Western Weekender November 14 2024

Vines residents in shock

Homes to go under State Government plans

The Vines community in Orchard Hills is outraged after learning that their community is being planned to be rezoned by the State Government.

Labor has publicly released its rezoning proposal for Orchard Hills Stage 1, which shows parts of The Vines estate being slated for rezoning.

Properties would be compulsorily acquired as part of the government’s plan, in a major blow to long-term residents.

It would change one of Penrith’s most exclusive residential pockets forever.

The draft proposal rezoning and acquisition maps both identify an area of proposed acquisition and rezoning as being part of The Vines estate.

The new zoning will see part of The Vines being rezoned into R4 high-density residential and R3 medium-density residential.

R4 zoning being a minimum lot size of 300 square metres and a building height up to 15m and R3 allowing for dual occupancy, townhouses, terraces, villas and apartments with a minimum lot size of 300 square metres and a height limit of 8.5 metres.

A resident of The Vines estate, Mark George, has compiled a draft submission outlining the issues residents have with the draft zoning proposal and is planning on submitting it to the State Government in an attempt to change the plans.

“Our community, comprised of around 109 residential properties, is a close-knit and semi-rural estate with a history stretching back over 35 years. Many of us are original owners who chose to build and settle here over three decades ago,” the submission says.

“This land is not just a place to live; it is the foundation of our lives, with deep-rooted connections forged over generations. The proposal to rezone our land and forcibly acquire almost all properties is not

only disruptive but represents an unjust and deeply flawed attempt to dismantle our thriving community.”

George’s draft submission highlights the community’s concerns about the proposed forced acquisition.

“The proposed acquisition poses an unwelcome threat to our financial security and emotional

“This plan disregards the fundamental right to stability and security that we, as law-abiding landowners, have earned through years of dedication to this land.”

The draft submission says that the community was not informed with adequate enough time to assess and fight the rezoning proposal.

“The approach to notifying our community about this rezoning

wellbeing. We are hardworking landowners who have invested substantially in our homes, land, and community,” it says.

“The State’s intention to forcibly acquire these properties undermines the decades of investment and planning we’ve put into building this estate from the ground up.

Displacing families and severing long-standing community bonds is neither economically nor socially justifiable, and the impact of such a move would be felt for generations to come.

plan has been both abrupt and opaque. We were informed of the proposal mere weeks before the holiday season, with a restricted six-week window to respond,” the draft submission says.

“...the scheduling of divided times for information sessions has fragmented our ability to gather and address our concerns collectively. By isolating us into smaller, separated groups, this ‘divide and conquer’ tactic appears to limit our capacity for unified expression and collective strength.

“Such a strategy raises significant questions about the motivations behind this process and whether it is an attempt to suppress our ability to challenge the proposal as a united community.”

Residents were set to attend a public meeting at St Marys Band Club last night where they were expected to raise concerns.

A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said the response period has been extended into the new year.

“The Orchard Hills state-led rezoning is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to activate land along the Metro corridor to deliver new homes and jobs,” the spokesperson said.

“The draft rezoning proposal including suggested medium-density housing for most of the Vines Estate is currently on public exhibition for community feedback.

“The exhibition period for the Orchard Hills state led rezoning will be extended to 5pm, Thursday, February 6 2025, following a decision by the Minister to allow more time for residents to provide feedback given the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.

“The Department will then review all feedback provided by the community and other stakeholders, before finalising the stage 1 rezoning proposal and structure plan in 2025.”

George’s submission asks for a meeting with those who can make real change to the draft proposal.

“In the interest of accountability, we demand that the key government officials and planners responsible... come forward to a public meeting,” the draft submission says.

“We insist they directly address the concerns of those whose lives and homes they seek to uproot and explain the rationale behind such a disruptive plan. Anything less would be an unacceptable abdication of responsibility to the very people they serve.”

More information on the draft rezoning package can be found on the NSW Planning Portal: https:// www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/ orchard-hills-draft-rezoning.

The draft Rezoning Map shows how land parcels would change if the plans go ahead.

The Vines, Orchard Hills. Photo: Melinda Jane.

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The Editor’s Desk | Opinion

Troy Dodds

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au @troydodds

In all the fallout following Donald Trump’s US election victory last week, there is a common theme from the left: they don’t want to talk about it.

People took days off work, a “mental health day” required to absorb the news that one of the two horses in a two horse race won.

At Harvard University, classes were cancelled to give students the chance to take in what had happened.

On Facebook, a friend of mine threatened to delete anyone who disagreed with her view that Trump’s election was bad news.

That one probably got me most, because it is indicative of the problem that exists when it comes to political division.

A refusal to even try to understand why someone has an alternative view, why someone votes differently to you, why someone’s life experiences may be different to yours, why someone disagrees with you.

Nope, just delete and ignore.

Why are we so afraid to confront an opposing view? To hear the other side out? To be confronted on our opinions?

After all, regardless of what you think of Trump, his election victory last weekend was democracy at its finest.

The same people who hired him in 2016 and then fired him in 2020, re-hired him in 2024.

But those who were desperately hoping that Trump would crash and burn are unwilling to hear why he has his job back.

They would prefer to finger point, to make excuses, to claim that everyone who would vote for Trump must be brain dead.

People like to talk about how Trump has divided America, how he is to blame for much of the anger and vitriol that currently exists in the country.

And yet it is the left spearheading division in many ways. Creating an us and them.

What’s intriguing is how shocked the left are by this result.

The polls always had it at 50/50, and you’d generally say that when that’s the case, there’s a portion of those surveyed who even confidentially don’t feel comfortable admitting they lean conservative.

“Regardless of what you think of Trump, his election victory last week was democracy at its finest”

Therefore, you have to accept any even poll was actually slightly in Trump’s favour.

But this comment by a student at Harvard University, Samantha Holtz, summed up a bit of the problem at the moment when it comes to a willingness to understand the other side of the argument.

“Being at Harvard, I was surrounded by a lot of people who were very pro-Harris, so in my mind it was already a decided election,” Holtz said.

“It was a little bit shocking to me.”

In other words, Samantha – and many like her – just accepted that the view of her fellow students and professors was the status quo, and so the country would follow.

That suburban America would feel the same as university professors and students.

I can only presume she didn’t bother to expand her reading, to find a news source that wasn’t just telling her what she wanted to hear.

And such is the case with so many of us, particularly younger generations, who “get their news from social media”.

The social media that is basically akin to those head nodding politicians at the back of press conferences, agreeing with everything being said.

It’s essentially saying, ‘please, show me more content that reinforces my own personal views and beliefs and don’t dare show me something that challenges that’.

Trump won because Americans looked at their lives over the past four years and decided there hadn’t been improvement.

Trump won because rightly or wrongly, Americans do believe he will get the economy in shape and fix issues with borders.

Trump won because like the ‘quiet Australians’ at the 2019 election on our shores, there is a significant chunk of people that think America has lurched way too far into woke, agenda-driven politics.

Trump won because many of the issues given priority by the Harris campaign didn’t resonate with everyday Americans.

And Trump won because Americans just don’t care enough about his criminal cases and questionable character.

That probably says more about America than anything else, but we shouldn’t be surprised by that, should we?

After all, Democrat Bill Clinton completed his Presidency in 2001 with the highest approval rating of any US President in history, despite his second term being dominated by the Monica Lewinsky scandal and being impeached by the House of Representatives.

America is a broken country, and it has been for some time. The rest of the world has been more aware of that than America itself for decades, if not longer.

And so now a broken man is in charge of fixing it.

I have no idea where that lands, but regardless, it’s going to be a wild ride. But unlike what Oprah Winfrey suggested or threatened last week, America will indeed vote again in four years – and will have the final say.

And just to finish, can we now officially declare that celebrity endorsement is dead in the water?

As we saw with The Voice campaign here in Australia last year, it just doesn’t work and if anything, has the opposite impact.

