Western Weekender June 23 2023

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Penrith has proved its status as an exporter of sporting stars at the highest level, with the city’s fingerprints all over a week of international success stories. He may have cut his teeth at Howell Oval, but Penrith junior Pat Cummins was the toast of international cricket on Wednesday morning when his unbeaten 44 helped Australia to a famous Ashes win over England at Edgbaston.

Weary-eyed Penrith locals couldn’t stop

talking about Cummins on Wednesday after his partnership with Nathan Lyon helped claw the Aussies to a stunning victory after England appeared to be in the box seat.

After the incredible two wicket win, captain Cummins said it rated as the “number one” Test victory of his career.

“What a wonderful Test match. Really hard fought,” he said.

“It’s a pretty happy dressing room... it’s pretty satisfying.”

A few days earlier, some 1,750 kilometres away in Slovenia, Leonay’s Jessica Fox was also on top of her game, with the whitewater superstar winning K1 gold at the Ljubljana-Tacen World Cup.

The Olympic champion put down a near-flawless run in the final (96.22 seconds) to claim the gold with a 2.69 second margin over Ukraine’s Viktoriia Us, with Germany’s Elena Lilik rounding out the podium in third (read more about Fox’s efforts on page 61).

Back home, St Clair export Paige Hadley was double checking her passport after being selected in the Australian Diamonds squad for the upcoming Netball World Cup, which will be played in South Africa.

The Swifts star is expected to light up midcourt when Australia begins its campaign on July 28.

To top it all off, five Penrith Panthers players took to the field for NSW in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash against QLD.

Locals invited to have their say on Aerotropolis contributions

Penrith Council is inviting locals to have their say on the plans for the Aerotropolis precinct.

The draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan is currently on public exhibition until July 13, 2023.

The plan seeks to deliver $815 million by apportioning a contributions rate of 5.5 per cent for development over $200,000 within the Aerotropolis precinct in the Penrith Local Government Area.

It will help fund the delivery of essential infrastructure such as local roads, bridges, active transport connections, open spaces and community facilities as identified in the Aerotropolis planning package.

“Our vision is for the Aerotropolis to become a hub of industry and innovation that offers a diverse range of jobs for the

community, but achieving this ultimately depends on our ability to fund the necessary infrastructure,” Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said.

“The Plan will see the costs to deliver local infrastructure in the Aerotropolis precinct shared by those benefiting from the development, and importantly will ensure these costs don’t fall to Penrith ratepayers.”

The plan was previously released as a joint plan between Penrith and Liverpool City Councils but now both councils have their own plans to enable greater autonomy and simplified administration.

With the total cost of local infrastructure for both councils estimated at $2.8 billion, a collaborative approach was taken to develop individual plans that better reflect the unique requirements and costs of infrastructure for each Local Government Area.

For more information, visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/draft-penrith-aerotropolis-CP.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

An artist’s impression of the Aerotropolis precinct.

Penrith loves pies: Aussie icon still popular, local bakers declare

Despite reports claiming there has been a decline in pie sales since the pandemic, Penrith locals are still consuming the meat and pastry delight in big numbers.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics National Accounts, which came out this month, found that spending on the Aussie delicacy has dropped by 40 per cent. But bakers in Penrith disagree, saying people are still craving the humble meat pie.

eating pies but they are spoilt for choice.

She said there is nothing wrong with the humble meat pie, but recently people have been trying a wider range of foods from overseas.

“You can’t eat pies all week,” Dang said.

“Some days you eat sushi, some days you eat a pie, some days you eat a salad roll or pork roll…

“There are just so many varieties

of things now… there are a lot of different cultures.”

According to Dang, the sales for the popular snack are at their highest during winter, but there is no evidence to support the claim that people are not eating them.

Madalyn Jones, one of the supervisors at Poles Patisserie, insists that the locals are still buying their pies. She said sales have actually increased and the chefs are strug-

gling to keep up with the demand.

“We’ve actually had a couple of weeks where we’ve sold out of quite a lot of our pies,” she said.

“Our pies are a classic and people come here because they know it’s a family run business.

She told the Weekender they expanded their service to include Uber deliveries and recently hired a social media specialist to manage their Instagram and Tik Tok.

Madalyn Jones and Teena Slaibi at Poles Patisserie. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Linh Dang at La Nepean Baker House. Photo: Melinda Jane.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

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The ABC should not be immune from cuts nor should it be forced to maintain the status quo for the sake of tradition in a changing environment, but some of its decisions in the past week were mindblowing.

And while the national broadcaster may not be a commercial operator, it swims in the same pool – and has caught some of the same diseases as a result.

It’s followed the path of many commercial news organisations in dumping important editorial staff, which can only ever deliver you a poorer result.

I challenge you to find me any media organisation on the planet that has dumped journalists yet improved the quality and quantity of their content.

The ABC’s move towards a more digital first strategy and away from focusing on its more traditional forms of broadcast is somewhat understandable, though it risks damaging its reputation and perhaps more importantly, disenfranchising its current audience.

To suggest the role of a Political Editor is not needed in Canberra, digital transformation or not, is absurd and shows a lack of core understanding of how journalism works on the ground in such robust and often volatile settings.

Andrew Probyn was one of the ABC’s finest journalists and best assets, yet he finds himself jobless and ramifications when it comes to quality of output, experience and mentoring younger journalists is huge.

The ABC is built on a reputation of localism; particularly in regional and remote communities but also in cities where centralisation has become a problem for journalism and content.

For the network to dump its 7pm state based bulletins on Sundays, airing a national bulletin instead, is a slap in the face to the traditions on which the ABC is built.

ABC purists can scoff all they like at commercial operators like Nine and Seven but at least if you’re sitting in Sydney you’ll get a Sydney-based news bulletin on a Sunday night, a traditionally important news day.

Index

Close to half a million people across the country watch that news bulletin at 7pm on a Sunday night.

To take the localism away from those bulletins, and give those half a million viewers a poorer result, is disappointing.

And then there’s the cuts to the ABC’s arts coverage.

I worked in arts media for about 10 years, as both a journalist and editor and a PR representative.

I know firsthand how difficult it is, despite the stunning work Australia produces on stage and screen, to get decent coverage of the arts in the mainstream media.

That’s why the ABC is so crucial when it comes to arts coverage; and it’s a significant point of difference compared to the commercial broadcasters.

Again the ABC has cut experience here, dropping its long-time online arts editor Dee Jefferson, whose experience was critical in helping the broadcaster deliver the arts content the industry, and its followers, crave.

Overall, the ABC’s news division loses about 41 people in these cuts. That covers journalists, sound editors, camera operators and editors. In other words, the very people crucial in getting stories to air.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, which represents journalists, said the

ABC had been running on empty for the past decade, and there were concerns over how the broadcaster would continue to deliver quality journalism.

Much of the ABC’s justification here has been about the future.

On the decision to axe Probyn and the Political Editor role, news boss Justin Stevens argued: “The Political Editor role at the ABC over a number of years was really a role that was dedicated to servicing 7pm. What we need to do in our Canberra bureau is to structure it so that it serves audiences across the board.”

It’s an interesting take. The ABC’s 7pm bulletin, which Stevens seems to have such an issue with, is the highest rating ABC program on most nights of the week.

It typically sits in the top 10 programs of the night, behind the commercial news bulletins but generally ahead of other prime-time viewing.

Intriguing, then, that Stevens has a problem with a Political Editor role being focused on what is consistently the network’s biggest and most successful program.

It is important when having one eye on the future that you have the other on the present, with an occasional glimpse to the past to ensure you don’t mess with what brought you here in the first place.

I’m the first to admit I’m not inside ABC HQ, and I accept that difficult decisions need to get made when it comes to budgets and future directions. This is the nature of not only the media beast, but business generally.

However, I have no doubt that if you took a forensic look at the ABC, inside its over-resourced walls where many have forgotten about the ‘real’ world, you’d find a better place to make cuts.

The ABC may look back in five or 10 years’ time and be able to prove that they were right; that these decisions in 2023 put them on a stronger and more successful path.

I suggest the opposite is more likely though. We’ll look back and remember when the ABC produced better content, from better and more experienced journalists, and lament what we lost.

“I challenge you to find me any media organisation on the planet that has dumped journalists yet improved the quality and quantity of their content”

“I won’t let you down”

Karen McKeown’s promise to Penrith as she delivers maiden speech in Parliament

TROY DODDS

State Penrith MP Karen McKeown has delivered her maiden speech to NSW Parliament.

The Labor MP spoke in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday after winning the seat of Penrith from Stuart Ayres and the Liberals in March.

“It is an absolute honour to stand here addressing you as the Member for Penrith. I am both ecstatic and humbled by this privilege that the people of Penrith have entrusted to me,” she said.

“Penrith, I will not let you down.”

McKeown acknowledged previous MPs, making specific mention of Ron Mulock, Faye Lo Po, Peter Anderson, Jim Anderson and Diane Beamer, and also thanked Deputy Premier Prue Car.

In front of family and fellow MPs, McKeown detailed her early years with her family and the struggles they faced with addiction.

She became extremely emotional when speaking of her father, who she said “had his own demons”, and her grandmother – who played a

significant role in raising her.

“My grandmother was a formidable, independent woman with a

strong sense of social justice, and a wicked sense of humour,” McKeown said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better role model and she certainly shaped the woman and strong feminist I am today.”

McKeown recalled how her grandmother was passionate about the Labor and Union movement.

“By the time I turned 15 I had to go out and work and contribute to the house,” she said.

“The first thing she said to me was, ‘go and join your union’.”

She spoke extensively about her husband Brendan McKeown and her family and friends, and thanked current and former Penrith City Councillors for their support during her career.

“There is a message in my story and here I want to speak particularly to women: It does take hard work, perseverance and determination, but if a bare-foot, snotty nosed kid from the back streets of inner Sydney can win the prized seat of Penrith against all of the odds, to stand here in the oldest Parliament in Australia, then anything is possible.”

Her speech was followed by a standing ovation, with Premier Chris Minns the first to congratulate her.

State Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown, delivering her maiden speech to Parliament on Tuesday.

‘Medi-hotel’ wins approval

140-room facility to be built at Kingswood despite concerns over lack of parking

Plans for a ‘medi-hotel’ in Kingswood have been approved by Penrith City Council.

The $34 million Development Application (DA) submitted in April last year proposed a seven storey hotel with 140 rooms, food and beverage options, rooftop seating and three basement levels with 63 parking spaces.

It will be built at 28-32 Somerset Street, directly opposite Nepean Hospital.

“The urban design response to the proposed development of the subject site is formulated around recognition of an opportunity to grow the 24hr economy of the hospital precinct,” the Statement of Environmental Effects attached to the DA said.

The proposal was first approved in September 2021, but a number of changes requiring Council consent meant the developer needed to lodge a new DA.

As part of this, Penrith Council’s Urban Design Review Panel gave particular consideration to the spatial arrangement of the built form, the architectural design treatments identified and the massing.

They identified a parking shortfall but deemed it acceptable, saying “the site is located within 800 metres of Kingswood Train Station and is near bus routes that service Nepean Hospital”.

Despite this, Council’s own traffic engineer did not support the extent of the non-compliance and the potential for this DA to serve as a precedent for a reduction in parking for the major developments expected in the Kingswood locality.

On May 15, the Panel stated its reasons why

parking would require approximately six basement levels, or a substantial reduction of hotel rooms… Either option is likely to make the proposal economically unviable,” the Determination and Statement of Reasons said.

“Other aspects of the proposal are accept-

Chief Executive of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Kay Hyman, said she is “genuinely excited” by Boston Global’s proposal.

“A high quality medi-hotel facility such as this with food and beverage and conferencing facilities is much needed in the area adjacent to Nepean Hospital and will make a valuable contribution to the community generally,”

An artist’s impression of the new ‘medi hotel’ in Kingswood.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Big plot twist: Famous cinema admits it’s in a fight for survival

major expense and is calculated on a percentage of each ticket sold.

Penrith locals have been raving about Glenbrook Cinema for more than 50 years, but that’s not enough to guarantee its future.

Once upon a time, Glenbrook Cinema was one of Australia’s most popular single screen cinemas, but now it’s fighting for survival. Their goal is to hold on to what they’ve got for as long as possible with the support of their “amazing” community.

Managing Director Ben Curran said Glenbrook Cinema can only derive income from one session screening at any given time, which means the week is not economically viable when the primary movie programmed is under-performing.

“Single screen cinemas require the same number of staff to operate as cinemas with two or more screens,” he said.

“Compared to a twin cinema, Glenbrook Cinema needs to achieve double the box office takings for the same movie to simply cover basic running costs.”

He also said that film studio session policies, the high cost of film hire and staffing challenges have contributed to the cinema’s financial struggles as well as changes to the standard release window, which means people no longer have to wait months before

their favourite films are available on streaming services.

“Pre-COVID the standard release window from theatrical release to on-demand streaming at home was around 90 days,” he said.

“This window has reduced to around 45 days meaning less opportunity for cinemas

to screen movies for return seasons. If a customer has not yet chosen to see the film at the cinema when hype is at its highest, they are now more likely to decide to wait a little longer until a movie is available to watch at home.”

Curran explained that film hire is a cinema’s

“This can be more than half of the ticket revenue in the opening weeks when the media exposure, online social sharing and awareness are highest,” he said.

“For the film studios, even if only one ticket is sold to a required policy session, this provides a financial return.

“However, for the cinema… a single ticket sale is not enough.”

Despite a major Hoyts cinema in Penrith, plenty of locals head to Glenbrook to get their movie fix. According to Curran, independent cinemas create an intimate atmosphere, bring people together and provide unique customer service.

“They offer affordable family outings… are ideal for date nights and provide a safe sense of community where friends and family can gather to share a movie experience,” he said.

“We believe people still desire the simple experience… good stories, quality sound… and comfortable seating.”

