Western Weekender January 30 2025

weekender the western

The Voice of Penrith

“WE ARE SORRY” NEWMARCH HORRORS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED

An aged care centre’s operator has apologised after a coroner found residents were left without medication, food and water during a deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

The lives of some vulnerable aged care residents could have been saved during the devastating outbreak in 2020 that ripped through Newmarch House if not for missteps and leadership failures.

Major service provider Anglicare last Friday offered a wide-reaching apology as a coroner handed down his damning findings after an inquest into the “unprecedented and devastating” deaths of 19 people at the Kingswood facility.

Some of those deaths could have been

avoided had proper testing for the virus been implemented during the outbreak, NSW deputy state coroner Derek Lee found in his 344-page judgment.

Residents were also left without medication, food and water during the breakdown in services, while senior executives were notable in their “almost complete absence” from the under-siege facility.

Less than two months after the aged care centre entered lockdown in late March 2020, 37 residents and 34 staff members had contracted the virus.

Transferring five residents could have saved their lives or improved the level of care they received, Lee said.

Instead, management from the

Home (HITH), a clinical care service run by NSW Health.

But that program was incompatible with managing an outbreak of an infectious disease such as COVID-19, the coroner said.

There was no attempt to conduct site-wide PCR tests at the facility in the early days of the outbreak, a measure that would have identified positive cases faster and reduced the extent and severity of the spread.

Information given to concerned families was generic rather than specific to their relatives and in some cases was “inaccurate or understated the seriousness of what was occurring”, Lee found.

Frontline personnel also did not receive effective or direct support from

absence, or only ‘occasional’ presence, of any senior executives at Newmarch House during the outbreak created confusion for frontline management personnel who became overwhelmed,” Lee said.

While Anglicare took appropriate steps to ensure sufficient employees were available, changes to the definition of close contacts requiring self-isolation meant fewer staff were available than were anticipated.

This resulted in a dire staff shortage that severely jeopardised infection control and resident care, the coroner found.

“The evidence established that on occasion some residents were not administered regular medication, showered, or provided with nutrition and hydration,” Lee said in

Anglicare CEO Simon Miller.

Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

MIKLOS BOLZA & DUNCAN MURRAY

What an honour! Locals

A Panthers legend who continues to inspire, an Olympic Gold Medal winner and

Four dedicated locals have received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of their dedication to their communities.

Penrith residents Royce Simmons, Noemie Fox and David and Vivienne Bertenshaw are some of the 732 outstanding and inspirational Australians who showcase exactly what it means to be Australian.

Simmons has been recognised for his service to rugby league as a player and a coach.

“It’s a great honour; you’ve only got to look at some of the other people that have got it. To be compared to some of those other people who have got it over the years and to be alongside them is just unbelievable,” Simmons said.

During his time as a Panther Simmons played 237 first grade games including the maiden premiership in 1991, captained the side from 1983-1990, coached the side and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Simmons also founded the Royce Simmons Foundation in 2022 after receiving a diagnosis of dementia at just 61-years-old. The foundation aims to raise money for dementia research, something he is the proudest of.

Simmons shared his gratitude to his local community as they continue to support this work.

“It’s great being a part of the town. I just

think the world of the Penrith people, they are just really down to earth people, they’re very generous if you are ever trying to do anything for any charity, they are the first one to get in and support you,” Simmons said.

“They don’t just talk about it, they actually do it. They are people that don’t carry on too much and they support you, give you things and they make donations to you, and they

don’t make a fuss out of it they just do it on the quiet and it all happens.

“The people of Penrith are just fantastic people and they’ve always been great supporters of me.”

Olympian Noemie Fox has been recognised for her service to sport as a Gold medallist at the Paris Olympic Games.

Fox won her first Gold Medal in the Women’s Salom Kayak Cross last year.

L

“It’s a huge honour and to close of a huge 12 months for me with this it is really special to be on that list,” Fox said.

“I had no idea that I would be an Olympian last year when I left not yet qualified to go to Europe and then came back an Olympic champion, so it definitely means a lot and it’s kind of incredible to have your life’s work

UNAR HAPP Y

NEW YEAR

2025

To celebrate Lunar New Year, Scenic World has teamed up with culinary superstar Junda Khoo (Head Chef and owner of the SMH hatted Ho Jiak restaurants) to create the gravity-defying and delicious Flying Beef Noodle dish. Only available at Scenic World Jan 29—Feb 28, no ticket required!

Royce Simmons has been celebrated with an OAM. Noemie Fox has capped off an incredible 12 months with an OAM.

revered sports administrators have been named in the Australia Day Honours receive top recognition

and my performance in Paris recognised and celebrated like that,” Fox said.

Fox said she was proud to have the support of her local community.

“It’s so special. I was definitely in a bubble all through Paris and so coming back to my local community in both Penrith and the Blue Mountains, because I am proudly split across both areas, it’s been so incredible to bump into people at a local coffee shop, or a yoga class…” Fox said.

“It’s so special to see how many people cheered me on, got behind me and were rooting for me and Jess as well.

“It’s been truly special to have those natural, authentic encounters mainly at the supermarket when I’ve just finished training and don’t look the best and people ask for a photo! Those are always pinch me moments.”

Londonderry couple David and Vivienne Bertenshaw have both received the honour with David being recognised for his service to soccer as an administrator and coach and Vivienne being recognised for her service to netball as an administrator and coach.

“Outstanding is one word I could think of and unexpected and not necessary, but it is something that is a little bit of a reward for your input into the community over the years so very much appreciated,” David said.

David currently is the Youth Technical Director at the Hawkesbury City Football Club, has been the President since 1991 and is

a life member.

David has also been the President of the Hawkesbury City Sports Council since 1997 and is currently also the Chair of the Standing Committee National Premier Leagues 3 Division.

David has been honoured with various awards for his service to soccer over the years including the Distinguished Long Service Award for Football, Sport NSW in 2022 and has had the main soccer field in the Hawkesbury renamed the ‘David Bertenshaw Field’ in 2014.

Vivienne has played many roles in the Hawkesbury City Netball Association including Vice President, Coach, Representative Selector and Convenor and has been a life member since 2005.

Vivienne was also named Patron in 2022. At Londonderry Netball Club Vivienne was president from 1978 to 1992.

Vivienne has received numerous awards for her work including the Anne Clarke BEM Outstanding Service Award, Netball NSW in 2012, and a service award from Hawkesbury City Netball Association in 2003.

Both David and Vivienne don’t know who nominated them for this honour but have a message for that person.

“Thank you, whoever you are, it’s appreciated!” Vivienne said.

A formal ceremony for the recipients will be held at a later date.

David and Vivienne Bertenshaw have both been honoured.

Photo: Emily Chate

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From The Editor’s Desk

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

Why Dutton can win tight election

Peter Dutton as Prime Minister seemed an unthinkable prospect when he took over as Opposition Leader in May 2022, just days after Australians took a baseball bat to Scott Morrison’s government.

But as we edge closer to an election being called, and we remind ourselves just how quickly three years goes, Dutton has got the Coalition into a competitive position.

That’s not saying he will win the battle with Anthony Albanese in a few months’ time, but he is well and truly in the fight, and that should have Labor purists nervous and Coalition supporters feeling an unlikely confidence.

This election will be so tight that a single moment could define it.

An interest rate drop, for example, could swing things in Albanese’s favour.

One ponders if Albanese will wait as long as possible before sending us to the polls in the hope that the Reserve Bank may move rates at its Board meetings in February, late March or mid-May.

Albanese knows that a rate increase is unlikely, so gambling on a possible rate decrease isn’t such a bad bet.

And as much as we know that the government of the day doesn’t control interest rates, there’s no question that a slight ease in household budgets days or weeks out from an election could make a difference to those swinging voters.

It is cost-of-living, no doubt, that has Dutton in the frame, not necessarily through his own actions but through Labor’s inability to seriously tackle the issue in a way that has made people’s lives better than they were three years ago.

Dutton has already shown some Trumplike behaviour in the lead-up to the election campaign getting underway and he’ll hope that a trait of Americans who voted for the Donald, being that they felt their lives had not improved under a new government, will ring true in Australia.

Power prices play a significant part in that, particularly given Labor promised at the last election that electricity would be cheaper under an Albanese government.

Albanese would surely be regretting the

INDEX

commitment made at the 2022 election that power bills would be $275 cheaper each year under Labor.

The ABC labels this a ‘stalled promise’, but it is very close to moving into the ‘broken’ category, surely.

We’re all doing it tough when it comes to electricity prices, and bills are only rising.

That not only leaves a sour taste in the mouth of voters, but would leave people questioning Labor’s overall renewables plan.

And it’s why there was some method to the madness in Dutton’s plan to explore nuclear energy as a power option in the years and decades to come.

Dutton was criticised by plenty over the plan, and Labor will no doubt seize on what it will label a fantasy plan and an unworkable one from a cost and health perspective.

“A single moment, slip-up or policy could change the game and decide the winner”

But the Coalition will have some bullets of their own to fire.

If Labor’s 2022 promise of lowering power prices was based on either poor modelling, bad politics or just downright lies, how much faith can one put in what they’re saying about nuclear? How much faith can we have that Albanese, Chris Bowen and co are actually on the right path?

So in short, with his somewhat wild nuclear plan, Dutton has at least got people talking. We know there is an alternative, we know there is an opposite path and if people look at their electricity bills on a lazy Saturday morning before heading off to get a democracy sausage, you never know what might happen.

Also working against Albanese will be a feeling in world politics, with signs it’s being repeated here, of a shift away from wokeism, or at least a course correction.

Trump is lapping up that sentiment in the United States and there’s examples elsewhere in the world of conservative governments being in vogue again.

A Coalition government is back in power in Queensland, a key federal battleground.

And as we saw with a resurgence of support for Australia Day over the last week or two, there is a feeling that Australians are craving traditional values at present.

So what does all this mean, and why should Anthony Albanese still be considered the favourite to win the election?

Well, I’m not convinced the wider electorate has their baseball bats out just yet.

And whether cost-of-living will be enough of an issue to get them dusted off is yet to be seen, especially if inflation does continue to fall and rates do drop.

There’s no “I don’t hold a hose” moment just yet.

The stunning failure of The Voice referendum, Albo’s big property purchase and the like have all been thorns in his side, but hardly enough to have people throw him out of office en masse.

We’re also going to see through the election campaign just how energised Albanese is after three difficult years.

Labor would have predicted this would have been an easy enough election victory, that it would take longer for the Coalition to get its house in order after the failure of 2022. Australian politics has been so shaken by leadership changes and upheaval in the last decade or two that we haven’t been used to seeing a full term Prime Minister head back on the hustings.

Dutton, meanwhile, knows his base. And he knows that swinging voters are a big chance of leaning his way if he says the right things, particularly when it comes to protecting Australian values and traditions.

This may just be an election that is decided in the six weeks of the campaign, where a single moment, slip-up or policy could change the game and decide the winner.

School’s in for another year

Excitement builds as parents ready for next chapter

ALLY HALL

Kids are picking out their lunchboxes and stationery in the lead up to another school year, and some are preparing for their first ever classroom experience.

The principal at Emu Plains Public School has some advice for Kindergarten kids before they start their school careers.

“Enjoy this time and be the best that you can be,” Principal Kristen Barjlik said.

“Take every opportunity – whether that’s making a friend or trying something new – and follow the advice of your teachers.”

Starting school is an emotional journey for a child, and Barjlik said it’s often even harder for parents.

“Allow your kids to be kids, celebrate with them, and talk positively about school so they develop a love of learning,” Barjlik advised.

The process won’t be all sunshine and lollipops, but there are steps you can take to make it more enjoyable.

“There’s going to be highs and there’s going to be lows, so talk with your kids and talk with them often, whether that’s about making friends in the playground or what’s happened

during the day,” Barjlik said.

“Take an active interest in their learning and what they’re doing at school, and try not to solve problems for them, let the kids develop independence and resilience.”

The key to a smooth transition is a strong, consistent morning routine.

“It is adapted for each family based on their needs, but it’s important that everyone gets a good start to the day so that it limits stress,” the principal explained.

“Learning at school is hard for kids, it’s a big change from what they’re used to. They will be extremely tired, so it’s important that you establish bedtime routines as well as those morning routines.”

Although school is important for shaping our future leaders, parents are the most important educators in their child’s life.

“Riding this journey with them, talking to them often, being posi tive, and encouraging independ ence is really important,” Barjlik explained.

“They are going to come home happy some days, but other days they’ll come home quite emotional because it is a bit of a roller coaster.

“Just acknowledge those feelings

and support them as best as you can.”

One little girl who is excited to start school is Zoe Wilson, who can’t wait to visit the library, make new friends, and best of all…

“I get to be with my big sister!”

Zoe Wilson is excited about starting Kindergarten.

Zoe Wilson is ready for school.

LAW and ORDER

COMPILED BY EMILY CHATE

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Penrith: Man arrested after keying police car

A man has resisted arrest after being found to have keyed a police car.

At 6.00pm on Thursday, January 23 police parked their unmarked police car on Riley Street, Penrith and walked away. A 38-yearold Kingswood man approached the car and scratched it all over, damaging the car extensively.

The man then entered a nearby liquor shop and stole a six pack of beer. The man drank the beer in the store’s car park before leaving.

Police saw the man walking on High Street and approached him. Police told the man that he was under arrest, but the man began to resist. After the man was arrested, he was searched, and a knife was found.

The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was formally charged. He will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, March 6.

Penrith: Two men arrested after refusing to leave venue

Two men have been charged after refusing to leave a licenced venue and resisting arrest.

At 10.30pm on Sunday, January 26 a 26-yearold man from Victoria and a 23-year-old man from Katoomba attended a major licenced premises in Penrith. The men were there for two hours before they were asked to leave by staff due to their intoxication level.

Both men began to argue with security and refused to leave. Security was able to get the men out the front of the premises where one man threatened to harm them and acted like he had a weapon in his possession. Police were called to attend the premises.

Once police arrived one of the men assaulted a police officer and resisted arrest. The two men were arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station.

One man was charged with ‘excluded person remain in vicinity of licensed premises’ and two counts of ‘stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc. harm (personal)’. He will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, February 13.

The other man was charged with ‘excluded person remain in vicinity of licensed premises’, ‘assault police officer in execution of duty w/o actual bodily harm’ and ‘hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty’. He will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, February 27.

Penrith: Woman arrested after using stolen debit card

A woman has been caught using a stolen

debit card to go shopping.

At 1.00pm on Sunday, January 26 a woman had deposited cash into an ATM inside a major shopping centre in Penrith. The woman accidentally left her debit card inside the machine when she finished and walked away.

A 20-year-old Penrith woman used the ATM straight after the victim. The 20-year-old found the woman’s debit card in the machine and made no efforts to return it to her. The 20-year-old then used the woman’s card to purchase items from a store within the shopping centre. The woman was alerted to the purchases on her phone and immediately informed security.

Police were contacted and found the 20-year-old in the car park about to leave. Police searched her car and found the fraudulently obtained property in the car.

The 20-year-old was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, February 25.

Penrith: Phone theft leads to police helicopter arrest

A man has been arrested after stealing an expensive phone from a store.

At 11.20am on Saturday, January 25 a 39-year-old Victorian man was inside a store in a major shopping centre in Penrith when he stole a shop assistant’s personal phone valued at $2,700.

The man left the store, and the matter was reported to police by the victim.

