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MAY 24 2013 ISSUE 1104
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT CIRCULATION: 58,865
THE HEARTBEAT OF PENRITH
A-LEAGUE DRAW Still hurting from their Grand Final loss, the Western Sydney Wanderers will have an early chance for revenge when they take on the Central Coast in the opening round of the 2013/14 A-League season. The highly anticipated draw for next season has been released, with the Wanderers away to the Mariners in the fir st round before playing Wellington in their fi rst home match on October 20.
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CAITLIN CARES
Kids at the Bollygum Childcare Centre are read a book on Tuesday, with the sun providing the only light and warmth. Photo: Melinda Jane.
Left in the dark
Teen’s mission to raise important funds PAGE 27
Exclusive: The South Penrith childcare shame
N
CASSANDRA O'CONNOR
o lights, no heating, no refrigeration for food and medication, no phones in case of an emergency. These were the appalling conditions that confronted parents who were dropping their children off at Bollygum Childcare Centre in South Penrith on Monday. It was the fi nal straw for parents and staff who were brought to tears out of frustration and anger at owner and local public school principal, Mark Myles, who they claim has been negligent in all aspects of the business – from failing to pay staff
properly, to mismanaging electricity and water bills and even waste disposal. Kelly Linford, who sends her child to the centre each week day, was infuriated when she was told by staff on Monday that the electricity had been disconnected because the Origin energy bill had not been paid. “On Monday, my child spent the day in the dark, in the cold, without any electricity whatsoever,” she said. “I had to take Tuesday off work – I am a primary school teacher – because there was no way I could let my flesh and blood be kept in those conditions.” Ms Linford claims that it is not the fi rst time the
power has been cut off due to mismanagement by the owner. “The power has been cut off before, and the water. There are parents who drop their kids off at 7am at collect them at 6pm and they have no way of fi nding alternative arrangements for their children,” she said. One parent said that her child usually needs medication refrigerated at the premises and is seriously concerned about her child’s health. A group of angry parents on Tuesday told the Weekender that other issues at the centre have also arisen. Story Continues Page Eight
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