Western Weekender June 7 2024

Nathan Hagarty, Daniel Mookhey, Prue Car and John Graham announce the funding.

TROY DODDS

Plans for a 553-unit development at Thornton have been dramatically derailed after a Planning Panel rejected the project despite an independent review recommending it should go ahead.

A Planning Panel rejected the $200 million development last year but developers First Point Property and St Hilliers were confident they’d done enough work to have it approved after a Peer Review.

But last month, the review by the Sydney Western City Planning Panel determined to refuse the project, primarily pointing to the community infrastructure offers made as part of the proposal.

The overall plan for the development on Lord Sheffield Circuit incorporates not only 553 units across various housing styles, but a childcare centre, medical facility and supermarket – as well as additional retail tenancies

and restaurants. It is seen by many as the final piece of the puzzle in Thornton, which has become a major community on the northern side of Penrith Station.

First Point Property Executive Director, Deborah Landes, said she was “gutted” by the decision.

The decision was surprising given an independent assessment prepared on behalf of Penrith City Council recommended it be supported.

“The site is suitable for the proposed development and will be in the public interest. Accordingly, the DA is worthy of support and is recommended for approval subject to recommended conditions,” the assessment said.

Penrith City Council had previously backed refusal of the development, with its position considered as part of the original Planning Panel decision late last year.

The independent assessment changed this position.

Landes will meet with Penrith City Council in an

attempt to ensure the Panel’s decision is not the final nail in the coffin for the Thornton project.

“I would like to come to an arrangement with Council that pleases everybody,” she said.

“There’s got to be a middle ground that we could reach between all of us.”

Landes is not keen on pursuing a legal route to solve the issues.

In its determination, the Panel said the application did not demonstrate the community infrastructure offers will provide sufficient value to Penrith as required by the Penrith Local Environment Plan.

“In the absence of clear evidence that the nature and value of the community infrastructure being offered would be of benefit to the Penrith city centre, proportional to the uplift being sought in the applications, the panel considered that approvals would not be in the public interest,” it said.

An artist’s impression of the Thornton Central development in Penrith.

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

A chance to have a louder voice

An opportunity to do better I don’t envy the position the Penrith Panthers club finds itself in when it comes to the charges laid against star centre Taylan May.

The 22-year-old has plead not guilty to the domestic violence related charges and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

Indeed, he’s entitled to be supported by Penrith too, as his employer, while the court process unfolds.

Although reports earlier this week suggest Penrith’s patience with May on other matters may have run out, with a show cause notice issued that could see his contract dumped.

Understandably and predictably, Penrith is taking the “no further comment at this stage” approach to May’s current charges, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

But I can’t help but feel there’s been some words missing from Penrith’s very brief official response to May’s situation so far.

As it stands, Penrith’s only comment has been via two short statements – a 47 word statement confirming he had been charged by police, and a 48 word statement confirming he had been stood down by the NRL.

In addition, coach Ivan Cleary had a tense exchange with journalists last week, when he doubled down on Penrith’s stance to not comment any further.

I don’t blame the Panthers for such a response. It is crisis PR 101, and I imagine there’s legal advice to suggest this is the best approach.

Additionally, I assume Penrith has discussed the matter with May, and would have additional information not yet aired through the court proceedings. That is fair enough.

But as a Penrith fan for more than 35 years, a club member and a resident in the community it represents, there’s one paragraph in addition to the “no further comment” I’d like to see. And it goes something like this:

“While the Panthers cannot comment on Taylan May’s case specifically, and makes no assumption of guilt or innocence, the club reiterates its position that it finds violence against women abhorrent. The club supports

any measures to eradicate the unacceptable prevalence of domestic violence in the community of which we are a part.”

The Panthers have one of the loudest voices in our community.

In an area plagued by domestic violence, there was an opportunity for Penrith to make its position clear, without having an impact on May’s specific case.

It would have made me proud had they done so.

It’s only my two cents, but I think there was an opportunity to do better here, and it wasn’t taken.

Again, I respect Penrith’s difficult position and understand their approach, but bystanders staying silent is a huge part of the domestic violence epidemic Australia is facing right now. All our voices need to be louder.

“I think there was an opportunity to do better here, and it wasn’t taken”

PNG expansion doesn’t add up

The Origin period gives us a great glimpse into the depth across the rugby league player landscape, and it usually provides a cautious tale about further expansion.

The NRL will eventually go to 18 teams, with the extra match that would provide each week being a huge lure to better broadcasting deals for the game.

But it needs to be the right place and the right time.

It is not rugby league’s place to help the Federal Government in its attempt to stave off China’s advances in the region.

And it should not see Anthony Albanese’s cheque book as the key reason to give Papua New Guinea an NRL licence.

If it would take Federal Government funds to lock in an NRL team in Papua New Guinea, how could the concept possibly be financially viable in the long term?

Our News. Your Voice.

Mass content syndication, prolific AI-fuelled misinformation and disinformation, and rushed reporting lacking nuance and diverse representation.

These are some of the challenges all of us in the Australian public must contend with when it comes to accessing important news.

But in the midst of this media crisis, local and independent media organisations are standing tall to provide quality, accessible, verified and locally relevant news.

The green shoots of an industry in transition, many of these publications emerged from news deserts to provide critical information to their communities during the global pandemic or in times of environmental disaster, important elections, or in the context of rising cost-of-living, when accountability from leaders and big economic players is more important than ever.

As award-winning journalist Alan Sunderland puts it in his book Ten Rules of Reporting ; when it comes to local and independent community-based journalism, “a quiet revolution is underway”.

That is why this week we are joining a national movement of local and independent newsrooms calling on our communities to get behind us. As a member of the Local and Independent News Association (LINA), we have today launched our landmark ‘Our News. Your Voice’ fundraising campaign. While this is an Australia-wide pledge drive, the Western Weekender will receive every dollar donated through the links on our website. This means everything invested by the community of Penrith will be sent directly back into reporting the important news of our area.

Not only this, but funds raised will be matched by philanthropic supporters, doubling individual contributions.

We hope you will spare some loose change and support us to deliver essential news that not only keeps you informed, but connects all of us in Penrith to one another. To donate and pledge, visit https://westernweekender. presspatron.com.

28,000 capacity possible but only if famous hill removed

Penrith Stadium’s capacity could be increased to 28,000 if a grandstand was developed at the southern end of the ground, it has been revealed.

The stadium’s current capacity of 22,500 will be increased to 25,000 as part of a redevelopment that will begin later this year.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) released as part of the redevelopment reveals a grandstand replacing the southern hill, adjacent to Howell Oval, is the only way that could be increased further.

“The site is constrained in being able to offer a significantly larger capacity,” the EIS states.

“A maximum capacity of up to 28,000 is considered the largest possible for this site and could only be achieved through development of another grandstand in place of the southern hill.

“The design has been developed to allow expansion through construction of a southern grandstand in the future should it be desired.”

A plan by the previous Coalition Government would have seen a brand new stadium located on the grounds of Penrith Showground and Paceway with a capacity significantly higher than the current plan delivers.

However, Labor’s restriction on the funding it will provide to the project – $309 million

– saw that plan dropped after Chris Minns became Premier.

The Penrith Panthers will move out of the current venue later this year to allow for the redevelopment, which will see new Eastern and Western grandstands built. The venue will re-open in 2026.

Both hills will be retained as part of the redevelopment, with only minor changes.

“Whilst they are proposed to be retained, improvements have been made to aid circulation,” the EIS states.

“The path of circulation for the southern stand has been moved to behind the amen-

ities building ensuring better accessibility between the east and west stands.

“Further improvements have been made to the eastern and western edges of the north hill to aid accessibility.”

The EIS also provides more detail on improved amenities, which are placed under extreme pressure on game days.

The new venue will increase female toilets by 42.5 per cent and male toilets by 50 per cent. There will also be significantly more accessible toilets.

The plan aims to ensure Penrith Stadium retains the character that it has developed through generations.

“Whilst the proposed refurbishment works will alter the scale and form of the eastern and western stands of the stadium, it will not detrimentally impact the overall shape and functionality of the stadium,” the EIS states.

“The new eastern and western stand have been designed to increase shade access to the seats, and improve all ability accessibility. The stands will be greater in height than the existing stands, which will significantly improve the sightlines available from all seats to the field of play, due to the increased steepness of the stands.”

The EIS is currently on public display. An information booth will also be in place at this Sunday’s clash between Penrith and Manly at Penrith Stadium.

• Are your dentures collecting food?

• Are your dentures rocking while eating?

• Have you lost your smile line?

• Are your dentures ill- tting?

• Not able to chew food properly?

• Can’t see your teeth when you smile?

you have any of the above problems,

Fans on the hill at Penrith Stadium. Photo: NRL Photos.

TROY DODDS

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Penrith: Man charged after throwing rock at house

A man has been arrested after throwing a rock through a neighbour’s window.

At about 12.40am on Thursday, May 30 a 52-year-old woman was sitting in the dark on the front veranda of her property in Rawson Avenue, Penrith.

She saw the front sensor light at the end of her driveway activate and entered her home. She stood in the hallway and has seen a neighbour, a 53-year-old Penrith man, and heard the man yell words to the effect of “I hate this house”. The man then made threats toward the occupant.

The man then threw a large rock that connected with and smashed the woman’s front window. The woman contacted police who reviewed the CCTV footage.

At about 1.30am police attended the man’s residence on Torton Place, Penrith, where he was placed under arrest. The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, June 13.

Kingswood: Man arrested after bizarre incident at units

A man has been arrested after threatening a neighbour.

At about 6.30pm on Saturday, June 1 a 53-year-old man parked his car in his designated car space at a unit block in Santley Crescent, Kingswood. Another occupant at the address, a 39-year-old man, has yelled out the window and challenged the 53-yearold about the man parking and not residing in the complex.

The 39-year-old approached the 53-year-old and questioned him numerous times about being at the location and asked what unit he was in. The 53-year-old introduced himself and stated his unit number.

The 39-year-old questioned the 53-year-old again and at this time puffed out his chest in close proximity of the 53-year-old, actually pushing him with force and causing the 53-year-old to take several steps backward.

The 53-year-old’s wife heard yelling and went to see what was occurring. She stood next to her husband and the 39-year-old again pushed himself into the 53-year-old and his wife. The 53-year-old became frustrated with the 39-year-old and told him that he would show him that he lived there.

The 53-year-old attended his unit and opened the door with his keys. The 39-yearold followed. The 53-year-old was frustrated and slammed the door to his unit.

A short time later the 53-year-old heard a knock at his door. The 39-year-old man was at his door and was with another male.

The 39-year-old male threatened to harm the 53-year-old while opening the door and pushing himself into the 53-year-old. The 53-year-old pushed the 39-year-old out of his unit and shut the door.

The 39-year-old then started to taunt the 53-year-old stating that he would come back.

Police were contacted and attended the 39-year-old’s unit. The man opened the front door and police have seen a kitchen knife in his hand. One officer drew his taser and the other drew his firearm. The man was told to put the knife down but instead slammed the door shut on police. Further police were called and gained entry into the unit where the man was arrested.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, June 18.

Kingswood: Man charged after high range drink driving

A man has been charged after driving with a cup of wine in his lap.

At about 6.30am on Sunday, June 2 police were patrolling Cox Avenue, Kingswood.

Police have sighted a VW Golf stopped in the middle of the road. Police activated their warning devices and got out and approached the driver.

Police have had a conversation with the driver, a 39-year-old Kingswood man. While police spoke with the man they could smell alcohol. The man was asked to produce his licence and the man told police he did not have his driver’s licence with him.

It was then noticed that the man had a cup of wine in his lap. The man was breath tested which returned a positive result. The man was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis test that returned a positive reading of 0.276.

The man’s licence was suspended and he will front court in July.

Berkshire Park: Woman arrested after drugs found at correctional facility

At about 11.40am on Sunday, June 2 a 28-year-old Kemps Creek woman has attended a correctional facility on The Northern Road, Berkshire Park to visit an inmate.

A drug dog indicated he could smell something on the woman.

Buprenorphine strips were discovered.

The woman was arrested and charged and will front court next week.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPERT’S REPORTS IN CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES with Daniel

Legal cases involve lots of different types of evidence.

Sometimes there will be a dispute about the facts, i.e. what actually happened. Evidence of this type is usually given by lay witnesses who saw the alleged events or related events unravel.

Other times, the Court will require the assistance of an expert in a particular field to share their expertise about a matter that is in dispute.

Ordinarily, evidence that is simply the expression of someone’s opinion about a particular matter is not admissible or acceptable in Court proceedings.

One exception to the opinion evidence rule arises in the context of expert evidence.

If a person can demonstrate that they have particular expertise in a relevant field, the Court will allow them to provide opinion evidence as they have special qualifications to do so.

This is because judges and lawyers might be experts when it comes to the law but are not experts when it comes to many and most other disciplines.

Expert opinion evidence comes up frequently in construction disputes.

This is because lawyers or the parties themselves are often not equipped to report to the Court with accuracy about why a particular construction or building work is deceptive, how said defective works breach Australian Standards and/or Construction Codes, recommend manners in which the defective work can be rectified and quantify the cost of doing so.

An expert who is engaged in a construction dispute will be required to prepare a written report that acknowledges they have read and agree to be bound by NCAT’s Expert Witness

Code of Conduct or the Expert Witness Code of Conduct set out in the Uniform Civil Procedure Rules or both.

This includes providing evidence of their experience and qualifications and where they express an opinion in their report, the basis on which they do so.

Such a report will also include what is known as “Scott Schedule”.

A Scott Schedule is a table of information that identifies all of the relevant defects, the recommended rectification method and the cost of rectification.

In construction disputes it is common for the builder to have its own expert and the parties suing the builder to have their own expert.

Usually, if a Court or Tribunal finds in one party’s favour, they will reference the expert’s report and in particular the Scott Schedule to determine what rectification works need to be completed and/or if a money order is to be made to calculate the amount of money payable by the builder to the Applicant/ Plaintiff in reference to each item that has been proven to be defective.

One of the biggest mistakes parties in building disputes make at the beginning of their matter is paying thousands of dollars for a building inspection report from an inspector who is either not qualified to provide an expert opinion or whose expert’s report does not meet the technical requirements of the expert’s code of conduct meaning it cannot be used in legal proceedings.

While it is important to be able to articulate your claim with specificity as early as possible, you should seek some preliminary legal advice before engaging anyone to provide a report.

Feel free to contact us for more details.

MAN STABBED ON HIGH STREET

A man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed in the head in the Penrith CBD on Monday night.

About 6.15pm on Monday, emergency services were called to High Street following

reports of a stabbing near Memory Park and the 24-hour chemist.

Paramedics treated a 41-year-old man at the scene for a stab wound to the head. He was taken to Westmead Hospital.

McKinnon

Dr. Alex Jarominek established

AJ Chiropractic & Health Clinic with a vision of creating a safe and welcoming evidence-based healthcare service for the Penrith local community.

SERVICES WE OFFER:

• Spinal adjustments

• Dry needling

• Soft tissue work

• Posture screening and analysis

• Flexion-distraction

WHY CHOOSE US?

1. Experienced practitioners

2. NDIS and DVA clients welcome

OUR STAFF

For pricing and availability, Head to our website

3. Private health insurance and Medicare rebates accepted

Dr Alex Jarominek – B.Sc. Psych., B.Sc. Chiro., M. Chiro: Chiropractor/Director

Alex Jarominek has graduated from Macquarie University with a bachelor's degree in psychology and Master of Chiropractic and believes strongly in clear and open communication to help you understand the root cause of your symptoms and will tailor his treatment approach specifically to your case. Alex uses chiropractic manual therapy techniques to adjust the joints in your body and utilises a wide range of other techniques to improve muscle function, such as dry needling and active releases.

Dr Sam Carroll – B.Sc. Chiro., M. Chiro: Chiropractor

Graduating with a Masters of Chiropractic from Macquarie University in 2023, Sam brings a fresh perspective to injury rehabilitation and your overall health. Whether you're recovering from an injury, exploring alternative therapies, or simply aiming to stay well-adjusted, Sam is the chiropractor who combines skill, adaptability, and genuine care for YOUR health.

Madalyn Dwyer – Receptionist

After completing the HSC in 2018, Madalyn started working in business administration roles, and is currently studying a degree in Business Administration. Madalyn has a bubbly and friendly personality and enjoys helping others the best way she can.

ST MARYS LIGHTS UP

Contact Us News

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street. Contact Centre Open 8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777

PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city Council’s services are accessible via the online portal at my.penrith.city Services

Waste Services 4732 7777

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

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

24 June 2024 – 7pm (Ordinary Meeting) Online via penrith.city

penrith.city.council

penrithcouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrith.city visitpenrith.com.au

Council Briefs

Saturday 15 June 4pm – 9pm

Queen Street, St Marys

● Penrith City Council is shining the spotlight on the diverse abilities and achievements of individuals within the community, with a new four-week campaign called ‘One Community, Many Abilities’.

The campaign, which will be featured across Council’s digital platforms and advertised throughout Penrith, aims to raise awareness about the valuable contributions people living with disability can make, when given the opportunity.

A key component of the campaign is a series of online videos sharing their stories of resilience, creativity, determination and empowerment.

Visit penrith.city/manyabilities to watch the videos and learn more.

● Paw-some news for South Penrith! Construction will soon begin to upgrade Jamison Park Dog Park. A key feature of the upgrade will be the separation of a portion of the existing space for small dogs, aimed at improving the safety and usability of the park.

A variety of amenities will be installed including a picnic shelter and additional seating, as well as new bins, waste bag dispensers, a dog-friendly drinking fountain and tap. To further add to the green space of Jamison Park, new trees will be planted as part of the upgrade.

This project is being funded by the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and delivered by Penrith City Council. penrith.city/dogparks

● Join us for Penrith Producers on Friday, 21 June at Triangle Park and High Street (west of Station Street), Penrith from 5–9pm. We’ll have more than 40 local producers offering specialty crafted food, drinks and artisan wares right here in the heart of Penrith. Kids can enjoy the free craft workshops. More information, please visit penrith.city/penrithproducers

● Penrith’s younger citizens and friends are invited to share their vision for future Penrith in our Children’s Drawing Competition! Visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/mycity to download the drawing template. Those who send us their entry by Sunday, 30 June 2024 can opt to go in the draw to win one of 5 family movie passes!

Public Notice

Public Meeting – Penrith Local Planning Panel

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

• DA23/0697

198 Bennett Road, St Clair

Demolition of existing structures, vegetation and tree removal and construction of a 120 x place childcare centre development with basement parking and associated works

• DA24/0127

180 Richmond Road, Cambridge Gardens

Telecommunications facility - A monopole

• DA22/0404

75–103 Links Road, St Marys

Remediation of Land (Contaminated Soil Treatment Works) in the North and South Dunheved Precinct

When: Wednesday, 12 June 2024 commencing at 2pm

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

To attend the meeting or for an opportunity to address the Panel, please register via the Online Form at Penrith Council’s website yoursaypenrith.com.au/lpp-register-speak by 4pm on Monday, 10 June 2024.

