Western Weekender February 3 2023

Man dead after van flips on M4

Bikie boss to appeal conviction

MAKAYLA MUSCAT

The national President of the Rebels bikie gang has been fined after a Magistrate found he resisted police during a roadside vehicle check at Silverdale.

Damien Vella, 43, appeared in Penrith Local Court with his partner on Monday where he was charged with ‘resisting and hindering police’, and ‘inciting another to assault, resist or hinder police’.

It is alleged that two Raptor Squad officers pulled him and his partner over while they were riding his Harley-Davidson through Silverdale on December 2, 2021.

The court heard that Constable Stephen Norris stopped the motorcycle for a road worthiness inspection. Vella was wearing his Rebels colours at the time.

crash investigators attended the scene, trying to work out how the accident occurred.

It is alleged that Constable Norris first issued a red label – a notice meaning the vehicle must be towed away due to a dangerous defect – on Vella’s Harley-Davidson for having no reflectors.

“There is an ongoing conflict between the Rebels Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) and the Finks OMCG in the Silverdale and surrounding areas,” Norris said in his police statement.

“When OMCG’s are in conflict with each other, they carry weapons for self defence and planned attacks against other rival gang members.”

The police say that Vella became argumentative and refused to hand over his colours.

It is alleged that Constable Norris then deployed OC spray to deescalate the situation and control the defendant.

When Magistrate Gregory Moore handed down his verdict, he said that even though the OC spray was deployed for more than three seconds, it was not “unwarranted or unnecessarily prolonged”.

He also ruled that it was not unreasonable for Constable Norris to refuse to search Vella’s vest while he was still wearing it.

Magistrate Moore also noted that Vella was repeatedly asked to hand it over before the spray was deployed.

The driver involved in Monday’s fatal crash on the M4 Motorway at Orchard Hills has been identified as a 55-year-old man.

About 12.15pm on January 30, the van the man was driving collided with a barrier and caught fire in the eastbound lanes of the Motorway.

The 55-year-old was the sole occupant of the vehicle and despite a quick emergency response, he died at the scene.

The M4 was closed for several hours while

A report will be prepared for the information of the coroner and police are urging anyone who may have witnessed or has any available dashcam footage of the crash to contact St Marys Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The crash was one of several in the Penrith area on Monday as wet conditions sparked a range of incidents.

A serious accident occurred on the Great Western Highway, while a single-vehicle accident forced the closure of Bents Basin Road at Wallacia on Monday night.

He then asked Vella, who is subject to a firearm prohibitions order, to hand over his vest so he could check it for weapons.

Vella was convicted and fined $500. His lawyer has since confirmed that a conviction appeal has been lodged with the NSW District Court.

Figures show trains unreliable

Sydney Trains has not met its target of 92 per cent of peak services running on time on the T1 Western Line since January last year. 82.3 per cent of services met the target in January this year, down slightly on December’s figures.

January 2022 was the last time the 92 per cent target was met, when 92.7 per cent of services were on time.

2.5kW........ 3.5kW........ 5kW............ 7kW............ 8kW............

5

4735 6411 Showroom:

The scene of the crash on the M4 on Monday. Photo: Seven Network.

TROY DODDS

Kids take big leap into school life

This week, kindergarteners across the state have finally made the transition to big school, marking one of the biggest milestones for new students and their parents.

Holy Spirit Primary St Clair has 41 kindergarten kids starting for 2023. According to Principal Frances Garzaniti, the first day is just as exciting year after year.

“It’s a big day, but I think it’s really exciting,” she said.

“The kids come in and they’re wearing brand new uniforms, and they’ve got huge smiles on their faces – it’s always lovely.”

Among these new faces are a few that admittedly, aren’t entirely new.

“We’ve probably got about half of them who have siblings here already, so they’re already familiar, and they’re quite comfortable, because I see them when their parents come with their siblings, they’re quite happy to come up and have a little chat,” she said.

This is the case for Ivanka Galvas, whose son Niko is her fourth child going through Holy Spirit. But, she says it never gets any easier.

“It’s always an anxious time as a parent when your child’s starting school, because it’s that little step away from you and towards becoming a little bit more independent,” she said.

Despite this, the morning’s smooth transition made her even more excited for the year to come.

“It’s always nice to see

when they go off and they come back and how much they’ve actually learned that year,” she said.

“It amazes me every time, how much they learn in that 12-month period. They just grow and develop so much.”

Natasha and Steve Economou faced a similar experience this week, with their second child Nikita heading into kindergarten at Regentville Public School as his older brother Xander is going into year two.

This made the transition both easier and more difficult, Natasha said.

“We were a bit anxious about him starting, because it’s second child syndrome – he was ready to go when his brother was ready to go, and it’s taken him a couple of years to get there,” she said.

“But, now that he’s here, it’s just happiness.

There is a bit of emptiness for us as well, though, because no one’s at home now!”

Natasha said that Nikita’s first day went unexpectedly well, though she admits that Nikita’s kindergarten teacher also being Xander’s kindergarten teacher meant he was a little more ready than most.

“He woke up as early as his brother, and he was excited, ready to go,” she said.

Being Secretary and Fundraising Coordinator for the P&C, she said the family has been heavily involved in the school for a few years, and is eager for Nikita to do so as well.

“I’m looking forward to him finding new friendships,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to him learning new things as well, and just being a part of the school, because it’s a great little school, and a great community.”

Nikita Economou started school at Regentville Public School this week. Photo: Melinda Jane. New students starting at Holy Spirit Primary, St Clair.

CASSIDY PEARCE

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

Streaming services nor the pandemic could kill off my love of going to the movies.

As Maggs notes, there had been a big battle to build three cinema complexes at the same time back in the early 1990s.

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As a kid, it was with my Dad almost every Saturday at the George Street complex in the city. Pretty much every ’80s and ’90s action flick you could think of.

These days, I still get to the cinema about once a fortnight. The ability of the big screen to capture your full attention for two or so hours is something worth savouring.

Sure, Hoyts in Penrith desperately needs an upgrade to match its stablemate in Blacktown and the multiplexes of today don’t necessarily have the same magic as yesteryear, but I’m a sucker for tradition.

Which brings me to a slice of Penrith history: It’s 30 years this week since the Hayden Cinemas on High Street in Penrith closed for the final time.

‘Accidental Hero’ and ‘Fortress’ screened at cinemas “3 and 4” on February 2, 1993, bringing down the curtain on a brief albeit memorable history of cinema at that location.

The cinemas opened as Penrith Twin in 1979, later becoming part of the Hayden Cinema Complex; half of which was up the road on Lawson Street.

Steve Maggs, who these days manages a cinema complex in Brisbane, worked as the final usher on the last night 30 years ago.

“At the beginning of each film I walked to the front of the audience, welcomed them and told them we were closing,” he said.

“I thanked them for coming. Both audiences gave me a genuine round of applause. It was very moving. We had not advertised that we were closing so the audience had no idea they were going to be the last people to watch a film there.”

Hayden Theatres advertised Hayden 8 opening for Christmas in 1992. This was to be a big redevelopment of the Lawson Street site. At the same time Reading Cinemas were planning a large complex at the Panthers Leagues Club and there were the plans for the cinemas in the Plaza.

It was thought the first to open would be the winner. The Panthers complex fell through, but the Hoyts complex went ahead and the rest, as they say, is history.

After the High Street cinemas closed, the complex was stripped of its fittings. A lot of the seats, projectors and screens went to the Richmond Regent, which they used in the twinning of that cinema.

I had the opportunity to walk through the old complex on Monday (see below). Through a padlocked door opens a world of memories; despite all the changes over the years, the guts of the venue always remained the same, with the two separate rooms that once housed the theatres.

As successful as some of the ventures that followed the movie theatres were, the venue will always be remembered for the 14 years it hosted films in the 1980s and 1990s.

It was its golden time; before the Internet, a time Penrith was stuck in the middle of being something of a country town and a growing city.

Being in the venue this week, I was reminded of Steve Maggs’ words from that final night 30 years ago: “The staff stayed on for a few hours. When it was time to leave, I did the final check of the cinemas and toilets. Then, for the last time we turned and looked across the now darkened foyer and the locked doors. We said our farewells and planned a reunion in the future”.

There had been a plan from the team that worked at the cinema, including Steve Maggs, to run it independently and for the site’s life as a movie theatre to continue, but a prominent local business identity pulled out of his plans to back the venture.

Truth is cinema in Penrith was never quite the same after the closure of Lawson’s High Street venue on February 2, 1993.

It would set off a chain of events that would see multiplexes dominate in Penrith; some of the charm of the movies going with it.

We have all walked past the old entrance to the cinema on High Street hundreds if not thousands of times.

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The site on High Street has housed a number of venues since, from Stepping Out theatre restaurant to Phriction and Bloc nightclubs, as well as Mojo Lounge.

And these days? Well, my friends, these days this beauty of Penrith’s past sits in the centre of our city, unused and all but abandoned.

Next time you do, have a think about the magic and memories that happened up those stairs for 14 years.

Truth is not all that much has changed inside those doors in the past 30 years. Perhaps one day, the magic will return to that site, in one form or another.

“The ability of the big screen to capture your full attention for two or so hours is something worth savouring”

Sporting win for Penrith

Major new indoor multi-sports arena to be built thanks to WestInvest funding

A covered outdoor rink for roller skating and roller sports.

It may just be an empty paddock with overgrown grass and bathtubs for feeding livestock now, but in a few years’ time this farmland off the Great Western Highway will be transformed into a $106.7 million indoor multi-sports arena.

On Wednesday, Penrith City Council announced it had secured $152 million in funding for several City-shaping projects through the NSW Government’s $5 billion WestInvest program.

An indoor multi-sports arena at Claremont Meadows, 21 City-wide playspace upgrades, and a nursery upgrade and Cumberland Plain improvement project are among the eight successful projects which will help see Council realise its vision of transforming Penrith into one of the state’s most liveable cities.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said these projects will deliver critical infrastructure to support the Penrith community’s needs now and into the future.

“We are undergoing a time of significant change and population growth in the Penrith Local Government Area with the development of the Western Sydney International Airport and the opportunities this will bring to our region,” she said.

“Coupled with the almost $30 million of WestInvest funding we secured last year, the

funding announced today will help bring to life projects which will prepare us for this change, and transform Penrith into western Sydney’s most desirable city for residents and visitors alike.”

Leading the local City-shaping projects is an existing undeveloped site in Claremont Meadows, which will be transformed into a high quality community sport precinct with an indoor multi-sports arena. It’ll be designed to accommodate local, regional, state and

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potentially national events for a range of sports.

While still in the early stages of planning, it may feature:

10 multi-sport courts, including one show court.

Squash courts with moveable walls to allow for flexibility of use.

– Multi-use rooms available for programs such as yoga, dance, martial arts and special events.

– Change rooms, offices and meeting rooms, kiosk, lounge area, amenities, first aid room and storage space.

– A car park, including electrical car charging stations, over 200 new trees and bus drop off areas.

– Outdoor recreation spaces for walking and basketball, and outdoor fitness equipment.

– Shared pathway connections along South Creek and additional landscaping. The facility will adjoin the Gipps Street Recreation Precinct, which, once complete will realise over $40 million of investment in the rehabilitation of the former waste facility site.

Penrith MP Stuart Ayres said the project will provide a boost for sporting organisations.

“This project will provide a cool, all-weather facility to support netball, basketball, volleyball, futsal, squash, roller skating and so much more,” he said.

Some of the other local sporting precincts set for a revamp through WestInvest funding include $19.1 million to upgrade Cook Park in St Marys, $2.4 million to upgrade the Parker Street Reserve sport and recreation precinct in Penrith, $1.7 million to upgrade Andromeda Oval in Cranebrook, and $1.5 million to upgrade the Bennett Park mixed recreation space in St Marys.

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An artist’s impression of the new indoor multi-sports arena.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Coalition matches Labor commitment, while Londonderry candidate is confirmed Premier

The Coalition has come to the party, matching Labor’s commitment to build a new high school in Jordan Springs if re-elected.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet also believes that the seat of Londonderry can turn blue as he announced local resident Samantha Talakola as the Liberal candidate.

The Premier visited Jordan Springs Public School last Friday with Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell to tour the completed Stage 2 of the primary school. Mitchell said it was a “logical step” to build a high school in the area that is growing with more families choosing to live there.

“Construction will start in the next term [of government], we are absolutely committing to that, we are going through the process now of identifying land and there are a few different options that we can look at whether it is through acquiring land, it might be a VPA agreement with developers or there might be existing government land we can use,” Mitchell said.

“For an area like this we would look to build a high school with capacity ultimately of about 2,000 students because we know it is a growing area and again if we do that in stages it will be part of the planning process as we go along.”

school

Mitchell would not confirm that the school would be built within a four-year time frame as Labor has promised.

Meanwhile, Perrottet was brimming with confidence that Talakola could pull off an upset and unseat Labor’s Prue Car in Londonderry.

“Samantha has a very strong story and is a strong community advocate. She has a background working with Council, she is a young mother in this area and knows all too well the importance of the investments we are making,” Perrottet said.

“We want western Sydney to be the best place to live, to work, to run a business, to raise a family and that can only be delivered under the Liberals and Nationals as we are the only ones with an economic plan to take western Sydney forward.”

After working in the community services industry for nearly a decade, Talakola said she hopes to represent the changing community.

“Jordan Springs is a growing community, Londonderry is a growing community, diversity is changing rapidly and I’m here to make sure that every little voice is heard,” she said. “I worked with women in domestic violence, I worked with youth, I did mental health work and worked with supporting people with disabilities. I have moved from micro to macro community development with local councils and now I am stepping up to achieve more representation and change.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Liberal candidate Samantha Talakola.

Photo: Emily Feszczuk.

EMILY FESZCZUK

New school welcomes students for first time

The red carpet was rolled out for students on Tuesday morning who started at the new Nangamay Public School in Mulgoa Rise.

Minister for Education and Early Learning

Sarah Mitchell and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies officially opened the primary school in Glenmore Park, which cost $40 million. With modern teaching spaces and facilities catering for up to 420 students, Mitchell said the investment will benefit the local community.

“It is so exciting to be here at Nangamay Public School which is one of 14 new and upgraded schools that we are opening today for Day 1, Term 1 to start the new school year,” she said.

“We know it is really important that we invest in schools particularly in growing parts of western Sydney and certainly under the Liberals and Nationals government that is exactly what we are delivering for our students and for their families.”

With the build confirmed by the State Government in 2019 and with now more than 200 students enrolled at the school, Nangamay Public School Foundation Principal Sharon Gordon said it is great to see the school come to fruition.

“It’s been an incredibly exciting morning for our community here today as we have welcomed our students for the first time through the gates,” Gordon said.

“The children are incredibly excited and the families as well. The staff have been working incredibly hard just to make today go so smoothly.”

Davies said she was “absolutely delighted” as the local member and acknowledged the work that went into the project.

“I want to give a huge shoutout to every construction worker, every project manager every site supervisor that was integral in seeing this open on Day 1, Term 1,” Davies said.

“A phenomenal achievement given the rain and supply issues. There has been immense, almost Everest size, challenges the construction team had to overcome to get to this day today.”

With the area growing with more families, the school has the ability for further development to keep up with demand.

“What we do with new school builds and what we have done at Nangamay is built what we call Stage 1 that will accommodate up to 400-odd students. We know there is about 200 currently here but also plenty of space around us, so the way we have master planned to build Stage 2 when it’s ready is that we can

just add additional classrooms as the need arises,” Mitchell said.

“All of what we call our core facilities, so the staff room, library, admin facilities are built for a bigger school so when the time comes to

add additional classrooms, we are able to do that and can do that quite quickly.”

