Western Weekender April 25

weekender the western FRI 25 APR 2014 • Issue 1150

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PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Lest We Forget Today marks one of the most important days on the Australian calendar. Across Penrith and St Marys, thousands of people are expected to attend Dawn Services to honour those who fought for Australia in war. In this special eight page commemorative wrap, the Weekender pays tribute to those who fought for our country and for the freedoms we enjoy today. We will never forget their sacrifice, and will continue to honour them.

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ANZAC Day 2014

Member for Mulgoa

Why we must

ANZAC Day is when our country pays tribute to all our Service personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our nation and our values.

It is a very special and personal day for me also, as I proudly remember and thank my Grandparents who fought and were prisoners in World War II. I am forever indebted to the personal sacrifice that they and all other Service personnel endured for the freedoms we enjoy today.

It is also a time to let our current serving personnel know that they are supported and recognised for their duty to our country.

“Lest We Forget” Phone: (02) 9833 2913 Address: Shop 1/159 Queen St, St Marys 2760

April 25 is perhaps the most significant day on Australia’s calendar. Today, even for just a short CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_o

Email: mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au Mail: PO Box 138, St Marys NSW 1790

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‘We pay tribute to those Australians who fought for our country and our values.

Lest we forget’ WW8514

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Tanya Davies MP

Member for Penrith

Ph: 4722 8660

penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Shop 23, Penrith Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith 2750

oday is ANZAC Day, Australia's most important national occasion.

Marking the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915 – Australia's first major military action – standing in the brisk autumn air at dawn for the ANZAC Morning Service has become a respected tradition.

But ANZAC Day has come to commemorate so much more than the First World War, it has become a national day of reflection. Yet, as our war veterans age and memories of the world wars fade, there is a fear in the older generations that young Australians will not understand the seriousness of war.

Jim Nolan and Bob Ausburn both served during World War II and have truly inspirational and heartbreaking tales from their war years.

But Mr Nolan and Mr Ausburn are both scared that their stories and memories

T

Ross Fowler

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will be lost and that future generations will not understand the pain and suffering that war, which can sometimes feel so very far away, can bring.

“It was 1939 when I first tried to join the army but I was knocked back. I wanted to join as a pilot as I had been flying since my 14th birthday but as I had no tertiary qualifications they said they didn't want me,” Mr Nolan recalled.

“So I decided to join the home guard, then the militia, then the AIF before finally, when they were desperate, I was accepted into the RAAF. They had realised at this point that you didn't need pilots with tertiary qualifications.”

A flight leftenant pilot, Mr Nolan was dispatched in 1942 and saw service in Hurricanes and Spitfires; across theatres of war in Europe and the Pacific.

“I lost three aircraft in my service,” Mr Nolan said.

“That is a lot. On the last one, after I finally got out of the aircraft at 350 miles per hour – I didn't have time to slow down – I opened up my parachute just one second before my feet touched the ocean. I spent days in the Coral Sea

Councillor John Thain

OAM, PENRITH CITY MAYOR

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A N Z A C D AY 25 t h A P R I L 2 014 LEST WE FORGET WW8515

Featured image: Peter Casserly was Australia’s last surviving member of thhe 1st AIF serving in France in the First World War. He died in 2005, aged 107.

FIONA SCOTT

Please consider sharing in the spirit of Anzac Day and attend one of the services in our area.

MP

Federal Member for Lindsay

331 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 P 4731 3700 E fiona.scott.mp@aph.gov.au W www.fionascott.com.au

Authorised by Fiona Scott MP, 331 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750.

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Lest We Forget on Anzac Day 25.4.2014 John Thain: 0411 427 812 jthain@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

LEST WE FORGET

Member for Londonderry londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Reflecting on the enormous sacrifice made by our defence forces, both past and present this ANZAC DAY. Lest We Forget

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ANZAC Day 2014

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never forget and was rescued by natives who took me to a Leper colony because they knew the Japanese wouldn't come looking in the settlement.

“I am the sole survivor of the Roo Club, our motto was ‘jump to live’ and 123 people received this award and I am the only one left.”

Some of the memories of being a pilot are still very raw.

“You didn't really get to know people too well in the end because chances were you were not going to see them again,” Mr Nolan said.

“There was such a waste of life.

“ANZAC Day to me commemorates the futility of war; and especially under the command of foreign generals I might add. I am not a fan of Churchill. For eight months under a British General they fought in futility in Gallipoli and it wasn't until an Australian General recommended withdrawal because of the futility of the battle. Young people need to understand that.”

Bob Ausburn agrees.

“I joined the army in 1942, that’s when the Japanese threw a few bombs near

Sydney. I was sent to Port Kembla at first and then it was looking like the Japanese would come through Western Australia so I was sent there,” he said.

After being moved around the country, Mr Ausburn found himself in Townsville in 1944 on his way to New Guinea as a signalman.

“We were up in the mountains around the bay and the gunners were on the other side. Then, in come these aeroplanes that dropped bombs on the gunners, but it was friendly fire,” he said.

Mr Ausburn saw other tragedies too.

“In New Guinea the ranges are very narrow on top and lined with trees. There we were and I just happened to spot a fellow from Penrith too, Jeff Honey and we stood there chatting for about five minutes. Then we were given the order to fire, but a shell hit one of the trees and ricocheted and hit Jeff in the chest and he was gone. So many people were involved in the wars.”

Today, Mr Nolan and Mr Ausburn will remember their friends as well as all who have died in Australia's war efforts.

All 102,784 of them.

special feature

moment, we remember those who served our country and fought for the freedoms we now enjoy.

Bob Ausburn and Jim Nolan at Memory Park. Photo: Melinda Jane

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ANZAC Day 2014

Honouring those who served for us

More than just a delicious treat

TROY DODDS @troydodds

KATHERINE TWEED @ktweed_

indsay MP Fiona Scott is encouraging local residents to dig deep this ANZAC Day and support our serving men, women and their families.

“ANZAC Day is an important occasion when Australians reflect on the courage of the men and women who have served, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Ms Scott said.

“This ANZAC Day there will be approximately 2,000 Australian Defence Force personnel deployed overseas, which is comparatively fewer than in previous years. This is due to the completion of missions in East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and the continued drawdown of forces in Afghanistan.

“As such, as well as donating to our current troops I also encourage people to donate to Ex-Service Organisations such as the RSL, Legacy and Soldier On.” Ms Scott said it was important that the community got behind those who have served our country.

“This ANZAC Day in recognition of the increasing numbers of recently returned Australian veterans, I encourage everyone

f you weren’t already reminded of the sacrifice made by Australian servicemen and women when you eat an ANZAC biscuit, you will be now, with a new range of limited edition biscuit tins on the market.

In commemoration of the 100-year anniversary since the beginning of World War One, Aldi Australia, in collaboration with Modern Baking Company, has created an exclusive Unibic ANZAC Biscuit tin.

The tins are endorsed by the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) in memory of the almost 20,000 Australian servicemen and 300 members of the Australian Army Nursing Service who left for training camps in Egypt in 1914.

“These commemorative tins were designed to keep the history of our servicemen alive,” said RSL National President, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan AO RAN (Retd).

“This ANZAC Day, as we remember our servicemen, we encourage all Australians to purchase a tin which will help to assist with the RSL in its great ongoing

L

community work.” While stocks last, local residents can pick up the limited edition “The Ancient Tombs of Giza” and “The Victoria Cross” tin from any Aldi store for $9.99.

Aldi Australia will also be donating $20,000 to the RSL to provide welfare assistance to members.

I Lindsay MP Fiona Scott in Penrith and St Marys looking to make a lasting contribution to ADF personnel and their families to consider donating to one of the many Ex-Service Organisations dedicated to supporting our serving men and women,” she said.

Donations can be made to Legacy (www. legacy.com.au/donate) or Soldier On (www.soldieron.org.au/give/donations) to support those personnel who have been wounded on operations and those family members who are suffering financially and emotionally.

The limited edition ANZAC Biscuit tin

Denture Clinic Monuments may rise and tablets be set up to them in their own land, but on far-off shores there is an abiding memorial that no pen or chisel has traced; it is graven not on stone or brass, but on the living hearts of humanity.

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ANZAC Day 2014

Tracing the steps of those who fought

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Corey Davis and Victor Dominello idea of what it was like there as a soldier during war. I am really looking forward to experiencing that,” he said.

Corey was chosen for his personal connection and commitment to Australian war history.

“This is an important place of pilgrimage – the Korean War cost the lives of 340 Australians but is often overlooked in our country’s history,” said Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello.

In the centenary year of the First World War, the Australian War Memorial has launched one of its major commemorative projects which will see rare, historic records containing eyewitness accounts made available free and online to the general public.

Known as ANZAC Connections, the project involves the progressive digitisation of thousands of pages of personal accounts, letters and diaries from Australians who served in the First World War. The project also makes available improved linkage and search options to bring together all the Memorial’s digital collections.

“Some of these rare and historic records are being made publicly available for the first time, including letters from John Simpson Kirkpatrick (of Simpson and his donkey fame) and Captain Frederick Tubb VC’s diaries, as well as Australian nurses and the personal records of ordinary people swept up in the events of the First World War,” said Assistant Director of AWM’s National Collections, Tim Sullivan.

Check it out at www.awm.gov.au/ people/biographies.

special feature

olyton High School Trade School student, Corey Davis is one of 10 NSW students off on the trip of a lifetime to walk in the footsteps of Australian soldiers after receiving the Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship.

The 16-year-old departed Australia on Tuesday (April 22) for South Korea, where he is currently on a 13-day trip exploring sites of military and cultural significance, that to him, with close ties to an Australian war veteran, hold personal significance.

“My great grandfather fought in Papua New Guinea during World War II so in some ways I have always had an interest in Australia’s war effort overseas,” Corey said.

“He is still alive today but unfortunately he doesn’t talk about it much. He was very excited that I was chosen for the trip and he was surprised that the ANZAC tradition is still alive with young kids today.”

The local student is most interested to go to the battlefield Kapyong and of course, the Australian Memorial located there, as well as the Demilitarised Zone between North and South Korea.