For any person intending to access the meeting remotely, a meeting invitation with log in details will be provided to those who have registered via the online form 28–48 hours before the scheduled meeting date.

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/building-development/ development/local-planning-panel

For further assistance: Please contact the Panel Management localpanel@penrith.city

Nominated Integrated Development

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

• Hamptons Property Services Mod24/0073 Lot 111 DP 1035909, 121–133 Blaikie Road, Jamisontown

title subdivision including reduction in lot numbers from 3 lots to 2 lots, deletion of internal road and related amendments to Civil Engineering Works

The proposal is Integrated Development. The application seeks concurrent approval from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at penrithcity. nsw.gov.au/datracker in the period from Monday, 10 June to Tuesday, 9 July 2024.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council in relation to the application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds is to include Council’s reference number Mod24/0073.

For any queries relating to the proposal: Please contact Sufyan Nguyen on 4732 8568.

Budget to get transport projects on track ahead of airport take-off

TROY DODDS

The State Government has confirmed $500 million will be included in the upcoming State Budget to allow the next stage of construction to begin on Mamre Road between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.

With the Federal Government also contributing $500 million, funding for the project has now reached $1 billion.

Mamre Road, a key freight route and zone for commercial development, will be widened with extra lanes to meet future growth, providing upgraded and new intersections and a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

In addition, the State Government has confirmed funding for other road projects associated with Western Sydney International Airport, including $400 million for Elizabeth Drive and $10.5 million for Appin Road.

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to building better roads in western Sydney, supporting the city’s new international gateway,”

Development

said Deputy Premier, Londonderry MP and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car.

“The Liberals talked a big game about western Sydney, but when it came to providing for our community, they simply did not deliver, and

Applications

The following Development Applications have been received by Council:

• North Cross Australia Pty Ltd

11-13 Higgins Street, Penrith

road projects stalled. By investing with the Australian Government, these roadways will service the new Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding community.”

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said

• The Trustee for Stimson & Bake

Unit Trust

DA24/0367

Demolition of existing structures and construction of 2-storey building including community facility (youth empowerment hub), coliving housing (9 x single occupancy rooms) and basement level parking

Contact: Wendy Connell on 4732 7908

Closing Date: Sunday, 23 June 2024

• SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd

2 Christie Street, St Marys

despite economic challenges, it was critical to support infrastructure in the west.

“While NSW faces strong economic headwinds and a legacy of record debt notched up by the Coalition, our commitment to

DA24/0301

Lot 18 DP 253503, 230–242 Aldington Road, Kemps Creek

Installation of a Freestanding bronze religious statue on the grounds of the existing place of worship

• Nigam Parikh

DA24/0371

Construction of a take away food and drink premises with ancillary car parking, drive-thru, signage and landscaping; alterations to existing service station

Contact: Natalie Piggott on 4732 7607

Closing Date: Sunday, 23 June 2024

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

• Kurmond Homes Pty Ltd

DA24/0228

Lot 834 DP 1279915, 57 Starline Drive, Caddens

Two-storey dwelling

• Fernleigh Drafting

development in western Sydney –Australia’s fastest-growing region – is ironclad,” he said.

“Our investment in roads in this region, in lockstep with the Federal Government, will provide industry the assurance to co-invest and get development moving.

"We are transforming and building the roads and the jobs will follow.”

Roads Minister John Graham said he was confident the funding commitments were not too little, too late in relation to the tight timeframe ahead of the airport’s opening.

“It has not been left too late. This is the moment where these investments have to roll in,” he said.

Car said western Sydney residents would be “spoilt for choice” when it comes to how they get to the airport, denying that the Metro link to St Marys would be under-utilised.

“The link to St Marys is actually going to be fantastic for western Sydney,” she said.

“This is transformational. We should not beat around the bush about how important this Metro connection is.”

• Boral Resources (NSW) Pty Ltd

DA24/0170

Lot 5 DP 1148344, 39a–43 Mackellar Street, Emu Plains

Relocation of existing equipment storage shelter for Boral Emu Plains Quarry

• Fitzpatrick Investments Pty Ltd

DA24/0267

Lot 54 DP 1241192, 1 Gulshan Avenue, Claremont Meadows

Two storey dwelling, in-ground swimming pool and retaining walls

• Tempo Living Pty Ltd

DA24/0291

Lot 10 DP 1299774, 35 Rance Road, Werrington

Two-storey dwelling

• Tempo Living

DA24/0238

Lot 11 DP 1292106, 68 Lockwood Road, Erskine Park

Use of Building 2 as a Warehouse and Distribution

signs, 2 free standing directory signs and 1 directory board pylon sign

Refused Development Applications

• John Paul El Bayeh

DA24/0311

Lot 18 DP 1299774, 23 Depot Circuit, Werrington Two-storey dwelling

• Fernleigh Drafting

DA24/0243

Lot 676 DP 1230585, 129 O’Connell Street, Caddens

Use of the existing building as a secondary dwelling including alterations to the garage

• Andrew Zeait

DA23/1099

Lot 34 DP 253294, 2 Bushley Place, Jamisontown

Demolition of existing shed and construction of a detached steel framed shed

• Jane Ellen Moore

DA24/0300

Lot 62 DP 238135, 50 Greenhaven Drive, Emu Heights Alterations and additions to existing dwelling

• Corina Iuliana Roat

DA23/1088

Lot 19 DP 25619, 64–68 Jockbet Street, Londonderry Shed

Mod24/0060

Lot 40 DP 16478,24 Inkerman Road, Emu Heights

concrete swimming pool

• Signature Design & Drafting Pty Ltd

DA24/0325

Lot 145 DP 803478, 231–235 Capitol Hill Drive, Mount Vernon Shed

DA24/0242

Lot 652 DP 1230585, 127 O’Connell Street, Caddens

Use of the existing building as a secondary dwelling including alterations to the garage

• Andrew Zeait

DA24/0266

Lot 656 DP 1230585, 119 O’Connell Street, Caddens

Use of the existing building as a secondary dwelling including alterations to the garageview Application Rev23/0007 for DA22/0213)

Viewing of Development Applications

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

Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

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

Daniel Mookhey, Nathan Hagarty, Prue Car and John Graham look at plans for transport around the new airport.

PAGE TEN

Send your jokes to

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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

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 spectacular mural of Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is located on the rear of the PCYC building in the Penrith CBD.

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: 0822, 0823, 0858.

Our thumbs down this week goes to the woman complaining in a community Facebook group about kids daring to play cricket in the rain at Jordan Springs last weekend.

2GB remains Sydney’s number one radio station, with Ben Fordham wearing the breakfast crown following the release of the radio ratings on Tuesday.

How many new homes the State Government wants Penrith to deliver by 2029 Housing target revealed

Penrith has been handed a housing target of 8,400 new homes to be completed by 2029.

It marks a 10 per cent increase in the number of homes currently in the Local Government Area.

It comes as the State Government releases details of its plan to rebalance housing across the state and address the housing crisis.

“We’re losing too many young people, people who make the city vibrant, essential workers and young families because they can’t afford a place to live in NSW. This has to change,” said Premier Chris Minns.

“I’ve talked a long time about the need to ensure we have a fairer balance of housing across the state – so housing is built close to already established transport links, schools and hospitals.

“While these targets are required to be released, the government has already acknowledged that they will be difficult to meet.

“That’s why this government is pulling all levers required to reforming planning and setting targets for housing growth, while providing the infrastructure needed to build better communities.”

Penrith City Council said it had no issue with the housing target.

“The new 2024-29 target of 8,400 is in line with Council’s Local Housing Strategy (2021) which sets out housing delivery over a five, 10 and 20 year horizon,” a spokesperson said.

“With an existing pipeline of housing, Council is continuing to undertake extensive

strategic work to inform this growth and is working to ensure this pipeline responds to the need for additional growth in the right locations, at the right time.

“It is critical that growth is supported by infrastructure. Growth areas – including

Orchard Hills, St Marys and Penrith City Centre – are contingent upon a pipeline of infrastructure being provided to meet the needs of the current and future population of our city.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the targets released were “ambitious but realistic”.

“We all need to be accountable. For too long, housing has been delivered without a plan,” he said.

“The new targets make for a fairer distribution across Sydney and NSW, with growth in areas where jobs and transport exist or are planned for.”

Penrith’s target of 8,400 new homes is lower than a number of comparable Local Government Areas.

The Liverpool Local Government Area is expected to deliver 16,700 new homes by 2029 while Campbelltown’s target is 10,500 despite having a lower population.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman slammed the targets.

“It’s easy to announce a number and call it the target, but without a clear way to deliver these houses, and sufficient funding to build the required infrastructure, the target will remain just a number,” Speakman said.

“You can announce all the targets and up-zonings in the world, but they won’t produce more housing unless it’s financially feasible to build.”

NSW Premier Chris Minns has revealed new housing targets. Photo: Melinda Jane.

TROY DODDS

Bike seat recalled: Health fears

Achild bike seat sold at several Penrith retailers has been recalled over fears it may pose a long-term health risk.

The Thule RideAlong child bike seat was sold at retailers including 99 Bikes Penrith and Trek Bicycle Penrith, as well as dozens of other retailers across the country.

The product is being recalled over concerns the flame retardant Decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE) has been detected in the harness padding at levels that may pose a health risk during long-term exposure/ingestion.

There may be a health risk, including thyroid, neurological or liver illnesses, in the event of long-term exposure to the skin and/or eyes or high level ingestion of the DecaBDE.

The recall impacts model numbers 100106 to 100108 that were manufactured between March 2021 and October 2023.

Seats manufactured on or after November 2023 are not affected by the recall.

Consumers with affected products will need to regis-

ter their product at www. thule.com/recallthuleridealongerow.

Thule AB will provide a free return box so consumers can send the affected harness padding to Thule for a free replacement of the harness padding.

“At the Thule Group we take quality very seriously and product safety is our top priority,” a statement by Thule Group said.

“We perform extensive tests to ensure our Thule products fulfil all global branch standards and regulations. Unfortunately, we have identified that the harness padding of Thule RideAlong can contain flame-retardant DecaBDE in excess of regulatory limits, posing a chemical hazard.”

For more information, consumers can contact Thule at thuleridealong. erow@thule.com.

ICONIC CRUISE BRAND TO BE NO MORE

P&O Cruises has confirmed the brand will be discontinued from early next year, with the company to fall under the Carnival Cruise Lines banner.

“We are all immensely

proud of P&O Cruises Australia’s 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region and welcome this new and exciting next chapter of our operations in Australia and the Pacific,”

the company said in a statement.

In addition P&O announced that the Pacific Explorer would leave the fleet next February after many years of service.

Trains still not running on time

Penrith commuters are continuing to struggle with delayed trains on their journey home, with on-time running targets nowhere near being met in the PM Peak.

Transport for NSW figures reveal that just 67.9 per cent of trains ran on time in the PM Peak on the Western Line in May. That’s down from 75.3 per cent last May and well below the on-time running target of 92 per cent.

The figures were worse in April, with just 58.1 per cent of afternoon peak trains running on-time, compared to 68.9 per cent 12 months earlier.

The PM on-time running target hasn’t been met since way back in January 2022 when

Sydney was still recovering from the COVID lockdowns and summer holidays were in full swing.

But if getting home from work is a struggle, getting there is at least a little easier.

The on-time running target for AM Peak trains was met in April, with 95 per cent of services running on time. And the target was almost met in May, with 91.3 per cent of trains running on time.

Commuter Chris Thomas said the train network tends to be a lottery.

“There’s always something. Last week I was on a train from the city to Kingswood, and all of a sudden the schedule changed and it flew past Kingswood, meaning I had to double back to Kingswood from Penrith,” he said. “It’s a lot better than it was a few years ago and catastrophes seem less, but it’s still pretty unreliable – especially in the afternoon.”

PM Peak trains are struggling to meet on-time running targets.

TROY DODDS

The recalled child bike seat.

Revival coming for St Marys CBD

The St Marys CBD will receive a significant spruce up after the State Government announced funding to help revitalise the area.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney was last week joined by Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car to announce the funding.

They stood in St Marys’ Coachmans Park to announce that Penrith City Council has received a $400,000 grant from the NSW Government to help revitalise the St Marys Town Centre.

The Community Improvement District (CID) Pilot Program granted the suburb the funding, which will be used to deliver a series of initiatives identified in the recently endorsed St Marys Town Centre Place Plan.

The actions identified included lighting and streetscape upgrades, more signage,

programs to help local businesses grow with the town and events to celebrate the local community all to be funded through the grant money.

The Place Plan indicated that the upgrades will be implemented over a period of five years.

Carney said that this funding will help to grow and strengthen the local community.

“These improvements and programs will complement other significant programs in the area, like St Marys Central Park and the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport rail line to establish St Marys as a strategic centre in western Sydney,” he said.

“We will collaborate closely with the St Marys Town Centre Corporation, local businesses, community members and other organisations to deliver these initiatives.

“Council thanks the NSW Government for recognising the importance of investing

in St Marys and the benefits this funding will bring to our community.”

To encourage investment into St Marys, a market ing campaign will be implemented with the aim of attracting more people into the area.

Car, whose ministerial office sits on Queen Street, said she was delighted to see the Place Plan for improving the town centre of St Marys.

“It is fantastic to see our local area set for revitalisation, particularly as work continues on the rail connection to Western Sydney Airport,” she told the Weekender

“Our community of St Marys has so much to offer – I cannot wait to see the new installations, lighting and other enhancements this initative will bring.”

Deputy Premier Prue Car and Penrith Mayor Todd Carney in St Marys. EMILY

Crash sparks call for roundabout Panel locked in for book supply

Last week Penrith City Council endorsed a panel to be established to provide material to Penrith Library.

A tender was advertised earlier in the year after a series of Local Government Procurement (LGP) approved contractors lost their approval status.

The tender process revealed that from the 18 applications a panel of 10 would be established to provide materials.

“The 10 contractors recommended for the ‘Panel of Approved Vendors’ were selected based on their level of compliance with the tender documents, demonstrated ability to meet Council’s requirements, competitive pricing schedule, product availability, delivery times, collection, format and/or subject specialty and reference checks,” a report to Council said.

The selected vendors were Abbey’s Bookshops Pty Limited, Aussie Global Books Pty Ltd, Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd, James Bennett Pty Ltd, Keith Ainsworth Pty Ltd, MDM Entertainment Pty LTD, QBD Books, Sound Text Media Pty Ltd, The Book House and Ulverscroft Australia Pty Ltd.

Of the 10 selected vendors, two were local to Penrith, Keith Ainsworth Pty Ltd and MDM Entertainment Pty Ltd.

The panel will allow Council to select material from a range of options.

“All the tenderers supply varying collection types, formats and areas of specialty,” a report to Council said.

“None of the tenderers were able to supply all the collection types, formats and areas of specialty required for the library’s book and audio-visual collections.”

Library staff can now select from the panel to ensure the fastest item delivery and best pricing.

Arecent accident near a childcare centre has staff asking for a roundabout to increase safety.

Centre Director of Green Garden Childcare Penrith, Melanie Carter, has brought attention to the intersection at Colless and Lethbridge Street where a recent accident saw a car flipped onto its roof.

“I think it is just more of a safety concern for everyone especially because we’ve got the childcare right here,” she said.

“Seeing the recent accident that happened and seeing how close it actually was to us made us really alert to how it needs to change, and this isn’t the first accident that has happened.”

Fellow educator Olivia Bateup said other staff at the centre have been in accidents at the intersection as well.

“We’ve had educators wiped out as well, not to that extent but as we’ve come out of the street we’ve been hit,” Bateup said.

Carter and Bateup have started a petition to try and

get community support for a roundabout before taking it to Penrith Council.

“So far we have 220 people who have signed the petition that we are hoping to bring to the Council,” Carter said.

One of the main factors behind Carter and Bateup taking this action is that their outdoor play area for the children is right next to the road.

“The scary thing was we had the children out in the yard, and we heard it [the accident] happen and we got the kids inside straight away because we weren’t sure what the noise was,” Bateup said.

“Our cook was the first one out here and saw the boys still stuck in the car and that is when we had come out as well, and by then no one knew what had happened,

but all we could think about was if it wasn’t for that median strip there that car could have rolled into our yard.”

Penrith City Council provided a statement regarding the intersection.

“Council officers will be undertaking an investigation of the existing site condition at the intersection of Lethbridge Street and Colless Street to determine if a roundabout is warranted at this location,” a spokesperson for Council said.

“Council officers will also liaise with the police as part of their investigation with regards to the recent crash at the intersection.”

For those interested in signing the petition please visit Green Garden Childcare’s Facebook page for more information.

DEAR WEEKENDER

NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

SUITE 2, 42-44 ABEL STREET, JAMISONTOWN 2750

Your support needed I write to your newspaper on behalf of the not-for-profit Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia (MIFA) with a very specific request. We are urging all your readers impacted in any way by mental illness issues to reach out and seek help. We know that at the current time there are 154,000 people with a severe and complex mental illness who are – in essence – missing out on support. We have a very strong view at MIFA that it is time to do better. Without doubt, Australia’s current mental health system is fragmented and sadly utterly dysfunctional. People with mental illness issues, which includes schizophrenia, have been woefully neglected by governments. It has been going on for literally decades. Too many people with mental illness are falling through the gaps and are not getting the right support when they actually need it. It is estimated that half the people living in the community with schizophrenia get no community support whatsoever. It is just not good enough. As part of our awareness initiative, we want to highlight that the vast majority of violence that happens in the community is carried out by people who do not experience a complex mental health situation. We would like to emphasise it is critical that if you are affected by a mental illness issue, you reach out and get the support you need. The MIFA has a key not-for-profit network called Finding North. It has become a growing community on the internet. To get more information, just go to www.findingnorth.

org.au

TONY STEVENSON, MENTAL ILLNESS FELLOWSHIP

May ruling questioned

Just wonder if the NRL’s no-fault policy with standing down players for long periods of time is a restriction of trade? (Masked Panther, Weekender May 31). I don’t agree with domestic violence in any form. If proven [May] should be punished severely. But if for example a person had charges laid and they were a tradie, are they stood down from their job until it’s heard in court? Is this different standards depending on your public profile? As for punishing domestic violence I do believe the consequences when convicted currently are not adequate. They need to be more severe and part of the punishment should be like sexual offenders; the perpetrators of domestic violence should also be placed on a list which as a consequence affects their future employment. Just some thoughts to ponder.

LES RIDGEWAY, VIA FACEBOOK

Return to Penrith

I have just moved back to Penrith after 15 years overseas. The city has undergone an incredible transformation, and in many ways I am proud of the city that it has become. And of course, how good to have The Western Weekender still going strong. I must say though, there’s too many naysayers around town. Catching up with old friends, they have all provided a laundry list of problems they have with Penrith. I’m surprised by this – since returning, I have found a vibrant city with great restaurants, a reasonably good nightlife and a great central shopping centre. Perhaps Penrith people just don’t like change?

GARY ROGERS, PENRITH

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

Penrith City Council has established a panel of providers for books at its libraries.

Melanie Carter and Olivia Bateup. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE EMILY

Push to honour beloved leader

EMILY CHATE

Brothers Junior Rugby League Club and former Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres are calling for community support as they move to rename Parker Street Reserve.