Hopefully the fact that the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Oprah couldn’t get Kamala Harris over the line will be enough to make politicians from all sides realise that it’s just dumb to get celebrities to convince people whose lives they don’t understand to vote for a certain candidate.

An ambitious new report has revealed the steps western Sydney must take to become Australia’s next economic powerhouse – or risk falling behind.

Launched last week in Parramatta, Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney’s Economic Strategy details a plan to deliver higher incomes, better job opportunities and an improved quality of life for residents out west.

Western Sydney University’s (WSU) Centre for Western Sydney strategy, which aims to transition western Sydney to a ‘core’ economy, is expected to raise gross regional product from $199 billion to $379 billion in 2036.

It would result in a projected $20,000 annual income boost for the average western Sydney resident, reduced travel times to work, and an increased likelihood of securing professional roles and holding a bachelor’s degree.

But at the heart of the 30-year economic blueprint, Professor and Centre for Western Sydney Executive Director Andy Marks says, is letting the people of western Sydney have control over what happens in the west – not people in Canberra or Sydney.

“There’s been a lot of plans written about western Sydney, very rarely though does western Sydney get to take charge of its own destiny and that’s really the motivation for this report,” Marks told Weekender

“It sets six major leaps that we think are needed to get western Sydney not just caught up with the rest of Sydney, but to actually really leverage western Sydney in Australia’s interests.”

Those six ‘leaps’ include creating a 30-year infrastructure agreement – taking the politics out of transport, housing and social infrastructure funding – and establishing a western Sydney infrastructure advisory council.

“Western Sydney becomes politicised. We become the focus of Governments at election time, we get their attention when they need us and for the rest of the political cycle we are not at the table,” Marks added.

“In many respects, the US election is a warning to all major parties in Australia that you need to be paying attention to the needs of communities like western Sydney all of the time, and not just during elections.”

The report also highlights how western Sydney has undergone incredible acceleration in recent years in terms of population and economic growth, but is being held back by a lack of funding for physical and social infrastructure, as well as industry development, which has not kept pace with population growth.

As a result, western Sydney remains a peripheral economy compared to the Sydney CBD and eastern regions, reflected in a jobsto-worker ratio well below 1:1.

Calling Parramatta the “poster child” of the west, Marks said the city shows the huge potential western Sydney has – as long as it receives the funding it deserves in the years ahead.

“The beauty of western Sydney is that it’s not five or six cities like Parramatta, it’s six different cities and they all deserve the chance to grow like Parramatta – but not to be like Parramatta,” he said.

“Bankstown will be a distinctly different city, just as Blacktown, Penrith and Campbelltown will be, and that again happens if you allow local representatives to take charge of infrastructure funding.

“We’re not getting that now because decisions are being made by people outside of western Sydney who use a cookie cutter approach to planning.”

To see the full report, visit www.westernsydney.edu.au/unlimitedpotential.

George Williams, Dr Rhonda Itaoui, Andy Marks, Jennifer Westacott and Neil Perry.

Photo: Sally Tsoutas.

ELLIE BUSBY

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

St Marys: Learner driver drives off the road and collects the bins

A suspended learner driver has driven over the footpath and driven through garbage bins.

At 8.30pm on Wednesday, November 6

police were called to the Great Western Highway, St Marys after a vehicle had mounted the footpath, driven over multiple garbage bins and stopped in a reserve with a bin still under the vehicle.

Police located the vehicle and approached the driver, who at the time was attempting to remove the bin.

Police had a conversation with the 62-yearold Oxley Park man and proceeded to breath test him which proved positive.

The man was asked to produce his licence and the man produced a NSW Photo ID card.

Checks were made that revealed the man was the holder of a Learners Permit which was currently suspended.

The man was arrested and taken to St Marys Police Station where he underwent further breath analysis that returned a positive result of 0.225. The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, November 21.

Penrith: Man urinates on brothel doorstep

A man has been charged after being found urinating at a brothel’s doorstep.

At 3.00pm on Friday, November 8 a 31-yearold Werrington man was out the front of a brothel on High Street, Penrith. The man has knocked on the door and then started to urinate on the step.

An employee of the brothel has attempted to get the 31-year-old inside to use the bathroom, but the man pushed the employee away.

Police were contacted and attended the location. After having a conversation with the employees of the brothel police located the 31-year-old a short distance away.

The man was spoken to and arrested. He will appear in Penrith Local Court on Friday, December 20.

Kemps Creek: Two workers stop robbery

Two workers have stopped a robbery at a market garden.

At 3.00pm on Friday, November 8, two workers were leaving a market garden on a property on Aldington Road, Kemps Creek. As they were driving down the driveway

they have noticed a man on the property. One of the workers has called out to the man and he has run to a nearby shed. Both the workers have followed and located the man in the shed. The man dropped a saw he was holding and attempted to run but the two workers have prevented him from leaving and called police.

Police attended and had a conversation with the man, a 30-year-old Bidwill resident.

Police were informed by the workers that the power and copper piping had been cut from the shed. The man was arrested.

Further investigations were conducted, and it was found that copper piping from a residential building on the property had also been removed.

The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was formally charged. The man was bail refused and appeared in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, November 12.

North St Marys: Woman found driving with suspended licence

A woman has been caught driving with her licence suspended.

At 10.45pm on Friday, November 8 police were patrolling Debrincat Avenue, North St Marys. Police have sighted the vehicle in front of them and made checks on the vehicle.

The checks revealed the owner of the vehicle’s licence was suspended. Police stopped the car and had a conversation with the driver, a 27-year-old St Marys woman. The woman was asked to produce her licence, which she did.

It was confirmed the woman was the owner of the vehicle and her licence was suspended. The woman was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, November 28.

Kingswood: Man found carrying a knife in public

A man has been caught by police after carrying a knife in public.

At 4.15pm on Saturday, November 9 a man was seen with a knife concealed in the waistband of his pants on Bringelly Road, Kingswood. Police were contacted and located the 41-year-old Kingswood man.

The man was asked about the knife, and the man has handed police a plastic carry bag. As the man was handing over the bag, the knife cut through the bottom of the bag, and it has landed on the ground.

The man was charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Monday, January 13.

BUYING A BUSINESS? TIPS AND HINTS with Daniel McKinnon

A big part of our practice is acting for buyers and sellers of businesses.

This article focuses on buying.

There are typically two ways you can buy a business.

You can either buy the asset either in your sold name or in some other entity such as a company you control. This means you need to transfer all of the assets of the business to yourself or your entity as part of the acquisition process.

This is usually done pursuant to a business sale agreement or asset sale agreement.

Alternatively, if the business is owned by a legal entity that is not a natural person, for example a company, you can buy all of the shares in the company and acquire the right to appoint the company’s directors and provided that all of the assets that relate to the business you want to acquire are assets of the company, you will have acquired the business without having to transfer the assets to a new owner.

However you do it, one of the most important considerations is making sure you identify all of the assets that are being acquired/ transferred.

The extent to which you do this depends on the type of business you are buying but you need think about all of the things that are necessary to continue running the business successfully and make sure they are included in the sale contract including things like:

• The good will of the business including any relevant customer/client lists, the registered business name and by extension the business’ intellectual property including things like logos, or digital

assets like telephone numbers, emails addresses, domain names/websites and administrative rights to social media platforms;

• Stock/inventory if applicable;

• Tangible assets like office equipment, printers and scanners, telephones/ telephone hardware and other office furniture if applicable;

• Plant and machinery including motor vehicles;

• The rights to utilise any software that might be critical to the running of the business, whether this is an assignment of any license the business holds to use the software or a new license in your favour;

• The right to occupy the business premises whether pursuant to a lease or license agreement (or a new lease or a license agreement in your favour);

• Assignments/transfer of any customer/ client contracts; Assignments/ transfer of any supplier agreements;

• Work in progress/accounts receivable. Notary type of “asset” above will be relevant to the business you are buying but you need to be as specific and descriptive as possible about what you are actually buying.