“I think the trip will give me a better

Amazing past on show for all

E

At the going down of the Sun and in the morning we will remember them

Lest We Forget Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

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ANZAC Day 2014

Colless was among our first war heroes

RSL offers youth the chance of a lifetime

TROY DODDS @troydodds

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR @cassandra_o

enrith has had many war heroes, and Stanley Colless was among our first.

Born in Penrith on November 19, 1892, he received his schooling at the Penrith Superior Public School. After leaving school he was employed as a wool classer

by A W Davis and Company at Liverpool.

Mr Colless was a keen sportsman, and played cricket and football. He was also a member of a rifle club and won a number of prizes in shooting competitions.

Mr Colless enlisted in June 1915 and was assigned to the 9th reinforcements, 3rd Battalion with the rank of Sergeant. Mr Colless left Sydney on September 30, 1915, aboard HMAT Argyllshire.

After several months in Egypt, Mr Colless was promoted to Sergeant-Major and was trained in the operation of the Lewis Gun. In February 1916, Henry John Burrows (Jack) mentioned in a letter to his mother that he had seen a number of Penrith soldiers including Stan Colless. He sailed for the Western Front in March 1916.

During the battle of Fromelles, Mr Colless was singled out for mention by Captain N

enrith RSL has announced that it will sponsor four young people to participate in the 2014 Kokoda Trek Youth Challenge.

The Youth Challenge provides participants with a practical leadership experience based on the achievements and sacrifice of our diggers during the Kokoda campaign.

Applications are now open for community orientated youth aged between 17 and 22 years who want to experience this life changing opportunity and experience the rigorous and physically demanding 155km Kokoda Trek over 10 gruelling days in hot, wet, humid, and muddy conditions.

Each of the four participants will be sponsored by Penrith RSL Club, with each participant required to provide suitable clothing for the conditions, spending money, immunisations for the trekker, and a gift for the local children in Papua New Guinea.

Participants must be willing to commit to a rigorous physical training program to ensure they are physically capable of

P

P Penrith’s Stanley Colless Gibbons: “Sergeant Colless doing good work – my officers also of course. Would like you to say something to his man. He is doing splendid work.”

In September 1916, Mr Colless was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery during the battle of Fromelles.

Mr Colless was awarded the Military Cross after he led a raid which resulted in the destruction of German “Pill Boxes”.

Mr Colless was killed in action about 10am on September 1, 1918.

completing the trek. Applications close at 3pm on May 30, 2014, with participants departing Sydney on September 20, 2014.

On their return participants are expected to be ambassadors for Penrith RSL Club for the next 12 months representing the Club at ANZAC and Memorial Day celebrations.

For application forms or more information about this initiative please email Karen Harrison, Executive Manager, Human Resources at Penrith RSL on karenh@penrithrsl.com.au or phone 4728 5206.

Amy Gilford, who walked the Kokoda Trek

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FRI 25 APR 2014 • Issue 1150

Doing Penrith proud

PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Business Advice, tips and profiles on the best local businesses p.26-27

I won’t let you down Penrith MP’s promise to new Premier after earning another promotion CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

Shock success at pageant p.18

Career kickstart p.21

Destiny awaits Wanderers play for spot in Grand Final p.32

@cassandra_o

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is political career may be relatively short, but since winning the Penrith by-election in 2010, Penrith MP Stuart Ayres’ rise to become a senior figure in the Liberal Party and State Government has been remarkable.

In Premier Mike Baird’s Cabinet reshuffle sparked by the resignation of former Premier Barry O’Farrell, Mr Ayres was awarded his third portfolio of Sport and Recreation.

Mr Ayres retained his Fair Trading portfolio and role as Minister Assisting the Premier on Western Sydney, which was formerly known as Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney.

Since the Liberal Party’s election to government in March 2011, Mr Ayres has also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Roads and Deputy Government Whip.

“It is more work to do, but it is a great portfolio.

Sport is such an important part of our culture and so I am happy to have that extra workload,” Mr Ayres said.

“I am going to do my best to find 26 hours in a day, but I think this is reflective of how hardworking we are as a government. It is good to have the support of the Premier so I won’t let him down in that regard.”

Mr Ayres was sworn into his new role on Wednesday morning. Mr Baird said he is confident his new cabinet will deliver for NSW. “This team will build on the outstanding achievements of the past three years and accelerate the delivery of vital new infrastructure and improved services,” he said.

Mike Baird and Stuart Ayres. Photo: Melinda Jane

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COMMUNITY

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It’s not about the swimsuit Ropes Crossing mum heads to USA for pageant with a difference KATHERINE TWEED

opes Crossing mum, Kim Chancellier is putting her beauty, personality and kindheartedness to the test on the world stage, all in the name of charity.

The 28-year-old may have two kids, a husband and a modest western Sydney home but that doesn’t mean she can’t heat up the universal pageant scene, a feat she has achieved after entering the Mrs Australia Quest competition this year – a pageant with a large focus on personality and charity.

“Being an ex-model, after having my girls I wanted to get involved with something similar to what I used to do before but at this stage in my life I am not exactly in the place to be getting up in a swimsuit like I used to,” she said.

“I could associate with taking part in something with a good cause, which is why this particular pageant appealed to me.”

After struggling with body and selfesteem issues during her former modelling career, competing in a pageant focused on inner beauty, personality and charity comes as a relief to the local mum.

She was named Mrs Australia Charity

Queen at the Mrs Australia Quest earlier this month and as a result, will be heading to Minnesota, USA for the United Global World Finals.

She won the title after raising almost $9,000 for ‘Teal Wings of Hope’, which supports ovarian cancer research and awareness, through the support of local businesses and her own charity pageant for children, Future Faces.

“A large part of winning does come back to how much awareness you are raising for ovarian and childhood cancer. I have two young girls who, being women, will need to be aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer and who, being children, may get childhood cancer so this is personal for me,” Mrs Chancellier said.

“It is all about me being a good role model for my children and making sure that they have knowledge about these diseases so that they can share it with others.”

Mrs Chancellier will go up against some of the most charity-conscious women in the world, from countries including Guatemala, Malaysia and Nigeria, at the Global World Finals in July this year.

“I loved meeting all the women taking part here in Australia so I am really excited to meet women from all over the world who have the same goals, ambitions and dreams that I have,” she said.

local news

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@ktweed_

Ropes Crossing’s Kim Chancellier is heading to the USA. Photo: Melinda Jane

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TROY DODDS @troydodds

and stayed in the role for almost three years before handing it over to Ryan Park.

And Mr Robertson was the Minister for the Central Coast back in 2010.

Mr Robertson has played this wrong.

Given the way the Labor Government fell apart in the years leading up to the 2011 election, trying to play the game of “we’re more stable than you” is not going to work.

And while buzz words like ‘chaos’ and ‘disarray’ in a press release may make great fodder for the newspapers the next day and brilliant grabs for radio, it falls short of the mark.

Instead of responding to Mr Baird’s Cabinet reshuffle by praising his own team, or by detailing why Labor deserves to be considered at the 2015 poll, Mr Robertson wastes his breath trying to score political pot shots.

Not good enough.

I do agree with Mr Robertson on one thing – Mike Baird shouldn’t be the Minister for Western Sydney. But nor should John Robertson be the Shadow Minister. That portfolio is so significant that it should be stand-alone; as it stands it’s being used as a political tool to make it look like the respective leaders are in touch with the city’s vast west.

Confirmed on Tuesday was that the Liberal Party believes Stuart Ayres is one of its true rising stars – he maintained the Fair Trading portfolio and picked up Sport and Recreation.

Mr Baird maintained experience in the key portfolios and blooded new ministers in others, an acceptable move that shows there’s one eye on the present and one on the future.

If Labor and John Robertson believe they can win the next election, it’s time to tell us why.

Issuing 382 word press releases slamming a Cabinet reshuffle by a sitting government is hardly the battle we need.

The public will tire of that quickly if that’s the strategy for March 2015.

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Call Joe for a ‘No Obligation’ Free Quote

Up until 4.16pm on Tuesday, I was standing by my comments last week that Barry O’Farrell’s resignation and the rise of Mike Baird to Premier made the 2015 election a close contest, potentially winnable by Labor.

Up until 4.16pm Tuesday, I actually believed that if he delivered the message correctly, John Robertson had a chance of convincing the electorate that Labor did have a plan for the State that was worth considering.

But at 4.16pm Tuesday, a press release from John Robertson summed up why Labor won’t win next year’s poll.

“Liberal Government in chaos with four ministers sacked,” the headline screamed.

“Mike Baird turns his back on regions and women in cabinet reshuffle,” it continued.

382 words later, Mr Robertson had mentioned Mike Baird’s name 10 times, but hadn’t once mentioned his own party.

In one sentence, Mr Robertson is outraged that Robyn Parker has been removed from Cabinet because apparently he believes being a woman should have spared her the axe.

But earlier in the press release, Mr Robertson wants Jillian Skinner removed from her portfolio, with being a woman apparently not enough to save her in Mr Robertson’s world.

For the record, Mr Robertson has six women in his Shadow Cabinet. Mr Baird has five in Cabinet.

Much of a muchness, surely.

And Mr Robertson has one less female Shadow Minister than Kristina Keneally had in her first Cabinet back in 2009.

But it gets better.

Mr Robertson attacks the fact that Mr Baird’s Cabinet has a Minister for the Illawarra who is from Rockdale, and a Minister for the Hunter who lives in Willoughby.

Clearly, he has a short memory – Mr Robertson (the MP for Blacktown) appointed himself as Shadow Minister for the Illawarra back in 2011,

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Shocks could be fatal Paramedics issue warning after spike in electrocutions KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

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Shop 23, Penrith Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith 2750

Tanya Davies MP Member for Mulgoa a Paramedics Carly Hanington and Rory Shanahan. Photo: Melinda Jane bone to snap. So if you think of your thigh, it causes the top of the thigh to contract as well as the bottom at the same time and the bone just can’t handle it; it snaps. This is particularly the case in smaller bones, like the wrist,� he said. “You can also be thrown across the room and this can also result in broken bones.