They are campaigning to rename the reserve after Chris Hobbs; a lifetime member of the club and former teacher at St Dominic’s College who passed away five years ago.

Ayres explained that Hobbs was a well-known community figure who touched the lives of many.

“He had a profound impact on lots of people and it’s one of those intergenerational things because of the school... and post his teaching life his engagement with the footy club and all those things,” Ayres said.

“I just think it is a great suggestion from the club.

“It is a bit of a non-named space... so you are not having to take anything away from someone else to do it, so it seems like a no-brainer.”

Hobbs taught maths at St Dominic’s College and was also a year supervisor,

and it was in these roles he is described as having a profound impact on many people.

“There is so many stories of how Chris has helped people, and I don’t even want to contemplate how many people wouldn’t actually be here if it wasn’t for him,” Ayres said.

“People we don’t even know about that his personal engagement with literally saved their life.”

Current President of Brothers Troy Cooper shared Chris was a strong pillar of the club community.

“Chris Hobbs was inspirational to this club and had been here for a long time,” Cooper said.

For anyone wanting to show their support for the renaming they are encouraged to visit Brothers Facebook page where a petition and eventually a GoFundMe will be available for people to show their support.

“For people who remember Chris and might have had a real positive experience with him along the way it will be a good opportunity for them to make a contribution and recognise his life,” Ayres said. Brothers aim to take the petition to Penrith City Council soon to formally begin the process of requesting a name change.

Steve Alexander, Wayne Neville, Troy Cooper, Stuart Ayres, John Fowler, and David Hendry. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Chris Hobbs.

IMAGE: Ar tist impression of the new Penrith Stadium

Blame game over buses

Frustrated parents demand dedicated school bus for Jordan Springs Public School

There is still no school bus service for Jordan Springs Public School, and parent frustrations are growing.

President of the school’s P&C and mother to a child at the school, Kylie Thomas, wants just one thing: a dedicated school bus for the students to use.

The Department of Education (DOE) recently undertook a survey that indicated there was little demand for the bus service.

But Thomas believes this was flawed.

“It showed that there was on average 30 kids on a Tuesday and a Wednesday in a morning and 17-20 kids in the afternoons,” she said.

“However, I would suspect that it would significantly be more kids if we had a dedicated bus because parents are finding alternative arrangements because what we’ve got from a public perspective is not suitable.”

Thomas believes that there would be more children using the bus service if the parents knew it would be safe and reliable.

Currently, students have no choice but to use existing public bus services.

Thomas has shared her concerns with Education Minister and Member for Londonderry Prue Car and Penrith Mayor Todd Carney, who both said they escalated the matter to Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

“So, everyone seems to be escalating it to the

Transport Minister, great!” Thomas said.

“But, I haven’t had any response from them, so I don’t know what the outcome is.”

In response to questions by the Weekender, a spokesperson for Haylen did not speak to the Jordan Springs services directly and blamed the previous government.

“We are dealing with the consequences of the former Liberal Government’s 12 years of neglect of our bus services,” she said.

“For the last 10 years, funding for bus service growth did not keep up with population growth across NSW or with school enrolments. The NSW Bus Industry Taskforce’s interim report, that was released earlier this year, made clear the extent of these issues and provided recommendations on ways to fix them.

“This can’t be done overnight. We are working through the report’s recommendations,

identifying priority areas and seeking the funding to invest in more frequent and reliable bus services.”

Transport for NSW confirmed it was planning to perform an additional in-person count of school children using the existing 783 route buses “in coming days”.

Where else in our area is lacking adequate bus services? Tell us: Email emily.chate@ westernweekender.com.au.

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen.

President of the Jordan Springs Public School P&C, Kylie Thomas.

Who should get the first

Have you driven through Penrith lately and noticed there is something missing?

The Weekender has.

We noticed there is a lack of statues around our city.

That’s right – there is not one statue commemorating a politician, athlete, settler, community icon... the list goes on.

So, we thought to ourselves, what if there was a statue erected? Who would it be of and where would it go? We went to High Street and asked some locals.

Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of love for the mighty Penrith Panthers.

Tim and Leo believe there should be a statue of a panther.

“Everyone seems to recognise this area as Panther territory,” Tim said. Etina and Tua thought that some current panthers players should get the statue.

“Jarome Luai or Brian To’o,” they said.

Karen and Lisa thought the threetime Premiership winning coach should get the honour.

“It would have to be Ivan Cleary because he is brilliant,” they said.

Brinda thought the same.

“I think Ivan Cleary because he does a good job,” she said.

One bike rider, David, thought a musician should get the statue.

Even one from outside of Penrith.

“Angus Young from AC/DC,” he declared.

NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Londonderry, Prue Car.

Nathan Cleary.

Tim and Leo Suggestion: Panther.

Karen and Lisa Suggestion: Ivan Cleary.

Remick Suggestion: Chris Minns, Prue Car and Nathan Cleary.

Etina and Tua Suggestion: Jarome Luai or Brian To’o.

David. Suggestion: Angus Young from AC/DC.

Brinda Suggestion: Ivan Cleary.

One Penrith local Remick had few ideas.

“What about down the river?” Remick said.

“It would have to be me that’s the first choice,” he joked.

Remick suggested Chris Minns and Prue Car should get the honour.

“I think the Premiers of the state,” Remick said.

Finally, Remick suggested the Panthers’ own Nathan Cleary.

“In some slacks and a collared shirt, not in his football gear,” he said.

The majority is clear from the Penrith community; Ivan and Nathan Cleary should get the statue.

But here at the Weekender, we’ve got a few suggestions of our own.

We’ve put our heads together and come up with a statue shortlist.

Greg Alexander: Affectionately known to most footy fans as ‘Brandy’, he was born and raised in Penrith where he attended St Dominic’s College. Brandy debuted for the Panthers in 1984 and won the Rookie of the Year Award. In his second year, Brandy went on to win the Dally M player of the year award. Brandy was promoted to captain in 1991 and took the club

to their maiden premiership after beating Canberra 19-12. Brandy, you certainly get our vote.

Jessica Fox OAM: Fox was raised in Penrith after being born in France. Jess attended Blaxland High School where she academically excelled. She followed in the steps of her canoeist parents and made her debut at the 2012 London Olympic

Games at just 18-years-old. She won a silver medal in the K1 event and later won two bronze medals in the same event. Jess won her first gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in the C1 event. Jess will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics later this year.

Watkin Tench: Tench was a British Officer who travelled on the

First Fleet and later discovered the place we now call Penrith. While it was Lachlan Macquarie who gave Penrith its name in 1822 it was Tench in 1789 who stumbled across the area in his journey west.

James J. Riley: Penrith’s population of 837 wanted their voice heard on matters that concerned them and Penrith was named a municipality. In 1871 Penrith Council met for the very first time and it was presided over by Penrith’s first Mayor James J. Riley. Riley lived on 2,000 acres of land in what is now Mulgoa where he bred sheep and thoroughbred horses.

Nellie Nah Doongh: Nellie’s story is chronicled by Sara Shand in the early 20th century in the Nepean Times. Shand drew portraits of Nellie and shared Nellie’s experience of European settlement recalling Nellie saying “...I member first white come here – all black’s den, no houses, all gunyans-ev’body fghtin...”. Nellie is often described as being the last of her tribe and a well-known figure in the community during the period of European settlement.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Jessica Fox Greg Alexander

Nellie Nah Doongh (portrait by Sara Shand)

Non-Executive Directors x 2 (Voluntary)

Cancer Wellness Support

Holistic Health Care and Allied Ser vices

Location: Blue Mountains, Penrith/Hawkesbury.

Cancer Wellness Support (CWS) provides holistic, person-centred and complementary care, enabled through community generosity. We support people living with cancer, their families and carers in retaining their sense of control and balance, while giving hope to those in challenging circumstances.

Established in 2005, CWS is a not-for-profit, member-based organisation that is funded through membership fees, op-shops, donations, bequests, fundraising events and sponsorships.

Our Values are Care, Compassion, Collaboration, Innovation, Confidentiality, Respect and Community.

We make a di erence; and you can too

Do you have a genuine interest and/or a lived experience of supporting people living with cancer?

Can you listen, analyse and work collaboratively with people?

Do you have experience of a director’s governance role including legal, ethical, fiduciar y and financial accountabilities?

Do you have established networks or connections that can support CWS?

Do you have skills and expertise in one or more areas of:

Strategic Planning and Evaluation Fundraising, Donations and Corporate Sponsorship Senior Management/Leadership in corporate or public sector Social Enterprise or Not for Profit governance Legal/Risk Management/WHS Accounting, Financial Management/Auditing

At CWS we value an inclusive and diverse workforce and Board membership. We strongly encourage applicants from the Penrith region and applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We are excited to hear what you have to o er Please send your contact details and a short summary of your experience to judith.field@cancersupport.org.au by 17 June 2024 You are encouraged to visit the CWS website on cancersupport.org.au for further background information.

Portrait deserves right home

EMILY CHATE

ASt Marys resident is trying to get a portrait returned to the right family.

Long time St Marys resident David Trist is in possession of a portrait of Louis Henry Witts painted by John Aston and is reaching out to see if any of the Witts family are still in the area.

John Aston, the painter, moved to Australia from England and was the Headmaster at Colyton Primary School, a role from which he retired in 1912.

Louis Henry Witts was born in Australia and was admitted as a teacher in 1879, and later starting from 1910 worked at a school in Wentworthville.

The painting is in Trist’s possession as Aston is the grandfather of his wife Betty.

Trist says it was common at the time for people to have portraits in their homes.

“There was no television and people recorded their forebears usually with a portrait and you would go into a house and there would be portraits on the walls,” Trist said.

Aston entered the portrait

into the Archibald Prize competition in 1938 but unfortunately missed out on any accolades.

“He [Aston] got the portrait back and it’s been sitting around, and they all died so I ended up with a lot of stuff that I didn’t want to throw away,” Trist said.

“So, I thought I’d find the Witts family and the lady from the library kindly said she’d do a search and she found that one of the Witts [family] was a Headmaster at Wentworthville School and another one [was] Headmaster of Wallacia.

“But, this Mr Witts, I don’t know.”

There is little more information known about Witts

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

St Marys Lights Up

I’m pleased to announce that Council’s popular St Marys Lights Up event is returning for its third year in Queen Street on Saturday, June 15. The street will transform into a winter playground from 4-9pm with exciting entertainment such as roving performers (hula hoopers, stilt walkers and bubble artists), free amusement rides, a synthetic ice rink with ice that looks real, creative workshops, live music from local artists, and of course, the many restaurants along Queen Street.

Last year, St Marys Lights Up was a big success, and I was blown away by how much the community enjoyed the festivities. I’m delighted to see the event return, adopting a similar program of events and activities like last year’s carnival-style offerings.

It’s important to us to provide great opportunities for our community members and visitors to see and experience the best of St Marys. St Marys Lights Up is an evening event with something for every-

other than he had four children: Eleanor (known as Nellie), Elmo, Hinton and Fanny. Witts is known to have died in 1943.

The artist, Aston, was a very skilled artist who painted the portraits of many local community members for their family records. Aston died in 1953. On behalf of John Aston, Trist is searching for any living members of the Witts family so he can return this family portrait.

For further information about the painting or to be put into contact with David Trist please email Emily. Chate@westernweekender. com.au.

one — from families with small kids and teenagers to people who want to explore Queen Street themselves or with family and friends.

With all the entertainment and amusement rides available at no cost, it’s a great chance for our community to enjoy a fun and affordable evening.

I highly encourage you to join us for a night out on Queen Street, especially with the variety of dinner options available — complementing the restaurants in the area there will be food trucks including some desert options.

Winter is a great time to get out in your local area — so rug up and join us for a fun evening!

I hope to see you at St Marys Lights Up! Entry into the event is free. For more information, visit penrith.city/events.

St Marys Lights Up is proudly funded by the NSW Government.

CR TODD CARNEY Mayor of Penrith

DON’T MISS OUR NEW PODCAST

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

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

David Trist with a self portrait of John Aston. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Making dreams come true

Maddie’s story shows why Starlight Foundation is so important in our community

The Starlight Foundation has officially launched its Starlight Day Appeal, aiming to raise $1 million by the end of June – and they need your help.

Seven-year-old Maddie Reedy was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2019 after developing unusual bruises and sores.

Mum Rebecca Seigel recalls being in and out of hospital for 12 months before Maddie was able to ring the bell, signifying the completion of her treatment. However, in a heartbreaking moment for the St Clair family, she relapsed just a month later.

“I think her bravery kept us all going,” Seigel said.

Thankfully, Maddie was connected with the Starlight Foundation almost immediately.

“Maddie was two-and-a-half, she was at that age where we knew we could make hospital fun for her with Starlight and everything that they did,” Seigel said.

Though due to her specific illness she wasn’t allowed in the Starlight Room, Maddie was able to connect

care.

with the foundation through Captain Starlight and other initiatives.

“The Captains came to her room, they had a TV, so she could always watch them and ring them,” she said.

It also made a huge difference for Maddie’s siblings and cousins.

“My son, when he’d come up to

visit her during the school holidays, when it got too much he was able to go and spend time in the Starlight Room as well as my niece,” Seigel said.

“They would spend all day there, they just loved it. They make the kids laugh.”

Maddie also got her Starlight Wish in October after delays, which saw

her and her family head to the Gold Coast.

“Her wish was to swim with dolphins when she was two-anda-half, and we went in Halloween-time, and she loves anything spooky like that, so we did the dolphins, and they did a spooky thing at Sea World, so she got to be a part of that as well,” she said.

Now well on her way out of treatment, with her last bone marrow test taking place last week, Maddie’s journey with the Starlight Foundation is thankfully over.

However, Seigel said she couldn’t speak highly enough of the impact they had on their lives, recommending everyone to get behind them this June.

“I definitely think it made hospital easier, especially in the beginning when she was first diagnosed with leukaemia,” she said.

“But, what really stands out to me is that they still remember who she is. We’ve been through this journey for nearly five years now, and her personality and her looks have changed so much, but they still remember who she is.”

To donate, visit https://starlight. au/Maddie.

Maddie Reedy undergoing

Having fun on the Gold Coast thanks to the Starlight Foundation.

CASSIDY PEARCE

Bowel cancer campaign aims to improve number of tests

The national Bowel Screening Community Roadshow was officially launched last month.

Celebrity doctor Andrew Rochford was joined by bowel cancer survivors and the Western Sydney Wanderers to bring awareness to bowel cancer.

The interactive bowel cancer screening trailer will travel parts of Australia all to raise awareness about bowel cancer screening and how it can save lives.

“The point of launching the trailer there with the support of the Western Sydney Wanderers is to start by raising awareness in

western Sydney,” Rochford said.

“So... there is six million people on average annually that are eligible for the test, and we are only seeing about 40.9 per cent of those tests being returned, that’s nationally.

“In western Sydney the number is 35 per cent.

“So, what we need to look at is how can we start to communicate and encourage these communities to better understand the purpose of the test, the simplicity of doing the test and also the benefit of doing the test.”

June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and encourages people to complete their free bowel cancer screening test because more than 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if detected early.

Bush food trail offers insight into proud Indigenous heritage

Anew educational bush food trail is now open in Cranebrook.

As part of the Great West Walk that stretches from Parramatta to the Blue Mountains, the food trail was a collaboration between Penrith City Council, Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services and local Aboriginal organisation Muru Mittigar.

The bush food trail enhances the existing plants

along the section of the walk adjacent to Ariel Crescent in Cranebrook and offers a glimpse into the traditional foods sourced from the land by Aboriginal peoples complemented by educational signage.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said that collaboration between Council and local Indigenous organisations was paramount.

“We wanted the bush food trail to provide insight into the knowledge of Aboriginal peoples – specifically the Dharug Language Group –and how they’ve thrived in

Cranebrook for over 50,000 years,” he said.

“The signage provides information about the plants and their significance and use to Aboriginal communities in our region.”

Plants in the area include the Bunya Pine, which was used at gatherings that held cultural significance to local communities; Kangaroos Grass, which were harvested to be ground into a flour; Spiny-head Mat-rush which were made into baskets, bags and mats; and the Sandpaper Fig, which was used as a natural sandpaper.

Dr Andrew Rochford launches the Bowel Screening Community Roadshow.

The Cranebrook Bush Food Trail.

EMILY CHATE

EMILY

Indigenous students learn more about career paths at new forum

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Catholic high schools in the Parramatta Diocese came together last month for the inaugural Parramatta Diocese Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior Students Forum.

The event, hosted by St Columba’s Catholic College in Springwood, brought Year 11 and 12 students together from 14 schools in hopes of sharing information about future career pathways and opportunities.

According to Penola Catholic College Emu Plains student Montana La Rosa, the prospect of this was incredibly exciting.

“I think I was just really excited to meet more people, and immerse myself in my culture a lot more,” she said.

The day began by welcoming students with a smoking ceremony, before students heard from keynote speaker, Taleisha Councillor from Jarara Cultural Centre.

Students then took part in a number of activities including

dancing, weaving, painting, and yarning with mob, and met with representatives from tertiary institutions and employers about the different pathways and supports available to them post-school.

For Montana, every aspect of

this was incredibly beneficial and important.

“I really loved the activities we got to do,” she said.

“We got to paint boomerangs with our different stories in Indigenous symbols, and getting to watch some

of the other students do some dancing was really incredible.

“Just hearing from the keynote speakers, and getting to talk to different people, and knowing all my opportunities – I think the whole day was inspirational.”

Xavier College student River Olsen-Nash, who has been an acting member of Xavier’s First Nations Leadership Team since he was in Year 7, committing both to his studies and to activism, agreed with the sentiment, specifically highlighting the aspects of the day where he was able to meet and hear from his fellow students.

“I loved seeing everyone getting involved, speaking about what they do at their schools, everyone coming together, and just the whole community aspect of it,” he said.

With this being the first event of its kind, River said he hopes more students will have access to it in the future.

“It’s good to see all these different opportunities in one area,” he said.

Montana added that she hopes there’s room for expansion in the coming years, seeing plenty of opportunities for junior students to benefit from this type of experience as early as possible.

“I think the junior students would have loved it as well,” she said.

“Getting to share that with more people from our community would have been great!”

Wester n Sydney University, Hawkesbury Institute of Environment, Richmond, NSW

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment

REGISTRATION OF INTEREST

Urbis has been commissioned by Architectus on behalf of Wester n Sydney University (‘the Proponent’) to conduct an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) at the site located on the cor ner of Resource Road and Science Road, Wester n Sydney University Campus, Richmond, NSW legally described as Lot 2 in DP 1051798.

The ACHA is being prepared to support a State Signi cant Development Application (‘SSDA’) under Division 4.7 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW), which seeks approval for the construction of a single level education and research building within the subject area.

The proponent contact details are as follows:

Wayne Clark

Indigenous Engagement Coordinator Wester n Sydney University w.clark@wester nsydney.edu.au

The ACHA is to be carried out in accordance with the National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2019 (NSW) and the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Consultation Requirements for Proponents (DECCW 2010) and will include consultation with local Indigenous community groups, Knowledge Holders and individuals who hold local cultural knowledge relevant to the local area.