On Tuesday, January 28 police saw the same man entering an address on Merinda Street, St Marys. Police, with the assistance of the police helicopter, surrounded the premises. Police arrested the man after he jumped the rear fence and hid in a neighbouring property.

The man was taken to Penrith Police station where he admitted to stealing the phone. The man was bail refused and appeared in Penrith Local Court yesterday.

Llandilo: Man burned at Australia Day BBQ

A man is in a stable condition after suffering from burns from a BBQ fire.

At 12.45pm on Sunday, January 26 the Mounties Care CareFlight Helicopter was tasked by NSW Ambulance after a man in his 50’s had obtained burns from a BBQ fire in Llandilo.

NSW Fire Brigade attended the scene along with CareFlight’s specialist doctor and NSW Ambulance paramedics who provided care to the patient before he was taken to hospital.

WITH DANIEL MCKINNON

EXPLAINER: WHY A WILL IS DEFINITELY WORTH THE PAPER IT IS WRITTEN ON

Most people have heard of the term “contesting a Will”. Legally, this is known as making an application for “family provision” pursuant to the Succession Act, 2006 (NSW). When we are discussing the drafting of Wills with our clients and we explain that there are certain people who might be eligible to contest their Will (make a claim for family provision) after they die, we often get a response like “A Will isn’t worth the paper it’s written on!”.

While it is true that your Will might be challenged, there are many reasons why this should not stop you from making a Will under the guidance of a qualified solicitor. Here are just a few:

1. Not any Tom, Dick, or Harry can make a claim against your estate. Section 57 of the Succession Act sets out that you need to be a spouse/de facto of a deceased person, a natural or adopted child, or have lived with the deceased person and been dependent on them in order to be eligible to make a claim. Most other categories of people cannot challenge your Will.

2. One of the important parts of a Will is appointing an executor or executors who are the personal people with authority to deal with matters relating to your estate. If you die without a Will, this is known as dying “intestate”. Under the laws of intestacy, the major beneficiary who takes your estate is ordinarily the person with standing to become the administrator (the role of an administrator and executor are almost identical). If you do not have a Will, you do not get to choose who your executor is/who administers your estate.

3. Specific gifts. You might have some-

thing in particular you want to go to a particular person. It might be something of commercial value or something sentimental like a piece of jewellery or memorabilia. The laws of intestacy do not allow for this kind of discretion. You can only make a specific gift under a properly drafted Will.

4. If you die without a Will and the laws of intestacy dictate who gets your estate and one of the eligible beneficiaries under the legislation dies before you, it may be the case that the share they would have otherwise taken goes to their children. While this might be acceptable to you in some cases, it can result in a share of your estate going to, for example, nieces or nephews you had no desire to leave your assets to.

The process of administering your estate can be a lot more complicated if you do not have a Will. You might have heard of the term “probate”. A Grant of Probate is a document from the Supreme Court giving the executors of a person’s Will authority to deal with matters relating to their estate. Generally, executors cannot act without a grant. If you die without a Will, and your estate requires a Grant of Representation, then a Grant of Letters of Administration will be necessary. This involves a lot more paperwork, discussions, and sometimes disputes among the beneficiaries about who should make the application, and generally complicates matters in a way that can be avoided by writing a Will.

There are many other reasons why a Will is most definitely worth the paper it is written on.

Contact us if you would like to discuss some estate planning.

WOMAN DIES IN HEAD-ON WITH TRUCK

A woman in her 30s has died following a head-on crash with a truck at Kemps Creek.

About 7.15pm on Tuesday night, emergency services were called to Devonshire Road, Kemps Creek, and were confronted with an horrific scene – a semi-trailer and an SUV had collided.

The SUV driver, a 36-year-old woman, died at the scene.

At the time of going to print on Wednes-

day, the woman had not been formally identified.

The truck driver, a 66-year-old man, was uninjured. A crime scene was established and investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced.

As inquiries continue anyone with information, CCTV, dashcam and/or mobile phone footage in relation to the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

News

Contact Us

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

Contact Centre Open 8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777

PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city

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

Services

Waste Services 4732 7777

Illegal Dumping

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

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

10 February 2025 – 7pm (Ordinary Meeting)

17 February 2025 – 7pm (Policy Review Committee) Online via penrith.city

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

Penrith City Council’s Local Celebration Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the community. NOMINATIONS CLOSE 31 MARCH 2025. So what are you waiting for?

Find out more at: penrith.city/local-celebration-awards There are four categories to choose from: Citizen of the Year Young Citizen of the Year Mayor’s Local Hero Award Community Service Award

Council Briefs

● Nominations are now open for Council’s 2025 Local Celebration Awards. This is your chance to recognise the amazing individuals and groups in our city who dedicate themselves to making a positive impact in the community.

The Making a Difference Award honours those who volunteer their time to assist during emergencies or natural disasters, advocate for environmental initiatives, support community sports, or exhibit outstanding leadership within the community. There are no age restrictions for this award.

To learn more about the awards and submit your nomination, visit penrith.city/local-celebration-awards

● Andromeda Drive Reserve, Cranebrook, is getting an upgrade to improve the reserve’s sport and recreation facilities for the community.

The project includes drainage improvements on the storage space in the amenities building, more car parking, resurfacing and line marking the sports courts, pathways, seating, and tree planting.

This project is funded through the Australian Government’s Investing in Our Communities Program and the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, in partnership with Council.

Find out more at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/andromeda

● Is your pool summer ready? It’s easy to check whether your pool is safe for you and any children by making sure that pool gates and latches are in working order, and gates are never propped open.

Backyard access to your pool must be restricted by a child resistant pool barrier.

Young children should be actively supervised when using a swimming pool. Children should not be responsible for supervising other children. These are just some things you can do to make sure that your pool is safe.

For more information, visit penrith.city/pools or contact Council’s Swimming Pool team on 4732 7864.

Integrated Developments

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

• The Trustee for Legpro Orchard Hills DA25/0007 Stage 5 Unit Trust

Lot 8 DP 857982, 53–77 Kingswood Road, Orchard Hills

Integrated Development to subdivide 1 lot into 3 lots (facilitating subdivision with no works) relating to Stages 5, 6, and 13

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the: NSW Rural Fire Service.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/datracker, in the period from Monday 3 February 2025 to Sunday 16 February 2025.

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

Council’s reference number DA25/0007.

For any queries relating to the proposal:

Please contact Wendy Connell on 4732 7908.

• Sienna Waters Pty Ltd DA24/1021 Lot 2 DP 1250976, 439 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa

Integrated Development for 2 lot Torrens title subdivision, access driveway and 2 x wastewater systems

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the Rural Fire Service NSW.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/datracker, in the period from Monday 3 February 2025 to Sunday 16 February 2025.

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

Council’s reference number DA24/1021.

For any queries relating to the proposal:

Please contact Sufyan Nguyen on 4732 8568.

penrith.city

Torton is torture

Residents express growing frustration with infamous street

An infamous housing commission complex is still facing a raft of issues despite residents pleading for help.

Torton Place in Penrith has become a notorious street that has been plagued with issues and problems for years.

Resident of 11 years Margaret Garvin has seen a steady decline in the quality of the maintenance and tenants of the units.

“There’s 83 units here with about 12 bins. Then they’ll dump the rubbish into this bin here [which piles up],” Garvin said.

“We used to sit out here all the time; you can’t sit out here anymore. Around there is an empty syringe on the ground and the smell is horrible.”

Garvin recently noticed the overflow bin has been stacking up for weeks and began emitting a strong smell, something she tried to get fixed.

“[I make complaints] but it falls on deaf ears… the last two or three years the rubbish build up has been really bad,” Garvin said. Garvin shared she doesn’t have people visit her anymore as the quality of the complex has diminished.

“I don’t invite anybody here anymore,” Garvin said.

“I just want to live somewhere nice! I’m 87 this year. I’m on the downhill slide. I have

Development Application

The following Development Application has been received by Council:

• Buildstrong NSW Pty Ltd

79 Parker Street and 120–122 High Street, Penrith

DA24/1023

Demolition of existing structures and construction of a 6-storey co-living housing comprising 123 double occupancy rooms, 2 levels of basement carparking and associated stormwater and landscaping works

Contact: Wendy Connell on 4732 7908

Closing Date: Sunday 16 February 2025

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

• Bhaajayu Pty Ltd

Lot 3128 DP 1200516, 47–53 Mullins Roadm Penrith

DA24/0494

Staged Alterations and additions to existing bus depot including expansion of hardstand areas for additional vehicle parking (60 x bus parking spaces and 60 x car parking spaces), construction of 2 overhead electric charging gantries

remediation works

• Jakanda Pty Ltd

Lot 363 DP 252147, 3 Stoke Crescent, South Penrith

• Wayne Wilson

Lot 27 DP 237163, 359–367 Fairlight Road, Mulgoa

DA24/0889

DA24/0549

Change of use and associated upgrade works to convert the existing outbuilding into a secondary dwelling and installation of OSSM

Viewing of Development Applications

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

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

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

a right to have a safe home, and a peaceful one.”

Another resident, Sandy Hughes, who has lived at Torton Place for the last few years, shared Garvin’s sentiment.

“I feel violated. It’s too embarrassing,” Hughes said.

A spokesperson for Homes NSW said the bin collection is a fortnightly occurrence, with the most recent bin collection taking place the day after the Weekender contacted Homes NSW for comment.

“Homes NSW has arranged for excess rubbish to be removed immediately which was completed 24 January 2025,” the spokesperson said.

“Homes NSW supports the Penrith City Council’s weekly bin service with extra fortnightly excess rubbish removal, the last of which occurred on 15 January 2025.

“Homes NSW will continue to work with tenants at the complex to address uses of rubbish dumping to prevent further instances from occurring.

“If any residents have maintenance concerns, they can call the Maintenance Hub on 1800 422 322 which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Shane Turnbull, another resident at Torton Place who has previously raised issues with the Weekender about the state of the complex said the issues are continuing to occur.

“Shit, shit and shit,” Turnbull said.

But the coroner did not make any recommendations, noting Anglicare and NSW Health had already made improvements to their policies and procedures.

Joyce Parker, whose mother Alice Bacon died during the outbreak, said she and other relatives of Newmarch residents stood outside the facility during the outbreak hoping to find out more.

“We had mum ringing – no water, no food, no medication – ‘I’m hungry’,” she said.

“We knew that things weren’t right in there and we tried to speak up and now it’s out there for everyone to see.”

Anglicare Chief Executive Simon Miller apologised on behalf of the faith-based provider.

“We are sorry for the stress experienced, for the loss of life during the COVID-19 outbreak in Newmarch House for the residents, their families and their loved ones,” he said.

“There have been many improvements since that time – much has changed in the way COVID is managed, not just at Anglicare but right across the aged-care sector.”

A class action brought by some of the dead residents’ relatives reached a confidential settlement in November.

Sandy Hughes and Margaret Garvin.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

The state of the bin the day the Weekender sent an enquiry to Homes NSW.

Photo: Emily Chate.

Newmarch House.

cupboard prize

No matter how entertainment with your family and friends changes, there’s nothing like a board game to get everyone together.

And there’s some terrific board games out at the moment.

What about ‘You Can’t Say Umm’, which is available for $39.95. Fast bursts of play and funny ‘messing up’ moments make this a fun board game for teenagers who like sharing games on TikTok and other spaces.

Why not breakfast for game night? Introducing ‘Waffles vs Pancakes’, the breakfast food scoop-up game for families! While blindfolded, compete to use your spatulas to scoop up as many Waffles or Pancakes as you can before time’s up – just

don’t scoop any of the other team’s! Plus, look out for special Power-Ups within the stack. And ‘Exploding Kittens: Good vs Evil’ features brand-new artwork and characters from

the hotly anticipated Netflix series. This high-stakes game of kitty-powered Russian Roulette lets you outsmart your friends, raise heck, and stage your own epic battles... all while trying not to explode.

Get these great games wherever board games are sold.

The Weekender has two board game packs to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@

westernweekender.com.au with ‘games’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, February 7 and

the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www. westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

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

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-

Dose Dorin of SPY

way to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out

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

The colourful panther statue is located at the entrance to the Penrith City Council Civic Centre building on High Street, Penrith.

McIntosh lands fresh promotion

for the infrastructure we deserve.

Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh has been promoted to Peter Dutton’s Shadow Cabinet as the Coalition readies its team for a Federal Election.

McIntosh has been appointed Shadow Minister for Communications, effective immediately.

She will retain her role as Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, with that portfolio now part of Cabinet.

“I thank Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for the opportunity to join Shadow Cabinet, as we take the fight to Labor at the election in coming months,” McIntosh said.

“Having a Shadow Cabinet Minister oversee the Western Sydney portfolio demonstrates the Opposition Leader’s commitment to our region, and allows me to advocate further

“Only a Dutton Coalition Government will get western Sydney back on track.”

The previous Shadow Communications Minister, David Coleman, will take on the Shadow Foreign Affairs portfolio.

Dutton, who last year backed McIntosh when it appeared she would face an internal battle with former Councillor Mark Davies for preselection, said her appointment highlighted the importance of western Sydney to the Coalition.

“Mel has made an enormous contribution since her elevation to the Shadow Ministry last year, and I am pleased to welcome her into the Shadow Cabinet where she will continue to take the fight up to the Government on key policy areas,” he said.

“Mel maintains her portfolio responsibilities as Shadow Minister for

Western Sydney, which is now a Shadow Cabinet position, and which highlights the importance of this region to the economic wellbeing of our nation – but a region which has been ignored by the Albanese Labor Government.”

Dutton announced his expected re-shuffle over the long weekend, considered by many as the unofficial start of the election campaign.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is likely to call the election at some point in the next few weeks.

“Mr Albanese is failing all the tests of leadership that Australians expect of their Prime Minister. He has his priorities all wrong,”

Dutton said.

“The Coalition, on the other hand, will continue to deliver the positive plans and policies for the future of our great country.”

The election is likely to be held in April or May.

Melissa McIntosh, Peter Dutton and David Coleman.

TROY DODDS

Case delayed again

More time needed to analyse forensic accounting reports

EMILY CHATE

There has been another delay in the case of an alleged dodgy Penrith accountant.

Penrith tax agent Benjamin Carter was first arrested at his Silverdale home in July of 2023 and was later charged with 16 offences including 14 counts of ‘dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception’, and one count each of ‘knowingly deal with proceeds of crime’ and ‘possess prohibited drug’.

Police conducted search warrants at Carter’s home and Penrith office where officers allegedly located electronic devices, hard drives and documentation relevant to their investigation, as well as a small amount of a substance believed to be cocaine.

The 38-year-old has been accused of defrauding at least eight of his clients to the sum of $26 million in a bid to fund his lavish lifestyle and gambling habit.

Carter’s lawyers have previ-

ously argued the sum was closer to $6 million.

Among the accusations is that Carter, in his capacity as a tax agent, accountant and Chief Financial Officer of Drink West, falsely purported to facilitate the purchase of shares in Drink West by Adam Fraser to the sum of $440,000.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Drink West.

Two charges relate to Gem Frame and Truss Pty Ltd who have allegedly been swindled $169,460 and $94,442.90.

Better Bar Chairs Pty Ltd was allegedly out-of-pocket more than $60,000 after Carter allegedly amended quarterly Business Activity Statements but didn’t pass on the refunds.