Curran said small cinemas have very little bargaining power, but he will always be thankful for the community’s support which has helped them keep their doors open.

“We love movies, we love our community and look forward to our continued role in the future of Australian Independent Cinemas for many years to come,” he said.

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Glenbrook Cinema’s Ben Curran is encouraging more people to see films on the big screen.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Administration

Penrith Office

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

St Marys Office

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

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

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

Services

Waste Services 4732 7777

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

Graffiti Hotline Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

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

Council Briefs

● The community is invited to have their say on the future development of the Aerotropolis precinct, with the draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan (the Plan) released for public exhibition until Thursday, 13 July 2023. The Plan establishes a sustainable funding model to ensure the delivery of essential local infrastructure within the Aerotropolis such as local roads, traffic management, bridges, active transport connections, parks and open spaces.

View the Plan at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/draft-penrith-aerotropolis-CP Submissions can be made via email to city.planning@ penrith.city or by mail to the General Manager, Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

● Erskine Park residents will soon have a new playspace to enjoy, with the final design for the Ridgeview Crescent Reserve playspace upgrade revealed. Key features of the design include an embankment slide, climbing net, three swings including a basket swing, and a layback see-saw. A picnic table with shade structure, seating and pathways will also be installed. The existing shade sails will be retained as part of the upgrade. Construction is due to begin in July 2023. This project is part of Council’s commitment to upgrade 40 playspaces over a five-year period between 2019–2024, to ensure they are modern and inclusive for current and future residents.

Find out more at yoursaypenrith.com.au/ridgeview

● Council is preparing a flood study for the Rickabys Creek catchment which includes the suburb of Londonderry and sections of Agnes Banks, Castlereagh, Cranebrook, Llandilo and Berkshire Park.

Your feedback and experience of floods within the catchment is invaluable to us – share your knowledge and complete our survey via yoursaypenrith.com.au/RickabysCreekFS by Thursday, 6 July 2023.

● Penrith City Council will celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023 with a program of community activities and events taking place across the City from Sunday, 2 to Sunday, 9 July 2023. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate the significance of our Aboriginal heritage and the important contribution Penrith’s Aboriginal population make in our community and across our vibrant City.

Don’t miss Council’s main NAIDOC community event at Jamison Park on Friday, 7 July 2023 between 10am and 3pm. This free event will feature performances from First Nations artists, market stalls, workshops, a free BBQ lunch and more.

Find out more at penrith.city/NAIDOC

Public Exhibition

Re-exhibition of the Draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan 2023

Council invites the community and industry to comment on the Draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan 2023 (draft Penrith Aerotropolis CP).

Penrith City Council is publicly re-exhibiting the draft Penrith Aerotropolis CP, which Council endorsed at its Ordinary Meeting on Monday, 29 May 2023. The draft Aerotropolis CP was previously exhibited in November 2020 and since then, the planning package for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis was finalised and Sydney Water were appointed as the Regional Stormwater Authority. These key changes required significant amendments to the draft Penrith Aerotropolis CP.

The draft Plan has been prepared to enable developers of land in the emerging Aerotropolis precinct to make a monetary contribution (called a ‘Section 7.12 contribution’ or ‘s7.12 levy’) to help meet the cost of providing much-needed local infrastructure.

The draft Plan seeks to deliver $815m in local infrastructure by apportioning a contributions rate of 5.5% for development over $200,000 within the Aerotropolis precinct in Penrith’s Local Government Area. The contributions will fund the delivery of roads, bridges, active transport connections, open spaces and embellishments and help realise the precinct’s potential as a thriving logistics hub and centre for innovation, offering a diverse range of local jobs.

The draft Penrith Aerotropolis CP is on public exhibition until Thursday, 13 July 2023 and can be viewed at yoursaypenrith.com. au/draft-penrith-aerotropolis-CP

You are invited to make a written submission to Council by 5pm on Thursday, 13 July 2023 by:

• Email: city.planning@penrith.city

• Post: General Manager (Attention: City Planning – Draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan 2023)

Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751

Please include a subject line indicating ‘Draft Penrith Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan 2023’ in emails and letters. For enquiries: Please contact Natalie White, Planner at 4732 7833 or email city.planning@penrith.city

Do you have an idea to support your community?

Reporting DV is crucial, police say

command and that the team is doing a wonderful job in a very challenging space.

Penrith has a long history as a domestic violence ‘hotspot’ but police are urging victims to come forward, assuring them their safety is top priority.

The latest data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) revealed that there were 1077 incidents of domestic violence related assault recorded in Penrith last year.

There were also three domestic homicides in the Nepean command this financial reporting year, which are being investigated by police strike forces.

Nepean PAC Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Richard Gentle said the focus for the command right now is to ensure all reported incidents are investigated professionally and thoroughly.

“We are encouraging members of the community to report any instances of domestic violence,” he said.

“Our job is to ensure that the community feels safe and to reduce the overall instances of domestic violence is one of those strategies.”

According to Gentle, each incident reported to police is handled by the domestic violence team, who are considered subject matter experts.

He said the prevalence of domestic violence is one of the most significant risks for this

Public Notice

Gentle emphasised that they are working hard to implement strategies that will drive the numbers down, but that is a work in progress.

In the meantime, he is urging all victims to come forward, assuring them that they will be supported throughout the process.

For victims who come forward, a safety action meeting involving external stakeholders, including the Department of Housing, Department of Education and Department of Communities and Justice, can be arranged to help the people who need it most.

“There is plenty of support out there,” Gentle said.

“It doesn’t matter what gender you are, domestic violence impacts everybody.”

Gentle wants to encourage victims to report incidents without being afraid and assure them that their claims will be taken seriously by officers.

He said Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO’s) are part of their standard operating procedures and are taken out by police to protect victims.

“I can assure you that police have an obligation to take out an AVO if it’s appropriate to do so,” he said.

And his message to the offenders: “We take this extremely seriously… it is a crime.”

To report an incident unfolding, call 000.

Public Meeting – Penrith Local Planning Panel

The Penrith Local Planning Panel will meet to determine the following:

• DA20/0459

1 Station Lane, Penrith Demolition of dwelling and construction of a 5-storey boarding house and associated works

When: Wednesday, 28 June 2023 commencing at 2pm

Where: The Local Planning Panel meeting will be conducted in a hybrid environment with opportunity to either attend the meeting in person or connect online

To enable access into the online meeting please contact the Development Services Department on 4732 7637 or email localpanel@penrith.city by 4pm on Monday, 26 June 2023. For any person intending to access the meeting remotely, a meeting invitation with log in details will be provided upon request. Please also confirm if you wish to register to speak.

Any person joining the online meeting are informed that the meeting will be audio recorded, and a copy of that recording will be made publicly available following the meeting.

Relevant documents will be available on Penrith Council’s website penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Local-Planning-Panel/

Development Consent/s Determined

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

Approved Development Applications

• Tudor Building Services Pty Ltd

DA23/0368

Lot 136 DP 863818, 4 Wari Avenue, Glenmore Park Additions and alterations to existing dwelling including first floor addition

• BP Australia Pty Ltd

DA23/0322

Lot 1 DP 580658, 2a Kurrajong Road, North St Marys Internal alterations to an existing service station and replacement signage

• Peter Warwick

DA23/0407

Lot 101 DP 1179628, 377 Caddens Road, Claremont Meadows

Strata subdivision x 2 lots

• Eden Brae Holdings Pty Ltd

DA23/0272

Lot 46 DP 706344, 5 Kestrel Crescent, Erskine Park 2-storey dwelling

• Fernleigh Drafting

Mod23/0080

Lot 6147 DP 1211125, 46 Nagle Street, Jordan Springs Section 4.55 modification to DA23/0037 involving the reduction of the side setback of the shed from 3m to 1.5m

Refused Development Application

• Skyline Architects Pty Ltd

DA23/0149

Lot 3 DP 207213 and Lot 4 DP 207213, 31 Walter Street, Kingswood

Demolition of existing structures and construction of a 2-storey co-living development x 29 rooms

Integrated Development

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

• Bemsa Pty Ltd

DA23/0417

Lot 11 DP 1192443, St Marys Rugby League Club Boronia Road, North St Marys

Extension and embellishment of the outdoor play area of an existing child care centre to facilitate increased children numbers from 87 to 125 children for before and after school care services

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the NSW Rural Fire Service pursuant to Section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time during ordinary office hours, in the period from Monday, 26 June 2023 to Monday, 10 July 2023.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds of objection are to be specified in the submission. The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA23/0417. For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Hannah Vousden on 4732 7646.

Viewing of Development Applications

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

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

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

Nepean PAC Crime Manager, Richard Gentle.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

Despite best intentions, houses and apartments are susceptible to wear and tear, especially hallways and other high traffic areas. Moving furniture, relocating a hanging piece of art, children playing, and slamming doors are just some of the reasons cracks and holes appear on walls over time. Fortunately, fixing holes in plasterboard is relatively easy, and a job that both homeowners and renters can tackle to repair and refresh walls.

And it’s even easier with the Gorilla Glue Wall Repair Kit, available now at Bunnings for $24.98.

The kit includes spackling, a 4” self-adhesive patch, a 3” putty knife and a sanding block.

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The Weekender has eight Gorilla

paceway winners lucky

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

PAGE TEN SPY

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

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

Glue Wall Repair Kits to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@ westernweekender.com.au with ‘Gorilla’’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, June 30 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www.westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

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This week’s lucky winners are: 0327, 0437, 1002.

Council rejects plan for boarding house development in Kingswood

and cycleway network to reduce dependency on motor vehicles for future residents,” it said.

Kingswood’s ongoing battle with boarding house developments has been delivered a fresh twist, with Penrith City Council rejecting an application for a new development on Walter Street.

Skyline Architects had submitted a Development Application to Penrith City Council to demolish two houses on Walter Street and build a two-storey co-living housing development with 29 self-contained units.

“The provision of the development is a successful balance between economic, social, and environmental pressures as the land as existing provides adequate space, configuration and orientation for increased residential density within the locale,” the applicant said in the application.

“The co-living housing development will make a significant contribution to the various dwelling types within the locale, resulting in varied and eclectic housing choices. The increase in housing stock of

this nature will meet the day to day needs of local residents by providing affordable housing within the locale, thus supporting economic growth.”

The application said that due

to the nature of the accommodation and location of the site, the proposed development was likely to result in only a minor increase in traffic which can be catered for by the existing road network, whilst

parking in accordance with the requirements of ARH SEPP would be provided.

“The site is also highly accessible to a range of public transport services and an extensive footpath

However, Penrith City Council has refused the proposal – saying the application was inconsistent with a number of Environmental Planning Instruments.

The proposal was knocked back on the basis that it did not “enhance the essential character and identity of established residential areas”. Council also determined that the proposal has not adequately addressed flooding, incorporated principles of sustainable development or taken measures to ensure outdoor spaces are thermally comfortable.

In the determination notice, Council said the application is “not satisfactory” in a verdict likely to be welcomed by most residents in the surrounding area.

“The proposal affords a substandard level of amenity for future occupants, stemming from spatial arrangement, contrived internal configuration, privacy conflicts between private rooms and communal areas, and insufficient room sizes,” the Council said.

These properties on Walter Street were subject to a Development Application.

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Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Penrith: Woman banned from driving until 2024 busted behind the wheel

A woman has been charged after she was caught driving without a licence in Penrith last week.

About 11.20am on Wednesday, June 14, police were patrolling Hope Street when they saw a vehicle exit a driveway at speed.

They stopped the vehicle and spoke to the 29-year-old driver from Claremont Meadows.

When asked to provide her driver’s licence, the woman allegedly admitted that she was disqualified.

Checks reveal she was disqualified from driving until July 2024.

The woman was charged with ‘drive motor vehicle during disqualification period’ and will appear at Penrith Local Court on July 18.

St Clair: Resident takes down teen caught rummaging through cars

A 17-year-old from St Clair has been charged with a string of offences after being busted by a quick-thinking resident and neighbours last weekend.

It is alleged he attended Tao Close and began walking up to numerous vehicles parked within the street, about 7.20pm on Sunday, June 18.

The young person was sighted on CCTV cameras approaching vehicles in the driveways and attempting to open the driver side door.

He was unable to enter the locked vehicle and continued to the next.

It is alleged he has entered a vehicle and began to rummage through it.

He then stole items before walking off and up another driveway, where he entered another vehicle and did the same.

As the youth was sitting in the vehicle, the owner allegedly opened one of the back doors and saw him with a torch looking in the glove box.

He yelled at the youth.

He ran and the owner has chased and caught him.

It is alleged the youth has punched the owner several times before the owner called for assistance.

Neighbours attended and restrained the youth.

Police then attended and arrested him.

The youth was charged with ‘larceny’, ‘common assault’ and two counts of ‘entering a vehicle or boat without consent’.

He will appear in a children’s court at a later date.

St Marys: Man to front court after positive early morning breath test

A man has been charged after he was caught mid-range drink driving in St Marys.

About 1.25am on Saturday, June 17, police were patrolling Marsden Road when they started following a vehicle that was travelling well below the speed limit.

They stopped the vehicle and spoke to the driver, who was a 43-year-old man.

He was subjected to a breath test, which proved positive, before he was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station.

The man underwent a breath analysis that returned a positive reading of 0.139.

His licence was suspended and he was charged.

He will appear at Penrith Local Court on June 29.

Cranebrook: Man’s various attempts to evade police fail

A 32-year-old man has been charged following a police pursuit in Cranebrook last weekend.

About 9pm on Saturday, June 17, police were patrolling The Northern Road in an unmarked police car.

A vehicle in front of them was allegedly travelling at an estimated speed of 110km/h in a 70 km/h zone.

Police have activated their warning devices and the driver allegedly accelerated harshly before turning onto Borrowdale Way.

They initiated a pursuit, and the vehicle allegedly increased its speed to be no less than 120km/h in a 50 km/h zone.