Urbis invite local Indigenous community members and Knowledge Holders who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the signi cance of Aboriginal object(s) and/ or places in the location of the study area to register their interest in being involved in consultation as a Registered Aboriginal Party (‘RAP’).

Please register your interest in writing to the contact details provided below by 21 June 2024

Kirsten Downey Consultant Urbis Ltd Level 8, 123 Pitt Street Sydney, NSW, 2000 E: kdowney@urbis.com.au

Please note that any details relating to Indigenous community groups, Knowledge Holders or individuals who should be consulted with respect to this project may be provided to the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Heritage NSW Registrants are welcome to request that their details are not provided to Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Heritage NSW.

This request can be made at the time of registration, or by contacting Wayne Clark, w.clark@wester nsydney.edu.au

Xavier College students Kaillan Jones, River Olsen-Nash and Rochelle McHugh took part in the Senior Students Forum in Springwood.

CASSIDY PEARCE

River run with a difference: Get set for marathon effort this week

EMILY CHATE

Agroup of Penrith men will be attempting to run a marathon this weekend to promote men’s health.

President of SOLiD Men, Lance Rogers said this Saturday, June 8 the group will be running six laps of the Nepean River from 12pm to 6pm starting and finishing at Laughin’ Boy Café.

“We’ve called it the ‘Check 6’ challenge and it’s the first time we have put something like this on,” Rogers said.

“Check 6 is one of our three core values which talks to our men being vulnerable and also accountable to each other and for men to look out for each other.

“So, we wanted to put an event on that could bring the community together but also provide a new unique challenge for some of our fitter guys.

“So, what we will be doing is running laps of the Nepean River’s bridge-to-bridge on the hour, every hour, for six hours.”

As a registered not-for-profit organisation, they will be taking donations on the day and all funds will be put back into running the group.

SOLiD Men runs free workouts every weekend where men can exercise and check in with each other.

“The core of what we do is free workouts [to] get the guys together [and] it’s peer led,” Rogers said.

“Different men get the opportunity to lead each week and they encourage the guys before they start and then afterwards, we get together and have coffee and everyone gets the opportunity to chat and share how they’re going.”

The fitness group encourages all men and all skill levels to join.

“If you come along it doesn’t matter if you can do the entire workout; you can adapt, you can do less reps, you can do different movements, it is just about getting involved,” he said.

The group has a strong focus of supporting men’s mental health.

“I think it is important for men to come together and talk about challenges they’ve got and encourage each other,” Rogers said.

“We are focused on not just working on men’s mental health and getting them out of dark places but actually encouraging them to be strong leaders in their families, their communities and their workplaces.”

If you want to join the group or support them this weekend visit www.solidmen. com.au or their Facebook page for more information.

Karen’s Comment

The weekly views of the State Member for Penrith

Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2024 was ‘Now More Than Ever’, and it is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will, and must continue.

Last week I was honoured to be invited and attend Penrith’s locally held events to celebrate National Reconciliation Week.

Thank you Platform Youth Services for the Yarning Circle Smoking Ceremony and The Good Service Mob for hosting the event with Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre for their Fun Day. It was great to connect, learn and share in the experiences.

Future Women Jobs Academy

Applications are now open for the Future Women Jobs Academy program, aimed at boosting women’s workforce participation and economic security in NSW. This initiative is supported by $5.8 million in funding from the NSW Government and will support 1,000 women across two years.

The free program is custom designed for each participant and aims to improve job readiness and economic security for women in NSW who are unemployed, under employed, or seeking to progress to more stable

https://www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/future-women-

President of SOLiD Men, Lance Rogers. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Celebrating dedication

Kristine Gauci honoured for stunning community work across Penrith region

Penrith local Kristine Gauci has been honoured at the Premier’s Volunteer Reception.

Nominated by Member for Penrith Karen McKeown, Gauci was recognised by Premier Chris Minns for her continual work in the local community.

In 2013, Gauci co-founded a not-for-profit organisation ‘Our Community Cares’, which raises funds for equipment at Nepean Hospital including comfortable chairs for chemotherapy patients, lowline beds for the elderly and sensory activities for patients with dementia.

Since 2013 Gauci has helped to raise $630,000 to provide this equipment.

Gauci is the chair of the Penrith Community Kitchen and also established a free lawn maintenance program last year for ill and frail community members.

Gauci also re-established a scholarship for Year 10 students to connect with and form friendships with elderly residents in the Penrith community.

The award was presented during National Volunteer Week, which highlights the important role volunteers have in local communities.

McKeown thanked all volunteers for the work they do.

“It was an honour to nominate Kristine Gauci for her outstanding efforts and dedication to the Penrith community,” McKeown said.

Get together with friends and family and enjoy a great day out, with plenty of kid-friendly tracks, trails and activities to suit ever yone.

NSW Premier Chris Minns, Penrith MP Karen McKeown, Kristine Gauci and Jihad Dib.

EMILY CHATE

Δ Garlic bread shake-up: Pizza Hut has given its famous garlic bread a makeover. Featuring four delicious flavour options, Pizza Hut’s new Loaded Garlic Bread range (pictured above) will appeal to us all, whether you’re mad about pepperoni, obsessed with chicken, or prefer a veggie option. You can get Loaded Pepperoni Lovers Garlic Bread, Loaded Buffalo Chicken Garlic Bread, Loaded BBQ Meatlovers Garlic Bread and Loaded Veggie Paneer Garlic Bread. They’re available in all Pizza Hut stores now.

Δ New EV parking spots: Nepean Village has installed a number of EV charging spots

Pick

in the car park of the shopping centre. They’re located close to the main entrance, replacing previous parents with pram spots, which have been relocated.

Δ ECQ work begins: Work on ECQ Outlet, the third stage of Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ), has commenced with the project’s State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval received and Frasers Property Australia awarding two major contracts. Hosting a sod turning event to mark this important milestone, ECQ Outlet will add a new dimension to the well-established Eastern Creek Quarter precinct and feature

up a copy of the paper

C ambridge

C ambridge Park

Castlereagh

Claremont Meadows

Coly ton

Cranebrook

Emu Height s

Emu Plains

Erskine Park

Glenmore Park

up to 100 brands in a large-scale ‘outlet retail’ concept in which brands will offer a minimum of 70 per cent of stock for sale discounted from ordinary retail price or recommended retail price. It will be western Sydney’s first outlet retail destination and only the fourth in NSW – compared to six in Victoria – underlining the rare opportunity and huge potential for retailers in this under-represented category in the rapidly growing region.

Δ Macca’s tackles cost-of-living: Prepare to get more of what you love for less as Macca’s launches the McSmart Meal, a delicious new meal deal that offers great taste, choice, and value. The McSmart Meal offers two burgers – a choice between two Cheeseburgers or two Chicken ‘n’ Cheese or one of each – small fries and a small soft drink for $6.95. It’s available from 10.30am at all McDonald’s stores across the local area.

Δ Delicious chicken: The brand new Paradise Chicken has opened at Caddens Corner shopping centre. The new takeaway shop opened its doors earlier this week.

Δ Milk Flower coming soon: Milk Flower will soon open in Westfield Penrith (pictured right). Milk Flower is not your regular milk tea shop! Known for their signature rice yogurts and classic mango Thai coconut milk, they only use the freshest ingredients – even if it means to import mango from all over the world. It’ll open near Coles.

Jamisontown Jordan

Kingswood

Leonay

Llandilo

Londonderry

Luddenham

Minchinbur y Mulgoa

North St Mar ys

St Mar ys

2024 MAYORAL CHARITY FUNDRAISER

No one goes hungry in the proud Penrith community

Penrith is known for its community spirit – every day, residents from all walks of life come together in unexpected places to share their stories.

One of these spaces is the Penrith Community Kitchen, which provides those doing it tough in our community a place of comfort, offering a hot meal, emergency food as well as referral support information.

Of the thousands of individuals and families who have received a helping hand with a meal or emergency hamper or food through the charity, many grateful friendships have been made during their visit to the Kitchen. This is something the kind-hearted volunteers are extremely proud of – making a difference in someone’s life.

The feedback from residents who have gone through some of the toughest periods of their lives and have made it out the other side is incredible.

According to Penrith Community Kitchen Coordinator, Cathy Craig, who helped establish the Kitchen almost 30 years ago, she has seen many people walk through the Kitchen’s doors.

“I’ve had many notable stories of people that have come into the Kitchen to eat. One was a man that used to come in for meals and every

time he came, he would bring us an item or gift in return for a meal,” Craig said.

“He told us he felt that he had to give back. Six months later, he came back and told us he wanted to thank the Kitchen for serving him. He was at rock bottom, and it was so hard for him to accept charity,” she said.

“It’s people like this gentleman and their feedback that empowers us to continue this work.”

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney is proud of the City’s sense of camaraderie and is calling on residents, businesses, government agencies and community groups to give back.

In June, Carney is hosting the Mayoral Charity Fundraiser to raise much needed funds for the Penrith Community Kitchen.

“Our City has banded together countless times and now we must show our community spirit again but supporting the Penrith Community Kitchen who has supported the community in so many wonderful ways,” Cr Carney said.

“I invite you all to join me and help those doing it tough by creating strong, long-term connections within this great community.” Visit penrith.city/mayoralcharity. Tickets can be purchased on the Trybooking page via the QR code in the advertisement.

PENRITH CITY LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

The Penrith City Local Business Awards is back, and founder Steve Loe has called on the community to nominate their favourite businesses.

Nominations for the 2024 Penrith City Local Business Awards open on Monday, June 10 2024 and will close on Tuesday, July 9 2024 with the winners announced at the Awards Presentation Evening, on Wednesday, September 11 2024

Precedent Productions Managing Director, Steve Loe, who founded the awards four decades ago, said it was an opportunity for members of the community to encourage and show appreciation for outstanding providers of goods and services.

“Business owners, managers and staff work hard and often go above and beyond to help their clients and customers,” he said.

“Nominating someone for their outstanding service or products is a great way to thank these people.”

Voting for your favourite business is as simple as visiting the Local Business Awards’ website www.thebusinessawards.com.au.

Loe said businesses could also self-nominate to show staff how much their efforts were valued.

The Penrith City Local Business Awards are made possible by the ongoing support of Major Partners; NOVA Employment, Western Sydney Conference Centre and SCB Legal and Support Sponsors; Westfield Penrith, White Key Marketing, Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Nepean Regional Security, Bx Networking, Penrith Homemaker Centre, Southlands Shopping Centre and Nepean Village.

Loe said the Awards Partners wanted to support the efforts of Penrith City businesses and acknowledge their important role in the community.

“The Awards are only possible because of the sponsors and their support,” he said.

The Western Weekender will provide regular updates on the progress of the Awards program and will also run a special Finalists Feature and Winners Feature.

For further information on the 2024 Penrith City Local Business Awards, call Precedent Productions on 8363 3333 or visit www.thebusinessawards.com.au.

Nominations are open for the Penrith City Local Business Awards. Make sure your business is in the running to be recognised.

Nominations close Tuesday 9th July.

Some of last year’s winners with Penrith Mayor Todd Carney.

Some of last year’s winners at the Local Business Awards.

What did winning mean to y ou?

We are so proud of the team for winning a local business aw ard last y ear We take great pride in what w e deliv er in both product and ser vice. Having success at these aw ards ackno wledges and v alidates these effo rt s.

Wh y do y ou l ove the Local Business Aw ards?

T he Local Business Aw ards sho wcases the best of our local business comm unity Bringing us all together to celebrate the dedication and l ov e each business has for the local area.

What is y our message to y our customers?

Café at Lewers w ould like to thank the Em u Plains & P enrith comm unity for their ongoing suppor t. It’s an absolute pleasure pro viding fresh, exciting and seasonal men u items for our customers

We ’re looking forw ard to another strong y ear ahead!

PS: Go the P anthers!

W: PENRITHREGIONALGALLERY.COM.AU/CAFE-AT-LEWERS P: 4735 4265 | A: 86 RIVER RO AD , EMU PLAINS

2024 FINALIST B UTCHER

W hat did winning mean t o y ou?

W inning the Business Aw ar ds f eels f ant astic as it sho wcases our exceptional cust omer suppor t and highlights our outst anding st af f who consist ently striv e t o deliv er their best . T he r ecognition v alidat es our ef fo r ts and motiv at es us t o maint ain and exceed our high st andar ds

Wh y do y ou l ov e the L ocal Business Aw ar ds?

W e l ov e the L ocal Business Aw ar ds as winning the aw ar d is a signif icant motiv at or f or us t o contin ually impr ov e e ve r y y ear It not only boosts our t eam mor ale but also pr o vides v aluable exposur e f or our business enhancing our r eput ation in the comm unity

What is y our message t o y our cust omers?

W e w ant t o expr ess our hear tf elt gr atitude t o each and e ve r y one of our cust omers f or their unw av ering suppor t. W e pr omise t o alw ays giv e our best, because without our cust omers , none of this w ould be possible.

A: SHOP 19, 2 BIRMINGHAM RD SOUTH PENRITH P: 4732 4474 | W: KA

WW53932

2024 FINALIST OUTST ANDING PET C ARE

W hat did winning mean t o you?

W inning the Local Business Aw ard in the P et Ca re categor y w as a significant milestone for our business and sta ff. It v alidated our hard w ork, dedication, and commitment to our clients and suppor ting and contributing to the local comm unity

Why do you love the Local Business Awar ds?

We l ov e the Local Business Aw ards because the y celebrate the essence of our comm unity and recognise the unique bond betw een our business and the people w e ser ve . T his recognition not only ackno wledges our hard w ork and ser vice but also motiv ates us to contin ue striving for the highest standards strengthening our connection with our v alued clients and their bel ov ed pets

W hat is your message t o your cust omers?

We w ant to express our hear tfelt gratitude to our clients for being the driving force behind our success; y our unw av ering suppor t and trust hav e all ow ed us to become an integral par t of this comm unity Whether y ou’re seeking pet care ser vices or simply stopping b y, w e promise to contin ue treat y ou like one of our family

ORCHARD HILLS

WITH GRAHAM FITZPATRICK

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS CENTRE • 4721 5011

Accountants vs Tax Agents: Who does your business need this tax time?

With tax season upon us, are you thinking accountant or tax agent? While their titles might sound interchangeable, their roles differ significantly. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the right professional for your business needs this tax season.

Tax Agent:

Think of a tax agent as your tax return filing champion. They possess in-depth knowledge of complex tax laws and regulations, ensuring your business complies and avoids penalties. They’ll take care of tasks such as preparing and lodging your tax return, while maximising all your deductions and offsets to legally minimise your tax burden. Additionally, they’ll handle the quarterly lodgement of BAS (Business Activity Statement) for GST-registered businesses.

Advantages of a Tax Agent:

1. Cost-effective: For straightforward tax situations, tax agents may offer competitive rates compared to accountants.

2. Specialisation: Many agents focus on specific industries, providing tailored advice that directly benefits your business type.

Accountant: The Financial Strategist

An accountant goes beyond just tax returns. They act as your financial advisor, providing a holistic view of your business’ financial health. Their services include ensuring

your financial records and bookkeeping are accurate and up to date. They create reports that analyse your business performance and can identify areas for improvement. An accountant can also develop tax minimisation strategies throughout the year, not just at tax time, and offer guidance on budgeting, cash flow management, and financial goals.

Advantages of an Accountant:

1. Long-term view: They provide ongoing financial guidance, helping you make informed business decisions based on a complete understanding of your finances.

2. Proactive approach: They can help you structure your business for tax efficiency throughout the year, potentially saving you money in the long run.

The Verdict: It Depends

For simple tax returns with minimal financial complexity, a tax agent might be sufficient. However, if you require broader financial guidance and tax planning, an accountant is a better choice.

As you start to get everything together for your tax, don’t forget to talk to your accountant or tax agent about any tax offsets and schemes available to businesses. This year, the Small Business Income Tax Offset can reduce your tax bill by up to $1,000. Additionally, depending on your industry, you might qualify for other benefits like the Research and Development Tax Incentive.

WESTERN SYDNEY TOURISM AWARDS

benchmarks for growth and participation, coinciding with the upcoming WSI opening.

It o ers networking opportunities with industry leaders and parliament members, featuring food, wine, entertainment, and recognition of excellence in Western Sydney.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment at 113-153 Aldington Road Kemps Creek, NSW

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment – Registration of Interest

RP Infrastructure has commissioned Austral Archaeology Pty Ltd (Austral) to undertake an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment (ACHA) in regard to a proposed development at (Lot 36/DP258949, Lot 35/DP258949 and Lot 34/DP258949), 113-153 Aldington Road, Kemps Creek, NSW On behalf of the proponent, Austral wishes to consult Aboriginal people to assist with a cultural heritage assessment which may result in an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP). Consultation is required to assist the Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) in his or her consideration of the application. The consultation will be in accordance with the DPC’s Consultation Requirements 2010. Parties with cultural knowledge relevant to the signi cance of Aboriginal object(s) and/or place(s) are invited to register their interest. More information about the project will be provided after registration.

For more information please contact: Ben Prior, Senior Project Manager, RP Infrastructure Phone: 0411 969 530 | Email: ben.prior@rpinfrastructure.com.au

To register, please contact Jake Allen, Archaeologist, Austral Archaeology 601 Princes Hwy, Yallah, NSW 2530 Phone: 0431 688 859 | Email: jakea@australarch.com.au

Closing date for registration of interest is 21st June 2024

• Housekeeping (Catering & Cleaning) https://smrtr.io/kGm8-

• Registered Nurses

https://smrtr.io/kGkTp For more information, please visit: www catholichealthcare.com.au/careers

Note: Successful applicants will be required to complete relevant pre-employment checks and provide evidence of right to work in Australia.

Moses Leota.

Photo: NRL Photos.

the finalword

Last Saturday night I walked into a time machine, and was taken back to somewhere around 2012.

Only 12,000-odd fans were at BlueBet Stadium, a huge contrast from the sell-out crowds of recent years.

The Panthers were ordinary, especially in the second half, and didn’t get the two competition points.

The atmosphere was non-existent and the crowd was half asleep.

Thankfully, the time machine can bring us back to current day pretty quickly.

But for those new Panthers fans among us, what happened last Saturday evening was pretty stock standard a decade or so ago. Those nights though always separate the real fans and the casual followers; so you do get something out of it.

There’s been plenty of harsh criticism of Penrith’s performance last Saturday, much of it from the side’s own supposedly loyal fans –

many of whom don’t grasp the concept that sport is about winning and losing.

The Panthers’ performance was poor but we all know the contributing factors behind it. Wet weather, Origin stars missing, and a halfback clearly not quite ready to have returned from injury but doing his best to guide the side around the park.

Penrith have an opportunity to make amends for what happened last Saturday when they face Manly back at BlueBet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Beware the wounded Panther. We saw just how well the side responded to the loss to the Warriors last month, bouncing back to thrash Cronulla less than seven days later.

The Panthers could well repeat that effort on Sunday, though much of the outcome may depend on just how many Origin stars back-up from Wednesday night’s brutal encounter at Accor Stadium. All have been named.