Certainly, people have been thrown and knocked unconscious and spend the rest

of the day in hospital having their heart monitored to determine if there’s any lasting damage.�

To avoid electric shocks, NSW Ambulance recommend all people ensure their appliances do not have faulty or frayed cords, keep their children away from power sockets and check the location of underground cables before taking on any digging in the backyard.

local news

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large number of electrocutions, including three in Cranebrook over the past three months, has sparked a warning from NSW Ambulance paramedics.

Ambulance paramedics are warning the public to take care when around electrical equipment or appliances after receiving 123 calls relating to electric shocks or electrocutions so far this year.

One child, a 22-year-old and a 51-yearold all from Cranebrook have been electrocuted whilst at home since the beginning of the year. “We’ve had people who have received jolts from their fridge, toaster, microwave oven, hair straightener, computer – just about every household appliance,� said NSW Ambulance Inspector Giles Buchanan. “Irrespective of the voltage, electric shock can be fatal. In the case of heart dysrhythmias, particularly if you are susceptible, that extra electrical charge can be enough to stop your heart.�

Mr Buchanan also said that an electric shock can cause fractures. “The electrical shock fires off two opposing muscle groups which cause the

Phone: (02) 9833 2913 Address: Shop 1/159 Queen St, St Marys 2760 Email: mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au Mail: PO Box 138, St Marys NSW 1790

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

POLICE

Man badly hurt after falling from horse

Cops pleased with behaviour of drivers

local news

KATHERINE TWEED

T Ambulance paramedics, police and CareFlight teams stabilise the injured man KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

A

man was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after falling from a horse on a Silverdale property last week.

The 36-year-old was riding a horse at about 2.30pm on Thursday, April 17, when it spooked, rearing up.

The man fell from the horse, sustaining serious injuries.

Careflight Director, Ian Badham, said emergency crews rushed to the scene.

“Ambulance paramedics called CareFlight’s rapid-response trauma team to help stabilise the man shortly after 2.30pm,” he said.

“CareFlight landed on the property to find the 36-year-old man suffering chest and back injuries.”

The man was flown to Liverpool Hospital, where he remained in a serious but stable condition on arrival.

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he Easter long weekend is notorious for bringing drink drivers out onto the roads and with a large police presence, many are caught in the act each year.

But last weekend, Penrith residents were well behaved, almost the best behaviour that local police have seen yet.

Penrith Local Area Command officers conducted 816 Random Breath Tests over the weekend, only to detect two people driving over the limit.

One was charged with driving with a low-range PCA and the other a mid-range.

“These are good results for Penrith but it doesn’t mean people should be complacent,” said Penrith Inspector Kai Penninkilampi.

“Police are continuing to target drink driving – we know all the back streets and there are increased numbers of police out, with the state focused on alcohol related crimes.

Photo: Melinda Jane “Your chances of detection are very high.”

Police detected eight other traffic related infringements over the weekend, which is also a good result for the area.

During the ANZAC Day long weekend, police will again be targeting drink driving, among other offences.

‘Like’ us on Facebook If you’re looking for local news as it breaks, make sure you ‘like’ us on Facebook. Logon to www.facebook.com/

westernweekender and you’ll find a range of breaking news, sporting results and traffic information.

Police snapshot Local police seize firearms during raids

Easter egg heist foiled at Westfield Penrith

Two Erskine Park people and the owner of a Kingswood motor workshop have been targeted in a number of OMCG related raids by police officers connected to Strike Force Raptor. 11 registered firearms, including eight rifles and three shotguns, and 75 rounds of ammunition were seized from a Rebels OMCG member, a 47-year-old, and his 46-year-old girlfriend who live in Erskine Park on Monday, April 14. Both had their firearms licences suspended.

Police also undertook three Firearms Prohibition Searches, including one at a Kingswood workshop, owned by a senior member of the Rebels Windsor chapter on Thursday, April 17. Police located and seized a controlled electronic device, methylamphetamine and steroids.

Two women have been caught trying to steal $700 worth of goods, including a large amount of Easter eggs, by disguising them as a baby carrier.

At 12.20pm on Sunday, April 20, a 50-yearold and a 25-year-old woman entered a department store in Westfield Penrith. The woman located an empty box for a baby carrier, and filled it with a large amount of clothing and Easter eggs before taping the box shut. The women paid $125 for the box, which was holding around $700 worth of products.

The women were intercepted by a loss prevention officer before they could escape and police were called.

The women were subsequently dealt with by police.

Two expensive kayaks stolen from Regatta Centre

Violent wake-up call for man at Cranebrook

A visiting international athlete has had valuable sports equipment stolen during their stay in Penrith.

The German kayaker has had two professional K1 kayaks stolen from the Regatta Centre, where they were being stored.

The black kayaks were last seen at about midday on Saturday, April 19, and were discovered missing at 9am on Sunday, April 20. Each boat is valued between $3,000 and $4,000.

“These are fairly unique items so it is hoped they can be recovered as soon as possible,” said Penrith Inspector Kai Penninkilampi. Anyone with information is urged to contact Penrith Police.

A man has been attacked with a machete while sleeping in a caravan on a Cranebrook property.

At about 7am on Thursday, April 17, a 33-year-old Londonderry man went to the rear of a property in Cranebrook towards a caravan on the site.

Armed with a machete, the man attacked a 44-year-old Penrith man, who was sleeping in the caravan. The victim received a number of injuries to the head before another occupant of the property fought off the attacker. The offender left the scene on foot and was later apprehended by police. The man has been released, pending forensic results.

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COUNCIL

FOOD

How many dogs is too many, asks Council

Market offers unique, fresh food for locals

local news

KATHERINE TWEED

A Penrith Council is working on a ‘keeping of animals’ policy CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

@cassandra_o

I

t sounds a little like ‘Old Macdonald had a farm’ but a draft ‘keeping of animals’ policy being worked on by Penrith City Council would allow people on residential blocks to have up to four cats, four dogs, 10 chickens, two geese and 20 pigeons.

Animals that will not be permitted on residential blocks include alpacas and lamas, camels, cattle, donkeys, goats, horses and ponies, pigs and sheep.

But Councillors’ discussions of the draft policy last Council meeting showed that

not all regulations can be so clear-cut. “I thought the guidelines were that you could only have two dogs on a residential block but now we are changing it to four, why is that,� asked Cr Kevin Crameri. “I think for a residential block two dogs is a lot. I think it should remain at two.�

Cr Greg Davies also raised concerns about house block sizes. “I think we should focus more on the size of the block, there’s a big difference between how many animals you can have on a 1,000sqm block compared to a 400sqm block,� Cr Greg Davies said.

The draft policy will be refined before it goes on public exhibition for 30 days.

@ktweed_

t 8am on a Saturday morning, the Mondo is alive with the sounds of a bustling market and the smells of the freshest food in

Penrith.

The Hawkesbury Harvest’s Farmer and Fine Food Markets have been running in Penrith for four years, offering farmers a place to sell their fresh products directly to local residents.

At the markets, local people can find fresh fruit and veggies, most meats, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, olive oils, teas and even honey, made by Luddenham company, Blue Mountains Honey.

Steve Craig of Blue Mountains Honey will be the first farmer local residents can meet at the Penrith Farmer and Fine Food Markets as part of a special new event called ‘Meet The Grower’, which gives local residents the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade and get an insider’s perspective of what it’s like to farm.

Locals will have the opportunity from 10am on Saturday, May 3, to hear about the art of honey making, how to become a backyard apiarist and the importance of bees. “It is a great opportunity to promote what I do but in many, many ways it is also an opportunity to promote the importance of

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION The following development application has been received by Council: s Property Innovations Group DA14/0392 32 Chapel Street, St Marys Demolition of existing structures and construction of a multi-unit housing development (6 x attic style villas) with associated landscaping, car parking and drainage works Contact: Mahbub Alam on 4732 7693 Closing Date: 12 May 2014

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT

This is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Digital Local Government Program.

We’re always looking at ways to make life easier for our residents and customers. Our new video conferencing service means you can speak to us one-on-one from your PC, tablet or smartphone.

Send us an email with:

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

• a summary of what you’d like to discuss • the name of any other person who wants to take part in the video conference • your name and address

• your preferred phone number • times and dates you’re available during Council’s opening hours.

Give us a few options so we can match your availability with the relevant Council officer.

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Penrith City Council has received a Development Application in respect of the subject property. The consent authority for the Development Application is the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) for the Sydney Metro West Region in accordance with Section 23G of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. s CID Group Pty Ltd DA14/0294 Lot 3991 DP 1190132, Lot 3990 DP 1190132, Lot 3989 DP 1190132, Lot 3991 Jordan Springs Boulevard, Jordan Springs Proposed mixed-use development – Construction of a community title subdivision development including attached and detached housing (69 dwellings), mixed-use residential at buildings (160 units) with ground oor commercial/retail tenancies and associated road construction, car

penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Steve Craig from Blue Mountains Honey bees and pollination – without bees, our crops and gardens are not nearly as good as what they could be. They really aren’t fearsome, they are wonderful creatures to have around,� Mr Craig said.

The Markets have adopted a ‘genuine grower policy’, which means that the fresh food you purchase has come directly from the farm and is being sold by the farmers themselves.

The markets run on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm at ‘The Mondo’, which is located outside the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

Have you been? Give us your thoughts: news@westernweekender.com.au.

parking, landscaping, drainage works and earthworks The proposal is Nominated Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Rural Fire Service – Rural Fires Act 1997 and NSW OfďŹ ce of Water – Water Management Act 2000.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time during ordinary ofďŹ ce hours, in the period from 7 April 2014 to 12 May 2014.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, the grounds of objection are to be speciďŹ ed in the submission. The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA14/0294.