The vehicle continued to travel at speed, allegedly launching over the roundabout and damaging the passenger’s side wheels.

The vehicle has continued and police followed the vehicle onto Laycock Street, and Andrews Road, where the vehicle turned off all lights and travelled to a sporting field car park and attempted to make a U-turn before becoming stuck.

The driver tried to run but was caught by Police.

He then had a short wrestle with officers before he was handcuffed and spoken to.

The man was breath tested, which proved positive, and taken to Penrith Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis that returned a positive reading of 0.057.

The man’s licence was confiscated and suspended.

He is now facing a string of charges and will appear in Penrith Local Court at a later date.

You might have heard the term caveat before, or if you own a property, you might have had somebody register a caveat on title on your property.

Caveats are a complex beast.

By way of definition, a caveat is an instrument that is registered on the title of real property that prevents the registration of any dealings including things like registering or discharging a mortgage or registering a transfer of title, transferring the property out of one party’s name into another.

Caveats are essentially used to stop people from selling their property without the person who lodged the caveat (who is known as the caveator) being notified.

While there are no specific provisions requiring a caveator to be notified of the owner of a property’s intention to sell, transfer or otherwise deal with their property, the fact that there are only two ways to remove a caveat means that in practical terms, the caveat will not be removed without the caveator knowing.

Caveats are usually lodged on title because the person lodging the caveat says that the property owner owes them some money or something of that nature.

The only way to get rid of a caveat is to have the person who lodged it provide a withdrawal of caveat agreeing for its removal or have the Court remove, by way of a lapsing notice or Court Order.

You can only lodge a caveat on title for a property if you have a legal or equitable interest in the land.

This means that there are limited circumstances in which a caveat will be valid and you cannot just lodge a caveat on title for, for example, a simple debt matter where someone owes you money unless that you have agreed that said money is to be secured by an interest in the property.

Here are some examples of what might represent a caveatable interest capable of a person being able to register a valid caveat on title:

• Where you have been promised or given an interest in the property that is not registered on title – for example, a situation where a parent promises a child that if they remain on the property,

with Daniel McKinnon WW48104

maintain it and provide other assistance to the parent that the parent will leave the property to them when they die, or that the property is held either fully or in part on trust for the child by the parent arising out of such an agreement (this is known as a constructive or resulting trust);

• A situation where a person agrees that a contract (for example a contract to provide services or a loan facility) creates a charge over the land equating to an equitable interest pursuant to which the caveator is permitted to lodge a caveat on title;

• Circumstances in which a person or entity is granted a right to use a property, for example pursuant to a formal or informal lease that might give rise to a caveatable interest.

Unfortunately, caveats are often lodged on title where no caveatable interest exists. This used to happen a lot in the building and construction industry where builders would lodge caveats on title in an attempt to secure monies owed to them for building works completed on a property but not paid for.

The law has evolved to set out specific conditions that need to be met for “construction caveats” to be considered valid, however, it is important that if you are considering lodging a caveat on title you get advice about whether or not you have the right to do so first.

This is because a person on whose property there has been registered a caveat can serve a lapsing notice which essentially requires the person asserting a caveatable interest to commence proceedings prosecuting their claim or the caveat will lapse, come off title and the property can be dealt with in any way the owner sees fit.

The lessen is, if you hear someone say, “Why don’t you just put a caveat on the property?”, you need to get legal advice before doing so willy-nilly.

Wrongfully lodging a caveat on title can result in costs exposure to you and may not achieve your desired result.

If you require more information on this topic, make sure you contact us at Complete Legal & Conveyancing. We’re happy to hear you out.

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Locals take

Penrith locals were able to get up close to Sydney’s newest airport last weekend, when Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport opened its gates for a Community Open Day.

The Open Day, which garnered over 1000 people, followed two major milestones at the Airport, said WSI’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Scott MacKillop.

“The airport achieved 50 per cent project completion on May 20 this year and is on track to open as scheduled in late 2026,” MacKillop said.

“We were also proud to announce that both Qantas and Jetstar will operate domestically from WSI, basing 15 aircraft and 700 jobs at the airport.”

The day was filled with exhibitions, presentations and kids’ activities with the support of local businesses and community groups including Luddenham Public School, the Hubertus Workers Club, and Luddenham Village Café.

Though there won’t be experiences like this available every day,

with community members taken on a tour of the WSI construction site and encouraged to ask questions of industry professionals right across the Airport precinct, MacKillop notes that heading to the Experience Centre can be a great alternative.

“Over 40,000 visitors have visited the WSI Experience Centre to find

at Western Sydney International

out more about the airport and the opportunities it will deliver,” MacKillop said.

“For anyone who missed out on tickets to our Community Open Day, visiting the Experience Centre is a great way to see the airport coming to life.”

The Experience Centre is open Monday to Wednesday, plus weekends, from 10am to 4pm.

CASSIDY

Families enjoyed the airport’s Open Day.

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The Greatest of Shaves

Students and teachers from St Dominic’s College get behind fundraising event

CASSIDY PEARCE

St Dominic’s College has achieved an incredible feat, raising over $17,000 through its inaugural World’s Greatest Shave event.

Though this particular event wasn’t her doing, Year 12 Pastoral Coordinator Tracey Shaw has passionately championed the fundraising initiative at the school for a number of years, after they supported her so greatly during her time of need.

“In 2016, I lost my son to Leukemia, and as part of me, as a mother, trying to do something, my daughter and I formed a team and did the World’s Greatest Shave, raising over $40,000,” she said.

When her current Year 12 group started back in 2018, Shaw immediately got them into fundraising, educating them about the importance of the cause. This year, in an attempt to give back, they came up with the idea of doing the World’s Greatest Shave in her honour.

“Since these boys came in Year 7, we’ve been doing Light The Night every year as a year group initiative to try and get them, when they come of age, to be lifelong blood donors to help support blood cancer victims,” she said.

“Now that they’re in Year 12, this was their idea. It’s very touching, and very humbling.”

In the lead up to the big day last Wednesday,

teachers and students from almost every year group put their hands up to rock the buzz cut in support of Shaw, as well as other families from within the St Dominic’s College community who have also been touched by the illness.

“We wanted the theme of ‘hope’ this year, because there is a boy in my year group that has had it and is a survivor, and there are a couple of other boys in other year groups as well,” she said.

With each boy wanting to shave their head having to raise $100 to do so, and some raising over $1000, it’s no surprise that their initial goal of just $5000 was quickly exceeded –resulting in a total of over $17,000.

“It’s never been this big before, I am totally overwhelmed,” Shaw said.

“I was thinking if we raised $5000 that would be good, I’ve been blown away by the support of the College community and friends, family, and everyone who volunteered.”

Despite some anxiety from Shaw prior to the event, St Dominic’s’ first World’s Greatest Shave was a huge success.

“Whether we continue it will be up to somebody else, because I won’t be doing Year 12 next year, but we’ll see what the others do from here on in,” she said.

“My last year group started Movember, and now we do that every year in November, so hopefully this might be the legacy of this year group.”

Hair gone! Photo: Christina Michaleris.

Staff at the school also got involved.

Photo: Christina Michaleris.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Δ Flower Shop’s blooms: Popular Penrith night-spot The Flower Shop appears to have cleared its recent licencing hurdles, with a new Development Application (DA) approved by Penrith City Council. The DA sought to change the use of the site on High Street from “restaurant and florist” to “small bar”, with the florist being retained.

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

Ransley Street was named after Alderman Thomas Ransley who was on Penrith Council in the 1920s.

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

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

Δ Comfy collab: We’re all about awesome collaborations – and does it get any better than Macca’s and Peter Alexander? Launching last week, the limited edition pyjama collection features 13 exclusive prints inspired by world-famous Macca’s burgers, fries and iconic McDonaldland characters, including Ronald McDonald, Hamburglar and Grimace. Offering something for the whole family, including womens, mens, kids and pup styles, this second collection from Macca’s x Peter Alexander is bigger and better than ever before. There are 37 pieces, including a Big Mac tee, smiling Grimace jumper, patchwork-style sets, slippers embedded with the Golden Arches, and a Macca’s doggy jumper. Available at Peter Alexander stores now.

Quality Steel, Straight to Your Door!

Δ Big celebration: The Filipino Australian community in Penrith celebrated the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day last weekend (pictured below). The event was attended by Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh, State MP for Penrith Karen McKeown, Penrith City Mayor Tricia Hitchin, Penrith City Councillor Robyn Cook and Cultural Officer for the Philippine Consulate Nova De Lara.

Δ Café to close: Penrith’s C Spot Café, which is located in Elizabeth Arcade on High Street, will close its doors this weekend. Formerly Two Beans Café, the coffee spot has been open in Elizabeth Arcade for the last six and a half years. It has been known as C Spot Café for the last 18 months. On social media, the cafe’s management said it was time for a “new adventure”. It is hoped that the café may be able to remain open in a new form, with a buyer for the business being sought. As it stands though, the last coffee will be served on Saturday.

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Have your say on Aerotropolis

The emerging Aerotropolis precinct is an 11,200-hectare area surrounding the new Western Sydney International Airport. Our vision is for this area to become a hub of industry and innovation that stimulates new jobs and opportunities for residents. Achieving this vision ultimately depends on our ability to fund the necessary infrastructure within the Aerotropolis such as local roads, traffic management, bridges, active transport connections, parks and open spaces. The Aerotropolis is located within the Liverpool and Penrith Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the total cost of local infrastructure for both councils is estimated at $2.8 billion. It’s unfair and unrealistic to expect ratepayers to foot the bill for this growth.

Penrith City Council has released a draft Aerotropolis Development Contributions Plan (the Plan) which seeks to deliver $815 million by apportioning a contribution rate of 5.5 per cent for development over $200,000 within the Aerotropolis in Penrith’s Local Government Area.

Δ Women’s Walk and Talk: The Penrith Women’s Walk and Talk has locked in a special Sunday morning event on Sunday, July 9. The group will meet at 9am and the walk will commence at 10am.

The Plan establishes a sustainable funding model that will enable developers of land within the Aerotropolis to make a monetary contribution towards the delivery of essential local infrastructure.

The Plan was previously released as a joint plan between Penrith and Liverpool City Councils in 2020-21, and after close collaboration we have produced individual plans which reflect the unique infrastructure requirements of each LGA and enable greater autonomy and simplified administration of the Plan.

The Plan is on public exhibition between June 15 and July 13, 2023 and during this time I encourage you to view the document and provide feedback. Find out more at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/draft-penrith-aerotropolis-CP.

Written submissions can be made via email to city.planning@penrith.city or by mail to the General Manager, Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

CR TRICIA HITCHEN

Mayor of Penrith

LOOKING FOR A PAPER?

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

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

This week marks 31 years since the death of rising young footballer Ben Alexander at Colyton, in one of the most high profile car accidents the Penrith region has ever seen.

20-year-old Alexander may have been playing in the shadow of his brother Greg, but he showed plenty of talent in his own right and had clocked up 36 games for the club by the time the mid-way point of the 1992 season had rolled around.

On June 21, 1992 the Panthers defeated Easts 23-10 and a function was held at the club afterwards to present the players with their premiership blazers from the previous year.

Ben Alexander had been dropped to reserve grade a week prior to the Easts game, and was not keen to stay at the function. He and some mates decided to visit a nightclub in the area, but on the way, Ben was tragically killed at Colyton.

The death of Ben Alexander shattered the Alexander family, his teammates, the community and the Penrith club as a whole. It would take nearly a decade for the club to truly recover.

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

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

Get started today, call 4721 5011.

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Taking advantage of the Lipstick Effect

Have you ever heard of the term Lipstick Effect before?

To put it simply, the Lipstick Effect suggests that when the economy starts to slow down, consumers will spend money on small indulgences such as lipsticks; to make them feel better about themselves and to maintain a sense of normality in life. As a result, the sales of lipsticks tend to rise during a recession.

In other words, consumers may be reluctant to spend money on big-ticket items such as expensive skincare products or cosmetics, but one lipstick is not going to break the bank. This makes consumers feel good about themselves, and sometimes, forget about current hardships and troubles of life, even just for a short period.

Similar terms and phrases such as “Minor Happiness” or “Small Happiness” have been used in Asian countries to describe equivalent experiences.

One example of this phenomenon is when a customer is unwilling to eat out at fancy restaurants regularly, but instead, visits a supermarket to purchase raw produce, alcohol, and/or drinks so that they can cook and recreate the same experience and feeling they would have had at the restaurant in the comfort of their own home.

These customers may also take photos or videos of their creations, to share with their friends and community on social media.

So how does the Lipstick Effect affect you as a business and what strategies could you implement to take advantage of this phenomenon?

1. Understand change, both in your target customers and in the current economic environment, and how this could affect your marketing strategy.

2. Diversify product offerings to include affordable luxury items, to provide the emotional benefit of a small but meaningful indulgence.

3. Focus on value for money, and ensure other benefits such as quality, durability and versatility are highlighted. This will help frame your customers’ purchasing decisions in their minds as smart investments.

4. Engage with customers to build user experiences that uplift your customers’ spirits and build a sense of community.

Western Sydney Business Centre has beendelivering business advice as a not for profit organisation for over 35 years, winning multiple national business advice awards as both a Centre and as individual advisors as we are consistently being placed in the top 3 business advice centres in NSW. We complete over 6,500 hours of business advice every year. wsbusiness.com.au

Desperate call for foster carers

Foster care is a deeply emotional topic that touches the hearts of many, but in recent years, the opportunity for at-risk children to be given a second chance has come under threat, due to a critical shortage of foster carers.

According to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), across Australia, there are over 46,000 children and young people in out-of-home care. But there are simply not enough foster carers to cope with the demand, with only around 24,600 active foster and kinship care households across the country. And there is no sign of this shortage easing any time soon.