You’d like Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo in particu-

lar to be there; the work rate of those two makes such a significant difference to the way Penrith play.

Manly have been up and down like a yo-yo this season and while they’ve dropped games to the likes of the Dragons and Eels, they have managed to claim huge scalps like Melbourne and of course the Panthers earlier this year.

The Sea Eagles have a pretty ordinary record at BlueBet Stadium, having only won five of their 18 matches at the venue since the formation of the NRL in 1998.

And a huge concern for coach Anthony Seibold would be the side’s defence. They’ve conceded 263 points so far this season, the second worst of the current top eight teams.

But that performance against Melbourne a fortnight ago remains fresh in my mind and is enough to convince me the Sea Eagles will offer a pretty decent showing on Sunday afternoon. It was a gritty win, and with the match in doubt until the final siren sounded, Seibold

would have been happy with the 80 minute performance.

You can’t read too much into Penrith’s loss to the Dragons on Saturday given the circumstances, but you’d like to see a more consistent Penrith team emerge through and after the Origin period.

Panthers fans shouldn’t be hitting the panic button, despite the desire of so many to do so. Despite all the challenges that have been thrown their way this year, the Panthers still sit in third place on the ladder and only one side has won more games than them this season. And they still boast the best defensive record in the competition.

A good performance against Manly on Sunday would put the train back on the right track heading into a clash against the struggling Knights and then another bye.

I can’t see the Panthers dropping a second straight home game.

Tip: Panthers by 12.

PANTHERS COULD SACK MAY

The contract of Penrith centre Taylan May could be terminated by the club’s Board as soon as next week.

It’s understood May, who is currently fighting domestic violence charges in court and is stood down from playing, will front the Board after being issued a show cause notice.

The show cause notice is unrelated to the current court case.

The Board is moving to sack May after a number of alleged breaches of the club’s code of conduct, which are understood to date back several years.

It appears the Board may have run

out of patience with May, despite rubber stamping a contract extension earlier this year.

A Panthers spokesperson confirmed the matter is before the Board but that no further comment would be made.

The 22-year-old will sit out the rest of the season after being banned under the NRL’s no-fault stand down rule, following his arrest and subsequent domestic violence charges last month. May has plead not guilty.

Curiously, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was due to front the media on Tuesday to discuss this Sunday’s clash with Manly at BlueBet Stadium. But the media opportunity was postponed due to a scheduling conflict.

Last week, Cleary clashed with journalists when asked about May’s case.

Taylan May arriving at Panthers training recently. Photo: Melinda Jane.

TROY DODDS

panther rumblings

PANTHER CUBS CALLED IN

! Huge moment for young Panthers: Penrith’s SG Ball squad was given an incredible opportunity last week when they were called upon to clash with the NSW Blues in an opposed session at Blue Mountains Grammar School. The Blues called the Panthers looking for a team to partake in the session, and the SG Ball boys answered the call. An incredible experience for the young Panthers.

! Edwards shattered by withdrawal: Not surprisingly, Dylan Edwards has been left heartbroken by the injury that ruled him out of State of Origin I on Wednesday night. And it’s particularly frustrating given, I’m told, Edwards believes he could have played despite the quad strain he picked up at training. Coach Michael Maguire clearly didn’t want to risk it and made the final call on Sunday morning.

! Family matters: It wasn’t the debut either of them would have wanted, but Preston Riki and Trent Toelau both achieved long-held dreams when they ran on for the Panthers at

BlueBet Stadium last Saturday night. Families of both players braved the rain to cheer on the pair in their NRL debuts. We had seen earlier in the week how much family meant to both players, with Panthers releasing emotional videos of the pair telling their families they’d been selected in first grade.

! Luai buys in: In any other setting Jarome Luai would be coordinating the playlist on a giant boom box at training. But not the NSW camp of the past week. Luai has very much bought into the leadership role he’s been handed with the Blues, and the side opted for much quieter training sessions heading into Wednesday’s series opener under the fresh approach of Michael Maguire. It was noted how well Luai spoke to the media when opportunities arose over the past week too – all good signs for the Tigers who no doubt will lean heavily on his experience next year.

! Spotted: Ivan Cleary’s wife Bec with

friends enjoying a pre-match beverage at the new Alexander’s bar inside Panthers Leagues Club last Saturday afternoon.

! Spotted: Injured halfback Nathan Cleary maintaining his presence around his teammates on game day, providing whatever inspiration he can while he’s sidelined.

! Stadium tree plan: The upcoming redevelopment of Penrith Stadium will see 11 trees removed, but the Environmental Impact Statement confirms a total of 182 new trees will be planted as part of the project.

! Spotted: Despite the wet conditions, Penrith’s tough loss and suffering an injury, Moses Leota still had plenty of time to sign autographs last Saturday.

! New stadium image: Here’s a side by side look at the huge transformation set to take place when the Western

at

is

The left image shows the view from behind the

as

is now, while the right shows what it’s expected to look like once complete in 2026.

Stand

Penrith Stadium

re-built.

Western Stand

it

Penrith’s SG Ball side with the Blues.

GARNER LOCKED IN UNTIL END OF 2026

Impressive forward Luke Garner has re-signed with Penrith until at least the end of the 2026 season.

The 28-year-old Premiership winner this week inked a fresh two-year deal with the club. He was off-contract at the end of the season.

“It means a lot to me to re-sign with the club for another two years,” Garner said.

“Ivan Cleary gave me my NRL debut back in the day and then it was special to win a Grand Final with him last year.

“To stick around here for another two years is pretty exciting. It’s great to see where this club is going and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

Since debuting for the Wests Tigers in 2018, Garner has played 97 first grade games and represented the Prime Minister’s XIII in 2022.

The back rower joined the Panthers at the start of the 2023 season and played an influential role in the club’s premiership success.

“Luke has made a positive influence to

our club both on and off the field since joining us last season,” Panthers General Manager of Rugby League Shane Elford said.

“Not only is Luke a talented and reliable footballer, but he’s also an impressive man who lives out the values we share at the Panthers.”

Elford praised Garner’s loyalty.

“We’re thrilled that he has shown his commitment to the Panthers by re-signing with the club,” he said.

Luke Garner has been impressive since joining Penrith last year. Photo: NRL Photos.

Luke Garner celebrated a Premiership last year. Photo: NRL Images.

COLE PUTS HIS HAND UP

Who will partner Nathan Cleary in the halves next year?

It’s the question Penrith fans have been asking themselves all season long as the battle for Jarome Luai’s soon-to-be vacant number six jersey rolls on.

One man hoping to score the coveted position is 20-year-old Jack Cole.

The Orange CYMS junior is the current favourite to play alongside the two-time Clive Churchill Medallist in Cleary next year after some strong performances in first grade already this season.

Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday, Cole said he’s relishing his yearlong audition for Luai’s jumper.

“I’ve been pretty stoked to get the opportunities that I’ve been given,” he said.

“It’s obviously unfortunate Nath being injured, he’s the centrepiece of the team. But I’m really enjoying getting the exposure to the first grade team and try and earn a spot for next year.”

Cole said he’s learning as much as he can off Penrith’s three-time premiership-winning halves pairing as he competes for the much-desired role.

“I’m still learning off Nath and Romey at the moment – trying to build my game but getting some game time and experience,” he said.

“This has been a great opportunity for me to get my foot in the door but there’s a few of us that can play that position next year and we’re all competing against each other.”

One of those players also vying to play alongside Cleary next season is young gun Trent Toelau, who made his NRL debut last weekend against the Dragons at BlueBet Stadium.

“I’m really good friends with Trent, so it was good to see him get his debut,” Cole said.

“He’s a bit older than me, he has a young family but shows up every day with a good attitude and it’s good to see him get rewarded.”

Including February’s World Club Challenge in England – which was Cole’s only game alongside Cleary this season – the young playmaker has played in half a dozen games in 2024. His best game to date was against the Cronulla Sharks a fortnight ago, where he managed to score his first NRL try in Penrith’s 42-0 win.

“That was my second full game of first grade,” Cole said.

“I got a lot of confidence from the Warriors game the week before; I got a bit more involved and felt a bit more in the game.

“But the Sharks game, I felt that was one of my better performances.”

That Warriors game up in Brisbane during Magic Round will also be remem bered for another moment when it comes to Cole.

With the clock winding down and the Panthers on the brink of defeat, Cole was shown live on Fox League vomiting on the pitch after being hit in the stomach during a tackle. The two-second footage went viral, and is still doing the rounds three weeks later.

“I’ve been seeing that clip every where – a few of my mates have it as their profile picture,” Cole laughed.

“When I went to catch the ball, I got hit in the gut and it upset it. I tried to hold it in, but I couldn’t.

“Everyone got some good laughs from it. Someone’s got to be on the receiving end.”

Young Panthers half Jack Cole. Photo: NRL Photos.

NATHAN TAYLOR

MAVRIK GEYER

PEACH SETS UP LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL

Off-contract at season’s end, Panthers veteran Tyrone Peachey hasn’t made a decision on his future in the game as yet, but one thing is for certain – he doesn’t want to be digging ditches.

To avoid any manual labour on the side of a road, the 32-year-old is putting in the yard yards off the field now to make sure he is set up post-football.

From starting his own Indigenous transport business to launching his own podcast and interning at the RLPA under Clint Newton, Peachey has his fingers in many pies.

“I don’t have any qualifications outside of footy and I don’t want to be digging holes when I retire – that’s what I’m scared of – so I’m trying to dip my toe into a bit of everything and put myself in uncomfortable situations,” Peachey told Extra Time on Tuesday.

Last year, Peachey founded his own businesses called Nanima Care, which aims to be Australia’s number one Indigenous transport company. With six buses and six employees, Peachey is thrilled with the impact it is having in the community so far.

“I know there’s a lot of players that

don’t have much after football and I kind of find that inspirational in wanting to start something before I finish playing and hopefully transition straight into if I chose to retire,” he said.

“However, right now I am still playing and having Nanima Care on the side is keeping me busy off the field. I’m enjoying and loving every minute of it. Having my own business on the side… it’s pretty cool!”

When he’s not training with the Panthers, Peachey also works at the RLPA (Rugby League Players Association) in Balmain dabbling in player relations.

“I’m the little apprentice!” Peachey laughed.

“Clint Newton (RLPA CEO) has been awesome. Seeing what happens behind the scenes, it’s different to what I saw as a player coming to meetings.

“Everyone’s working really hard all day and it’s cool to see. I’m trying to put myself in different situations to see what I want to do after footy.”

Another different situation Peachey has thrust himself into of late is the wild world of podcasting. Billed as ‘laid-back chats and endless laughs’, the 209-game veteran launched the ‘Peached Podcast’ on YouTube back in April.

With his home equipped with a

state-of-the-art recording studio, Peachey said he was always keen to have an outlet where he could share his thoughts about an array of topics.

“There’s a lot of people with a podcast these days and they’re doing a great job, but I take mine down a different path,” he said.

“I suppose I see things in a different aspect and try to get my point across. I like to have a bit of a joke and some fun and that’s kind of my avenue that I want to go down.”

Peachey has already scored Daine Laurie as a guest, but he’s a little wary of involving his other teammates.

“I try and get the boys on but most of them are shy or take the mickey out of it, but I still enjoy it,” he said.

“Hopefully the podcast continues to get bigger and will be a source of revenue, so I can make a living off it.”

As for his playing future, Peachey knows he needs to have a massive second half of the season to be offered a new deal at Penrith.

“I’ve probably been a bit scattered this year. I haven’t been playing consistent footy and that probably shows on the field,” he admitted.

“I need to put everything into this backend of the year and see where I’m at. If I get to the end of the year and I’ve had enough, then I’ve had enough, but I don’t think so, I think I’ll miss the game too much.”

Tyrone Peachey runs Nanima Care, a growing transport business.

NATHAN TAYLOR

MY MID-SEASON REPORT CARD

Alot of has happened over the last seven weeks. The momentum shift into second gear has not really eventuated for the Panthers and they find themselves a little stuck between gears.

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into the mid- season report card.

Attack: Understandably the Penrith attack has been a little disjointed at times but with multiple halves pairings since Nathan Cleary’s injury it’s hardly surprising. The highlight of the season so far has been the 42-0 shutout of the Sharks in Round 12. Still the team has managed to score 178 points since Round 6 which is not too bad, however there’s still room for improvement.

CURRENT GRADE: B

Quarter Grade: B

on league analysis Mid Season Report Card

Defence: Despite conceding 102 points since Round 6 the Panthers still have the best defensive record in the competition. To keep the high-flying Sharks to nil was quite an achievement and helped the above stat look more impressive. Unfortunately conceding 22 unanswered points against the Dragons last round showed that the defence can also be a little brittle at times but with so many senior players

missing, it’s all very understandable.

CURRENT GRADE: A Quarter Grade: B

Player performances: Dylan Edwards has again been the standout player since Round 6 and his unbelievable form was vindicated as he led the Dally M’s just before the voting went behind closed doors. Other players to shine have been Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo and Liam Henry. Yes, Henry has

taken to first grade like a duck to water and his 80-minute, 78 tackle performance against the Dragons in round 13 was the ‘piece de resistance!’

CURRENT GRADE: B+ Quarter Grade: C+

Who needs to lift: It’s pretty obvious which players are struggling to produce their top form and the reasons vary. Izack Tago is now the senior centre at the club with Taylan May not available for the rest of the

season and he has been incredibly disappointing of late. Tago really needs to lift and produce the type of form that earned him a $750,000 multi-year contract. Moses Leota has also been a little quiet of late, perhaps due to some niggling injuries while Sunia Turuva has simply forgotten where the tryline is.

Players to watch: Liam Henry and Jesse McLean. I’ve been a fan of Henry since he made his firstgrade debut last year. For a big man he has an excellent motor and he’ll only get better. I also hope Jesse McLean gets more opportunities in first grade this season, this kid is the real deal and could nail down a wing spot for 2025 with Turuva leaving the club.

Coaching: This is obviously a tough one to judge because Ivan’s record speaks for itself. By his own admission however he does make mistakes. Most of them don’t cause any major issues. Although sometimes he does seem a little distracted with events off the field, the Taylan May case being one of them. Although I don’t think that’s enough to distract him from coaching the team to the best of his ability.

OVERALL GRADE: B Quarter Grade: C+.

The Western Weekender Penrith Panthers Player of the Year competition runs throughout the season, with our four experts delivering a 3, 2, 1 rating for the best Panthers players from each Penrith game. The player with the most votes at the end of the season is crowned our Player of the Year.

Peter Lang has run the ruler over Penrith’s season so far.

panther memories

Shane Richardson is currently charged with turning around the fortunes of the Wests Tigers, but do you remember his time as boss of the Panthers?

Richardson’s short stint at the Panthers was rather sweet, becoming a very pivotal figure during Penrith’s premiership-winning run in 2003.

Richardson joined Penrith following their disastrous wooden spoon season in 2001.

Richardson was very hands-on, although some club insiders labelled his leadership style as “aggressive”. His motto was “Get it done and get it done now!”

Unbelievably, just eight months after Craig Gower hoisted the Provan-Summons Trophy in front of 81,000 fans at Telstra Stadium in 2003, Richardson was out the door, defecting to South Sydney.

In The Panthers: Men in Black book, Richardson explained the decision behind his shock departure.

“Roger Cowan and I never had a falling out but we had a philosophical difference. I’m football and he’s business,” he said.

“I was upfront with Roger and he was upfront with me and at the end of the day I was sad to leave, but these are the challenges you have in life.”

DRAGONS TITANS

COWBOYS BRONCOS

STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

DRAGONS TITANS

COWBOYS SHARKS

STORM PANTHERS EELS

TIGERS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS TITANS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS TITANS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS TITANS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

WARRIORS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

WARRIORS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

WARRIORS BRONCOS

STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

WARRIORS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

TIGERS TITANS

BRONCOS

TIGERS RABBITOHS WARRIORS SHARKS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES EELS

DRAGONS TITANS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS TITANS

DRAGONS RABBITOHS

DRAGONS TITANS

WARRIORS BRONCOS

COWBOYS SHARKS

STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

PANTHERS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM SEA EAGLES EELS

COWBOYS BRONCOS

SEA EAGLES

TIGERS RABBITOHS

WARRIORS SHARKS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES EELS

DRAGONS TITANS COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

DRAGONS TITANS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

TIGERS RABBITOHS WARRIORS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

TIGERS RABBITOHS WARRIORS SHARKS KNIGHTS SEA EAGLES EELS

TIGERS RABBITOHS

TIGERS RABBITOHS

COWBOYS BRONCOS KNIGHTS PANTHERS EELS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS EELS

DRAGONS TITANS

COWBOYS BRONCOS STORM PANTHERS BULLDOGS

- 12 JUNE

WesternSydney GigGuid e

If you have a gig or event you would like to promote please contact Megan on 0433 241 737

trivia with gaz

7pm

watkins

Ska Fighter II: World Tour Edition – Admiral Ackbar’s Dishonourable Discharge, The Kittyhawks, Operation Ibis & The Skarntz

the ultimate luke combs tribute show

8pm

panthers vs sea eagles

oz icons

9pm

St marys leagues club

stone 9pm

castle lounge, penrith rsl

A Rose for Jade with So I Says to Mabel & Lightyears

evan theatre, panthers sun 9

8pm- $15 elton chong

7:30pm - $23.50-$25 elton chong sun 9

4:05pm Kick O bluebet stadium

lunchtime tunes

11am - 2pm

city park penrith

Alien Nation Tour: Goatzilla, Pyrefly, Mushroom Horizon & Durty Triix

6pm - $10

elton chong

TINA The Ultimate Tribute To The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Sunday, 23rd June, 3pm wed 12

evan theatre, Panthers

ENTERTAINMENT

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

COMEDY IS FOR EVERYONE

In 2018, Madeleine Stewart started a comedy club in Redfern with the intention of building a safe space for comedians from marginalised communities. Now, it’s taking over the country – and it’s coming right here to western Sydney.

Stewart recalls the comedy club, called Crips & Creeps, starting as a passion project, spurred on by her desire for representation for all.

“It was a place for all marginalised groups to get together, so not just people with disability, but also female comedians, trans comedians, comedians from the queer community, and culturally and linguistically diverse, because comedy is not the most accessible or friendly or inclusive industry,” she said.

“It’s getting better, but there was a real need for a friendly, safe, well paying – you’re not just paying schnitzel and a beer – kind of space, that offered a safe environment for our performers, but also for our audience.”

Over the years, the club gained popularity, and was part of Vivid’s program in 2023, instead known as ‘Are You Pulling My Leg?’ with a focus on comedians with disabilities.

Madeleine has been taking the show all over Australia ever since as the host, bringing different comedians along with her to each stop.

This June, Sam Kissajukian, Jamal Abdul, Loz Booth, and Tom Elphick will be paying a visit to Blue Mountains Theatre, with Abdul returning to Parramatta’s Riverside Theatre in July along with Bec Charlwood, Irene Nicola, and Sam Wade.

“In all of our line-ups, we have a real tapestry of different vibes,” she said.

“Some are low status, some are high status, some are big energy, some are a bit more qui-

et, but all of them are hilarious. It’s the perfect evening – a little parcel of all different types of comedy.”

