Western Weekender March 8 2019 by Western Sydney Publishing Group

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Ready for 2019: Viliame Kikau and Isaah Yeo Photo: Megan Dunn

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

SEASON PREVIEW Viliame Kikau will have a delayed start to the season Photo: Penrith Panthers

ROAD TO GLORY WILL OUR PREMIERSHIP DROUGHT BE BROKEN?

TROY

DODDS

Here we are again: The beginning of March, when expectation is high and dreams are still in tact. The 2019 season for the Penrith Panthers has something of an ‘unfinished business’ feeling to it. First, surrounding coach Ivan Cleary who returns to lead the side after his sudden and unexpected departure at the end of 2015, and second, for this team that promised so much in 2018 only to have it taken away by the slimmest of margins when everything was on the line in September. The second Cleary era at Penrith comes with some pressure, at least from outside forces. There will be plenty of people willing the Panthers to fail this season, angry at the way Cleary left the Tigers as part of a

major coup to lure him back to the foot of the Mountains. There’s nothing wrong with that, though. No more Mr Nice Guy, perhaps. It’s time for the Panthers to show some teeth and if they happen to get a little mud thrown at them along the way, so be it. Cleary may be the new guy in town but at his disposal is a team that knows each other inside out. Only a handful of new players join Penrith’s squad this year and most of them would be unlikely to start the season in first grade, hoping to force their way into the team through either injury issues or standout performances in the lower grades. Tyrell Fuimaono, Tim Grant, Malakai Watene-Zelezniak and Hame Sele are the new recruits, with two of them (Grant and Watene-Zelezniak) both having played for the Panthers before. Sele could prove to be the key buy for the season ahead. Recruited from the

Dragons, where he tasted first grade across the 2017 and 2018 seasons, he is a former NSW City representative that I’m told has trained the house down during pre-season and could even force his way into Ivan Cleary’s team for round one with a bit of luck.

“THE SECOND CLEARY ERA AT PENRITH COMES WITH SOME PRESSURE” There is no doubt that the side has lost some talent, and without doubt the biggest losses will be Tyrone Peachey and Trent Merrin – both leave with a mountain

of experience and their places haven’t necessarily been filled with equal or better talent. However, the departures of both players is countered by the fact that numerous players in the squad are on the verge of breakout seasons. Dylan Edwards, whose 2018 season was cruelled by injury, has been given new motivation by Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s clear desire to play fullback, and there’s little doubt that it will spur him on to great things this season. The likes of Waqa Blake, Viliame Kikau, James Fisher-Harris and Isaah Yeo, who have all become household names in rugby league circles in the past couple of seasons, are also primed for big years. The little mistakes each of them has in their game have slowly been weeded out, and 2019 could be the year they make it all count. Kikau unfortunately won’t play until round four due to a knee injury.

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

Of course there will be plenty of focus on Penrith’s halves, with James Maloney and Nathan Cleary to steer the ship once again in 2019. Maloney will have benefited from a long off-season after carrying a range of niggling injuries last year, and his experience this season will be crucial. Cleary meanwhile has the added pressure of being coached by his father, but nothing seems to phase the New South Wales number 7 and it’s unlikely to cause him too much bother on the field. Experience will play a crucial role in the season and Dean Whare – now approaching veteran status – along with Josh Mansour and Maloney will be crucial in this regard, especially when it comes to the young players Penrith tend to blood each and every season. The Panthers probably lack some firepower off the bench, and are a little unsettled in the number 9 jumper. They will most likely start the year with Sione Katoa at hooker, while Wayde Egan is also waiting in the wings, but there are clouds over whether either has what it takes to lock down the position long-term. There is much to like about Penrith in 2019, but much to fear too. Any serious injury toll could well and truly destroy the season, with the side’s depth probably a little shallower than in recent seasons. But there is a settled feeling about the team, and talk of a strong and happy pre-season under Cleary with the painful departure of Anthony Griffin towards the end of last season well and truly behind them. Let the roller coaster ride begin...

Dylan Edwards, Josh Mansour and Nathan Cleary at training. Photo: Megan Dunn

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FEATURE

BACK IN BUSINESS NATHAN

TAYLOR Dylan Edwards will almost certainly get first crack over Dallin Watene-Zelezniak at fullback when Ivan Cleary names his team for next week’s NRL season opener. Following much debate over the offseason, the 23-year-old rising star will wear the coveted Panthers number one jersey after successfully getting through both NRL trials unscathed. Despite plenty of press regarding Edwards’ battle with Watene-Zelezniak for the fullback role, the father of one said it hasn’t phased him one bit. “I haven’t really worried about it too much, I’ve just been trying to do my best every day in pre-season,” he told the Weekender. “I put my best foot forward every day I come out here.” When Edwards went down last April with a season-ending shoulder injury, Kiwi captain and Panthers winger WateneZelezniak made the fullback role his own. After recovering late last season, Edwards knew he had to improve his game if he was to wrestle back his prized jumper.

“You always have to improve, adjust and add new strings to your bow,” he said. “I would have actually been available to play if we beat the Sharks and made it to the Preliminary Final. My body was ready to go, it would have been down to Ciro if he picked me or not.” With Cameron Ciraldo returning to assistant coach duties this season, Edwards said he’s very much looking forward to working with new coach Ivan Cleary in 2019. Cleary was last at the club when Edwards was coming through the famed Panthers system, but never got to play under him until now. “Ivan’s a really good coach as everyone around the league knows,” Edwards said. “He’s really respected throughout and has coached a lot of the boys before, which is handy.” With the NRL season a little over one week away, Edwards is hoping 2019 is not only a fruitful year for him but a healthy one as well, particularly after his seasonending injury last year. “Last season was easy to watch when we were winning but it was hard at times as well,” he said. “I’m back healthy now and I want to put that injury behind me.”

Dylan Edwards is returning from a long-term injury. Photo: Megan Dunn

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

FEATURE

TYRELL’S HOMECOMING NATHAN

TAYLOR Growing up, Tyrell Fuimaono would sit on the Family Hill at Panthers Stadium, dreaming of one day playing rugby league with his home town team. However, life works in mysterious ways and despite being a promising local junior with St Marys, Fuimaono wasn’t able to realise his dream playing for Penrith… until now. Following stints with Parramatta and South Sydney – where he made his NRL debut in 2017 – Fuimaono’s career has well and truly come full circle. “As a kid I’d come out to Penrith games, I didn’t have an interest in any other teams. If you are a westie, you go for Penrith – it’s just how it was,” Fuimaono said. “Being born in Penrith, I always wanted to play for the club but unfortunately you don’t always get what you want and you have to seek opportunity, that’s how I saw myself debuting at the Rabbitohs.”

After playing 20 first grade games in the myrtle and red, Fuimaono had a rollercoaster 2018 dealing with injury. Fortunately, he was thrown a lifeline by Phil Gould and this season will finally get to live out his childhood dream. “I was definitely happy that I was given an opportunity to play for my own community and represent my family that live out here,” Fuimaono said. “I lived out here my whole childhood, I only moved to the Eastern Suburbs to be closer to training at Souths. I just moved back home, I’m back with my family now. It’s a bit of a lifestyle change but it will make my life easier.” Spending time at centre and in the back-row, Fuimaono is hoping he can earn a spot in Ivan Cleary’s side for their opening round clash against Parramatta next Sunday. With Viliame Kikau sidelined with injury for a few weeks, the 22-year-old is eager for a start. “I was in and out of first grade last year, a goal for me is to secure a spot in the first

Tyrell Fuimaono is ready to represent the Panthers. Photo: Megan Dunn grade team and become a regular NRL player,” Fuimaono said. Fuimaono said he’s excited about the Panthers environment.

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“We’re a young squad, it’s a really good environment and everyone wants to get better. For me, that’s what I need to thrive and develop as a player,” he said.

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the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

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Students say goodbye Caroline Chisholm College is in mourning after popular teacher passes away NICOLA BARTON

ast and present Caroline Chisholm College students gathered to remember the late Mark Herrick on Monday, reflecting on the lasting impact he has left with them. Working as a causal teacher at the school since 1986, his rapport with both staff and students spans decades. Mr Herrick was known for many things, but most importantly his ability to remember the name and birthday of every single student he ever came in contact with. Thousands of condolences have been shared across social media platforms as his passing has been widely felt by the community. 2016 Caroline Chisholm College school captain Chantelle Al-Khouri described Mr Herrick as “sunshine personified”. “I, like a lot of students, am cherishing every moment I had in his classroom and every conversation we shared. It is not everyday you meet someone who is generous with his time and puts genuine effort to know you, your family, your life and your birthday,” she said. “As selfish as this is, I wish he could be around forever to continue spreading his contagious joy and kindness, but I’m

Caroline Chisholm students lined the streets on Monday to say their final goodbyes attended St Nicholas of Myra Church on Monday, March 4 to celebrate his life. Without any family close by, Mr Herrick dedicated his life to both the community and the college. “He turned up to every single school event. If a student was performing they could be certain he would be watching in the audience. We came to say he was our number one ticket holder,” Principal Greg

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comforted knowing that he is at peace now and reunited with his family. “After three decades at Caroline Chisholm College, his legacy will forever be embedded in the way we go on as a community and as the sisterhood that he continued to champion. “We were not only his students, but as he once said to me, his daughters.” Hundreds marched on High Street and

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Editor’s Desk

Troy Dodds

Suite 2, 42-44 Abel Street, Jamisontown NSW 2750 P (02) 4722 2998 • F (02) 4731 6255

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

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NRL’s black eye before season I

Issue 1392

’ve just finished reading the new book by Richard de Crespigny, the pilot in control of QF32 when it suffered catastrophic engine failure shortly after taking off from Singapore in 2010. de Crespigny is an extraordinary leader, and his new book Fly! is a wonderful insight not only in to how he handled the mid-air emergency nine years ago, but how he grew from it, and how his leadership qualities came to the fore. What was critical on that November day was communication. Whether it was amongst his fellow crew members, the passengers or the many people involved once the flight was on the ground, clear communication was key. de Crespigny’s work that day not only played a critical role in saving the lives of the passengers on the flight, but set an example for all pilots to follow when it comes to incidents like this. I couldn’t help but think of de Crespigny this past week when I was reflecting on the leadership required to guide the NRL through its latest list of off-field incidents, which has left a black eye on the code on the eve of the season’s first weekend of games. And of course it all feels a little close to home with the Penrith Panthers the latest club involved in a scandal, this time around disgusting sex tapes that have left every fan shocked, bewildered and most of all feeling let down by the players they cheer for each week through the season. And this is in many ways a new type of scandal – players have loved to blame the mainstream media for the negative coverage they often receive, but in this case, with camera in tow, they have