Foster care agency MacKillop Family Services has seen the number of enquiries from prospective carers in New South Wales – a key indicator of future carer numbers – decline by 51 per cent over the past three years. Other agencies are reporting a similar decline.

Whilst it is difficult to attribute this decline to any one cause, there is no doubt that COVID-19 has had an enormous impact. Not only did lockdowns increase the pressures on struggling families, but they also

created a shift in mentality that is fundamentally at odds with the notion of foster care. Foster care is about opening your doors to a

child in need, but during the COVID pandemic we were told to close our doors to the outside world.

The reduction in carer numbers

has also limited the availability of ‘respite care’, which provides a much-needed opportunity for foster carers to have a break and recharge

their batteries. Without the availability of respite, many carers have been simply unable to continue to care for the children.

The lack of available carers is creating significant challenges for the foster care system. In the most extreme cases, children risk being placed in short-term placements, forced to leave their community, or moved into staff-run residential care homes.

COVID-19 has challenged our sense of community and driven a temporary barrier between fundamental social connections. We need to work hard to ensure this sense of isolation does not become the new norm, and providing care for the most vulnerable children in our community is a good place to start. You don’t have to be exceptional to be a foster carer. You simply need to have the capacity to provide a safe, loving home environment for a child in need. You may be single, young, a retiree, work full-time, be childless or have a big family already. Foster agencies need all kinds of carers. To find out more about becoming a foster carer for a child in need please call MacKillop Family Services Foster Care Enquiry Hotline on 1300 791 677.

THE DHARUG CONNECTION

A special weekly focus on local Indigenous affairs and services

Thousands attend annual NAIDOC Cup

Abeautiful and sunny day greeted around 2000 kids from 30 local schools attending the 2023 NAIDOC Cup on Tuesday.

Held at Hunter Fields in Emu Plains and run by Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services, the annual event has been a popular and meaningful fixture on the Penrith community calendar for more than a decade.

Not only were the kids in attendance treated to an incredible insight into their rich and unique culture, but they also got to participate in a range of activities including Netball and OzTag.

“I think it’s one of the only days where Aboriginal kids can come together, enjoy the day and be connected to their culture,” Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services General Manager, Joy Impiombato said. Dozens of OzTag and Netball teams battled it out for their school, while the younger kids got stuck into traditional Indigenous games, workshops, dance, and arts and crafts.

“We also have 200 high school students that come every year to help out,” Impiombato said.

“A lot of them have grown up attending NAIDOC Cup and they continue to come because they love the day and they want to stay connected to culture.”

– Nathan Taylor

Helpful Contacts

Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services 4721 8520

nepeancommunity.org.au

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service 4729 7300

27-29 Lawson St, Penrith

Muru Mittigar 4730 0400

murumittigar.com.au

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

Aboriginal Home Care 1300 973 058 australianunity.com.au

NSW Aboriginal Affairs 1800 019 998

aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au

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

The Weekender acknowledges the financial support received from the Walkley Foundation to produce this concept.

life of moses

PANTHERS ENFORCER ON FOOTY, LIFE AND HIS NEW BABY MOSES LEOTA INTERVIEW: SEE PAGE 31

MASKED PANTHER

SEE PAGE 29

PETER LANG

SEE PAGE 35

MATT RUSSELL

SEE PAGE 36

the final word v

Ihave to admit I feel a bit sorry for Knights coach Adam O’Brien and the club’s fans.

They sit in 14th spot on the NRL ladder yet the bounce of a ball or a bit of luck could have changed that dramatically. They’ve lost a bunch of games late, or fallen just short – like against the Broncos and Roosters in recent weeks.

It goes to show just how fragile this competition can be, and for O’Brien such heartbreaking defeats could ultimately result in his services being no longer required at some stage in the not-too-distant future.

The counter-argument is that the good teams always find a way to win in those circumstances, and Penrith perhaps proved that when these two sides met earlier in the season and the Panthers walked away winners in Golden Point despite producing one of their worst performances of the season.

This Saturday evening’s clash at BlueBet Stadium is an intriguing one; but could well come down to just how many of Penrith’s State of Origin players back up from Wednesday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The brutality of Origin is well known and with a trip to Melbourne next Friday night, nobody could blame Ivan Cleary if he was a little cautious and rested a couple of players – even though they’d all want to play if they can.

Last Friday night’s game against the Cowboys in Townsville ended in disappointing fashion but take nothing away from the less experienced players who filled in for the Origin stars – they all held their own, it was just a bit of inexperience and game management that cost the Panthers in the end.

Had leaders like Nathan Cleary or Isaah Yeo been there, the Panthers likely would have closed out the game and built on their half-

time lead so there’s no need at all to hit the panic button.

The Knights probably should have beaten the Roosters given the amount of ball they had close to the line and it is failing to capitalise on those opportunities that likely frustrates O’Brien the most. You work hard to get your chances, so walking away with nothing is bitterly disappointing.

While the Knights have been thrashed a couple of times this year, they’ve been competitive in most games and I expect that to be the case again on Saturday. I certainly think the Knights are better than their ladder position shows and they came pretty close to toppling competition leaders Brisbane a fortnight ago at Suncorp, so a confronting away trip doesn’t phase them.

Kalyn Ponga will be the key here – he really stood up against the Roosters and Newcastle

looked a lot better whenever he had his hands on the ball. If he can keep up his touches and involvement on Saturday, he could well cause some headaches for the Panthers.

Without Cleary, the Panthers lack a bit of creativity and the end result is less points. That opens the door for the Knights, but they need to take those opportunities.

One thing is for sure: You won’t catch Penrith conceding close to 30 points two weeks in a row so if you’re going to beat them, you need to be pretty tight in defence. That’s where I’m less convinced about the Knights. I think this current Penrith side has one or two more tries more in them than Newcastle and it should be enough to get them across the line.

All of that said, beware a team with nothing to lose – and we’re getting to the point of the season where it’s do-or-die for the Knights.

Tip: Panthers by 8.

Dylan Edwards in action against the Cowboys.

Photo: NRL Images.

nrl ladder & fixtures

ROUND 17

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EXPERIENCE PENRITH’S LEADING GYM 7 DAY FREE PASS

NAME: JAYDE AGE: 18 SUBURB: HAWKESBURY the western weekender • extra time » 28 Friday, June 23, 2023

face in the crowd What do you love about being a Pantherette? I love our training sessions every Wednesday, I look forward to it all week! If you were stranded on a desert island, which other Pantherette are you bringing with you? Ava T.

panther rumblings

PAY DAY LOOMS FOR EDWARDS

! Edwards deal looms: The Panthers are not expecting any huge difficulty in retaining fullback Dylan Edwards, despite his upcoming new contract set to be the biggest of his career. The 27-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season but is unlikely to go to the open market in November. He’s keen to stay at the Panthers and they’re equally keen to keep him. Don’t be surprised if a new deal is announced well before the Finals – negotiations have only recently started but both parties want the same outcome.

! Marley’s call-up: Penrith youngster Marley Cardwell has been named in the NSW Women’s Under 19’s squad for the upcoming clash with QLD on Thursday, July 13 in Redcliffe. The NSW Women’s Under 19s team has not been beaten since the concept first started in 2019, winning every year apart from 2020 when the game was not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cardwell recently won the Player of the Year award for the Panthers’ Tarsha Gale Cup team.

bad look, both for Nine and the Bulldogs, and surely doesn’t help Cameron Ciraldo.

! Spotted: Nathan Cleary throwing the footy around with some fans in the hotel pool at Townsville last week. The kids were absolutely blown away by Cleary’s engagement.

! Spotted: Before heading up to the coach’s box to watch the Panthers v Cowboys clash, Nathan Cleary kept working on his newly found photography skills pre-game.

close to the Cleary family. Brother Taylan May is currently contracted to the Panthers until the end of 2024.

! Continuous Call Team’s big day: 2GB’s Continuous Call Team will broadcast the entirety of their show from the broadcast box at BlueBet Stadium on Saturday. Mark Levy and the crew will kick-off their Saturday show at 1pm and deliver four-and-a-half hours of fun and footy talk before calling the Panthers v Knights game from 5.30pm.

! Spotted: Panthers stars Jarome Luai and Brian To’o finding a unique use for advertising signage at Blues’ training earlier this week (pictured below).

! Golden record: Penrith and North Queensland added another chapter to their

Golden Point rivalry last Friday night. It took only a few months following the introduction of Golden Point in 2003 for the Cowboys and Panthers to fight out extra minutes, with the Panthers winning 28-24 at Dairy Farmers Stadium courtesy of a Joe Galuvao try. They were at it again at the same venue in 2008, with Jarrod Sammut kicking a match-winning field goal. The Cowboys finally got the chocolates last Friday night, when Scott Drinkwater scored a try to break the deadlock. And here’s another piece of trivia – nobody has played more Golden Point matches than the Panthers and Cowboys. Penrith has now played 23 games, while the Cowboys have gone to extra time 24 times.

! Get in touch: Got a story to share? Let me know about it! Send an email to maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

! New addition: Congratulations to Panthers enforcer Moses Leota and his partner Stella on welcoming a new baby into the world late last week. Kyrie adds to a very busy Leota household!

! Nine’s bad call: Channel Nine have a huge array of commentators at their disposal, so it defies belief that they’d allow Phil Gould to be involved in the coverage of the Bulldogs v Sharks clash last Sunday given he is General Manager of Football at Canterbury. Bulldogs fans are now experiencing the highs and lows of Gus that Penrith supporters endured over the years. Gould essentially giving a blow-byblow account of Bulldogs’ performance was a

! May in line for return: Former Panthers Premiership-winner Tyrone May looks set to return to Australia, with reports again linking him to Canterbury. I mentioned back in January that May was likely to reunite with some former teammates at the Bulldogs in the near future. Any chance of May returning to Penrith appears to have disappeared – there’s no appetite from the current Board to welcome him back into the fold, even though he remains

Dylan Edwards.

JENKINS IS A COUNTRY BOY AT HEART

coming from a town with a population of 2000 people,” Jenkins said.

“But I guess Penrith is like a big country town and that’s why I love it.”

After getting plucked almost out of nowhere, NSW Cup try-scoring machine and NRL rookie Thomas Jenkins pinches himself every day that he gets to call himself a Panther.

Born and raised 30 minutes outside of Young, in the small town of Boorowa, the 22-year-old outside back is the latest in a long line of promising Panther prospects from country NSW. While Jenkins always dreamed of playing in the NRL one day, he never thought he’d ever be discovered living in such a remote part of southern NSW.

In 2019, Jenkins was playing for the Bidgee Bulls, a representative team and feeder club for the Canberra Raiders. Jenkins and the Bulls travelled to St Marys one afternoon to take on a Penrith Panthers development side – catching the attention of Panthers scouts almost immediately.

“When the Panthers came knocking, I was so stoked,” Jenkins told Extra Time

“Getting signed was a pretty quick process, and I was so happy. Being from Boorowa, you don’t really expect it. It’s that bit harder, and you just have to try and grab those opportunities when you can.”

Towards the end of that year, Jenkins made the big move to Penrith, sharing a house with other prospects that had relocated from the country.

“It was a big move and a massive transition

Unfortunately, the cancellation of the state representative competitions in 2020, due to the pandemic gripping the nation, saw Jenkins return home to play Group 9 first grade for his junior club, Young Cherrypickers.

When rugby league was back up and running again by 2021, Jenkins began making his mark –scoring try after try in both the Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup competitions.

In 2022, Jenkins continued his strong run of form and, in Round 25, he made his NRL debut on the wing against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

Last Friday night, Jenkins made his longawaited return to the top grade for the first time since his debut. Up against the Cowboys for a second time, Jenkins made the most of his next opportunity – scoring his first try in the NRL.

“I was so shocked… I didn’t have to do too much. There was so much work from the boys inside of me and they did all the tough yakka, but to get the first one was very special,” Jenkins said.

“I was so stoked because my Mum and Dad were up there watching as well. They were so excited for me and now hopefully I can get a few more.”

Off-contract at season’s end, Jenkins is hoping he can remain at the foot of the Mountains longterm. With positions in the backline becoming available next year, he knows they are there for the taking if he wants it badly enough.

“I love playing in the centres and that spot is opening up next year with Critta leaving, but I’m just focused on playing good footy this year and if that opportunity does come next year, I’ll

be ready to grab it,” Jenkins said. “There’s so much talent here… and it’s not a spot you fall into, it’s a spot you have to earn. If it comes to that, I’ll be ready.”

Thomas Jenkins scores his first NRL try last week. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPECIAL REASON LEOTA MISSED GAME

the moon there’s finally another man in the house.

“With three girls at home already, I’ve finally got my sidekick,” he said.

Penrith prop Moses Leota missed his first game of the season last weekend, but it was for a very special reason.

The 27-year-old and his wife Stella welcomed a brand-new member into the Leota household – baby Kyrie, who’s the spitting image of his loveable, Premiership-winning dad. With the Panthers due to play the Cowboys in Townsville on Friday and the side already down on troops due to Origin and injury, Leota said it was important for him to remain home in Penrith ahead of the birth of his third child.

“The week before I spoke to coach about bub coming the week after, which was against the Cowboys, and I really wanted to be there for my partner to help her through the pregnancy,” he told Extra Time

“If he was born earlier in the week, I would’ve went up, but because of flights it was a bit of a pain in the ass.”

Leota’s first son was born at Nepean Hospital a couple of days prior to the clash in North Queensland. Weighing in at a whopping 4.5kg, Leota said baby Kyrie was named after his favourite NBA player, Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving.

“We were halfway through labour, and we said to each other, ‘we don’t even have a name!’ – it was crazy,’

Leota explained.

“I was tossing it up beforehand… Kyrie Irving, because that’s one of my favourite players. So, we just named him Kyrie and that was it.”

With his daughters Aiva and Aria obsessed with their new baby brother already, Leota said he’s over

“They came home two days after giving birth. Mum and the bub are travelling well and they are all healthy and settled in.”