An unnamed client is alleged in court documents to have been

asked to pre-pay an ATO debt of $369,351 that did not exist.

It is also alleged that Carter also asked Michael Zammit to pre-pay an alleged ATO debt of $114,119.15.

A tax refund of $14,520.50 is owed to a Steve Castle, while a Mark Ganley had $10,189.28 taken.

Edmund and Karen Eler were alleged defrauded of money, as was Alex Vella and Margaret Bennett.

Carter was last year granted bail under strict conditions to reside with his retired mother in Kingswood, report daily to police and wear an electronic tracking bracelet.

Carter was also prohibited from leaving the greater Sydney area and is only allowed to leave home for a number of reasons as identified by the court.

Last week’s court appearance marks another adjournment in the case as further analysis of the forensic accounting report needs to take place. The case is scheduled to return to Penrith Local Court in early April.

St Marys Rugby League Club has officially launched Stage 2 of its $8 million commitment to sustainability and renewable energy sources.

The next stage involves the installation of 1,220 solar panels on new car park canopies, which will deliver an additional 740kW of solar power to the club.

The project will also provide 225 shaded under cover car parks for patrons.

Construction commenced last week and the club expects disruptions will be kept to a minimum.

Stage 1 of the project was completed in February 2024 and has since generated 419 megawatt-hours of renewable energy and saved $101,968 so far.

Combined with the works of Stage 1 this initiative will generate enough solar energy to eventually power the entire club during daylight hours.

Club CEO Rod Desborough said the project will deliver long-term benefits for the club and the wider community.

Ben Carter’s case continues.

St Marys Rugby League Club is launching Stage 2 of its $8 million sustainability commitment.

Penrith Beach makes a splash with free activities

TROY DODDS

Abeach volleyball tournament will highlight the ongoing calendar at Penrith Beach.

The event will start this Sunday, February 2 and will run until Saturday, March 9 and is part of a host of activities being run at the recreation spot.

Around 73,000 people have visited Penrith Beach so far over the summer season.

“Penrith Beach is a wonderful place for a dip, but it is also a space for community connection and outdoor recreation in the heart of western Sydney,” said Planning and Public Spaces Minister, Paul Scully.

“These free activities offer something for everyone. We have you covered at Penrith Beach this summer with everything from gruelling bootcamp workouts to educational experiences and laidback family events.”

There’s been a range of

On Thursday, January 30 Royal

Life Saving NSW will begin the

For those looking for something a little different there will also be introduction to dragon boat racing on Sunday, February 23 and Saturday, March 8. On-site cultural festivities will see a special Lunar New Year kite festival on Sunday, February 9 followed by a Valentine’s Day fun run on Saturday, February 15 and a Holi Festival inspired colour run on Sunday, March 23.

first of three special water-safety sessions that continue on Thursday, February 27 and finish on Thursday, March 20, with Surf Life Saving NSW on site to assist.

“Despite a rainy summer, we’ve still had over 70,000 people visit the beach in just a month. The $2.5 million investment in Penrith

Beach by the Minns Government means our community has free access to a great place to swim in summer,” said Penrith State MP Karen McKeown.

“Safety is front and centre for visitors at this iconic location.

“Lifeguards are not only keeping people safe with daily patrols, but are providing expert instruction on lifejacket usage, inland water safety and CPR essentials as part of their work.”

To sign up for updates or register interest in any of Penrith Beach’s free activities, visit https://www. nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/penrith-beach.

activities at Penrith Beach this summer, including Sydney Zoo activations.

Parents fear rising costs

New survey reveals family budget blowouts as back-to-school commitments

hit

New survey results from The Smith Family reveal a majority of parents and carers supported by the charity are worried they will not be able to afford all items their children need for the school year.

The charity’s annual Pulse Survey identified that nine out of 10 parents are worried about covering the costs of everything children need for the school year with the biggest concern being the digital devices needed for schoolwork at 54.8 per cent.

Other areas of concern were educational activities outside of school with 45.8 per cent of respondents concerned, 20.3 per cent are worried about providing Internet access at home for schoolwork, 42.1 per cent were worried about affording uniform or shoes and 38 per cent were worried about affording school excursions.

The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor, expressed his concern over the number of people worried about financing their child.

“It’s alarming to hear so many

families are concerned about not being able to afford what children need for their learning this school year,” Taylor said.

To combat these concerns, The Smith Family has launched its 2025 Back-to-School Appeal, which aims to secure sponsors to support an additional 15,000 students nationally through their ‘Learning for Life’ program, which currently supports 67,000 young people.

The financial sponsorship will provide disadvantaged students

with school essentials, access to evidence based out of school learning and mentoring programs, and personal support from a Smith Family team member for the duration of their education.

Taylor says digital access for students is of particular importance in this new era of education.

“Sponsors enable children and support families who are digitally excluded to afford necessities such as a laptop and reliable home Internet connection – so necessary

for education participation today,” Taylor said.

“Unfortunately, 30 per cent of students on our ‘Learning for Life’ program are digitally excluded but we aim to change this so that every student we help can have full digital access.”

The Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Commission (JSA) predicts that nine out of 10 jobs by the end of 2026 will require post-secondary school qualifications.

Taylor says the JSA forecast

emphasises the importance of ensuring students experiencing disadvantage remain engaged with school and complete Year 12.

“The increased cost of living has certainly impacted every family budget. But it has compounded issues that already existed for families we support. I can’t say it enough: education is one of the most powerful change agents for breaking the cycle of generational poverty,” Taylor said.

“I would urge anyone who has the financial means to become a ‘Learning for Life’ sponsor.”

NSW Minister for Education and Western Sydney Prue Car is encouraging parents and carers to utilise the public school system to help ease the financial pressure.

“Now is a great time for families to enrol their children in a NSW public school, which offer high-quality education at a minimal cost,” Car said.

“Public schools are funded to meet the educational needs of students, with continued increases in investment each year.

“Our public schools are committed to working closely with families to ensure no child is left behind.”

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The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor.

Nine out of 10 parents and carers are worried about covering the costs for their child to go to school.

TROY

Mountain Culture’s beloved Status Quo has been named the country’s best craft beer for the third year in a row.

It took out the GABS Hottest 100, with the winners named last Saturday. The battle of beers between nearly 400 of Australia’s best craft breweries, in the 17th GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers poll, was fierce this year as around 55,000 consumers registered to cast their votes for their favourite beers.

And cast they did, with nearly 1500 different beers being appreciated by voters and an incredible 70 different breweries making it on to the list.

Blue Mountains-based Mountain Culture, which also has an Emu Plains location, recently announced Australian cricket hero Pat Cummins as an investor.

Taking out second place was Coopers Pale Ale.

Coles Liquor General Manager of Customer Loyalty, Mia Horner congratulated the 70 breweries that have been represented in the Hottest 100, showcasing the nation’s best craft breweries.

for brewery

“The fans have spoken and it’s no surprise Mountain Culture has taken the top spot as Australia’s most loved craft brew, known for its juicy smooth and very easy drinking style, the Status Quo Pale ale is an easy-drinking craft beer in making it a delicious option year-round,” she said.

“To taste the Hottest 100 winners, beer lovers can head to our national First Choice Liquor Market stores where more than 90 per cent of the beers can be found on our shelves across Australia.

“My own personal pick of the list is the Rocky Ridge Brewin Co Jinjong Juicy.”

Mountain Culture celebrates a huge win.

The beer podium.

DODDS

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Mates take fitness quest to new level with huge 24-hour effort

Anthony gets on his bike to raise funds for important cause

Over the course of 26 hours, Michael Steele repetitively lapped Jamison Park to encourage his mates to get active.

From 5am on Friday, January 24, to 7am on Saturday, January 25, the determined man walked 124 kilometres and was joined by 40 people throughout.

The Weekender briefly joined in at the nine-hour

mark to see how the walkers were going and discover what sparked the endeavour.

“There’s 22 of us in this social club, and every time we have a gathering or catch-up, everyone’s complaining or whingeing, saying ‘We’ve got to do something’, so I said this is what we’re going to do,”

Steele explained.

“It was in December when I put it out to the boys, and I didn’t get a good response, but I kept pushing it and now they’re all on board.”

The blokes have known each other for upwards of 20 years, meeting through local rugby league or through friends.

ALLY HALL ALLY HALL

Steele is optimistic that this walk will prompt lifestyle changes for the group, proudly pointing towards one of his friends walking ahead.

“Luke was only going to walk three kilometres before the sun came up, and he might be hurting a bit now, but he’s pushing 47 kilometres,” Steele said.

That was the case for multiple walkers, who all surprised themselves with their efforts.

While chatting with Steele, it was clear that the secret to a quick walk is some good talk and a bit of a scenery change.

“We just walked a kilometre, and you don’t notice,” Steele pointed out.

“As long as you’re talking, it’s good, and every three laps we change directions.”

It was a successful mission for Steele and his mates, despite getting a bit tough around midnight, and he’s hopeful that everyone will be better off for it.

Alocal man turned a trip with his mates into a fundraising opportunity after deciding enough is enough.

Creo Wealth Co-Director Anthony Sultana set out on an epic bike ride through Taiwan in December last year, raising money for The Haven as he pedalled.

Sultana was inspired to help the women’s shelter after seeing an alarming number of domestic violence stories in the media.

“Hearing about the death of a woman every week, or nearly every day – we need to bring it to everyone’s attention,” Sultana said.

“Not only that, but we’ve had female clients contact us wanting some financial direction because they’ve come out from emotionally abusive relationships.

“That got me thinking, ‘This is not good, and we need to do something to help’.”

The team rode roughly 710 kilometres over eight days, which started out as smooth sailing.

“Taiwan is shaped like a peanut, and we went down the west coast which was pretty much flat aside from a few small hills and we had a tail wind behind us which made it an easier ride,” Sultana explained.

“Then we got to the bottom, crossing from the west coast to the east coast where you had to climb these massive mountains, and that’s where the drama started.

“We started getting cross winds and head winds, and then heading up the east coast, it was head winds most of the way.”

Anthony Sultana.

Sultana said it was an unbelievable adventure.

“We took our time, we stopped, had lunch, took photos, met the local community, the people were so friendly.”

His efforts raised $2,145 for The Haven, and you can still donate on the GoFundMe page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/riding-forrefuge-support-the-haven-penrith-womensshelter.

Michael Steele (left) leading his mates. Photo: Melinda Jane.

How Ballet Without Borders helps young people embrace their passion

An inspiring local boy is tiptoeing through life in the best way possible.

12-year-old ballet dancer

Daniel Sterling-Levis is breaking barriers and embracing his passion for the arts.

His journey began at age six, sitting in the waiting room at Glenbrook Ballet Theatre with his mother,

attended a baby ballet class.

“They had a flyer up about Ballet Without Borders doing a session at the PCYC in Penrith,”

Kennedy said.

“He actually really liked dancing, so we went along, and they had a few different sport sessions, but one of them was ballet and he loved it.”

Ballet Without Borders began in 2018 to break down the real and perceived barriers of ballet education.

income, it was something that was completely out of reach,” Kullengren stated.

“So, I decided to start Ballet Without Borders, and after a few pilots, we found the best way to do this was to go into public primary schools in disadvantaged areas and provide them with a term of either free or heavily subsidised ballet classes.

a single parent at that point so I was very grateful, and I wouldn’t have been able to give him that opportunity,” Kennedy said.

The not-for-profit was started by Katia Kullengren, who moved from Ukraine to Australia with her mother in 1993, where the pair lived on welfare.

“During my childhood I found it hard to stay with ballet… lack of money, constant moving around, little support for the art form, and poor English did nothing to inspire my dancing,” Kullengren explained.

When she pursued ballet as an adult, she realised how expensive the hobby is and noticed a lack of diversity.

“I could see how if you weren’t living close to the schools and if you didn’t have that disposable

“It may be for a Year 1 class or a Year 2 class, whatever the school decides is best, and then we have 25 children per class.”

When Daniel showed up to their first workshop in collaboration with Penrith PCYC, Katia was impressed and decided to sponsor him for two years at Glenbrook Ballet Theatre.

“Aside from having natural flexibility, he just seemed to enjoy himself,” Kullengren explained.

“When I spoke to his mum, she said he’d had some learning difficulties, and she thought this would be a great way for him to connect and express himself.”

This opportunity came when the family needed it most.

“I had just recently become

“Daniel’s autistic and dancing is something that he’s quite passionate about and it gives him a peaceful experience, it calms his body and mind and gives him some thing really positive to focus on, which has also really helped him make some lovely friends who are similarly minded.

“It’s upped his self-esteem, and as a mum, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

The proud mother said ballet has been a good constant in her son’s life and expressed gratitude towards Ballet Without Borders and the Glenbrook Ballet Theatre.

“I think Katia seeing that little light in him has meant a lot,” Kennedy reported.

“Her kindness couldn’t have been bestowed on a little boy who needed it more in that moment, and to see that little spark become what it is now is just amazing.”

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Daniel Sterling-Levis.

Daniel and Katia.

ALLY HALL

Powering vital assistance

WestCare receives grant to provide cost-of-living relief to Penrith community

Adeserving local charity has been awarded a grant to funnel cost-of-living relief into the Penrith community.

WestCare is using Endeavour Energy’s ‘Powering Communities’ grant to provide fortnightly cooked breakfasts for school students and grocery packs for low-income families struggling with rising costs.

WestCare Community Services

Director Andrew Paech said he’s very excited and immensely grateful for the funding which will make a world of difference in a time of great need.

“It vitally resources a project that’s very dear to us and vital for our local area and the young families that we engage with,” Paech explained.

“I’m now entering my 12th year of working with WestCare in western Sydney and I’ve not seen a period like this before.

“We noticed it at Christmas time and throughout last year, and the significance of the impact of cost-of-living on local families is quite concerning.”

The not-for-profit has been working closely with school staff across the region, who frequently

identify worrying family and home situations.

“Kids are coming to school not eating and often with basic personal hygiene issues, and they’ve been particularly impacted by the rising cost-of-living,” Paech stated.

“This project really aims to deliver something that’s practical and we hope it will provide some meaningful value to the hardest hit, and importantly amplify the hard work being done by these local high school staff members.”

By providing cooked breakfasts and engaging with students at various local high schools, the charity can also provide Essentials Boxes, which

include dry goods grocery cartons and basic personal care items, as well as Penrith City Care Kits, which include personal care items.

Paech said this is what WestCare is all about.

“We operate under a mantra that says, ‘Local needs met by local people’,” he said.

This mission clearly left an impression on Endeavour Energy.

“The 2025 Powering Communities grants will support projects that strengthen community resilience, foster inclusivity and address local needs, helping to build a brighter future for those in need,” Endeavour Energy’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer Leanne Pickering said.

The power company received more than 250 applications for project funding across New South Wales.

“Our committee of advocates rigorously reviewed each application against the grants’ criteria and had the very challenging task of selecting recipients to deliver very important outcomes to help our communities to thrive,” Pickering explained.

“The 2025 recipients demonstrate the power of local initiatives to create positive, lasting change, and we are proud to be part of these efforts.”

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WestCare’s Andrew Paech. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Students benefit from WestCare.