Advertising: sales@westernweekender.com.au Editorial: news@westernweekender.com.au Distribution/delivery queries: distribution@westernweekender.com.au Published by: Western Sydney Publishing Group Managing Editor: Troy Dodds | troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds Weekender Newsroom: Deputy Editor: Nathan Taylor | @natetaylor87 Journalist: Alena Higgins | @alenazhiggins Journalist: Nicola Barton | @nicolabarton123 Journalist: Emily Feszczuk | @emilyfeszczuk Photographer: Melinda Jane If you have a story suggestion or news tip, email news@westernweekender.com.au Sales Director: Chris Pennisi | chris.pennisi@westernweekender.com.au Sales Executives: Andrew Harris, Linda Miller, Chris Middleton, Donna Engelbert To receive a copy of our media kit and advertising prices, email sales@westernweekender.com.au Production Manager: Kacey Wilson | kacey.wilson@westernweekender.com.au Production: Claire Catacouzinos, Ian Beard

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Index

“Landing an A380 with dual engine failure seems like an easier task”

created the drama all on their own – and now must take full responsibility, which could include paying the ultimate price. We’ll wait for the legal process to play out on that one. Last week ARL Commission Chairman Peter Beattie and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg (who would want their jobs at the moment?) fronted a press conference to unveil a new policy that the NRL hoped would draw a line in the sand when it comes to player misbehaviour. Players charged with serious criminal offences that attract maximum prison sentences of 11 years or more will be immediately stood down, while offences under that “line” that Beattie so generously animated in his press conference will have discretion of the NRL attached. I understand there is a feeling that the NRL needed to address the barrage of offfield incidents, but I’m not sure this was the policy we were crying out for. It seems purely reactionary to the Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker cases, given the vast majority of off-field issues that rugby league deals with very rarely involve the courts at the most serious heights. I’m not confident at all that we’ll

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suddenly see better player behaviour just because the NRL will deal with the worst cases differently. A much wider approach is needed, and much harsher penalties must be handed out for misbehaviour at the lower end of the scale, because that is where the bulk of the problems occur. That said I can’t say I agree with the NRL’s new policy when it comes to serious offences. The NRL couldn’t run a chook raffle at the best of times yet feels it is confidently placed to stand down players charged with serious offences prior to the legal process taking place, without giving the player the opportunity to even front a hearing or explain the basis of their defence. However, I’ll support the NRL from the standpoint that they needed to do something. This constant barrage of poor behaviour from players cannot continue. I just have real doubts that the major new policy is anything more than smoke and mirrors in terms of reducing off-field incidents, which is a significant issue given I get the feeling the game is losing fans at the moment – or in the very least not attracting new ones. The real solution here is for the players to get the message that being a representative of an NRL club is a privilege that comes with rules around their behaviour, not just in terms of criminal acts but moral and ethical ones too. If anyone knows how to ensure that message sinks in, I’m sure Beattie and Greenberg would love to hear from you. What would Richard de Crespigny do? I’m not sure, but I do know that landing an A380 with dual engine failure seems like an easier task than sorting out the NRL’s problems.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

the western weekender

Western Sydney Airport named after Aussie aviation pioneer Nancy-Bird Walton NICOLA BARTON

conic Australian pilot, Nancy-Bird Walton, has been recognised as part of the official naming ceremony for Western Sydney Airport. The $5.3 billion project, which is set to be operable by 2026, is the largest aviation project in the country. The name was selected to recognise Ms Walton’s contribution to Australian aviation. Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Senator of Western Sydney Marise Payne and The Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge to officially name the site. Mr Morrison said Ms Walton was an inspiring and natural choice for the airport. “It is fitting that having recognised Charles Kingsford Smith at Sydney Airport that we now recognise Australia’s greatest female aviation pioneer, Nancy-Bird Walton in the naming of Western Sydney Airport,” he said. “Nancy-Bird Walton is an Australian

legend, a pioneer whose determination to take to the sky is an inspiration for generations who have followed.” Ms Walton was the first female pilot in Australia, and the Commonwealth, to be licenced to carry passengers. Known as the ‘angel of the outback’ she began her career flying nurses to regional areas to provide medical services for children and their mothers. Training female pilots during World War II and establishing the Australian Women’s Pilots’ Association in 1950, Ms Walton was a true champion for female aviators and paved the future of the industry. Liberal Senator for Western Sydney and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Marise Payne said the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will be a gateway to the world. “Naming the airport in honour of Nancy-Bird Walton will help ensure that her valuable contribution to aviation will be remembered for generations to come,” Minister Payne said. The airport is set to create 28,000 jobs within five years of opening and is expected to deliver new tourism trade opportunities in western Sydney. Mr Tudge said the airport’s name was an integral next step to welcoming flights into western Sydney.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was in town for the official naming of the airport

The sign announcing the name of Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek

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the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

New grant will help remove weeds from Nepean River

League’s ugly off-season continues with May charged NATHAN TAYLOR

he career of rising Panthers star Tyrone May is in tatters after the 22-year-old was charged on Tuesday after allegedly filming and disseminating sexual acts with two women without their knowledge and consent. In February 2018, May allegedly filmed a sexual act with a woman in Coffs Harbour. It is further alleged that in May 2018, the Panthers utility filmed a sexual act with another woman in Kingswood. May wasn’t the only Penrith player in the short videos, with two other Panthers players identifiable. Police have been told that while the sexual acts were consensual, the women were unaware they were being filmed. The recordings were also allegedly disseminated without their consent. Earlier this week, the women became aware the existence of the videos and contacted police. Following inquiries, about 9am on Tuesday, May presented at Penrith Police Station where we was arrested. He was subsequently charged with two counts of recording intimate image without consent, and two counts of disseminate image without consent. May was granted bail to appear before Penrith Local Court on May 1. Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with local rowers. Photo: Melinda Jane NICOLA BARTON

he Federal Government have set out to clean up the Nepean River as part of a $22 million investment in environmental projects. Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Senator for Western Sydney Marise Payne, Minister for the Environment Melissa Price and Liberal Candidate for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh at the Nepean Rowing Club to announce the funding. The Nepean River has had to bear the brunt of a weed plague over summer, which poses a serious threat to both recreational users and sports people.

“Whether you are an elite sports person or a family, the river is the heart of our city and that means that the quality of our river is absolutely important to everyone that lives here,” Ms McIntosh said. The Communities Environment Program will provide up to $150,000 to each Federal electorate in 2019-20 for community-led projects that deliver real environmental benefits. “We are harnessing local communities and local knowledge to protect our environment,” Mr Morrison said. The program will fund small-scale projects that deliver outcomes for priorities such as restoring coasts, wetlands, riverbanks and waterways.

Panther Tyrone May has been charged confirmed the club notified the NRL Integrity Unit of the police involvement. “We are aware of the charges,” he said. “I’ve spoken to Tyrone May and he will vigorously deny the charges.” Late Tuesday afternoon, the NRL released a statement saying May will be subject to the league’s new no-fault stand down policy. Shortly after, Panthers released their own statement supporting the NRL’s decision that May be sidelined until his court proceedings are concluded. “May will continue to train with the club and we will work closely with the NRL and the RLPA to ensure his wellbeing,” Panthers Chairman David O’Neill said.

OUR PLAN FOR PENRITH & MULOGA STUART

AYRES

Liberal for Penrith

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nsw.liberal.org.au 6

Authorised by Chris Stone, Level 12, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

the western weekender Âť Friday, March 8, 2019

CHEMICAL WASTE

FREE EVENT

CLEANOUT

Pack your old household cleaners, paint products, pool chemicals, batteries, gas bottles and oils into the car and bring them down to Jamison Park for free and safe disposal.

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March 9am - 3.30pm | Jamison Park penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/events

ELECTRONIC WASTE

FREE EVENT

DROP-OFF DAY Grab your old, broken and unwanted electrical items and bring them down to Jamison Park to be recycled for free.

Saturday 16 March | 9am - 3.30pm Jamison Park

WW36543

penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/events

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

PENRITH

New services set for local line

That’s what happend to one woman at court last week ALENA HIGGINS

here are many things you’d expect to happen at Penrith Court House, but giving birth certainly isn’t one of them. But that’s exactly what happened to one expectant mother last Wednesday when she delivered a healthy baby girl with the help of a female Legal Aid solicitor. Court staff were floored when things quickly unfolded about 10am on Wednesday, February 27. “We heard the most horrific screams and I went in [to the toilets] and the Legal Aid solicitor said ‘she’s just given birth, can you call an ambulance’, the court officer laughed as she recounted the moment. “It was stressful, but exciting. We were all in shock, but it was lovely.” The staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, said she understood the woman had been experiencing pains the night before. “We do everything here,” she joked, adding they would have to keep a baby blanket on hand going forward as they had nothing to wrap the child in. She said there was no truth to rumours the mother had named the child ‘Courtney’, but said staff were “hoping” she might consider the moniker as perhaps a

A woman gave birth at Penrith Court House last week middle name. The lawyer’s colleague said the young solicitor took the surprising turn of events in her stride and returned to the

courtroom to finish her list shortly after. Have you given birth in a strange place? Let us know by emailing news@ westernweekender.com.au.

Local train customers will benefit from eight additional express services added to the T1 Western Line in the morning and afternoon peaks under a NSW Liberals and Nationals Government. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the extra express services will run from Penrith to Central Station via Parramatta each weekday. “The people of western Sydney will benefit from these express services, which will mean less time on trains and more time to do what they want,” she said. “Train customers who use these new express services from Penrith will save up to 14 minutes across the morning and afternoon peaks.” These additional services will operate from Penrith in the morning peak, one between 6-7am and two between 8-9am. In the afternoon from the City to Penrith three express services will depart between 4-5pm and two between 5-6pm. Stations to benefit from service improvements include Emu Plains, Penrith, Kingswood, Werrington, St Marys, Mount Druitt, Blacktown, Seven Hills, Parramatta, Strathfield, Redfern and Central Station. Penrith MP and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres has welcomed the additional express services to the T1 Western Line. “The new services will make a huge difference to commuters in my community,” he said.

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

Imagine giving birth here...

Tread the path of haunted souls...

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here’s nothing like spending a few hours getting lost in cinema – whether it be on a date night, with family or some time out with friends. Hoyts Penrith has all the latest movie blockbusters, whether you love action, comedy, musicals or drama. Of course, it’s not just the movies when you go to Hoyts in Penrith – it’s an experience. Pick up a scoop or two of the good stuff with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, or grab some popcorn or chocolate from the candy bar. Extend your afternoon or night by grabbing lunch or dinner at one of the many Westfield Penrith restaurants located just down from the cinema. For all the latest session times, visit www.hoyts. com.au. The Weekender has two double passes to Hoyts Penrith to give away. For your chance to win one, email competitions@westernweekender.com. au with ‘Movie’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, March 15. Authorised under NSW Permit No LTPM/19/04131. Terms and conditions at www. westernweekender.com.au.

prize cupboard

Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

PAGE TEN

A big well done to Wet ‘n’ Wild for allowing Community Heroes to enjoy the popular western Sydney water park for free during certain dates in March. These include emergency services, medical professionals, educational staff and defence force personnel.

my Penrith

lucky paceway winners Members of the Penrith Paceway have the chance to win great prizes thanks to a special promotion involving the club and The Western Weekender. Club members can pick up a free specially numbered bumper sticker from the Paceway, and our spotters will be out and about in the community.

Three spotted bumper sticker numbers will be printed each week, with winners needing to report to the Paceway to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out for new winners on this page every single week! This week’s lucky winners are: 0152, 0104, 0561.