And as for that Panthers game Leota missed playing in last Friday night, he did manage to watch it in the comfort of his own home with his new little mate alongside him.

“He watched it with me!” Leota said.

“That was the first night they came home, so we all just made it home before the game.

“It was me and him together watching the boys, so it was good.”

Leota has been named to return to Penrith’s starting side for this Saturday night’s match against the Newcastle Knights at BlueBet Stadium.

After one of the biggest weeks of his life, the St Marys junior said he can’t wait to swap changing dirty nappies for bone crunching tackles on home turf.

“I only had a week off but I’ll be focused and ready to go,” Leota said.

“If everyone just sticks to what they need to work on and what they need to do for the team then come game day, it should all flow and be good.”

Moses Leota, his wife Stella and new son Kyrie.

Moses Leota with his new baby.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith is very much regarded as a developmental club with an outstanding junior pathways program, which basically means they don’t have to go out to market very often when it comes to signing players. However, there is still the need to recruit a few ‘value players’ from outside the club every season.

This type of recruitment gives the young players in the system a chance to mature longer without the pressure of calling them into first grade before they’re 100 per cent ready.

Now I’m not talking signing ‘marquee’ players such as Matt Lodge from the Roosters or Ben Hunt from the Dragons. They’re out of the club’s price range when it comes to players the club can afford plus Penrith already has more than enough marquee players that they’re trying to fit under the salary cap without adding any more to the list.

The players I’m referring to are ones with first grade experience but who fall within the price range of $120,000 to $250,000.

Players like Jack Cogger, Zac Hosking, Luke Garner and Tyrone Peachey for example, fit this criteria perfectly.

For season 2024, I’ve identified three players which I believe represent value for money and

can make a serious contribution if given an opportunity in the top grade. The first player I’d go after is Daine

never lost his love of the local area. He can also play fullback, centre and wing comfortably and at 23 years of age, still has plenty to offer.

The second player I’d try and get back is another local junior and current Tiger Shawn Blore.

Blore is another talented backrower who has had a bad run with injuries but seems to be over them now and could be a very handy pick-up for Penrith. In the same ‘value’ mode as Zac Hosking, he would be another great option for a backrow position.

Finally, a youngster who is currently playing for Parramatta in the lower grades but who also comes with huge wraps is halfback Ethan Sanders.

There is unconfirmed speculation that Penrith are already in negotiations with the talented halfback who was identified as a star of the future years ago.

WHO SHOULD BE ON TARGET LIST? lang on league

With his pathway to first grade at the Eels seemingly blocked after both Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown signed long-term contracts with Parramatta, Sanders could find himself in the top grade alongside Nathan Cleary in 2025 if the Panthers are unable to secure the long-term signature of Jarome Luai beyond 2024.

Good halfbacks and five-eighths are hard to find and even though Saunders is untried in first grade and has several other clubs chasing his signature, at the right price he could well be worth the punt. See you next week.

Could Daine Laurie return to Penrith? Photo: NRL Images. with Peter Lang

THE VALUE OF EDWARDS

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has often said he wouldn’t swap Dylan Edwards for anyone. Not Tedesco or Trbojevic or Latrell or Walsh. No one.

It seems every week Edwards provides further evidence why.

The league’s leading running man is fresh from his season high 333 metres in North Queensland.

The league’s leading tackle breaker had a season high 12 against Brisbane this year.

matt russell

Add four tries against Manly, two try assists versus Souths and all-round leadership in a complete performance against the Roosters.

This Saturday at home against Newcastle he’ll be at it again. Opposite Kalyn Ponga. Head-to-head as opposing fullbacks for only the fourth time. As it stands, Edwards leads 4-0… 3-0 as fullbacks.

What a treat it will be to see such elite, form players at either ends of the field.

We seem to say that week after week, game across game, such is the talent

of the current crop of fullbacks.

They come in different shapes and sizes, bringing different skills and appeal, each of them.

Edwards is a classic stats accumulator but that doesn’t mean there is any fake polish to a supreme player and competitor. He has three Grand Finals, two Premierships and last year’s Clive Churchill Medal to prove it. And a win percentage above 76 from his 119 games across eight seasons.

It nearly didn’t happen for the now 27-year-old, who came down from the Bellingen Magpies to sit on the bench and a wing, at times, in Penrith’s representative age teams. He could have slipped through the cracks had veteran talent spotter Jim Jones not applied his acute eye and made sure everyone believed in ‘the kid’s’ potential. Then Edwards made himself one of the fittest men at the club. His quiet demeanour and boyish face no doubt fooled a few who didn’t apply due respect. That doesn’t happen

anymore. Hopefully, still in the first half of his career, who knows how his resume will read when his playing days are done. The fact he hasn’t cracked a representative team is Penrith’s gain. James Tedesco has only just turned 30. Reece Walsh is 20. There are a host of other

rep options born in the decade between.

In the meantime we get to admire his stellar form at club level.

This week against a man who, in three games back in the number one jumper has run quickly, freely, confidently and creatively

hidden panther

for the Knights. Edwards v Ponga. What a match-up. So far the Penrith star enjoys a commanding advantage on the stats sheet and scoreboard (136-36). It’s one of many reasons, Ivan wouldn’t swap his man for anyone.

Dylan Edwards has become invaluable at Penrith. Photo: NRL Images.

PANTHERS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK lower grades

The Penrith Panthers Knock-On Effect NSW Cup winning run is over, falling 30-16 to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground.

The Bulldogs started quickly, racing to a 10-0 lead after 13 minutes through tries to Jordan Samrani and Joseph O’Neill.

The Panthers started to get a bit of momentum behind them when a Kurt Falls kick was knocked on by the Bulldogs. A shift to the left from the ensuing scrum saw Daeon Amituanai open the Panthers’ account.

A 40/20 from Falls shortly after put the Panthers in attacking range again, before Eddie Blacker crashed over from dummy half.

lower grades report

An obstruction penalty denied the Panthers an attacking opportunity and proved costly late in the half when Eli Clark capitalised on the penalty to score, giving the Bulldogs a 16-10 half time lead.

Several sets attacking Canterbury’s line came to nothing for the Panthers when they failed to score. Instead, an intercept by Clark saw him race 90 metres to score down the other end.

Another try soon followed when Hayward backed up a break to score under the posts.

Blacker scored his second try in the 58th minute to cut the margin back to 10, however two late penalty goals gave the Bulldogs the 30-16 win.

It was a disappointing result for the Jersey Flegg Panthers, going down 26-0 to the Bulldogs at Belmore. It was a defensive grind for much of the match, with the Panthers lacking the polish they needed to break through. Sione Moala opened the scoring for the hosts in the 17th minute, before they struck a double blow late in the half to advance to 14-0 at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Penrith failing to capitalise on opportunities and eventually being made to pay.

Jonathan Sua scored with 20 minutes remaining, followed quickly by Danny Gabrael as the score ballooned to 26-0.

The Panthers did well to prevent the score from getting any worse, however they were thoroughly outclassed in the big loss. In Round 17, the Panthers are back home for a Saturday triple header against the Knights at BlueBet Stadium.

Kurt Falls produced a solid performance against the Bulldogs. Photo: NRL Images.

WARRIORS DOLPHINS PANTHERS STORM BRONCOS RABBITS

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NEWCASTLE & HUNTER

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CENTRAL COAST

Tuesday 15 August 3pm to 8pm

Mingara Recreation Club Tumbi Umbi

WESTERN SYDNEY

Tuesday 5 September 3pm to 8pm

Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre Cambridge Park

ILLAWARRA

Tuesday 22 August 3pm to 8pm

Illawarra Sports Stadium Berkeley

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Tuesday 12 September 3pm to 8pm

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THE PAGE TO THE STAGE

thralled with this play, because I loved the book so much,” he said.

If you grew up in the ‘90s or 2000’s, you’d no doubt be familiar with the Just! series. Written by Australian children’s author Andy Griffiths and illustrated by Terry Denton, the Just! series, which includes the award-winning titles Just Stupid! and Just Shocking!, portray the antics of a mischievous pre-teen who will do just about anything to get out of a boring task.

Now, the books are being reintroduced in a new form, with the world premiere of ‘Just Live On Stage!’ heading to Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

Confessing to being “more of a Paul Jennings kid”, playwright Robin Goldsworthy read the Just! books for the first time in preparation to write the stage show. Originally, he admitted he was a little shocked at the content.

“All I was thinking was, ‘Are kids reading this?’,” he said.

“You forget how sophisticated and how ‘adult’ kids are. They’re built to learn and grow and be inquisitive, and naughtiness is a huge part of that.”

Collaborating with director Iain Sinclair and the rest of the Red Line Productions team, with Andy and Terry happy to be hands off, Goldsworthy aimed to create a memorable experience both for those familiar with the series, and the kids who are seeing it come to life for the first time.

“The first play that I saw as a child was an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Twits I remember being so engaged and en-

“Theatre for kids is just so important, and it can be so memorable. The idea that we can do this show, and some kid could be talking about it when they’re 34-years-old would be amazing.”

But, it has been just as important to Goldsworthy to make ‘Just Live On Stage!’ more than just a great children’s play, but a great play in general, promising to do the books justice.

“The books are so visual, and so wonderfully written that you get a strong sense of exactly what’s happening,” he said.

“There’s so much material in these books, and it’s so wonderful and engaging, that there was just so much I wanted to put into it.”

Ultimately, Goldsworthy has created a show that combines elements of all the books, using puppets, actors, and a little bit of magic.

With the premiere now just around the corner, he can’t wait to “gross out some kids”, with the dog puppet a personal favourite.

“In the book, the kids have a bit of an antagonistic relationship with the dog, so we’ve got this amazing dog puppet, and we’ve got piss and fart and gross stuff that happens, and I cannot wait to hear the reaction of kids,” he said.

‘Just (Tricking, Annoying, Stupid, Crazy, Disgusting, Shocking, Doomed) Live On Stage!’ will be on at Sydney Coliseum Theatre on Tuesday, July 4 at 10am and 1pm. For more information or to book, visit sydneycoliseum.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

THINGS TO DO

Enjoy some laughs at Panthers

This week, pay a visit to Lavender Cottage – a pre-loved boutique located in a cottage in the grounds of St Marys Baptist Church. There, they not only have a wonderful range of preloved and new items, but also have a cafe where you can take time out to chat with friends over a coffee. Open Thursdays and Saturdays 9am to 2pm.

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood

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

Penrith Markets

Wednesdays. Penrith Showground.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

Regular events.

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

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi classes

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

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

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

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of

As thunderous as a herd of wildebeest, as sly as a wagonload of Spike Milligans and as sonorous as a cloister of monks, the Spooky Men’s Chorale are the gift that keeps on giving. This month, they’re bringing all of their Georgian table songs, pindrop beautiful ballads, and highly inappropriate covers home to Blue Mountains Theatre. Visit bluemountainstheatre.com.au.

the month at Nepean Rowing Club from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Penrith Lions Club

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

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

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

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

Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club

For those interested in ham radio, the club meets at 7pm on the first Friday of the month at the old scout hall at 4 Moore St, Glenbrook. Call Ron on 0408 483 269 for more information.

Red Cross Penrith

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

One of Australia’s most respected and accomplished comics, Akmal draws on his Arabic heritage, his experiences immigrating to Australia at the age of 11, and his disillusionment with religion and the modern world to deliver a new stand-up show at Panthers this Friday that is fresh, honest and ridiculously funny. Visit penrith.panthers.com.au for tickets.

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group

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

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

Nepean Food Services

Delivered meals available to purchase for those over 65 or with a disability. Call 4733 7200.

MUSEUMS

Penrith Museum of Printing

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

Nepean Naval Museum

Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42

Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700. The Nepean Naval Museum opened in 2014 and is the area’s first museum dedicated to the naval forces. The Museum houses a collection of Naval forces memorabilia.

Arms of Australia Inn

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

Alcoholics Anonymous

Mondays 6pm. 1300 222 222.

Gamblers Anonymous

Mondays 7.30pm. 0433 018 484.

Penrith Carer Support Group

First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

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

Nepean Puffers & Wheezers

1800 654 301.