Each part of the show is built on the back of disability advocacy, meaning accessibility is just as important for audience members, and may even add to the experience.

“Our shows are live captioned, and it is Auslan interpreted, and we like to have a relaxed performance – someone’s phone went off in one of our shows, and it was fine, and no one’s going to be picked on. You can sit in the front, and no one’s going to pick on you!” she said.

“I also think [the accessibility aspects] can add to the show, not in that we’re using this accessibility for laughs, but I think it’s all part of the experience. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen an Auslan interpreter sign some of the filth that Irene is going to say – it’s another element, and it’s brilliant!”

Ultimately, Stewart said ‘Are You Pulling My Leg?’ is a good night for everyone, adding that she hopes it inspires someone in the audience – disabled or not.

“We need people to see us to know that we are just normal, average, everyday people that struggle with dating, and sex the same as everyone else,” she said.

“I think it’s important to have representation, because I know personally it changed my life, and I’m sure there’s other people who thought, ‘Well maybe I’ll give comedy a go’ because they saw us, or maybe we’ve changed the way people think of us as disabled people through our comedy.”

‘Are You Pulling My Leg?’ will be on at Blue Mountains Theatre on Saturday, June 15 at 8pm, and at Riverside Theatre on Saturday, July 20 at 8pm. To book, visit www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au, or www.riversideparramatta.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

MARYS

THINGS TO DO

Dogs on Show at Orchard Hills

If you’re looking for a fun sport to enjoy with your dog or want some advice on what dog would suit your lifestyle, then look no further than Dogs on Show! This free and fun event is being held at DOGS NSW grounds at Orchard Hills next Saturday, June 15. Bring your dog, and your family, and be prepared for a fun day out. Visit www.dogsnsw.org.au.

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood

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

Penrith Markets Wednesdays. Penrith Showground.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

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

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi classes

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

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

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

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Nepean Rowing Club from 10am. New members are always welcome.

What could make a visit to the Museum of Fire more memorable this Sunday, June 9, than going for a ride on a vintage fire engine? The museum’s rides truck is a genuine Ford D200 fire engine, a truck used in many country NSW towns during the 1960s. Rides cost an extra $3.50 per person on top of admission and can be purchased from the museum shop. Ride in a fire truck at Museum of Fire

Probus Club of Nepean

First Wednesday of the month at Emu

Sports Club, Leonay from 10.30am.

Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Faye on 0417 267 866 for more information.

Penrith Lions Club

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

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

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

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

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

Blue Mountains Amateur Radio Club

Club meets at 7pm on the first Friday of the month at the old scout hall at 4 Moore St, Glenbrook. Call Ron on 0408 483 269 for more information.

Red Cross Penrith

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

Penrith NASHOS

The Ninth Symphony is one of the greatest works in the classical repertoire, regarded as the pinnacle of Beethoven’s achievements and a culmination of his genius. Join Andy Bromberger as she reveals the political, social and historic implications of this ground-breaking piece of music in a special lecture to be held at The Joan on Wednesday, June 12. Learn more about ground-breaking piece of music

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

Nepean Evening VIEW Club

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES

JP Service

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

Nepean Food Services

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

Free food shop

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

MUSEUMS

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

Nepean Naval Museum Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42 Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700.

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

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

Penrith Carer Support Group First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

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

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

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

Prostate Cancer Support Group

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

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS

The Sound of Music Saturday 25 May to Sunday 9 June

Morning Melodies - Hits of the Piano Men Wednesday 12 June

Morning Tea 10am; Performance 11am

Are You Pulling My Leg? Saturday 15 June, 8pm

This show will be live captioned and Auslan interpreted

The Animals Farewell Tour: Final Encore Sunday 16 June, 4pm

David Hobson & Colin Lane ‘In Tails’ Thursday 20 June 7:30pm

Prinnie Stevens - Lady Sings The Blues Volume 2 Friday 21 June 7:30pm

BOX OFFICE 4780 5050 www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au 106 Macquarie Road, Springwood

TAPPING THEIR WAY TO PANTHERS

This month, after thrilling sold-out audiences all over the world from London’s West End to the Sydney Opera House, The Tap Pack is making its way to Penrith Panthers.

The Tap Pack is Australia’s hottest tap dance sensation, mixing slick humour, high-energy entertainment and world-class dance moves to create a show full of pure entertainment for all.

As the name suggests, the show picks up where The Rat Pack left off, conjuring up a modern twist to the crooners and artists from the ’50s all the way through to now.

The show features songs from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. to Ed Sheeran, Michael Bublé and Beyonce, and includes all your favourite hits including ‘The Lady is a Tramp’, ‘Come Fly with Me’, ‘One for My Baby’, ‘Me and My Shadow’, and much more.

Whether you’re an OG fan of the legendary kings of swing, or just looking for a night of fun, The Tap Pack’s fresh twists on cool classics mean there’s truly something for everyone.

The Tap Pack will be on at Penrith Panthers on Friday, June 14 at 7.30pm. Tickets start at $79.70. For more information or to book, visit www.penrith. panthers.com.au.

CASSIDY PEARCE

At the movies...

Experience the day the world went quiet in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’.

Immerse yourself in a gripping narrative where silence becomes survival and uncover the origins of quiet in this thrilling prequel.

If you enjoyed the first two ‘A Quiet Place’ movies, it’s almost impossible you won’t enjoy this one – with talk that this could well be the best of the three movies.

And of course, it will answer the question that has lingered in the first two flicks: how did we possibly get here?

Director Michael Sarnoski leads a cast featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Djimon Hounsou, Alex Wolff and Joseph Quinn. In cinemas June 27.

Anxiety and others, voiced by Maya Hawke. Amy Poehler returns as Joy, joined by a stellar cast including Lewis Black and Diane Lane.

Directed by Kelsey Mann, produced by Mark Nielsen, and featuring a screenplay by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein, ‘Inside Out 2’ promises a captivating journey with a score by Andrea Datzman. In cinemas June 13. Don’t miss it.

www.hoyts.com.au

Music to the Max

In the lead up to her trip to CMA Fest Nashville in June, Max Jackson (pictured above) has released her brand new single, ‘Who You Did It With’.

Her latest single is the follow up to the #1 hit, ‘Little More Country’, and the Top 10 National Country Airplay track, ‘Fixin’ Things’.

Produced by Rod McCormack, the track was penned by Max and Nolan Wynne.

“This is absolutely my most deep release to date. My co-writer Nolan Wynne actually came to the write with the title ‘Who You Did It With’ and had a rough idea for the chorus already,” Jackson said.

“We got talking about memories of situations that were not-so-ideal, but still really fun because of the people we had been there with.”

‘Who You Did It With’ is out now.

Festival to return

The Ridin’ Hearts Festival, which debuted

last year, is returning to Sydney on Saturday, November 2.

The line-up is yet to be announced, and the venue hasn’t been locked in. Stay tuned to www.ridinhearts.com for more information.

Powerful duet

Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa have released an instant hit in ‘Think I’m In Love With You’.

It’s a live version of the performance the pair produced at the recent ACM Awards in the United States.

Find it now on all your usual streaming services.

Sad song is a real winner

Rising star Eli Winders (pictured) has dropped ‘Another Love’.

“I wrote ‘Another Love’ in early 2022,” Winders said.

“It was one of the first songs I wrote that I thought was good enough for people to hear, now two years later and it’s finally coming out. At the time, I wanted to write the saddest song I could and that was what I came up with. It quickly became a fan favourite on social media, and I am so excited for everyone to hear the full song.”

It’s available to stream now.

Nathan Taylor

TV NEWS

Ê American presenter and actor Chrishell Stause will have a guest spot on ‘Neighbours’ later this year. Commencing filming in July, Stause will play Yasmine Shields, a glamorous and successful businesswoman in pursuit of an exciting work opportunity. While she’s known for her work on ‘Selling Sunset’, Stause has previously acted on US soaps ‘All My Children’, ‘The Young and the Restless’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’. ‘Neighbours’ airs 4pm weekdays on 10.

Ê If you’re craving your ‘Married at First Sight’ fix then fire up 9Now to catch the fourth season of the New Zealand version. Aussie John Aiken joins the Kiwi cast along with relationship and sex therapist Jo Robertson. New episodes will drop Sundays through to Tuesdays.

Ê The ABC will screen a 50th anniversary special dedicated to ABBA this Sunday, June 9 at 8.30pm. ‘ABBA: Against the Odds’ will feature re-discovered archive, exclusive never-before-seen stills and previously unheard stories from one of the greatest bands of all time.

4PM WEEKDAYS NEIGHBOURS, CHANNEL 10

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

Ê Passionate football fans will be excited to hear that a RealMadrid TV FAST channel has been added to Pluto TV on 10Play. RealMadrid TV features a wide variety of content around the club including latest news, interviews with players, coaches, and staff members, magazine shows, behind the scenes content and training sessions. Viewers will have expert analysis, documentaries that explore the club’s trajectory, player profiles and moments that defined the history of the team. The only thing missing is matches!

Ê Still on 10Play, and long-running US soaps ‘The Young and the Restless’ and ‘Days of our Lives’ have joined the free streaming service. Episodes from both shows will be fast-tracked from the US.

Ê A kids version of ‘Hard Quiz’ is coming to ABC Family this Saturday, June 8 at 7.30pm. With his trademark grumpiness and wicked humour, Tom Gleeson interrogates ordinary,

but brainy contestants – the only difference is, they’re all aged between 10 and 13.

Ê Not surprising this one, but US drama ‘The Girls on the Bus’ has been axed by HBO after a single season. The series, which debuted on Foxtel back in March, invited viewers to hit the campaign trail alongside four female journalists, each of them different in their reporting styles and personalities.

Ê One of the most highly anticipated movie sequels of the year is coming to Netflix on Wednesday, July 3. Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back on the beat in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’. After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Taylour Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy. As a huge fan of the iconic franchise, I can’t wait to see this!

BEVERLY HILLS COP: AXEL F, NETFLIX

TV Guide: June 7 – 13

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Planet America (PG) 10:30 That Pacific Sports Show 11:00 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Silent Witness (M v) 2:00 The Cry (M l) 3:00 Love On The Spectrum (PG) 3:55 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:45 Grand Designs NZ (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:35 Gardening Australia 8:35 Silent Witness (M l) 9:35 Gruen (PG) 10:15 Hard Quiz (PG) 10:45 QI (PG) 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “Am I A Serial Killer?” (M) (’19) Stars: Monroe Cline 2:00 House Of Wellness (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens 8:30 Movie: “As Good As It Gets” (M) (’97) Stars: Jack Nicholson 11:20 Dream Home (M) 12:00 Australia’s Amazing Homes (PG) 1:00 Travel Oz (PG) 5:30 Today 6:30 Today Extra 11:30 NINE News Morning 12:00 Movie: “Love You Like That” (PG) (’21) Stars: Mitchell Hope 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 NRL: Dragons v Tigers *Live* 9:55 NRL: Golden Point 10:40 Movie: “Get Shorty”

4:30 Storage Wars (PG) 5:00 American Restoration (PG) 5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 AFL Friday Night Countdown 7:20 AFL: Round 13: Western Bulldogs v Brisbane *Live* 10:30 AFL: Post Game

5:25 Declassified: The Royal Scandals: Diana: The Truth Behind The Interview (PG) 6:25 Movie: “A Dog’s Purpose” (PG) (’17) Stars: Josh Gad 8:30 Movie: “Robin Hood” (M s,v) (’10) Stars: Cate Blanchett 11:25 Movie: “Tolkien” (M v) (’19)

3:00 The Magic Canoe 3:40 Bushwhacked 4:05 Spartakus And The Sun Beneath The Sea 4:35 Motown Magic 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Wild Survivors 7:30 Movie: “Aladdin” (PG) (’86) Stars: Bud Spencer

The Cook Up With Adam Liaw

10:00 Football: AFC World Cup Qualifiers: Socceroos v Bangladesh *Replay* 12:30 Bull (PG) 1:30 NCIS (M v) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 Bull (PG) 8:30 NCIS (M) 1:30 Rules Of Engagement (PG) 2:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 4:00 Good Chef Bad Chef 4:30 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier

3:45 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 4:15 PBS Newshour 5:15 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over (PG) 6:10 Building The Ultimate (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 Sunnyside (PG) 6:30 Movie: “How To Train Your Dragon 2”

1:00 Escape To The Country 4:00 The Yorkshire Steam Railway (PG) 5:00 Bargain Hunt 6:00 Heathrow (PG) 6:30 The Highland Vet (PG) 7:30

4:30 Border Security International (PG) 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Border SecurityAustralia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Jurassic Park” (PG) (’93) Stars: Jeff Goldblum 10:00 Movie: “Monster Hunter” (M v) (’20) 6:00 Getaway (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Today Extra Saturday 12:00 Destination WA 12:30 Business Drive 1:00 Great Australian Detour 1:30 The Pet Rescuers (PG) 2:00 The Summit (PG) 3:30 The Lap 4:30 Dogs 4 Life 5:00 NINE News First At 5 5:30 Getaway (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Inside Out” (PG) (’15) Stars: Amy Poehler 9:30 Movie: “Four Weddings And A Funeral” (M l,s) (’94) 9:00 Exploring Off The Grid 9:30 Australia By Design 10:00 Ready Steady Cook (PG) 11:00 MasterChef Australia (PG) 12:10 My Market Kitchen 12:30 The Drew Barrymore Show (PG) 3:00 What’s Up Down Under 3:30 Good Chef Bad Chef 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 Everyday Gourmet 5:00 10 News First 6:00 The Brighter Side: Save. Grow. Dream 6:30 Ready Steady Cook (PG) 7:30 The Dog House UK (PG) 8:30 Ambulance UK (PG) 11:00 The Cheap Seats (PG) 12:00 Worldwatch 2:00 Gymnastics: Artistic World Challenge Cup Highlights 4:00 Sport General: SailGP Highlights 5:00 Grand Tours Of Scotland’s

The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country 11:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 4:00 Hustle & Tow (PG) 5:00 Counting Cars (PG) 5:30 Storage Wars (PG) 6:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 Storage Wars (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Other Guys” (M s,v) (’10) Stars: Will Ferrell 9:50 Movie: “Major League” (M l) (’89) Stars: Charlie Sheen

2:25 Frogger (PG) 3:25 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 4:50 The Goldbergs (PG) 5:20 Movie: “Pixels” (PG) (’15) Stars: Adam Sandler 7:30 Movie: “Made Of Honor” (PG) (’08) Stars: Patrick Dempsey 9:35 Movie: “Searching” (M l) (’18)

Mythbusters (PG) 5:20 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 6:10 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:00 QI (PG) 8:30 Live At The Apollo (M l) 9:15 Absolutely Fabulous (PG) 10:45 ER (PG)

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 Insiders 10:00 Offsiders 10:30 The World This Week 11:00 Compass (PG) 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Landline 1:30 Gardening Australia 2:30 The Secret History Of The British Garden 3:30 Forever Summer With Nigella 3:55 Grand Designs 4:45 George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Compass (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Spicks And Specks 8:00 Austin (PG) 6:00

(M l,v) (’81)

3:00 Movie: “Corpse Bride” (PG) (’05) Stars: Johnny Depp 4:30 NITV News: Nula 5:00 Wild Survivors (PG) 5:50 Going Native 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 Strait To The Plate 7:00 The Other Side 7:30 The WalkIn (M)

5:30 Luca’s Key Ingredient 6:00 Chefs Uncut 6:30 Raymond Blanc’s Royal Kitchen Gardens 7:30 Hairy Bikers Go Local 8:35 Rick Stein’s Long Weekends 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 10:35 The Wine Show

9:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 11:30 Snap Happy 12:00 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 1:00 On The Fly 2:00 JAG (PG) 4:00 Tough Tested 5:00 Escape Fishing With ET 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (PG) 10:20 NCIS: Los Angeles (M) 12:15 FBI (M v) 9:00 Neighbours (PG) 11:00 Good Chef Bad Chef 11:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 12:30 Frasier (PG) 1:30 Becker (PG) 2:30 MasterChef Australia (PG) 5:05 Deal Or No Deal (PG) 6:05 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:30 Two And A Half Men (M) 12:00 Best Room Wins 1:00 Rock Solid Builds 2:00 Holmes Family Rescue 3:00 TBA 4:00 Scott’s

3:55 PBS Newshour 5:00 Tattoo Age (PG) 5:55 The Food That Built The World (PG) 7:35 Impossible Engineering 8:30 Icons Unearthed: The Lord Of The Rings (PG) 10:20 Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story (MA15+)

2:30 Indycar Series Highlights 3:40 A1: Highway Patrol (PG) 4:40 Sunnyside (PG) 5:40 Movie: “The Croods: A New Age” (PG) (’20) Stars: Nicolas Cage 7:30 Movie: “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” (PG) (’85)

2:00 Movie: “The Courtneys Of Curzon Street” (G) (’47) Stars: Anna Neagle 4:15 Movie: “The Train” (PG) (’64) Stars: Burt Lancaster 7:00 Rugby Union: Super Rugby Pacific: Quarter Final: Teams TBA *Live* 9:30 Rugby Union: Post Match

12:00 Australia’s Cheapest Weddings (PG) 1:00 Around The World With Manu (PG) 2:00 Home And Away (PG) 4:00 Dream Home (PG) 5:30 Bondi Vet (PG) 6:30 A Year On Planet Earth 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M) 3:20 Movie: “Manganinnie” (PG) (’80) Stars: Mawuyul Yanthalawuy 4:50 Ray Charles: Live At The Montreux 6:10 NITV News Update 6:20 Wild Mexico (PG) 7:30 Homesteads 8:30 John Ware Reclaimed (PG) 1:30 Exploring Off The Grid 2:00 MasterChef Australia (PG) 3:15 Buy To Build 3:40 On The Fly 4:05 Camper Deals 4:30 What’s Up Down Under 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 11:15 NCIS: Los Angeles (M) 1:10 FBI: International (M) 11:30 The Neighborhood (PG) 12:30 Ready Steady Cook (PG) 1:30 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 2:30 The Middle (PG) 4:30 Deal Or No Deal 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 8:30 Two And A Half Men (PG)

8:30 Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations 4:00 Monsters Of Many Worlds (PG) 4:35 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic 5:00 Alone Denmark (PG) (In Danish) 6:40 Abandoned Engineering (PG) 8:35 Travel Man (PG) 9:05 Cycling: Criterium Du Dauphine: Stage 8 *Live*

1:40 Movie: “Pokémon The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back” (G) (’98) 3:40 Movie: “Pokémon The Movie: Secrets Of The Jungle” (PG) (’20) 5:40 Movie: “Finding Dory” (G) (’16) 7:30 Movie: “Ready Player One” (M l,v) (’18)

2:15 Movie: “Hobson’s Choice” (PG) (’54) Stars: Charles Laughton 4:30 Movie: “I’ll Take Sweden” (G) (’65) Stars: Tuesday Weld 6:30 M*A*S*H (PG) 8:30 Movie: “Honest Thief” (M l,v) (’20) Stars: Liam Neeson Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Get Macca’s® delivered.