If you are selling your business, it’s a good idea to think about all of these things as well. It is particularly important to think about any assets that might be excluded and make sure it is clear in the contract so there is no confusion about what the purchaser is buying.

If you are buying or selling a business or asset, and need legal help, contact us today.

NAKED MAN BANNED FROM CHEMIST

A man has been banned for life from a pharmacy after exposing himself.

At 12.00am on Monday, November 11 a 30-year-old Hazelbrook man attended a pharmacy on High Street, Penrith. When the man entered the store, all he was wearing was a pair of denim jeans.

The man walked around the store for a short time and staff members began to watch him. The man bent over and removed his

jeans, exposing his genitals and then put his jeans back on a short time later.

Police were contacted and attended. They located the 30-year-old a short distance away. The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged. The man will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, November 28. The man was also issued an indefinite banning notice restricting him from ever returning to the store.

Complete Legal & Conveyancing • 4704 9991 • Suite 11, 354 High Street Penrith

Contact Us

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

Contact Centre Open 8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777

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

Services

Waste Services 4732 7777

Illegal Dumping

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

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

2 December 2024 – 7pm (Policy Review Committee Meeting)

9 December 2024 – 7pm (Ordinary Meeting) Online via penrith.city

penrith.city.council

penrithcouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrith.city visitpenrith.com.au

Council Briefs

● Penrith City Council is inviting the community to share their feedback on the draft St Marys Town Centre Master Plan and St Marys Central Park project.

Council is holding an in-person feedback session at the Village Cafe in Wattle Park, 4 Wattle Avenue, North St Marys on Thursday 21 November from 9.30am-11.30am.

Or have your say online at yoursaypenrith.com.au/stmarys

Complete the online survey to go into the draw for a chance to win one of 5x $200 Eftpos gift cards. Terms and conditions apply. Community consultation will close at 11.59pm on Saturday 30 November 2024.

● Join us as we raise awareness about gender-based violence as part of 16 Days of Action and its impacts in our community. From Monday 25 November to Tuesday 10 December 2024 we’re raising awareness, with the Walk Against Violence at the Nepean River on Sunday 8 December. The event will start at 9am at the Blue Tree on Nepean Avenue. Find out more at penrith.city/16days

● Take a break and rejuvenate with Lunchtime Tunes on Wednesdays at City Park, Penrith. Penrith City Council is showcasing amazing local talent to entertain you on your lunch break.

It’s a chance to get a takeaway lunch or coffee from a local business while relaxing to live music from a great line-up of musicians each week. Lunchtimes Tunes will run every Wednesday, 11am–2pm until 27 November 2024.

For more information go to penrith.city/events

● Have your say on Council’s Community Engagement Strategy and Community Participation Plan 2024–28. In the documents, you can read about our guiding principles and methodology to understand what good engagement looks like at Penrith City Council and how you can be involved in shaping the future of our City.

The documents are on exhibition to 27 November at yoursaypenrith.com.au/community-engagement-strategy Hard copies are available at the Penrith Civic Centre, and St Clair Library.

Public Notices

Section 47A of the Local Government Act 1993 – Proposed Licence on Community Land

Under Section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993, notice is hereby given that Penrith City Council intends to enter into a Licence as detailed below.

Party – Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Air Quality Monitoring Station

Western Sydney Libraries and Literature Festival

Wednesday 27 NovemberThursday 5 December 2024

Author Events Panel Discussions Workshops Family Fun

(Grey Gums Oval) Five years

Part Lot 101 Laycock

All affected parties are hereby invited to make submissions concerning the proposal. Submissions must be received in writing addressed to the General Manager, Penrith City Council to PO Box 60 Penrith NSW 2751 or council@penrith.city, within 28 days of the date of this notice.

Please contact Ruma McCracken on 4732 7777 or ruma.mccracken@penrith.city

Sale of Land for Unpaid Rates and Charges

– Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN under Section 715 of the Local Government Act (NSW) that Penrith City Council has resolved in pursuance with Section 713, to sell the land described below for Friday 1 November 2024.

Land Owners Estate N E Hearn and Estate N L Dickson

Description of Land (Lot & DP and Address) Lot 86 DP241634 1 Twickenham Avenue Cambridge Park NSW 2747

Status of Land Uninhabited dwelling

Amount of Rates (including extra charges) Overdue for more than $28,399.55

Amount of all Other Rates (including extra charges) Due and in Arrears $15,159.66

TOTAL $43,559.21

In default of payment to Council of the total amount due, and any other rates (including extra charges) that become due and payable after publication of this Notice, or an arrangement satisfactory to Council for payment of all such rates being for sale by public auction. The auction will be held at 11am on Saturday 1 March 2025 at the property.

Street, Cranebrook

Arrest in MP case

Man faces charges over break and enter at Leonay

TROY DODDS

Aman has been charged with multiple offences following an investigation into an alleged break and enter at Leonay last month.

About 4.15am on Friday, October 4, police were called to a home at Leonay, following reports of an alleged break and enter.

The home is that of State Penrith MP, Karen McKeown.

“Officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command attended and were told a station wagon, handbag and laptop bag had allegedly been stolen from the home,” a Police spokesperson said.

“Police established a crime scene and commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

About 12.10pm the same day, officers attached to the Cumberland Police Area Command were called to Lane Street, Wentworthville, responding to reports the allegedly stolen vehicle was at that location.

When police entered an underground car park of a unit block, the stolen vehicle was allegedly driven at them.

Police discharged their firearms, injuring two men inside the stolen car.

“The officers immediately rendered first aid until the arrival of NSW Ambulance paramedics,” the spokesperson said.

The men were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital with one – a 26-year-old man – being taken in critical condition and the other – a 34-year-old man – being taken in a serious but stable condition.

The 26-year-old later died in hospital.

A critical incident team from the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad with the assistance of South West Metropolitan Region commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation is also subject to an inde-

Development Consent/s Determined

Pursuant to Section 4.59 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the schedule below lists applications recently determined by Penrith City Council.

Approved Development Applications

• Mary-Jane Stutsel Mod24/0195

Lot 51 DP 1033340, 426 The Driftway, Londonderry

• Lot 13 SP 77297, 13/69 York Road, Jamisontown

Fitout and use of premises as hairdressing salon and karate studio

• Elvis Mousa Mod24/0173

Lot 911 DP 1149077, 27–34 Greenview Place, Mount Vernon

• Lot 754 DP 234736, 41 Illawong Avenue, Penrith

new garage, secondary dwelling and studio

pendent review.

The 34-year-old man was later released from hospital but following extensive inquiries, about 9am on Monday, he attended Penrith Police Station and was arrested.

He was charged with ‘aggravated break and enter dwelling etc in company steal’, two counts of ‘larceny’ and ‘be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner’. He was refused bail and appeared before Penrith Local Court on Monday, where he was refused bail and will reappear in the same court on Friday, November 29.

• Lot 1000 DP 884199, 7–10 Pattys Place, Jamisontown

• Lot 21 DP 215146, Lot 22 DP 215146 and Lot 20 DP 31682, 34 Somerset Street, Kingswood

for 5-storey Health Services Facility including reduction in building height to 4 storeys,

parking area, amendments to layout of basement and lower ground parking levels, of pharmacy and change of use from mental health private hospital to medical consulting rooms

• Lot 3113 DP 263158, 9 Gungurru Street, Kingswood Patio cover

• Lot 36 DP 16478, 16 Inkerman Road, Emu Heights

Woman found dead in Penrith hotel

A man accused of murdering his girlfriend in a Penrith hotel has had his case adjourned after being unable to appear in court due to his own injuries.