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

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

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

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Pay Lavender Cottage a visit

Spooky Men’s Chorale heads to the Mountains

Pick up a copy of the paper

Caddens

Caddens News (Caddens Corner)

Clementine’s Café

Woolworths

Cambridge Gardens

Coles

Mcdonald’s

Overlander Hotel

Cambridge Park

Cambridge Park Newsagency

Cellarbations

Friendly Grocer

Castlereagh

Ampol Service Station

Claremont Meadows

Iga Claremont Meadows

Colyton

Colyton Centre Pharmacy

Colyton Friendly Grocer

Colyton Hotel

Colyton Newsagency

Hewitt Street Takeaway

Cranebrook

Aldi Cranebrook

Cranebrook Community Health

Cranebrook Village

Mcdonald’s

Mother Earth Nursery

Plus Pharmacy

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

Mcdonald’s

Penrith Regional Gallery

Woolworths Lennox Village

7/11 Emu Plains (Great Western Highway)

7/11 Emu Plains (Old Bathurst Rd)

Emu Heights

Super Save Compounding Chemist

Erskine Park

Ashcroft’s Iga

Erskine Park Ctc

Glenmore Park

Coles

Mags News

Mcdonald’s

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

Jamisontown

Abcoe

Abel Street Eatery (Happy Harrys)

Batt Street Take Away

Grey Gums Hotel

Harvey Norman

New On York Takeaway

Parrabey Gourmet Kitchen

(Penrith Homemaker)

Salt Cafe (Penrith Homemaker)

Shell Service Station

The Coffee Club Nepean River

Three Sugars Café

Western Weekender

York Takeaway

Zoo Fitness

7/11 Jamisontown

Jordan Springs

Brooks Tavern

Jordan Springs Newsagency

Woolworths

Kemps Creek

Caltex Service Station

Kemps Creek Bowling Club

Kingswood

Barista Bar Coffee Shop (Nepean Private Hospital)

Country Brewer

Hallani’s

Kingswood Hotel

Kingswood Newsagency

Kingswood Smash Repairs

Kingswood Sports Club

Penrith Gaels Club

Radhe Indian Grocery Store

Volunteers Desk Nepean Hospital

7/11 Kingswood

Leonay

Emu Sports Club

Grow Café (Formerly Willow Tree Café)

Llandilo Iga

Londonderry

Londonderry Liquor Store Shell X Roads

Luddenham

Ampol

Australia Post Iga Luddenham

Minchinbury

Mcdonald’s

Minchinbury Fruit Market

Mount Druitt

Westfield Mount Druitt

Mulgoa

Glenmore Heritage Golf Club

Mulgoa Newsagency

Mulgoa Pharmacy

The Bunker

North St Marys

Mfc Food Stores Speedway

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris Care & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Astina

Atmosphere Gym

Australian Arms

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley Café)

Brisket Boys

Café Fred

Caltex Coreen Avenue

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles (Westfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mart

High Street Pies

Hoyts Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

Liquor Stax Peachtree

Mcdonald’s High Street

Mcdonald’s Panthers Leagues

Mcdonald’s Peachtree

Mercure Hotel

Museum Of Fire

Nepean Aquatic Centre

Nepean Motor Group Café

Nepean Rowing Club

Nepean Village Coffee Club

Nepean Village Newsagency

Nextra Westfield

One Point Health

Panthers Leagues Club

Peachtree Hotel

Penrith Bowling Club

Penrith Cbd Corporation

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Library

Penrith Golf Club

Penrith Hotel

Penrith Paceway

Penrith Rsl

Penrith Senior Citizens’ Centre

Pioneer Tavern

Re/Max

Sittano’s Restaurant

Tattersalls Hotel

The Chicken Run

The Heritage Terrace Café

The Log Cabin

Westfield

World Gym

7/11 Henry Street

Regentville 7/11 Regentville

Ropes Crossing

Coles

Ropes Crossing Newsagency

Silverdale

Iga

The Chemist Shop

South Penrith Budget Service Station

Fish Fish

Friendly Grocer

Grose’s Pharmacy

Southlands Newsagency

Southlands Takeaway

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

Woolworths

St Clair

Blue Cattle Dog Hotel

Foodworks

Melville Road Takeaway

St Clair Library

St Clair Shopping Centre 7/11 St Clair

St Marys

Andrew’s Corner Store

Ampol Foodary

Astley Pharmacy

Cassandra’s On Queen

Guido’s Hair Care

Jayam Supermarket

Mcdonald’s St Marys South

Monfarville Corner Store

Queen St Newsagency

St Marys Band Club

St Marys Fish Market

St Marys Leagues Club

St Marys Library

St Marys Pharmacy Queen St

St Marys Pizza Hut

St Marys Rsl

St Marys Village

Wagon Wheel Hotel

Walter’s Newsagency

Thornton

Petramart

Thornton Community Centre

Wallacia

Wallacia Golf Club

Wallacia Hotel

Wallacia Post Office

Wallacia Takeaway

Warragamba

Warragamba Sports Club

Werrington

Colonial Hotel

Crossroads Convenience Store

Dirani’s Mfc

George’s Charcoal Chicken

Henry Sports Club

Mcdonald’s

Supa Iga

The Foodary

Werrington Newsagency

LAUGH OUT LOUD

‘Hughesy We Have a Problem’, ‘How to Stay Married’ and the sixth series of ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! Australia’.

After 18 months spent hitting many of Australia’s regional centres with their uplifting show, the Multicultural Comedy Gala is finally about to make its final stop at Blue Mountains Theatre later this month.

The show includes a star-studded line-up of some of the country’s best and emerging comedic talent, who will be sharing stories from every corner of the world.

Leading the bunch is Dilruk Jayasinha –one of the most in demand headliners on the Australian and international comedy scene, who in addition to his various festival and comedy special stints, has made waves with his appearances on Network Ten’s ‘HYBPA?’,

Other incredible comedians who will be performing on the night include Ting Lim, George Kapiniaris, Gavin Sempel, Diana Nguyen and Jeff Green, who will all have their time to touch on cultural identity in a way that pokes fun at what makes us all different, but so much the same.

The Multicultural Comedy Gala is a hilarious celebration of diversity which will have audiences belly laughing and thigh slapping before they know it.

The Multicultural Comedy Gala will be on at Blue Mountains Theatre on Saturday, June 24 at 8pm. Tickets are $59.90. For more information or to book, visit bluemountainstheatre.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

At the movies...

Returning to the action and spectacle that first captured moviegoers around the world 14 years ago with the original ‘Transformers’, ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure.

Optimus Prime and the Autobots take on their biggest challenge yet. When a new threat capable of destroying the entire planet emerges, they must team up with a powerful faction of Transformers known as the Maximals to save Earth.

Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film is a must-see.

Jennifer Lawrence produces and stars in ‘No Hard Feelings’, a laugh-out-loud, edgy comedy from director Gene Stupnitsky (the co-writer of ‘Bad Teacher’).

On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie (Lawrence) discovers an intriguing job listing on Craigslist: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to

“date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman), before he leaves for college. In exchange for a Buick Regal, Maddie agrees to become their son’s “girlfriend”, to “date his brains out”, and help him to join adult life. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.

I’ve always been fascinated by airports. Whether I’m utilising them for domestic or international travel or watching those fly on the wall UK airport show from the late 1990s, I just love the buzz and excitement a busy terminal brings.

So when I learned that SBS was releasing a new documentary series – going behind the scenes at Sydney Airport – I bought my ticket right away!

Positioned on Botany Bay, Sydney Airport is the gateway to the Pacific Ocean with up to 180,000 people entering the airport precinct every day. Volatile weather patterns, security breaches, technical issues and the human element place pressure on keeping the 900 flights safely on schedule.

Recently, I spoke with Sydney Airport Duty Manager George Fotiou, who’s heavily featured in the 10-part series, which takes viewers behind the scenes at one of the busiest airports in the Southern Hemisphere.

As Duty Manager, Fotiou has seen it all. He’s on his feet all day, every day, dealing with issues ranging from unattended bags, angry passengers, visiting celebrities, to life-anddeath medical emergencies. He handles everything with his Greek charm and playbook of George-isms: “In this job you don’t want to get the hippy-hippy shakes”.

Fotiou has been working at Sydney Airport just shy of 30 years and an average shift for him is often over 10 hours-long.

He first started out as an Airport Operations Officer with the now defunct Federal Airports Corporation before switching to a new role right around the time of the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

“Sydney Airport was lucky enough to win the Sydney Olympics and they started to reach out to people to gauge their interest in Terminal Operations, and I put my hand up,” Fotiou told Chatter on the Box.

“I was lucky enough to grab one of those positions for 6-7 months during the Games and that’s where everything really turned for me. We were getting record numbers through

Sydney Airport during that time, and that changed everything.”

Ever since he was a young boy, Fotiou always had an interest in planes and airports, visiting them often whenever relatives from Greece would arrive in town.

“Even as a little kid, there was nothing like the atmosphere,” Fotiou said.

“The sights, sounds and smells – it was infectious.”

When cameras started rolling on SBS’s ‘Inside Sydney Airport’ last year, Fotiou and his colleagues at the airport had their reservations. What would it be like going from an everyday person going about their business to someone that was on national television?

“Initially we were apprehensive because we’ve never had this at Sydney Airport before but then, as cameras started rolling, you’re just doing your job and you actually

forget the cameras are there,” Fotiou said.

“I just love how this show expresses how human we are and that we try and help if we can.”

While Fotiou says he’s been recognised a “couple” of times since the show premiered earlier this month, he wouldn’t mind it if more people came up and said ‘hi’ as that means more and more people are watching the show.

“Sydney Airport is a remarkable place. The airport operations team is brilliant,” he said. “Hopefully what is projected to the viewer is how well we do things to make life seamless for the passengers, the meeters and greeters, airline staff, our stakeholders –everyone that works at the airport.”

Narrated by Brooke Satchwell, ‘Inside Sydney Airport’ airs Thursdays at 7.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.

Mrs. Brown’s Boys (M)

Martin Clunes: Islands Of The Pacific (PG) 10:50 Pie In The Sky (PG) 11:55 The Vicar Of Dibley (PG)

Get Macca’s®

TV Guide: June 23–29

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

4:00 Big Shrimpin’ (PG)

Aussie Lobster Men (PG) 6:00 Border Security International (PG) 7:00 Border SecurityAustralia’s Front Line (PG) 8:30 Movie: “F9: The Fast Saga” (M v) (’21) 11:20 Movie: “Getaway” (M v) (’13)

2:15 Movie: “Harum Scarum” (G) (’65) Stars: Elvis Presley

4:15 Movie: “Singin’ In The Rain” (G) (’52) Stars: Gene Kelly 6:30 Bondi Vet (PG) 7:30

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

(M) 8:30 Law & Order: SVU (M) 11:30 Law & Order (M)

Andy’s Wild Adventures

Spicks And Specks 8:00 You Can’t Ask That (PG) 8:30 Louis Theroux: Shooting Joe Exotic (MA15+)

3:45 AFL: Men’s Under 18s 5:05 Bamay 5:50 Going Native (PG) 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 Wild New Zealand (PG) 7:30 Sweet Black Film: The Birth Of A Black Hero (M) 8:30 Movie: “White Riot” (MA15+) (‘’19) Stars: Red Saunders

12:00 JAG (PG) 2:00 Camper Deals 2:30

Reel Action 3:30 Buy To Build 4:00 Pooches At Play (PG) 4:30 What’s Up Down Under 5:00 I Fish 5:30

4:00 Top Chef (PG) 5:10 Transformers: Cyberverse (PG) 5:20

Movie: “Space Jam” (G) (’96)

Stars: Bill Murray 7:00 Movie: “Back To The Future” (PG) (’85) Stars: Michael J Fox 9:20

3:00 Movie: “The Secret Of Santa Vittoria” (PG) (’69)

Stars: Anthony Quinn 5:55 M*A*S*H: Crisis/ George/ Mail Call (PG) 7:55 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 4 *Live*

(MA15+)

Movie: “Back To The Future II” (PG) (’89) Stars: Michael J Fox

3:00 My Favourite Martian 3:30 Home Shopping

Percent

www.str8ts.com

Previous solution - Easy

No. 651

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

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

...Take a fresh look at seafood

Word Search

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

WORDS:

ANTELOPE ANTENNA

ANTIQUE

BRILLIANT

CANTEEN

CHANT

CONSTANT

CURRANT

DEFIANT

DESCANT DISMANTLE

ELEPHANT

ENCHANT

GIANT

INSTANT PANTHER PANTS

PREGNANT

RADIANT RELIANT TENANT

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about The Ashes in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. Who is the current Australian Test cricket captain?

2. Who has scored the most runs in Ashes history with 5,028?

3. Taking 195 scalps, which Australian bowler holds the record for most Ashes wickets?

4. How many Tests are traditionally part of an Ashes series?

5. Which Australian venue has

hosted the most Ashes Tests, with 52 to its credit?

6. In the summer of 2021-22, an Ashes Test was played where for the first time?

7. Bramall Lane in Sheffield hosted only one Ashes Test. In what year was it?

8. In what summer did the WACA first host an Ashes Test?

ANSWERS

1. Pat Cummins

2. Don Bradman

3. Shane Warne

4. Five

5. SCG

6. Hobart

7. 1902

8. 1970-71

SUDOKU

to beat Str8ts –

8

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com No. 651 Str8ts

Name the Movie

FEHOSTWPHETA

E

Josie rolls out debut single Rising Aussie country star Josie (pictured) got her education in country music crossing the Territory in her Dad’s Western Star road train, immersed in the sounds of Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and The Chicks.

Now she has released her debut single and video, ‘Down Here’.

Josie’s ties to rural life run deep through ‘Down Here’. It’s not just an ode to the way she was raised, but also clever quip about the authenticity of contemporary country tunes.

“In creating my debut single, ‘Down Here’, I took to streaming services to have a geez at what the top country artists are singing about,” revealed the QLD native.

“I noticed a trend amongst

them. They all seemed to have an insatiable thirst for singing about American places and themes.

“I wanted to show the world that I’m more than just a mimic. I’m a genuine storyteller who can achieve that coveted mainstream sound without having to pretend I’ve got a deep-rooted connection to every nook and cranny of the good ol’ U.S. of A.”

The track is out now on all streaming services.

CMC dates locked in Dates for next year’s CMC Rocks QLD Festival have been locked in.

The country favourite will be held from March 15 to 17 in 2024.

Pre-sale details and the line-up will be confirmed in the coming months.

BOHO ASTRO - JOANNE MADELINE MOORE

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Monday’s Mars/Uranus square stirs up your impulsive, restless, rebellious side. So slow down Aquarius – otherwise you could find yourself headed for an argument or an accident. It’s time to look for a new love or reboot an old relationship as Venus and Mars rev up your romance zone. The more you cooperate with others, the more affection and abundance you’ll attract. But don’t let a fair-weather friend lead you astray, especially when it comes to finances.

Are you running on empty? Perceptive Pisceans will strive to get the ratio right between being on top of things at work, while still having time to rest, reflect and recharge your run-down batteries. Balance is the key. But relations with a loved one or work colleague could be unpredictable and problematic earlier in the week, particularly if you try to control an uncontrollable situation. So expect the unexpected and keep your adaptability muscles well-flexed!

Monday’s Mars/Uranus square could amp up your impulsive, impatient, argumentative side, especially involving friends and finances. And relationships look challenging, as loved ones are more demanding and unpredictable than usual. With Venus visiting your children and friendship zone, strive to be more diplomatic. If you can temporarily morph from a raging ram to a gentle lamb, then life will be less bumpy. Channel your energy into a creative project.