6:05 Kiya And

8:30 Two And A Half Men (PG)

6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 The Inbestigators 8:05 Fresh Off The Boat

6:05 Kiya And The Kimoja Heroes 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 The Inbestigators 8:05 Fresh Off The Boat (PG)

3:00

UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 Britain’s Got Talent (PG) 11:15 HMP: Behind Bars (MA15+) 11:00 Swimming:

5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 8:30 Two And A Half Men (PG) 3:00 The Block (PG) 4:00 Best Room Wins 5:00 Holiday Homes In The Sun

The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Nanny (PG) 7:00 Young Sheldon (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 3:35 Movie: “Carry On Jack” (PG) (’63) Stars: Kenneth Williams 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By

Winter is here and just as we update our wardrobes to match the season, the same tweaks go for our homes. As we transition away from linens and coastal

patio décor, we gravitate towards softer, warmer elements to beat the chill outside.

Luxo Living has partnered with Melbourne-based Interior Stylist, Nicole Rosenberg (pictured), to

help us with this transition and share four simple, affordable styling hacks to help you take your home into the winter months.

Invest in a portable fireplace Cue the cosy vibes! Real fireplaces are often an expensive, messy, and complicated addition to incorporate into your home.

However, the affordable range of electric free standing or wall mounted fireplace options on offer at Luxo Living gives you a hassle-free way to create a snuggly and magical winter wonderland anywhere in your home.

Whether you are after something more traditional with a mantel like the Vermont Free Standing Electric Fireplace ($579) or a more modern slimline design such as the Miriam 33“ Wall Mounted Electric Fireplace ($269) wall mounted, the range will instantly inject warmth and tranquillity with a flick of the switch. Hot chocolate, furry blankets and woollen socks are also essential once installed.

Layer up your textures

A fast and simple way to turn your interiors from summer to winter is by updating your cushions, throws and rugs. Changing out and layering your textiles tells a new story and brings in warmer elements of colour and texture.

For example, adding in a fluffy shag rug, such as the Argus Shag Rug ($49) by your bed, in front of your sofa or simply in front of a fireplace, instantly makes your spaces feel more insulated and inviting. Looking to go a little bigger? Including a larger format rug like this Severa Textured Bubble Rug ($169) is a great way to winterise your home on a budget. In terms of colours, focus on warmer tones such as neutrals, dusty pinks, beiges, burnt oranges and deep reds.

Add a versatile ottoman

An often-overlooked piece of furniture, adding in visually interesting ottomans for winter adds seasonal character, while also being practical for yearround use. Don’t overlook it this winter!

“THE POSSIBILITIES WITH OTTOMANS

Ever the versatile piece, ottomans like the Keila Modular Tufted Boucle Ottoman ($299) can be used to put your feet up, double as a table for hot drinks and candles or feature as a styling tool to be accessorised with blankets and books.

If you invest in a larger ottoman with storage like the Riane Boucle Ottoman with Storage ($249), you can also then load it up with winter essentials like blankets and pillows.

The possibilities with ottomans are endless (and affordable)!

When it comes to chairs...

An oversized occasional chair where you can snuggle up to read a book, watch a movie, or just decompress is a great way to add a practical winter element into your home that can be enjoyed year-round.

Choose a chair in dusty winter colours like blush and rich fabrics like velvet as seen in the Trina Velvet Sofa Chair ($359). It’s equal parts classic and modern, with the curved, enveloping shape designed to keep you curled up all day.

For more products or tips, visit https://www.luxoliving.com.au.

What is so great about this property?

This contemporary and luxurious home is perfect for any large families and with an expansive floor plan that has plenty of room for the family to grow.

Who does this property suit?

This property would be an ideal

fit for families who value both luxury and practicality. With its sprawling floor plan, five grand bedrooms, and three immaculate bathrooms, it offers ample space for a large family to comfortably live and flourish. The inclusion of both a formal lounge and a media room caters to diverse entertainment needs, while the

large open plan dining and living area provides a perfect setting for family gatherings.

Tell us about the suburb the property is in? It offers a modern and family-friendly atmosphere with a range of amenities catering to residents of all ages. The centre-

piece of the suburb is its picturesque lake, providing a serene backdrop for leisurely strolls and recreational activities. Overall, Jordan Springs is a welcoming suburb that combines modern living with natural beauty, making it an attractive option for families and individuals seeking a balanced lifestyle.

PATIOMAN

No job too small

Lic No. 829 19C

Specialising in Carports, Awnings, Glass Rooms, Rumpus Rooms, Screened Rooms, Wooden Decks

This is your last oppor tunit y to secure a luxur y apar tment in the prestigious Metro precinct, centrally positioned in the hear t of the Oran Park community.

Generously sized, this 3-bedroom apar tment features ample floor space, sophisticated styl e and the finest finishes

Built in partnership with the award-winning Allen Jack + Cottier Architects and currently under construction with Richard Crookes Construction , the residence is completed to a high standard with:

• Miele oven, gas cook top, rangehood, buil t-in microwave oven and dishwasher plus striking Parisi tapware, tinted mirror splashback and Caesarstone benchtop centrepiece

• Ceramic tile floor throughout with carpet to bedroom s

• Ground floor entr y, two levels of secure parking and a communal roof top with barbeque faciliti es

ORAN P ARK

The Experts

DAVID NORRIS Nortec IT 9894 9514

DIVING INTO THE WORLD OF FREE EBOOKS

Regardless of the type of eBook reader you own, a wide range of eBooks and audiobooks, including all the latest best-sellers, are available at no cost.

I own both a Kindle and a Kindle Scribe, so while this will be skewed towards a Kindle, it applies equally to other eBook readers. I will also tell you how to convert between eBook formats so that the books below will work on your device.

Amazon Kindle Store

Amazon offers a dedicated section for free Kindle eBooks. Here, you’ll find a treasure trove of free titles across various genres, from classics like Pride and Prejudice to contemporary thrillers. Filters allow you to refine your search by category, release date, and aver-

age rating, helping you discover the perfect book.

Project Gutenberg

This non-profit organisation is a pioneer in free eBooks, boasting a vast collection of over 60,000 titles. While their focus lies on public domain works (books whose copyright has expired), you’ll find a wealth of classic literature by renowned authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Mark Twain.

Free ebook websites

Several websites specialise in curating free eBooks. Freebooksy is a popular option, offering daily listings across various genres, including romance, science fiction, and mysteries. The Fussy Librarian and Bookbud maintain a well-organised blog with frequent

YOUR INTEREST RATE IS TOO HIGH BROKING BREAKDOWN

Your home loan interest rate is too high.

How do I know? Law of averages and experience.

The majority of people who come to Bell Partners Finance to see if we can get them a better arrangement on their home loan end up walking away very happy indeed.

There’s many reasons why people end up paying too much interest via a much higher rate than they could get by refinancing or switching lenders.

First is loyalty. Too many people just rock up to the bank they’ve been with for years to apply for their home loan. Just because your parents opened a bank account for you at a particular back 30 years ago doesn’t mean it’s the right bank for your home loan. Second is laziness. See above! Sometimes it can just feel easier to apply for a loan at a bank that already knows you. No need for the whole identification process, and they have all your accounts on hand. But this is a huge

updates on free and bargain eBooks, including Kindle titles.

Library eBooks

Your local library might be a surprising source of free eBooks! Many libraries offer digital lending services, allowing you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks directly to your Kindle device or app. Both Penrith and Parramatta Library offer the latest novels free for borrowing in both eBook and audiobook formats. Check your library’s website for details on their digital collection and how to access it.

Now, onto converting eBooks!

Calibre

This free and opensource software champions eBook conversion.

It supports various input and output formats, including MOBI, EPUB, and TXT. After installing Calibre, add your eBook file, choose the format

Some eBooks, particularly those offered for free for a limited time, might have Digital Rights Management (DRM) applied. Always check

you want as output (Kindle is MOBI), and click ‘Convert’. Once converted, connect your eBook device to your PC and copy the converted file onto the device.

the source of the eBook and any DRM restrictions before downloading. Most free eBook websites and libraries clearly state whether their eBooks are DRM-free.Happy reading!

mistake to make.

Third is complacency.

We all live busy lives and months and years go by quickly. Most of us don’t regularly check our home loan interest rates, or don’t think there will be a better offer out there. But as new lenders and products come on line, the right opportunity could be waiting around the corner. Fourth is fear of change and what it all means. The process can feel daunting, and there’s the question of break fees and other challenges. And finding the time to speak to another lender. But here’s the thing: one simple visit to a broker could answer all of the above challenges. A broker will be able to find the best deal for you, and the best interest rate and product on the market. You’re throwing money away by not having the best interest rate possible. Why not speak to a broker today and see what difference they can make?

MARK STEVENSON Bell Partners Finance bellpartnersfinance.com.au

THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOTCARE AND DIABETES

Diabetes is a chronic condition which affects millions of people and can unfortunately have many complications, some of which can affect the feet. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise it is important to understand the specific threats to foot health. Peripheral neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes can impair someone’s “protective sensation” or ability to detect pressure or injuries to the foot. This can increase the risk of pressure ulcerations, leaving individuals susceptible to serious complications. Risk factors such as smoking, obesity and high cholesterol can increase the risk of impairing the body’s circulation. This can affect the feet by reducing blood flow to the toes and feet. If not well controlled, this can lead to longstanding wounds, ulcers and potential amputations.

Regular visits to the Podiatrist play a vital role in preventing and managing foot related

complications associated with diabetes. Podiatrists are able to recognise, diagnose and detect potential issues, allowing for early intervention and preventing

you back on your feet! So what do I need to do?

• Foot examinations: Annual diabetic foot assessments are crucial for people living with

the escalation of diabetic foot complications. If complications do occur, Podiatrists and a multidisciplinary team can manage and treat these issues to help get

diabetes. A Podiatrist will test and be able to identify signs of neuropathy, vascular issues or biomechanics issues. They will then be able to determine

an appropriate treatment plan to reduce the risk of complications long term

• Appropriate footwear: Inappropriate shoes can rub on the edge or end of toes and can cause blistering and potential wounds. Ensuring your shoes don’t have any friction points and are adequate width and length are important to enhance overall comfort

• Daily foot checks: checking the feet daily for any cuts, scratches or anything that doesn’t look right! If it doesn’t improve after a few days –contact your Podiatrist!

By attending regular podiatric care, people with diabetes can proactively manage foot health, mitigating the risk of complications.

Early intervention and collaborative care between patients, healthcare providers and Podiatrists can help to improve the quality of life for those living with diabetes.

IN THE MIRROR with Cassidy Pearce

The best hand creams to get you through a wet and cold winter

In my opinion, one of the most underrated products to get your skin through winter is a good hand cream.

As someone with oily skin, there are few occasions when I think being dry is truly dire. But, one thing I can’t stand is having dry hands.

Having a good hand cream on hand in your handbag or on your desk can truly be lifechanging. If you’re on the lookout for a good one, or if you want to purchase one as a gift, here are my top recommendations.

The Body Shop

The Body Shop hand creams are truly staples, and if you told me you’d never tried one, I’d assume you were lying.

The best thing about The Body Shop hand creams is that they come in so many different beautiful scents, so there’s

truly something for everyone. They’re also affordable and accessible, which make them perfect to throw in your bag for a rainy day.

L’Occitane

L’Occitane is famous for having some of the best hand creams in the business.

Not only do they have beautifully scented options for some post-manicure pampering, but also more intensely moisturising options for days when your hands truly need a pick me up. Their Shea Butter Hand Cream recently went viral on TikTok, and for good reason! The formula comes in a handbag-friendly 30mL option, or a much larger 150mL tube, if you just can’t get enough.

Sol de Janeiro

If you love Sol de Janeiro’s iconic Cheirosa ’62 signature fragrance, you can’t bypass their Brazilian Touch Hand Cream.

Not only is the formula super hydrating and fast absorbing, it also smells incredible!

I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t mention the hand cream that I currently have both on my desk at the Western Weekender office, and in my handbag at all times, and that’s the iKOU Organic Hand Cream.

iKOU is an international brand which first started in the Blue Mountains, known for combining innovative, botanical skincare with conscious home spa rituals to treat skin, mind and body as a whole.

I was gifted one of their hand creams and haven’t looked back – the De-Stress Geranium & Lavender Organic Hand Cream is my favourite.

iKOU

KELLIE

DEMENTIA IN DOGS: NAVIGATING THE JOURNEY

Dementia in dogs, also known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), is a touching reality for many pet owners. Much like humans, dogs can experience cognitive decline with age, leading to various behavioural changes and challenges. Recognising the signs of dementia in dogs is essential for providing them with the care and support they need in their senior years.

Early signs of dementia in dogs are often subtle changes in behaviour. Owners may notice their previously lively and energetic pet becoming increasingly disoriented, confused, or forgetful. For instance, a dog with dementia might wander aimlessly or appear lost in familiar surroundings. They might also show changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping more during the day and being restless or pacing at night. Other common signs include decreased interest in activities, loss of house training, and altered social interactions with both humans and other pets.

Witnessing these changes in our beloved furry friends can be distressing, but there are measures owners can take to help manage their dog’s dementia and enhance their quality of life. The first step is consulting with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions and to develop a tailored

treatment plan. While there is no cure for dementia in dogs, medications, supplements, and environmental modifications can help

alleviate symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.

Creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for dogs with dementia. This may involve minimising stressors, such as loud noises or changes in routine, and providing plenty of mental stimulation through interactive toys and puzzles. Maintaining a consistent daily routine can also help reduce anxiety and confusion for dogs with dementia.

In addition to environmental adjustments, dietary changes can also benefit dogs with dementia. Specialised diets rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support cognitive function in senior dogs. Regular exercise, tailored to your dog’s age and physical condition, can also improve their overall wellbeing and cognitive health.

Above all, providing love, patience, and understanding is paramount when caring for a senior dog with dementia. While managing this condition can be challenging, the bond between owner and pet remains strong. By staying informed, proactive, and compassionate, we can ensure that our aging canine companions enjoy the comfort and dignity they deserve in their twilight years.

For more information, contact the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital at 4736 2027.

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

bohoastro.com

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

The Sun, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter are all transiting through your romance and friendship zone. Communication, creative partnerships and joint ventures are favoured, as you spark ideas off each other. Expect some resistance to your ideas, but that’s OK. Plus (courtesy of Mars and Uranus) you’ll find your domestic life and family relationships are exciting and unpredictable. So hold onto your hat and expect the unexpected. Life certainly won’t be boring!

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

With proactive Mars in your sign and Pluto activating your career zone, you’re keen to power ahead and achieve more at work. But high stress levels, long delays and short timelines are a problem at the moment, as you are diverted from professional responsibilities by a tricky personal matter, a meddling friend or a frustrating financial issue. With plenty of patience and a dollop of diplomacy, you’ll steer your way through a challenging week.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

You’re determined to complete a project with creative panache and loads of Leo style. But there are some frustrating planetary patterns so expect power plays, disruptions or delays. Patience and compromise are required, otherwise it will be a long and challenging week. When it comes to your work routine and professional projects, the big lesson to learn is how to delegate. No one (not even a super capable Leo) is indispensable! On Friday, follow your dreams.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Prepare for a rather tricky week as Pluto squares Mars, and people (or circumstances) frustrate your plans. Don’t let others hijack your career goals or derail your domestic dreams. No matter how challenging things become or how long it takes, you need to be the captain of your own ship and the master of your own destiny! So your motto is from fellow Scorpio, award-winning actress Tilda Swinton, “What is any life without the pursuit of a golden dream?”

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Do your best to avoid Piscean procrastination and negative self-talk. Mars and Uranus are activating your learning and local environment zone. So it’s time to be clever, confident and proactive as you set ambitious goals, attract mentors, and expand your world in exciting new directions. Study, observe, listen and learn! Your motto for the week is from birthday great, writer William Butler Yeats, “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

This week – courtesy of Wednesday’s Mercury/Saturn square – work looks stressful, and you won’t have the patience to put up with annoying people or tedious explanations. So strive to extricate yourself from negative situations in a tactful way. On Friday, communication and conversation are the buzz words as you share opinions, learn a new skill, or pass on some exciting information. It’s a good time to give your Gemini brain cells a thorough workout!

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Virtuous Virgos love to feel useful and productive. But does it seem as if you’re treading water at work, or a close relationship is going backwards? This week Saturn slows things down and increases frustrations (especially on Wednesday). But then Mercury (your patron planet) hooks up with the Sun on Friday, which encourages you to pair up with a creative colleague and make your professional dreams come true. You’ll need to be extra patient though!

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

This week, if you’re argumentative with family members, friends and work colleagues, then they will be in the mood to fight back! So – if you want to avoid fiery clashes – do your best to be more tolerant and understanding towards others. Plus try to view a troubled close relationship from a much more philosophical perspective. The winning formula for smooth Sagittarian communication is conversation + cooperation + generosity + joy.

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Mighty Mars (your boss planet) is now transiting through practical, productive Taurus (until July 20) so you’re fired up to get things done. But this – with Pluto squaring Mars on Tuesday – moderation and cooperation could be difficult to find. So do your best to calm down and keep the peace. Friday’s terrific Sun/ Mercury conjunction boosts your ability to connect and converse with others, especially within your local community. So make the most of it!

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Expect a rather stressful week as Saturn and Pluto stir up resentments, unfinished arguments and bad memories. Burying your head in the sand is probably a good option for sensitive, overloaded Crabs. Use the down time for relaxation, contemplation and planning. Then – from Friday onwards – dare to set ambitious goals and dream big dreams. As writer (and birthday great) Joyce Carol Oates reminds us, “A daydreamer is prepared for most things.”

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Saturn and Pluto stymie motivation and slow progress. You could also find it difficult to stick to your chosen diet, daily exercise program or usual beauty routine. Perhaps it would be better to moderate your perfectionist streak, accept your perceived imperfections, and learn to love yourself as you are? Be inspired by birthday great Judy Garland, “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Saturn (your ruling planet) squares Mercury on Wednesday, so expect a stressful week of frustrations and challenges involving work, health, education or neighbours. And – courtesy of Mars and Uranus – a friend or family member could say or do something that makes you gasp. As writer (and birthday great) Joyce Carol Oates reminds us, “Sometimes people surprise us. People we believe we know.” A flexible, philosophical attitude will get you through.

VIVID for Couples: breakfast for 2, bottle of wine, parking, late 12pm checkout, glow sticks. bottle

NEVER FAILS TO SURPRISE

To the sound of a dozen jet engines on full throttle, I look up almost 100 metres vertically to see thousands of tonnes of water crashing down onto the rocks almost at my feet. The water hits the bottom with such force, it generates a wind tunnel of supercharged mist blasting out across the surface of the King George River, creating its own micro-climate within the ancient sandstone amphitheatre.

After nearly 20 years of visiting the remote Kimberley in Australia’s North West, this is the first time I’ve ever been as early as March when the rivers are in peak flow after the annual wet season deluge. It’s a natural phenomenon of immense proportions, yet witnessed by only a few score visitors every year.