ALLY HALL

Δ Berry Bunch enters the chat: Allen’s is kicking off 2025 in style by launching Allen’s Berry Bunch (pictured above), a new lolly for Aussies. Fans are sure to find a ‘soft spot’ for the lolly which is bursting onto the scene with a unique softjelly texture, and sugary coating. The taste packs a ‘bunch’ too, boasting ripe raspberry, juicy blackcur rant and sweet strawberry flavours. It’s also berry good news for plantbased lolly-lovers as Allen’s Berry Bunch lollies are vegan-friendly too. It’s just landed in Woolworths and independent grocers.

Δ Get hooked: Fish & Chix (pictured bottom left) has opened at Westfield Penrith, offering up delicious seafood and crispy chicken.

tradition of hot cross buns. Arnott’s Wagon Wheels have been a beloved Aussie classic since 1952, and after 12 months of wrangling the perfect

Δ Take a ride into country flavour: Coles and Arnott’s have once again saddled up and kicked dust to the wind for Easter, letting loose the limited-edition Coles Arnott’s Wagon Wheels Inspired Hot Cross Buns – a new and nostalgic twist on a bakery classic that combines the feel-good taste of an Aussie icon with the much-loved

Christmas, here’s some good news: you can still get yourself a bottle. This limited edition collector’s item tastes terrific, and is a must for any Panthers fan. So if you know someone with a birthday or special occasion coming up, get yourself one at https://bit.ly/ww-spiced-rum.

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recipe, Coles is blazing a trail with buns inspired by the marshmallow, gooey jam and smooth choc-coated biscuit, available in store from Monday, February 3.

Δ Spice up your life: If you missed out on the Weekender ’s Four-Peat Spiced Rum (pictured top right) when it was on sale before

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Local Celebration Awards 2025

I am thrilled to announce that nominations for our esteemed Local Celebration Awards 2025 are now open! This is an opportunity for you to shine a spotlight on individuals and groups that are committed to improving the community and overall wellbeing of the people of Penrith.

I’m always inspired by these awardscelebrating our outstanding citizens and recognising those who go above and beyond to make Penrith a better place for us all.

Council invites residents, community groups, charities, schools, and organisations of all kinds to participate.

If you know someone who selflessly dedicates their time and effort to enrich our community — whether in their professional role or through volunteering — now is the time to recognise their hard work and commitment.

I invite you to submit a nomination and encourage others to join in. Let’s ensure

Δ Got some Source? We want to hear about store openings, new menus, new products and more! Drop your news to The Source via email at news@westernweekender. com.au.

that those who contribute significantly to our city receive the acknowledgment they deserve.

This year, we have four award categories:

Citizen of the Year

(for those over 18 years)

Young Citizen of the Year (aged 24 years and under)

Mayor’s Local Hero Award (open to all ages)

Making a Difference – Community Service Award (open to all ages)

For more details on our awards program, including information on previous winners and guidelines for submitting nominations, please visit our website: penrith.city/local-celebration-awards.

Let’s come together to celebrate some of the remarkable people who make Penrith a thriving community!

CR TODD CARNEY Mayor of Penrith

DON’T MISS OUR NEW PODCAST

If you’re a Penrith Panthers fan, don’t miss ‘10 Minute Match Day’, a new podcast released on Penrith Panthers game days presented by the Weekender

Just search Western Weekender wherever you listen to podcasts to hear all our podcasts, or visit www.westernweekender. com.au/podcast.

With a special encore performanc e by Callan Purc ell, from the smas h hit musical, Hamilton

This photograph shows the St Marys Post Office building in the 1970s.

Queen Street.

Punchbowl,

(Photo thanks to Penrith City Library)

Unrivalled access to Penrith residents

How long has it been since you evaluated where you’re spending your advertising dollars?

Western Sydney Publishing Group, publishers of The Western Weekender, is encouraging you to do a health check on your marketing.

And when you do, the power of print will likely emerge for Penrith businesses.

“Penrith is very fortunate to have its own local newspaper that is so well supported by the community,” said General Manager Content & Commercial, Troy Dodds (pictured).

“There are many communities that don’t have a paper – but Penrith has declared it wants a source of valuable local information, and we’re excited that we’ve been able to produce this for the area for almost 35 years.”

Dodds said print advertising should complement your other marketing, for a variety of reasons.

“A big one is trust,” he said.

“In a time of misinformation, scams and similar concerns, one thing our readers are sure

of is that our advertisers are registered businesses, they operate lawfully and they actually do exist.

“Our readers tell us they trust the businesses they see

advertising in the Weekender and readership surveys have told us they are more likely to respond to an ad they see in the newspaper over something they spot online.

“They feel there is so much uncertainty out there these days, that they feel safe using someone who advertises with the Weekender.” The Weekender offers

unrivalled access to Penrith locals, through its print edition that is released every Thursday and available to pick up from more than 100 locations across the

Penrith Local Government Area, and through its digital offerings, including www. westernweekender.com.au and associated digital assets.

“One mistake businesses make is they concentrate on building their own socials up, but that only takes you so far,” Dodds said.

“You can’t just speak to your echo chamber and of course reach is getting more expensive to achieve through social media – so a delicate balance is required.

“Business owners pour their heart and soul into their business, and their money. Success depends on many things, but a key element is marketing to as many people as possible – not just concentrating on one area.

“And the Weekender delivers that across its print and digital offerings, which is why so many clients choose to advertise with us.”

To learn more about how the Weekender can support your business, visit https://corporate.westernweekender.com. au or call our team on 4722 2998.

Why branding matters to me – Simon Masters Brought to you by Masters Agency

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but according to Masters Agency Managing and Creative Director Simon Masters, the reality is – we do.

“When it comes to business, first impressions aren’t just important – they’re everything,” Masters said.

“If your brand doesn’t grab attention and inspire trust within seconds, you’re already losing the game.”

Masters explained branding isn’t just about having a sleek logo or a pretty colour palette.

“To me, it’s the way a business communicates who they are, what they stand for, and how they create value for their customers,” Masters explained.

“Branding is the clothes we wear, it’s the cars we drive, and it’s the way we decorate our homes – it’s all about communicating to others, and ourselves, what we value.”

One thing Masters has learned is that brand equity takes time, it’s not something

that magically appears overnight.

Gaining the trust and loyalty of customers requires consistent effort, attention to detail, and staying true to your product or service.

“Think about some of Australia’s most iconic brands, like Weet-Bix or Bunnings,” Masters pointed out.

“Their strength comes from their consistency; from their colours to their tone of voice, they’ve spent years earning a place in the hearts of Australians through consistent, branded efforts across all their relevant marketing channels.”

However, branding can’t fix a broken business model.

“To put it bluntly, we can’t put lipstick on a pig,” Masters said.

“If the product or service doesn’t create real value or isn’t market-fit, even the best branding won’t save it.

“Branding is like putting the right frame around a masterpiece – it can enhance and highlight, but it can’t create the

art itself.”

In addition to enhancing and highlighting services, branding can influence your customers’ decisions long before they even reach out.

“Today’s consumers are savvy; they’re ‘stalking’ businesses across websites, social media, and reviews,” Masters explained.

“By the time they pick up the phone or send an inquiry, they’ve already narrowed their options down to two or three.

“A consistent brand across all these touchpoints says, ‘We care about the details because

we care about you’.”

That’s why Masters Agency believes branding is so crucial.

“It’s about creating trust and a connection with your target audience, igniting their spark to take the next step with you,” he explained.

“Let’s make sure the world sees the same value in what you do.”

If you have a great product or service that no one knows about, and your treasure is being buried, check out Masters Agency online at www.mastersagency.au and get in touch at simon@mastersagency.au.

BUSINESS HEALTH CHECK

Boost security for your business with NRS

Nepean Regional Security: Trusted experts in protecting your business and events.

Looking for extra security and peace of mind for your business or event? Call Nepean Regional Security today!

Since 1998, Nepean Regional Security has been a leader in the security industry, with over 27 years of expertise. Founded and still run by Gina Field, the company embodies her bold journey as a young female security officer in a male-dominated industry. Today, Gina is regarded as a true expert, regularly contributing her knowledge to TV, radio, and newspapers.

What began as a small home business has grown into one of the most recognised and awarded security companies in NSW. Nepean Regional Security now boasts a team of over 40 staff and a fleet of vehicles ready to meet all your security needs.

Comprehensive security services

Nepean Regional Security provides a wide range of services to ensure

your peace of mind:

Security guards: Certified and trained guards for static security, with qualifications including first aid, traffic control, and Responsible Service of Alcohol. Guards are available on an urgent, casual, or permanent basis.

Event security: Licensed personnel equipped for events of any size, from small gatherings to large festivals and sporting events.

Short-term services: Need security for just a few nights? Nepean Regional Security has you covered with short-notice personnel.

Specialised services: High-end options include concierge services, ambassador roles, and gatehouse duties.

Advanced technology and support Alarm services: From quotes to installation, servicing, and 24/7 monitoring, Nepean Regional Security ensures fast, reliable response times.

Mobile security cameras: Perfect for construction sites or event spaces, these cameras act as silent security

partners, keeping watch around the clock.

GPS locator devices: A unique offering that includes wearable devices with fall detection and SOS emergency functions, ensuring rapid action and precise location tracking.

Proven track record

Thanks to its expertise and professionalism, Nepean Regional Security has earned the trust of high-profile clients, including celebrities and movie sets.

When securing your business or event, trust the award-winning local team at Nepean Regional Security.

Contact them today!

Call: 4732 5369 or 0412 927 284 (24/7).

Visit: Unit 1, 42-46 Camden Street, Penrith.

Website: www.nepeanregionalse curity.com.au.

Choose Nepean Regional Secu rity for reliable, professional, and comprehensive security solutions!

Local presence, national coverage: Is your HR strategy up to speed?

It’s easy to let HR practices slide in the rush of day-to-day business operations. Suddenly, you might find yourself grappling with outdated agreements and employment practices that don’t quite hit the mark anymore. That’s where DreamStoneHR comes into the picture. With their deep understanding of the ever-changing business environment, they’re here to ensure that your HR practices are not just current but are driving the way for your company’s future growth.

DreamStoneHR stands out for its commitment to providing exceptional HR support that blends insightful thinking with practical solutions. They grasp the vital need for flexible, on-demand HR support tailored to meet the unique challenges of each client. Whether it’s ensuring compliance through their HR Audit Programs or finding the perfect team fit with Strategic Recruitment and Talent Search, DreamStoneHR covers all bases.

But their services don’t stop

there. They’re passionate about empowering employees through targeted Training and Development programs and boosting workplace

morale and performance through initiatives aimed at enhancing Culture and Employee Engagement. Understanding the hurdles that

businesses encounter, DreamStoneHR is all about offering effective strategies to navigate the complexities of workforce manage-

ment. They believe wholeheartedly that people are a company’s most valuable asset, and it’s essential to arm them with the tools and support needed for both personal and professional advancement.

The business is led by Managing Director Kylie Thomas, a seasoned HR professional with a rich career spanning various corporate roles across the Asia-Pacific. Kylie founded DreamStoneHR with a vision to provide bespoke support to small and medium-sized businesses. She is supported by a great team of experienced senior HR specialists and a dedicated Human Resources support team, all committed to delivering exceptional service and tailored HR solutions.

Protect your business and stay ahead of the latest legislation changes.

Turn your HR into a strategic asset with DreamStoneHR. Call them on 8320 9320 or visit www.dreamstonehr.com.au for a confidential chat today.

BUSINESS HEALTH CHECK

Building skills in civil construction

H&I Safety and training is a well-established earthmoving training company located in the western suburbs of Sydney. The training company was started back in 2014 by its founder Ian Sparkes after years of work as a Plant Manager for Tier 1 companies. With an Army background, Ian worked hard to ensure a viable and well-respected business ensuring his students were receiving exceptional training with the right equipment and expert training facility, which is located in Kingswood.

H&I Safety and Training conduct earthmoving tickets, site VOC assessments, HRW Licence including cranes, dogging, excavator, dumptrucks, confined space and much more. With over 50 different courses on scope, they can definitely train your employees up on a vast range of qualifications. Their trainers have a combined 30 years experience, operating and training in their industry so they receive expert advice, real life scenarios and in-depth practical training with a range of equipment.

Ian can also tailor your training to your needs, with modified assessments that work for you and your specialised business.

H&I Safety have seven trainers that can cater to your needs including issuing qualifications on the spot – even when assessing their students on site.

Mobile onsite training and site facility training is their speciality.

With two large training yards in the west, they have a vast range of plant machinery including four dumptrucks up to 40 tonne capacity, mobile cranes, excavators, watercarts, EWP and much more.

It’s great to have a training company that offers a vast range with its own equipment to complete your training.

Training ranges from experienced operators, wanting to upskill or RPL (recognised prior learning) to their novice inexperienced operator. Training courses start from two to three hours to five days. They also have a range of combo courses to help the student be more employable on paper including two,

three and four machine combos that help new starters get into the civil construction industry. Upon completion of their courses, the students are issued with a statement of attainment through their RTO partner – Civil Trained (RTO: 22585) which is owned by the training company H&I Safety and Training.

Booking is easy and the staff at H&I Safety are happy to discuss any special needs, requirements, and expert advice to ensure you choose

the right course for you and your team.

When wanting to book, call 8610 5937 or email training@hisafetyandtraining.com.au.

You can also visit www.hisafetyandtraining.com.au.

They have plenty of five star reviews and they are real. Reviews are important to any business. The capacity to learn is a GIFT, The ability to learn is a SKILL, the willingness to learn is a CHOICE.

Building Skills, Driving Safety, and Empowering Construction Teams

At H&I Safety and Training, we specialise in civil construction training, machiner y operation, and workplace safety. Our courses cover ever ything from excavators, loaders, and rollers to confined space entr y and working at heights. Based in Kingswood, NSW, we’re committed to building skilled, safety-conscious teams for Australia’s biggest projects. Ready to elevate your career? Get trained by the experts who put safety first. 18-20 Cox Avenue, Kingswood | 02 8610 5937 hisafetyandtraining.com.au | training@hisafetyandtraining.com.au

THE WAFFLE HOUSE INDEX

While summertime sees us visiting places like Penrith Beach and enjoying backyard BBQs, summer also brings natural disasters and we have already seen bushfires and floods across the country.

When a natural disaster strikes, communities often turn to local businesses to gauge the extent of damage and disruption. In the United States, one such business has become an unexpected barometer of disaster severity: Waffle House. The “Waffle House Index,” a term that was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) categorises the impact of a disaster based on the restaurant’s operational status:

• Green: Fully operational, serving the full menu. Indicates minimal damage and disruption.

• Yellow: Partially operational, serving a limited menu. Suggests significant damage or resource

constraints.

• Red: Closed. Signals severe damage or unsafe conditions.

By monitoring the status of Waffle House locations, emergency responders can quickly assess the severity of a disaster and allocate resources accordingly. This innovative approach has proven to be a valuable tool in disaster management.

So why Waffle House?

Waffle House’s robust infrastructure is a key factor in its ability to stay open during disasters.