For any queries relating to the proposal, please contact Kate Smith on 4732 7705.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts Development Applications are displayed at the Penrith Civic Centre. By law, reportable political donations or gifts must be disclosed by anyone lodging a planning application to Council. Call 4732 7649 or visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au Viewing of Development Applications The above development determination/s may be inspected between 8.30am and 4pm Mondays to Fridays (except Public Holidays) at Council’s Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith. OfďŹ cers of Council’s Development Services Department will be able to assist with your enquiries.

penrithishere.com.au

WW8699

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NEWS CONTACT US ADMINISTRATION Penrith OfďŹ ce Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri.

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COUNCIL BRIEFS

St Marys OfďŹ ce Queen Street Centre, 207–209 Queen Street.

Opening Hours: 8.30am–4pm. Mon–Fri.

s The upcoming Sydney Writers’ Festival will see two very popular and well respected writers speak at Penrith Library during the month of May.

Switchboard Open: 8.30am–5pm. Mon–Fri.

First up on Friday, 21 May is comedian Tim Ferguson who will Carry a Big Stick with him to Penrith.

P: (02) 4732 7777

Tim Ferguson shares his story from frenetic, high-energy life to carrying a big stick after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS might have changed him a lot, but Tim’s quick wit is still as sharp as ever.

F: (02) 4732 7958 Write to: PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

E: council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

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

GrafďŹ ti Hotline: Freecall 1800 022 182

MEETING DATES Council Meetings 28 April 2014 – 7.30pm (Ordinary meeting)

Then on Wednesday, 23 May the library will host an evening with Judy Nunn.

Judy Nunn, whose books have sold over one million copies worldwide will share her new bestseller Elianne, a sweeping story of wealth, power, privilege and betrayal, set on a grand sugar cane plantation in Queensland.

Both writers will speak between 6.30–7.30pm and tickets are only $5, however bookings are essential on 4732 7891. s Ecological consultants are working with Council and the community to prepare a Vegetation Management Plan and to update the existing Plans of Management for the Nepean River.

The study area includes reserves on the east and west riverbanks.

It builds on work undertaken last year to create the Our River Masterplan.

12 May 2014 – 7pm (Policy Review Committee)

The Masterplan will help guide management to ensure the Nepean River is a great place now and in years to come.

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

A workshop will be held on Wednesday, 7 May, to give an update on the project. For more information, go to penrithcity.nsw.gov.au s Penrith’s ‘Relay For Life’ will be held on 3 & 4 May. This event, which celebrates and remembers people touched by cancer, has seen amazing growth since its inception.

Last year, more than $400,000 was raised for the Cancer Council of NSW. Over the past 12 years, Penrith has raised well over $2 million for this cause.

Penrith’s ‘Relay For Life’ will be held at Howell Oval on Saturday, 3 May. The closing ceremony will be held at 9.30am on Sunday, 4 May. For more information contact Nathan Dart on 9354 2004.

Find us at: www.facebook.com/penrith.city.council twitter.com/penrithcouncil instagram.com/penrithcitycouncil www.youtube.com/penrithcitycouncil www.

penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

penrithishere.com.au

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST Smart Telework Hub Pilot Penrith City Council has submitted an application as the lead in a Penrith Consortium, consisting of Penrith City Council, the Penrith Business Alliance, Penrith CBD Corporation, and the Penrith Valley Business Enterprise Centre to the NSW Department of Trade, Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services for a grant to establish and operate a Smart Telework Hub(s) pilot.

The purpose of this EOI, issued by Penrith City Council, is to seek interest from private sector investors in providing investment in or partnering with the Consortium, to establish a commercially sustainable Penrith CBD based Smart Work Hub. A Smart Work Hub is a centre that allows an alternative place of work for either commuters or home/ofďŹ ce workers. The aim of the centre is to bring jobs to the City, increase work/life balance by reducing travel times for commuters. The centre may provide private ofďŹ ces, but generally provides an open plan, collaborative work space, with meeting rooms, phone and video conferencing capability to support remote working away from an employee’s normal place of work.

EOI Documents An electronic version of the tender is available at no charge by contacting Russell Cook by email at rcook@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au Submission Details All submissions are required to be lodged electronically on the forms provided in accordance with the lodgement instructions contained in the Documents and must be lodged no later than 5pm Monday, 5 May 2014, via email to the above contact ofďŹ cer. Responses received after the advertised closing time may not be considered.

WW8698

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

s Want to have some fun, while helping to protect your local environment? Bushcare is open to all ages and no experience is required. For more information contact Council on 4732 8088 or email parks@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL ONLINE

FEDERAL POLITICS

STATE POLITICS

10 Exciting times ahead thanks to airport

Bill relief ahead, says State Government

local news

CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

T Fiona Scott and Jamie Briggs inspect the Northern Road, which will be upgraded CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

@cassandra_o

W

estern Sydney Senator Marise Payne and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs hosted a meeting last week to inform prominent Penrith organisations of the benefits that the Badgerys Creek Airport will bring to the region.

Held at Penrith Panthers on Thursday, representatives from institutions such as the University of Western Sydney, Penrith Business Alliance and Nepean Hospital, amongst others, attended.

They were joined by Federal Lindsay MP Fiona Scott, State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres and Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler.

“You don’t always see men and women in suits excited, but that is a good word to describe their reaction, very ‘excited’,” Ms Payne said.

“In particular the development space, tourism space, education space and local government and health spaces. It was one of the most positive meetings I have had.”

Ms Payne said that the Penrith community was particularly pleased with the roads infrastructure that will be provided to support the airport before it becomes operational.

he State Government has announced that on July 1, 2014, price regulation in the electricity market will come to an end to promote competition and reduce prices.

Minister for Resources and Energy, Anthony Roberts, said that the NSW Government’s shift to a fully competitive electricity market, by removing retail price regulation, will put consumers in charge of their bills and make electricity retailers work harder to win business.

“The NSW Government is committed to doing everything it can to reduce the cost of living pressures on families across NSW. This is going to be a big win for electricity consumers,” Mr Roberts said.

“Removing regulation will further increase competition as electricity retailers lower prices and offer new deals to attract new customers.”

From July 1, more than a million customers currently on a regulated price will see reductions on the face value of their bills of 1.5 per cent. But households can save up to an estimated $400 per year by taking advantage of the deals offered by electricity retailers to customers on competitive market contracts.

Anthony Roberts and Tanya Davies Minister Roberts and State Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies, walked along Queen Street in St Marys last week to inform businesses and residents of the changes.

“For the first time in 15 years customers with regulated electricity prices will see a reduction in their electricity bill,” Mrs Davies said.

But the State Opposition fears that power prices will increase under what they call “Mike Baird’s plans to fully privatise electricity”.

Opposition Leader John Robertson said Mr Baird was “out of touch” with western Sydney families.

Mayor’s News The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

HANDYPERSON/LICENSED CARPENTER ALL- ROUNDER We are seeking a local Handyperson/Licensed Carpenter, experienced in general repairs and property maintenance to join our busy Penrith based team.

Canoe Slalom Junior and Under 23 World Championship

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

You will : • Be keen to work in the Local Penrith area • Be able to demonstrate good customer service skills • Be well presented • ALWAYS leave the site clean, tidy & safe and promptly complete all paperwork required • Have some basic computer skills • Work safely at all times and be committed to Work Health and Safety • Be an “all-rounder” willing to undertake all aspects of domestic & commercial maintenance, repairs & general cleaning We provide van, uniforms, Phone, Electronic Mobile Tablet (as a part of our electronic job management system) a safe work environment and flexible start and finish times.

Please send your resume To: lea@hix.com.au Enquiries: Lea Hicks – 0414441635

A part of WW8704

This week we are hosting the 2014 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior and Under 23 World Championships at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

We welcomed more than 350 athletes, coaches and officials from 31 countries at a Civic reception on Tuesday.

This event has a long and proud history, played out mainly on European waterways, so it’s fantastic to continue that tradition here in Penrith.

Our involvement in this sport was kick-started by the Sydney 2000 Olympics when the Penrith Whitewater Stadium was the venue for canoe/

kayak slalom events.

Already this year we’ve hosted the Australian Open and National Championships and the Oceania Championships.

It’s also the perfect training facility for champions like Penrith’s own London Olympic Silver Medallist and current National Champion Jessica Fox. Jessica is using her home course advantage this week to try and win her first U23 K1 world title.

I would encourage local residents to support this fantastic event.

See you there!

ROSS FOWLER OAM Mayor of Penrith

Chefs can complete training quicker A new fast-tracked commercial cookery apprenticeship program in western Sydney is tipped to improve apprenticeship completion rates and ease the chef shortage in the area.

The Skills Pathway project apprenticeships being offered by Restaurant and Catering Australia in conjunction with TAFE NSW Western Sydney Institute can

allow apprentices to become trade qualified chefs in a commercial kitchen within two years – a year less than through the usual system.

There are up to 58 Certificate III Commercial Cookery apprenticeships available in western Sydney.

Those interested should visit www. discoverhospitality.com.

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local news WW8693

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COUNCIL

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Council moves to clear up childcare guidelines CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

enrith City Council has developed guidelines for businesses looking to build new childcare centres in the Penrith area after a number of development proposals in Penrith and Glenmore Park created community concern.

A report was delivered to councillors at the Council Meeting of April 14 that said that whilst it is impossible to disallow development applications for childcare centres in a number of land zones such as general residential, commercial core, business development, light industrial and recreation space, there are issues that a childcare centre must address, which, if not addressed can be used to disallow the development.

The report stated that the need for childcare placements in Penrith has significantly increased over recent years.

“This growth in demand is likely to continue, resulting in pressure on Council to consider an increased number of development applications for childcare centres,” the report said.

Cr John Thain said that there’s a lot of pressure on the city with the new regulations for childcare centres too.

“At the end of the day we can never stop

a person from submitting a development application but some additional information on our website will help potential childcare centre owners understand some of the issues such as traffic impact,” he said.

Council’s Planning Manager, Paul Grimson agreed that Council’s best option is to provide as much information as possible on what makes for a good childcare centre.

“Additional information we can provide, however, we cannot make provisions in the Local Environmental Plan (that determines land zones),” he said.

Cr Kevin Crameri raised concerns that not enough emphasis is placed on traffic impacts of potential developments.