Nangamay is the Darug word for ‘dream’ which forms part of the school’s motto of Dream, Strive, Achieve.

| Affordable Retirement Living

Principal Sharon Gordon, Education Minister Sarah Mitchell and Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies with students at Nangamay Public School. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Administration

Penrith Office

Civic Centre, 601 High Street. St Marys Office Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

Contact Centre Open 8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777 PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city Council’s services are accessible via the online portal at my.penrith.city Services Waste Services 4732 7777 Illegal Dumping Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad.

Seniors Comedy Gala

Council Briefs

● Council is installing new outdoor fitness equipment in Cook Park, St Marys, as part of the Sport and Recreation Strategy, which is a 15-year road map for the future provision of sport, play, recreation and open space facilities across our City. There will be a variety of cardio and strength equipment catering to a range of ages and abilities. Key features include a push up bar, shoulder press, Tai Chi wheels, accessible hand cycle, resistance hooks, trapeze rings, and more. This project is being funded by the NSW Government through the Community Building Partnership program and Council. Work is expected to be completed by the end of February 2023. Find out more at penrith.city/spros

● How safe is your pool? It’s easy to check whether your pool is safe for you and any children by ensuring pool gates and latches are in working order and gates are never propped open. Backyard access to your pool must be restricted by a reliable pool barrier.

Do you have an up to date CPR chart displayed? Learn how to resuscitate by enrolling in a CPR course and refresh your skills annually. Effective CPR can often save a life. Nominate a pool safety supervisor whose job is to watch swimmers and ensure people are behaving responsibly. These are just some things you can do to ensure your pool is safe. For more information, visit penrith.city/pools or contact Council’s Swimming Pool team on 4732 7897.

● Summer Cinema coming soon! Enjoy the last of the warm summer nights at our free, outdoor Summer Cinema series coming to Penrith, St Marys and Kingswood this February. Bring a picnic or grab some dinner takeaway from a local restaurant as you settle in for a cosy night at the movies. To complete the movie experience there is free ice cream and popcorn for the first 250 people.

Find out more at penrith.city/events

Public Exhibition

penrith.city.council penrithcouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrithcitycouncil

Planning Proposal for Draft Development Control Plan (DCP) and Letter of Offer to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) for 221–235

Luddenham Road Planning Proposal

Council is exhibiting a Planning Proposal, draft Development Control Plan (draft DCP) and Letter of Offer to enter into a VPA (Letter of Offer) for 221–235 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills.

The Planning Proposal seeks to amend Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010 to rezone part of the site from RU2 Rural Landscape to part IN1 General Industrial and part IN2 Light Industrial. The Planning Proposal will also apply a maximum height of building control of 24 metres, a minimum lot size control of 1,000 sqm, and minimum lot density provisions.

The draft DCP contains specific development controls that apply to future development within the site and will form a chapter of Penrith DCP 2014.

The Letter of Offer seeks to enter into a VPA for the provision of key infrastructure at no cost to Council. A draft VPA will be prepared and reported to a future Ordinary Meeting of Council to be endorsed for public notification as a separate process to the Planning Proposal and draft DCP.

Viewing the exhibition and making a submission

The Planning Proposal, and supporting information are on public exhibition until Monday, 6 February 2023. The documents can be viewed online at yoursaypenrith.com.au, at Council’s Civic Centre and at Penrith and St Marys Libraries.

You are invited to provide feedback by making a written submission to Council by Monday, 6 February 2023 by:

• Email: Glen.Weekley@penrith.city

• Post: The General Manager (Attention: Glen Weekley)

Penrith City Council PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751

• Online: planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ppr

Please include a subject line indicating ‘221–235 Luddenham Road, Orchard Hills’ in emails and letters.

For further enquiries: Please contact Glen Weekley, Executive Planner on 4732 7415 or email Glen.Weekley@penrith.city

Public Notice

Public Meeting – Penrith Local Planning Panel

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

• DA22/0023

10-14 Lethbridge Street, Penrith

Demolition of existing structures, removal of 2 trees and construction of 6-storey residential flat building including 36 apartments, 2 levels of basement parking, rooftop open space, civil works and landscaping

• DA22/0399

1 Moira Crescent, St Marys

Demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of a childcare centre x 89 children with basement parking and lot consolidation

• DA22/0534

19 Middlebrook Rise, Glenmore Park

Construction and embellishment of Neighbourhood Park (Pinnacle Park South) including related structures and works

When: Wednesday, 8 February 2023 commencing at 1pm

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

To enable access to the meeting and registration of speakers, please contact the Development Services Department on 4732 7637 or email localpanel@penrith.city by 4pm on Monday, 6 February 2023. A meeting invitation with log in details will be provided upon request. Please also confirm if you wish to register to speak.

Any person joining the online meeting are informed that the meeting will be audio recorded, and a copy of that recording will be made publicly available following the meeting. Relevant documents will be available on Penrith Council’s website penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Local-Planning-Panel/

The Joan Sutherland

First-time candidate Garion Thain looks to unseat veteran MP Tanya Davies

to explain what they should expect and how the electorate will adapt.”

Newly appointed Labor candidate for Badgerys Creek (formerly Mulgoa) Garion Thain is adamant he’s looking to carve his own path in politics.

27-year-old Thain, the son of veteran Penrith City Councillor John, is aiming to unseat longterm MP Tanya Davies at the March State Election.

“I love my Dad, we are very close, and we don’t talk about politics as much you would probably think but we are both very passionate about the west,” Thain told the Weekender

“I have been watching him do this kind of thing for a long time and what he has ingrained in me growing up is that there is no shame in fighting for where you come from and standing up for things you believe in.”

Thain attended school and Western Sydney University in the area while working as a forklift operator before starting his career as an accounts service manager.

A “true believer” in the region, Thain is looking to secure a fair go for everyone in the future.

“I love this area and what has motivated me the most to put my hand up in the end was the fact that there is a lot of changes happening to the greater west in the next few years,” he said.

“Particularly after the airport opens but I don’t think residents have had enough detail

Thain believes that the current government has failed to do this and that it is time for a “fresh start”.

“The current government has had 12 years to explain the details of what they want to do after the airport opens,” he said.

“So far residents have been told that we’re accommodating a new population centre in the form of Bradfield, but only Labor is promising to invest in the critical infrastructure like a hospital that our electorate will need to support it.”

Taking time off work to campaign, the candidate is excited to learn more about the wants and needs of the community.

“The chance to listen to our locals and hear what they want for their area, to share our positive vision for the future, and hopefully have the chance to represent them is the honour of a lifetime,” he said.

“From now until election day, I’m going to be out in the community as much as I can, and I look forward to listening to as many residents as possible.”

Despite his age, he said he is ready for the challenge ahead of him.

“I’m young, I’m motivated, I’m a fresh face and I can’t wait to get out there and meet as many residents as I can,” he said.

“If something doesn’t pass the pub test then it doesn’t pass with me.”

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

• Willcox Real Estate Pty Ltd T/As The Bloomin Bar

Lot 11 DP 733094, Lot 11 Dunheved Road, Werrington County

DA22/1049

Fitout of an existing florist (Shop 2) to include a takeaway food and drink component

• Stuart Allan Smart

Lot 20 DP 23460, 272–276 Devlin Road, Castlereagh

In-ground swimming pool

Refused Development Applications

• Carpenter Street Pty Ltd

Atf The Carpenter Street Unit Trust

Lot 4 DP 374120, 246 Carpenter Street, St Marys

DA22/1158

DA22/0926

Demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of a 3-storey child care facility catering for x 70 children including car parking and associated works

• Baini Design

Lot 364 DP 713863, 1 Phoenix Crescent, Erskine Park

DA21/0727

Demolition of existing structures, tree removal and construction of a 2-storey centre child care centre for 47 children above basement parking

Viewing of Development Applications

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

Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

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

Labor candidate for Badgerys Creek Garion Thain meets with local residents.

Send your jokes to news@westernweekender.com.au.

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Meantime, this summer, Grey Goose is celebrating their latest range, Grey Goose Essences – a botanically-infused spirit range available in

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

SPY

three unique and vibrant flavours: Strawberry and Lemongrass, Watermelon and Basil, as well as White Peach and Rosemary. Featuring Grey Goose’s carefully crafted vodka and the essence of real fruit picked at the peak of freshness, each flavour of Grey Goose Essences can easily be mixed with tonic or soda water, for the ultimate light, effervescent refreshment this summer.

Available at Dan Murphy’s, BWS and other major retailers nationwide. The Weekender has a special Grey Goose prize pack to give away. For your chance to win, send an email to competitions@westernweekender. com.au with ‘Goose’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, February 10 and the winner will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www.westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception. Over 18s only.

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-

way to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out for new winners on this page every single week!

This week’s lucky winners are: 0362, 0233, 0723.

Tell us exactly where this week’s featured I Spy image is located in Penrith and you could win! Email ispy@westernweekender.com.au with your answer for your chance to win two movie tickets. Our winner will be notified by email.

Entries close each Wednesday at 5pm.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The cool-looking Gremlins character is located at the newly opened Holey Moley Golf Club at Westfield Penrith. Have you seen it yet?

Beloved artist Susan Oxenham dies; Mayor leads local tributes

Hitchen concluded by thanking Oxenham for her contributions to the City and sent her condolences to those who knew her.

The community has paid tribute to Emu Plains creative and author Susan Oxenham, who passed away late last year.

In a Mayoral Minute at Penrith City Council’s Monday night ordinary meeting, Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen reflected on Oxenham’s journey as an artist.

At just two, Oxenham started to draw and paint after her parents were told she would eventually lose her sight.

This occurred when she was pronounced legally blind at 17-years-old but her artistic ability and prominence continued to grow.

“Susan lived with vision impairment and was an inspiration to many, as she focused on her strengths and created stunning, thought-provoking artwork,” Hitchen said.

“In 2016, Susan’s exhibition ‘Long Sighted at the Library’ launched at Penrith City Library and featured a series of 10 artworks representing her journey with macular degeneration.”

After having brain surgery in 2019, Oxenham held informal art classes at Nepean Hospital to fill her time connecting with other patients.

Hitchen said Oxenham’s personality was as “vibrant as her artworks” after she had the pleasure of meeting her.

“Susan also created annual calendars

showcasing her immense talent and her 2022 inspiration calendar was no exception,” she said.

“Susan’s legacy lives on and I am pleased that Council featured Susan and one of her

great pieces on the cover of the 2021 Penrith Disability Snapshot, as she inspired many people living with disability to pursue their passions and encouraged our community members to harness their creative power.”

Knowing of Oxenham’s long relationship with the Penrith Regional Gallery, Penrith Performing & Visual Arts Director, Visual Arts, Toby Chapman invited the artist to undertake a long-awaited three-month residency program in 2022.

Oxenham worked with the Lewers Gallery’s Heritage Gardener to source plant cuttings which she used in her colourful and textural artworks for the ‘Soaking Up the Senses’ exhibition.

In addition to her signature cane paintings, the exhibition was a multi-sensory experience including an ambient soundtrack that she created.

Chapman said Oxenham will be remembered as a highly regarded member of the artistic community, as a well as a “fearless advocate” for access and inclusion.

“Her connection to the gallery dates back to its inception, and as one of the inaugural Friends of the Gallery she truly has shaped what is now an iconic cultural space,” he said.

“The opportunity to commission work by Susan just last year was a highlight of our program, and a timely acknowledgement of her artistic sensibilities, commitment and of course her undeniably wry humour. She will be deeply missed.”

Emu Plains artist Susan Oxenham has passed away. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY FESZCZUK

The best beer’s from here

The people’s choice: Mountain Culture Beer Co’s big win in national competition

CASSIDY PEARCE

Mountain Culture Beer Co, which recently opened up a brewery in Emu Plains, has taken out the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer people’s choice poll with its Status Quo Pale Ale.

Co-owner of Mountain Culture, DJ McCready, started his brewing journey at the tender age of 23, volunteering at a brewery in his home town of Asheville, North Carolina.

When he first moved to Australia, McCready recalls falling in love with his wife, Harriet, and with the Blue Mountains, where they opened up what was supposed to be a small brew pub, aimed both at the local community and to weekend travellers.

Bushfires in 2019 and COVID lockdowns in the two years that followed forced them to get creative. Through opting to can their beer and operate primarily as an e-commerce business, Mountain Culture skyrocketed, making their beer known around Australia and around the world.

For McCready, this can be described as nothing else but a whirlwind.

“It started off and it was just Harriet and I and maybe five or six other staff, most of which are still here with us now, and

now we’ve grown to about 75 employees company-wide,” he said.

“The growth has just been insane, but really, we’ve just stuck to what’s mattered to us from the beginning, which is product quality.”

With the results of this year’s poll released over the weekend, it’s become apparent that he isn’t the only one who thinks so, with Mountain Culture Beer Co’s Status Quo Pale Ale named the new GABS Hottest 100 Champion of 2022, out of 311 breweries in the poll and a whopping 2140 different beers which attracted votes.

This is the first year Mountain Culture Beer Co has entered into the competition, with McCready citing a lack of readiness in the past. Despite knowing Status Quo has developed quite the fan base, he said expectations remained low.

“It was definitely one of those things where, I don’t think I’ve ever been more stressed in my entire life,” he said.

“We’re still such a young brand, and when I thought about who we would be lined up next to, knowing the backing that those companies have, and the reach, and that some of them are owned by multi-nationals with endless budgets or by influencers with millions and millions of followers, I’m sitting here with our team, and we just had no idea how we were going to go.”

As the poll results crept towards number one, it’s no secret the team at Mountain Culture were filled with excitement – though McCready said he had his reservations until he heard the news himself.

“We got to the point where there were only five beers left, and everybody was like ‘We‘re making it’, ‘We’re getting there!’, and I was like, ‘Guys, calm down, we probably didn’t make list!’,” he said.

“The fact that we took out the top spot, I’m still having a hard time processing it.”

Now with another number one under his belt, having taken out the number one brewery on Untappd for the past few years, McCready is now setting his sights on distribution.

“When I was reading a lot of comments about the win, there were some that were like, ‘Who the hell are these guys?’, but that’s so exciting to me, because now I want to get Status Quo into more hands,” he said.

A Bloomin great idea for florist

Aflorist in Werrington County Shopping Village now has a small café serving takeaway and food options.

The Bloomin Bar has had its Development Application (DA) to expand its offerings approved by Penrith City Council.

The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) said the proposal was seeking to fit-out a part of a shop adjacent to the existing florist at 11 Dunheved Road, Werrington

County, to add a food and drink component.

“The main activity will be serving coffee, tea and hot chocolate with pre-made cakes and sandwiches also offered,” the SEE said.

“There are no healthy food options currently offered within the complex or surrounding businesses so we would like to offer this option to the community.”

The florist makes and delivers arrangements but also offers parties for adults and children to create their own floral bouquets.

Taking over Bubbles Florist six

months ago and rebranding to The Bloomin Bar, owner Peggy Roddick said they needed to “step outside” the traditional florist business model.

“We decided to invest into transforming the business into a café to support the workshops and various parties we offer,” she said.

“I think we have achieved what we set out to do, we have daily regulars that stop in for a coffee and a chat and borrow a book from our community library. We have created something special that the community has really embraced.”

Co-owner of Mountain Culture, DJ McCready.

EMILY FESZCZUK

The Bloomin Bar’s Peggy Roddick. Photo: Melinda Jane.

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Police Snapshot Legal Matters

COMPILED BY EMILY FESZCZUK

Luddenham: Teenager shouldn’t have been behind

the wheel

A man has been charged after driving with a suspended licence in Luddenham.