Each store is designed and built with onsite generators for back up power. Emergency Water Storage with large water storage tanks. Stores and following a sturdy and durable construction process for extreme conditions. Waffle House also has a highly efficient supply chain to replenish stock along with highly trained staff who know what to do in case of emergencies. This makes it a valuable resource for communities during and

after disasters with the local restaurant often taking on the role of a recovery centre. So how can you make your business more resilient and better prepared for the next natural disaster event? You can start with the Small Business Commissioner, which has a disaster preparation toolkit to help business Get Ready for Disasters. These downloadable tools help:

1. Identify the Risk

SITE

NEWSLETTER

McCALL , Patricia

2.12.40 to 21.1.25

Aged 84 years ~ Late of Penrith Beloved mother of Martin & Stephen Cherished grandmother of Monique & Alex Great grandmother of Hugo Loving sister of Jean-Luc, Guy, Marc, Jeannine, Noella and Yolande Will be sadly missed by all The funeral service for Patricia will be held on Tuesday 4th February, 2025 at St Nicholas Catholic Church, Penrith at 11am

Industrial Subdivision at 771-797 Mamre Creek Road, Kemps Creek, NSW.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment –Registration of Interest

The GPT Group of Level 51, 25 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW, has commissioned Austral Archaeology Pty Ltd (Austral) to undertake an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) in regard to the consultation reinitiation for the industrial subdivision within 771-797 Mamre Road, (Lot 24, DP 258414 and Lot 23, DP 258414), Kemps Creek, NSW. On behalf of the proponent , Austral wishes to consult Aboriginal people to assist with a cultural heritage assessment which may result in an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP). Consultation is required to assist the Director General of the Department of Premier and C abinet (DPC ) in his or her consideration of the application. Consultation will be accordance with the DPC’s Consultation Requirements 2010 Par ties with cultural knowledge relevant to the significance of Aboriginal object(s) and/or place(s) are invited to register their interest . More information about the project will be provided after registration.

For more information please contact:

The GPT Group,

Diva Wilson, Level 51, 25 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000

Phone: 0451 029 711

Email: Diva.Wilson@gpt .com.au

To register, please contact Austral Archaeology

Lindsay Costigan, 601 Princes Highway, Yallah 253 0

Phone: 0402 745 058

Email: lindsayc@australarch.com.au

Registration closes 13/02 /202 5.

STEAMING UP THE STAGE IN PENRITH

Australia’s spunkiest entertainers are back on home turf, touring with a show so hot, it puts Penrith’s summer to shame.

Known as Thunder from Down Under in the United States, ManPower Australia is bringing chiselled bodies, seductive dance routines, cheeky humour, and boynext-door charm to the Penrith Panthers stage.

Dancer James Till is one of the men ready to entertain you, easy to spot at a towering 199 centimetres tall.

“I’ve come from very humble beginnings of working in a family business where we sold cars and trucks and I ran the dealership, and now here I am getting my kit off all across the

world,” Till said.

The salesman-turned-showman said his journey with ManPower started with a leap of faith and no formal dance training.

“There’s a preference for dancers in the selection process, but some people, like myself, don’t have a big dance background,” Till explained.

“At the time, I remember telling the bosses and owners that I’m not a dancer, but I have played an extensive career of sports and exercise, so I’m pretty coordinated and functional, and that was enough to get me over here.”

And by here, he meant Las Vegas and Nashville. The Aussie group has a 20-year residency at the Excalibur Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and a new residency at the Woolworth Theatre in Nashville.

The popularity of the show stems from its hands-on, yet tasteful approach.

“We drag women up on stage – not against their will, we always ask – and they’ll get a bit of a personalised experience in front of everyone else,” Till explained.

“There’s no age limit, anyone from 18 and up, we’ll take grandmas and great grandmas up on stage, or brides or divorcees, we’ve had all kinds of people, everyone’s welcome.

“I’ve had my brother, my dad, and my mum come to a show before – it is all in good taste and good fun.”

The Australian shows are more intimate than those in Vegas, with a group of five dancers and an emcee.

Till mentioned there are a few tricks to being noticed in the crowd.

“You can generally tell when someone’s the name of the night,” Till stated.

“If there’s someone wearing a birthday sash or freshly divorced or freshly married – basi-

cally someone who has all their friends pointing at them when we go out into the crowd – we tend to stick towards those women because if it’s their night and their friend’s want them to have a great time, we want them to have a great time too and make it special.”

And it turns out, Panthers is the ideal location.

“The Penrith show is very fun!” Till exclaimed.

“We did that last year, and the way that the theatre and the showroom is mapped out, it’s spread apart enough so that every single person gets that little bit of extra attention.”

See if you can spot Till – known as Jimmy on stage – by booking a ticket to see the show at www.penrith.panthers.com.au/event/ manpower-australia. There are two sessions at EVAN Theatre on Saturday, February 8 at 6pm and 9.30pm, and tickets cost $49.10.

ALLY HALL

VEUVE CLICQUOT

In the Sun

Enjoy sun soaked moments with champagne sips, Clicquotinspired canapes and a luxe oyster bar while dancing the day away on a superyacht.

Select Saturdays, 12:00-3:30pm

WHAT’S INCLUDED

» Up to 3.5hr Cruise

» A glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival

» Clicquot inspired canapes

» Top Sydney DJs

CHANDON HARBOUR

Sip, dine and soak in the sun with spirtz in hand on Sydney’s most luxurious superyacht.

Select Saturdays, 12:00-3:30pm

WHAT’S INCLUDED

» Up to 3.5hr Cruise

» Free-flowing Chandon bubbles or Altina nonalcohlic wine

» Long Lunch menu with canapes

» Live music

Catch the Live Race Day action with friends & colleagues in unmatched style.

Tuesday 5 Nov, 12:00-4:00pm

WHAT’S INCLUDED

» Up to 4hr Cruise

» Free-flowing Chandon bubbles

» 3-Course Lunch menu by Celebrity Chef

» 5m LED screens

» Entertainment and DJ

THINGS TO DO

Standing Strong at Blue Mountains Theatre

from $36 to $40 and are available at www.bluemountainstheatre.com.

BARGAIN BUYS

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

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

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

Penrith CBD Corporation

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

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi & Qiqong

Saturdays 4.30pm, WSU Kingswood Campus. Outside the Food Hub. Guan 0422 120 738.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

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

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

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

Psychic Cruise on the Nepean

Paddle Australia Canoe Freestyle Championships

If you have a hankering for scones and a psychic reading, you can get both of those things at the Nepean Belle Mystic River

Psychic Cruise. Have a 10-minute reading with one of the accomplished psychics onboard, and sip some of the Belle’s famous Devonshire Tea. Book your spot now for $79 at www. nepeanbelle.com.au/mystic-cruise.

from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Kingswood-Caddens Probus Club

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

Probus Club of Nepean

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

Penrith Lions Club

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

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

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

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

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

On February 1, Penrith Whitewater Stadium will host the 2025 Paddle Australia Canoe Freestyle National Championships. This exciting event promises an incredible showcase of skill and passion for paddling enthusiasts of all levels. A ticket to the event costs $20 to $25 and can be booked online at www. paddle.org.au/calendar/calendar-competition-events.

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

Penrith NASHOS

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

Nepean Evening VIEW Club

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Nepean Food Services

Delivered meals available to purchase for those over 65 or with a disability. Call 4733 7200 for details or visit www.nepeanfoodservices.org.au.

Free food shop

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

MUSEUMS

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

Arms of Australia Inn

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group Third Thursday of the month at 10am, Panthers. 1300 650 594.

Penrith Carer Support Group

First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

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

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

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

NOW ON

A super group of musicians will hit the stage at Blue Mountains Theatre this Saturday, February 1, launching the 2025 concert season. The Standing Strong Band will celebrate country, culture and language alongside Ray Dimakarri Dixon and Stuart Joel Nuggett. Tickets range

WAYNE’S W RLD

with Wayne Tunks

I’ve been very fortunate over the past few years to visit the US several times to attend film festivals, and one of my favourite things to do while there is go to concerts. I’ve managed to see some really great shows that rank as some of my favourite of all time.

In 2019, I had two of my best concert experiences within two nights. The first night I went with my good mate Nathan to Central Park where we saw the B52s, supported by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and Berlin. What a show. It was a perfect September evening to be amongst a very full crowd in New York’s most famous park. I’d never seen the B52s before, and it was a fun show filled with their biggest hits, and they even had a giant rock lobster join them onstage. It was a camp old night.

The following night I

headed to the Brooklyn Opera House to see Madonna’s Madame X tour. I am a Madonna obsessive and this was an amazing intimate concert tour. I was seated the closest I’d been at a Madonna concert and

the show was a complete feast for the eyes and ears. Hearing ‘Like a Prayer’ echo through the Opera House was truly a wondrous experience.

In 2023, I bought a ticket to Melissa Etheridge’s one woman show on Broadway.

She told her life story whilst playing her songs. It was an amazing gig, and even though I was in the second last row, I still had a good seat. I was up dancing with my seat mates and new friends, two teachers from Philadelphia, during the encore, when I had a tap on my shoulder. I thought I was about to be yelled at. Instead, it was Melissa Etheridge’s wife telling me she loved watching me have a great time during the show and gave me six signed guitar picks. Naturally I gave two each to my Philadelphia friends and kept two myself. Gonna be hard to top that concert experience.

And my trip last year, I went to Vegas and had to experience a residency, seeing Maroon 5. Another great show. Hoping to head back in September to the US, will have to see who’s playing and who I can see.

At the movies...

Get the popcorn, don’t take things too seriously and strap in for a 90 minute joy flight.

That’s the best way to prepare for ‘Flight Risk’, which isn’t about to win any Academy Awards, but serves as an entertaining flick with a touch of tension, and plenty of laughs.

The Mel Gibson directed flick stars Michelle Dockery as a US Marshall tasked with escorting a key witness from Alaska back to Seattle.

All seems normal when the over-the-top pilot (never named, but played

by Mark Wahlberg) enters the cockpit. But Dockery and that witness, Winston (Topher Grace) start to suspect something isn’t right, and when the pilot’s flight credentials fall into Winston’s view and he sees it’s not the right person, the action really begins.

From here we watch a cat and mouse battle of sorts, for control of the plane and Winston himself. More importantly, can Dockery land the flight on her own, with just a little help from Hasan, a flirty pilot on the ground who lends his assis-

‘Flight Risk’ could have just been discarded a dumb movie, where the

the

www.hoyts.com.au

tension never really lifts off the base line. But the comedic elements, thanks to Winston’s one-liners,

pilot’s antics and Hasan on the ground, give it a little boost that makes it an entertaining ride.

Nothing spectacular here, but a decent 90 minute thrill ride.

– Troy Dodds

MAXI TRANSP ORT

COUNTRY CORNER

home Female Artist of the Year while her hit song ‘A Little More Country’ won Single of the Year, which she also performed during the evening.

19-year-old former Tamworth local Lane Pittman received his first ever Golden Guitar award taking home New Talent of the Year.

Former Toyota Star Maker and one of the world’s most celebrated and well-respected musicians, Keith Urban, attended the evening to accept his induction into the prestigious Australian Country Music Roll of Renown honour, which recognises extraordinary creative contributions to the Australian country music industry.

The pinnacle of Australian country music, the 53rd Toyota Golden Guitar Awards, was celebrated last weekend in Tamowrth, honouring top artists and emerging stars within the industry.

Troy Cassar-Daley (pictured above) won multiple awards, picking up the 2025 Toyota Album of the Year Award and Alt/Americana Country Album of the Year, with his coveted 2024 album ‘Between The Fires’, which was produced by Matt Simpson and co-produced by Cassar-Daley himself.

Cassar-Daley was also named Male Artist of the Year for 2025, keeping his title as the most awarded country music artist in Australia, now boasting an incredible 45 Golden Guitar Awards.

Urban also picked up the 2025 Golden Guitar Award for top-selling Australian Album for 2024 for ‘High’.

Chairman of the Country Music Association of Australia, Dobe Newton, said: “On behalf of the Board of the Country Music Association of Australia, I would like to congratulate tonight’s winners, nominees and everyone who brought the Toyota 53rd Golden Guitar Awards show to life.”

Guests were treated to a moving performance by Cassar-Daley of his hit song ‘Some Days’, which was awarded Song of the Year. While ‘Windradyne’ was recognised as Heritage Song of the Year.

2022 Toyota Star Maker and Tamworth Country Music Festival Ambassador, Max Jackson (pictured right), took home two trophies while hosting the evening, taking

Nathan Taylor

TV NEWS

Ê The new season of ‘Australian Idol’ will kick off this Sunday, February 2 at 7pm. Kyle Sandilands, Amy Shark and Marcia Hines return to the judging panel this season along with usual hosts Ricki-Lee Coulter and Scott Tweedie. I’ve been lucky enough to watch the first three episodes and the talent I’ve seen so far is unbelievable! I feel ‘Idol’ has really found its groove again over at Channel Seven and I can’t wait to see how it plays out over the coming months.

Ê Another one of my favourite reality shows is just around the corner, with ‘Australian Survivor: Brains v Brawns II’ set to premiere on Monday, February 17 on 10. With Jonathan LaPaglia at the helm, castaways will go head-to-head in Samoa for an epic 10th season where both tribes will attempt to Outwit, Outplay and Outlast each other to take home the title of Sole Survivor, as well as a $500,000 cash prize. This season doctors, poker players, Olympic sprinters, AFL Wags, teachers and a witch will be among the contestants battling it out.

Ê IVF series ‘Big Miracles’ is returning to Channel Nine on Wednesday, February 5 for its third season, narrated again by

FEBRUARY 17

AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: BRAINS V BRAWNS II, 10

FEBRUARY 2 7PM AUSTRALIAN IDOL, SEVEN

Lisa McCune. This season includes former ‘Gogglebox’ and ‘Bachelorette’ star Angie Kent, who is determined to have a baby on her own despite facing multiple fertilityrelated conditions. Filmed over the course of four years and documenting the physical, financial and emotional road to parenthood, this powerful series demonstrates the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

Ê Six-part UK detective series ‘Ludwig’, starring David Mitchell, premieres on Channel Seven on Wednesday, February 5 at 8.30pm. Puzzle setter John “Ludwig” Taylor’s life is upended when his identical twin, DCI James Taylor, disappears. John reluctantly assumes his identity in order to track him down.

Ê Hit US mockumentary ‘St. Denis Medical’ is coming to Channel Seven on Monday, February 3 at 9.15pm. Starring Australian actor Josh Lawson, the incredibly charming and laugh-out-loud 13-episode mockumentary goes behind the scenes of an underfunded,

understaffed hospital in Oregon, where the dedicated doctors and nurses try their best to treat patients while maintaining their own sanity. ‘St. Denis Medical’ has already been renewed for a second season.

Ê Sad news over at Paramount+ with the revival of ‘Frasier’ getting the chop after just two seasons. However, it might not all be over for the hilarious Kelsey Grammer series, with CBS Studios currently shopping the program to other platforms. Fingers crossed we at least get another season or two!

Ê Channel Nine has signed a 10-year multi-platform media rights and sponsorship agreement with Swimming Australia through to 2034. Nine’s coverage will feature across streaming, broadcast, publishing and audio for the annual Swimming Australia calendar that includes the Australian Swimming Trials for the Olympics and Paralympics plus the Australian Short Course Championships, Australian Age Championships and Australian Open Championships.