Personal projects are favoured, as you put creative ideas into action and rub shoulders with influential people. Don’t be a wallflower. Speak up and promote your talents! If you procrastinate, then promising opportunities will pass you by. With Jupiter and Uranus in your sign, confidence and an adventurous attitude will take you places. So your motto is from birthday great, deaf-blind author and educator Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Geminis can easily become preoccupied with the miniature of daily life, full of noisy notifications and garrulous gossip. This week, Jupiter and Uranus light up your intuition and solitude zone, and Mercury transits into perceptive Cancer. So it’s a good week to spend some quality time on your own. Slow down, meditate, contemplate, and listen to the quiet voice within. Your motto is from birthday great Princess Diana, “I work on instinct. It’s my best advisor.”

Avoid getting drawn into disputes with a frustrated friend or an unpredictable family member. This week will work best if you keep your Crab claws out of other people’s business and concentrate on pursuing personal projects instead. Saturday is the best day of the week, when the Sun and Mercury (both in Cancer) form fabulous aspects with generous Jupiter. So concentrate on uplifting activities that expand your horizons and make your heart sing.

Have you been feeling like a tired and lacklustre Lion, with too many activities crammed into your busy timetable? Avoid extra work functions and social events this week. The Sun and Mercury are transiting through your solitude zone, so rest and relaxation are just what the doctor ordered. Volunteer work and humanitarian projects are also highlighted. As birthday great Princess Diana observed, “Everyone has the potential to give something back.”

Are people aware of the substantial amount of work you’re doing behind the scenes? Don’t be disappointed if others aren’t showing their appreciation ATM. Your efforts will be applauded (and rewarded) further down the track. Attached Virgos – are you seeing your partner clearly? Singles – you’re more gullible than usual, so don’t fall for an online dating profile that’s all gloss and no substance. If someone looks too good to be true, then avoid them like the plague!

With Venus and Mars visiting your hopes and wishes zone, it’s time to articulate (and write down) your goals and dreams for the future. Then you can put them into action. But don’t let a loved one or work mate manipulate you on Monday, as they try to persuade you to do something against your better judgment. Have the strength – and common sense – to stand your ground and say no. With a firm smile. Saturday is wonderful for socialising with colleagues.

You’re keen to call the shots this week but domineering behaviour will only lead to unpredictable dramas (especially on Monday) so slip on your humility hat instead. And don’t underestimate your ability to inspire others. Coupled Scorpios – with Jupiter transiting through your relationship zone, a frustrating problem with your partner could finally be resolved. Singles – Cupid’s love arrows are most likely to strike while you are studying or traveling.

Early in the week, it may be difficult to distinguish between blind optimism and self-delusion. Slow down Sagittarius, keep your wits about you, and do your best to separate fact from fiction. Saturday is your best day, when Jupiter (your power planet) makes positive connections with Mercury and the Sun. It’s the perfect time to play sport, socialise, study, travel and/or party like a pro. Plus make the most of any lucky opportunities that come along.

This week Saturn (your boss planet) forms positive aspects with the Sun and Mercury. So it’s a fabulous time to focus, plan, study, organise and strategize. Especially involving partnerships, joint ventures, education, and projects within your local community. But double-check all information that comes your way on Monday, and make sure someone isn’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes! Saturday is

BROUGHT

MONEY MATTERS

WITH ALEX MCKENZIE FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES • 4704 8585

Helping your children buy a home

It has never been harder to enter the housing market with the average household now spending 40 per cent of net income on their mortgage. This is well above what we call mortgage stress. Almost unbelievably, this isn’t even the reason first home buyers are unable to enter the market. Many young people are prepared to make repayments at this level but are unable to enter the market with the lack of a deposit being the main barrier to entry.

It is becoming increasingly necessary for parents to help their children purchase their first home. There are a number of strategies that can be utilised to help get your kids on the property ladder.

Offering your home as security

For many baby boomers and older Gen X’s, the bulk of their wealth is in their primary residence, with most having a reasonable amount of equity in the home. It is possible to offer your home as a security on the loan in addition to the house being purchased by your child. This security acts as the deposit. We normally recommend that you establish

two loans. One for 80 per cent of the bank valuation of the property being purchased, on this loan only the new house will be listed as security. The second loan is for the remainder of the loan and will have both houses as security. If the loans are structured this way, it limits the exposure for the parents and prevents the need for mortgage insurance.

Being a Guarantor

In some cases a bank will allow you to act as guarantor on a loan to help your child qualify for a loan. In this case, your assets and income will be relied upon for the loan but will not be used as direct security. In the event that your child defaults on the loan you will be equally responsible for the loan, but the bank won’t hold a mortgage on your home. The value of your assets will not be relevant for mortgage insurance purposes. Being a joint borrower

This essentially means buying a property together, this is a bigger commitment. In this case, you will be responsible for making repayments and benefit from any capital growth or income from the property. I feel this works best with an investment property rather than a home your child is going to move into. In this case, I’d recommend outlining upfront the long-term plans, I would formalise exit strategies and would strongly urge you to get a formal agreement. All three of these options will enable you to help get your children into the property market. However, make sure that if you do this, the children themselves are able to afford it.

PATRICK CELEBAN ONE POINT HEALTH • 4732 5188

What is chronic venous insufficiency?

The veins in our cardiovascular system do a great job into returning the blood throughout our body back to the heart, and inside the veins are valves that prevent that blood from backflowing down.

However, these valves can become dysfunctional where they can no longer keep all the blood flowing up and which can lead to the veins overly stretching and swelling, this condition is called ‘venous insufficiency’, and which most commonly happens to the legs.

The degrees of venous insufficiency can range from clusters of scattered discoloured veins called spider veins, to varicose veins where they are severely dilated, inflamed, and close to the surface of the skin. Complications of venous insufficiency can involve…

• Blood clots, because some of the retained blood in the veins can harden.

• Severe bleeding if rupture of these vessels occurs.

• Phlebolymphoedema (phle-bo-lymphoedema). An increase of blood pressure in the veins can occur, and which can leak more fluid out of the blood capillaries into our tissues causing noticeable limb swelling. If this swelling is not addressed, it can worsen, compromise the lymphatic system, and become a type of lymphoedema (chronic swelling) called phlebolymphoedema.

• Leg ulcers/wounds from issues with blood circulation and brown staining and hardening of the skin because of red blood cells and iron leaking into the tissues.

Some causes of venous insufficiency could be…

• Immobility from too much standing still or sitting, as venous flow largely depends on muscle contractions to pump fluid.

• Hereditary.

• Pregnancy, as the body’s total blood volume significantly increases.

• Age.

Some treatment options can be…

• Prescription of compression stockings to assist in venous return or even to help move any swelling out of our tissues into the lymphatics through sustained pressure.

• Bandaging that is applied by a health professional.

• Applying circulatory massage techniques in the direction towards the heart, or even manual lymphatic drainage which would be much more suitable for evident swelling.

• Exercise prescription that activates certain muscle groups to physically squeeze the veins to pump the blood back up.

Pet of the Week

TALKING TECH

DAVID

Amazon Prime Day 2023: Here’s everything you need to know

Amazon Prime Day is the annual two-day shopping event that offers members exclusive deals and discounts on a wide variety of products. The event is held in July; this year, it will occur on or around July 11 and 12. Pricing on popular items drops significantly on Prime Day, and items sell out quickly. Almost everything on Amazon is discounted, with discounts between 50-70 per cent quite common.

You can expect to see some of the following:

• Huge discounts on a wide variety of products, including electronics, home goods, clothing, toys, books and more.

• Exclusive deals that are only available to Amazon Prime members.

• Lightning Deals are limited-time offers that sell out quickly.

• Free shipping on all Prime Day orders.

How to prepare:

If you want to make the most of Prime Day, there are a few things you can do to prepare:

• Sign up for Amazon Prime if you’re not already a member. A Prime membership costs $79 per year or $9.99 monthly, but it’s worth it for the free two-day shipping and other benefits. These include Prime Video, Music, Reading and Gaming.

• Alternatively, sign up for the 30-day free

trial closer to the date.

• Create a Wishlist of the products you’re interested in buying. This way, you can easily track the deals and ensure you don’t miss out on anything.

• Set up alerts on your favourite retailers. This way, you’ll be notified when new deals are released.

• Be patient. Prime Day is a popular event; the best deals sell out quickly. Don’t give up if you don’t see the deal you want right away. Keep checking back, as deals are often released on a staggered schedule. One way to keep track of the deals is to visit the Prime Day landing page. It will list all the current deals, including the Lightning deals. I keep up with the deals through the OZ Bargain (ozbargin.com.au) website. This website highlights daily deals identified by members.

On Prime Day, they have a dedicated page identifying the best deals. I have my eye on the new Kindle Scribe, so I’m hoping for a significant discount.

Prime Day is an excellent opportunity to save big on various products. With so many deals, you’re sure to find something great. Be sure to prepare beforehand and use the tips above to save even more money.

Way back in the ‘good old days’, the year 1980 to be exact, was when I and a few of my good mates took our first big overseas adventure to what was then being marketed as a surfer’s utopia, where you could surf ultimate waves all day and party hard all night. I wasn’t the gung-ho surfer type like some of my buds, but I didn’t mind a paddle and certainly enjoyed a party! It was an exciting time and I had heard so many Bali stories from other mates that had already discovered this nirvana that I was more than ready to explore the “island of the gods”. Now you may find it hard to picture now if you are a Bali frequenter, but what we experienced then was something for us at 17-years-old like we had never dreamt of. Kuta Beach, with rice paddies surrounding a small basic village with gravel roads, open drainage, minimal Warung’s and tourist opportunities with the accommodation on offer being that of homestays, cheap losmans and the rare “resort” like the one we stayed in. The very basic “Ocean Blue Club” was one block from the beach and we stayed in uncomplicated tiled floored rooms with a few rock-hard beds with traditional thatched roofs keeping us dry. A swimming pool with some plastic chairs around it and an endless supply of toasted jaffles and the still ever popular Bintang beer keeping our spirits high. We were in heaven!

I could continue this story for many pages, but the names of the guilty would need to be changed, and the shenanigans we got up to may offend the eyes and ears of some readers, so I will keep those memories internal and move forward 35 or so years!

mate from one of my favourite Sydney hotels, The Ovolo Woolloomooloo, knew of my love for Bali and was dead set on me checking out their new kid on the Kuta block, a luxury boutique offering by the name of “Mamaka by Ovolo”. As I was heading over for a little break anyway I decided a few days’ work beforehand wouldn’t be an issue and I was certainly keen to see if Kuta still had the elements that had me steering clear for all those years.

What a great call it was, thanks Kieron.

Mamaka has without doubt thrown out the challenge to the other operators beachfront by giving Kuta accommodation seekers a classy, but very cool luxury boutique option that has given (in my eyes) the lift in style that was lacking in this area.

little tapas from Executive Chef Ben Harrington made it even more alluring! Seriously, this pom from Essex is now in his element procuring Mediterranean delights with a Balinese twist, and damn it’s good! The whole top floor of the hotel is screaming, “hey, just relax OK”! Rooftop pool and Cabanas with views right over all of the western beaches of Bali, you can even get caught plane spotting as the airport is only 15 minutes away. That also means you can start that holiday even quicker when you arrive. Another favourite for me was people watching from both levels of Street 32, the hotel’s main dining area.

The room choices are many and varied to suit all budgets and tastes, but the one thing that is consistent with them all is their cool creative and somewhat eclectic vibe that really is just a flow on from the whole vibe of the hotel.

I guess the bottom line for me is, my old friend Kuta is returned as an option for me and I certainly suggest you take a look at my new friend Mamaka. In fact, head to my website and take advantage of a killer deal that not only saves you dollars, but is packed with a bevy of bonus perks!

Visit www.thetravellingguy.com.

I fell in love with Bali then and there and have since returned 15 times at a minimum. However, my love for Kuta did wane as it became more popular with a certain type of tourist and for me it lost a lot of its charm. In fact, I probably stayed there only once or twice in the years that followed since that maiden expedition.

That all changed for me just last year when I was tempted back to where it all began for me all those years ago. The GM and now good

Located directly opposite the beach on Jalan Pantai, Mamaka is certainly sending out the good vibrations. Kuta has also risen to the occasion on many levels in this post pandemic period that is now seeing many travellers returning to Bali. The beaches are cleaner. The streets a little less manic. The hawkers even seem a little less insistent and extremely grateful to see us again.

One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is the mesmerising sunset on Kuta Beach and sitting on the rooftop location of Mamaka’s, Kuta Social Club with a cocktail in hand and a

“MAMAKA HAS WITHOUT DOUBT THROWN OUT THE CHALLENGE TO THE OTHER OPERATORS BEACHFRONT”

WW4853648536

Travers bushfire & ecology (ABN 85 624 419 870) is seeking to consult with interest Aboriginal persons in preparation of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for a proposed cemetery at 276 Park Road, Wallacia, New South Wales (NSW) (the Study Area). The Study Area consists of Lot 442 DP715218 and Lots 20 and 21 DP231698. The Study Area is in the Liverpool and Penrith Local Government Areas.

TBE is seeking to consult with interested Aboriginal persons dance with the guidelines set out in the Aboriginal al Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents (2010) in order to assist the proposed applicant in the possible ation of an application for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact rmit (AHIP) and to assist the Director General of Department emier and C abinet in consideration and determination of the application.

What do you need to do?

Aboriginal persons who hold cultural knowledge of the region e invited to register their interest in writing with:

Samuel Riley

Travers bushfire & ecology

52 The Avenue

KARIONG NSW 2250 or sriley@traversecology.com.au

When must registration be received?

Registration must be received by 7 July 2023

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study Registration of Interest

Sustainability at its core

Volvo launches EX30 as it aims to dump petrol car manufacturing by 2030

Volvo has launched the new EX30, its smallest ever electric SUV which boasts the smallest carbon footprint of any Volvo produced to date.