Dose of Dorin Emma Ferguson Mulgoa

FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IN PENRITH? The Union FAVOURITE PLACE TO HAVE A COFFEE IN PENRITH? Coffee Club Nepean River FAVOURITE PLACE TO HAVE A DRINK IN PENRITH? Mr Watkins Bar FIRST PLACE YOU WOULD TAKE A VISITOR TO PENRITH? Short stroll down High Street to see if we can spot Penrith’s mascot – the rat man! Or Nepean River. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT PENRITH? The diversity of people and places. Everything you need is in Penrith, you can’t walk down the street without knowing someone! WHAT IS PENRITH’S BEST KEPT SECRET? A 20-30 minute kayak down the Nepean River will lead you to ‘the gorge’, a crystal clear swimming hole

Connect with us online... facebook.com/westernweekender

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the western weekender Â» Friday, March 8, 2019

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

Nicholas is Best for Greens’ run NICOLA BARTON

ocal resident and science teacher Nicholas Best has been endorsed as the Greens State candidate for Penrith. With strong support for pill testing and a stance against the use of sniffer dogs as well as a passion for tackling climate change, Dr Best is set to swing some young future-focused voters when they go to the polls next month. Graduating with a degree in Chemistry from UNSW and a doctorate in Philosophy of Science, the Western Sydney University Lecturer said he is passionate about “righting the wrongs of environmental destruction in Penrith”. “I am deeply concerned that the major parties are leaving it too late to tackle climate change,” he said. “The Greens’ commitment to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, through a publicly owned provider, by 2030 is the best way to achieve our emissions target and guarantee fair prices.” Dr Best fears for the State Government’s plan to raise the Warragamba Dam wall and said it will do nothing but destroy species.

“The State Government’s plan to raise the wall of Warragamba Dam would be terrible for the environment and for the people of western Sydney. Not only will this destroy the habitat of countless native species, it won’t even guarantee the safety of the houses they want to build on floodplains,” he said. “Rather than simply allowing developers to build where they couldn’t previously, the Greens’ housing policy aims to put downward pressure on rents by providing more social housing where it is needed.” As a former student and now lecturer in higher education, Dr Best said he is invested in lifting the pressures of debt associated with TAFE students. He plans to push the Greens’ commitment to make all studies free up to certificate three which he believes will be a huge win for Penrith. Another area of focus is delivering an efficient public transport network, which he said is the key to reducing both carbon emissions and traffic congestion. “If elected, I’ll represent our community’s values in parliament and hold the major parties to account. Together we can create a fairer and cleaner future for all of us,” he said. The State Election is on March 23.

Dr Nichloas Best is the Green State candidate for Penrith

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the western weekender Â» Friday, March 8, 2019

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

A sign of the times Popular local cafe encourages staff to learn basic sign language EMILY FESZCZUK

ercy Plunkett in Penrith has plans to make all their patrons feel special, with their team learning basic sign language to cater to customers who are deaf. Alexia Brown, who works at the café, has always had sign language in her life. Her mum is a sign language interpreter and Alexia’s younger brother, Jarrod, was born deaf. She believes that everyone should be aware of the difference it can make. “I think it’s super important for people in hospitality and business to be aware of the basics, even being comfortable communicating with someone deaf or hard of hearing just makes the world of difference,’’ Ms Brown told the Weekender. “It just provides another space for them to come and feel part of what’s going on, rather than look for other ways to communicate.’’ Deaf patrons Catherine Pirotta and Nadine Carey are big fans of the service being provided and how easy it is to communicate while dining. “The dining experience is excellent plus great service and having Alexia there to communicate makes it such a pleasure, which I enjoy and will keep coming back

Catherine Pirotta, Nadine Carey and Alexia Brown at Percy Punkett in Penrith this week with my friends,’’ Ms Pirotta said. “It is so rare to find anyone in retail or hospitality who can sign Auslan, so my experience there was great. I felt very welcome and the food was absolutely delicious, so I would definitely recommend members of the deaf community go there,’’ Ms Carey added. Owner Phil Hallani, who has a niece who

lost her hearing, said it is has always been close to his heart to make his customers happy. “The idea of being able to give everyone an experience where they feel included and special is important to me. I want everyone to create memories with us that they can share with their friends,’’ he said. The whole team are excited to be learn-

ing basic signs so that they can speak to all customers and hope that more places look to learn. “Phil has created such a special environment with the staff, it’s all about kindness and making a safe space for everyone so its feels right to do something like this and hopefully people will be inspired to get involved,’’ Ms Brown said.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

L AW a n d O R D E R From The Courts: Your Complete Legal Wrap COMPILED BY ALENA HIGGINS. OUR COURT REPORTING IS SPONSORED BY LOCAL LAW FIRM COMPLETE LEGAL & CONVEYANCING.

Man sentenced to six-a-half years jail for violating parole

A St Marys man who violated his parole by robbing a pizza store and stabbing a man in the back has been sentenced to six-and-a-half years jail. Penrith District Court heard Benjamin Wayne Scott, 37, committed the two separate offences in March and April 2017 when he was on parole for a domesticrelated matter. During the first incident, the offender, wielding a 20cm knife and wearing a partial face mask, demanded cash from a Dominos store, fleeing with about $500. He was caught on CCTV dropping a white tissue on the ground, which later tested positive for his DNA. His lawyer said he was motivated to steal the cash because he wanted money to move away from the St Marys area. A month later, he was implicated in another knife crime. This time, Scott, along with a co-offender, enter a Saddington Street address and accuse the occupant of taking photos of his girlfriend. A violent altercation ensued, which culminated in Scott knifing the complainant in the back as he lay on the floor, causing his left lung to collapse, the court heard. Counsel for the defence said the offender was “somewhat predestined” to ultimately come before the criminal justice system, having started taking drugs at age 14, adding he was now at risk of being “institutionalised” after serving a number of “fairly lengthy” custodial sentences. The court was told Scott had recently been stabbed six times in prison and was currently in protective custody. His lawyer urged Judge Stephen Hanley not to impose a “crushing” sentence on the father-of-four, who was someone, he submitted, who could still benefit from and needed help to combat his heroin addiction. Judge Hanley “was unable to make any positive findings” about the offender’s

likelihood of re-offending, but agreed to refer him to compulsory drug rehab. He was handed a five-year indicative sentence for ‘specially aggravated enter a dwelling’ and a four-year indicative sentence for ‘robbery armed with an offensive weapon’. He is eligible for release on parole on March 1, 2023.

Accused meth chef and dealer to remain in slammer

A man accused of cooking meth and supplying it out of his South Penrith home will remain behind bars after his application for bail was rejected. Geoffrey John Hitchen, 46, groaned as Magistrate Geoffrey Hiatt denied his release last Friday, with His Honour determining he would likely serve a “significant custodial sentence” if convicted, despite his limited criminal record. The Lorne Avenue resident is charged with manufacturing and producing no less than a large commercial quantity of the prohibited drug as well as supplying the same. He is also charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime, and knowingly participating in a criminal group. The prosecutor submitted it was a strong case and noted the “goods” were located at the accused’s home. She claimed “extensive physical and electronic surveillance” disproved an “exculpatory letter” from Hitchen’s brother and co-accused, Ross Hitchen, affirming he had no knowledge of the crimes. “There is clear involvement with his brother acting in concert together,” she refuted. Penrith Local Court heard Hitchen was also allegedly observed buying hydrochloric acid from Bunnings. Hitchen, who has been on remand since October last year, would suffer undue delays waiting for his case to be heard, his lawyer argued, adding he needed to be at large to meet his mortgage repayments, which were six months in arrears.

The lawyer submitted the air rifle located at the scene belonged to Hitchen’s late father and was a family “heirloom”. His matter was adjourned to March 29.

Four men face court following local drug busts

Four men, three from the same family, have faced court following recent drug busts at Kingswood and Penrith. Police seized approximately 900g of methamphetamine with a potential street value of about $122,000 during the raids on Wednesday, February 27. Paul John Coyne, 61, Aaron Coyne, 27, and Matthew Raymond Hubbard, 57, appeared before Penrith Local Court via video link and did not apply for bail. Mitchell Coyne, 28, who is charged with three counts each of resist and assault police, was granted strict conditional bail. The older men are accused of supplying a large commercial quantity of the prohibited drug, while the 27-year-old faces charges of supplying a commercial quantity. All three are also alleged to have supplied a host of smaller quantities in the Kingswood and Penrith areas. During his release application, Mitchell’s lawyer argued her client’s charges were “completely different” to the other three accused. The court heard Mitchell had gone to his father’s Markham Avenue, Penrith address to “say hello” and had fallen asleep waiting for him to return when police and sniffer dogs stormed the property at 1pm. “That’s how he came to be there,” his lawyer said before entering not-guilty pleas on his behalf. The court heard Mitchell, who was sporting a bandage to the right side of his head, was diagnosed with a concussion and required 15 stitches following the raids. The 28-year-old must abide by strict bail conditions, including reporting three times a week. He must also reside at a Cox Avenue,

Penrith address. All four men will face Penrith Local Court again next month.

83-year-old accused of historical sex offences

An 83-year-old Cranebrook man accused of historical sex offences against two minors while in his care, has had his matter briefly mentioned in court. The man, who the Weekender has decided not to name in case it identifies the victims, did not appear before Penrith Local Court when his matter was listed last Thursday, with his lawyer telling the court he did not require him to appear on screen. The man, who is currently on remand at Silverwater jail, was arrested at his home on February 15 after detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation in July 2016 following reports a 15-year-old boy had been sexually abused by a male carer earlier that year. As part of their extensive inquiries, detectives also spoke with a boy who had reported he was sexually abused by a mentor while in care between 2006 and 2008, when he was aged 11. The octogenarian is charged with ‘procure child under 14 years for pornographic purposes’, ‘aggravated indecent assault-victim under the age of 16 years’, and ‘sexual intercourse with person under care-aged 16-17’. He is next due to face Penrith Local Court on March 22.

Dishonest man to remain behind bars

Michael Taylor has had been bail refused. Taylor faced Penrith Local Court charged with 15 counts of dishonesty. His lawyer told the court the offences all happened within a short period of time and added up to about $1,700 – made up essentially of stolen petrol and diesel. His matter was adjourned to March 14.

We contribute to the Weekender with a weekly legal column

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LegalMatters

Police Snapshot COMPILED BY NICOLA BARTON

Truck runs over man’s legs at Penrith service station

A man was taken to hospital after a truck drove over his legs in Penrith on Friday, March 1. At 11.20pm, emergency services were called to a petrol station on Coreen Avenue where the 21-yearold was treated at the scene for crush injuries to the lower legs. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition. The female truck driver is assisting police with inquiries. Officers from Nepean Police Area Command attended and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Shots fired at Kingswood Train Station, no injuries reported

Police are investigating a public place shooting at Kingswood on Friday, March 1 at 8.15pm. Emergency services were called to a car park at Kingswood Train Station after reports shots had been fired. Police were told a shot had been fired into a car after a verbal altercation between two men. There have been no reports of injury and investigations indicate both parties are known to each other. Officers from Nepean Police Area Command established a crime scene and are appealing for any witnesses.