About 11.30am on Wednesday, January 25, police were patrolling Twin Creeks Drive, Luddenham when they stopped a motor vehicle for failing to indicate whilst turning.

Officers asked the driver, an 18-year-old St Clair man to produce his licence.

Checks revealed that the man was suspended from driving.

He allegedly said he was unaware of the suspension when informed.

The man was issued a suspension notice and several other notices for defects on the vehicle he was driving.

He was informed that he was not to drive the vehicle from the location.

About 12.10pm the same day police were on Luddenham Road, Luddenham and sighted the same vehicle with the same driver on the side of the road.

Officers stopped and had a second conversation with the man.

It is alleged the man informed police that he had no phone reception at the location of the first stop, so he drove to the second location.

He was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, February 23.

St Marys: Woman to front court after allegedly stealing from store

A woman has been charged after she was caught stealing from a store in St Marys last week.

About 1pm on Wednesday, January 25, a 43-year-old St Marys woman attended a shopping centre in St Marys.

She allegedly removed numerous items from the shelves and placed them in her handbag.

A short time later she walked through the self-serve register area and made no attempt to pay for the items.

The woman was stopped by security and police were contacted.

She was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, March 21.

St Marys: Man aiming for clean teeth to front court next month

A man has been charged after trespassing and shoplifting in St Marys.

About 1pm on Wednesday, January 25, a 44-year-old Tregear man attended a shopping centre in St Marys.

The man allegedly entered a store and was

seen by security to place three electric toothbrushes in his backpack.

The man also selected a carton of milk and attended the self-serve registers a short time later.

He was seen paying for the milk and walked out of the store.

Store security approached him, and he allegedly attempted to run, but was restrained.

Police attended and it is understood that the man has been banned from all NSW stores of this variety for life.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, March 28.

Penrith: Man found with drugs and knife during search

A man has been charged after possessing prohibited drugs and having a knife in a public place in Penrith.

About 4.15pm on Friday, January 27, police were patrolling Haynes Street, Penrith when they attempted to stop a 29-year-old Penrith man who decided to run from officers.

Police engaged in a short foot pursuit on Haynes Street and apprehended the man before handcuffing him. While searching the man, police allegedly located a folding knife in the pocket of his shorts.

The man and his property were taken to Penrith Police Station.

At the station officers searched the man’s bag and located 18 capsules of a prescribed restricted substance.

A large clear resealable bag that was taped shut was also located which had another small clear resealable bag in it containing more tablets and two shortened needles.

The man was charged, and bail refused to appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, February 1.

Penrith: Gunman on the run after shots fired into house

An investigation is underway after a public place shooting in Penrith.

About 1.10am on Tuesday, January 31, officers from Nepean Police Area Command responded to reports of shots having been fired into a home on Mountain View Crescent, Penrith.

Officers were informed that a car was seen to drive away from the location immediately after the shooting.

A crime scene was established, and the area examined by specialist police. There were no reports of injuries.

The term “fiduciary duty” gets bandied about a lot in legal documents, particularly in the context of things like Estate planning and commercial transactions.

So what exactly is a fiduciary duty?

A fiduciary duty arises where a person or entity is required to put another person or entity’s interests before their own.

Fiduciary duties can arise out of Contracts where one party expressly agrees that it is obliged to act in another person or entity’s interest.

Fiduciary relationships can also arise even when they are not explicitly expressed in writing, for example in circumstances where it can be demonstrated that it was the reasonable expectations of either party based on the circumstances that a fiduciary relationship existed.

Common examples of fiduciary duties include:

• Doctor to patient.

• Lawyer to client.

• A Trustee on a Trust to the Trust’s beneficiaries.

• An Agent to their Principal, including in the context of a Power of Attorney relationship.

• Company Directors to their company.

• Company Directors to shareholders.

Generally speaking, a fiduciary must not

use their position for profit or personal gain or place them in a position of conflict between their duties and the interests of the person or entity to whom they owe a fiduciary duty.

Unlike things like basic breach of Contract, if a fiduciary breaches their obligations they may be held to account to the beneficiary for any benefit or gain, even if the beneficiary has not suffered any loss.

There are different remedies available to a person or entity who is the victim of a breach of a fiduciary relationship/duty, including injunctions to restrain a fiduciary from continuing to commit a breach of its duties, rescission of transactions that may have come about as a result of a breach of said duty, an account of profits whereby a fiduciary who has gained or profited at the expense of a beneficiary is required to account to the beneficiary for said gain or profit, equitable compensation and/or the imposition of a Constructive Trust.

These are all fairly complex legal concepts that can be difficult to get your head around if it’s not something you deal with on a regular basis.

If you have a question about whether or not a fiduciary duty exists and/or if so, whether it has been breached, you should contact a suitably qualified solicitor to discuss your options.

DISPUTE OVER BICYCLE RESULTED IN MAN SETTING HOUSE ON FIRE

A man has been sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after a Magistrate found he damaged a property at Marayong.

Brock Griffin, 34, appeared in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday charged with ‘intentionally or recklessly damaging property by fire or explosive’.

It is alleged that CCTV footage captured Griffin pouring fuel onto the front porch of a single storey property and setting it on fire with a lighter.

The fire spread quickly, causing extensive

damage to the front of the house and several internal rooms, but no occupants were inside at the time.

Griffin participated in an interview after his arrest last year, where he confirmed that there was a dispute over a bicycle.

Griffin was represented by a lawyer who told Magistrate Gregory Moore that he wants to be a better role model to his 14-year-old after he is released.

He will be eligible for parole in December.

with Daniel McKinnon WW48104

– Makayla Muscat

The eye-watering amount local punters are losing to the pokies

EMILY FESZCZUK

Punters lost more than $64 million to poker machines in the Penrith Local Government Area (LGA) in the third quarter of last year, new figures show.

The data released by Liquor and Gaming NSW reveals $64.4 million was lost in the period.

This comes as Wesley Mission calls for real and urgent reforms from the State Government to protect the community from further gambling harm.

With 2417 poker machines in the Penrith LGA and Penrith moving up to number seven on the top 20 LGAs for loss compared to the first and second quarter, Wesley Mission CEO and gambling reform advocate Reverend Stu Cameron said the “obscene” losses have a devastating impact on families.

“Around the state there has been an increase of 11 per cent in the third quarter of almost $2.1 billion lost which means we are on track to lose almost $8 billion to poker machines in 2022,” Cameron said.

“Some people have the belief that

if they push the button one more time, they might hit the jackpot and can pay the rent, the mortgage or pay for the kids’ uniform or food but of course the machines are designed to always win.”

A cashless gaming card and

associated technology is one of the policy reforms that Wesley Mission believes will target money laundering and reduce losses for people using pokies.

“It has the ability for harm minimisation methods like caps. Weekly,

monthly or yearly caps that can be adjusted by the punter,” he said.

“Gambling harm measures such as breaks in play and messaging can be built into such technology to reduce the incidence of gambling harm considerably.”

Opposition Leader Chris Minns announced last month that Labor would introduce a 12-month trial for the card from July 1, 2023, along with poker machine cash input limits.

“Under Labor, we’ll have an evidence-based approach, less pokies in NSW and a range of harm minimisation measures,” he said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has fully committed to the cashless gaming card which will also include spending limits.

While gambling reform seems to be inevitable for both major parties ahead of the State Election, Cameron said more can be done.

“We welcome a number of announcements that the Labor Party made with the donation reform and responsible gambling officers, but we are disappointed that they only committed to an expanded trial as we believe there is enough evidence here in Australia and overseas for both parties to make a commitment to it,” he said.

“We are happy about the Premier’s announcement committing to the card, but we are looking for the detail.”

Get Macca’s® delivered.

Poker machine losses for Penrith have reached a troubling level.

The great

How local takeaway shops and cafés are dealing with the latest supply challenge

At the end of a long list of product shortages seen by hospitality venues over the past two years, it’s now potatoes that are under the pump, with fans of hot chips preparing to go without for the rest of the summer.

Caused by constant wet weather and flooding dramatically impacting Australian growers’ yields, cafés and restaurants have been coping with potato shortages for a few months. Now, in the heat of summer, they’re starting to feel the burn.

Phil Hallani, owner of Percy Plunkett and Fish Fish, said that both of his businesses have been impacted by the shortages.

“The raw potato has been okay to find, but the problem is, for example, the hash browns that we sell at Percy’s have been non-existant, and we’ve been constantly finding different suppliers to get us through,” he said.

“With Fish Fish, we do everything cut to order, but the problem that’s happened is, with the chips, prices have gone through the roof, and

there’s a shortage. I just got a message today saying that we’re only going to get half the amount of chips that we ordered, but we’ve just got to make it work.”

Though Hallani assures he’ll never compromise on quality when it comes to his chips, some inconsistencies may be noticed by consumers.

“Chips, in any business, it’s so important, but I’m finding now, we’re having to change chip brands often, so you’re not getting that consistency,” he said.

“We’ve been very lucky because we’ve been able to maintain the quality and it hasn’t been very noticeable, but we use the thick cut chips for our fish and chip shop, and I think if over the next few weeks there’s a big shortage of that, we might have to change to the thin fries.”

Despite this, Hallani has ensured that he’ll stick it out when it comes to price.

“Since we opened Fish Fish, our price of chips has doubled in the space of nine months, and that’s okay, but we can’t pass on that cost to the customer,” he said.

“We have to absorb the cost, because we know that eventually the price is going to drop, but you can only do so much when a huge chunk of your business is hot chips.”

Luckily, the end is in sight, with the shortages, including the lack of frozen chips in supermarkets, set to end in the coming months.

“We’re in the business of problem solving, so we’ve always got to find a way to get around it,” he said.

“I think we’ll always be okay and we’ll make it work, but they think by March there’ll be a little bit of relief, so we’re holding out until then.”

The team at Fish Fish in South Penrith with some delicious hot chips.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

Xaviah’s the real superhero

Eight-year-old Colyton resident’s cancer fight: How family helped him

CASSIDY PEARCE

After almost a year spent in and out of hospital, eight-year-old Colyton resident Xaviah Stimpson has rung the bell and returned home, but not before a very special superhero farewell.

Xaviah was first diagnosed with subtype 3 medulloblastoma in February last year, after doctors found a tumour on his brain. After undergoing brain surgery to remove the golf ball sized tumour on his cerebellum, Xaviah underwent six weeks of radiation, followed by seven months of very intense chemotherapy at Westmead Hospital.

For his mum Nicole Gordon, this took an emotional toll.

“At first it was very hard. As a mother, I struggled a lot, not with being able to take him to appointments, just, emotionally, I struggled,” she said.

“When I look back on everything he went through now, it doesn’t seem like that much, but we spent so much time in there. We would go in for a chemo round, come home, and be readmitted a couple of days later, every time. We never made it home for even a week, never once.”

As the end of Xaviah’s treatment was approaching, Gordon was inspired by the kind act of her family and friends at the beginning to create another special moment.

“On the first night of chemo, me and my

partner and Xaviah were heading in there, and unbeknown to us, family and friends had arranged a big surprise in superhero costumes. When we arrived at Westmead, they were already there in their lines for us to walk through,” she said.

“It just made it so much easier to walk in with

him, it really made his night. So, we thought we’d do it again at the end, but make it a lot bigger.”

Though she admits Xaviah’s shyness may have gotten the better of him, he couldn’t hide his excitement when some of his favourite superheroes arrived as he rung the bell.

through it

“He fully understood what ringing the bell means, I pushed that to him a lot because I needed him to understand how important it was, because of everything he has achieved, just him on his own. I didn’t want him to ring that bell in the hospital and then walk out and be done,” Gordon said.

“It was incredible. Random people were stopping and watching and clapping, it was good.”

Now that he’s home, Gordon says his number one focus is recovery.

“He’s deteriorated a lot – he’s very skinny, very weak, because he’s still on his medications for another three months, until he has his next scan,” she said.

Xaviah will be looking to return to school at Oxley Park Public in March, going into Year Two. But, as his life hopefully starts to go back to normal, there’s one thing he can’t wait to do.

“There’s a lot he’s looking forward to, but the first thing he wants to do is go swimming,” Gordon said.

With Xaviah still having a 50/50 chance of survival, Gordon expresses her gratitude for the continued support from their family and friends, and from the community, including from fundraisers organised both by his school, and by Penrith Panthers legend Mark Geyer.

“I’m very grateful for everybody. I don’t know what I would have done a lot of the time if they weren’t there,” Gordon said.

Quirky twist in stadium lease issue

The future management of Penrith Whitewater Stadium (PWS) has become even more murky during Penrith City Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Monday night.

It was revealed that a 21-year lease between the State Government, which owns the land, and Penrith City Council, which operates the site, that expired on December 31, 2021, was in fact never signed in the first place.

Since December, PWS has been running the venue under a permission to occupy, but the Office of Strategic Lands need a lease to be finalised as a legal requirement.

With a new temporary lease drafted set to expire on June 30, 2023, Councillor Karen McKeown shared her opinion, saying she found it “absolutely ridiculous” that there was no decision on what government department “wants to own it on their bottom line”.

“We need some finality, the Whitewater themselves need some certainty, the staff need some resolution on where they sit,” McKeown said.

“The staff especially have been very worried about what their fate will be in this.”

The possibility of the State Government opting for a short-term lease to bring the stadium back into control with the other Olympic venues was one described as a “great

outcome” by Councillor Mark Davies that could result in certainty and proper funding.

Looking to approve the recommendation to sign the temporary lease, Councillor Ross Fowler said the future of the staff was paramount no matter who controls the property.

“Rest assured whilst there might not be anything signed, the operations are being conducted in accordance with the rules and regulations that they need to be,” he said.

“We need to as a Council make sure that the employment of these people going forward is secured because there is no way the Office of Sport can operate without them.”

A request for a further report to be taken back to a Councillor briefing was carried.

Xaviah’s superhero farewell. Xaviah’s superhero farewell.

Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY FESZCZUK

Cases five times higher than previous years across Local Health District “Concerning” gastro rise

EMILY FESZCZUK

The number of rotaviruses cases, the virus that causes gastroenteritis (gastro), in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD) is five times higher than previous years.

With children most at risk and going back to school, the spike has seen NSW Health issue a warning for people to stay on alert for symptoms of the highly infectious virus.

NBMLHD Director of Public Health Dr Victor Carey said the rates that laboratories are reporting to the Public Health Unit is “concerning”.

“Very few people get stool samples when sick with gastro but over the last few months, even going back to this period all the way to 2017, we are seeing about five times the rate of cases we usually do,” he said.

“We see the tip of the iceberg, but it certainly indicates if this is the cases we are seeing then there is a lot more in the community we are unaware of.”

While anybody can contract it, the virus is most common in young children and children aged five to 16-years-old.

“Gastro symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea classically but also fever and abdominal pain,” he said.

“These symptoms usually take three days to develop once you have been exposed to the

virus and then can last for a couple of days.”

The cases could continue to rise as students begin interacting now that school has resumed.

“We have been so careful over the last few years with hygiene and social distancing because of COVID but that has really decreased now and so people are becoming a lot more exposed to viruses such as this but also other respiratory viruses,” he said.

“With school coming back there is a greater risk of it spreading further when kids get together because children sometimes don’t have the best hand hygiene and can touch surfaces then spread it.”

While there is no magic treatment, Carey encourages people to follow some guidelines to ease the symptoms and reduce the spread.

“The main thing you can do if you are a parent is to just make sure that your child has plenty of rest and fluids to make sure they are well hydrated and that they don’t attend school or childcare for up to 48 hours after their symptoms stop,” he said.

