secret santa
WANDERWORLD
NRL DRAW INSIDE
story ON page 3
pull-out magazine inside
poster on pages 40-41
OUR CHAT WITH MR CLAUS
WE SING FOR WANDERERS
HANG IT ON YOUR WALL!
DECEMBER 13 2013 ISSUE 1133
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 59,400
THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH
MINISTER AYRES State Penrith MP Stuart Ayres says he’s “humbled” by his promotion to the Ministry in Barry O’Farrell’s Government. He was sworn in as Fair Trading Minister on Monday and will also be the Minister Assisting the Premier on Western Sydney. “I live and breathe western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said. He replaces Chris Hartcher in the Ministry.
PAGE 5
Good riddance Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies with residents and shopkeepers on Tuesday, announcing the relocation of the methadone clinic on Queen Street. Photo: Melinda Jane.
PYNE’S PROMISE Minister says locals can trust government PAGE 7
Tanya Davies kicks methadone clinic out of St Marys
A
CASSANDRA O CONNOR
headache for business owners, unsightly for commuters, a deterrent to shoppers and an inconvenience for patients. But not anymore – the methadone clinic on Queen Street, St Marys has been given its marching orders. A congregation of local St Marys residents and business owners cheered in celebration when Mulgoa MP, Tanya Davies, announced on Tuesday that the St Marys methadone clinic would be relocated to Mt Druitt Hospital campus. She said that the methadone clinic was one of the
driving issues that led to her decision to run for State Government in 2011 and now her biggest election commitment has been fulfil led. “I remember when I was on Council in 2008 that the methadone clinic was an issue, but one not able to be dealt with by Penrith Council,” she said. “It was one of the key reasons I decided to run for the State election in 2011 and promised the electorate that my top priority would be to have the methadone clinic relocated.” With 48 per cent of the clinic’s patients residing in Mt Druitt, Mrs Davies said that a new facility, to be purpose built, will better cater for patients’ needs. “I always said from the beginning that we had to
care as much for the patients as the concerns of local businesses and by having the methadone clinic at the hospital, the patients will have greater access to a range of services,” Mrs Davies said. St Clair resident, Peter Kish, has been living in the area since 1951 and hopes that the removal of the clinic will return the centre to its former glory. “St Marys was a beautiful town but I remember 20 years ago when the clinic opened and we have watched the street decline. It will be fantastic for young school children walking to the trains, shoppers and businesses,” he said. Construction of the new clinic has already been put to tender. It will open next year.
POINT TO PROVE Jamie Soward’s new life at Panthers PAGE 78
OOPS! FORGET TO BOOK THE STAFF CHRISTMAS PARTY?
$25 Christmas Party Lunch Special HALF LOBSTER MORNAY
ROASTED PORK LOIN & SIRLOIN STEAK CHRISTMAS PUDDING & MINI PAVLOVA Served alternate for your guests
SERVED WITH CHIPS & SALAD Sunday - Thursday, All November 2013
Extended for December*
or www.hanks.net.au
* Excludes Public Holidays
BOOK NOW 4720 5588
OSSO OSSO
WW4282
Book on 4720 5652