53-year-old Darren John Berry was formally charged by police on Tuesday, November 12 for the murder of his girlfriend after her body was found in a room at the Pullman Hotel on Sunday.

Police allege that Berry killed his girlfriend, Shirley So, inside the room. Berry was found in the same room as the deceased covered in blood and with cuts over his arms.

Berry, who fought under the name ‘Hacksaw’ during his kickboxing career, was not present in Penrith Local Court yesterday where his Legal Aid lawyer asked for an adjournment to Monday, November 18.

Berry’s lawyer asked for the matter to be briefly adjourned so the accused can provide instructions to his representation before the next court appearance.

Berry is currently unable to provide instructions or appear in court as he remains in ICU, where he is no longer sedated but intubated, meaning a tube has been placed inside his throat to assist his breathing.

Berry’s lawyer said Berry would remain in the ICU at Westmead Hospital for some time but would be able to front court next week. Berry initially fronted court via a bedside hearing on Tuesday and was formally refused bail.

Police investigations into the circumstances of the incident continue.

– Emily Chate

• Lot 192 DP 16937, 90 Canberra Street, Oxley Park

material and increase the Ground Floor reduced level

• The Trust Company Mod24/0159

Lot 1 DP 1293204, 657–767 Mamre Road, Kemps Creek

internal racking and equipment and other

• Lot 6135 DP 1211125, 15 Agnes Way, Jordan Springs

Single storey dwelling

Viewing of Development Applications

The above development application/s may penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/DATracker

will be able to assist with your enquiries.

Disclosure of Political Donations or Gifts

By law, reportable political donations or gifts must be disclosed by anyone lodging a planning

Police assemble at the scene of the shooting in Wentworthville. Photo: AAP.

Send your jokes to news@westernweekender.com.au.

cupboard prize

Looking for a fun, screen-free activity for your kids during the school holidays?

Get Crafty, hosted by Code Camp, returns this Summer School Holidays as an immersive escape into the

enchanting world of handcrafting. It’s a refreshing break from screens and digital distractions where participants focus on tactile, real-world activities that promote mindfulness and provide a collaborative, social outlet for kids.

This is more than just an arts and crafts class – it’s an adventure in creativity, imagination, and skill-building. Hosted by Code Camp, Australia’s favourite holiday program, this tech-free camp promises to be a fun-filled crafting experience!

Code Camp is a leading national supplier of entertaining and educational school holiday camps for kids aged 5-13 returning this school holidays with some amazing new programs.

Since 2013 Code Camp has run over 12,000 camps, inspiring

more than 200,000 kids in over 350 schools across Australia to unleash imaginative ideas through technology at their two-to-three-day camps at various locations.

For more information, head to https://www.codecamp.com. au/program/getcrafty.

The Weekender has two Code Camp experiences to give away to readers. For your chance to win one of the experiences, send an email to competitions@westernweekender. com.au with ‘Code Camp’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, November 29 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www.westernweekender.com. au or Weekender reception.

paceway winners lucky

Members of the Penrith Paceway in Penrith have the chance to win great prizes thanks to a special promotion involving the club and your favourite newspaper, The Western Weekender Club members can pick up a free specially numbered

bumper sticker from the Paceway or the Weekender office, and our spotters will be out and about in the community.

Three spotted bumper sticker numbers will be printed each week, with winners needing to report to the Pace-

way to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out for new winners on this page every single week!

This week’s lucky winners are: 0122, 0944, 1020.

Tell us exactly where this week’s featured I Spy image is located in Penrith and you could win! Email ispy@westernweekender.com.au with your answer for your chance to win two movie tickets. Our winner will be notified by email. Entries close each Wednesday at 5pm.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The giant Roosters sign is located outside Kingswood Sports Club in Kingswood.

Emergency crews put to the test in Penrith via rescue exercise

Emergency service personnel from across the country tested their flood rescue skills in a mass-casualty exercise in Penrith last weekend.

The exercise was held as part of the National Flood Rescue Symposium.

More than 200 personnel from 17 agencies attended the symposium at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, led by the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), which also showcased innovative flood rescue assets currently being trialled.

From drones to amphibious vehicles, the assets are designed to improve response times to remote locations while enhancing the safety of personnel.

The SES is also testing e-bikes and trail bikes for fast deployment to searches and access to remote areas, enhanced flood barriers as a potential replacement to single-use sandbags to block or divert flood waters, and

unmanned surface vessels to reduce risks around flood rescues for both casualties and operators.

Held over three days, the

Flood Symposium hosted representatives from NSW Police, NSW Ambulance, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue

NSW, Surf Life Saving NSW, and Marine Rescue NSW, as well as interstate and even international attendees.

The event was an opportu-

nity for flood rescue experts to share, learn and take best-practice flood rescue skills back to their broader teams, with flow-on benefits for their respective communities.

“The National Flood Symposium is a great example of how our emergency service agencies are working together, as weather-driven disasters become more frequent, and multi-agency cooperation becomes increasingly important in keeping communities safe,” said Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib.

“Multi-agency training and emergency simulation is making our state’s flood response capabilities even stronger, and I am proud that we’re a leader when it comes to finding innovative ways to improve our preparedness and response.

“The SES is embracing opportunities to refine flood rescue capability, which not only includes training and

interoperability, but also trialling new tools and assets that can make flood rescues even quicker and safer.”

Assistant Commissioner of the NSW SES Dean Storey said the Flood Symposium brings together experts to hone skills and share lessons and insights.

“As the lead agency for flood rescue it’s part of our commitment to the people of New South Wales to maximise our preparedness for future flood events,” he said.

“That’s also why we’re innovating the tools we use to respond to future emergencies, by introducing new assets as part of a trial to see what is efficient and effective in completing operational tasks and improving the safety of our volunteers and the public.

“The trial will thoroughly evaluate the feasibility of new technologies, assets and processes to improve operations and support local and interstate response.”

Emergency workers were put through their paces in Penrith last weekend.

Noise a concern as more

• Five changes made after community feedback

Almost 8,500 submissions were received in response to the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Western Sydney International Airport.

The final EIS was released last week, revealing five changes in relation to flight paths – primarily technical alterations.

“In response to community feedback, five changes have been made from the draft EIS to minimise the impact of aircraft noise, particularly at night,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

“In addition to the two flight path changes that have already been announced and consulted on, this includes the removal of one flight path and refinements to others.”

Of the 8,477 submissions in response to the draft EIS, 8,398 were from community members, with the rest made up of government agencies, special interest groups, politicians and the like.

68 per cent of submissions clearly expressed an objection to the

project, while less than 0.5 per cent expressed clear support.

Outside of the project itself, aircraft noise was the clear issue raised in submissions, with health and social impacts also high on the list.

Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, who was among those who submitted a response to the EIS, argues the impact on her community is unfair.

“For residents in our community, from Penrith to St Marys and Llandilo to Luddenham, it looks like there have been no changes to make the flight paths more evenly distributed and fair, despite over 8,000 submissions in response to the draft EIS,” she said last week.

“However, there have been movements for the marginal Labor seat of Macquarie, with

displays of the EIS at 23 locations, McIntosh said her community did not receive the amount of consultation it should have given its proximity to the airport.

“In her statement today, Minister King says the EIS follows months of consultation. This is not true,” McIntosh said last Thursday.

“One of the key points in my EIS submission was the lack of consultation and communications for the local community.

“There were 56 community information sessions, and only four occurred in Lindsay; the most flight impacted community. There was one community information stall at the Luddenham IGA, on a Sunday when it was raining.

“As the community closest to the airport, one pop-up stall for Luddenham is hardly satisfactory.”

The Final EIS sets out proposed monitoring programs which require Airservices Australia to install a system of permanent and temporary noise monitoring at suitable locations to provide accurate data.

The previously published online Aircraft Overflight Noise Tool has been updated to reflect the changes of flight paths, and can be found at www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au.

Residents can generate a report on their property, which will explain the impact of aircraft noise.