“IT’S

“WE’RE VERY FORTUNATE TO SEE THE FALLS IN SUCH STAGGERING FURY,” yells Paul above the din. It’s true. By the time many of the major international operators arrive in late May, most of the Kimberley waterfalls will have shrunk to a comparative trickle. Others will have disappeared altogether.

On this ‘Waterfall Day’ near the highest point of Western Australia, Paul is able to show us 10 properly functioning waterfalls, most I have never seen before with or without water.

The Kimberley Basin, with almost 50 named rivers, accounts for three quarters of the state’s total discharge. The largest river in the region, the Fitzroy near Derby, will discharge 9000 gigalitres per year on average, but has been recorded pouring out a massive 30,000,000 litres per second when in peak flood. Average annual rainfall can be up to 1500mm, but conditions vary wildly and that amount and more was recorded in just a month at Kuri Bay as recently as 2022.

If you’ve been watching the news of late, you’ll know that ridiculous amounts of water have been falling in the Kimberley and all across the Top End recently, often accompanied by strong tropical storms. Whole towns have been evacuated, but the silver lining (if you can say that) is that the waterfalls are in outrageous display.

The so-called Waterfall Season in the Kimberley typically takes place from March when the local vessels like Reef Prince reposition from Fremantle with specially devised itineraries to capitalise on on nature’s annual spectacular. Depending on the prevailing conditions, the season may persist as late as May.

Oh, by the way, I’m aboard the 36-passenger Reef Prince, the sole vessel of Kimberley Expeditions, for their 12-day Broome to Darwin itinerary.

Reef Prince began life in 1995 on the Great Barrier Reef as a fast ferry and day boat and

was bought by the entrepreneurial couple, Steve and Deb Garner, who are based at Mataranka Station in the Northern Territory. After a major refit, the couple have run the vessel in the Kimberley since 2017.

Reef Prince runs four aluminium-hulled tenders of the same design favoured by many of the local operators. Metal hulls, I am told, are more durable in this harsh environment where sharp rocks and other less predictable hazards abound.

Each are powered by lusty 140hp Suzuki outboards except for the flagship sightseeing vessel, Regent, which runs twin 140s and can

motor at more than 40 knots when urged. Their surplus of power is welcome when tackling the wild torrents of Talbot Bay’s notorious Horizontal Falls.

On board, the main deck has the combined dining room and lounge and is also where Paul Hogger, our ebullient expedition leader, gives his briefings and talks.

French chef, Gigi, also demonstrates his expert culinary skills here and as the journey progresses, we come to understand why he’s held in such high regard.

The rear deck is the marina where tenders are loaded from a platform at water level and the bow has a delightful airy space with comfy couches for watching the ancient panorama roll past.

It’s not too late to book your 2024 Kimberley adventure and experience something unique for your next holiday.

For more details, contact Kimberley Expeditions on 1300 874 707 or visit www.kimberleyexpeditions.com.au.

76.

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

WARDROBE

WINDOWS

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about State of Origin in our special trivia quiz this week...

1. The MCG will host the second game of this year’s Origin series. How many times has it hosted Origin before?

2. In what country was the only State of Origin match taken overseas played?

3. Queensland won the first Origin series in 1982. When did NSW win their first series?

4. Which player was named at fullback for the Blues for Origin I but later forced to withdraw through injury?

5. What out of the ordinary thing happened in the 2002 series?

6. How many series’ did Queensland win in a row before NSW finally broke through to win the 2014 series?

Carwise LDV have been selling and servicing new and used vehicles in Kingswood and the surrounding region of NSW since 2006.

Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are specialists and are proud of their association with LDV and look forward to assisting customers on their search for their new or used vehicle.

Carwise LDV enhance your buying experience by providing expert after sales service. You will have the knowledge your car is being treated with the care and professionalism you would expect in their large LDV dedicated workshop service area.

Need your LDV serviced in Penrith?

At Carwise LDV, their workshop utilises the most up-to-date equipment and has been purpose built to support the LDV maintenance program, which allows you

to get the best performance from your LDV vehicle.

As part of the LDV program, their team is committed to upholding the LDV Dealer Service Philosophy, which means guaranteeing the quality of their workmanship and fitting only genuine LDV parts.

Carwise LDV have available a huge range of genuine spare parts and accessories you will ever need for your LDV. Using LDV

Genuine Parts is the best way to help ensure your LDV is repaired as close to its original condition as possible.

Carwise LDV are a family-owned business and actively support the local community.

Carwise LDV is located at 4-8 Morley Avenue, Kingswood.

For more information, contact the friendly team on 4736 5500 or visit www.carwiseldv. com.au.

Volunteers on the rise

“Good for the soul”: Why chipping in to help your local footy club is so important

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any sporting club – they make the engine run smoothly – and without them, a club wouldn’t be able to function like it should.

Across Penrith’s sporting scene, there are thousands of volunteers who selflessly give up their skills and time to help others in need, making their club a better place.

Volunteers are superheroes without capes, and one of those superheroes is Lindy Felton from the Jordan Springs Joeys Football Club.

Fenton’s journey from football mum to a key member of the Joeys committee within a year speaks volumes about her dedication and organisational skills.

By taking on multiple committee roles, Fenton has shown her commitment to supporting the club’s operations and growth, ensuring its smooth sailing.

Speaking with the Weekender, Fenton said she hasn’t looked back since becoming involved with the Joeys 13 years ago.

“I enrolled the kids and then I

started volunteering by managing and coaching junior teams before progressing up through the committee,” she said.

“My main job now is Competition Secretary but, like with every volunteer, you have your title but you do so much more.”

Fenton’s contributions extend beyond the boundaries of the Jordan Springs Joeys.

By serving on the judiciary panel for the Nepean Football Association

for the past two years, Fenton plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness and integrity with the broader football community.

With her husband Ken Club President and her daughter Female Football Coordinator, Fenton finds herself doing more than most, but she isn’t alone.

“It’s hard to say all the stuff that I do, but I’m there every Friday night, all day Saturday and all day Sunday but it’s a lot of behind the scenes

Experience the thrill of coming face to face with the

King of beasts!

stuff as well,” she said.

“Thankfully, we’ve got a great committee that are involved with me, so I’m not the only one doing all of it.

“Our player numbers have grown in recent years and our volunteers have too, which is great to see.”

The rise in volunteers at Jordan Springs FC is consistent across the state. According to Football NSW, there’s been a record level of volunteer sign-ups for the 2024 football season.

Year-on-year, volunteers have grown 22 per cent; coaches and managers 15 per cent; and referees 13 per cent.

Interestingly, female volunteer involvement has also experienced exponential growth year-on-year with 22 per cent growth.

“Volunteers are pivotal members of our community,” Football NSW CEO, John Tsatsimas told the Weekender

“Local clubs rely on them to coach, referee and ensure the smooth management of players.

“We’re proud to highlight people like Lindy who make a significant impact on the success of grassroots football.

“It’s been fantastic to see such a high rate of growth in registrations of volunteers across NSW.”

On top of playing alongside her daughter, coaching the juniors and doing everything she can on the Joeys committee, Fenton has no plans to stop volunteering and would highly recommend it to others as well.

“I’m going to stick around for as long as the club will have me – I have no intention of leaving,” she said.

“I’d definitely recommend volunteering. You feel better when you help someone without expecting anything in return… it’s good for the soul!”

Zambi Wildlife Retreat is an exclusive and unique Not for Profit Animal Sanctuary, set in beautifully landscaped grounds.

A tour of the retreat allows you the opportunity to get up close and personal with some amazing animals and learn about their history and species. Zambi only allows limited visitors each week and you will need to book your spot on our website booking page here: www.zambi.org/bookings

The bookings are only available for a total of 7 guests and includes a tour of the retreat with an experienced guide where you will get to hand feed the macaw parrots and baboon monkeys. Complimentary hot and cold drinks and light snacks are included in the cost.

There is also the opportunity to add on animal encounters such as hand feeding the big cats and meeting the meerkats and little marmoset monkeys. This can be booked at the same time as your tour or added during your visit.

Entry is 9 years of age and older and a further age restriction of 12 years and older will apply to hand feeding the

zambi.org

NATHAN TAYLOR

Lindy Felton (bottom right) alongside Joeys players and volunteers.

Joeys volunteer Lindy Felton.

Green set to star on biggest stage

representative junior teams before moving to the US to play in their prestigious high school and college system.

Penrith Basketball junior Josh Green will play for his first-ever NBA Championship today after his Dallas Mavericks crushed the Minnesota Timberwolves last week to advance to the NBA Finals.

After being crowed Western Conference Champions, Green and his Mavericks teammates will face-off against the Boston Celtics when Game 1 tips off in Boston on Friday morning.

The Mavericks qualified for their first NBA Finals since 2011 after defeating the higher-ranked Timberwolves 124-103 in Minneapolis last Friday.

Western Conference Finals MVP Luka Doncic lead the way for the Mavericks, racking up 36 points while his running mate Kyrie Irving stacked on 36 points in the monster win. Green played 18 minutes off the bench in Game 5, recording two points, two steals and one assist.

23-year-old Green has been playing in the NBA for the past four seasons after he was drafted by Dallas in the 2020 NBA Draft.

In 2021, he won an historic Bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games with the Boomers, while he’s also expected to suit up for Australia in Paris next month.

After leaving the Hills Hornets as a youngster, Green spent his early teenage years playing for the Penrith Panthers in their

Now a key member off Dallas’ bench, Green is averaging 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game this season.

On his podcast ‘The Lowe Post’, highly respected ESPN sportswriter Zach Lowe said he’s been hugely impressed by Green’s development this season.

“Josh Green… I said at the beginning of the season, I thought he should have been the fifth starter,” Lowe said.

“I’ve always liked Josh Green. You can go back and read my ‘10 things’ column from four years ago, I said there’s something going on here with Josh Green. His passing, his vision… if he would just shoot, there’s something there.

“Well, now he shoots and he’s playing really well, and he’s kind of been an unsung hero.”

Dallas’ opponents in the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers 4-0 on their way to their second NBA Finals appearance in three years.

After finishing the regular season with a league-best 64-18 record before taking care of business against Miami, Cleveland and Indiana in the playoffs, the Celtics go into their best-of-seven-game series with Dallas as red-hot favourites with fans and the bookmakers.

The entire NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics will be broadcast live on ESPN and Kayo Sports.

Penrith basketballer Josh Green with the NBA Western Conference Finals trophy.

NATHAN TAYLOR

LOCALS HOPE TO MAKE A SPLASH

Story continued from » p.88

The duo qualified for next week’s trials in the Sunshine State after outstanding results at the Australian Age Championships in April.

Phillips’ swimming journey has been unique to say the least. Born and raised in Coffs Harbour, he’s a country boy whose grown up by the beach loving surf lifesaving before relocating to western Sydney to be coached by Weir.

While Amin is a superfish in the pool – exceptionally talented across all four strokes – he’s not exactly a student of the sport.

“This might sound weird, but I don’t follow swimming that much,” he admitted.

“I only know the big names like Michael Phelps and Cody Simpson. But one thing I do know is next week I’ll be up against some big guys who are very fast and very challenging.”

If their Olympic dreams don’t come true in Brisbane, the boys will continue their development at a six-day ‘LA Dreaming Camp’ at the Australian Institute of Sport in July.

Jess Fox fails to fire

Tough weekend for Penrith paddling superstar in Germany

Penrith’s Jessica Fox may have won her 75th World Cup medal of her career, but it was most likely a weekend she’d rather forget over in Augsburg, Germany.

While the soon-to-be 30-year-old collected gold in the C1 Final in style last weekend, she unfortunately failed to climb the podium in her other two events – the Women’s K1 and Kayak Cross.

With less than two months before the Paris Olympic Games get underway, it was tough going for Fox and her Australian teammates at the first International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup of the season.

After a less than impressive C1 semi-final, Fox just managed to scrape into the Final before putting on a clinic and winning by more than eight seconds (110.68).

The Olympic champion picked up an early gate touch, but put together a perfect run for the rest of the race to take her first World Cup win of the season.

“I’m just so relieved to finally put down a good run,” Fox said after the race.

“It’s been a tough weekend – it’s been wet and harsh – I’ve been trying to manage the nerves that come with the first World Cup of the season, but now I’m thrilled to be back on the podium, and to be on the top step.

“It was a tough course, Augsburg is always

challenging, so I just really had to keep it together.”

Earlier in the meet, Fox did enough to qualify for the Women’s K1 Final, but incredibly missed a gate and had to paddle back to correct her mistake before eventually finishing the course in ninth.

"My K1 semi-final was really good, I felt good on the water, but then in the Final... I didn't quite adapt to that moment and it's a

shame that I didn't quite get the run that I wanted to in the Final.

In the Kayak Cross, which will make its Olympic debut in Paris next month, Fox was staggeringly eliminated early and didn’t even progress to Final.

Fox and the rest of Australia’s paddling team are now in Prague as they aim for better results at the year’s second International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup.

Jessica Fox on the water last weekend.

Malik Amin and Sylas Phillips.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPORTS SHORTS

RUGBY LEAGUE: Former Penrith Emus players from the early 1980s have returned from the UK after they celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 1984 European Tour recently. The original European tour lasted a whopping five weeks and saw 36 players fly over to play games in England, Wales, Germany, France and Switzerland. One of the big stops on this year’s trip was visiting Penrith, Cumbria, which was a major highlight of the group’s original journey back in the ‘80s. “We were lucky enough to be invited on the supporters’ bus to attend the Final of the County of Cumbria Rugby Cup Final, which Penrith won quite convincingly,” former Emus player Mark Cannon said.

BASKETBALL: The Penrith Panthers have lost back-to-back games in Round 9 of the NBL1 East Men’s competition. Last Saturday night, Penrith were thumped by the Centre of Excellence 96-70 before losing a tight one on Sunday afternoon to the Hills Hornets 112-109. Skipper Ben Kearins was impressive in Penrith’s loss to Hills, recording 21 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Meanwhile, Penrith have also failed to record a victory in Round 9 of the NBL1 East Women’s competition. Last Saturday, Penrith went down to the Centre of Excellence 78-68, while last Sunday they couldn’t get the job done against the Hills Hornets 91-74. Both teams will enjoy the King’s Birthday long weekend off before returning to the court next week with games against Manly Warringah and Maitland on June 15 and June 16.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Daniel Margush and midfielder Sonny Kittel following the conclusion of their contracts with the club. Margush joined the Wanderers back in 2020 and went on to make over 50 appearances for the club across all competitions. The loan deal of Kittel has also come to an end with the midfielder returning to his parent club, Rakow Czestochowa effective immediately. Kittel made 10 appearances for the club and scored one goal.

SWIMMING: The Metro South West Short Course Championships were held over two days late last month at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. There were 23 clubs competing from across south-western Sydney. Nepean Aquatic Centre Swim Club had 64 swimmers competing and came second in the overall point score for the meet! They finished first place in the Men’s and third place in the Women’s point score. This is the best result in the history of the club!

AFL: The Penrith Ramettes have failed to keep their winning run alive, losing to the Camden Cats 25-6 in Round 8 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Division 2 competition. Meanwhile, the Penrith Rams enjoyed a bye last weekend as they hold onto third position on the AFL Sydney Men’s Division 2 competition. Both teams will rest this weekend due to the King’s Birthday holiday before returning to the field on Saturday, June 15 at Greygums Oval.

AFL: Following last week’s bye, the GWS Giants will return to the pitch for this

Saturday’s Round 13 clash against Hawthorn in Tasmania. With the Giants sitting in seventh and the Hawks in 12th, it’s expected to be a tight fixture at University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston.

AFL: The GWS Giants have announced the huge re-signing of star defender Sam Taylor until at least the end of 2032. One of the best defenders in the competition, Taylor was out of contract at the end of 2025 when he would become a free agent, but the 25-year-old has already put pen to paper on a new seven-year contract.

NETBALL: Panthers Netball have been smashed by North Shore United 69-43 in Round 10 of the Netball NSW Premier League Opens competition. Meanwhile, the Panthers U23s team have recorded a strong win over the girls from United 57-49. Both teams will take on the UTS Randwick Sparks in Round 11.

SUPER NETBALL: Giants Netball have failed to win two on the trot, beaten convincingly by the Melbourne Vixens 74-60 in Round 8 of the Super Netball. Despite their recent crucial victory against the Mavericks, the Giants couldn't replicate the intensity shown by the Vixens, who carried the momentum from their near-flawless performance against the Fever in the previous round. The veteran trio of Kate Maloney, Jo Weston, and Emily Mannix – boasting over a decade with the club –showcased their experience as they suffocated the Giants who were missing both captains in Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price. The Giants will return to Ken Rosewall Arena on Sunday afternoon to face off against the Queensland Firebirds at 4pm.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 10 of the NSWRL Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions took place last weekend, with mixed results for St Marys and Brothers Penrith. In the Ron Massey Cup, St Marys went down to the Canterbury Bulldogs 32-16, while Brothers Penrith celebrated a narrow win over Mounties 22-18. In the Sydney Shield, St Marys were thrashed by the Glebe Dirty Reds 52-10, while Brothers Penrith were also blown off the park by Mounties 24-0. All teams will enjoy this weekend off due to the King’s Birthday holiday before returning on Saturday, June 15 for the local derby matches between St Marys and Brothers Penrith.

GET IN TOUCH: To make a submission, email Nathan@westernweekender.com.au.

The Emus brigade visiting the famous clock tower in Penrith, Cumbria recently.

A Nepean swimmer with a haul of medals

Nepean Aquatic Centre Swim Club win big.

PARIS ON THE LINE

With less than 50 days to go, Olympic Games fever is sweeping the world ahead of Paris 2024. But did you know that not all Olympic spots have been filled yet?

While our beloved Matildas found out this week exactly who was on the plane to Paris, Australia’s swim team is yet to be decided.

Vying for one of Australia’s last tickets to Paris are two young swimmers from the Nepean Aquatic Centre Swim Club.

18-year-old Sylas Phillips (right) and 17-year-old Malik Amin (left) will travel to Brisbane next week to compete at the 2024 Australian Swimming Trials, which will serve as the sole selection meet for the Dolphins Swimming Team to compete in Paris.

Phillips will line-up in the 200m backstroke, while Amin will compete in three events: the 100m Butterfly, 200m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley.

While the pair will be up against the best swimmers in the country, they are excited at the opportunity to put themselves in the mix for a place at the Games.

“This will be top-level swimming. My aim is to go there, race hard, hopefully do a personal best time and try and be as fast as possible,” Phillips told the Weekender “I would say this is the biggest meet of my swimming career. My mindset in a race is not have very low expectations, but be confident and know my abilities,” Amin added.

Only two Aussie swimmers from each event will qualify for Paris. Swimmers will not only need to finish in the top two in the Final, but also be under the Olympic qualifying time.

Head coach at Nepean Aquatic Centre

Swim Club, Sarah-Jane Weir, said she’s excited to see how her athletes perform on the national stage.

“I think it’s an exciting opportunity for them and a chance to experience that next step on their swimming journey,” she said.

“The Olympic Trials will also be really good for their development and an opportunity for them to experience that next level of pressure and be among other swimmers vying for spots on the Olympic team.”

NATHAN TAYLOR