“It can spread from stool or vomit from an infected person, so washing hands with soap and water is important, cleaning surfaces and also being mindful of hygiene when preparing food so that nothing gets contaminated.”

Most people recover without complications, but Carey said that medical treatment may be needed for infants, those who are immunocompromised or elderly people.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District Director of Public Health Dr Victor Carey.

Proactive effort to stop parcel thefts

CASSIDY PEARCE

Nepean Police Area Command has initiated a social media campaign aiming to stop local residents from becoming a victim of parcel theft.

Though he says there’s no indication of an overrepresentation of these types of crimes in the area, Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Richard Gentle, said that the campaign was started to focus on a preventative space, based on trends state-wide.

“We do look at emerging trends across the state, and there are people who are doing these opportunistic-type manners,” Gentle said.

“It was important to us to get on the front foot, and to work with the community in trying to reduce the numbers of packages that are stolen.”

For Gentle, this starts with businesses allowing the recipients of their packages to opt to pick it up at the post office, instead of having it delivered.

“Ideally, where possible, we’d like to get them delivered to the post office, where there’s that security,” he said.

“That is the best option in terms of preventing this to occurring, but each business has its own criteria.”

Many businesses will also allow for recipients to request packages be placed in a secure

location, or request a signature confirmation of delivery – both of which are highly recommended.

Where that’s not possible, Gentle recommends employing a friend or family member to keep an eye out.

“In the absence of a post office, having a neighbour or having a relative or a friend who could keep an eye out or collect the package is great, just as long as there’s someone to mitigate the risk of those items being stolen,” he said.

In lieu of that, Gentle suggests other ways to ensure that no one steps foot on your doorstep.

“Having CCTV, a large dog, anything that deters would-be offenders would be encouraged,” he said.

CCTV can also have the benefit of providing evidence to the local police, who investigate each report made. But, Gentle says it’s important the quality of the system is up to par.

“Make sure you upgrade it if appropriate,” he said.

“We’re only as good as the evidence that we have, or the footage that we have, so the footage that we do look at it – especially given that many of these people will do things to hide their identity – certainly does assist us from an evidentiary perspective.”

Most importantly, he stressed the vitality of reporting the incident to local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, if you are a victim of a crime.

Nepean Police Area Command’s Richard Gentle.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

Matilda Nepean Private Hospital to open its doors to the public from Monday

The ribbon has been cut as a new private hospital in Penrith opened its doors this week with patients ready to receive treatment from this Monday, February 6.

The 90-bed Matilda Nepean Private Hospital, located off Somerset and Orth Street, Kingswood, was formally opened by State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres and Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh during a ceremony on Wednesday morning.

The $44 million five-star bespoke hospital blends specialist care services that include mental health, ambulatory care, rehabilitation, geriatrics, and palliative care with an interior and features such as a gym, café and pool that promotes wellness and healing.

Founder and Managing Director of Matilda Health Care, Dr Harry Pannu said the facility comes as a response to growing healthcare needs in the community.

“We saw a big demand for a co-located facility next to the hospital as this is the one of the fastest growing

regions, which is set to reach a population of around three million in the next 10 to 15 years,” Pannu told the Weekender “We’ve got a rapidly ageing population in this area which brings new challenges and we noticed that these services were lacking with people going out of area for care.”

Pannu said they were honoured to join the local Penrith community and deliver excellent patient outcomes.

“Our clinician-led approach means the highest quality of care is embedded into every aspect of the patient journey, from our inpatient therapy sessions and day programs to the hospital’s boutique, hotel-like setting,” he said.

“For years to come, Matilda Nepean will support the health and wellbeing of western Sydney residents.”

The property is owned by investors in Australian Unity’s $3.7 billion Healthcare Property Trust which has signed a 30-year lease with Matilda Health Care to operate the hospital.

Australian Unity General Manager of Healthcare Property Chris Smith said he was proud to be at the fore-

front when it comes to deploying private investor capital to develop high quality healthcare infrastructure across Australia and in western Sydney.

“Unlike most property developers that buy and sell assets for shortterm profit, our approach is to buy and hold the assets for the long term,” Smith said.

“We focus on delivering urgently needed healthcare infrastructure to Australian cities and regions experiencing population growth and demographic changes.”

Australian Unity also owns several parcels of land adjacent to Matilda Nepean, totalling 3,560 square metres which will be part of further long-term development according to Pannu.

“Once we get this hospital fully ramped up, we will review the local area’s needs and expand it accordingly,” Pannu said.

“We are always working hand in hand with the local healthcare sector and community to make sure we are providing the services that are needed.”

For more information about the new hospital, visit www.matildanepean.com.au.

Stuart Ayres, Melissa McIntosh, Harry Pannu and Chris Smith.

Historic church at Kingswood to hold 125th anniversary event

anniversary so special for the local community.

Having been a constant in the Penrith community for over a century, Kingswood Anglican Church will be marking its 125th anniversary this month, with a celebration for all.

Kingswood Anglican Church opened as St Philip’s Anglican Church Kingswood in 1898, on the corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, as a branch Church of St Stephens Penrith, until becoming a Provisional Parish in 1983.

Though the church quickly outgrew the building, with the newest worship centre built in 2004, the original is now heritage listed, and has been operating as an op shop since the 1980’s.

For current Minister, Rev. Simon Twist, this has been just another way to connect with the community.

“We’re excited to be part of the Kingswood community, with outreach through the op shop,” he said.

“All the things we do are to promote the gospel, and that Christ came into the world to save sinners.”

Twist joined the church at the beginning of the year, with only three Sundays under his belt. But, he now believes that what makes it so special is how welcoming the people are, despite many attending for their entire lives.

“New people have come in and just been welcomed straight away,” he said.

“It’s a very welcoming church, and I can testify to that.”

According to Rodney Page, Twist is just one of many incredible Ministers the church has had, totalling 14 over the years.

“We’re blessed with such wonderful leaders,” he said.

“I’ve been here since 1983, and I’ve seen how God’s worked through all those difficult times where we haven’t had a minister, or we’ve been looking for a minister, and he’s always come up with the goods!”

Lynda Harris has seen the generations come through first-hand, with children attending with their parents and grandparents only to continue on their journey alone.

“Some of the people that are on the staff now, grew up here,” she said.

“One attended uni and is now the uni minister, so you’ve really seen them grow up, which is wonderful.”

It’s for this reason that the team are aiming to make the 125th

“What we’re celebrating, really, is not just the age of the building and the history of the building, but the people that make up the church, and the community that gathers here,” Twist said.

The 125th anniversary celebration will be held on Sunday, February 26, with a combined Church Service at 10.30am complete with the singing of songs from each generation. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney and the Bishop of Sydney will be in attendance for the service, which will be followed by lunch.

The team hopes to see members past and present attending on the day.

“In one sense, it will be big, but it will be very simple, because we want to present the church as you’d see it,” Twist said.

“We’ll be celebrating the past and giving thanks to God for the provision of this place where we can meet, recognising the present, but certainly looking to the future.” For more information or to contact the church, visit kingswoodanglican.org.

Rodney Page, Simon Twist and Lynda Harris.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

The original church building.

CASSIDY PEARCE

From pizza to golf: Italian eatery set to be replaced by simulator

EMILY FESZCZUK

The space where well-known Valentino’s Woodfire Pizzeria Restaurant once sat is set to be replaced by a new indoor golf simulator facility.

A Development Application (DA) has been lodged with Penrith City Council to use the first-floor tenancy at 55-61 York Road, Jamisontown as an indoor recreational facility with a licensed bar for food and drink.

Romina Pereira and Franco Flammia’s mother and father opened Valentino’s in 2000 on High Street before moving to the bigger location at York Road, Jamisontown, where it was popular in the community.

After Mirella Flammia passed away from cancer in 2012, her husband did not want to continue the business without her, so the siblings took over to continue their parents’ legacy.

Working tirelessly to keep the doors open while battling COVID, a fluctuating economy and new competitors, the pair decided to permanently close the restaurant a few months ago.

“Unfortunately, as our lease was coming up for renewal, we were unable to come to an agreement with our landlord, so we decided to part ways,” Pereira said.

“We would like to thank all our loyal customers, friends and family for the wonderful support you have shown us for over 20 years.”

Pereira has just opened a new business with her husband called

Scarlett’s Autism Therapy Centre. The application to take over the space on York Road is by the business X-Golf that has franchises around Australia and New Zealand. The Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) said the venue will be where golf meets a sports bar for an entertainment package that has “exceptionally high customer satisfaction”.

“X-Golf’s success is underpinned by its best-in-class golf simulators which have unique competitive benefits protected by global patented technology,” it said.

“Business drivers include private and corporate function entertainment, golf league competitions, professional golf lessons, secondary school golf clinics, golf memberships for regular golfers, and casual

visits by small groups, families and individuals.”

If approved, the site will have six simulators, along with a bar serving tap beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

There will also be an ancillary café as part of the 540 square metre tenancy serving basic hot food from a commercial kitchen.

While most customers are expected to book, walk-in customers are welcome, with the proposed hours to be 10am to 10pm at the start of week, extending to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and closing at 6pm on Sundays.

“X-Golf proposes a maximum number of patrons and staff using the facility will be 80, which is consistent with the existing restaurant,” the SEE said.

“Based on other X-Golf franchises our peak trading hours would be from 5pm to 9pm weekdays, 10am to 9pm Saturdays and 11am to 6pm Sundays.”

Big Swing Golf Penrith is another simulator venue that already operates on Mulgoa Road, Penrith.

The DA is currently being considered.

DEAR WEEKENDER

NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

SUITE 2, 42-44 ABEL STREET, JAMISONTOWN 2750

Pokie trouble

It is definitely worrisome about so much money being lost through poker machine gambling (Editor’s Desk, Weekender January 27). I don’t know what the answer is, but maybe we should go backwards to the future. Go back to the old “one armed bandits” with only dollar or two dollar coins being inserted instead of hundred dollar notes. And too many ways on modern pokies to speed up the loss of your betting money. With multiple lines and features, and fast movement from inserting note to finished gamble. Plus the acceptance of high money cash notes ($100). Far too much to lose in one go. The old-fashioned pokies would require the one or two dollar coin to be inserted – then the handle pulled once, and then the wait for the machine tumblers to fall into position, which would slow down the gambling process markedly. Also, having to use one or two dollar coins would help slow down the laundering of dirty money. A hundred thousand dollars of two dollar coins would be impossible to carry around unnoticed. The gambling industry is focused on greed, I am afraid, so we all must get together and slow down the losing (through gambling) of our precious everyday ready cash.

GRAHAM ELPHICK, VIA EMAIL

Limits are a step too far

Despite the trouble alcohol and smoking causes, there is no limit on how much booze you can buy nor how many cigarettes you can purchase. Yet Dominic Perrottet wants to tell us how much we can gamble, irrespective of what we can and can’t afford.

This whole thing will be a disaster. People will go to more unregulated, online forms of gambling – including overseas based online pokies. Perhaps simpler, friends and family will share cards to get around limits that may exist. This is poor handling of a situation, when the real solution needs to be better intervention when it comes to solving problem gambling in the first place.

RICHARD TASK, PENRITH

An obvious return

It’s great that Dominic Perrottet has confirmed Stuart Ayres will return to Cabinet. But it seems strange to me that we’re going to an election without knowing what Perrottet’s front bench will look like. With so many retirements and exits, the team he’s taking to the election is simply warming the seats for the next Cabinet. Surely a better approach would be to say “this is the team I want to lead New South Wales for the next four years”, not “this is the team we had, you’ll see who we’ve got after you vote for us”. I think it’s a very poorly thought out approach.

STEVE WILLOUGHBY, CRANEBROOK

Where’s Albo?

Has Anthony Albanese visited Lindsay since the election? I understand we’re a Liberal seat, but it feels like Labor is simply ignoring this part of Sydney. So much criticism of Albo failing to visit Alice Springs, which was fair enough, but it seems they’re not alone in missing out on seeing such important representation.

SARAH EGGLAND, VIA EMAIL

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

Valentino’s on York Road could be replaced with an indoor recreational facility. Photo: Melinda Jane.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

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

Samuel Marsden Road in Orchard Hills is named after Reverend Samuel Marsden who was granted his property from Governor Philip Gidley King where Mamre House was built.

Marsden started breeding sheep at the farm in Orchard Hills and laid the foundation of Australia’s wool industry.

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

Δ Drink West close to opening: New Penrith brewery Drink West, located on Castlereagh Road, held a VIP opening last Saturday (pictured above). It’ll open to the public by the end of the month.

Δ New soft drink: Tennis superstar Nick Kyrgios has just launched an Australian-made ‘no sugar’ soft drink. A unique great tasting soft drink with one billion live probiotics and prebiotics jam-packed in every can, ALIVE is starting to hit shelves now. The soft drink will come in eight different flavours,

including blood orange and passionfruit, ginger, lemonade, lemon lime and bitters, orange, passionfruit, pink grapefruit and raspberry.

Δ Ice-cream favoured lollies: Allen’s has partnered up with Peters Ice Cream, to bring back the fan favourite Allen’s Frosty Fruits & Drumstick range (pictured). This take on a range of classic Aussie ice-block and ice-cream flavours range originally launched in 2018 and was one of the most popular in Allen’s history. The new range will see Frosty

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Keep safe around pools

The warmer days we are experiencing bring with it the need to cool off by taking a dip in the backyard pool. However, the backyard pool presents an increased risk of drowning if the pool is poorly fenced, maintained or lacks adequate supervision.

Everyone wants to beat the heat if possible or have a good time in the pool – but the pool can also be a dangerous place, especially if there is no barrier to stop children from going for an unsupervised swim.

Children aged under five continue to be the age group that accounts for the largest number of drowning deaths in swimming pools in Australia.

This is why Council continues its compliance activities around unfenced swimming pools and is calling on residents to ensure all pools – especially inflatable pools – are properly fenced off.

Inflatable pools are a cheap way to keep cool, but too often there are cases where someone has simply bought the pool, blown it up, filled it and started swimming.

Fruits available in Tropical, Summer Sunset and Watermelon Slice flavours, while the Drumstick lollies will be available in Classic Vanilla, Super Choc and Boysenberry Swirl.

Δ Kids eat free: Attention all parents, do yourself a favour and head to Lone Star Rib House and Brews, for Kids Eat Free Sundays. The perfect excuse to not have to cook on the weekend, you are invited to come along for an enjoyable and delicious meal at Lone Star Rib House and Brews with family and friends. Diners get one free kids meal for every qualifying main meal purchased. Excludes lunch specials, entrees, breads and desserts.

Δ History lesson: The Nepean Family History Society is holding its next meeting on Saturday, February 4 at 1.30pm. Mark St Leon will be speaking about the tragic story of Cassim and Abdallah. It’ll be happening at the Old School Residence at the Great Western Highway, Emu Plains.

If you think you don’t need to fence off an inflatable pool or a swim spa, think again. Portable and inflatable pools have the same drowning risk as permanent pools. Any pool (or spa) that can hold more than 30 centimetres of water must be properly fenced off.

Properly fenced off means it is inside a property boundary fence more than 1.8 metres tall as well as a pool fence having a self-closing and self-latching gate that is more than 1.2 metres high.

Too often a toddler wanders around a backyard and gets into trouble because the pool is unfenced, the gate is propped open and is poorly supervised.

For the sake of your family, your children’s playmates and above all – for peace of mind, and to avoid the tragedy of a drowning – make sure pools are properly fenced and you know how to administer basic life saving such as CPR.

CR TRICIA HITCHEN Mayor of Penrith

LOOKING FOR A PAPER?

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

out.

This photograph from 1919 shows the intersection of High and Station Streets in Penrith. The view shows Murray’s Produce store which was locate on the south eastern corner. It would, many years later, become Murray’s Hardware.