Uber driver allegedly sexually assaults local woman

A man has been charged after a Penrith woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by a ride-share driver. At 11.25pm on Saturday, March 2, a 30-year-old woman entered a ride-share vehicle outside a licenced premises on Commercial Road, Rouse Hill. The 50-year-old male driver stopped in South Street, Marsden Park, and allegedly sexually assaulted the woman, before driving her to Penrith. The incident was reported. Following inquiries, officers from Nepean Police Area Command arrested and charged a 50-year-old man with sexual intercourse without consent (x2). He was refused bail and appeared at court on Monday.

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Investigations are continuing after a Penrith woman’s body was located inside a suitcase in Sydney’s south-east during the evening of Tuesday, March 5. 32-yearold Preethi Reddy was reported missing by her family at 11am on Sunday, March 3 after she failed to return home from a dental convention at St Leonards. Police were told that she last made contact with her family at 11am on Sunday, saying she planned to head home after having a late breakfast in Sydney. It has since been revealed that she attended a fast food restaurant on George Street near King Street at about 2.15am on Sunday morning and appeared to have left alone, heading towards Market Street. Officers from Sydney City Police Area Command established Strike Force Carlwood to investigate her disappearance. Inquiries led police to locate a grey Volkswagon Golf on Strachan Street, Kingsford, at 9.30pm where her body was found inside a suitcase. The victim was stabbed numerous times. Inquiries established that Ms Reddy stayed at a hotel on Market Street with a man known to her. It has been revealed the man died in a head-on collision on the New England Highway, Willow Tree at 10pm on Monday, March 5. The circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated. Police believe it to be a deliberate act.

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the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

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One of the most important, yet stressful, things to consider when you are a party to a separation is reaching an agreement relating to the division of your property with your ex-spouse. We are often approached by clients concerned that they must split their assets equally with their partner after separation. There is, however, no presumption of a 50/50 property split in the family law context. Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut formula that can be used to determine what assets you may be entitled to in a property settlement, and each matter must be determined on a ‘case-by-case basis’. Generally, family lawyers (and the Court) use a four-step process to determine entitlements, which I will go through with you today. Firstly, it is important to identify the assets, liabilities and financial resources of each party. This includes things such as superannuation, real estate, mortgages, motor vehicles and personal loans. Each party has an obligation to disclose all information relevant to their financial position. Secondly, the contributions made by the parties throughout the relationship need to be assessed. We look at the following in particular: • Direct financial contributions by way of wage and salary earnings; • Indirect financial contributions such as inheritances or gifts received from family;

• Non-financial contributions which include contributions that have increased the size of the net asset pool (e.g. improvements made to the home); and • Contributions in the capacity of homemaker and parent. Often it may be presumed that the parties have contributed relatively equally, especially in circumstances where the parties have been in a relationship for quite some time. This would not be the case however in circumstances where a party entered the relationship with significant assets, or where this is a substantial contribution made by way of an inheritance or personal injury settlement. Thirdly, it is important that we look at the future needs of the parties. There are a large range of factors that need to be accounted for in this step, including the age and health of the parties, which party has the primary care of children moving forward, and the effect of the property settlement on the parties earning capacity, to name a few. Lastly, the proposed division of assets must be reasonable, fair and equitable to both parties. Your entitlements in a property settlement will be dependent on many different factors, which is why it helps to engage a family lawyer to simplify the process for you. If you have recently separated and would like advice, please give us a call.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: Keep up to date with all the local breaking news, sport and more by ‘liking’ us on Facebook. Visit www.facebook.com/ westernweekender.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

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abor has promised to dedicate $10 million to help deliver a new free multi-storey car park at Soper Place in Penrith. Penrith Council had already allocated $30 million to transform the car park but now, with Labor’s package, they will be able to free up $10 million to inject into more parking elsewhere. Shadow Treasurer Ryan Park joined Labor candidate for Penrith Karen McKeown and Mulgoa candidate Todd Carney at Soper Place car park to announce the funding. “The Liberals have been flogging off our community to developers for eight years now. It feels like everything is going up around here except for parking,” Ms McKeown said. “It’s no wonder that local car parking is chock-a-bloc as early as 6am most mornings and that our trains are so packed. “People shouldn’t be forced to leave home before the sun is up just to find a parking spot and get to work on time.” Mr Carney said Council are considering all-day parking options to lift the burden on workers. “Workers having to shift their cars every couples of hours is causing big issues within local businesses here in Penrith, so this announcement today will free up those spots so that workers can park here all day and not have to worry about their cars,” he said.

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Todd Carney, Karen McKeown and Ryan Park visit Soper Place in Penrith As development in Penrith continues to soar, residents are desperate for adequate parking. Mr Park said Labor will deliver the infrastructure to cope with this boom in population. “One of the biggest things Penrith is struggling with is the enormous overdevelopment that has been imposed on it by the State Liberal Government, this is development that is simply not right, too intensive and not being shared across Sydney,” he said. “We want to put in place infrastructure that will take the ease off the city and free up the spaces for local shop owners, businesses and for people just wanting to get in and around the city.” Ms McKeown said Council will look to upgrade infrastructure such as Judges Carpark with the leftover funding.

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the western weekender Âť Friday, March 8, 2019

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

Penrith tattooists ink a cheque for nearly $40,000

Local woman to shave her head to honour late mother EMILY FESZCZUK

arah-Jane Rosso signed up for the World’s Greatest Shave to support her sick mother, but just 11 hours later her mum lost her brave battle with cancer. Donna Earl was only 53 years-old and had been battling bowel and white blood cell cancer for seven years. She was given just three months to live but sadly passed away just three days later. Following her mum’s passing, Ms Rosso is now even more passionate about the Leukemia Foundation’s fundraiser, which raises money and awareness for blood cancers. She is shaving her hair at Jordan Springs Shopping Centre next Wednesday, March 13 at 12pm, with the help of staff from One Stop Hair and Beauty. “It’s not going to save my mum, but it will help families who might be going through what we went through with support and assistance if they need it,’’ Ms Rosso told the Weekender. People can also colour their hair with wash out spray for a gold coin donation. Ms Rosso is hoping to reach her fundraising goal of $1000, which will go towards fighting the deadly disease that can wreak havoc on people unexpectedly. “It’s important because it’s so unexpected for families out there that something can happen. One minute

The Crossbones Gallery team are all smiles after their donation. Photo: Melinda Jane EMILY FESZCZUK

enrith tattoo parlour Crossbones Gallery raised an impressive $39,566 at a recent charity event for Nepean Hospital. The Boards4Bubs fundraiser aimed to support the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by selling 80 skateboards that had been painted by local artists. They also inked over 190 tattoos as a part of their flash sale and raffled donated items from local businesses.

It was the second highest donation the hospital had ever received with co-owner Michael Vincent thinking it was a worthy cause. “The majority of the people we work with are locals, so everyone has either been born in the hospital or knows someone who was born there,’’ he said. “The hospital is such an important aspect of the community so if everyone helps out it’s a good thing.’’ Nepean Hospital General Manager, Brett Williams described the event as a “tremendous community effort”.

Amanda Burr and Sarah-Jane Rosso everything’s fine then the next minute you are hit with this horrible disease that can change your life,’’ Ms Rosso said. For more information or to donate, visit my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/sarahjanerosso.

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

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No trust in pollies I don’t think it’s that Australians don’t believe Scott Morrison on national security (Editor’s Desk, Weekender March 1), I think it’s just that people aren’t sure who or what to believe anymore. Media is either left or right, with very little in the middle. It’s hard to find a truly independent fact check, and people consume news so quickly and lightly now that opinions are formed without the facts. With scare campaigns and political point scoring so entrenched in election campaigns now, it is no wonder people have no trust in politicans and are confused about who

they should vote for. STEVE WILLOUGHBY, CRANEBROOK

Morrison is indeed ‘nightwatchman’ I had to laugh when I read your reference to Scott Morrison being akin to the ‘nightwatchman’. He is indeed, and he certainly has failed in my opinion to capture the hearts and minds of voters. As was expected, stabbing a sitting Prime Minister in the back sticks with you for a long time and Morrison won’t be able to escape that before the next election. I really can’t see him winning, but I do accept that Bill Shorten would be a very scary concept. TONY SMITH, VIA EMAIL

Stadium in Parramatta I don’t see why the Penrith Panthers don’t play out of the new stadium in Parramatta. It would make a lot more sense than upgrading Penrith Stadium. STEVE CLARKE, VIA EMAIL

Spend money on hospitals not sporting facilities Spend the money on the Nepean Hospital so when the kids are injured playing sports they can get fixed properly and without waiting hours (Christmas comes early, Weekender, March 1). STEPHEN ROBERTS, VIA FACEBOOK

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

the western weekender Âť Friday, March 8, 2019

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Black Dog Ride encourages people to speak up about mental health issues NICOLA BARTON

fter losing his best friend to suicide, Penrith resident Jason Kennedy has made it his mission to spread one very important message – it’s okay to speak up. Coordinating this year’s Black Dog Ride, Mr Kennedy will join 1000 participants on a 2.5 hour motorbike ride to raise vital funds for mental health services. The group will start from Cables Aqua Park and travel via Burragorang and Warragamba and back to Wallacia Hotel for raffles, auctions and live entertainment. Mr Kennedy said the day is all about starting important conversations. “When I lost my best friend to suicide I just didn’t have a good understanding of it and it wasn’t until I really went through a bit of a depression myself that I understood where he was at and I realise now how important it is now to keep people talking,” he said. “When you have so many people on motorcycles, you have so many conversations with people so it’s not just about raising the funds but spreading awareness and starting that conversation with people, it’s amazing how many open up.”

Participants in this year’s Black Dog Ride. Photo: Melinda Jane In Penrith, 1 in 10 adults and 15.4 per cent of young people report having high psychological distress. A 16-year-old who attempted to commit suicide will be sharing her story. “I don’t think people realise how common it just is and it’s only increasing so it’s really important that people know they aren’t alone,” Mr Kennedy said.

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“Quite a lot of the people who come on the ride have lost children, friends, family or partners to suicide, it can be a really sombre experience for some that are going through that, then some people are just there because they love motorcycles, it’s a very big mix of people.” The money raised will go into a pool of funds and organisations that need assis-

tance that wouldn’t normally get Government funding can put in an application to receive a grant. The ride will commence on Sunday, March 17 at 9am. Registration is still open for riders keen to take part. To find out more or to register, visit www.blackdogride.com.au.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

Riding to raise awareness

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

They’re ready to cook up a storm EMILY FESZCZUK

ustralia’s best BBQ team has their sights set on the rest of the world. After winning the top spot in the 2018 Australasian BBQ Alliance (ABA), ‘The Beard and the BBQ’ team have been invited to America to compete in the American Royal World Series of Barbecue, which is the biggest BBQ competition in the world. This signature Kansas City event is a major tourist attraction and takes place at the Kansas Speedway in September. The team is made up of Adrian Luppino, Tony Gimellaro, James Taylor and Sinead Hoffman who all have full time jobs in different fields but share a love for BBQ. “I am a mechanic, Tony is an electrician, James is a field engineer and Sinead is in marketing, but we all have this hobby that has evolved into so much more,’’ Mr Luppino said. The team are all talented and work well together which earned them their current title of number one out of 300 registered teams in the ABA. Now they need to do what they do best and bring their skills for the next competition.