“We don’t want a situation like we have had in Glenmore Park where the childcare centre creates a rat run around small streets because of inappropriate access,” he said.

“Developers need to understand that creating a rat run for residents is no good for business or for the community.”

A proposed childcare centre can be rejected if access is from a local street where there may be impacts on amenity due to traffic and parking, or where access is on a major road or near a major intersection where there may be safety concerns.

The new guidelines will be available at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

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Council has issued new information for childcare centres

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@ licences, fines and Seniors Cards, among other services.

More transactions and services will be added in the future. The centre is to open its doors by late June.

“The Penrith service centre will be open from 7am-7pm Monday to Friday and 9am-3pm on Saturday. We also have our 24/7 transaction options through

The motor registry at York Road, South Penrith and the Fair Trading counter on Station Street will relocate to the new one-stop shop

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our digital service at www.service.nsw. gov.au or our phone service 13 77 88,” Mr Ayres said.

When the service centre opens, the Motor Registry at York Road, South Penrith and the Fair Trading counter at Station Street will relocate to the new one-stop shop. Mr Ayres said the centre, which previously housed the Department of Community Services, was in the heart of the CBD to offer more convenience to customers.

“Importantly, the extended hours will help customers who may want to come in first thing in the morning or later in the day to beat the daytime rush.”

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Woman hurt after gas bottle explodes Visit www.domayne.com.au ®

An employee at a local hardware store in Jamisontown had to be rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a gas bottle exploded at her workplace recently.

The 40-year-old woman was tending to a barbeque, without realising that the gas had been left on. The bottle exploded and as a result, the woman had injuries to her chest and face.

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Customers will be required to pay the difference if the new product is of higher cost, and no refund will be offered if it is of lesser value. A mattress protector must be used during the 30 Night Sleep Trial process, and the unwanted Sleepmaker mattress or ensemble must be returned in the same condition, without any damage, rips, stains or tears. The 30 Night Sleep Trial excludes manufacturing faults. Only 1 (one) re-selection per product purchased. Delivery of re-selected Sleepmaker mattress or ensemble will not incur delivery charges if it is within a 25km radius of the franchise from which the goods were purchased, it is not a complex delivery (decision on delivery type is at the discretion of the Bedding Franchise), and at a time convenient to the Domayne Bedding Franchise. Delivery Fees may apply, see in store for details. Offer applies to Standard Sleepmaker Mattresses or Ensembles only. Offer excludes customised, modified, special-sized or non-standard products. Terms and conditions apply. See in store for full details.

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

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Offers not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Discounts are off normal ticketed prices.

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By June Penrith residents will have a one-stop shop for a wide range of government services after construction on the new Service NSW centre began last week.

Member for Penrith and Minister for Fair Trading Stuart Ayres said the Penrith Service Centre was part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver a better customer experience to residents and businesses.

The Penrith centre will be the third Service NSW centre to open in western Sydney (after Parramatta and the soonto-open centre at Liverpool) and will be located right in the heart of the CBD at 333 High Street.

“Service NSW provides a one-stop shop service for customers to carry out more than 850 government transactions and access services in the one location,” Mr Ayres said.

Mr Ayres joined Service NSW CEO Glenn King, Penrith CBD Corporation CEO Gai Hawthorn and Chairman Owen Rogers to make the announcement and view floor plans of the new centre as construction gets underway.

“This is an exciting new service for the people of Penrith and I’m confident that our community will benefit from the expanded services and expanded hours Service NSW offers,” Mr Ayres said.

When it opens the Penrith centre will provide transactions available at agencies including Roads and Maritime Services, Fair Trading, Family and Community Services and Births, Deaths and Marriages.

These include driver licences, vehicle registrations, boating licences, applications for birth certificates, owner builder

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Owen Rogers, Stuart Ayres and Glenn King. Photo: Melinda Jane

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dear weekender...

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Barry bottled There has been a few other Liberal ministers/members that have resigned or been stood down by the former Premier (From The Editor’s Desk, Western Weekender April 18). It goes to prove that they are not a clean, untouchable party. The last state election was the election you couldn’t lose – at least next year’s election will now be interesting.

NIGEL HIGHLEY, VIA FACEBOOK

Wine’s hefty price tag By his own confession, Barry is no wine connoisseur. Unless it came with a price tag, how many people would know it was worth $3,000? I’ve no doubt that after winning the election, he was given many congratulatory gifts. Perhaps he should have priced them all. Who else, when they receive a congratulatory gift (not a bribe), checks the price afterwards? More importantly, who of you would hold onto an innocuous thank you note for three years? Had all this evidence been presented up front in the first place, Barry would have been guilty of nothing more than a

breach of policy by not declaring a gift of more than $500, certainly not warranting his resignation.

RON HARVEY, VIA FACEBOOK

More details please Fiona Scott said she was against the airport unless proper public consultation was done (Come fly with me, Western Weekender April 11). I’m guessing she now agrees with Tony Abbott about the infrastructure spend and the airport being built. But has the public actually been consulted?

Has the Government held public meetings in Badgerys Creek or surrounding suburbs? It appears not. It was just announced one lazy Easter day, after the usual tip-offs to The Daily Telegraph.

This whole thing has been a stage managed act from the start.

The Daily Telegraph ran story after story trying to convince its readers that Badgerys Creek needed to be built, very rarely running the other side of the story and very rarely providing balanced coverage. Then when the Government felt the Telegraph had done enough, it stepped in to look like the heroes and make the announcement. Stage managed

crap that does not reflect the true view of the people.

ROBERT SMITH, PENRITH

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

Let construction begin.

JOE GRASSI, VIA EMAIL

Disaster for Penrith

Badgerys Creek Why are people so against this airport? It’s going to provide 35,000 extra jobs, also saves us going all the way into the city for a domestic flight. Penrith is not the quiet little town it once was, it’s a small city now. People need to stop fighting against it and be positive about it. Bring it on I say!

DAVID JAMES, VIA FACEBOOK

Bring it on At last, the airport will be built.

It has taken far too long for this decision to be made. I moved from Petersham to Leonay in 1986 and I have been in favour of building Sydney’s second airport for as long as I can remember.

At Petersham, my home was on a flight path and I had airplanes flying low over my home whilst coming in to land. I lived with the noise. It was not a problem.

We have an 11.00pm curfew at Sydney airport. This is a joke.

International airports should operate 24 hours a day which is how Badgerys Creek will operate.

Fiona Scott’s previous opposition to the airport was a fraud.

Thank God for Jackie Kelly’s opposition to this disaster for the district. An airport that nobody wants will have severe mental health consequences.

PAM AHEARN, PENRITH

Hypocritical comments?

John the world must have collapsed in the past two years (Yes, there’s an election coming, Western Weekender April 18).

Seriously your mob talking to western Sydney about funding shortages is quite hypocritical.

Your mob abandoned western Sydney along with the rest of the state for political short term gain a long time ago.

CRAIG THOMPSON, VIA FACEBOOK

Stop reporting it I plead with The Western Weekender to take a stand and not report on any 2015 State Election coverage unless it involves a specific policy announcement.

Last week’s story about John Robertson’s visit to Nepean Hospital was nothing short of a publicity stunt for himself and his Labor candidates. We’ve had enough of the complaining and finger pointing. Unless they are willing to actually put their money where their mouth is, and make policy announcements on visits like this, it should not be reported. It puts Stuart Ayres, for example, at an unfair advantage.

He has to respond to this crap, but the picture will always be of Mr Robertson and his Labor crew, and they will dominate the story because they have more freedom to say what they like.

Elections should be about real issues. A long time ago they became about who has the better press people and strategists, but the media has the power to turn back the clock. If papers like the Weekender agreed to only run policy announcements, and then provided scrutiny of such, you would start to see a turning of the tide as far as the political game was concerned. Enough is enough.

TERRY WILLIAMS, SOUTH 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.

COUNCIL SNAPSHOT

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Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

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Penrith Council has been working on a new Penrith CBD Drainage strategy project. The Penrith City Centre Public Domain Masterplan considers the need to re-pave the major streets in the city centre, and it is logical to undertake all relevant drainage works at the same time as a road or pavement is being reconstructed according to a report to Council.

“In addition, the February 2012 storm event demonstrated that the city centre areas are currently vulnerable to localised flooding and the status of Penrith as a Regional City was examined with regards to appropriate drainage standards, other precedents and damage modelling,” the report said.

“The CBD flooding issues stem from the large upper catchment which drains down from Parker Street/ Northern Road to Lethbridge Street just above the RSL.” Council has opted to construct a large pipe culvert approximately 767m in length stretching from the drainage alignment between Evan and Castlereagh Streets, down Lethbridge Street and across to the existing showground channel west of Station Street to reduce flooding.

Council’s On-Site Sewage Management and Greywater Reuse Policy has

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been reviewed to ensure it remains contemporary and consistent with best practice to protect public health and the environment.

Council has adopted the revised policy that streamlines the process of renewing Operational Approvals for residents who have their own sewage systems.

Systems with a good maintenance history and no significant site constraints will automatically have their Operational Approval renewed without the need for an inspection.

Ecological consultants are working with Council and the community to prepare a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) and to update the existing Plans of Management (POM) for the Nepean River.

“The Nepean River is Penrith’s best asset. During the Masterplan process we were impressed by the passion and interest shown by the community and now need to tap into that to ensure these Plans are in line with community expectations,” Mayor Ross Fowler said.

A workshop will be held at Council on Wednesday, May 7 from 6pm to 8pm to give an update on the project.

Local residents, frequent users of the Nepean River area and key stakeholders are invited to attend.

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FUNDRAISER

18 You beauty! Karlee’s shocked by success @natetaylor87

local news

NATHAN TAYLOR

S

he may be a self-confessed tomboy but 21-year-old Glenmore Park local Karlee Hansen has booked herself a place in the 2014 Miss World Australia Pageant.

With no previous modelling experience to her name, Ms Hansen decided to take part in the nationwide competition as a favour to her friend who was also trying out.

“My friend didn’t want to go by herself, so I went along with her not thinking anything of it,” Ms Hansen said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I received an email saying I made it to the next round.