EX30 combines the best elements of Volvo’s distinctive Scandinavian ‘living room’ design with industry leading safety features, and the latest Apple CarPlay and voice-activated Google functionalities as standard.

In keeping with Volvo’s commitment to produce electric only cars by 2030, EX30 is 100 per cent electric. The smooth, powerful electric powertrain of the Volvo EX30 is at the heart of the driving experience.

A high-voltage 400V lithium-ion battery makes the Volvo EX30 optimised for range, comfort, safety, and versatility. Three locally available variants will carry the 69kWh battery option. The single motor Extended range has 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque whereas the twin motor Performance with electric motors both on front and the rear having a maximum output of 315kW of power and 543Nm of torque.

The single motor variant has an estimated range of up to 480 kilometres with twin motor being up to 460 kilometres of range (global WLTP figures). Depending on the DC peak charging power, both the Single Motor

Extended Range and the Twin Motor Performance variants are capable of charging from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes.

As the most sustainable Volvo model ever produced, the leather-free interior of EX30 incorporates recycled and renewable materials such as flax, wool and denim upholstery created from the waste fibres of the denim recycling process.

These new materials add creative textures, colour and personality to the generous cabin which features a minimalist dashboard equipped with a 12.3- inch tablet screen in the centre.

“We are proud to introduce the EX30 to Australia which embodies Volvo’s distinctive Scandinavian design values, advanced safety, legendary comfort and cutting-edge tech in a smaller format,” Managing Director of Volvo

Car Australia, Stephen Connor said.

“With the EX30 we enter a new, growing segment – the small, fully electric luxury SUV.

The EX30 offers a strong value proposition to a new audience in the Australian car market which is increasingly embracing EVs.

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Fox’s golden run rolls on

More medals for paddling sensation as World Cup season goes on brief hiatus

runs, so I’m just happy to put down a great race.

Before she takes a couple of months off from competitive racing, Jessica Fox had some business to take care of in Slovenia last weekend.

The 29-year-old continued her dominant ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup season, winning K1 gold at the Ljubljana-Tacen World Cup.

It was Fox’s fourth World Cup gold medal in three weeks after she won K1 and C1 gold in Prague the previous weekend, and C1 gold in Augsburg the week before.

Fox, who has won a medal at every Slovenian World Cup she has contested since 2013, was the fastest qualifier in the women’s kayak last Friday and backed up that form to also place first in Saturday’s semi-final.

The Olympic champion put down a near-flawless run in the final (96.22 seconds) to claim the gold with a 2.69 second margin over Ukraine’s Viktoriia Us, with Germany’s Elena Lilik rounding out the podium in third.

Fox said she was particularly pleased to secure the K1 gold after

a rare missed gate cost her a C1 podium, when she finished 10th.

“I am really pleased, I’m really proud of that run and to come back

after yesterday’s result,” she said. “Tacen is always such a challenging course, and I knew that Elena and Vicki did some pretty good

“I think I have a kind of lovehate relationship with Tacen. I can’t be mad at the course today, but I definitely was feeling it yesterday. It’s definitely been amazing to come back and race here, the crowds are always really great to be in front of, and the course is always challenging.

“We’ve had three weeks of back-toback racing, which is quite tough, physically demanding and mentally taxing. This new program is pretty challenging because there are no rest days, so I’m looking forward to a few days off.”

In further good news, Fox picked up another medal during last weekend’s World Cup, a bronze in the women’s Kayak Cross final. Fox was the fastest female paddler in the time trials, before winning her heat to advance to the quarter finals.

Her dominance continued in the quarters, crossing the line in first

place to earn a semi-finals berth. Fox again was the fastest paddler down the course, qualifying for the four-person final.

In the final race, Fox finished third behind 2019 World Champion Veronika Vojtova and hometown hero Eva Tercelj.

Fox and the rest of the Australian team will now fly to Paris for training camp before the World Cup heads to La Seu, Spain, at the end of August.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Jessica Fox celebrates her win in Slovenia.

REPRESENTING SYDNEY’S WEST

Story continued from » back page

“Instead of competing against each other, like in the original Wimp2Warrior concept, the Suburban Showdown will see four gyms in all corners of Sydney go head to head.”

UFA Penrith is the exclusive Suburban Showdown gym in western Sydney taking part. They will be up against gyms located in the North Shore, Inner City and Sutherland Shire.

“There will be an epic finale at the end where each gym will put up fighters that they feel are ready to have a fight in the cage,” Perceval, who has a fifth-degree black belt in MMA, said.

“We’ve got eight fighters from Penrith currently – four ladies and four men –but we would like more. I’m here from 5.30am weekdays for 20 weeks. People can still sign up!”

Perceval has been teaching in Penrith since 1995 and opened UFA on York Road back in 2004. He currently has 160 students and has been training many of them since they were children.

Perceval was also the first Aussie to referee in the UFC and has been doing so for 13 years. The Leonay resident said he loves MMA and would love to see it get even bigger on the back of events like the Suburban Showdown.

“I’m excited because people are using this 20-week program to get fitter, to get stronger, to learn about the sport and there’s nothing better than that,” Perceval said.

Locals star at Judo national champs

NATHAN TAYLOR

Penola Catholic College continues to produce outstanding athletes, with three students recently returning from the 2023 Judo Australia National Championships with amazing results.

Year 12 student Chloe Kericopolas and Year 11 students Joshua Koenig and Andjela Bodiroza competed at the June 9-12 event on the Gold Coast, with two returning with medals around their necks.

17-year-old Joshua, who started judo at the tender age of three, picked up three silver medals in Cadet Men’s, Junior Men’s and Senior Men’s.

“I’ve been to Nationals multiple times, but this is the best result I’ve had there,” Joshua said.

“Last year I started off winning no fights and now I’m pulling off these results.

“I have a scholarship with NSWIS and have been doing a weight program there, which has made me heavier, stronger and more dominant.”

18-year-old Chloe, who resides in South Penrith, secured a pair of bronze medals in Junior Women’s and Senior Women’s at the prestigious tournament.

“I’ve competed at Nationals three or four times now but on this occasion I was up against older, more skilled people, so it was way more challenging,”

Chloe said.

“I initially started out dong Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before switching to judo around six years ago.”

16-year-old Andjela from Glenmore Park failed to medal up north, but was proud of her fourth place finishes in Cadet Women’s and Junior Women’s.

“They were hard divisions to compete in, the girls were pretty strong and heavy,” Andjela said.

“I started doing judo after my older brother got into it. I thought it looked cool and I wanted to try it. I just love competing, making friends and my family supports me as well.”

While all three would love to represent Australia at the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Joshua and Andjela will already be donning the green and gold at a

major martial arts competition in Hong Kong and Macau next month.

“This will be my second time representing Australia after recently getting back from Germany and Czech Republic,”

Joshua said.

“I can’t wait to represent Australia for the first time overseas, it feels so good and I’m so excited,” Andjela added.

Meanwhile, two more locals are celebrating their recent trip to the Judo Australia National Championships, with Byron McIntosh and Jacob Raphael from Kokoro Judo in Penrith also picking up medals in Queensland.

20-year-old McIntosh won silver in Junior Men’s while Jacob

also collected a silver medal in Senior Boys.

McIntosh said he felt “good” about winning silver, considering how much work he put in during the lead up.

“I was training extensively beforehand, it was a very good competition,” he said.

“We had everyone from all around Australia there. I was representing NSW, but I was also representing Penrith because of my club, Kokoro.”

It was a huge result for McIntosh at his first ever Nationals following a devastating diabetes diagnosis late last year.

“It’s my ninth month into my diagnosis and it’s been a real challenge but it’s being well managed,” he said.

Byron McIntosh.

Andjela, Joshua and Chloe.

Surprise Olympic push

Penrith suggested as host venue for canoe slalom events at Brisbane games

More than three decades after the world came to Sydney’s west in 2000, Penrith once again is a chance of hosting an Olympic Games event in 2032.

While Brisbane won the right to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021, a push from passionate locals up north is underway for Penrith Whitewater Stadium to be used in place of Birkdale as the host venue for canoe slalom events.

According to Redland City News, a publication servicing the Redlands community, pleas for a change of venue were contained in public submissions to a senate inquiry into Australia’s preparedness to host the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.

Lavinia Wood, from Community Alliance for Responsible Planning Redlands, is just one of the people calling for the Queensland Government to reconsider building a multi-million dollar Whitewater facility in Brisbane’s south and instead hand the hosting rights to Penrith – 950km away.

The State and Federal governments have already committed funding to build the facility at Birkdale, with Redland City Council responsible for its ongoing maintenance.

Wood’s parliamentary petition on the matter, which addresses the Speaker and members of

the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, has amassed nearly 1500 signatures in just three weeks of going online.

“Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House that the $100 million Olympic Whitewater Stadium proposed on land at Birkdale is not supported by the people of Redlands,” Woods said in the petition.

“The Redlands community did not ask for it and they do not want it. It is an idea of Redland City Council’s own making.

“The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ‘New Norm’ policy tells us not to build new facilities and instead use existing ones – even in another country – because white elephant Olympic facilities are financially

Around The Grounds

BASKETBALL: Penrith’s women’s team has snapped their five-game losing streak, defeating the Inner West Bulls 87-68 in Round 13 of the NBL1 East competition. Despite the surprise return of local junior and New Zealand national player Tahlia Tupaea, Meg Jefferson led her team in scoring, racking up 20 points and 13 rebounds. Meanwhile, Penrith’s men’s team have lost five straight, going down to the Inner West Bulls 108-86. Pranaya Sakya was outstanding in the loss, scoring 19 points to go along with three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Both teams will play the Hills Hornets this weekend at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre.

RUGBY UNION: The Penrith Emus have come awfully close to their first win of the season but instead have gone down to the Queanbeyan Whites 29-22 in Round 9 of the John I Dent Cup. It was a sensational performance from the home side who have been beaten from pillar to post all season long. The Emus will look to build on last week’s performance when they tackle the Canberra Royals this Saturday at Nepean Rugby Park.

NETBALL: Panthers Netball have continued their losing ways, no match for the Central Coast Heart 60-44 in Round 12 of the Netball NSW Premier League Opens competition. Meanwhile, the Panthers U23’s team celebrated a 57-55 win over Central Coast last week. Both teams will play the Manly Warringah Sapphires in Round 13.

NETBALL: Giants Netball have ended the 2023 season in style, snapping a three-game losing streak to defeat the Melbourne Vixens on the buzzer 60-57 in Round 14 of the Super Netball competition. The Giants had

plenty of motivation to take out the win, with April Brandley playing her last match of her incredible 12-year career. The masterclass defender gave everything she had in her final game, racking up three intercepts and three deflections. The Giants finished the season in sixth place on the ladder, with five wins and nine losses to their name.

AFL: The GWS Giants have secured back-to-back wins, embarrassing Fremantle 106-36 in Round 14 of the AFL competition. Skipper Toby Greene booted four goals in the 70-point victory to keep the Giants’ Finals hopes alive. GWS’s triumph means they have won three of their past four games, climbing into 11th spot on the ladder. Following a sensational past couple of weeks, the Giants will enjoy a bye this weekend

AFL: The Penrith Rams can’t buy a win at the moment, creamed by the South West Sydney Blues 92-7 in Round 10 of the AFL Sydney Platinum Division competition. The Rams will take on the Balmain Tigers this Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes have continued their strong run of form, smashing the Blues 50-0. The high-flying Ramettes face the Randwick City Saints tomorrow morning.

AFL: Congratulations to the Penrith Giants who raised over $3,000 for FIGHT MND through their Big Freeze fundraiser at Greygums Oval last weekend.

To make a submission to Around The Grounds, email Nathan@westernweekender. com.au. You can also private message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westernweekender or Tweet us @wwpenrith. Call us on 4722 2998.

crushing Host Cities worldwide.”

Wood ended the petition by saying the Redlands community want nature, conservation, and heritage protection of the 62-hectre Birkdale Community Precinct.

“Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to do all in its power to prevent the Birkdale land in Redland City as the site for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Whitewater Stadium and designate the existing Penrith Whitewater Stadium the 2032 Olympic Canoe Slalom venue,” Wood said.

Interestingly, back in April, various representatives from Queensland were in town on special assignment to visit Penrith Whitewater Stadium and learn as much as they can

about the former Olympic venue before they build their own ahead of the 2032 Games.

Members of the Queensland State Government, Redland City Council and various consultants involved in developing the Redland Whitewater Centre toured the facility, aiming to capture learnings as well as meet with experts from the sport of paddling.

The Weekender reached out to a local high profile paddling figure as well as Penrith City Council and the NSW Office of Sport for comment but all three declined.

Penrith Whitewater Stadium is currently undergoing a multi-million upgrade of its own in preparation for the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships.

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NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith Whitewater Stadium in 2000. Photo: Penrith Library. The Olympics were huge in Penrith. Photo: Penrith Library.

SPORT

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the Penrith area has skyrocketed in recent years, and the sport is set to get even bigger following the recent launch of a new 20-week MMA training program.

Created by Train Alta and beginning this week at UFA Martial Arts Academy in Penrith, the Warrior MMA training program is a once in a lifetime opportunity for amateurs to train under the world’s best martial arts coaches before competing in their very own fight night, known as The Suburban Showdown, later this year.

Throughout the 20 weeks, fighters will learn the fundamental skills of MMA including striking, wrestling, boxing, kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu.

Coaches, like UFA Penrith’s Steve Perceval (pictured), will build participants into skilled martial artists with the confidence and knowledge to compete in an amateur, fully sanctioned MMA fight

at Randwick Racecourse.

“We want to bring people who don’t have fight experience into a gym, train them over a period of 20 weeks and then put them in a cage to have their first MMA fight under strict regulations,” Perceval told the Weekender

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NATHAN TAYLOR