“In the competition there are four or five proteins so we will be working with brisket, pork, pork ribs, chicken and lamb,” he said. “We will hand in certain cuts we have prepared in a box and then the judges will rate them on taste, texture and appearance.” To help the team with costs to get over to America for the big event, they are putting on a fundraising event on Saturday, March 16 at Underground Coffee Roasters in Penrith. Tickets are available to buy take away BBQ boxes of the delicious food they love cooking. “We have to buy meat over there or hopefully take our own and we can’t take equipment so we have to borrow or hire so the money raised will be used so we can really get in there and give it a good go,” Mr Luppino said. “This style of BBQ originated in America, so they have been doing it for hundreds of years. It’s only relatively new in Australia so we are going to show what us Aussies have.” For more information or to a buy a ticket, head to Eventbrite and look up The Beard and The BBQ Team Royal Invitational Fundraiser Dinner.

James Taylor, Tony Gimellaro, Adrian Luppino and Sinead Hoffman

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

Council’s free clean up events

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Why wait until spring to have a good clean out around the house? Autumn is the perfect time to get cleaning, especially with Clean Up Australia Day taking place last Sunday. To help you get in the ‘clean up’ spirit, Council’s Waste Services team are holding two free events to help residents get rid of your problematic waste. The first event, the Chemical CleanOut, will be held on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At this event you can bring old household cleaners, paint products, pool chemicals, batteries, gas bottles and oils. Council staff will be on site at Jamison Park from 9am – 3.30pm both days to dispose of these items safely. The bi-annual Electronic Waste Drop-Off Day will be held the following weekend on Saturday, March 16. You can bring old, broken and unwanted electrical items down to Jamison Park from 9am – 3.30pm, and Council staff will unload your car and dispose of the items for free.

As the owner of a local accounting business, I know all too well how quickly obsolete electrical equipment can accumulate, and like all households, my wife and I end up with waste, like batteries and paint, that can be difficult to dispose of with care. Events like these clean up dates are a wonderful service because they give us all an easy way to dispose of problematic items with confidence that they will be disposed of safely and responsibly, and prevent toxic items from ending up in landfill. If you can’t make it to the drop-off days, you can take your items to the Community Recycling Centre anytime. They accept most electronic and chemical waste items and will take them for free. A full list of what you can take there, and its opening times are available online: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Community-Recycling-Centre. All the details for both events can be found on Council’s website at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/events.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

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Businesses benefit from popular Penrith CBD Festival he power of small business and community runs through the city of Penrith. Where it comes into full force is during the events that the Penrith CBD Corp put together as a way to showcase the strength of community members coming together and fierce Penrith pride. One of the most popular events in Penrith is the CBD Festival, which is on Saturday, March 16. The Penrith CBD businesses look forward to the Penrith CBD Festival as it’s a fantastic way of exposing their brand to over 20,000 locals. Many of the local businesses who open that day find it a boon to their business and trade. “It’s a great way for locals and people outside to discover the CBD. Local retail and small business economy is so important here, so to give all the small businesses a boost during this popular event is very important,” explained Gai Hawthorn, CEO of Penrith CBD Corp. Since the High Street upgrades, the city centre has unlocked opportunities in the way of outside dining, bringing the experience and food to the literal pavement. New establishments are opening, such as Allan Grammar, a new wine bar, which is adding to the night time economy.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

Crossword ACROSS 1. Boss 4. Deadens (sound) 8. ... & evens 11. Chocolate powder 13. Dagger 15. Verity 17. Tempo (1,1,1) 18. Phase 20. Inebriate 21. Detest 24. Flower part 27. Hard-shelled fruit 28. Rental contract 30. Commenced 31. Brute 33. Attacks from all sides 34. Thoughtless 35. Veal shank dish, ... bucco 36. Forks out 39. Scottish youth 42. Hideous monsters 44. Evil habit 45. Frosty 46. Sponges lightly 48. Dine well (on) 49. Speaks 50. Equipped with horseshoes 52. Comes towards 54. Happened to be 55. Shaving blade 56. Waylay 57. Miss 60. Swirl 62. Parcel 65. Castor 67. Aromatic leaf seasoning 69. Ticket 70. Persists 72. Inordinately 73. Pleasantly cool 75. Chokes with sweetness 77. Punt 79. Regular 81. Threshold 82. Strong adhesive 84. Movie backdrop 85. Beauty, ... of Troy 86. Forest giant 87. Meeting summary 88. Heredity unit

DOWN 1. Cabins 2. Highly perceptive 3. Tiny mark 4. Pulp 5. Strands 6. Malaysia’s Kuala ... 7. Short spoof 8. Frequently (poetic) 9. College supervisors 10. Steamed pudding ingredient 12. Run after 14. Small islands 16. Purposes 19. Courageous 22. Alongside 23. Derive 25. Strength 26. Endured 29. Eliminate 32. Egyptian snake 35. Pipe discharge end 37. Aircraft gangway 38. The S of ESP 40. Cast member 41. Northern sea duck 42. Musical drama 43. Fully satisﬁes 44. Floral arrangement jars 47. Haggles over price 51. Pavlova or Astaire 52. Penguin paperbacks 53. Shift screen display up or down 54. Fleecy 58. Voice types 59. MI6 mole 61. Spay 63. Stroll 64. Hire (4,2) 65. Up-to-date 66. Art stand 68. Put into accommodation 71. Steak cut (1-4) 72. Hair clump 74. Object 76. Delighted cries 78. Car wheel 80. Unreturnable tennis serve 83. Wooden pin

creative

Str8ts brought to you by Creative Publishing Australia

A U

STR8TS

S T

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No. 423

Tough

Previous solution - Medium

7 8 5 9 3 6 5 6 2 4 6 4 5 4 2 1 5 3 7 1 2 2 3 4 8 9 1 4 5 6 7 3 6 7 8

2 6 5

6 4

6 9 1 3

<RX FDQ ¿QG PRUH KHOS DQG VWUDWHJLHV DW www.str8ts.com along with more puzzles, Apple apps and books.

Last week’s solution

2 4 3 1 7 6

3 2 8 7 8 9 6 5 4 7 6 8 9 3 9 5

6 7 8 9 3 5 2 4

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These QHHG WR EH ¿OOHG LQ ZLWK QXPEHUV WKDW complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

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Test your knowledge about Penrith restaurants and cafes in this week’s brain bending quiz!

1. What is the name of the Penrith cafe on Station Street, where Sensational Thai was previously located? 2. Where could you get a Bloomin’ Onion? 3. Where could you get a Mobster pizza?

4. What Indian restaurant on High Street is the king of the castle? 5. What is the name of the Chinese restaurant inside Panthers Leagues Club? 6. What is the happiest Chinese restaurant in Penrith?

ANSWERS 1. Percy Plunkett 2. Outback Steakhouse 3. Panarottis 4. Cook’s Castle 5. The Ming 6. Happy Inn

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

At the movies... Legendary cast that ultimately fail to deliver KING OF THIEVES  1 hours, 48 mins EMILY FESZCZUK

Can a crew of retired crooks pull of a major heist in London? ‘King Of Thieves’ is based on an incredible true story from 2015 where a gang of retirees made news around the world for robbing a major jewellery store. The unbelievable story takes a turn when greed overtakes the pensioners ultimately becoming the undoing of them. The funny crime thriller, directed by James Marsh, features a great British cast of acting legends with Jim Broadbent and Michael Caine as the lead criminal characters. While the actors have given amaz-

ing performances in past films, this sadly wasn’t their best. Potentially to do with their age and a script that was not well written, the scenes were sometimes dry and dragged throughout the movie. There was a want for the movie to have a little bit more action and laughs that wasn’t delivered. While the film was realistic it did sometimes feel like a bunch of old men just arguing on screen which lost your attention. In the story line the thieves weren’t what they used to be back in their day, and this seemed to translate on screen. An interesting story that needed better execution.

Captain Marvel (M Action Violence) Daily except Fri: 10:00AM, 10:40AM, 11:20AM, 12:00PM, 12:50PM, 1:30PM, 2:10PM, 2:50PM, 3:40PM, 4:20PM, 5:00PM, 5:40PM, 6:30PM, 7:10PM, 7:50PM, 8:30PM, 9:20PM, 10:00PM, 10:40PM.

PENRITH

Fri: 10:00AM, 10:40AM, 11:20AM, 12:00PM, 12:50PM, 1:30PM, 2:10PM, 2:50PM, 3:40PM, 4:20PM, 5:00PM, 5:40PM, 6:30PM, 7:10PM, 7:50PM, 9:20PM, 10:00PM, 10:40PM

SESSIONS VALID 7 FEBRUARY TO 13 MARCH

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Session times are subject to change without notice, visit www.hoyts.com.au to check session times or book tickets

Green Book (M Coarse language) Daily: 10:20AM, 1:10PM, 6:50PM

COLLECTORMANIA TOY AND HOBBY FAIR Australia’s Largest Toy Collectables Fair

This Sunday 10th March, 9am-3pm Penrith Panthers Exhibition Centre • Diecast Model Cars • Plastic Kits • Trading Cards • Posters • Vintage Toys • Lego • Action Figures • TV/Movie toys & memorabilia • Dolls & much more DOOR PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS DURING THE DAY | LAST SHOW FOR 2018

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life

PENRITH’S MOST RESPECTED LINE-UP OF LIFESTYLE EXPERTS

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

your horoscopes

Expect frustrations and delays, as retrograde Mercury confuses communication and Saturn slows things down. Don’t stress. There will always be work to complete and mountains to climb. But perhaps a friend or relative needs your attention and affection right here and right now? As Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did; but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

There’ll be some dramas, as retrograde Mercury stirs up issues with a friend or relative. So use your substantial diplomatic talents to help find practical solutions to potential problems. The stars also encourage ambitious plans and you’re keen to impress others. But pace yourself and don’t promise more than you can deliver. For some, a romantic relationship at work has potential.

LEO

Are you feeling rather restless? Or are you sitting around berating the world for not being the way you want it to be? It’s time for Lions to ricochet into brand new territory, as Mars and Uranus help you initiate changes in creative and innovative ways. But remember that Mercury is retrograde until March 28. So avoid being hasty. And don’t believe everything you hear! Feisty spontaneity must be tempered with a pinch of patience.

Mercury retrograde is causing havoc in your career zone. So it’s not a good time to initiate a professional project, apply for a promotion or look for a new job. Instead, wait until after Mercury goes direct on March 28. When it comes to a problematic relationship with a significant other, avoid being impatient There are no quick fixes at the moment. It’s a case of one step forwards and two steps backwards but if you persist, you’ll make progress.