(Photo thanks to Penrith City Library)

PENRITH’S SAFEST SUMMER

HELPFUL CONTACTS

In a life-threatening emergency, always call 000.

Royal Life Saving 9634 8529

Penrith City Council Swimming Pool Administration

4732 7897

Swim Safer

www.swimsafer.org.au

Kidsafe NSW

9845 0890

Samuel Morris Foundation 0404 552 429

State Emergency Service 132 500

Australian Maritime Safety Authority 1800 641 792

Weather conditions

www.bom.gov.au

STAYING SWIM SAFE

WITH JULIE SHELDRAKE

NEPEAN AQUATIC CENTRE & EVA BORY’S SWIM SCHOOL • 4730 8900

Drowning remains the number one cause of accidental death in Australia in children under five years of age – it can take just 20 seconds for a child to drown, as another tragic summer break has proven. Most children who drown in home pools, fall in by accident.

Tragically, eight children in total have died during the holiday period, and we’ve lost 26 people in total to drowning over the holiday period, including two on Christmas Day itself and another on Boxing Day. While the numbers are lower than the same time last year, it is still 26 people too many.

Royal Life Saving Summer Safety Campaign: Creative Concepts Poster

On December 29, three-year-old Issac Powell died in a next-door neighbour’s pool in Perth. The little boy’s family had just moved in, and while his Mum readied the house for a family get-together, the little boy made his way next door via some broken boundary fence panels. I can’t begin to

14 died in a boating accident in Tamworth, NSW on the same day. Supervision, checking pool fences and gates and knowing CPR are also lines of defence to protect the lives of our loved ones, but learning to swim is key. I cannot stress strongly enough that now is the time to get your children enrolled in swimming lessons if they are not already learning to swim. We live in Australia, where the water is an intrinsic part of our lifestyle, and bodies of water are everywhere. The sooner a child is able to get themselves to the side of the pool after falling in, the better.

Swimming lessons must be a non-negotiable part of a child’s routine, from six months of age, until they have reached the recommended swimming milestones, which will, on average, take most of their pre and primary school years if swimming once a week, all year round. Teaching your child to swim is giving them

Royal Life Saving is urging men to take extra care around the water, with constant evidence that it’s blokes who are most at risk of drowning incidents.

Royal Life Saving’s ‘Make the Right Call’ campaign encourages all Australians – especially males – to look after their mates to keep each other safe when enjoying the country’s beautiful inland waterways. Inland waterways claim more lives than any other location, accounting for 40 per cent of all drowning deaths in Australia.

Royal Life Saving Chief Executive Officer Justin Scarr said there were three key things men could do to make sure they get home to their loved ones safely at the end of a great day out.

“The biggest single factor is alcohol. If you’ve had a few drinks, your coordination levels drop and you lose your inhibitions,” Scarr said.

“In more than a quarter of all drowning deaths in inland waterways over the 10 years to 2020/21, the person who drowned had a blood

alcohol content reading of more than 0.05 per cent.

“If your boat tips, a wave hits you, or the conditions change rapidly you need to be able to think clearly and quickly, and your reflexes and coordination needs to be at their best so you can get yourself to safety.

“Leave the booze until safely away from the water, look out for your mates and pull them into line if they’re under the influence and thinking about doing something reckless near water such as swimming or boating.

“Lifejackets can make the difference between life and death. With the modern, comfortable design of lifejackets which doesn’t inhibit your recreational activities, there is really no excuse not to wear a lifejacket.

“The third safety tip is not to go alone. Whenever you’re on, in, or near the water having someone with you to help in the event of an emergency is vital. There are so many factors we can’t control – medical incidents, submerged items, sudden changes in the conditions. Having a mate to help improves the odds of getting home.”

PAC thrilled with results

Penrith Anglican College congratulates its Class of 2022.

“Our students repeatedly achieve excellent academic results at the end of Year 12, and 2022 was no exception. We’re proud of these achievements, however, we’re equally proud of the depth of character our students develop during their time at the College,” Penrith Anglican College Principal, Felicity Grima said.

“In 2022 we had 67 students completing the HSC. We congratulate each student for the courage and perseverance they have shown to achieve their best, particularly in light of the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19 during their final years of schooling.

“The HSC results and ATARs achieved continue the College’s reputation for strong academic performance.

“We had 21 (11 per cent) students achieve Band 6 or Band E4 results in at least one subject with 94 per cent of our students achieving at least one result in the top three bands.”

The College particularly congratulates 2022 Dux, Benja-

min Mallin (pictured) with an ATAR of 98.75.

“For many of our Class of 2022, we have walked with them not just in their final year of school but through a significant part of their childhood. They have not simply been part of an educational institution but a community that is shaped by the Gospel of Christ,” Grima said.

“We would like to thank the teachers and staff of the College whose hard work and encouragement have empowered our students to achieve their best. We would also like to acknowledge the parents and families of our students who have encouraged and supported their children and the College throughout the learning journey.

“Our students have different plans for 2023. Whether it be further study, starting an apprenticeship, joining the workforce, or travelling, it is our hope and prayer that they will think about ‘who’ they want to be and not just ‘what’ they want to do.

“Year 12, Class of 2022, the College is immensely proud of you and all you have achieved. We wish you every success and happiness for the future.”

Message from the Principal of St Paul’s Grammar School

Congratulations to our hardworking and talented Year 12 students who have again produced some exceptional results. Despite the many unexpected challenges of the last few years, they have not only persevered, but excelled.

As the only school in the greater west of Sydney to offer both the Higher School Certificate (HSC) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, senior secondary students at St Paul’s choose the credential that best suits their skills and interests.

Combining our HSC and IB 2022 results, 33% of students achieved an ATAR above 90 and 52% achieved an ATAR above 80, with strong results recorded across a broad range of subjects.

I especially congratulate the 2022 Dux of St Paul’s, Keira Hastings, who received an ATAR of 99.90.

These excellent results are especially pleasing given the disrupted nature of the past three years. Through fires, floods and pandemic, Year 12 have been on an unexpected journey. Their resilience and determination

across these tumultuous years displays a resourcefulness and strength of character every bit as impressive as their grades.

Regardless of whether our students choose the HSC or the IB Diploma Programme in their senior years at St Paul’s, they are gifted with an education that equips them with skills required for the twenty first century – our dedication to this intent is absolute and can be clearly demonstrated by our teaching and learning initiatives over the years.

At St Paul’s, we lay the foundation for our students’ ongoing achievement, year after year, with our commitment to nurturing and educating the whole child. The extensive co-curricular activities offered at St Paul’s help students grow academically, physically, emotionally, and spiritually within a safe

and supportive environment. At St Paul’s, students are empowered to be involved in the full life of the school at every stage of their journey from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12.

It is always inspiring listening to our graduating students’ hopes and aspirations for the future and we pray for God’s blessing on them as they commence a new stage of life. Whatever field of endeavour they now choose to undertake, I am proud of the role that the teachers, staff and the wider school community of St Paul’s have played in the development of each students’ interests and character.

The graduating class of 2022 leave St Paul’s as a remarkable group of people – resilient, knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate – with a determination that’s inspiring. We can’t wait to see what they do next.

Our students... are gifted with an education that equips them with skills required for the twenty first century – our dedication to this intent is absolute and can be clearly demonstrated by our teaching and learning initiatives over the years.

Ian Wake Principal

Penola students shine in exam results

Congratulations to Penola Catholic College’s class of 2022 for their outstanding HSC results.

Over the last two years, the College community has been affected by COVID, floods, fires and personal challenges.

Throughout all this, Penola students were able to show resilience and focus on their studies. These results are a testament to the hard

working students and the strong academic support of the teaching staff at Penola Catholic College. The top two highest ATARs

were 98.1 achieved by Torrance McLean and 93.25 achieved by Broc Geronimi. These students also received the top bands for every

subject they completed during their HSC.

In 18 subjects Penola students achieved the top two bands, which is a wonderful achievement!

Penola Catholic College, Emu Plains is a 7-12 co-educational Catholic School that is focused on developing passionate and resilient life long learners who are creative, innovative and responsible citizens of our community.

Their dedicated teachers aim to promote a sense of personal success for each student.

High expectations are evident in all aspects of school life, and the students are encouraged to exceed their academic expectations to ensure they are highly employable post school and prepare for whatever future they decide upon – University study, college/TAFE study or commercial employment.

With great pride Penola Catholic College congratulates their class of 2022 and wish them well in their future endeavours.

Penrith Selective High School

Cant ATAR: 99.8

Band 6: English Advanced, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Studies of Religion 1, Business Studies

State Ranks: Modern History (3rd) Society and Culture (4th)

The staff of Penrith Selective High School congratulate all students on their outstanding achievements in their HSC for 2022. We are proud of them and wish them every success with their future endeavours.

PENRITH VALLEY CHAMBER

Chamber is making a difference

The Penrith Valley Chamber is up and running in 2023 with a new strategy and roadmap for the year ahead. The key priorities that emerged from a Chamber Board workshop last year include growing relationships with government, council, and other business organisations; connecting to local big business to inform the Chamber advocacy program for Penrith and the west; promoting the visitor economy opportunities attached to new Western Sydney Airport (pictured); and building the Penrith community through positive business connectivity.

Collaboration is the key, when it comes to providing the best support for local business and positioning Penrith Valley for the future. Regular catch ups with St Marys Town Centre, Penrith CBD Corporation, the City leadership and economic team and the State Government agencies are underway.

The popular Chamber Collective program continues to thrive.

This is a bi monthly brains-trust roundtable where members from different industry sectors challenge and inspire each other, exchange knowledge and advice to develop new opportunities. A business young guns initiative for start up entrepreneurs is on the cards later this year.

The 2023 Chamber major events program will focus on two key themes: A Made in Penrith Manufacturing Forum in the first half of the year, followed by a “ready for take off”

Tourism and Visitor Economy Summit in the second half of the year, as the Western Sydney Airport continues its promise to transform the visitor economy in our region.

The Chamber Connect monthly networking events kick off this month starting with an

What we do

• Advocate for Penrith

• Collaborate with government

• Education for business owners

• Destination Penrith Taskforce

• Chamber Collective group

outdoor event at Penrith Whitewater hosted by Fox and Co and Paddle Australia.

It’s a chance to catch up and enjoy the beautiful natural surrounds, connect, share and learn. You can find out more on the website.

Finally, with a State Election around the

corner there is lots to play for in western Sydney, including new funding to help develop the future of tourism and improve liveability in our region.

For more information visit www.penrithchamber.org.au.

• “Lights on Penrith” themed events

• Member “buddy system”

• Business directory

• Grants to small business

• Network and connect

Penrith Valley Chamber is an inclusive environment where forward-thinking local businesses support each other on their business journey. We work as a community to make meaningful changes – economically, environmentally, and socially. Don’t do business alone. Come join us @ www.penrithchamber.org.au

WITH NATHAN TODD WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS CENTRE • 4721 5011

The most effective way to run social media

There is no doubting that social media pages are getting harder and harder to manage for small business owners. The platforms are constantly changing as is what works/doesn’t when it comes to content creation. I have created a list below of some of the basics that may assist you going forward, and free up some time to focus on other parts of your business.

1. Establish a clear focused vision. Your social media will struggle for success if you haven’t planned out what the goal is that you are trying to achieve. Yes, you ultimately want to gain a following, but is the content you are posting attracting the wrong audience? Your posts must remain in line with what the core objective of your business is. Researching successful competitors to see what content is working for them is a great place to start.

2. Be consistent. This may be the biggest challenge in your business as it is for most but being proactive rather than reactive is key. To manage an effective social media, you must plan your content for the week. Content can be planned in one day and scheduled for posting throughout the week. Meta Business Suite is a great tool to manage this.

3. Creating content. Some of you may have the image in your mind but think you don’t have the skills to create it,

but don’t worry, you don’t have to be a graphic designer to create content. A program such as ‘Canva’ could be a great tool for you to use to create meaningful images that will attract the attention from your following. A lot of businesses now struggle with making Reels, make sure to scroll down the ‘Reels’ section and Instagram and find a video you like, then click ‘Use Template’. This will make it much easier for you to create one!

4. Intriguing posts. The ultimate goal on your social media is to get the attention of your target audience. Be entertaining or educational, ask questions and try and stand out from the rest. Why would someone follow you? If you don’t have the answer to that question you need to go back to the planning phase. These points only just scratch the surface of social media management, but if you are ready for the next steps please get in touch, I would love to assist!

ENTERTAINMENT

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

FINDING A VOICE

Written by the Academy Award winning writer of ‘Moonlight’, Tarell Alvin-McCraney, ‘Choir Boy’ is a moving story about a young gay man finding his voice. This month, it’s coming to Riverside Theatres for its Australian premiere. The project has been taken on by directors Dino Dimitriadis and Zindzi Okenyo, for whom, according to Dino, working together was a no-brainer.

“The project is one that I’ve been talking with National Theatre of Parramatta for a while about, and when it came down to bringing the team together, it was a no-brainer to get Zindzi involved as well,” they said.

“Zindzi and I both have a very similar way of working and a care-centred culture, and also the kind of content that we’re keen to put on stage. We both felt that given our complementing lived experience, but also some of the things that we do share in common, that it would be a really exciting thing to take that on.”

For Dimitriadis, whose work in the past has frequently focused on creating space for underrepresented voices on stage, the story of ‘Choir Boy’, which follows Pharus Young on his journey to become the best choir leader in the 50-year history of Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys, seemed like a great fit. But, they found themselves particularly inspired by the work’s form.

“This idea that you can have this beautiful play, but then transcend into these moments of acapella gospel singing to add this meditative layer to the piece is just so, so beautiful,” they said.

Having premiered in 2012 at London’s Royal Court Theatre, before going on to play productions at New York City Center, Alliance Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, and on Broadway, it’s clear that the Tony Award winning play has something special.

For Dimitriadis, it’s the shared experiences it brings to life.

“‘Choir Boy’ is a celebration of life, and it’s a celebration of finding yourself in the world,” they said.

“I think that’s an experience that’s shared by everybody, especially in these quite turbulent times, making sense of the world, and that’s what I love most about it. Ultimately, it’s just a beautiful cele bration of taking up space and claiming your space.”

Now that it’s being brought in Australia for the very first time by the National Theatre of Parramatta, Dimitriadis is most excited to be able to bring a new vision to the work.

“It’s such a wonderful thing to be able to premiere it here,” they said.

“Whilst it’s a very specific story, it is very universal, and so we’re really excited to put it in the Australian context.”

Before touring seasons in Brisbane, Canberra and Wollongong, ‘Choir Boy’ will be premiering at Riverside specifically in association with Sydney WorldPride 2023.

“It’s a show about pride in so many ways, and then also, it’s a global conver sation – we have some team members from the States, then obviously the play wright as well and our musical director is coming from America as well – so it’s the perfect fit to kick it off in WorldPride,” Dimitriadis said.

The show brings “everything you want from a great night out”.

“It’s really dynamic and the characters are very well fleshed out, and so it’s a really rich work that allows people to really think about things and step out of their world and into this one,” Dimitriadis said.

‘Choir Boy’ will be on at Riverside Theatres from Tuesday, February 14. Tickets start at $49.

To book, visit riversideparramatta.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

THINGS TO DO

Laughs are free at The Joan

Free movie in the park

This Sunday Mamre Homestead Markets will be returning for their first event of the year. Hosted by Market Warriors, Mamre Homestead Market is held in the grounds of Historic Mamre House and Farm on the first Sunday of each month. With a wide variety of market stalls, the event is sure to create a market atmosphere the whole family can enjoy!