TV Guide: January 31 – February 6

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Planet America (PG) 10:30 Take 5 With Zan Rowe 11:00 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Silent Witness (M l) 3:00 Forever Summer With Nigella 3:25 Grand Designs (PG) 4:15 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:00 A Bite To Eat With Alice 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Monty Don’s Secret History Of The British Garden 8:30 Silent Witness (M l) 10:15 Optics (PG) 10:45 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 12:00 Seven Noon News 1:00 Air Crash Investigations - The Accident Files (PG) 2:00 Cricket: Pre-Game 2:30 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 2: Australia v England *Live* 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens Summer 8:30 Movie: “Pretty Woman” (M l) (’90) Stars: Julia Roberts 11:05 TBA 12:20 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters (PG) 6:00 Today 9:00 Today Extra (PG) 11:30 NINE News Morning 12:00 Married At First Sight (M l,s) 1:30 Mr Mayor (PG) 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 4:30 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 5:30 WIN News 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Taronga - Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Intern” (PG) (’15) Stars: Robert De Niro 11:00 Movie: “Inside Man” (MA15+) (’06) Stars: Denzel Washington 9:00 Lingo (PG) 10:00 Judge Judy (PG) 10:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) 12:00 Farm To Fork 12:30 Family Feud (PG) 1:00 10 News First: Lunchtime 2:00 Wheel Of Fortune 2:30 Lingo (PG) 3:30 10 News First: Afternoon 4:00 Family Feud (PG) 4:30 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG) 5:00 10 News First 6:00 Deal Or No Deal (PG) 6:30 The Project (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Bumblebee” (M v) (’18) Stars: Hailee Steinfeld 9:50 10’s Late

3:30 Ready, Steady, Wiggle! 4:05 Tish Tash 4:25 Nella The Princess Knight 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 Octonauts 7:05 Gardening Australia Junior 7:35 Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures

9:00 rage (PG) 10:30

Programmer (PG) 12:00 ABC

10:30 House

(PG) 11:50 Back With The Ex (PG) 1:00 My Kitchen Rules (PG) 4:15 A Moveable Feast 4:35 Bondi Vet (PG) 5:35 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 7:00 Movie: “Uncle Buck” (PG) (’89) Stars: John Candy 4:35 Motown Magic 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:35 Tales From Zambia 7:30 Movie: “The Witches” (PG) (’90) Stars: Anjelica Huston 9:10 Movie: “The Witches Of Eastwick” (M) (’87) Stars: Jack Nicholson

8:30 Jake And The Fatman 9:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 11:30 JAG (PG) 1:30 Star Trek - Voyager (PG) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 10:20 NCIS: New Orleans (M) 1:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 2:00 Becker (PG) 2:30 Frasier (PG) 3:30 Rules Of Engagement (PG) 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30

2:05 Doctor Who (PG) 3:35 Speechless (PG) 4:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 4:30 MythBusters (PG) 5:20 Love Your Garden 6:10 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 QI (PG) 8:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 5:30 Foodwise (In English/ Mandarin) 6:00 Rick Stein’s Food Heroes 6:30 Return To River Cottage 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Andi Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts 8:30 A Cotswold Farm Shop 9:30 Hairy Bikers Comfort Food 4:20 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:45 PBS News Hour 5:45 Alone - The Skills Challenge (PG) 6:10 LootBlood Treasure (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 2:30 The Nanny (PG) 3:30 Seinfeld (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Hobbit The Desolation Of Smaug” (PG) (’13) Stars: Peter Jackson

Saturday 1 February

12:30 Beyond Paradise (M) 1:30 Optics (PG) 2:00 Back Roads (PG) 2:30 Croc Watch With Steve Backshall (PG) 3:20 Australia Day *Replay* 5:30 Eat The Invaders (PG) 6:00 Dr Karl’s How Things Work 6:30 Back Roads (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Beyond Paradise (M) 8:30 Vera (M v) 11:35 rage Guest Programmer (M) 12:00 Cycling: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race: Elite Women’s Road Race *Live* 2:00 Cricket: Pre-Game 2:30 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 3: Australia v England *Live* 4:30 Tea Break 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Proposal” (PG) (’09) Stars: Sandra Bullock 9:50 Movie: “A Knight’s Tale” (M v) (’01) Stars: Heath Ledger

3:00 Play School 3:30 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 4:35 Little J And Big Cuz 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:40 Play School Show Time 5:55 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:25 Octonauts: Above

10:00 Today Extra - Saturday 12:00 Destination WA (PG) 12:30 Attenborough’s Wonder Of Song 1:30 Movie: “The Dust Factory” (PG) (’04) Stars: Hayden Panettiere 3:30 Taronga - Who’s Who In The Zoo (PG) 4:30 Explore TV 5:00 NINE News: First At Five 5:30 Country House Hunters Australia 6:00 NINE News Saturday 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Elvis” (M l) (’22) Stars: Tom Hanks 10:35 Becoming Madonna (PG) 9:00 My Market Kitchen 9:30 The Drew Barrymore Show (PG) 10:00 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass 10:30 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) 12:00 Australia By Design 12:30 Exploring Off The Grid 1:30 The Yes Experiment 2:00 Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures 3:00 What’s Up Down Under 3:30 Farm To Fork 4:00 My Market Kitchen 4:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 5:00 10 News First 6:30 The Dog House Australia (PG) 8:30 The Dog House UK (PG) 12:00 Worldwatch 1:00

4:30 Counting Cars (PG) 5:00 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 3: Australia v England *Live* 7:00 Dinner Break 7:30 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 3: Australia v England *Live* 2:00 The Food Trail 3:00 Mesmerised 3:30 Motorsport: Bathurst 12hr *Live* 4:30 Travel And Eat With Dan & Steph 5:00 A Moveable Feast 5:30 Movie: “A Dog’s Way Home” (PG) (’19) Stars: Ashley Judd 7:30 Movie: “Grown Ups 2” (PG) (’13) 4:30 Strait To The Plate (PG) 5:00 Spirit Talker (M) 5:30 Ice Cowboys (PG) 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 The Other Side (PG) 7:30 Alone Australia (M l) 8:30 Movie: “Friday The 13th” (MA15+) (’80) Stars: Betsy Palmer

7:00 Spicks And Specks (PG) 7:30 QI (PG) 8:00 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (NZ) (PG) 5:30 Silvia’s Italian Masterclass 6:00 Patti’s Mexican Table 6:30 Jimmy’s Taste Of Florida 7:30 Billy And Dom Eat The World 8:30 Rick Stein: From Venice To Istanbul 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 10:30 Eater’s Guide To The World

3:30 JAG (PG) 4:30 Football: Isuzu Ute ALeague Men: Round 17: Sydney FC v Adelaide United *Live* 7:00 Football Tonight 7:25 Football: Isuzu Ute ALeague Men: Round 17: Central Coast Mariners v Newcastle Jets *Live* 10:00 NCIS (M)

11:30 How We Roll (PG) 12:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 2:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 3:00 Friends (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:30 Frasier (PG) 11:30 Ridiculousness (PG)

2:55 Celebrity Mastermind (PG) 3:55 BBC News At Ten 4:25 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:55 PBS News Hour 5:55 The Food That Built The World (PG) 7:35 Impossible Engineering (PG) 8:30 Icons Unearthed (M l,v) 1:30 Young Sheldon (PG) 2:30 Surfing Australia TV 3:00 Surf Boat Tsunami (PG) 4:00 Rugby Sevens Series Highlights Show 5:10 Movie: “The Flintstones” (G) (’94) Stars: John Goodman 7:00 Movie: “Trolls World Tour” (G) (’20) Stars: Anna Kendrick 3:00 Movie: “I’ll Take Sweden” (G) (’65) Stars: Tuesday Weld 5:00 Movie: “Some Like It Hot” (PG) (’59) Stars: Marilyn Monroe 7:30 Movie: “The Man In The Iron Mask” (M v) (’98) Stars: Leonardo Di Caprio 10:00 TBA

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 Insiders 10:00 Offsiders 10:30 The World This Week 11:00 Compass (PG) 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Landline 1:00 New Leash On Life 1:30 Gardening Australia 2:30 Monty Don s History Of The British Garden 3:30 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:15 Extraordinary Escapes (PG) 5:00 Maggie Beer’s Big Mission 6:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Muster Dogs (PG) 6:00 NBC Today 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show (PG) 11:00 Cycling: Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race: Elite Men’s Road Race *Live* 2:00 Cricket: Pre-Game 2:30 Cricket: The Women’s Ashes: Day 4: Australia v England *Live* 4:30 Tea Break 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Australian Idol (PG) 8:50 Billy Joel Live At Madison Square Garden (PG) 10:00 For The Love Of Pets (PG) 11:00 Maritime Masters - Expedition Antarctica (PG) 12:00 Fishing Australia 12:30 The Pet Rescuers (PG) 1:00 Swimming: Australian Open Water Championships Highlights 1:30 Movie: “Much Ado About Nothing” (PG) (’93) Stars: Richard Briers 3:50 David Attenborough’s Green Planet 5:00 NINE News: First At Five 5:30 Postcards (PG) 6:00 NINE News Sunday 7:00 Married At First Sight (M l,s) 8:40 60 Minutes 10:30 The Chef’s Garden 11:00 Luxury Escapes 11:30 Buy To Build 12:00 I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! (PG) 1:30 Cook With Luke 2:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 2:30 NBL: Round 19: Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats *Live*

v

12:30 Zumbo’s Just Desserts (PG) 1:40 The Voice (PG) 3:30 Movie: “A Dog’s Way Home” (PG) (’19) Stars: Ashley Judd 5:30 Dr Harry’s Animal Encounters 6:30 Puppy School 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M) 8:30 Law & Order: SVU (M s,v) 5:10 Stompem Ground 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 Queer & Here (M v) 7:00 Great Lakes Wild (PG) 7:30 Our Law (M l) 8:40 Movie: “After Sherman” (PG) (’22) Star: Norvel Goff Sr. 10:15 Movie: “Beasts Of The Southern Wild” (M) (’12)

12:00 Exploring Off The Grid (PG) 1:00 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 2:00 JAG (PG) 3:00 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 4:00 What’s Up Down Under 4:30 NBL: Round 19: Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers *Live* 6:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 9:00 Frasier (PG) 10:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 11:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 2:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 3:00 Friends (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:00 Frasier (PG) 11:00

5:45 Domino Masters: Qualifiers: Sports Night (PG) 6:40 Abandoned Engineering (M) 8:30 The UnXplained With William Shatner (MA15+)

2:30 Young Sheldon (PG) 3:00 Movie: “Flight Of The Navigator” (G) (’86) Stars: Joey Cramer 5:00 Movie: “Short Circuit” (PG) (’86) Stars: Fisher Stevens 7:00 Movie: “Three Amigos” (PG) (’86) Stars: Steve Martin

1:50 Movie: “The Constant Husband” (G) (’55) Stars: Rex Harrison 3:40 Movie: “The Honey Pot” (G) (’67) Stars: Rex Harrison 6:30 M*A*S*H (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Monuments Men” (M l,v) (’14) Stars: George Clooney Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Get Macca’s® delivered.

4:05 Tish Tash 4:25 Nella The Princess Knight 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Fireman Sam 6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 Octonauts 7:00 The Deep

3:00 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC

(PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

4:05 Tish Tash 4:25 Nella The Princess Knight 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Fireman Sam 6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 Octonauts 7:00 The Deep 3:10 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien 6:00 ABC News Hour 7:00

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

4:05 Tish Tash 4:25 Nella The Princess Knight 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Fireman Sam 5:55 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:25 Octonauts 7:00 The Deep 3:10 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon

(PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 Elsbeth (M v) 8:30 NCIS (M v) 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Hot Fuzz” (MA15+) (’07)

4:00 Beachfront Bargain Hunt 5:00 Chateau DIY 6:00 House Hunters International 6:30 House Hunters USA 7:30 Home Town (PG)

3:35 Movie: “Sea Devils” (G) (’37) Stars: Yvonne De Carlo 5:30 Our Yorkshire Farm (PG) 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 To The Manor Born 12:00 ABC News 1:00 The Newsreader (M) 2:00 Parliament Question Time 3:00

3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (M l,s,v)

You

C addens

C addens News (C addens Corner)

Woolworths

C ambridge Gardens

Coles

McDonald's

Overlander Hotel

C ambridge Park

C ambridge Park Newsagency Cellarbations

Friendly Grocer

C astlereagh

Ampol Ser vice Station

Claremont Meadows

Iga Claremont Meadows

Coly ton

Coly ton Centre Pharmacy

Coly ton Friendly Grocer

Coly ton Hotel

Coly ton Newsagency

Hewitt Street Takeaway

Cranebrook

Aldi Cranebrook

Cranebrook Community Health

Cranebrook Village

McDonald's

Mother Earth Nurser y Plus Pharmacy

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

McDonald's

Penrith Regional Galler y Woolworths Lennox Village

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Gre at Western Highway)

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Old Bathurst Rd)

Emu Height s

Super Save Compounding Chemis t

Erskine Park

Ashcroft’s Iga

Erskine Park Ctc

G lenmore Park

Coles

Mags News

McDonald's

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

J amisontown

Abcoe

Atmosphere Fitness Signature Gym

B att Street Take Away

Grey Gums Hotel

Har vey Norman

New On York Takeaway

Parrabey Gourmet Kitchen

(Penrith Homemaker)

Patt y’s Place

S alt C afé (Penrith Homemaker)

S hell Ser vice Station

The Coffee Club Nepean River

Three Sugars C afé

We stern Weekender

York Takeaway

Zoo Fitness

7/ 11 Jamisontow n

Jordan Springs

Brooks Tavern

Jordan Springs Newsagency

Woolworths

Kemps Creek

C altex Ser vice Station

Kemps Creek Bowling Club

Kingswood

B arista Bar Coff ee Shop

(Nepean Private Hospital)

Countr y Brewer

Hallani’s

Kingswood Hotel

Kingswood Newsagency

Kingswood Smash Repairs

Kingswood Sports Club

Penrith Gaels Club

Volunteers Desk Nepean Hospital

7/ 11 Kingswood

Leonay

Emu Sports Club

Grow C afé (formerly Willow Tree C afé)

Llandilo

IGA

Londonderr y

Londonderr y Liquor Store

S hell X Roads

Luddenham

Au stralia Pos t IGA Luddenham

Minchinbur y McDonald's

Minchinbur y Fruit Market

Mulgoa

Glenmore Heritage Golf Club

Mulgoa Newsagency

Mulgoa Pharmacy

Nor th St Mar ys

Boronia House (Retirement Community)

MFC Food Stores

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris C are & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Astina

Atmosphere Gym

Au stralian Arms

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley C afé)

Brisket Boys

Ca fé Fre d

C altex Coreen Avenue

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles ( We stfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mar t

High Street Pies

Hoyt s Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Liquor Stax Pe achtree

McDonald's High Street

McDonald's Panthers Le agues

McDonald's Pe achtree

Mercure Hotel

Museum Of Fire

Nepean Aquatic Centre

Nepean Motor Group C afé

Nepean Rowing Club

Nepean Village Coffee Club

Nepean Village Newsagency

Nextra Westfield

O ffice of Karen McKeown MP

One Point Health

Panthers Le agues Club

Pe achtree Hotel

Penrith Bowling Club

Penrith CBD Corporation

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Librar y

Penrith Golf Club

Penrith Hotel

Penrith Paceway

Penrith RSL

Penrith Senior Citizens’ Centre

Pioneer Tavern

RE/MAX

Sittano s Restaurant

Tattersalls Hotel

The Chicken Run

The Heritage Terrace C afé

The Log C abin

We stfield

World Gym

7/ 11 Henr y Street

Regentville

7/ 11 Regentville

Ropes Crossing

Coles

Ropes Crossing Newsagency

Silverdale

Mobil Ser vice Station

The Chemist Shop

S outh Penrith

Budget Ser vice Station

Fish Fish

Friendly Grocer

Grose’s Pharmacy

Southlands Newsagency

Woolworths

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

St Clair Blue

Librar

St Mar ys

s Corner Store

Ampol Foodar y Astley Pharmacy C assand ra’s On Queen

Cr ystal C afé

Guido’s Hair C are

Jayam Supermarket

Monfar ville Corner Store

Queen St Newsagency

St Mar ys Band Club

St Mar ys Fish Market

St Mar ys Le agues Club

St Mar ys Librar

McDonald's St Mar ys South

As most interior designers will attest, maximising natural light can transform the look and feel of a space, creating a warm and inviting home that’s filled with energy.