The EIS will next be considered by the Minister for the Environment and Water,

Tanya Plibersek, who will provide advice to King about whether the preliminary flight paths should be approved and if any conditions should be applied.

The airport is scheduled to open in 2026, 40 years since Badgerys Creek was first identified as the preferred site for a second airport in Sydney.

Susan Templeman. Photo: Melinda Jane.

McHappy Day returns to raise funds for families in time of need

TROY DODDS

One of Australia’s most recognised annual fundraisers is back this Saturday, with McDonald’s stores going all out to celebrate McHappy Day. McDonald’s launched McHappy Day in Australia in 1991 to help raise essential funds for Ronald McDon ald House Charities. There are now 19 Ronald McDonald Houses nationally, with the organisation supporting over 64,000 Aussie families with seriously ill or injured children each year.

In addition to providing a home away from home, Ronald McDonald House Charities has a range of programs including Family Rooms, Family Retreats, Hospitality Carts and a National Learning Program to support families through and after their child’s challenging hospital journey and ongoing recovery.

“The funds raised for McHappy Day play a crucial role in providing vital assistance to families supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities, keeping families

together and close to the care they need,” said Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer for Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia.

“Last year, McHappy Day raised a staggering $6.4 million – providing more than 40,000 nights of accommodation and support for seriously ill or injured children and their families, while undergoing treatment or surgery in hospital.

“We’re calling on everyone’s support again this year so we can continue to help even more families where and when it’s needed most.”

There’s plenty of ways locals can take part in McHappy Day at local McDonald’s stores in Penrith.

Customers can buy a Big Mac on Saturday with $2 from every one ordered going directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

You can also purchase a pair of Grimace or McNugget Buddies Fold-Down Silly Socks for $5.95 and Helping Hands for $2, $10 or $50, with all profits going directly to the charity. Direct donations can be made at www.rmhc.org.au/give.

The crew from Panthers Leagues McDonald’s get into the McHappy Day spirit. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Dedication to inclusivity

New housing development helps fill shortfall in specialist disability housing

The doors have officially been marked as open on the newest development in Jordan Springs.

Kala Jordan Springs is a $65 million development that features 84 one, two and three bedroom apartments across two midrise buildings.

The development also includes specialist disability accommodation with 10 high physical support units, nine improved liveability apartments and two overnight assistance units.

Kala developer Coplex designed the development to provide inclusive living in order to address the lack of specialist disability housing in Sydney.

One of the Managing Directors of Coplex, Rami Ibrahim, said the new

housing will be a lifeline to families with disability housing needs in the area.

“What truly sets Kala Jordan Springs apart is its dedication to inclusivity,” Ibrahim said.

“A quarter of these apartments are specifically designed to meet the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) standards addressing a critical need in our region.

“These homes are not just buildings they are a lifeline for families and individuals with varying needs.

At Coplex we believe in helping all within the community to live well.

“This vision is reflected in every detail of Kala Jordan Springs. From high quality, durable finishes to thoughtful design elements that enhance accessibility for all.”

NDIS data has shown that 36 per cent of NDIS participants in NSW who have or are currently eligible

for SDA funding are yet to start using the funding, highlighting the statewide shortfall in acceptable SDA housing.

Coplex partnered with SDA provider Nationwide Care Plus to manage the development and ensure the housing needs are met for approved participants, something Nationwide Care Plus Senior Development Manager Eddie Goncalves said is the most important aspect.

“Nationwide Care Plus prides itself on the quality of care we provide to our vulnerable clients. We have even supported clients unfunded at times [because] that’s just what

we do and it’s our duty of care,” Goncalves said.

“When discussing accommodation, it’s all about accessibility and practicality… A lot of thought was put into choosing this location by the lake for tranquillity and calmness together with proximity to amenities like Nepean Hospital, and medical centres.”

Nationwide Care Plus participant and a resident living in alternate SDA housing, Linda, shared a thank you for all the support she has received.

“Thank you for everything you do,” she said.

Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, was given the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon and said that the need for specalised disability housing in western Sydney is higher than ever.

“One of the top things when I am walking down the street in Penrith or wherever I am across the community is if somebody with a disability approaches me, they want to talk about the NDIS but they also want to talk about the lack of accommodation that suits their needs in our community,” McIntosh said.

“Superb accommodation like this is exactly what we need.”

Refreshing arts education in west

Western Sydney University says its new partnership with Actors Centre Australia will help revitalise performing arts education in western Sydney.

The partnership will see Western Sydney University (WSU) and Actors Centre Australia (ACA) collaborate to cultivate a new generation of performing artists equipped with both foundational knowledge and practical skills.

“This partnership reflects the university’s commitment to enrich the cultural fabric of western Sydney and to provide students with exceptional education and career pathways,” said Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams

“In collaboration with ACA we can provide an unparalleled educational environment attuned to industry needs.” Initiatives under the partnership

would enable students to learn in an innovative and inclusive model, having access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the university’s advanced theatre, recording studios and media labs.

“As an alumnus of WSU’s Theatre Nepean in the early ‘90s, I’m thrilled to build on ACA’s 37-year legacy of producing world-class acting talent, including its patron Hugh Jackman, alongside Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Rose Byrne, Naomi Watts, Colin Farrell, and hundreds of others who have thrived within ACA’s creative culture,” said ACA Chairman, David Chiem.

“This partnership with WSU will bring the highest global standards of arts education from western Sydney to the world.”

Theatre Nepean was an iconic breeding ground for aspiring actors at WSU, but fell away in 2007.

It is hoped the new agreement will spark a comeback of sorts for the university’s arts programs.

Danny Ibrahim, Melissa McIntosh, Robie Ibrahim, Todd Carney, Rami Ibrahim, Linda, Stuart, and Eddie Goncalves watch the ribbon being cut. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Danny Ibrahim, Melissa McIntosh, Todd Carney, Rami Ibrahim and Robie Ibrahim. Photo: Melinda Jane.

EMILY CHATE

ACA Chairman David Chiem with WSU Vice-Chancellor and President, George Williams.

Tadros family’s battle to stay in home they’ve loved for 13 years

Glenmore Park father Simon Tadros and his son Nicholas have been to hell and back since the January 2023 Sea World Helicopters tragedy that claimed the life of their wife and mother, Vanessa.

Now, nearly two years on from the horrific mid-air helicopter collision that resulted in Nicholas losing the lower part of his right leg and requiring multiple subsequent surgeries, a fresh challenge awaits the pair right before Christmas.

Last week, Tadros was notified by his real estate agent that the landlord of the Glenmore Park property he’s been renting for the past 13 years would be putting it on the open market.

The news came as a massive shock to the single father, who knew this day would come eventually, but not this soon.

“I spoke with the landlord earlier this year and he told me he was going to sell but not for another couple of years and, when he does, he would give me first choice at buying the house because of the memories we have there,” Tadros told the Weekender

“So, what’s changed? I don’t know. I’m not going to judge the man, I don’t know his circumstances, but it’s put me in a very bad predicament.”

Making the situation harder for Tadros is that he’s currently unemployed because he cares for his son full-time, and he’s yet to receive any financial compensation from Sea World Helicopters nearly two years after the Gold Coast tragedy.

Tadros’ ultimate dream is to buy the property himself, so he and Nicholas can remain living in Glenmore Park – a place they feel comfortable and safe – on a permanent basis.

“Nicholas’ whole life is in that house. My marriage was in that house. We’re not ready to let it go,” Tadros said.

“When I told Nicholas the landlord was selling the house, he burst into tears for almost three hours. He was absolutely devastated!

“Nicholas’ life is in Glenmore Park – his schooling, his friends, his church community. Everything is in Glenmore Park. If I have to tell him we have to leave… he’s gone through enough.”