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood

Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm. Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, Kingswood.

Morning tea every Friday morning.

Penrith Markets

Wednesdays. Penrith Showground.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

Regular events.

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

CLASSES AND FUN

Sunset Station Singers

Mondays 7pm, St Marys RSL.

Rhonda 0408 218 965.

The Sunset Station Singers entertain residents mainly in nursing homes. The song list is over 130 songs, ranging from their old time favourites to more current songs.

Free weekly Tai Chi classes

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

Local seniors are in for a treat, with the hilarious 2023 Penrith Seniors Comedy Gala being held at The Joan on the morning of Tuesday, February 7. The Gala is being held as part of NSW Seniors Festival, which aims to see seniors ‘celebrate together’ and have a laugh. The event is free and includes morning tea at 9.45am. For more information or to book, visit thejoan.com.au.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Penrith Rotary Club

Mondays 6.30pm. 0416 157 668. New members welcome. The Rotary Club generally meets at Penrith Bowling Club.

Penrith Lions Club

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

Cambridge Park Lions Club

Second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Henry Sports Club. Call 0484 003 571 for details.

Jordan Springs Probus Club

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

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary Craft stall at Nepean Hospital on the second Tuesday of each month from 9am-2pm. Volunteers needed. Call Helen on 4572 5244.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

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

JP Service

Victor Glanville – 0416 157 668.

Nepean Food Services

Penrith City Council’s Summer Cinema series will be kicking off at Triangle Park next Saturday, February 11 to finish out the warmer months. From 6pm, join members of the community to enjoy the family classic, ‘Night at the Museum’. Free popcorn and ice cream will be available for the first 250 people, so get in early! For more information, head to penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group

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

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

MUSEUMS

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

Nepean Naval Museum

Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42 Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700. The Nepean Naval Museum opened in 2014 and is the area’s first museum dedicated to the naval forces. The Museum houses a collection of Naval forces memorabilia.

Arms of Australia Inn

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm, 4735 4394. 127 Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains. A great place to discover the local history of Penrith

SUPPORT GROUPS

Alcoholics Anonymous

Mondays 6pm. 1300 222 222.

Gamblers Anonymous

Mondays 7.30pm. 0433 018 484.

Penrith Carer Support Group

First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

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

Nepean Puffers & Wheezers 1800 654 301.

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

Relationships Australia Counselling for individuals, couples and families. Domestic violence support group also available. 1300 364 277. 2/606 High St, Penrith.

Crisis Sexual Assault Service 24/7 support available for any sexual assault that has occurred in the last seven days. 4734 2000.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Mamre Homestead Markets return

WIN TICKETS TO HOT SHOW

For a night of fiery fun, head to Riverside Theatres this month for the return of ‘Matador’.

‘Matador’ tells a story of forbidden romance between a love torn bull and its seductive Matador – putting a fiery Spanish twist on a tale as old as time.

After a sold-out premiere season at the Sydney Opera House in 2019, the smash hit show will be returning bigger, bolder and sexier than ever, with a new stage set, new original music, and some explosive new Latin acts to elevate it in every way.

Complete with high energy commercial dance pieces, beautiful contemporary work and ballet acts, and steamy Latin numbers intertwined with saucy burlesque acts, pole dancing and jaw-dropping aerial and circus performances, audiences are guaranteed to fall in love with ‘Matador’.

‘Matador’ will be on at Riverside Theatres from Thursday, February 16. Tickets start at $59. For more information or to book, visit riversideparramatta.com.au or call 8839 3399. The Weekender has two double passes to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@ westernweekender.com.au with ‘Matador’ in the subject line. Closes February 9.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Highland Park has been crafting award-winning single malt Scotch whisky in Orkney since 1798, balancing seemingly contradictory flavours from heather honey to spicy fruitcake to aromatic, treeless peat smoke.

Highland Park is the perfect whisky for pairing with grilled and fire-cooked dishes, with its unexpected contrast of sweet and aromatic smoky flavours. A wild harmony of tastes, Highland Park offers a new way to enjoy and celebrate unusual taste combinations and find balance in extremes.

Now, three giant tipis will host a luxury BBQ dining experience paired with Highland Park single malt whiskies and smoky cocktail creations as part of the MOPOKE Festival in Sydney this weekend.

From fruit on the grill to plant-based meat to open-fire tasting menus, alternative ways to BBQ are growing in popularity globally.

Inside The Domain, you’ll find three giant tipis that will host a luxurious woodland-inspired three-course dining experience featuring Highland Park’s single malt whiskies and cocktail creations by Sydney’s best mixologist and luscious flambéed desserts from Four Frogs Creperie. The bespoke tasting experience is available for a Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch.

Because of the projected popularity, this specific event inside of The Domain will be ticketed so booking in advance will be required to secure one of the 80 lucky spots to take part in a unique exploration of food and drink.

Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the wild, fiery flavours and sounds of ‘Flavours from the Fire’. Visit www.mopokesydney.com.au/ flavours-from-the-fire-by-highland-park for details.

1

How do you find lasting love in today’s world? For documentary filmmaker Zoe (Lily James), swiping right to find Mr Right has only delivered bad dates and funny anecdotes, much to her opinionated mother Cath’s (Emma Thompson) dismay. For her childhood friend and neighbour Kazim (Shazad Latif), the answer is to follow his

parents’ example and opt for an assisted marriage with a bright and beautiful bride from Pakistan. As Zoe films his hopeful journey from London to Lahore to marry a stranger, chosen by his parents, she begins to wonder if she might have something to learn from a different approach to finding love.

3 hours, 9 minutes

From Damien Chazelle, ‘Babylon’ is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart.

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of un-

bridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

A 2023 Oscar Nominee for Best Original Score (Justin Hurwitz), Best Production Design (Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino), and Best Costume Design (Mary Zophres), ‘Babylon’ is a classic in the making.

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Nathan

Ê After the popular E! channel ceased transmission earlier this week, Foxtel subscribers are now losing more channels with FOX Funny, National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild to exit the service on March 1. Disney-owned National Geographic has been part of Foxtel since 2008, while Nat Geo Wild began in 2010. Disney+ currently airs National Geographic content, so subscribers are asked to go there. FOX Funny’s line-up will shift to FOX8, FOX Comedy or On Demand, Foxtel says.

Ê After six long years, much-loved music trivia show ‘RocKwiz’ is finally returning to our screens on Friday, February 24 at 7.30pm. After being a staple on SBS for many years, ‘RocKwiz’ will now air exclusively on FOX8. The new series will feature original host Julia Zemiro, music ringmaster Brian Nankervis, human scoreboard and roadie Dugald, and a new look RocKwiz Orkestra. Some of the guests set to appear this season include Jimmy Barnes, Vance Joy, Tina Arena and Ben Lee.

Ê Exciting news for ‘Ted Lasso’ fans with the acclaimed Apple TV+ series to return this autumn. The streamer recently released a first-look image from the new season, which will be its third overall. During the recent summer break, yours truly visited Richmond in London where the series is filmed and did the Ted Lasso Original Tour, where I saw all the filming locations from the show. I’m hearing there will be a few surprises in season three. An exact date is yet to be announced.

Ê Netflix has announced that the upcoming sixth season of ‘Karate Kid’ spin-off ‘Cobra Kai’ will be its last. The news doesn’t come as a great surprise as you could already tell in season five that the show was nearing its expiry date. In saying that, this was one of the best series’ I’ve seen in years and I’m looking forward to seeing how they conclude it.

Ê Long-running Channel 10 procedural series ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ will officially wrap up after its current 14th season. Meanwhile, the ‘Gossip Girl’ revival has already been cancelled by HBO after just two seasons. It aired on FOX Showcase and Binge but didn’t get anywhere near the heights of the original series.

Ê If you love your cooking shows, SBS Food is bringing back ‘The Cook Up with Adam Liaw’ at 7pm weeknights from Monday, February 20. If you’ve never seen the show –now in its fourth season – ‘The Cook Up with Adam Liaw’ brings a fabulous friendly half hour of food and entertainment into your home every weeknight. Each night Adam is joined by two guests in the kitchen to create delicious food based around a different theme. Guests this season include Colin Fassnidge and Collette Dinnigan.

TV Guide: February 3–9

Your

Get Macca’s®

February

7:30 Movie: “S.W.A.T.” (M l,v) (’03) Stars: Colin Farrell 9:55 Movie: “Face/Off” (M) (’97) Stars: Nicolas Cage

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: Summer Series 12:55

Movin’ To The Country 1:25 Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens 2:25 Call The Midwife (PG)

3:25 Victoria (PG) 4:15 Grand Designs (PG)

5:00 Australia’s Wild Odyssey 6:00 Antiques Roadshow 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Joanna

Lumley’s Unseen Adventures (PG) 8:20

Vera (M v) 9:50 Wreck (MA15+)

4:00 Penelope Keith’s Hidden Villages (PG)

5:00 Escape To The Perfect Town 6:00 Air Crash Investigation (PG) 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 8:30 Heathrow (PG) 9:30 Chris Tarrant’s Extreme Railways (PG)

3:00 The Amazing Race (PG) 5:00 Movie: “Looney Tunes: Back In Action” (G) (’03) Stars: Brendan Fraser 7:00 Movie: “A Dog’s Journey” (PG) (’19) Stars: Dennis Quaid 9:15

10:15 Preserving Taste (PG)

4:00 Everybody Loves Raymond (PG) 5:00 About A Boy (PG) 5:30

Movie: “A Cinderella Story” (PG) (’04) Stars: Hilary Duff 7:30 Movie: “Stick It” (PG) (’06) Stars: Jeff Bridges 9:35 Movie: “The Duff” (M l,s) (’15) Stars: Mae Whitman

2:25 Movie: “Shalako” (PG) (’68) Stars: Brigitte Bardot 4:45 Movie: “Red River” (G) (’48) Stars: John Wayne 7:30 Movie: “The Magnificent Seven” (PG) (’60) Stars: Yul Brynner 10:10 Movie: “The Magnificent Seven Ride!” (PG) (’72)

6:00 Home Shopping 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show Weekend 12:00 Motor Racing: Bathurst 12hr

3:00 Mark Berg’s Fishing Addiction (PG)

4:00 Irish Pickers (PG) 5:00 Motor Racing: Bathurst 12hr *Live* 6:00 Movie: “The Amazing Spiderman” (M v) (’12) Stars: Andrew Garfield 8:45 Movie: “Pacific Rim” (M v) (’13) Stars: Charlie Hunnam

2:30 TBA 4:00 Movie: “Looney Tunes: Back In Action” (G) (’03) Stars: Brendan Fraser 6:00 My Name Is Earl (PG) 6:30 The Simpsons (PG) 7:30 Law & Order (M) 8:30 Law & Order: SVU (M) 11:30 Absentia (MA15+)

5:00 Thomas And Friends 6:05 The Adventures Of Paddington 6:30 Spicks And Specks 7:30 You Can’t Ask That (PG) 8:30 Louis Theroux: Behind Bars (M l,n) 9:30 Louis Theroux: Louis & The Brothel (M l,n,s)

Classifications:

3:00 AFL: NTFL

Women’s Under 18s 4:15 First Nations 5:45 Songlines On Screen 6:00 Spirit Talker (PG) 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Wild New Zealand (PG) 7:40 Idris Elba’s Fight School (M) 8:40 Buddy Guy - The Blues (PG)

6:05 Mary Makes It Easy 6:35 Made In Britain 7:35 Michel Roux’s French Country Cooking 8:35

12:00 JAG (PG) 1:00

Demolition Down Under 2:00 What’s Up Down Under 2:30 Football: Round 15: Western Sydney Wanderers v Western United *Live* 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 10:20

A Boy (PG)

5:30 Movie: “Grumpier Old Men” (PG) (’95) Stars: Walter Matthau 7:30 Movie: “Oblivion” (M l,v) (’13) Stars Andrea Riseborough 10:00 Movie: “Life” (MA15+) (’17)

4:00 Movie: “The Horse Soldiers” (G) (’59)

Stars: John Wayne

6:30 Bondi Vet (PG) 7:30 David Attenborough’s Life In Colour 8:30 Movie: “Dirty Harry” (M l,v) (’71) Stars: Clint Eastwood 10:40 Major Crimes (M) 11:35 House (M)

I

8:30

5:30 American Restoration (PG) 6:00 American Pickers (PG) 7:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 8:30 Movie: “US Marshals” (M l,v) (’98) Stars: Tommy Lee Jones

6:30 The Simpsons (PG) 7:30 Family Guy (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Se7en” (MA15+) (’95) Stars: Morgan Freeman 11:15 Scandal (M)

QI (PG)

Quiz (M)

6:40 Arctic Secrets 7:30 Going Places With Ernie Dingo (PG) 8:30 True Colours (M l,v) 9:30 Movie: “The Dead Lands” (M) (’14) (In Maori)

4:30 Star Trek: The Next Generation (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 6:30 Scorpion (PG) 7:30 Bull (PG) 8:30 NCIS (M) 9:30 NCIS: New Orleans (PG)

5:00 Frasier (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 9:30 Seinfeld (PG) 11:00 Frasier (PG) 12:00 Home Shopping 1:30 The Late Show

6:00 House Hunters International 7:00 House Hunters USA 7:30 House Hunters International 8:30 Island Of Bryan

5:30 Letters And Numbers 6:00 Mastermind 6:30 SBS World News 7:35 From Paris To Rome With Bettany Hughes 8:30 American Presidency With Bill Clinton Thursday 9 February 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bargain Hunt 7:30 Father Brown (M) 8:30 Murdoch Mysteries (M) 9:30 Kavanagh Q.C. (M) 11:15 Murdoch Mysteries (PG)

Previous solution - Easy

Last week’s solution

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

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

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

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Sudoku brought to you by Western Sydney Business Connection

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: HOUSE BATH

BEDROOM

BLINDS

CARPET CURTAINS

DINING ROOM

DOORS

ENTRY

FOYER

GAMES ROOM

GARAGE

KITCHEN

LAUNDRY

LIGHTS

LOUNGE ROOM

PANTRY

PICTURES

STAIRS

STUDY

TILES

TOILET

WARDROBE

WINDOWS

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about Premiers of New South Wales in our special trivia quiz this week.

1. Who holds the record as the longest serving Premier in NSW history, in office for a total of 11 years, 278 days?

2. Thomas Waddell holds the record as the Premier who spent the least number of days in office. How long did he serve?

3. Who was the last Labor Premier in NSW?

4. Nick Greiner served as the 37th Premier of NSW. Which political party did he represent?

5. Which seat did long-term Labor Premier Neville Wran represent?

6. How many Premiers has the seat of Parramatta produced?

7. Who did Nathan Rees replace as Labor Premier in September 2008?

1. Sir Henry Parkes

2. 75 days

3. Kristina Keneally

4. Liberal

5. Bass Hill

6. Two

7. Morris Iemma

Hubbard goes solo Tyler Hubbard, best known as one half of Florida Georgia Line, has released his first solo album.

Hubbard (pictured) has delivered 18 tracks on the new record, including the very emotional ‘Miss My Daddy’, a tribute to his late father.

The album also features the number one hit ‘5 Foot 9’ and the self-reflective ‘35’.

You can download Hubbard’s self-titled solo album from Spotify, Apple Music and all your usual streaming services.

Florida Georgia Line officially called it quits last year, ending one of country music’s most successful duos.

The band’s Brian Kelley has already released an album

New music from Combs Luke Combs, who will tour Australia later this year, has released the title track from his forthcoming album.

‘Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old’ has already got country fans excited ahead of Combs’ fourth studio album, which is out on March 24.

“This album is about the stage of life I’m in right now. One that I’m sure a lot of us are in, have been through, or will go through,” Combs said.