Whether you’re updating a single room or designing your dream home there’s some design factors and practical ideas worth considering that can help make the most of natural light to enhance your home and impact your mood and wellbeing positively.

Sarah Jobse, the creative force behind Oak & Orange and a trusted partner of Andersens, shares her top tips for making the most of natural light.

“Once you have identified your light challenges, you can start to make a plan of how to address them,” she said.

“A room might feel dark due to the orientation of your home, or it could be that there’s a large tree outside blocking sunlight entering the windows. Understanding the cause of the problem can help find a solution. There are also practical options such as choosing the right colours, textures and reflective surfaces to create an illusion of more space and light.”

Windows not only let in light and

fresh air, they also offer views that connect interior living spaces with the outdoors. The key to bringing in more light is choosing window treatments that amplify, rather than block, natural sunlight. Striking a balance between light and privacy can be challenging, but lightweight, sheer curtains are perfect for filtering sunlight while still providing privacy.

space without the harsh glare and at the same time add a stylish touch. For rooms like the living area or kitchen, where you might need more control over light and privacy, consider dual roller blinds that feature both sheer and blackout layers. In addition to choosing the right window treatments, the type of flooring you select plays a crucial role in enhancing natural light. Light timber floors, such as oak or bamboo, can reflect sunlight, making your rooms feel more spacious and inviting. When the same flooring extends throughout the area, it creates a seamless look that enhances the sense of openness and light.

“Natural light is one of the most valuable assets in any home. Choosing window treatments that allow light to filter through, like light-filtering blinds or sheer curtains, can completely transform a room,” Jobse said. Roller blinds are another versatile option for those seeking a minimalist look without sacrificing functionality. Opt for light-filtering fabrics that gently diffuse sunlight, brightening up the

According to Jobse: “Lighter-toned flooring, such as oak or pale laminate, can work wonders in amplifying natural light in a space. It reflects sunlight beautifully, creating a sense of openness and airiness.”

Beyond colour, the materials you select for both window treatments and flooring can significantly influence the amount of natural light in your home. Incorporating materials with reflective surfaces, such as polished tiles or highgloss laminate, can enhance the light in your home.

106/36-46 Cowper Street, Parramatta

One Bed Unit

Open: Sat, 10-10:30am | Auction: Sat, 8th Feb |10:00am

Approx 350m to the train station & 750m to Westfield.

One bedroom apartment offfering: -Combined living and dining space

facing balcony

1503/36-46 Cowper Street, Parramatta

Two Bed Unit

Open: Sat, 10-10:30am | Auction: Sat, 8th Feb | 10:30am

Positioned on level 15 with district views, this modern 2 bedroom home offers:

-West facing with district views -Open plan kitchen with gas cooking -2 bedrooms with built-in robes

-Ensuite bathroom in master bedroom -30 day settlement -10% deposit on exchange

CONTACT AGENT FOR PRICE

3 1 3

OPEN FOR INSPECTION: Saturday, February 1

10.00am – 10.30am CONTACT:

LJ Hooker Penrith Ross Heidtmann • 0407 113 039 rheidtmann.penrith@ljhooker.com.au

A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN IN A QUIET PART OF TOWN

What is so great about this property?

This picturesque property offers a charming home set amongst five tranquil flood free acres just a short 10-minute drive to the heart of Penrith.

Set well back from the road on the high side of the street this solid brick homestead features three generously sized bedrooms plus office to the master, with high ceilings throughout. The home has been recently renovated throughout with fresh paint, new flooring and the new country-style kitchen with stainless steel appliances and stone

benchtops, not forgetting the fresh new bathroom with floor to ceiling tiles leaving nothing to do accept move in.

In addition there is a large living area plus bar with slow combustion fire that leads to a large separate dining. From every window internally you can see the beautiful rural outlook with wrap-around verandas and mountain views from the front of the home.

This amazing homestead offers many options for many different buyers, with the addition of detached double garage and carport, plus a second storage

shed or large workshop leaving plenty of options for all the buyers.

Who does this property suit?

Impeccably presented and nestled in the blue-ribbon

enclave of Castlereagh, this property combines idyllic acreage living with extensive infrastructure. Surrounded by quality residences, this estate is ideal for those seeking a rural retreat with the potential to make it your own.

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

PR ICES START FROM $554, 50 0

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

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

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

impression

WhatsApp has become an integral part of our communication with friends and family. While it’s a simple and intuitive app, a few hidden gems and lesser-known features can significantly enhance your WhatsApp experience. Here are some of the settings I have configured.

Optimising your WhatsApp experience

• Dark mode: Enabling Dark Mode can reduce eye strain, especially in low-light conditions. This feature is available on iOS and Android devices.

• Notification preferences: You can mute specific chats, turn off notification sounds, or prioritise essential conversations.

• Customising chat themes: Customise your chat themes to add a personal touch.

• Font size and style: You can adjust the font size and style to suit your reading preferences.

• Smart media downloads:

WhatsApp can be a data hog –choose what gets downloaded on mobile data, Wi-Fi, or roaming.

• Track your data usage: WhatsApp has an integrated data usage tracker, allowing you to see a breakdown of data usage related to messages, media, calls, and more.

• Manage storage by contact or group: This allows you to discover which contacts or groups consume the most storage on your phone.

• Backup settings: Regularly back up your chats to Google Drive or iCloud.

Efficient messaging

• Quick replies: Save time by creating quick replies for frequently used phrases. This is especially useful for customer service or support roles.

• Scheduled messages: Plan your messages and schedule them to be sent at a specific

time. This is perfect for birthday wishes or reminders.

• Disappearing messages: You can set messages to disappear after a certain period.

• Delete or edit sent messages: You can delete or edit any message within 15 minutes of sending it.

• View once temporary messages: Send messages that will not stick around once viewed

• Mark as unread: Mark impor-

tant messages as unread to keep track of them.

• Optimise WhatsApp calls: WhatsApp calls are convenient, but if you’re concerned about data usage, enable “Use less data for calls”.

Privacy and security features

• Two-step verification: Enabling two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your account. This requires a PIN in addition to your phone number.

• Privacy settings: Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your profile picture, status, and last seen.

• Fingerprint/Face ID lock: Protect your chats with biometric authentication. This prevents unauthorised access to your conversations. Mastering these tips and tricks can elevate your WhatsApp experience and make you a true WhatsApp whiz. Remember, the app constantly evolves, so watch for new features and updates.

Schools are back for 2025 next week… which means it’s time to get back into the routine of school and after school activities. Here’s yet another reason to prioritise children’s swimming lessons – did you know that children who are learning to swim also do better at school?

A study conducted by Griffith University suggests that swimming children are not

SCHOOL,

only safer, but smarter. The research conducted over four years concluded that children who swim demonstrate more advanced cognitive and physical abilities than other children and indicates that swimming children have many advantages when starting school. Lead researcher Professor Robyn Jorgensen said: “While we expected the children to show better physical development

and perhaps be more confident through swimming, the results in literacy and numeracy really shocked us. The children were anywhere from six to 15 months ahead of the normal population when it came to cognitive skills, problem solving in mathematics, counting, language and following instructions.”

In addition to achieving physical milestones faster, the swimming children scored significantly better in visual-motor skills such as cutting paper, colouring in and drawing lines and shapes. Professor Jorgensen added: “On average, these children were 11 months ahead of the normal population in Oral Expression, six months ahead in Mathematics Reasoning and two months ahead in Brief Reading. Most amazing was the difference in Story Recall (17 months ahead) and Understanding Directions (20 months ahead).”

We have some morning swimming lesson places opening up at both of our centres as our

preschoolers go off to kindergarten, so now is the perfect time to book your baby, toddler or preschooler into weekday morning lessons. Mornings are very focused on young children, with no school aged children in the centre, and set your child up for a good lunch and afternoon rest after the exercise and mental stimulation swimming lessons provides. Many children and parents will also experience their first school swimming carnival in the coming weeks. Encourage your child to take the plunge – a high student participation rate makes for a fun and exciting day for all, and with the number of children reaching the 50m freestyle swimming milestone declining, it is sad to see less competitors in these races each year.

Good luck to all! If your children are not yet in swimming lessons, make this your year to start their swimming journey and begin to work towards the recommended swimming milestones!

SHOULD YOU EXERCISE DURING CANCER CARE?

For many, chemotherapy is a daunting part of cancer treatment, often accompanied by fatigue, nausea, and weakened physical health. Amid these challenges, exercise might seem counterintuitive, but research increasingly shows that physical activity during chemotherapy is not only safe but also highly beneficial.

Chemotherapy takes a toll on the body, leading to a decline in muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, and overall energy levels.

Exercise can counteract these effects, helping patients maintain physical function and improve their quality of life. Activities such as walking, light strength training, and yoga are particularly well suited for individuals undergoing treatment.

One of the primary benefits of exercise during chemotherapy is its ability to combat cancer-related fatigue. Unlike rest, which may exacerbate feelings of tiredness, moderate physical activity increases energy levels

suggests that exercise may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy. By improving blood flow and reducing inflammation, physical activity could potentially help chemotherapy drugs reach tumors more effectively. While this area of research is still developing, it offers promising insights into the integration of exercise into cancer care. Of course, safety is paramount. Exercise programs should be tailored to each individual’s condition, considering factors such as the type of cancer, treat

INCOME STREAMS IN RETIREMENT EXPLAINED

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

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

An account-based pension, also known as an allocated pension, is by far the most common income stream. Account-based pensions are offered by most superannuation providers and there is a wide array and choice of funds.

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

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

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

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

Annuities pay you a set income

and a portion of your investment you would like back at the end of the period. The annuity company will pay you a pre-determined pension for the designated time frame.

You are also able to select a lifetime pension, in which you receive an income for the rest of your life. The newer lifetime annuities offer guaranteed payment terms, periods you can access your funds and other options that weren’t available in earlier life time annuities.

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

The weakness of annuities is that they typically have lower

THE IMPORTANCE OF CAT VACCINATIONS

Vaccinations are vital for your cat’s health, protecting them from potentially fatal diseases and reducing the spread of infections within the feline community. As we emerge from the challenges of a recent vaccine shortage, it’s important to revisit why vaccination schedules matter and how veterinarians are addressing the situation.

Why vaccinations matter

Vaccinating your cat not only protects them but also helps safeguard other cats in your community. By stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies, vaccines prevent serious diseases and reduce the risk of outbreaks. For boarding requirements, vaccinations must be administered at least two weeks before admission, so planning ahead is crucial.

Feline Infectious Enteritis (Feline Panleucopenia): This highly contagious and deadly disease affects cats of all ages, but kittens are particularly vulner-

able. Symptoms include sudden onset fever, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and in some cases, sudden death. Pregnant cats may also face complications, and surviving cats can become carriers of the virus, posing ongoing risks to others.

Feline Respiratory Disease (Cat Flu): Caused by viruses such as Feline Herpes Virus 1 (FHV1) and Feline Calicivirus (FVC), this

condition leads to symptoms akin to a severe cold, including sneezing, eye or nasal discharge, fever, and ulcers. Severe cases may result in permanent damage to the eyes or lungs, and untreated infections can be fatal.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This virus spreads through fighting or grooming and compromises a cat’s immune system, leaving them susceptible

to other illnesses and cancers. It’s akin to an immunodeficiency syndrome in humans and poses a significant health risk. Other vaccinations may also protect against Feline Chlamydia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), depending on your cat’s lifestyle and exposure risks. While the vaccine shortage has eased, its effects highlight the importance of maintaining an up-to-date vaccination schedule. If your cat’s vaccinations were delayed, consult your veterinarian to determine the best path forward. Delays may require additional doses to restore immunity, particularly if your cat is overdue or preparing for boarding facilities.

If you’re unsure about your cat’s vaccination status or need to reschedule after the shortage, contact the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027. Proactive care ensures your feline companion remains healthy and happy, ready to share their love with you for years to come.

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JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2025

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

The creative Sun, clever Mercury and powerful Pluto are all transiting through your sign. So don’t sit around waiting for magical things to happen or for other people to make your dreams come true. It’s all up to you, baby! As Aquarian writer (and birthday great) Alice Walker observed, “Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself … Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.”

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

This week the Sun, Mercury and Pluto urge you to transform things on the career front. Some intrepid Taureans will change jobs (or take on a second job) but you could just jazz up your daily work routine. Whatever you do, avoid getting stuck in a boring rut! Expect a few relationship rumbles on the weekend, especially if you are being lackadaisical and lazy. As Venus (your ruling planet) shifts into action-sign Aries, smart Bulls will strive to be more proactive.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Many Lions have been feeling rather lacklustre. Fiery Mars is reversing through your solitude zone, so energy levels will be low, and you won’t feel like being the sociable life of the party. But this week the Sun, Mercury and Jupiter encourage you to catch up with family members and close friends in casual, low-key ways, where you can chat quietly and confidentially. Sunday’s stars particularly favour creative joint ventures and one-on-one conversations.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

With action-planet Mars reversing through your holiday/adventure zone (until February 24) travel plans may be disrupted or even delayed. So be extra patient and make sure you check everything (like flights and accommodation) at least twice! On Friday, Venus links up with Pluto which is fabulous for work partnerships, family relationships, friendships and romantic rendezvous, as you connect with others in deep and meaningful ways.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

With practical Saturn and idealistic Neptune both transiting through Pisces, you need to take your Neptunian dreams and spin them into rock-solid Saturnian reality. So your motto for the moment is from writer (and birthday great) Alice Walker, “Look closely at the present you are constructing – it should look like the future you are dreaming.” Sunday’s stars favour quiet meditation, peaceful relaxation, journal writing and thoughtful contemplation.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

It’s a wonderful week for socialising with local friends and networking with international connections. But are you feeling rather restless? Is the green, green grass of home looking pretty predictable and boring? Blame it on the Sun, Mercury and Pluto stirring up your adventure zone. Which will activate your Gemini travel gene and leave you dreaming of tropical trips, heavenly holidays and exotic escapades. So you’d better start planning (and saving) ASAP!

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

The Sun, Mercury, Jupiter and Pluto activate your work and daily routine zone. So it’s time to learn new techniques, reorganise your office, start a business or even change your job. You possess many versatile Virgo talents, but they won’t truly blossom until you nurture and develop them with the help of a wise mentor. When will the teacher appear? When the student is ready! However –courtesy of retro Mars – a friendship may feel as if it’s going backwards.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Home sweet home is the place to be, as six planets light up your domestic and neighbourhood zones. Life is busy as friends and family members come and go, and expect plenty of stimulating conversations. It’s also time to be more proactive about improving your health and fitness via a more nutritious diet and a more flexible exercise routine. Some alternative therapies (like acupuncture, herbalism or hypnosis) could help shift a stubborn problem.