I’ve made it through three stages now.”

The next step of the competition for Ms Hansen is organising a major charity event for well-known children’s charity, Variety.

Variety nationally provides more than $1.2 million each month in assistance for children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs, through the provision of vital and practical equipment, programs and experiences.

Ms Hansen said she has a strong connection with the charity having been born with Spina Bifida and grew up spending a large amount of time in and out of Westmead Children’s Hospital.

“If it was not for the surgery and care that I received from my neurologist Dr Besser and his team, I would have lost full use of my limbs,” she said.

“Unfortunately there are many children that have not been so lucky.”

Ms Hansen will hold a Fundraising Dinner on Saturday, May 3 at Penrith Panthers, where she is hoping to raise $10,000 for Variety.

The contestant in the competition who raises the most money in each state through their individual fundraising event will proceed through to the national finals.

While the event will help Ms Hansen’s cause, the 21-year-old knows how vital the funds will be to the children Variety helps.

“These children need as much money as they can get,” Ms Hansen said.

“It costs $5,000 to sponsor one child in a wheelchair. The more money we raise, the more children that benefit.

“I’m also asking local businesses for any donations, whether it be monetary or donations for raffle prizes, to help me reach my goal of being the number one fundraiser in NSW.” Tickets to Ms Hansen’s event cost $80 per person with all donations tax detectable.

To book your place or to donate contact Ms Hansen on 0418 686 794 or email karlee.92@outlook.com.

Miss World finalist Karlee Hansen. Photo: Geoff Jones

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Mulgoa stabbing A 56-year-old man remains in hospital with serious injuries after being stabbed in the head with a screwdriver last weekend at a remote location in Mulgoa.

Police are investigating the circumstances around the incident that involved two men at the Garden Hill Road location at about 2am on Sunday, April 20.

Emergency services were called to the scene where they found the men, a 56-year-old Lawson man with serious stab wounds to the head and a 25-yearold, with minor injuries.

Police say the older man was stabbed with a Phillips head screw driver. Both men were taken to hospital for their injuries.

“The 56-year-old is being treated for a possible fractured skull and bleeding on the brain,” said Penrith Inspector Kai Penninkilampi.

Call police if you have information.

Missing driver A head-on collision in Mulgoa earlier this month left one man injured and in a bizarre twist, another person missing.

Emergency services were called to the scene of an accident on Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa, on Saturday, April 5 at about 1am, where they found two cars had been involved in a head-on crash.

There were only two people involved in the incident.

One of the people, a 20-year-old male was trapped inside his vehicle for 30 minutes before he was cut free.

He had a fractured leg and pelvis, and was treated with spinal precautions before being taken to Westmead Hospital.

The driver of the other vehicle remains unknown after he absconded from the scene immediately following the incident.

Anyone with information should contact police.

HEALTH

Please, touch yourself Important campaign aims to grab people’s attention KATHERINE TWEED

@ktweed_

W

omen across the state are being urged to ‘touch themselves’ – their breasts that is – in a bid to spread awareness of the importance of early breast cancer detection.

In memory of Australian rock legend Chrissy Amphlett, who passed away from breast cancer last year, the song ‘I Touch Myself’ has become an anthem for women’s health across the globe, encouraging women to get to know their breasts, learn what is normal and participate in breast screening.

The Cancer Council NSW this month launched the I Touch Myself Project, to help spread the word.

“Around 4,600 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in NSW this year.

However, detecting breast cancer early is the most important factor in beating this disease,” said Rodney Titovs, from Cancer Council’s Penrith community office.

South Penrith resident Denise Lowe always checked her breasts by touch, to look for lumps and bumps but never expected to find anything, until one day in 2011.

“My left breast has always been the smallest – as you know all women have one smaller breast and one larger one – but one day I noticed it seemed to be pulling in a little bit in the centre, making it smaller,” she said.

“I went straight to the doctor to see if there was a problem. At first she thought I was wearing the wrong bra size but later, [after tests] it was the ultrasound that found the problem, quite a big problem.”

The 66-year-old’s cancer was quite large,

South Penrith resident Denise Lowe has beaten breast cancer. Photo: Melinda Jane requiring chemotherapy, radiation and a mastectomy but looking back on it, Mrs Lowe is glad she checked her breasts when she did.

“It is very, very important to check yourself. If you feel like you have a lump or have any suspicions, get straight to your

doctor and leave it in their hands,” she said.

The I Touch Myself project is supported by itouchmyself.org as well as a social media campaign encouraging survivors to share their story, using the hashtag #itouchmyselfproject.

COMMUNITY

Million Paws Walk is back again this year CASSANDRA O’CONNOR

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

T

The Million Paws Walk at Melrose Park last year

@cassandra_o

he highly anticipated RSPCA Million Paws Walk is on again so now is the time to pencil the event into your diary.

The Million Paws Walk is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of animal cruelty, but also the needs of animals who might be abandoned, lost or mistreated.

The western Sydney fundraiser, that will support local RSPCA branches, will be held on Sunday, May 18 at Melrose Park in Katoomba.

Shirley Aldridge of the RSPCA said the Million Paws Walk is a great opportunity for a fun day to support local animal shelters.

“This is a great day for everyone with the Rotary Club of the mid mountains providing a barbecue. There will be stalls, lots of delicious cakes, books, and games for the kids, plus face painting,” she said.

“If you love dogs – we had two ferrets last year as well – and don’t have a pet,

come and have lots of pats and a laugh, and something to eat. There is also our wonderful raffle, with great prizes.”

Registration for the walk starts at 9am and the walk itself commences at 10.15am.

There will also be an obedience demonstration and an agility display too.

“All monies raised go to the Blue Mountains Shelter; we have had some wonderful projects we have supported this year,” Ms Aldridge said.

“We donated money to WIRES and some wonderful vets who helped animals due to the bush fires.

“We support our shelter in every way, in regards to extra food when they run out, any equipment, such as lawn mowers, maintenance of all sorts; in fact, anything our wonderful shelter manager Kathy Kaye requests.

“We also supported three really wonderful new projects: Pets of Violence, Pets of the homeless and Pets of Older People.”

To find out more about the Million Paws Walk or get involved visit www.millionpawswalk.com.au.

Mary-Anne earns a career kickstart thanks to Bateman Battersby Bursary

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Penrith’s Property Makeover 14

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magazine

Mary-Anne Leonado is presented with the Bateman Battersby Law Bursary A St Marys Senior High School student has been announced the winner of the prestigious Bateman Battersby Law Bursary.

Mary-Anne Leonado, who completed the Higher School Certificate in 2013 and has since been admitted to the University of Sydney to study for a Bachelor of Combined Laws degree, has won the $1,000 bursary.

The Law Bursary was instigated in 1990

by Penrith legal firm Bateman Battersby to encourage local high school students to undertake legal studies at a tertiary level.

The firm’s Managing Partner John

Bateman expressed his delight at the standard of applicants for the award and said that he expected Mary-Anne would join previous winners in achieving success and satisfaction in studying for a career in law.

As the 24th winner of the prestigious award, Mary-Anne was presented with a trophy and a cheque for $1,000 to assist her in her initial year of legal study.

Mr Bateman advised that information and applications for next year’s Bateman Battersby Law Bursary will be circulated to the region’s high schools during June.

The program is expected to continue well into the future.

Free transport for diggers Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Victor Dominello has announced free public transport to and from ANZAC Day commemorations today for diggers and their families.

“Current and former Australian Defence Force personnel wearing their uniform or medals will be entitled to free

travel to and from ANZAC Day events on Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink Intercity services, Sydney Ferries, regular bus services across Sydney and light rail,” Mr Dominello said.

“Spouses, children or grandchildren can also travel free by displaying their medals.”

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Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

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COMMUNITY

22 Gaels Club gets into the swing of fundraising

WORLD VOICE DAY

Local talent spreads important message

local news

KATHERINE TWEED

P

Deana Gibbons receives the cheque from Penrith Gaels Club’s Tom Gallagher SHANNON COCHRANE

for The Ronald McDonald Nepean Family Room, with the room’s coordinator Deana Gibbons receiving a cheque presented by Penrith Gaels Club General Manager, Tom Gallagher.

Established in May 2013, the charity aims to give families with unwell children a “home away from home”.

Penrith Gaels Club has been running the golf day each Friday before St Patrick’s Day for the past six years, raising funds for a different charity each year.

Previous charities that the club have donated to include NADO, Nepean Youth Accommodation Services and Karelle Life Enrichment Service.

@shanc_91

L

ocal venue Penrith Gaels Club has continued a tradition of supporting the community with its annual charity golf day.

This year’s event was held at Dunheved Golf Course on Friday, March 14, with money being raised to support The Ronald McDonald Nepean Family Room.

After playing 18 holes of golf, the club’s members returned to Penrith Gaels Club for lunch, games, a prize presentation, auction and raffle.

The successful golf day raised $11,138

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enrith celebrated the human voice with a concert at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre earlier this month, to coincide with the lead-up to World Voice Day. The ‘Voices in the Valley’ concert, which took place on Friday, April 11, was deemed a huge success by organisers as it showcased local talent and spread awareness of the importance and uniqueness of the human voice.

World Voice Day, Wednesday, April 16, is an annual event to generate appreciation of the human voice but this is the first year that Penrith City Council, with the help of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, Penrith International School of Music, Sydney Voice and Swallowing and the Australian Voice Association, has been involved.

“The voice is the primary way by which we interact and communicate with the outside world,” said Sydney Voice and Swallowing’s Dr Daniel Novokovic.

“Being able to speak comes naturally to humans and when we are unable to do this properly it can affect our ability to work, lead to social isolation and have a significant impact upon our quality of life.

The ‘Voices in the Valley’ concert “[World Voice Day] gives us an opportunity to encourage people to stop for a moment and consider the importance of voice in everyday life and also to raise awareness about voice problems and treatments around the world.”

News in Brief

and Solar Specialists

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

@ktweed_

after

FREE Q QUOTES UOTES

WW3634

Future politicians have the chance to dabble in local government – in a competition for local primary school pupils.