“It’s about coming of age, loving where life is now but at the same time missing how it used to be, continuing to fall for the one you love and loving them no matter what, living in the moment but still wondering how much time you have left.”

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Wednesday favours stimulating friendships and falling in love very fast! With the Sun, Saturn and Mercury visiting your sign, you’ll feel restless, curious, and eager to explore radical new ideas. You’re also keen to show others how innovative and interesting you can be, as you shake a loved one out of their cosy comfort zone. Be inspired by fellow Aquarian, actress and activist Vanessa Redgrave, “Ask the right questions if you’re to find the right answers.”

Venus is vamping through your sign, which encourages you to channel your inner hedonist as you eat, drink, socialise, entertain and live life to the max. It’s also a wonderful week to host a lunch, dinner or party, where you can play the gracious host or hostess. The late week Mercury/Pluto hook up activates your hopes and wishes zone so it’s a good time to re-visit (or expand) your goals for 2023. Make your dreams are as big and beautiful as possible!

You’re feeling optimistic about the future as Jupiter (the buoyant planet of prosperity and positivity) journeys through Aries. So your motto for the moment is from birthday great Bob Marley, “Love the life you live, live the life you love.” Wednesday is wonderful for fun, friendship and novel expressions of affection. But avoid getting carried away, promising too much and then delivering too little (especially involving financial matters and helping others).

It’s time to network with family and friends in a variety of stimulating ways. Aim to surround yourself with positive people who boost your confidence and encourage your dreams. But avoid getting drawn into complicated discussions about money or politics, as ideological clashes are likely. You have much to learn from a mentor or work colleague who has a wealth of knowledge and life experience to share with you. There’s always something new to learn.

With Mercury and Pluto stimulating your sensuality zone, romantic Twins are in the mood for love and lust. If you’re attached, it’s time to spice up the relationship with a sexy SMS or an erotic email. Searching for your soul mate? Cupid has his arrows pointed in your direction, and love is likely with someone from your past. Perhaps an old friend or a former lover. Happily single? A secret could be revealed that suddenly turns your world around!

This week’s stars help you view a close partnership from a surprising perspective. With a few strategic tweaks, the relationship can be turned around and transformed. 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.”

Stimulating conversations and exciting adventures are the keys to a satisfying week for sociable Lions. But has your job become rigid and boring? Vivacious Venus and innovative Uranus shake up your career zone, so prepare for some surprising professional changes and hold on tight! Your fiery temper – or an impulsive outburst –could set the cat amongst the pigeons on the weekend. The current situation is complex, so try to keep a sense of perspective.

Life at planet Virgo can sometimes be rather stressful, as your days are organised with military precision, and you try to get everything just right. But strive to be much more spontaneous this week as Uranus and Neptune toss your usual timetable out the window and urge you to stop and smell the roses along the way. So your motto for the moment is from birthday great, author and activist Alice Walker, “In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.”

When it comes to creative expression, you may feel as if you’re going backwards but putting in longer hours won’t fix the problem. Do your best to work smarter rather than harder. If you relax and let things flow, then the ideas will come. Your domestic situation is going through a major metamorphosis, as you initiate a change that livens up your home life. When it comes to close relationships, aim to be less self-absorbed and more generous with loved ones.

Your creativity and originality are firing, as you form a new partnership or pursue a joint project. With three planets activating your communication zone you’ll feel like conversing, studying and/or travelling. If you’ve been waiting to get something off your chest, Monday through until Wednesday is the time to express yourself. Things could become intense on Friday or Saturday, when the Mercury/ Pluto conjunction gets your compulsive Scorpio side going.

Spontaneous Sagittarius – you can find it difficult to be on your best behaviour and follow the rules. Expect the unexpected this week, as the planets stir up your restless (and reckless) side. You’ll balk at restrictions being placed on you (especially at home and work) but resist the urge to be a disruptive influence. Put your personal wishes aside, and make sure you stay well-informed and fulfil your responsibilities to the wider community for the greater good.

This week the focus is on business and financial matters. Capricorns are usually incredibly patient and persistent but, when it comes to a frustrating situation, you could find yourself ready to throw in the towel. The planets push you to keep on keeping on. So your mantra for the moment is from birthday great, inventor and businessman Thomas Edison, “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.”

TALKING TECH

WITH DAVID

What’s all the fuss about ChatGPT?

Over the last couple of months, there has been a lot of media attention on an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot called ChatGPT. If you listen to the media, this has the potential to change how we interact with technology. It has already scored higher in medical examinations than most students. It has also passed an MBA and US Bar (legal). Perhaps more famously, it helped Jeremy Hunt (UK Chancellor) write his recent speech on the UK economy

What is ChatGPT

In November, an AI startup OpenAI launched a chatbot called ChatGPT.

The chatbot conversationally interacts with you, you can ask it a series of questions, building on each question, and it will prepare responses.

It has been developed by reading billions of words from the Internet, providing a massive dataset from which to draw.

The chatbot does not have access to the Internet, so its knowledge is limited to 2021 data when it was last updated.

What can it do

This technology is compelling and will continue to grow in power over the coming years. Some of its capabilities now include:

• Generating computer code, including malware and malicious code. As well as doing bug analysis on existing computer code.

• It can automate repetitive tasks, including

responses to emails, data entry, invoice processing and report generation.

• It can answer university exam questions with better accuracy than students.

• It can write songs and poems.

• It can rewrite a media release into a news story. You can even tell it how to style the story. For example, in the style of the New York Times.

• It can also rewrite a news piece or university paper to be unique.

• It can write a whole university paper.

Limitations of ChatGPT

• The chatbot does not have access to the Internet, so its knowledge is limited to 2021 data when it was last updated.

• It will present a plausible-sounding but incorrect answer if it does not have the correct information. It will also make up references to support itself. So you need to fact-check its responses.

Social impacts

Microsoft is investing $10 billion in OpenAI, with plans to integrate it within its technology stacks.

Schools and universities are developing policies around the use of ChatGPT.

Whilst it will be embraced and encouraged in some areas, it will be banned in others.

Ultimately as it improves, it will be challenging to determine whether a paper is AI-written or student written. The reality is it will probably be a bit of both.

To test it out: chat.openai.com.

HEALTH

WITH NICKI DANG

ONE POINT HEALTH • 4732 5188

Why you need to stop ignoring your foot pain and get it looked at ASAP

Podiatrists are lower limb and feet experts here to help anyone and everyone with their foot problems. We commonly see patients when their foot pain is at its worst and has been going on for a long time. Seeing a Podiatrist as soon as you can when you recognise a foot issue is important and can kickstart the recovery faster and get you back on your feet.

What can a Podiatrist do to help with my foot pain?

The level and type of pain will determine the assessment and treatment plan by your Podiatrist.

A thorough medical history will be taken, as well as background information about the presenting pain.

A general appointment will assess issues on the “outside” of the foot, mainly concerning dermatology conditions such as corns, callous, ingrown toenail/s or just a general nail/skin clean up.

Podiatrists are able to assess the status and severity of the presenting issue and aim to resolve it in the appointment.

Similarly, if an issue is presented that is “internal” or within the foot, i.e. heel pain, big toe joint pain, bunions and many more, a biomechanical assessment is conducted. A biomechanical assessment is a comprehensive appointment that looks through the biomechanics of the lower limb and foot musculoskeletal areas. In addition to the medical history taking and background

information, the Podiatrist will assess you in non-weight bearing and weightbearing positions and conduct a gait analysis – this will enable the Podiatrist to figure out the cause, mechanism and the best treatment plan for you. Podiatrists can offer you a variety of treatments such as exercise rehabilitation exercises, footwear education, shockwave therapies, custom orthotics and many more.

What should I do before seeing a Podiatrist?

Prior to seeing a Podiatrist, it will be beneficial for you to bring your most commonly worn shoes so we can conduct a full footwear assessment. If you are attending for a biomechanical assessment and you have previous medical letters or imaging results (x-ray, ultrasound, MRI etc), do not hesitate to bring them also as it will help with our clinical breakdown of your foot pain and aid in our formulation of the treatment plan.

MONEY MATTERS

WITH ALEX MCKENZIE FUTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES • 4704 8585

Will you have enough money to fund your retirement goals and dreams?

One of the most common reasons clients come to see me is to make sure they will have enough money to fund their retirement. Once we have determined the client’s retirement goals (this is an article in itself), they generally fit into one of three broad categories. The category you don’t want to be in is, “those who will not have enough to achieve their retirement goals”. The answer to this is compromise. Working longer or having less income in retirement or a combination of both. Most of our lives we have to make financial compromises and in retirement it is no different.

The middle category essentially is, “those who will have enough money to meet retirement goals if they focus on this goal and implement some strategies to increase wealth”. This generally involves directing a portion of their income for retirement, utilising technical strategies such as Transition to Retirement and salary sacrifice amongst other things.

The final category is, “those that are well on track to achieve their retirement goals and are going to have more than enough funds to meet these goals”. Clients in this situation are obviously in a great place, and this presents a different set of objectives for financial planners that are not often discussed.

The introduction of compulsory superannuation, coupled with a property boom has

seen many clients accumulate wealth that was unusual less than a generation ago. This has led to many clients retiring with significantly more assets than they need to meet their requirements, no doubt a good thing. However, in order to achieve this, it is quite possible they have sacrificed more than they needed to build this wealth.

One luxury being in this position allows is to significantly reduce the risk associated with building retirement assets. We can reduce our exposure to growth assets such as shares and property that usually are more volatile than defensive assets. We can also exit investment properties with a loan against them and are reliant on a single income source to remove interest rate risk.

The safer options will most likely result in less wealth at retirement, however, provide more certainty in the short term. This is a desirable outcome for many clients. Others are comfortable with risk and would prefer the higher balance.

The best news I have for clients that are already well on track is that we are able to direct some of their income or assets to achieving their other goals. This could be something like, an improved ongoing lifestyle, a new car, an overseas holiday or something else fun!

Even if you think you are well on track to meet your retirement objectives, it is probably still worthwhile discussing your situation with an advisor.

Iknow some of my Weekender readers might baulk at stepping anywhere near the Northern Beaches, just because of those Manly Sea Eagles, but let me comfort you in the fact that you can drive right past Brookie Oval and experience the beauty and natural wonder of Church Point and Pittwater, and you may even thank me for it.

Eat and drink

One thing that is not in short supply around this neck of the woods is the food and beverage options. Waterside cafes, high end dining, kiosks and clubs are a-plenty, and the ones that I have frequented have more often than not, delivered an enjoyable experience. One of the standouts for me, and to be honest, this has been the case for many a year is The Waterfront Café and General Store (pictured right). The location alone is something to behold as it takes prime spot at Church Point. For over 15 years this establishment has morphed into what it is today. From Post Office and General Store, to a vibrant and important community loved restaurant and café featuring fresh local produce, live music on weekends and an atmosphere that screams quirky yet homely, especially with all the home-grown flowers and plants surrounding you. Owned and operated by the hard working and passionate Romeo family it once again lived up to all my expectations.

The Seafood Platter for one is a cracker for lunch or dinner and for breakfast give the Scotch Eggs a go. A new experience for me and so delicious!

Stay In the name of research for my readers, I decided to explore a couple of accommodation options during my return visit to this magical part of the Northern Beaches corridor. Land based options are a little limited in the immediate Church Point surrounds, with Pasadena and possibly Metro Mirage Newport being the ones that are situated on or very close to the waterways themselves.

However, my plan was to have it both ways. An overnight land stopover, followed up with a few days out on the alluring watercourses of Pittwater itself.

My perfect land-based abode was an easy find through Airbnb. A charismatic little studio (pictured right) situated a stone’s throw from the waters edge. Owners Dorothy and Doug have created such an inviting atmosphere at this self-contained cosy and sun filled winner, that you feel at home the moment you walk up the private entrance through the lush garden surrounds to your own little retreat.

Fully self-contained and jam packed with so many extras and surprises, you will not be

needing anything that is not already supplied.

You will even be treated to a more than generous breakfast hamper on your first night here. Luxury linen and towels an added bonus and the perfect price considering location and quality.

Head to my website for a direct link to visit this romantic hideaway.

Now if like me you have an adventurous side and would be interested in staying on the waterways themselves then I have definitely

got you covered. Skippering your own boat doesn’t have to remain a dream my friends!

The next few days I indulged myself and a few of my loved ones on board our own boat. Yes, as skipper of the “MV Solitude” we cruised around the stunning waters of Pittwater and took in the natural beauty of Australia’s second oldest National Park, swam in some enticing and somewhat secretive swimming locales and ate some delicious seafood, all while fantasising the life of the rich and

famous! No licence needed to hire this little beauty and with all the care and instruction from Niels and Henry at Church Point Charter, I knew that myself and my travel mates were not only going to have a life moment to remember, we would be safe at the same time. Being on the water and immersing ourselves with the amazing surrounds was something I would love everyone to experience.

Check out the deal below and do it I say!

Play

If you have a love of the “great outdoors” then you will be, dare I say it, spoilt for choice here. Bush walking, biking, kayaking, fishing, supping, sailing and swimming are just some of the open-air activities on offer around Church Point and Pittwater.

There are over 800 Aboriginal sites verified across Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, all a visible reminder of the rich Aboriginal tradition of the region. The Basin Aboriginal art site is one of the best examples of rock engravings in the area and a great way to engage the kids in a little real-life history.

Jumping on one of the Ferry services for a cruise around is also inviting and a terrific way to get an understanding of the Pittwater region and seeing it from the water certainly beats trying to experience it from a car.

Scotty McRae is Thetravellingguy.

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5½ days

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Cupra plays price game

Competitive pricing puts Cupra front-of-mind for new car purchasers in 2023

Cupra has negotiated even more competitive pricing for its Leon hot hatchback range effective immediately, as it more aggressively pursues sales volume at a time when competitors are departing the segment.

The flagship Leon VZx will now deliver its acclaimed 221kW 2.0-litre turbo performance with a $1,500 reduction, priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs or a national $63,990 driveaway.

When orders reopen for the Leon VZe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), it will also be priced from $59,990 plus on-road costs – $500 less. State-specific drive-away prices are $62,990 ACT, $63,990 QLD, $64,990 NSW/ SA, $65,490 VIC and $65,990 WA.

The pricing of the Leon VZx and Leon VZe are now aligned with the plus on-road costs price of the sporty, rear-wheel drive Born battery electric vehicle (BEV), providing Cupra customers with a driver-focused trio –PHEV, BEV or ICE.

The 180kW Leon VZ also moves down by $1,000 to $51,990 plus on-road costs or $56,490 drive-away. The Leon V remains as announced last year, at $43,990 plus on-road costs or $47,990 drive-away, with orders to commence shortly.

“We have strategically negotiated even sharper pricing for our Leon hot hatchback, because we have seen greater opportunities emerge in that segment as other well-known names depart,” CUPRA Australia Director, Ben Wilks said.

“To secure a 221kW high-performance hatch for under $60,000 before on-road costs in 2023 is a real achievement, as is delivering the

unique-in-sement plug-in hybrid hatch with up to 67km of electric-only range.

“We have negotiated this at a time when price rises are affecting the whole industry including our own SUV range, owing to inflation, supplier cost and transport increases.”

The Formentor V crossover is another specification that has been given a price decrease, by $700 to $49,990 plus on-road costs or

$54,490 drive-away. The Formentor VZ rises by $1,200 and the Formentor VZe and VZx by $2,000.

The Leather and Power Package for the entire Formentor range rises by $500 and now also includes a 360-degree camera as part of the pack.

The Ateca performance SUV rises by a modest $760.

Cupra Ateca.