While Tadros does have around $500,000 sitting untouched in a GoFundMe account that he planned to keep for Nicholas’ future, he would consider using that money to help purchase the home, however he won’t have nearly enough funds to purchase it in its entirety until he is compensated by Sea World Helicopters.

Tadros hopes that this story will catch the eye of a financial backer that can assist him in the meantime.

“I just want someone to help me buy that house in some way, shape or form, knowing that there is money coming [via Sea World Helicopters], I just need a helping hand now. I can’t afford a mortgage, that’s why I’m asking for help,” Tadros said.

“It’s no secret that there is money coming in, the court cases will be widely televised. I just wish this was happening eight months to a year down the track.”

Tadros said the real estate agent, which is located in Regentville, will do everything in its power to make sure the pair have a roof over their head – either via a new rental or encouraging an investor to buy the property – if he is unable to purchase the home himself.

“They are a great real estate and I’ve been with them all of this time,” Tadros said.

“We have a very good relationship and they’ve been very supportive along the way, but they can’t perform miracles and I can’t leave it to them to decide our future.”

Like any single parent, Tadros’ main priority is looking after the happiness and welfare of his son Nicholas now and into the future.

“Nicholas will be attending high school next year and purchasing the house will put stability into his life,” Tadros said.

“I’ve said from day one that if anything ever happens to me, I need to make sure that my son has a roof over his head.”

On Wednesday, the law firm working on behalf of Sea World Helicopters, Carter Newell, provided the Weekender with an update in relation to the Tadros’ financial compensation.

“Sea World Helicopters and their solicitors are working proactively with the Tadros’ family solicitor to resolve compensation as quickly as possible and await their solicitor’s progress of this matter,” a Carter Newell spokesperson said.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Simon Tadros lost his wife in the Sea World Helicopters tragedy in 2023. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Nicholas will start high school in 2025.

Wildlife warriors needed

Call for more volunteers in Penrith: How you can help native wildlife in need

WIRES is on the lookout for more wildlife warriors in Penrith to rescue and care for native animals in need.

The 24/7 wildlife rescue organisation has been operating for over 35 years and is the biggest in Australia thanks to the help of volunteers like Tracy Burgess, the Blue Mountains WIRES Branch Treasurer.

“There’s no government agency that does the rescue and care of native wildlife,” Burgess said.

“WIRES and other wildlife volunteer organisations have to be licensed under National Parks and Wildlife, and we go out and rescue animals in trouble, we take them to a vet if they need, we take them into care if they need, and hopefully we release them back into the wild.”

Burgess said the most common calls she gets from Penrith residents are about brushtail possums.

“We get between 900 and 1,000 brushtail possums a year, and I would say about 200 to 300 are from the Penrith LGA,” Burgess explained.

“We probably get about 200 ringtail possums a year, and about 100 to 150 of those are from the Penrith area.”

Kangaroos are another native species in

need of constant support, particularly on Mulgoa Road, through Jordan Springs, and out through Glenmore Park.

“Down on the planes, we get about 150 or more callouts a year for kangaroos, mainly because of habitat loss,” Burgess said.

“We built suburbs, and we didn’t send a note to the animals when we did that.”

Further up the mountains, echidnas need a lot of help too.

“Especially this time of year we’ve got the young males who are basically teenage boys finding love for the first time,” she said.

“They’re wandering all over the place with no clue how a highway works, so we’re moving them off the highway on a regular basis.”

Not every WIRES rescue is a success, but Burgess said she’s been doing it since March 2017 because it feels good to make a difference.

“There’s been about 3,300 animals that I’ve rescued or cared for, and of those, I’ve managed to treat, care for, and release 1,200,” she said.

“That’s a statistic that keeps you in WIRES –knowing 1,200 animals got a second chance at life because of me.”

New volunteers receive training before they begin rescuing wildlife, which starts with a Rescue and Immediate Care Course covering policies, licensing, animal identification, rescue and first aid.

You can find out more and sign up to be a volunteer at www.wires.org.au.

NEWS@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

SUITE 2, 42-44 ABEL STREET, JAMISONTOWN 2750

Papers right not to endorse

As a regular reader of both local Penrith news publications I head to the editorials first. What I see in the Western Weekender and the Nepean News is easy to read and rarely contrary to my understanding of the chosen subject. However having read your comments of November 1 regarding the decision of two American newspapers not to ‘endorse’ either of the two candidates for the USA Presidential Election, I disagree with your assertions that they were wrong in not doing so. My take on this situation indicates that the said publications have broken the long established attitude of newspaper editors’ “opinion trumps news”. A good sign.

WALLY COX, MULGOA

Tunnel call is wrong

I can’t believe they are getting rid of the tunnel that has worked for so long (Chaos looms, Weekender November 1). God help Mulgoa Road when it’s all done. The road is congested enough and now they take this away, really what are they thinking. Good job to the people that thought this was going to be a good idea. Obviously, these people don’t live in Penrith.

ROGER BORG, VIA FACEBOOK

Bad call on tunnel

I’m with everyone else, this decision was absolutely the wrong one and instead of solving the traffic issue will only increase the traffic on that section of the road both north and southbound. This whole upgrade has been one massive f***-up after the next, when is it going to stop?

NICK BEZZINA, VIA FACEBOOK

Cheeky reaction to road change

About time they got rid of it – this tunnel has done nothing but ease congestion, increase traffic flow, and make life easier for commuters. Couldn’t possibly have something like that in Penrith.

MARK O’TOOLE, VIA FACEBOOK

Poor decision will have big impact

Whoever made the decision is disconnected from reality. It means an additional sequence in the lights to access the Homemaker Centre to cater for those turning right in, and a queue for those vehicles now needing to wait. I thought these changes were meant to be improvements to reduce traffic?

PHIL RICHARDS, VIA FACEBOOK

Intersection needs action

The Western Weekender’s front page headline ‘Death Trap’ (Weekender November 7) with a very concerned local, Diane Miller, brought home the truth of that highly dangerous intersection where Derby Street joins Bringelly Road. I’ve lived around the corner in Jamison Road for over 40 years and I can tell you as recently as last week I was reminded of just how dangerous, especially to pedestrians that intersection is. Driving north on Bringelly Road on entry to the roundabout a lady was waiting to cross, standing in-between a hopelessly inadequate little barrier which offers next to zero protection should a vehicle overshoot and hit it. Penrith Council must act on Diane’s call for an immediate upgrade of that danger zone before a tragedy takes place .

DAVE BURT, KINGSWOOD

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

An orphaned swamp wallaby joey in care.

ALLY HALL

Op ening 14th Novemb

enrith fell silent on Monday to commemorate Remembrance Day. Photographers Melinda Jane and Mitchell Hearne captured the ceremonies in Penrith and St Marys..

Councillor Libby Austin, Mayor Todd Carney and Councillor Garion Thain at St Marys.

solemn day in Penrith.

Anthony Eddie, Peter Ward, Melissa McIntosh, Ross Fowler and Brian Cartwright at Memory Park. Monday’s Remembrance Day service at Memory Park.

and remember

comes together in inspiring show of respect to the fallen

BARIS TA-MADE

Julia Parashko sings the national anthem.

Students pay tribute at St Marys.

Emotional scenes at the St Marys service.

Deputy Premier Prue Car lays a wreath at the St Marys service.

Exhibition this weekend to raise funds for major event

Graduates return to inspire next generation of women

ALLY HALL ALLY HALL

An exhibition called ‘Art for Hearts’ will open this weekend to raise money for the Penrith Tent Mission.

Hosted by C3 Church Penrith, five artists from western Sydney have created and donated contemporary, abstract, impressionist, and prophetic art, as well as sculptures and digital art for the good cause.

Senior Pastor of C3 Penrith Nicola Gibb said every time someone buys a piece of art, it goes towards improving the life of someone else.

“The art exhibition is a way that people can donate funds to help others, and they walk away with a beautiful artwork as well,” Gibb explained.