As part of Local Government Week 2014, Penrith City Council is giving lucky students the opportunity to be Junior

Junior

Councillors Mayor or Junior Councillors and take part in a mock Council meeting.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said the competition provides a unique opportu-

State Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres has called on local visual artists to apply for the NSW Government’s $30,000, 2014 Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), offered by Arts NSW. The fellowship is open to visual artists who are in the first eight years of their professional practice and had had at least one group show and one solo show.

“This funding is a terrific way local artists can participate in professional development with a self-directed program,” said Mr Ayres.

A shortlist of up to 12 artists will be selected to participate in an exhibition at Artspace Visual Arts Centre in Woolloomooloo from October this year.

nity for primary students to learn about the role of Council.

“We’re giving one lucky student the chance to be Junior Mayor and 14 others the chance to be Junior Councillors,” Cr Fowler said.

“I wish there had been a competition like this when I was growing up. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our young residents.”

To enter the competition, students need to outline two things they would do to make the City of Penrith a better place to live, if they were Mayor.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the entries,” Cr Fowler said.

For more details on how to enter the competition, go to Council’s website at www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government is offering this fellowship as part of its commitment to supporting the professional develop-

Arts

Fellowship ment of artists in NSW. Mr Ayres said he was hopeful the Government would receive lots of local entries.

For more information and to apply, visit www.arts.nsw.gov.au or www.artspace. org.au.

23

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BUSINESS TIPS

27 MICHAEL TODD Small Biz Connect Advisor Penrith Valley BEC

First impressions

It takes just a quick look, not even two seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. The other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanour, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed.

With every new encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person’s impression of you is formed. You can make

your first impression better by: • Being on time.

• Being yourself. If you are calm and confident, the other person will feel at ease.

• Presenting yourself appropriately.

• Smiling! There’s nothing like a good smile.

• Being open and confident.

Use your body language to project appropriate confi-

dence and self-assurance.

Make eye-contact, stand tall and shake hands firmly.

• Small talking. It goes a long way. Prepare questions or learn something about the person before you meet with them.

• Being courteous and attentive. It goes without saying that good manners and polite and attentive behaviour make a difference.

commitment to infrastructure spending the scale and timing of the investment proposed has surprised even the most cynical.

According to the joint Commonwealth-State announcement a commitment of spending $1 billion over the forward estimates and a total of $3.5 billion over the next 10 years has been made for major infrastructure projects that will help transform the western Sydney economy. The Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan will

deliver significant upgrades to major roads. It is most pleasing to note that Governments have listened to the people of western Sydney who have been actively campaigning for a broader economic plan for the region and an airport that forms part of the plan as a critical piece of catalytic infrastructure asset. The infrastructure plan together with preservation of a future transport corridor that cuts through the airport site will send very clear and positive signals.

Keeping them happy Is it possible to keep your customers satisfied all the time? You may work in a particularly complex industry and scoff at such a question! Surely there is no way to keep a 100 per cent customer satisfaction rate.

But why not? If you can honestly say that you aim for each of the following actions, you may find the satisfaction rate of your customers increases exponentially: 1. Fast response is paramount. Surprise your customers by getting back to them within an hour (rather than 24 hours) – and not responding at all is simply not an option! Even if you don’t have the answer, reply to let them know you are working in it. This is such a simple one, but it never cease to amaze me how often businesses are not doing it!

2. Offer solutions and choices. Particularly when a customer comes to you with a complaint, this gives them reassurance and helps them to feel included in resolving the issue.

3. Astound your customers. Don’t just ‘satisfy’ them, but do something well beyond what they expect.

This will turn your customers into raving fans and they will remain long term customers.

4. Offer compensation. Wherever possible, offer a small compensation for ‘inconvenience caused’ or ‘for their understanding’. Most people are reasonable and you can turn an annoyed customer into one who appreciates when circumstances were out of your control. The way its handled is crucial.

BIJAI KUMAR CEO of the Penrith Business Alliance

Windfall for the west Last week I had postulated that an airport becomes a catalyst for significant infrastructure investment and activation of new development opportunities for industry and commerce in the region. And while we were aware of a government

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RUGBY UNION

Emus edge closer to victory sport

Penrith gives up half time lead against red hot Randwick in Shute Shield @natetaylor87

NATHAN TAYLOR

I

t was a pretty unusual scenario for the Penrith Emus last Saturday afternoon after they went into the half time break against Randwick with a onepoint lead.

It was the first time in Emus coach Sateki Tu’ipulotu’s two-year reign his side had led heading into the break.

However, Penrith’s good fortune in the first half couldn’t be replicated in the second with Randwick running away 37-23 winners.

“We should’ve won,” Tu’ipulotu declared.

“However it was just a lack of mental toughness that let us down.”

The game, which was riddled with penalty conversions, saw the Emus up 16-15 at the midway point. With his side eager to go out and finish the job, Tu’ipulotu said his troops failed to execute the game plan in the second half.

“We didn’t execute the instructions I sent out after half time. I told them to stick to our plan and the boys didn’t stick to it,” he said.

The Emus in action against Randwick last Saturday. Photo: Nardia Sly

Top Gea As see r Fe n at stiv al S ydn ey

BOWLS // Mick Gilfoyle THE 2014 Zone 5 Junior Championships were concluded at Kingswood Bowling Club in April in excellent conditions.

Unfortunately only three Districts were represented and as a result it was decided to play a round-robin in each discipline.

The Pairs was the most evenly contested event, with any of the three sides having a chance of taking out the title with four ends remaining in the final match. Western Districts, who could have finished either first or last with one end remaining took out this Championship by winning the final end. The winners of the Fours were the STDBA team of Bradley Smith (Crookwell, sub), Brodie Halls (Goulburn Railway), Zac Corr-Johnson (Campbelltown City) and William Hammond (Crookwell). The runners

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“They were trying to remain calm but they were on a buzz after doing so well in the first half, but a game of rugby is two halves.”

Despite the loss, there is no doubt that there’s a renewed energy in the Emus this season, and it would appear a win is not too far away.

This Saturday afternoon the Emus return home to Nepean Rugby Park to take on a side going through a lacklustre start like themselves, Southern Districts.

Southern Districts’ win over the lowly Gordon last week was their first win of the year but even Tu’ipulotu admits they aren’t the side they used to be.

“Southern Districts have been one of the top teams for the past five years. You can’t underestimate them,” he said.

“Obviously they’ve had a poor start to the season like us but I think a win will do them the world of good just like it would for us.

“We’re not far off, we’ve just got to be positive and get over that fear of losing all the time.”

The Penrith Emus take on Southern Districts at Nepean Rugby Park from 3pm this Saturday.

up were NDBA – Andrew Watkins (Wisemans Ferry), Thomas Holburn (Glenbrook Panthers), Luke Millican (Wisemans Ferry) and Emmett McLeod (Penrith). The Junior Pairs winners were WDBA, Cindy McGrath (Magellan) and Anthony Fisher (Orange City), the runners up being NDBA, Andrew Watkins (Wisemans Ferry) and Emmett McLeod (Penrith).

The Singles went to STDBA’s Zac CorrJohnson (Campbelltown City) who defeated WDBA’s Benjamin Cox (Orange City).

The Easter Saturday Triples ended in a win to the Mitchells, namely Lisa, Stan and Ash and the runners up were Andrew and Steve Swan along with Trent Whittingham.

The Sunday/Monday open Pairs went to Shaun Nelson and Craig Maythers.

HARNESS RACING // Lorraine Pozza

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

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LAST THURSDAY night at Penrith Paceway saw the running of the Schwepps Renshaw Cup in lovely Autumn weather.

In race one old timer Present For Pa caused a bit of a boilover winning decisively at $19.50 with Tod McCarthy in the drivers seat. In Race two Queenslander Chevals Clivesdale ($1.90) Brad Cowen broke the existing track record for 2125m by 7/10s of a second. From the one barrier he was able to lead but only just held off Platinum Roulette close to the post.

Race three saw favourite Beetson lead early and retain that position to the finish.

The fourth went to Swift Exit ($4.70) Gavin Fitzpatrick. He went three wide early to lead after 300m and hold off a determined challenge by Persona to just win.

Blazin n Cullen ($2.40) John McCarthy

led the field a merry dance winning race five, the Renshaw Cup, and broke the track record for 2525m in doing so.

Unusually named Cankickatarget ($3.20) gave Rob Morris his 600th career win in race six. He was midfield early then moved three wide to be outside the leader at the bell and then outstayed runner up El Chango.

Flytomo ($4.20) was given a nice drive by Jim Douglas to take out race seven.

Local horse Four Star Admiral ($14.50) Scot Adams held off some strong mid-race challenges in taking out race eight.

Shes Got Issues ($15.90) gave Gavin Fitzpatrick his second for the night in race nine and he might have been lucky because the leader close to the post Remarkable galloped.

RUGBY LEAGUE

29

Keith calls time on his long stint at Panthers league way back in 1948, at age 10, as a ball-boy for the Katoomba Blues Rugby League Club.

He then went onto play junior and senior football with Katoomba before joining the Parramatta Eels in 1960 for two seasons.

In 1963, Mr Rhind was recruited by the Panthers to play in their second division side, where he played for four years until 1967.

“With the Panthers entering the first division competition in 1967, the club asked me to be the players’ rep on the football board. I put my hand up and have been there virtually ever since,” he said.

“I was on the football committee for two years before I was offered a position on the board which I held for three years.

“I missed out on an election in 1972 but came back in 1978 and I’ve been on the board ever since.”

In 1983, Mr Rhind became chairman of the Panthers club, and in that same year was co-manager of the City and NSW State of Origin sides. He also served as the Panthers delegate to the NSWRL from 1981 to 1983.

“Panthers have been very good to me. I could not have done any of those things without Panthers,” Mr Rhind said.

@natetaylor87

H

Keith Rhind has retired from the Panthers’ board

e's been involved in rugby league for an incredible 65 years and has a résumé to rival anyone involved in the game, but 76-year-old Penrith Panthers board member Keith Rhind has finally decided to call time on a long but decorated career.