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Mars (your ruling planet) is still retrograde, so it seems you’ve got plenty to complain about. Projects and plans are delayed, you’re feeling lethargic, and people aren’t doing what you want them to do. But this week … with Venus transiting into your sign on Tuesday – try to focus on love in all its forms. Self-love, love for others, love of nature and love of life. As music legend (and birthday great) Bob Marley sang, “Overcome the devils with a thing called love.”

CANCER

22 TO JULY 22

Secrets and mysteries abound as the Sun, Mercury and Pluto visit your trust zone, so avoid fake news and be very careful about who you place your trust in. You’re also keen to show loved ones how much you really care. Avoid being too overprotective though. All relationships need room to breathe and there’s a big difference between loving and smothering. Be inspired by birthday great, writer Charles Dickens, “A loving heart is the truest wisdom.”

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Creative partnerships and joint ventures are favoured, as you spark ideas off each other and pool talents to create something truly unique. When it comes to a romantic relationship, stop talking long enough to let your partner have their say. Jupiter could send a special friend along to help you out of a sticky situation. As music icon (and birthday great) Bob Marley observed, “True friends are like stars; you can only recognise them when it’s dark around you.”

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

The Sun/Jupiter trine encourages you to tweak your timetable, devise a new daily schedule or reboot a work relationship. It also suits projects that require a curious mind, self-motivation and flexible thinking. So don’t waste the opportunity to communicate with colleagues, power through paperwork or learn something new. But with Mars reversing through your relationship zone (until February 24) you’ll have to be extra patient with loved ones.

65.

66.

68.

72.

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80.

Word Search

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

Theme: NUTS

ACORN

BLANCHED

BRAZIL NUT

CANDIED

CANDLENUT

CHESTNUT

FOLIC ACID

NUTRITIOUS NUTSHELL OIL

PECAN

PINE NUTS

PISTACHIO

RAW ROASTED

SEED

SMOKED

SNACK

WHOLE

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about Australian Open winner Madison Keys in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. In what American state was Madison Keys born?

2. In what year did Madison Keys turn pro?

3. Prior to her Australian Open win, the highest finish she’d had at a Grand Slam was runner-up. What tournament was it?

4. What is the name of Madison

Keys’ husband and now coach?

5. What is the name of the nonprofit organisation Madison Keys runs as a platform for kindness?

6. Who did Madison Keys beat in last Saturday’s Australian Open Final?

7. What is the highest ranking she’s had by the WTA?

Finding his drive

Erskine Park local to compete at Invictus Games

After multiple surgeries on his dodgy left ankle and right knee, an urge to compete again was enough to push inspirational Erskine Park local Jarryd Boyd to sign up for next week’s Invictus Games in stunning Vancouver Whistler.

The 35-year-old father of four joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2009 and is currently the Facility Manager and Physical Training Instructor at HMAS Penguin.

At the upcoming Invictus Games – which is an international multi-sport event founded in 2014 by Prince Harry for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans – Petty Officer Boyd will represent Australia in a number of sports including indoor rowing, swimming, wheelchair rugby and skeleton.

Speaking with the Weekender, Boyd said he’s eager to get his competitive juices flowing again after a tough few years on the sideline.

“Sport has played a massive part in my life since I was 10-years-old,” he said.

“Once I started having injuries and surgeries, the first thing I lost was sport. The thought of getting back into sport has given me a new drive and new goals and is what I really needed.”

Boyd has undergone multiple surgeries on

his left ankle and has had surgery on his right knee. He’s also lost some sensation in his left arm with reduced grip and strength, and deals with an ongoing lower back injury.

Boyd said his role with the Navy is “quite active and physical”, which has led to him being in the challenging position he’s in.

“A lot of it is wear and tear. There’s a heavy sport emphasis in the Defence Force as well, so a lot of injuries over time have come from on top of all the hard work we already do,” he said.

“When you get selected to represent the Navy in any sport, your workload increases by 100 per cent.”

Boyd will be taking an army of supporters with him to Canada, including his wife Katie, his four kids, as well his mum and in-laws.

“This is my first Invictus Games and the destination is amazing,”

Boyd said.

“A lot of people dream of going to Whistler and Vancouver for a holiday, but I’ll be going over to compete for Australia. Getting to take your family with you as support is a bonus and I’m very lucky and thankful for the opportunity!”

The 2025 Invictus Games will be held in Vancouver Whistler from February 8 to 16.

550 wounded, ill or injured competitors from 25 nations will participate in this year’s event.

“It’s still a big check for me and I’m really happy to come away with the Oceania Championship and third overall – it all worked out in the end.”

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Noemie Fox was crowned Oceania champion despite narrowly missing the kayak cross final in a world-class field. The 27-year-old made her way through the rounds, right up until the semi-finals, where an unfortunate third place saw her miss the final.

“It was a very stacked kayak cross field – we had Olympic champions, world champion, European champions, lots of World Cup winners,” Noemie said.

“So in the female field it was so stacked and it’s incredible to have them all here training and to go up against them.

“Disappointed to be knocked out in the semis and I felt like I couldn’t do anything differently, so there’s lots to build and learn from.”

Paddling will return to Penrith Whitewater Stadium from February 21-23.

Invictus Games 2025 Team Australia competitor Petty Officer Jarryd Boyd.

Photo: Christopher Dickson.

Jess Fox claims gold last weekend.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Competition will fly high in Penrith

judging criteria and audience experience.

Penrith has hosted countless sporting events over the years, but the upcoming Body Piloting Championships (BPC) could be the most thrilling of them all.

Taking place at iFly Downunder Penrith next Friday, February 7, the BPC is a cutting-edge indoor skydiving competition that combines elements of skydiving and indoor body piloting into a fast-paced, adrenaline-filled format.

Athletes from Australia, New Zealand, USA and Japan will demonstrate precision, creativity and control in a unique arena that challenges even the most skilled flyers.

Penrith has hosted the BPC before, with the competition growing in size and reputation each and every time. Body piloting creator and BPC director, Mason Corby, explained the idea behind the high flying competition.

“The idea for the Body Piloting Championships was born out of a desire to create an accessible, engaging format for both competitors and spectators,” Corby said.

“Traditional skydiving competitions are often complex and difficult for casual audiences to follow. The BPC introduces a simpler, head-to-head format that is entertaining, exciting and inclusive for all skill levels and audiences.”

Corby began testing the concept a decade ago with informal match-ups at indoor wind tunnels around the world to refine the rules,

“Over the years, I decided to refine them at home in Australia where these test events evolved into a structured and repeatable format that allows athletes to showcase their skills while engaging a wide audience, both live and online,” Corby said.

Along with being the creator of body piloting, Corby also puts his own skills to the test in the BPC. In the fastest category known as ‘high speed’, Corby flew at speeds of over 300km/h for dynamic flying excellence. He’s currently undefeated in the category.

Closer to home, Doni Gales is doing Penrith proud as the top female competitor, with the talented local currently holding the championship for the middle speed category.

“Doni dominates over all the men, showing women can easily compete at an equal standard to the men around them,” Corby said.

“Women and men are not separated in this competition, they compete together. Doni consistently shows her precision and skill, translating her hours of dedication and dancing and athletic background.”

Spectators of all ages are invited to attend the Body Piloting Championships next Friday, February 7 at iFly Downunder Penrith. Corby said it will be a competition like no other.

“Spectators can enjoy thrilling head-to-head match-ups, live commentary, and a showcase of precision flying skills,” he said.

“The event is designed to entertain and inspire people of all ages.”

The Body Piloting Championships are returning to Penrith next week.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPORTS SHORTS

Thunder no match for a Hurricane

CRICKET: One of the best batting performances in BBL history has seen the Hobart Hurricanes defeat our very own Sydney Thunder to become BBL|14 Champions for the first time in history. Young gun Mitchell Owen produced the innings of his career, smashing a century to help deliver the Hurricanes a maiden BBL title. Owen struck 108 in just 42 balls – including 11 sixes – to produce the competition’s equal-fastest ever century in front of a sold-out crowd at Hobart’s Ninja Stadium. Set 183 to win, the Hurricanes reached the total with six overs to spare. The Thunder came into the decider as underdogs and were sent in after losing the toss. But the team had every right to be pleased with their tally of 7/182, powered by a 97-run opening stand between Jason Sangha and David Warner. However, the night belonged to Owen and the Hurricanes, leaving passionate Thunder fans to wait yet another year to secure their second BBL title.

CRICKET: Penrith are in a strong position heading into day two of their Round 12 clash against Parramatta in the Belvidere Cup. Playing a Two-Day match at Howell Oval, Parramatta won the toss and elected to bowl. Penrith batted well in the hot conditions, eventually dismissed for 226. Samuel Grant was huge for the home side, notching up 79 runs. When Parramatta hit the crease, they struggled immediately and at stumps were 3/15 after just four overs. The man of the moment, Grant, has all three wickets for Penrith so far. Play between the two sides will resume on Saturday morning at 10am.

CRICKET: Penrith have enjoyed backto-back wins, defeating Northern District in Round 13 of the Women’s First Grade competition. Playing in a One-Day match at Howell Oval, Northern District won the toss and elected to bat. The visitors played well, but were ultimately dismissed for 173. When Penrith hit the crease later that day, they easily reached Northern District’s target with six wickets in hand. Penrith vice-captain Elise Noble smashed an impressive 57 not-out. The Lady Cats will now aim for a hat-trick of wins when they battle Sydney this Sunday at Drummoyne Oval.

CRICKET: Round 13 of the Nepean District Cricket Association competition got underway last weekend, with Panthers Cricket Club and the Western Jaguars locked in a tough battle after their first day of play. Having sent Western Jaguars into bat, Panthers got a flurry of early wickets to have them 5/47.

expected to launch in April, puts on fights across 10 weight divisions, which differs from MMA’s traditional weight classes. The GFL had a 300-fighter roster where 120 athletes were assigned to six teams, composed of 20 fighters with two fighters representing each of the 10 weight classes. A scoring system is set for the GFL’s bouts where fighters earn four points for a finish, three for a decision win, two for a draw, one for a decision loss and zero for a defeat via finish. The points contribute to each team’s total score. Blencowe will compete for Team Dubai in the Bantamweight class.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers continue to suffer in the A-League Women’s competition, going down to Melbourne City 1-0 last Saturday. The win at Wanderers Football Park ensured City reclaimed their place atop the standings by two points through 13 matches, while Western Sydney remain bottom of the standings after seven games without a victory. The Wanderers will travel to Ironbark Fields this Friday to face-off against Western United.

NETBALL: Panthers Netball have unveiled their Opens team for the upcoming 2025 Netball NSW Premier League season, which gets underway in April. The following players have made the squad: Carissa Cook, Stephanie Ellsmore, Layla Fearnley, Jasmine Hyde, Claudia Lenehan, Kayla Nakhoul, Emily Nicholl, Hannah Selby, Charlotte Silk, Katarina Sinck, Kyla Thompson and Lucy Tonkin.

However, the Jaguars’ tail wagged, and they were all out for 148 in 56 overs. In the run chase, Panthers are 2/30 after 10 overs, requiring a further 119 runs to win. Play will resume this weekend.

MMA: Jordan Springs mum and MMA fighter Arlene Blencowe has officially joined the Global Fight League (GFL). The 41-year-old

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered back-to-back losses, going down to A-League newcomers Auckland FC in the dying stages of last Sunday afternoon’s match at CommBank Stadium. A stoppage-time stunner scored by Auckland FC substitute Neyder Moreno earned the Black Knights a dramatic 1-0 win over Wanderers on Australia Day. In Wanderers defender Jack Clisby’s 250th A-League game, Western Sydney took 15 shots to Auckland’s 22 but a combination of superb glovework by goalkeepers Lawrence Thomas and Alex Paulsen as well as wastefulness in the final third from both sides saw five minutes of added time elapse with the score still locked level at 0-0. But on the cusp of the final whistle, Moreno fired a shot from a narrow angle over the head of Thomas, off the bar and over the line as Auckland surged back to the top of the A-League table. The Wanderers, who remain in eighth position, will face-off against the Brisbane Roar this Friday night at Suncorp Stadium Derby of the season next week.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The St Clair Comets Junior Rugby League Club have announced the sad passing of one of their most popular players, Jake Rowe. “Words cannot express the sadness that is felt within the STC family today,” the club said on Facebook. “Our deepest sympathy and condolences are with Stephen, Sharyn and Tori and both families at this time.”

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

St Clair footballer Jake Rowe has died.

The Sydney Thunder fought hard in the final.

Arlene Blencowe has signed with GFL.

The Hobart Hurricanes celebrate victory.

SPORT

WINS ON WATER

Some of the biggest names in the paddling universe converged on Penrith Whitewater Stadium last weekend for the first major canoe slalom competition of the season.

More than 100 athletes from Australia and around the world hit the famous whitewater venue for the 2025 Canoe Slalom Oceania Championships, with three Penrith locals picking up medals.

Olympic champion Jessica Fox won gold and sliver in the women’s K1 and C1 respectively; former Olympian Lucien Delfour picked up a bronze medal in the men’s K1, while Paris Olympian Tristian

Carter scored a bronze medal in the men’s C1.

Jessica Fox was eager to impress on her home course, crossing the line in a time of 104.41 to claim the K1 title ahead of Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska and France’s Camille Prigent.

“It was good to be out there, to be back on the start line at the start of the year, and feel good,” the 30-year-old said.

“I wasn’t really sure how I was going to feel, but I attacked it and I’m proud of myself this weekend.

“It’s always a great time of year having international athletes come out and do their winter preparations here.

“With the World Championships here in October, we’re seeing more athletes come

out, so it’s awesome to be sharing the start line with them, training sessions, and being back altogether.

“It feels like it was a long time ago since the last international race, so I’m loving it!”

Jess also finished second in the women’s canoe final behind Olympic bronze medallist Evy Leibfarth from the United States and Poland’s Zwolinska.

In the men’s kayak final, Frenchman Mathieu Biazizzo was the fastest paddler down the course, but he was ineligible to win the Oceania crown.

Paris Olympic champion and New Zealander Finn Butcher finished second, and as the highest placed Oceania athlete took it out, with two-time Australian

Lucien Delfour rounding out the podium in third.

As the highest placed Oceania athlete, Penrith’s Tristan Carter won the men’s canoe Oceania crown despite finishing the final in third place behind Great Britain’s Adam Burgess and Russian Dmitrii Khramtsov.

“I was stoked I was able to hold it together – although the actual run itself wasn’t that great, I ended up doing a couple of spins where I didn’t really want to,” Carter said.

“But I’m really happy, even though I didn’t perform how I wanted to. And that’s a sign of maturity, that’s growth and I’m really happy with that.

Who will be the victor for 2025Rovers or Rams?

John Jordan Memorial Challenge on Saturday 8th of Februar y at Hickey ’s Spor ting Complex

The John Jordan Memorial Challenge took o for the first time in 2024, started by 2 veteran Rovers (Luke Boyd and Troy Ward) in honour of a Penrith Rovers Football Club’s ver y own - John Jordan.

2 football matches will be held at Hickey ’s Sporting Complex, where rival Men’s 1st Grade and Reser ve Grade East Gosford Football Club teams will take to the field in an epic pre season friendly match against Penrith Rovers ver y own Men’s First Grade and Reser ve Grade.

Olympian

NATHAN TAYLOR

Noemie Fox. Photo: JGR Images.