“They walk away with something practical because they’ve helped someone practically.”

The Penrith Tent Mission will be a fivenight major event running in the city in 2025 from March 21-25, and the tent will be filled with live music and helping hands over the course of the initative.

“We have to do the fundraising really well for this because it’s about $50,000 to $60,000 to put up the tent,” Gibb said.

“People are going through so much at the moment and we want to attract people so we can give them real answers.

“If somebody is struggling with food, we want to show them the best community services to get that, as well as give out food vouchers every night.”

The fundraising exhibition will be open on Saturday, November 16, from 5pm to 8pm, and on Sunday, November 17, from 11.30am to 2pm at PCYC Penrith, 100 Station Street, Penrith.

Year 12 students at Caroline Chisholm College had full hearts and full bellies after the annual Careers High Tea.

The school welcomed back six alumnae from the Classes of 2000-2022 to act as role models and mentors for the younger generation.

Partnerships and Pathways Coach at the Glenmore Park all-girls school Adam MacNamara said they’re very fortunate to have a strong network of former students who are willing to come back and share their stories.

“We call it the sisterhood,” MacNamara said.

“Students from the past coming back to guide and mentor our current students who will then go on to pursue their own careers and pathways.

“I think there’s a lovely synergy and connection there across the different graduates and generations.”

The panelists included ABC News reporter Chantelle Al-Khouri, interior designer

and business owner Blaire Marchand, exercise physiologist Isabella La Malfa, general manager of Clinique and Aveda Corinne Duffy, nurse Alana Blowers, and sales associate at Ray White Ava Musumeci.

Year 12 student Amy Jarukrut aspires to join the Australian Defence Force or go into psychology or criminology, and she said it was encouraging to hear from women who graduated before her even though they went down different career paths.

“Even though it didn’t line up with my future, it allowed me to get some inspiration on how I should get there,”

Mayor’s News

The

Jarukrut said.

The student said her favourite speaker was Blacktown Hospital nurse Alana Blowers.

“I really enjoyed listening to her because I want to do something with psychology,” Jarukrut explained.

“I feel like that was a really nice way to get to know what a nurse life would be like.”

The idea of a high tea came about because the school wanted to create a fun and classy event that suited the students.

“Last year we did a breakfast and this year we thought we’d give it another little twist and call it a high tea,” MacNamara said.

Mayor

weekly views of Penrith’s

Exhibition of St Marys Draft Masterplan and central park Concept Plan

I’m thrilled that we’re another step closer to delivering on the community’s aspiration for a more vibrant and beautiful Town Centre at St Marys. For a long time, I’ve been advocating for the highest level of quality and amenity in St Marys. Delivering a centre that offers world-class lifestyle opportunities for our community is one of my top priorities as Mayor of Penrith.

We’re asking for your feedback on the draft Master Plan for the Town Centre which is on public exhibition until November 30, 2024. The plan sets out how we’ll deliver on the community’s vision for the centre including a greater choice of homes, more jobs, open space, transport, and possibilities for tourism and education over the next 20 years.

We also want you to share your feedback on the concept plan for the new central park. This will see Coachmans Park and Kokoda Park connected to create one green civic heart for St Marys. The key

features of the design concept include an entertainment area, new children’s playspace including water play, lawn area, trees, pathways, lighting, and more. The St Marys central park project is funded through the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program in partnership with Council.

I am keen to hear from as many people as possible to make sure that we are continuing in the right direction as St Marys becomes an important strategic centre in western Sydney.

Visit www.yoursaypenrith.com.au/stmarys get involved and have your say. You can complete an online survey or attend a feedback session in person at the Village Cafe in Wattle Park (4 Wattle Avenue, North St Marys) on Thursday, November 21 from 9.30am-11.30am.

If you complete the online survey, you will go into the draw for a chance to win one of five x $200 EFTPOS gift cards.

CR TODD CARNEY Mayor of Penrith

LOOKING FOR A PAPER?

Did you know there’s a number of ways to get your hands on a copy of the Western Weekender each week?

Head to www.westernweekender.com.au/ getapaper to find out how you can make sure you never miss out.

Students and speakers at the Careers High Tea.

Artwork name: Unlikely. Artist: Nicola Gibb.

Penrith Tent Mission is scheduled to return to the city next year.

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The James Erskine Public School community has rallied behind 10-year-old Yavuz Yalcin following a harrowing diagnosis.

Yavuz was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in July, a type of bone cancer that started on his spine and spread to his lungs.

Since then, his family’s lives have changed drastically, and on Wednesday, November 13, the school held a fundraiser called, ‘Rise Up for Yavuz’.

The fundraiser involved a sausage sizzle and bake sale, staff and students donned the colour yellow, NRL representatives visited with the Provan-Summons Trophy, students put on performances, and five students and five teachers shaved their heads.

“It’s to support his family as it’ll be at least 12 months where only one family member can work,” said Assistant Principal Kylie Halfpenny.

The idea of shaving heads came from teacher Andrew Banzon, who taught Yavuz’s class for two weeks.

“He had this awesome ponytail, and I recently had just started growing my hair,” Banzon said.

“I actually really liked mine so I was thinking I’ll just keep it, but then I saw the whole situation with Yavuz, and I thought ‘What can we do as a community? What can I do to help?’

“I thought to myself, my hair will grow back, I’m not going to enjoy it, but we could probably raise some money for the family.”

carer for Yavuz, which brought the family’s normal life to a grinding halt.

friends decided to do the same.

The young boys raised more than $3,000, and Yavuz’s mum Gulsum Yalcin said the support from everyone has been amazing.

“He wants to see all his friends and teachers and he wants to say thank you because of how they’re supporting him,” Gulsum said.

“We’re not feeling alone, Yavuz is not feeling alone.”

Gulsum has taken on the role of full-time

“I was working two jobs, and I’ve had to leave my jobs,” she explained.

“We’ve moved out to my husband’s family’s house…because we wouldn’t be able to afford the mortgage.”

Yavuz also has a younger brother who just turned three.

“He used to go to day care, but we cancelled the day care for him, and my mum came from overseas to look after him,” said Gulsum.

“She’s staying with us as well.” In addition to funds raised by James Erskine Public School, a GoFundMe page has been set up for the family as they battle through this period in their lives. If you’d like to donate, visit www.gofundme. com/f/littlewarrior-yavus.

Banzon convinced four other staff members to shave their heads, and to his surprise, five of Yavuz’s

Yavuz Yalcin (standing next to trophy on the right) with his school mates. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Students were keen to show their support.

Students shaved their heads in solidarity.

James Erskine Public School students show their support for Yavuz.

ALLY HALL

This tremendous photo from 1960 shows Hawkins Chemist on High Street. Hawkins Chemist was located next to Memory Park, which can be seen to the left of the photo. The

photo

(Photo thanks to Penrith City Library)

Δ Tastes like a Premiership: The Western Weekender has joined forces with Nil Desperandum to produce Four-Peat Spiced Rum. Best enjoyed after a Storm fizzles out and with your favourite newspaper in hand. You can buy it now for $89.95 at https://nildesperandum.com.au/products/four-peat-spicedrum-a-western-weekender-limited-edition.

Δ Gift for travellers: If you're planning to travel with kids this summer, this $19.80 stocking filler is a must. HeyDoodle MiniMats (pictured above) are packaged in a travel-friendly tube and come with three non-toxic markers, serving as a great alternative to technological devices to keep travelling kids entertained for oodles of hours. HeyDoodle playmats are made from FDA-approved food-grade silicone making them easy to erase and reuse over and over. The playmats encourage educational play through drawing, colouring, tracing and problem-solving activities. HeyDoodle is stocked at around 850 stores, including The Iconic online.