Mr Rhind, who has been involved with the Panthers club for more than 50 years, retired from the Panthers board earlier this month citing his decision as being the “right time” to move on.

Speaking with the Weekender, Mr Rhind said his time with Panthers both as a player and executive had been very satisfying and fulfilling.

“Panthers has been part of my life for so long and, in my mind, I know it’s the right time to retire,” he said.

“Panthers has allowed me to meet many people and see many places. I’ve watched the club grow from a so-called tin shed to what it is today. I’ve seen the club play throughout Australia and many parts of the world. What a great experience I’ve had.”

Mr Rhind began his long career in rugby

sport

NATHAN TAYLOR

ICE HOCKEY

Champion on the ice NATHAN TAYLOR

@natetaylor87

I

BUY 3 GET 1 Luke Zvonicek tough. We kept getting shots on the net but just couldn’t get goals in. Every time we won it was only by a small margin,” he said.

Ice hockey is well-known in the sporting world for its brutality and big hits with Zvonicek admitting things aren’t much different at his level.

“Even though we are younger, there are still some pretty big kids out there.

During the tournament we played against some ‘manchilds’ who laid on some big hits,” he said.

Zvonicek plans to continue playing with the Flyers for years to come but if other opportunities arise to further his ice hockey career, he’ll investigate them.

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Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

t’s not often an Australian ice hockey player can be called a world champion but 17-year-old local Luke Zvonicek has that title, after his Australian team won gold at the recent U18 Ice Hockey World Championships in Bulgaria.

Zvonicek, who lives in Emu Heights, has been playing the skilful but brutal sport of ice hockey for an incredible 11 years with local club, the Flyers.

Recently Zvonicek and his Aussie teammates, which included three other Flyers juniors, returned home with gold in their carry-on luggage after they thrashed rivals New Zealand 6-0 in the final.

Zvonicek himself had to pack something a little extra on his flight home after he won the prestigious MVP trophy in the game.

“It was the best feeling representing Australia,” Zvonicek told the Weekender.

“Playing ice hockey for Australia is the best you can do, you can’t go much higher than that. I scored one goal in the final and I ended up getting the MVP award for that game.”

Zvonicek said the experience playing against other countries from around the world, including Bulgaria, Mexico, Israel and Chinese Taipai, is something he’ll never forget.

“Australia were favourites going into the tournament but it was still pretty

30

SOCCER

sport

ADAM’S SAY

ADAM PEACOCK Sports journalist for the Fox Sports team

Timing is everything and it hasn’t been great for the Central Coast this season

You can’t write off the Mariners this weekend Imagine for a moment Western Sydney Wanderers had Tony Popovic leave five rounds into this season for pastures elsewhere.

That’s OK, Ante Milicic, his able assistant would be ready.

OK, he’d have to deal with a new chairman because that changed in the off-season too. Then, say, a few weeks in Shinji Ono goes down with a season-ending knee injury.

Soon after, Matthew Spiranovic would be sold to a European club. Mark Bridge and Youssef Hersi off to Asia too.

Oh, and already gone from the previous season were Ante Covic, Jerome Polenz, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Aaron Mooy.

Would Wanderers be where they are now?

You wouldn’t say no, but you wouldn’t blurt out a ‘yes’ without thinking about it.

Of course, it’s a hypothetical, because the Wanderers seem to be on a stable footing, so selling all those players wouldn’t be a necessity.

The Central Coast Mariners on the other hand…

Of all those key components for Wanderers listed above, the Mariners have lost their direct equivalent to the circumstances outlined. That they are at this point in the A-League season, a semi final against Wanderers for the right to play for all the marbles next week is nothing short of a miracle.

This is a club that is football’s version of a cactus.

No matter how harsh the environment, it finds a way to survive, and thrive. Phil Moss took a little while to establish his way, with his new players brought in to replace the departed.

He got lucky Bernie Ibini wanted to come home, but surely they deserved a break. He grabbed a couple from overseas, and a few from the local leagues, who were out of season, by the way, when he needed them. They have had a travel schedule Clark Griswald wouldn’t have contemplated this week.

Write them off?

Don’t even think about it.

KEEPER’S CORNER

ANTE COVIC Goal keeper for the Western Sydney Wanderers

Nerves will surely hit us on Saturday night, but we just need to handle it in the right way

Nerves make you feel alive in big games I’m not nervous yet but I know the nerves will start kicking in before the game tomorrow night. I may have been around the game for a very long time but sometimes nerves are good to have.

Nerves make you feel alive.

Nerves make you realise it’s a big occasion.

When you’re walking out on that field and you feel the atmosphere in the air, it’s nice to feel something inside of you to make you realise it’s a big moment.

I’m happy to announce we got through unscathed during our AFC Champions League game on Tuesday night. Everyone finished the game fit with no injuries.

Everyone’s fresh, ready to go and our bodies are feeling good.

There is absolutely zero excuse that can be put on us in terms of us not being ready, because we’re ready to go.

I thought our 5-0 thrashing of Guizhou Renhe was just the confidence boost we needed heading into this Saturday night’s grand final qualifier against the Central Coast Mariners.

We’d been pushing for a while now to give a team a hiding and on Tuesday it was satisfying to put five in the back of the net. Throughout the year the stats say we were the team that had the most shots on goal, it’s just we weren’t converting them. To get a flurry of goals like we did the other night will do our confidence the world of good. It will also put belief into the team that if we are clinical we can finish teams off.

A lot has been talked about Central Coast’s recent schedule and I agree it’s made their job tougher. They returned from Japan the other day quite late and they’ve played four games in the past two weeks, with a lot of travelling in between.

You’ve got to assume all of this will be playing on their minds but that’s where we have to be wary and not get complacent.

The Mariners have proven time and time again they are a resilient team.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Friday 25 April 2014 the western weekender

WW8760

CALL OUT: Sporting clubs across the Penrith area are encouraged to pink up this Mother’s Day weekend in support of Australians affected by breast cancer.

Registrations are now open for Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA) sixth annual Pink Sports Day on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11.

Pink Sports Day is an opportunity for sporting clubs and associations to show their support for, and pay tribute to, people in their local community who have been affected by breast cancer, while raising funds and awareness for BCNA. Clubs and associations from all sporting codes are encouraged to get involved and turn pink during their matches over the weekend and to raise funds for BCNA. It’s free to take part and BCNA will provide participating clubs with a ‘Pink Sports Day Event Pack’ with posters, tattoos, balloons, donation tins and more. Merchandise is also available for purchase as is sporting equipment like pink balls.

To register visit www.bcna.org.au/ pinksportsday.

NETBALL: The Penrith District Netball Association will be holding a Council Meeting this Monday, April 28 at 7.30pm at the Jamison Park Netball Complex.

Meanwhile, the commencement of the NetSetGo Skills starts on Saturday, May 3 at 9am so there’s just one more weekend to go before it all gets underway. For more information contact Jan Ebelt on 0417 489 924.

OZTAG: The 2014 Penrith OzTag winter season gets underway this Tuesday, April 29 for mixed sides and Thursday, May 1 for men’s teams. Team registrations and gradings have been finalised. If you are interested in joining an established team for this season contact Penrith OzTag via email at Penrith@oztag.com.au.

CRICKET: The 2014/15 Cricket NSW Academy Female Metro Squads have been announced with seven players from Penrith Cricket Club’s Brewer Shield Team named in the squads.

A huge congratulations to Tazma Miles, Hannah Darlington and Kristen McCormack who were selected in the U14 side; Erin Breaden, Brittney Jones and Tayla Aldous who were chosen in the U15 side, and Ashley Day who was selected in the U16 side.

Best of luck to all the girls involved and do Penrith proud.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Week one of the junior rugby league representative finals took place last weekend with mixed results for the Penrith Panthers Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides.

In the Harold Matthews competition Penrith won a tight clash over the Balmain Tigers 24-22 and have earned a week off as a result.

In the SG Ball competition Penrith lost in a heartbreaker to the Sydney Roosters 44-42 and will now play the Newcastle Knights in an elimination final this Saturday at St Marys Leagues Stadium from 3pm.

May 9—17

Tickets Ad$35/Con$30/Ch$20 Family $100

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inals football comes to Pirtek Stadium on Saturday night when the Western Sydney Wanderers host the Central Coast Mariners in a loser goes home clash, with the winner through to play either Brisbane Roar or Melbourne Victory in the 2013/14 Grand Final.

This fixture is beginning to take on the feeling of a derby regardless of geographical distance.

Both teams have their local derbies but neither seems to play anyone else in more matches that matter.

On the night of their first ever A-League match the Wanderers hosted the Mariners in a tense nil-all draw. Since then they’ve competed for the regular season championship and played each other in a grand final – there’s something at stake whenever these sides meet.

This weekend they meet a round earlier than last year in the finals.

The Wanderers slipped a peg, but still earned a bye week. The Mariners had to beat Adelaide last week to ensure this match up.

Both sides have performed well given they’ve made it into the finals while juggling the

Western Sydney coach Tony Popovic pressures of being competitive in the Asian Champions League.

On Tuesday night the Wanderers secured their first major piece of history for this season by progressing past the group stage of the ACL. The win was a comprehensive 5-0 thrash-

ing of Chinese side Genzhou Renhe. As has become their specialty this campaign, the Wanderers scored early and then ground the opposition down.

Guizhou were allowed very few scoring chances all night; a good sign for the Wanderers this weekend. And conversely they plundered four late goals, fulfilling coach Tony Popovic’s prediction that the goals would come for his side.

Shinji Ono’s goal in particular was a beautifully timed volley on the edge of the box that was still rising as it flew into the top of the net.

In reality, those five goals are a punctuation of a sequence that included scoring three in a vital match against Melbourne Heart to secure second place on the ladder and then two away in the ACL to put themselves in the box seat in Group H. In the last encounter between these sides the Wanderers dominated large swathes of the match without being able to put the ball in the net.

The big factor for the match is whether the Mariners will have enough in the tank to compete for the full 90 minutes, given they travelled to Japan and back this week.

Kickoff is at 6.30pm Saturday.

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