Joanne Madeline Moore

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

Daily posts at www.bohoastro.com twitter @JoMadelineMoore Copyright Joanne Madeline Moore 2019

It’s likely that travel plans, educational pursuits or an international venture will be delayed. If you are patient, then it will lead to a successful outcome further down the track. When it comes to a joint venture or a group project, the harder you work the more successful you’ll be. Attached Crabs – demonstrate to your partner how much you really care. Singles – give frivolous suitors the flick.

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Speedy Sagittarians are in the mood to be rash! Making a snappy decision seems like a good idea but it could backfire later on. And it will be incredibly easy to put your foot firmly in your mouth. So think twice before you blurt out something that you later regret. You need to be clever and uncharacteristically cautious, as you consider situations carefully before you pounce. If you work hard on the weekend, it will turn out well.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

You’re in the mood to say what’s on your mind but that could lead to unexpected consequences. Just remember – some things are best left unsaid. It is a suitable time to look at your aspirations in a realistic way. Are you doing what you want to do? Are you heading in the right direction? If not, then make some positive and practical changes. On the weekend, ground your energy and focus your mind.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

SAGITTARIUS

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Does life feel like all work and no play? With Mercury retrograde and serious Saturn sauntering through your sign, there’s no escaping hard work, constant stress and extra responsibilities. So stop complaining; make frustration your friend; roll up your sleeves; and get to it! As Bette Davis said: “The key to life is accepting challenges. Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work”.

LIBRA

SEPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Family activities are favoured this week, as you combine individual talents for a productive group result. Doing research on the history of your ancestors could also appeal. But be extra careful when emailing, texting or tweeting, as it will be very easy to send the wrong message to the wrong person. And impulsive actions could lead to an unpleasant online exchange. So pace yourself, think things through and proceed with caution.

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Expect a business or financial matter to go haywire, as retrograde Mercury leaves you wondering what on earth is going on! You need to be especially diplomatic with a recalcitrant relative. And don’t waste precious time wondering what a loved one is thinking … you’re probably way off the mark. Perhaps 100 per cent honesty isn’t the best policy, and communication will improve with some creative sugarcoating? Patience will see you through.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Take charge Scorpio! This week it’s important to steer clear of criticism; avoid letting negative self-talk drag you down; and stop worrying about the personal qualities you perceive you don’t have. With Jupiter in your self-esteem zone, you have to be your top fan. Confidence is the rocket fuel that will take you anywhere you want to go. It’s also a good time to re-affirm yourself to a special person.

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

your

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

With Mercury reversing through your sign, you’d better gird your loins this week as a few frustrating problems head your way. And your usual charm won’t work on family, friends or work colleagues, no matter how hard you try. Avoid getting lost in a confusing quagmire of what-if scenarios and vague possibilities. Instead, be sensible as you surround yourself with good people.

W E’l l M a k e it

HAPPEN

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

your

money

How you can plan in advance for high expenses Planning is the key to success, especially when it comes to your money...

Alex McKenzie Principal Financial Planner Future Financial Services futurefinancialservices.com.au

There are times in our life where we are spending far more than usual or earning less than we normally do; it is good practice to prepare for these moments in advance. We all know that our life has many twists and turns, ups and downs and is anything but straight forward. Some of these things are unforeseen; however there are events for which we are able to plan. There are periods of our life where our circumstances are different that we know in advance, whether that be seasonal changes or more lifetime events. By preparing for these times in advance we are likely to reduce the financial stress. Year to year there are moments that cost us more. The Christmas period is probably the most obvious time where our spending increases. School holidays are another period where for many there are additional costs; things like potential increased child care costs, increased activities and for some reduced work hours. Despite knowing that these periods are coming, many try and absorb the extra expenses into regular spending. This often results in shortfalls creating

financial stress and can lead to the reliance on credit cards and alike. These periods can be planned for, if we allocate funds throughout the year to be used in these periods we can remove this stress. Essentially we are averaging our yearly expenses and planning accordingly. The same can be done for periods in our life where things are more difficult financially. In my opinion the most difficult time is when we start a family. During this period most families have one of the parents not working or working in a reduced capacity for a period of time. Once they return to work many require child care which is quite expensive, even with the government assistance. In the period leading up to this if a family is able to create a nest egg to use to get them through this period this will greatly reduce the financial stress. Private school is another example. We all know that private school fees are very expensive, for many this is considered a worthwhile expense. If you start saving for this well in advance then you can average these costs over an 18-year period instead of a six-year period. Putting away $100 a week from when your child is born until they complete high school is a lot easier than trying to find $15,000 a year (or $300 a week) for the period they are at high school.

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religion www.gpa.church

Is sticking to the rules the only way to ‘keep in good’ with God?

-HZ[ [\YUHYV\UKZ 4HSL HUK MLTHSL ]VPJLZ H]HPSHISL

Planning in advance can take the pressure off for these known periods that are a little tougher than usual and can help you avoid the potential pitfalls that financial pressure creates. See you next week!

A lot of people think that being a Christian is all about keeping rules. They think Christianity is about what you DO to keep yourself in God’s good book. Don’t think nasty thoughts. Don’t swear. Be kind. Look out for the needs of others. Go to church every now and then. Say a few prayers. Now, these are good things, but does doing these things make you a Christian? If being a Christian is about keeping rules and about doing right the thing, it raises other questions. How many times do you have to do the right thing? All the time? Perfectly? And how do you know how well you’re going at keeping the rules? And what about rules you don’t know? It can get confusing! The good news is that Christianity is not about what you do to stay in favour with God, but about what God has DONE for us in Jesus. In the Bible’s New Testament book of 2 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul, speaking about Jesus says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him

we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus’ death on the cross has DONE everything for us. When Jesus died and rose again, this brought forgiveness and the promise of eternal life to anyone who would turn to Him. No person could ever do enough good things to get themselves right with God, but Jesus’ death on the cross has DONE it all. This means that whoever commits their life to Jesus is freed from the uncertainty of rule keeping as the way to get right with God, because Jesus has already put them right. Make sure that’s you!

Protecting yourself from falls: Everything you need to know

health

A simple fall can have catastrophic impacts on your life, which is why you need to be proactive...

Kristy Edwards Physiotherapist at OnePointHealth 4732 5188 onepointhealth.com.au

Each year in NSW, falls and associated injuries lead to 27,000 hospitalisations and 400 deaths. Falls injuries have the highest costing to the NSW health system over any other incident, including road trauma. One in three people over the age of 65 and one in two people over the age of 80 are at risk of a fall that will lead to a serious injury. For people over the age of 65 you are three times more likely to end in hospital after a fall. However, falls do not just occur in the elderly or people aged over 65. Falls are common in younger adults and can be as a result of numerous chronic conditions such as vertigo, stroke, lower limb neuropathy and muscle weakness. Risk factors that can contribute to falls include; strength, balance, coordination, walking speed, gait imbalances, poor vision, medication and reduced sensation of lower limbs. A study that was recently completed in Australia concluded that three hours of high challenging balance exercise per week slashed your risk of falling by 40 per cent or more. Falls prevention is more than just

balance training; exercise should cover the five main points below; 1. Strengthen your lower limbs; Stronger lower limb muscles especially the calf muscles can significantly reduce your risk of falls. 2. Gait imbalances; this will help to improve walking stride, stride length and help minimise your risk of tripping over your own feet and also incorporate correct use of walking aids. 3. Balance and coordination; high challenging balance exercise are proven to help reduce the risk of falls. 4. Upper limb strength; this will help

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

your

with your falls recovery strategies and give you the ability to pick yourself up after a fall. 5. Walking speed; a minimum walking speed of 3km per hour is recommended to stay safely active within the community. Falls prevention classes are recommended to increase a person’s confidence and ability to be active within the community and stay independent. Falls prevention classes are run at OnePointHealth by our Physiotherapist and Exercise Physiologist every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am and are targeted at people of all ages and abilities.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

your

Why tracking down lost pet owners can be difficult

pets

Making sure your dog or cat is microchipped is a legal requirement...

Nicole McMillan Practice Manager of Greencross Coreen Avenue

We have a large number of stray animals brought into our clinic, especially after storms. If pets are microchipped and the owner details are up to date, we can normally reunite pets and owners very quickly. A scanner is used to find the microchip number, and the number is used to search the register for the owner’s contact details. Microchipping and registration with Council has been a legal requirement for cats and dogs for many years. Unfortunately, we still see several pets either with no microchip or incorrect contact details so we are unable to find the owner. If a stray animal comes to a veterinary clinic without a microchip or the contact details are incorrect we are legally not allowed to hold the animal and they must be sent to the local Council animal shelter. There the rangers can continue to investigate who the legal owner is. Before the pet is released it must be microchipped and fines will apply. Microchipping is a relatively quick and cheap procedure. Once the animal is microchipped the owner details are recorded on the register. The government has developed an online microchip register. Once the animal is microchipped you

can create a profile and log onto the register. You can check your details and if you move or your contact details change you can update them. The more information you put on the register the more likely you will be reunited with your pet if they go missing. We recommend adding work, home and mobile numbers, emails and nominate at least one secondary contact. So why aren’t all dogs and cats microchipped? Legally all dogs and cats should be microchipped by the person that breeds them. Breeders, pet shops and rescue organisations will routinely microchip dogs and cats before they are sold. We recommend ensuring this has been done before you finalise your purchase. People who are not registered breeders may not realise they are required to microchip animals before they sell or give them away. As soon as a new owner takes on an animal without a microchip it is then their responsibility to get the microchip done by 12 weeks of age. How can the details be incorrect? When an animal is sold, or given away it is the responsibility of the original owner to update the details. This is often simply forgotten or people assume the new owner will do this. Years can go by and people may not have any contact with the original owner. There is a form available to change the ownership details but now it can also be done online. The original owner must “release” the pet and the

new owner can then “claim” them. If you cannot get in contact with the previous owner, contact the Council, they will often request a statutory declaration explaining where you obtained your pet from, how long you have had them and why you cannot get in contact with the original owner. The microchip number is required to search, check and change details. When you purchase an animal the microchip number should be provided. If you do not have a copy of the microchip you can have the animal scanned for no cost at your veterinary clinic. A form will be provided for verification of the microchip number. If you find a stray animal it is important to take it to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter within the local Council area as they cannot take animals from outside the local Council areas. Some people will pick up a stray animal when travelling and then take the animal to their own vet. It is important to remember the further you take the pet away from where it was found the further you are taking it from the owner. Although it is not a legal requirement to have other species microchipped more people are microchipping other pets like ferrets, rabbits and large birds. The register can be found at www.petrigistry.nsw.gov.au.

Gina Field - Nepean Regional Security Gina Field is a shining example of a woman determined to break down gender barriers and not only succeed but to become one of the best in a male-dominated industry. Starting her own security company 21 years ago as a home-based business with only one employee, Nepean Regional Security is now one of the most recognised and awarded security companies in the State. Winning over 26 industry awards including an International business award and the NSW Business Woman of the Year, Gina has featured on TV business programs, radio, newspapers, magazines and is a regular columnist for various media. Now employing over 50 FTE personnel, Nepean Regional Security has been successful in Local, State and Federal Government Tenders, recently gaining the contract with NSW Trust contract covering Western Sydney Parklands, Parramatta Parkland and NSW former Olympic venues Regatta and Equestrian Centres, also recently securing the Western Sydney Airport contract at Badgerys Creek. As well as running her 24/7 365 day a year business, Gina has just completed her tenure as the President of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce after serving on the board for 17 years. Gina is extremely focused in providing flexible working arrangements and subsidising training costs to encourage more females into security roles and employment.

