System Stride ($31.30) driven by Robert Gatt.

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Friday 20 March 2015 « the western weekender

78

Basketball Rookie of the Year worried about his sport’s future NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

resh from winning the NBL’s 2015 Rookie of the Year Award, Penrith basketball star Angus Brandt has revealed his concern over the future of the league in the wake of recent dramas.

Earlier this month, two of the eight NBL franchises – Wollongong and Townsville – went into voluntary administration with the future of both clubs now up in the air.

If the Hawks and Crocs can’t find suitable financial support to help get them off the ground, the NBL will be down to just six teams for next season, raising concerns whether it will be able to sign a new TV deal or even field enough sides to play.

Speaking with the Weekender, the Sydney Kings rookie said he’s been keeping a close eye on the future of the competition.

“At the end of the day it’s my livelihood, it’s what I do for a job. If there’s no league, I’m potentially out of job,” Brandt said.

“To tell you the truth, when Townsville and Wollongong both folded within a week, it was very scary.

“I think fans and players want more than six teams to play. Hopefully the league can rally and both teams can get back in.”

F

Since signing a multi season deal with the Kings last year, Brandt enjoyed a very promising start to his NBL career, averaging 7.4 points and four rebounds per game while shooting at nearly 50 per cent from the field over 21 games.

The 208cm giant admitted he was surprised to win one of the NBL’s highest honours.

“I knew I was in the running for it, it was between myself and three other guys, but to win it was a great honour. I was a little taken aback when I found out,” he said.

“It’s definitely something I don’t under appreciate, there’s been some really good players before me to win that award.”

Previous winners of the NBL Rookie of the Year Award include Andrew Gaze, Shane Heal, Nathan Jawai and Joe Ingles.

However, Brandt’s remarkable debut season didn’t go entirely according to plan when he was ruled out for seven matches after injuring his knee during a game on New Year’s Eve. “There were lots of ups and downs during the year and I think that injury may have set me back a little bit,” the 25-yearold said.

“I was starting to play really well before I got hurt, so it was a bit disheartening. But I kept rolling, got through rehab and made an effort to get back out onto the floor.”

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Around the grounds BASKETBALL: The Penrith Panthers men’s Waratah Championship League side have continued their good start to the season, defeating the Sutherland Sharks 87-70.

Jarrod Sorenson was best for the Panthers scoring 19 points and seven boards.

Penrith, who now sit in fifth, will enjoy the weekend off before playing the Sydney Comets on March 28.

Meanwhile, Penrith’s women’s team also recorded a big win over the Sharks 83-72.

Tahlia Tupaea went off for the Panthers scoring 28 while Alicia Poto wasn’t far behind her with 27 points.

Penrith’s women’s team currently sit in sixth and will also enjoy this weekend off.

CRICKET: After enduring a rollercoaster season, Penrith’s first grade side have officially missed out on a place in the Sydney Grade Competition finals.

Penrith needed to beat Sydney University last Saturday afternoon at Howell Oval for a place in the top six but were completely outclassed by their opposition.

Sydney University batted first scoring 6/216 after 50 overs. Penrith bowler Chris Withers was best of a bad bunch with 2/30.

When Penrith hit the crease later that afternoon, they only managed 178 before being bowled out of the game and the competition. Penrith’s

Tim Cummins was best with the bat scoring 50.

Penrith finished the season in eighth position with seven wins, three draws and five losses.

ICE HOCKEY: The NSW Ice Hockey competition officially begins this weekend with reigning champions the Penrith Phantoms taking on the Norwest Emperors on Saturday evening at the Penrith Ice Palace.

The Phantoms will play in the Division 1 competition this season after being promoted following their Division 2 championship win last season.

RUGBY: The 2015 Shute Shield season gets underway this weekend with the Penrith Emus matched up against Sydney University for the opening round of the competition.

The match will be played at Nepean Rugby Park with kick-off in first grade at 3pm.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 5 of the junior rugby league representative season saw some mixed results for both the Penrith Panthers and Western Sydney Academy of Sport (WSAS) sides.

In the Harold Matthews competition, Penrith lost to the Parramatta Eels 32-4 while WSAS defeated the St George Dragons 34-12.

In the SG Ball competition, Penrith belted the Eels 48-8 while WSAS lost to the Dragons 28-24.

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Huge blow for Panthers as key playmaker is ruled out for six weeks @natetaylor87

enrith Panthers playmaker Jamie Soward will miss up to six weeks after undergoing minor back surgery on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old has had a long association with lower back dramas, with both Soward and coach Ivan Cleary admitting it needed to be attended to sooner rather than later.

“I’ve had an ongoing back problem for a while and it’s just at the stage where we can’t keep playing with how it’s going at the moment,” Soward told Triple M’s Rush Hour program on Tuesday.

Soward’s surprising news, which broke on Monday night, is a huge blow for the Panthers who currently sit atop of the NRL ladder, undefeated.

The Panthers will play the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Monday night with NSW Cup five-eighth Isaac John called into the first grade squad to replace Soward.

It’s expected Soward could miss the next six weeks of the season but an early return could be on the cards.

“It’s very similar surgery to what Jamal [Idris] had earlier in the year and he came back in

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about three and a half to four weeks,” Soward said.

“It’s ongoing after playing a long time and getting hits and with all the kicking my discs have just worn down, so they’re at the stage where we can’t keep ignoring it. We need to get on top of it the best we can so I can continue to play the rest of this season and the next two years with the Panthers.”

Soward revealed he had been struggling with a sore back since his days at St George Illawarra, where at times the pain was so bad he couldn’t even get out of bed.

On Saturday against the Gold Coast Titans in Bathurst, Soward sacked himself from goalkicking duties in the first half after missing two conversions.

Soward said having the surgery in the off-season was an option initially but club doctors had been managing the issue “quite well”.

“I actually gained some strength in that region but unfortunately we can’t go on with it anymore,” he said.

“I’d love to be playing on Monday night but I’ll just have to work hard and make sure I’m ready to go in a couple of weeks.”

Penrith’s best coverage of the Panthers and the NRL is inside: Check out today’s edition of Extra Time in our centre pages!

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Friday 20 March 2015

Jamie Soward’s surgery shock NATHAN TAYLOR

THE NEW WEBER

the western weekender // www.westernweekender.com.au

Ends 05/04/15. Harvey Norman® stores are operated by independent franchisees. Mattress, bed linen and accessories shown are not included.

*1. Single and king single sheet sets each consist of 1x fitted sheet, 1x flat sheet and 1x standard pillowcase. Double, queen, king and super king sheet sets each consist of 1x fitted sheet, 1x flat sheet and 2x standard pillowcases.

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