Cupra Leon.

SPORT

STADIUM DECISION LOOMS

New recruit eyes game time

New Penrith recruit Jack Cogger is hoping he can do a similar job this season that his predecessor Sean O’Sullivan did during his 12-month stint at the foot of the Mountains last year.

Following O’Sullivan’s departure to the NRL’s newest franchise, the Dolphins, during the recent off-season, the back-to-back Premiers were immediately on the hunt for a back-up half to play behind NSW halves combo Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

With O’Sullivan doing an outstanding job slotting in on 11 occasions for eight victories last season, the Panthers knew they needed someone with a similar drive and experience to call upon if one of their two main stars were unavailable through injury or rep duty.

The club looked at several possibilities to fill

the capable boots that O’Sullivan left behind, but ultimately landed on a man in the UK who already had some experience playing in the NRL.

After stints with the Newcastle Knights and Canterbury Bulldogs, Cogger found himself in Huddersfield during the 2021 and 2022 Super League seasons where he played 28 games – including a Challenge Cup Final – for the Giants.

Speaking with the Weekender following training on Tuesday, Cogger said he was desperate to return home to Australia and have another crack at the NRL.

“I was really looking for an opportunity to come back to Australia. I thought it was a good time, after a couple of years away in the UK, to try and make my way back and make myself an NRL player again,” he said.

“I got to play a lot of games over there… I was pretty much starting every week. I got to play

in a Challenge Cup Final, so I’ve had some big game experience.

“I really enjoyed my time over there but I just thought with my age and what I got out of it, it was a good time to come back.”

After two years of English weather – including training and playing in the snow – Cogger signed a one-year deal with the Panthers in late October.

The Berala Bears and Toukley Hawks junior said he would like to make the most of his 12-month spell in Penrith, much like O’Sullivan did last season.

“I obviously saw Sean (O’Sullivan) and the opportunity he had last year and how he took his game to the next level playing behind Nathan and Romey, and then when he got his opportunity, he was able to make the most of it,” Cogger said.

“I think post Grand Final when Ivan and that sat down and looked at the squad, obviously

Sean had moved on and there was a spot there in terms of a back-up half.

“I was available and luckily for me I thought it was a good fit and hopefully I can have a similar impact like Sean did last year and take my game to another level.”

Panthers fans will get their first opportunity to see Cogger in action next weekend when the reigning Premiers take on runners-up Parramatta in the first of two pre-season trials.

Cogger, who now resides in Glenmore Park, said he can’t wait to play his first game at BlueBet Stadium in Panthers colours.

“It will be good to finally get out there… I think when you get to this point of the pre-season, everyone’s ready to start playing games now,” he said.

“I’m really excited to play with the boys – the quality has been really high at training – so hopefully we can take that into the first trial.”

The Masked Panther. p63.

Panthers halves recruit Jack Cogger at the Rugby League Academy.

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Penrith in right place as business end looms

With just four rounds remaining in the Belvidere Cup competition, Penrith are in a strong position to land a spot in the coveted top six and return to the NSW Premier Cricket Finals.

After suffering one of their worst seasons in recent history last year, Penrith’s first grade team are enjoying a much better season under second-year head coach Andrew Lamb.

Heading into this weekend’s match against Sutherland, Penrith find themselves in eighth position with five wins to their name.

With this year’s ladder one of the most congested in recent years, a single win or loss can make all the difference to their playoff chances. Speaking with the Weekender, Lamb said the side is in good form with some very bankable matches ahead.

“We’re very confident at the moment. We’ve got the bottom half of the draw left to play this season as well,” he said.

“We’re playing good cricket – the batters are doing a great job and the bowlers are firing. We’re all up and buoyant and ready to finish the regular season on a high.”

Following their two-day match against 17th-placed Sutherland in Round 12, the Cats will face 14th-placed Blacktown Mounties, 19th-placed Hawkesbury and 15th-placed Campbelltown Camden to round out the season.

Victories in at least three of those games should assure Penrith return to the Finals arena in 2023.

“If we’re going to land a spot in the Finals, we just have to keep playing consistent cricket,” Lamb said.

“Ideally, we’d love to get an outright win in one of the three two-day games that we have left, but we’ve got to play some phenomenal cricket and we’re more than capable.

“It’ll just give us a little bit of breathing space and, with the points table the way it is, an outright win puts you in the top four – it’s actually quite tight.”

Lamb believes Penrith’s turnaround in season 2022/23 can be put down to

some experienced heads returning to the club as well as younger players learning from the trials and tribulations of last season.

“I think it’s a combination between the experience coming back plus a lot of learnings from last year for the boys to gain a bit of confidence too,” he said.

“We’ve had opener Nick Adams score a good century against Randwick this year and he’s scoring 50s most weeks.

“Liam Doddrell is bowling amazingly well at the moment and having Hunar Verma come in to back him up has been great to watch.

“Luke Hodges coming back to the squad and building a lot of pressure bowling his left arm orthodox stuff has been really good also.”

After securing a solid victory against Gordon last weekend, Penrith will hit the road to Glenn McGrath Oval on Saturday to face Sutherland – a game they should win easily if all goes to plan.

“It seems Sutherland haven’t played as consistent cricket this year as they have in previous seasons but, the funny thing about cricket, you can never write anybody off – so we’ve still got to play good cricket to beat them,” Lamb said.

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Penrith Cricket Club head coach Andrew Lamb.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Co-founder of Penrith RSL Cricket Club lived a life dedicated to the sport he loved Loss of cricket trailblazer

A-Grade team for many years and they won a number of competitions,” Mark said.

Whether it was during his short time with the Army or three decades with the Police Force, John “Jack” Rattenbury dedicated his life to service, but it was his 70-year contribution to local cricket where he really made a name for himself.

Rattenbury, one of the men who founded Penrith RSL Cricket Club in 1948, passed away on January 10 at the ripe old age of 98.

His sons Mark and Guy said their late father “encouraged generations of cricketers” and will be remembered for his cricketing prowess both on and off the field.

“There were a lot of phases to his life. From the age of 16 he was serving the community in some capacity, whether it was with the Army, the Police or in cricket – it’s all service,” Mark told the Weekender

“People followed him, took his advice and he was respected by all. As a family, we are all very proud of him and his achievements,” Guy added.

Rattenbury was born in the NSW country town of Yass in May 1924

and was the youngest of eight children. At 16, he moved to Sydney for a job in the railways before signing up to the Army whilst underage. It was on his second tour of duty overseas that Rattenbury met a fellow Penrith local named Jack Parkes and the pair bonded over their love of cricket.

“Whilst over in the jungles of PNG, Dad and Jack talked about starting a cricket side if they ever made it home,” Mark recalled.

“The pair returned home in 1946 and, just two years later, they started the Penrith RSL Senior Cricket Club.”

Rattenbury had a 70-year associ-

ON THE RECORD

“He was also the captain of the Hawkesbury District cricket team, which pre-dates the Penrith Grade team, and skippered the Nepean District side at the opening of Howell Oval in September 1956.”

Throughout his decades in the game, Rattenbury picked up numerous accolades including being made a Life Member of the Penrith RSL Club Limited for his outstanding service to both Junior and Senior Cricket Clubs. He was also named a Life Member of the Nepean District Cricket Association as well as Penrith RSL’s Senior and Junior Clubs.

ation with the Penrith RSL Cricket Club and served as President for most of that time. When he wasn’t tirelessly running things behindthe-scenes, Rattenbury was an outstanding all-rounder, scoring many centuries and taking scores of wickets as an opening bowler.

“Dad was the captain of the

In 1988, Rattenbury was awarded the ‘City of Penrith Service to Sport’ honour; in 1996 he was named Penrith’s Citizen of the Year; and in 2008 he collected another award from Penrith Council for his Services to Cricket.

In 2016, he stepped down as President of the Penrith RSL Cricket Club and enjoyed his remaining years in Penrith watching Test cricket on TV and playing with his great grandchildren.

Around The Grounds

CRICKET: Penrith have defeated Gordon in Round 11 of the Belvidere Cup. Playing in a Two-Day match at Howell Oval, Penrith won the toss and elected to bowl. Gordon put up a solid performance on day one before ultimately being dismissed for 194. Hunar Verma was best with the ball, taking 4/55. When Penrith hit the crease, they lost some wickets early before declaring on day two on 6/288. Brent Williams scored a team-high 84 runs. Gordon began playing a second innings on day two, however it didn’t have any bearing on the result. Penrith will aim for another victory when they take on lowly Sutherland at Glenn McGrath Oval this weekend.

CRICKET: Penrith have defeated St George-Sutherland via DLS in Round 14 of the Women’s First Grade competition. Playing in a One Day match at Cook Park, Penrith won the toss and elected to bowl. St George-Sutherland struggled with the bat early and were ultimately dismissed for 118. When Penrith hit the crease later that day they were on fire, with young Sydney Thunder and Australian star Phoebe Litchfield smashing 62 on the way to a Penrith victory. Penrith will take on Parramatta this Sunday at Howell Oval.

BASEBALL: Greater Western have lost their only game to Blacktown Workers in Round 12 of the BNSW State League competition. Unfortunately, last Wednesday’s match was washed out, but last Sunday’s game did go ahead with Blacktown prevailing 6-1 at Chapman Gardens. The last-placed Greater Western will take on the Macarthur Orioles in Round 13.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers remain in the A-League’s coveted

top three following an entertaining 2-2 draw against fellow top side Central Coast last weekend. Played in front of a heathy crowd at Industree Group Stadium in Gosford, the Mariners drew first blood but Western Sydney hit back five minutes later. After the scores were level at half-time, the Wanderers hit the front in the second half through Brandon Borrello. The Mariners needed a response, and Socceroo Jason Cummings provided one when he was injected into the game. After a Mariners free-kick, the ball ricocheted from teammate Nectarios Triantis, onto Cummings’ chest, and into the net. The result was the Wanderers’ sixth draw of the season – the second most in the competition. They’ll return to CommBank Stadium in Parramatta this Sunday afternoon to face lowly Western United.

FOOTBALL: The Wanderers have confirmed the loan signing of Morgan Schneiderlin from Ligue 1 side Nice until the end of the season. Schneiderlin arrives in western Sydney after a decorated career in Europe playing in England and France’s top-flights for the last 16 seasons. Set to play outside of Europe for the first time in his career, Schneiderlin linked up with the squad ahead of their match against the Mariners last Saturday. “I am very excited to be here in western Sydney with the Wanderers and I’m looking forward to starting my journey at the club,” Schneiderlin said. “I have heard lots of good things about the Wanderers and I’m really ready to get started.”

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

NATHAN TAYLOR

John “Jack” Rattenbury. Rattenbury was part of the Premiership-winning 1964-65 side.

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panther rumblings

JUST MAKE A CALL, MINISTER!

! Stadium decision closer: Things are heating up behind the scenes on the new Penrith Stadium. NSW Cabinet has given Sports Minister Alister Henskens and Infrastructure NSW the hurry up on working with the Paceway on a relocation plan. The Government can compulsory acquire the Paceway now the January 4 deadline has passed but it is still hoping to get an agreement for the Paceway to move to a new location.

! Season launch looms: The Panthers will hold one of their earliest season launches on record next week when sponsors and officials gather with the players and coaching staff on Tuesday night. The club will get the official launch out of the way before the upcoming pre-season challenge matches against Parramatta and St Helens. A new pre-season hype video will be released on Tuesday too, as the Panthers gear up for their Premiership defence.

! Spotted: Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary at the VIP opening of new brewery Drink West in Penrith last Saturday afternoon. Cleary is an investor in the growing Drink West brand. His father and Penrith head coach Ivan Cleary was also spotted enjoying a beverage at the opening.

national Stadium on Saturday, February 11. Tyrone Peachey and Chris Smith have been named in the Indigenous All Stars squad while James Fisher-Harris will lead the charge for the Maori All Stars.

! No new merch: I’m told there’s no plans to release any World Club Challenge merchandise, even if the Panthers do take out the game against St Helens. That’s not to say the NRL won’t release some commemorative merchandise through their channels, but there’s no plan on anything from the club.

therettes (pictured below) will be sponsored by local gym Atmosphere Fitness this season. As I reported last week, the cheer squad has had somewhat of a makeover this season with a lot of new faces. The ladies are already in rehearsals for the year ahead.

! Spotted: Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo relaxing with his family in Wollongong.

! Got goss? If you’ve got some Panthers news, make sure you let me know. Email maskedpanther@westernweekender.com.au.

! Storm alert: Melbourne will confirm soon a venue for the Round 18 clash against Penrith on Friday, June 30. ‘TBA’ was listed as the venue when the NRL draw was released late last year, with AAMI Park unavailable due to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It’s highly likely that the Storm will head to Geelong for the match, where they’re also hosting a pre-season game against the Roosters later this month.

! Trio are All Stars: Three Panthers players will feature in the first ever All Stars match to be played in New Zealand at Rotorua Inter-

! Martin deal finally done: Liam Martin has formalised his much talked about contract extension with the club. He’s signed a new one-year deal that will keep him at Penrith until the end of the 2024 season. The short team deal means Martin can test his value on the open market from November this year. Martin has played 86 games for Penrith.

! Sad passing: I wanted to pass on my best wishes to the family of Bob Mitchell, a lifelong passionate Panthers fan who passed away last month. Bob was cremated in his favourite Panthers gear.

! Cheerleaders snare sponsor: The Pan-

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SPORT

Business end of cricket season – see page 61

Tackling junior footy troublemakers

positive culture of safety and inclusion where any type of negative and harmful behaviour is not tolerated.

Panthers Junior League has announced a drop of 64 per cent in on and off-field incidents since the conception of the Creating Positive Culture Conference in 2020.

The junior rugby league conference, aimed at forming positive outcomes, was launched in 2020 across the U14s and U15s competitions.

Since then, those age divisions have seen a drop of 60 per cent in incidents in 2021, followed by 64 per cent last year.

Code of conducts have been reduced from a total of 26 in 2020 to just one in 2021 and four in 2022.

The change of behaviour is credited to the Creating Positive Culture Conference, which will again take place ahead of the upcoming season on March 18-19 at BlueBet Stadium.

The event will attract over 2,400 participants comprising players, officials and club leaders from all 24 feeder clubs across the greater Penrith district.

The conference is compulsory for all players, coaches and managers across the U12s to U15s age divisions.

“Junior rugby league is the lifeblood of the Penrith district for many kids and their families. Rugby league provides a valuable opportunity for kids to be connected to the

community and play the game in a safe protected environment,” Panthers Rugby League CEO, Matt Cameron said.

“The overarching aim of this conference is

to bring meaningful education and awareness about the responsibilities of everyone involved in junior rugby league. To ensure our game continues to grow and thrive in a

“We are thrilled to offer this revolutionary event again. Panthers and all our Junior club leaders and representatives are right behind this conference and our objectives of addressing behaviour change in regards to incidents, on and off-field violence, promoting positive cultures and raising participation rates.”

The conference program will be presented and facilitated by Brogan Mulhall from Panthers on the Prowl, the club’s Community Development program.

“Brogan was the obvious choice for this event. Not only is he a diehard Panthers fan, he has been a passionate supporter of youth work in the Penrith area for a number of years,” Cameron said.

“Brogan’s academic background in education, psychology and development combined with his 25-plus years of experience running programs both locally and internationally makes him our ideal leader on this one.”

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge of such a big event and the enormous energy that such big crowds will bring and filter back into their local clubs. It’s also a great opportunity to bring some of the approaches and strategies that we use at Panthers on the Prowl to such great success, onto a different stage,” Mulhall added.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Penrith Junior League’s Creating Positive Culture Conference is back this year.