1/42-46 Camden St Penrith Ph 4732 5369 Master Lic. No. 405714685 WW36786

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Why multiple swimming lessons per week is important Teaching your children to swim is vital for them to stay safe in and around the water...

Julie Fletcher Nepean Swim and Fitness julie@nepeanswim.com.au nepeanaquaticcentre.com.au and on Facebook

Everyone learns differently, so when looking at the best approach to learning to swim, all contributing factors should be considered. Most students do very well with the most popular learn to swim approach of a half hour group lesson once a week, with consistency being the key to success. However, as families all have differing circumstances, other approaches to learning to swim are sometimes necessary. Multiple lessons per week are a great way to fast track your child’s swimming skills, or make up for any time missed in the water. The time a child actually spends in the water each week directly impacts on the time it will take for the child to learn to swim, with more frequent repetition of skills often achieving results more quickly, plus multiple lessons per week are great for increasing and maintaining fitness! There are also advantages out of the pool – a study from Griffith University found that children who swim demonstrate more advanced cognitive and physical abilities than other children – so it stands to reason the more time spent swimming, the more benefit

kids will experience towards learning outcomes both in and out of the pool. Multiple lessons can provide a more flexible approach to swimming lessons, especially appealing to some families at different times of the year – in winter, to maintain fitness if the child plays a summer sport before going away on a holiday, before school carnivals, after a break from lessons to catch up, etc. Plus, multiple lessons can also be a more affordable way to increase your child’s swimming skills. At Nepean Aquatic Centre and Eva Bory’s Swim Schools we offer second weekly lessons for just $10 each, bringing each lesson down to under $15 each. Further sibling discounts apply

so multiple lessons can be a great way for a family to participate in swimming lessons for all children at a reduced cost. Whilst most children thrive in a group environment, some children do better in a one on one learning scenario, however private lessons can be expensive. To address this we have this month introduced a five-week block of Private Lessons at Eva Bory’s Swim School at a discounted price per lesson, available for all levels of student’s abilities, from absolute beginners to stroke improvement and correction. For some parents, being time poor can be a barrier to bringing children to lessons, with weekends being reserved for rest and leisure after a long week at work and daycare. We have recently addressed this issue through a partnership with Little Zak’s Academy, Jordan Springs, in an initiative which sees childcare staff transporting children in their care to Nepean Aquatic Centre for swimming lessons during daycare hours, leaving parents with one less thing to fit into their weekends! No matter what your circumstances, there is a way to learn to swim with us to stay safer around the water. Until next week, just keep swimming, and if you would like details on any of the swimming initiatives mentioned, please send me an email at julie@nepeanswim. com.au.

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

your swim safety

Jacky Wyatt - Wacky Jacky’s Bali and Java Retreats Seasoned Bali traveller of 30 years and craft enthusiast, Jacky Wyatt has combined her two passions of travelling and textiles to create her dream “Ladies Only” Bali Retreats. Hailing from Nundah in Queensland, the career driven and forever inspiring Jacky conceived the idea in 2011 while admiring the picturesque scenery at a Candidasa Hotel whilst on one of her many holidays in Bali. Since 2012, Jacky has played host to over 600 avid crafters that have joined in on the textile and quilting fun. The famous Wacky Jacky’s Bali Retreats include return flights, transfers, accommodation, breakfast, morning and afternoon tea during workshop and much more. Jacky proudly hosts several Bali and Specialty Retreats for groups of 15 - 20 women with a passion for textiles & quilting through the winter each year. If you are looking for a fantastic girls’ getaway and the ultimate cultural experience then Wacky Jacky’s Bali and Java Retreats are for you. If you are interested in joining one of her fabulous retreats, you can contact her on jacky@wackyjackys.com.au or go to her website www.wackyjackys.com.au

PH: 0408 995 440 E: jacky@wackyjackys.com W: www.wackyjackys.com.au Jacky Wyatt PO Box 34 Virginia BC Qld 4012 WW36816

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

your

Tips and tricks to ensure your cheap holiday stays that way

travel

T E K PH U

Peter Chapman heads to Phuket on a budget...

Peter Chapman Content thanks to WTF Media

In around June each year my wife and I invariably start chatting about the need for a flop and drop holiday for the Christmas break. That conversation provides the drive for us to keep an eye out for some cheap airfares so we can at least get the first part of the holiday locked in. A Malaysian Airlines offer of $800 return flights to Kuala Lumpur proved to be on the money for our future trip. We moved quickly to get the price and sent off the payment. We reasoned that Kuala Lumpur would give us an easy stepping point through to Phuket where we had decided to spend our holiday. All was good, that is until we started looking around at what accommodation was available in a peak holiday time. Best rooms were taken, top hotels had waiting lists and what was available was listed at sky high prices. Like many travellers these days we started pouring over TripAdvisor reviews checking out a hotel when they posted a good package. It eventually led us to the Andakira Hotel for the first part of our holiday. The hotel sits right in the heart of Patong and this was one of our pre-requisites. The timing put us in Patong for the New Year’s celebrations, something by reputation we wanted to experience.

The Andakira didn’t excel as a place to stay, but it didn’t disappoint either. We knew we had booked a middle class hotel and as far as value for money it lived up to that. Our room which cost us around $100AU a night featured a private pool access. That meant we had a long lap pool sitting off our small outside area. If you do decide to stay at this hotel go for one of these suites. The room was clean and the morning breakfast package was substantial and served by courteous staff. My big concern was that the bed was rock hard and in hindsight I should have asked for a mattress topper, mind you I don’t know if they would have had any to put on my plank. The location of the hotel was a big plus. It was just a five minute stroll from the major JungCeylon shopping centre and another five minutes had you on Patong Beach. We have been to Phuket before so there were no hidden dramas for us when it came to shopping. One tip I quickly remembered was that always know what you want to pay for an item before you ask the shop keeper “how much?”. That avoids what can soon become an intimidating conversation. The best part about a visit to Thailand is the food. On just our second scouting trip looking for a good restaurant we noticed a small venue, Tom Nua No1, that was

always full. As popularity is the best recommendation you can get to choose a Patong restaurant we ended up going there four times for dinner. The food was fresh, service was good and the place was clean. Our stay in Patong was for seven days and in hindsight it should have been no longer than five. A must do is a day trip across to Old Phuket Town. The taxi fare there will cost you around $20AU. Old Phuket Town is a much quieter location, the quaint old shops offer more than just T-shirts and fake handbags and the shop owners don’t act like sharks circling an injured seal. There are a few day trips you should also enjoy such as the speedboat journey out to Phi Phi Island. One word of concern, even if you rode motorbikes at the speedway don’t be tempted to hire a scooter and ride the streets. Everyone is crazy slicing in and out of the heavy traffic, in just a few days we saw numerous accidents. Finally can I say, when you do see a cracking flight deal think hard about the reputation of the airline. I have flown on Malaysian Airlines before and was happy with the service. This time I wasn’t. The food was below average, the plane was tired and I had a broken entertainment monitor that kept collapsing. But I will say at least they were on schedule and the flight was cheap.

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Penrith crowned champions p.54

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

Sport

TOUCH FOOTY

Brothers Penrith players at training on Monday, preparing for the upcoming Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions

Brothers ready for battle NATHAN TAYLOR

hile much of the focus has been on the Penrith Panthers this pre-season, another local club has also put in the hard yards during a long hot summer with Brothers Penrith gearing up for their second season in the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions. Due to late entry into both competitions prior to the 2018 season, Brothers were unable to fill their rosters with quality talent to compete with experienced clubs. Both their Ron Massey Cup and Sydney

Shield sides finished as wooden spooners, notching up just three wins between the two teams. However, following a proper off-season to recruit, the club is expecting big things when the 2019 season officially gets underway next weekend. Sunday Vice President Peter Small is promising a better year on the field. “I guarantee you we will be a lot better,” he told the Weekender. “The NSWRL accepted us into both competitions virtually at the last minute last year, which meant it was too late to sign up quality players for 2018. “I had to chase around and basically get what was left. I had to rely on the

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club’s A-Grade and reserve grade players, and that’s what made it hard for us to compete against the big boys.” With a solid pre-season under their belts and a host of new players, the Hickeys Park-based club are tipped to trouble plenty of teams this season. “This year is a different story, I’ve gone out and shopped and bought some decent players. They’ll play alongside our top local juniors. I believe we’ll have two very good sides,” Small said. Brothers Penrith decided to enter into the top NSWRL competitions, to give a pathway for their juniors. After dominating the local competitions, Brothers wanted to give their

players a new challenge. “We’ve been dominant in A-Grade for a while and that competition was deteriorating very quickly, which wasn’t good for our juniors coming through,” Small said. “We played in the then Jim Beam Cup in 2008 and 2009, we did alright during those years but the depth and money was killing us, so we had to drop back down to A-Grade. “Now we are healthier in the bank account, we needed a pathway for our juniors to grow their careers.” Meanwhile, Brothers Penrith will also field a team in the Harvey Norman Women’s competition.

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Penrith’s touch of success Penrith Touch Association dominate Junior State Cup with two Grand Final wins

Penrith’s U16 boys Grand Final-winning team NATHAN TAYLOR

he Penrith Touch Association can’t stop celebrating after a very successful weekend at the NSW Junior State Cup (Southern Conference) in Wagga Wagga recently. Held by NSW Touch Football, the competition saw teams from Sydney down to the Victorian boarder compete for a place in the NSW Junior State Finals this April. Penrith Touch sent 13 junior teams to last month’s tournament, with three reaching the Grand Final and two walking away as champions. Penrith’s U10 boys team defeated Orange 11-6 in the Grand Final, while Penrith’s U16s boys belted Parramatta 13-2 to be crowned champions. Penrith’s U14 girls team also made the Grand Final but were beaten by Parramatta in a one-sided contest. Speaking with the Weekender, Penrith Touch Association Director of Coaching and victorious U10 boys coach Paul Krahe

Penrith’s U14 girls were runners-up

was beaming with pride. “It’s a really big accomplishment for these teams to come out winners of the Southern Conference,” he said. “You are playing over 20-30 different regions in the Southern Conference of NSW, it’s a major effort to win a Grand Final after playing eight games and semis over the weekend.” The majority of Penrith’s teams were so successful during the tournament that the local association finished second in the Club Championship, just two points behind Orange. Nine of their sides also qualified for April’s State Finals in Wollongong. The State Finals will see the best Southern Conference teams battle the best Northern Conference teams for all out bragging rights. Krahe said Manly and Orange will be the teams to beat at next month’s tournament. “Manly are always the favourites, while Orange are very strong for a small country town,” he said. “I believe our U10s and U16s boys have a

Penrith’s U10 boys Grand Final-winning side good shot but they need to rise to the next level. I’m also expecting a lot from our U12 boys too.” Penrith Touch also had two referees

assigned grand finals, Matt Hogarth and Zan McCahon. Do you have a local sports story? Email Nathan@westernweekender.com.au.

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CRICKET: Penrith have easily disposed of Blacktown in Round 15 of the NSW Premier Cricket competition. Playing in a Two-Day match at Joe McAleer Oval, Penrith won the toss and sent Blacktown into bat first. The home side scored just 139 runs in the first innings. When Penrith hit the crease later that afternoon, they reached Blacktown’s total with ease and declared on 4/176. In the second innings, Blacktown improved but were dismissed for 193. When Penrith hit the crease they were 2/157 before play ended. Penrith will look to extend their hot run when they battle Randwick Petersham in a One Day match at Coogee Oval this Saturday. RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 4 of the NSWRL Junior Representative season got underway last weekend with terrible results for Penrith’s SG Ball and Harold Matthews teams. In the SG Ball competition, Penrith were hammered by Cronulla 38-4, while in the Harold Matthews competition, Penrith went down to the Sharks 20-10. Meanwhile, Penrith’s Tarsha Gale Cup side bounced back from last week’s defeat, victorious over Cronulla 28-14. This Saturday, all three Panthers teams will battle the Illawarra Steelers at Collegians Sporting Complex.

name. The Giants will head to Adelaide on Sunday to face the Crows. NETBALL: St Clair netball junior Paige Hadley has been named vice captain of the NSW Swifts for the upcoming Super Netball season. Hadley has spent her entire professional career with the Swifts, so it comes as no surprise she’ll be one of the club’s leading women in 2019. Mid-courter Maddy Proud was named captain. . HOCKEY: Penrith MP Stuart Ayres has announced that hockey players in the Nepean region will soon benefit with the upgrade of a second field and the installation of a new watering system, thanks to a $140,000 grant from the State Government. Mr Ayres said the project at the Nepean Hockey Centre in Kingswood would include the refurbishment of the second field and the installation of new sprinklers and water pumps for both fields in Kingswood. “The upgrade to the second field will allow for greater participation and the new watering system will ensure the fields are watered more efficiently and thoroughly, extending their life and reducing maintenance costs,” he said. “It will also make the fields safer for all hockey players in the region, including those who are older or have disabilities.”

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AFL: The GWS Giants have failed to win back to back games, thumped by the Melbourne Demons 57-18 in Blacktown. The 39-point thrashing just about ends GWS’ chances of making the post-season, with just one win to their

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

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Sport

Friday, March 8, 2019

Aussie dream comes true after years of hard work NATHAN TAYLOR

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the western weekender // www.westernweekender.com.au

or Kingswood local Stephanie Haaring, representing her country has been on her mind ever since she was a teenager. This November, the 26-year-old will finally get to live out her dream when she competes for Australia at the 2019 Borneo Futsal Cup. The 12-year futsal veteran was selected in the national side following several strong performances for Northern NSW at January’s Australian Futsal Association National Championship. Speaking with the Weekender, Haaring said she was surprised when she learned she was one of 11 girls chosen. “This is my first time representing Australia, I was blown away when I found out… I didn’t see it coming at all,” she admitted. “It’s what you work towards as a kid, you put

in so much time training and playing. It’s definitely something I always wanted.” Haaring qualified for the Australian team after leading her Northern NSW to a semi final berth at the Nationals. She was one of two girls selected from her state team, with the rest coming from all over the country. “I felt really confident at Nationals, I was having fun out there and had plenty of confidence in myself and my team,” Haaring said. “We performed in every game but got knocked out in the semi finals.” The 2019 Borneo Futsal Cup will feature teams from all over south-east Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia. With travel expenses estimated at $4000, Haaring is looking for local sponsors to get her to Malaysia. If you’d like to sponsor Penrith’s next Australian representative, get in touch with Stephanie Haaring via email at steph.haaring@outlook.com.

Stephanie Haaring is off to Malaysia

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

FEATURE

FIVE GAMES YOU CAN’T TROY

DODDS There’s 11 games to be played at Panthers Stadium this year and we’ve analysed the draw and come up with the five matches you simply can’t miss in 2019. Round 1: Panthers v Eels Sunday, March 17 at 4.05pm This promises to be one of the biggest games of the NRL’s opening weekend, and a sellout crowd is expected to watch these two western Sydney rivals do battle. This game was sold out last season, and fans got their money’s worth with the Panthers coming from 14-0 down to secure two competition points to start the season. Clashes between Penrith and Parramatta always have plenty of spite and this one will be no different. Round 4: Panthers v Tigers Friday, April 5 at 7.50pm With Ivan Cleary back at the helm of the Panthers, this promises to be a real grudge match as Penrith faces his former club, the Wests Tigers. There’s already some bad blood between these two clubs given the way Penrith’s

Feathers will fly when the Panthers and Roosters meet in 2019. Photo: Megan Dunn

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the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

FEATURE

MISS IN ‘19 approach to Cleary went down towards the end of last season, but it’s grown extra legs now. This will be a ratings smash and could be a sellout at Panthers Stadium.

“THERE’S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT TAKING ON THE DEFENDING CHAMPS” Round 13: Panthers v Roosters Sunday, June 9 at 4.05pm The defending Premiers make their way to Panthers Stadium in June for what promises to be a Sunday afternoon classic. These two clubs have had a great rivalry over the years but there’s always something special about taking on the defending champs. Both sides will be on big turnarounds too, so it promises to be a high energy encounter.

Round 18: Panthers v Dragons Friday, July 19 at 7.50pm Last year this was one of the best games of the year at Panthers Stadium. This game also promises to be a beauty with both sides likely to be in serious Finals contention by the time round 18 comes around. Dragons fans always come to this fixture in big numbers and with a Friday night timeslot there’s a huge chance this game will attract one of the year’s biggest crowds. Round 21: Panthers v Sharks Friday, August 9 at 7.50pm This has become one of the great modern day rivalries with the Panthers and Sharks now all but hating each other. Whether it’s the Matt Moylan factor, the James Maloney factor or purely the style of games these two clubs have produced in the last couple of seasons, it always seems to produce highlights. Given Cronulla beat Penrith three times in 2018 you can expect the Panthers to be after revenge in 2019, especially given the Sharks ended the Panthers’ campaign in that thrilling Finals match at Allianz Stadium. Tickets to home games can be purchased at www.penrithpanthers.com.au.

There’s always fireworks when the Panthers and Sharks meet. Photo: Megan Dunn

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UNFINISHED BUSINESS NATHAN

TAYLOR One of Penrith’s favourite sons, Tim Grant, is happy to be back home but in his heart, he never really left. Debuting for the Panthers in 2007, Grant played 122 first grade games for Penrith in his first eight seasons at the club. Following an early release from his contract in 2014, Grant switched to South Sydney before playing 46 games with the Wests Tigers over three seasons. Despite being away from Penrith for five years, Grant said he often kept an eye on the Panthers and always relished a return to the foot of the Mountains one day. “To be honest, I’m proud to see how far the club has come. I always kept an eye on it as a fan, even though I was at another club,” he told the Weekender. “To come back and to see how far the club has progressed, I felt proud… it was impressive.” Holding an option in his favour at the

Tigers, Grant attempted a return to Penrith a season earlier but it wasn’t meant to be. “I tried to come back a few times. Even though I loved the Tigers and had some great times there, you only ever have one club that you love,” Grant admitted. “Having that option in my favour I was always into my manager about coming back to Penrith. It didn’t align that year, but I was lucky enough to come in and speak to Gus and look at the facilities. “I was determined to finish my career at the Panthers and my persistence paid off.” Last July, Grant’s wish was finally granted, signing a one-year deal with Penrith. While it’s still unclear whether the former Origin prop will hang up the boots at season’s end, he is hoping to remain involved with the game in some capacity. “I love the club and I love this game. It would be awesome to be able to stay involved somewhere here at Panthers,” the 31-year-old said. “As for this season, as athletes we always want to play at the highest level. I’m really

Tim Grant is excited about finishing his career at Penrith. Photo: Megan Dunn enjoying every day here, it doesn’t matter what I’m doing. “I’ll do whatever I can at the club, and if that means playing ISP, first grade or running the water, I’m just enjoying being back here again.” Grant’s return to Penrith also reunites him with his former Tigers coach Ivan Cleary. After playing most his NRL career under Cleary at Wests and Penrith, Grant

finally has an appreciation for his coach. “I think I’ve played 60 per cent of my career under Ivan, I think the beauty of that is I know what he stands for, I know how he does business,” Grant said. “Because I’ve been around him for so long, my values align with his. I know what he’s going to say to the team before he says it. It’s certainly made the transition easier for me.”

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

FEATURE

the western weekender » Friday, March 8, 2019

PROUD TO BACK THE PANTHERS Wishing the Panthers the best of luck for this season Future Financial Services

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Friday, March 8, 2019 « the western weekender

FEATURE

PENRITH FAIL TO SCORE NATHAN

TAYLOR Penrith put in a less than impressive performance during their final trial match before the 2019 NRL season gets underway next week. Playing in front of a few thousand fans at Panthers Stadium last Saturday night, Penrith were out enthused and ill-disciplined against last year’s wooden spooners, Parramatta. Penrith were down just 4-0 at half-time, but Parramatta’s lead continued to grow in the second half, running out 20-0 winners. While Penrith’s defence was strong for most of the game – particularly in the first half when their top squad was playing – their attack failed to spark. Their discipline was also shocking too, with referee Grant Atkins giving the pea in the whistle more than a good workout. Perhaps Panthers coach Ivan Cleary didn’t want to show his hand too much, with both sides to meet next Sunday at the same ground in Round 1. “We were beaten pretty much in most aspects tonight,” Cleary told the media post-game.

“The penalty count was a lot… I think we had 10 penalties against us before halftime. “It was obviously a lot and we ended up doing a lot of defence, which might be a positive – we had a lot of practise.” While the result didn’t go the home crowd’s way, Cleary pinpointed a few positives to take out of the match including no major injuries. “I guess what’s most important this time of year is working on combinations and getting some match fitness into the boys,” he said. “Most of the guys got plenty of game time under their belt, it’s about going back and picking the team that’s going to give us the best chance to win in a couple of weeks.” Utility Tyrone May missed the matched due to disciplinary reasons, while Josh Mansour was also a late scratching after slicing open his leg at training. Penrith are expected to name a near full strength side this Tuesday afternoon, with winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak due to return from injury. The New Zealand captain confirmed to the crowd last Saturday that he would be fit for selection in Round 1. Despite the heavy defeat, Cleary said he

James Maloney was sinbinned in last weekend’s trial. Photo: Megan Dunn was pumped to be coaching the Panthers again. “The build up to Round 1 is always an exciting time and it will be no different

this year,” he said. While last weekend’s loss was hard to swallow for some fans, Penrith did enjoy one trial win, 28-8 over South Sydney.

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The staff at the Western Weekender wish the Panthers a great 2019 season

the western weekender Â» Friday, March 8, 2019

SUNDAY 17 MARCH NRL KICK-OFF: 4.05PM PANTHERS STADIUM GAMEDAY PARTNER

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www.westernweekender.com.au

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