Δ Get lost this summer: Talking of Christmas gifts, here's one for the person who has everything – adventure card game, Getting Lost. Launched in 2018, Getting Lost is a card

game that encourages people to beat the boredom and explore the world around us. The game (pictured below) has more than 30 varieties and counting including decks suited for girls' trips, families, couples, pets and the hugely popular Aussie edition. Head to www. gettinglost.co.nz for info and stockists.

Δ Cummins turns investor: Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has invested in local craft beer brand, Mountain Culture. The brand continues to grow, and its brew pub in Emu Plains is extremely popular.

Δ Sauce shake-up: Masterfoods has confirmed a trial of new paper-based packaging for their MasterFoods Squeeze-On Tomato Sauce packs, which can be recycled via traditional

kerbside recycling. The new paper-based packs (pictured above) contain 58 per cent less plastic than the original MasterFoodsSqueeze-On packs. Let’s hope it doesn’t impact the famous squeeze!

Δ Flavour punch: OAK has joined forces with Nestle Milkybar to launch a limited edition flavoured milk (pictured left). Inspired by the iconic creamy white chocolate flavour of Milkybar, this collaboration combines a nostalgic classic with the bold flavour of OAK. It's available in supermarkets now.

Playing it safe this festive season

Respect our staff and venues this Christmas.

That’s the message from a dedicated group doing their part to keep the community safe as celebrations begin this festive season.

The Nepean Liquor Accord is a collection of local licensed venues, community groups and government agencies devoted to preventing alcohol-related issues, anti-social behaviour and violence.

“Our Accord includes all clubs, pubs, bottle shops, bars, plus many restaurants from the Penrith and St Marys area,” Accord Chairman David Want said.

The Chairman wants to ensure all venues and staff are treated with respect during the busy period.

“We will welcome and respect everybody that enters our venues, and patrons must also behave in this manner in return – it’s a two-way street,” Want said.

“Patrons need to understand that having a liquor licence is a serious responsibility and people who don’t respect our staff or fail to follow management direction will be asked to leave and possibly be refused entry at our fellow Accord venues.”

In addition to acting respectfully,

underage drinking is high on the Accord’s priority list, and they’re working with Nepean Police Area Command to implement the best prevention strategies.

According to Want, local businesses have recently come across many different types of fake identification, and when this occurs, venues communicate with one

another.

“Our venue-to-venue communication strategy gives everyone a heads up about a minor trying to enter their premises live, so we

can prevent such individuals from entering our venues at the entry,” Want explained.

The group is also working with police to minimise drink spiking – a criminal offence punishable with fines and up to two years imprisonment. Recent changes to the Responsible Service of Alcohol handbook now means everyone working at a licensed premises has a role to play in eliminating spiking incidents, but there’s also preventative actions patrons can undertake to stay safe on a night out.

The Accord said to keep an eye on your mates, have a ‘Plan B’, pace yourself and drink responsibly, don’t accept drinks from others, and always be mindful of where your teenage children are.

Sergeant Hayden Burden from the Nepean Police Area Command Licensing Team reinforced the Accord’s stance.

“We want the community to exercise safe practices over the season and to have a safe and happy new year,” Burden said.

“Officers will be conducting proactive patrols in and around licensed premises with a focus on compliance in venues and patron behaviour.”

Are you ready for sustainability reporting requirements from 2025?

Starting January 1, 2025, many large businesses in Australia will be required to create annual reports that share important information about their impact on the environment and society. These reports will be in addition to their usual financial documents and must include details about how they manage their greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, waste, and social responsibility efforts. This change is part of a worldwide movement to address growing concerns about climate change and its effects. While only companies with revenues of $50 million or more are mandated to submit these reports, smaller businesses that supply goods or services to these larger companies may also need to assess their own environmental impact and share that information.

So, what can smaller businesses do to get ready? Here are some steps to help smooth the transition:

1. Create a sustainability policy: Start by writing a clear document outlining your company’s goals for being more sustainable.

2. Use a sustainability checklist: Having a simple checklist can help you keep track of energy use, waste management, and social responsibility actions.

For smaller companies, preparing for this requirement can be challenging. Here are some common difficulties they might face:

1. Limited resources and expertise: Smaller businesses might need extra time and training to understand how to gather and report sustainability data effectively.

2. Higher costs: There may be additional expenses for collecting data and adopting new systems to meet the reporting standards.

3. Accurate data collection: It’s crucial to measure things like energy and water usage, as well as waste, in a consistent way to ensure the information is correct.

3. Provide training: Teach your employees why sustainability is important and how they can contribute to accurate reporting.

4. Leverage technology: Use tools that make it easier to collect data and prepare reports automatically.

While it might seem like a hassle to follow these new reporting requirements, there are long-term advantages. By focusing on sustainability, smaller businesses can not only meet regulations but also enhance their reputation, attract more customers, and ultimately improve their profits over time.

SAKKOURI, Foad

Much loved father to Joseph & Jannette. Adord grandfather & cherished great grandfather. And a great friend to many. He will be greatly missed. Family & friends are warmly invited to attend Foad's funeral ser vice on Thursday 21 November 2024 At the Our Lady of the Rosar y, St Mar ys.

WEB SITE

Western Weekender

Buying: LP RECORDS, Automatic Watches, Diecast Car s, NINTENDO + Playstation, Coins, Stamps, Old Toys + Tools ANYTHING OLD! Deceased Estates/Downsizing? Will come to you! SPRING INTO ACTION! Ph: Mike 0400 675 315

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Turn your items into $CASH$ Sell with us today! 4722 2998 $$

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE VODAFONE & OPTUS MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT EXISTING MONOPOLE AT 4-24 CASTLE RD, ORCHARD HILLS NSW 2748 INCLUDING 5G

1. The proposed 5G upgrade will consist of:

• Replacemement of existing headframe with a new triangular headframe at the same height

• Removal of six (6) existing Vodafone and Optus panel antennas to be replaced with six (6) new (three Vodafone and three Optus) panel antennas (each measuring not more than 2 .8m in length).

• Installation and reconfiguration of ancillar y equipment including 21 Remote Radio Units (RRUs), antenna mounts, feeders, cabling, combiners and other associated equipment; and ancillar y works within the existing equipment shelter

2. Vodafone and Optus regard the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“ The Determination”) based on the description above

3. In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or comments should be directed to: Christabel Amankwah at Ser vice Stream Limited, 0419 793 679, TPG. Submissions@ser vicestream.com. au or Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5.00pm Monday, 2nd December 2024.

4. If you would like to know more about this site, further information can be obtained from www.r fnsa.com.au/2748001

ENTERTAINMENT

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

TAKING ON THE BEST

It takes a powerful voice and a gutsy artist to tackle the vocals of Adele and Amy Winehouse; fortunately, those two attributes are neatly packaged in Aussie singer-songwriter Bloom.

The acclaimed singer has sold out shows across Australia and New Zealand with mesmerising, soulful performances, and will soon be at the EVAN Theatre to perform ‘The Adele and Amy Songbook’.

The two superstars have sold in excess of 20 million albums, and Bloom has crafted an unforgettable evening out of their hits, including ‘Someone Like You’, ‘Rolling in the Deep’, ‘Back to Black’, and ‘Valerie’.

“All the songs are of a similar theme, so it’s like a chick flick but in concert form where we’re all singing about our ex-boyfriends, which is quite therapeutic I suppose – or cathartic,” Bloom said.

“I won’t say it’s cheaper than therapy, but you always leave feeling really good because the songs are quite deep but there’s comedic relief between the songs and, I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of Adele and Amy Winehouse?”

The interactive show first blossomed in 2016 and continues to evolve.

“You just never get sick of performing these songs or performing the show because we try to keep it organic depending on where we perform and how we interact with the crowd,” Bloom explained.

“No two shows are the same.” Bloom told us audiences can expect more than your average musical performance, saying viewers always have a good time at her shows despite crying into their wine.

“I love the connection that music makes,” Bloom said.

“You don’t know these people and then they’re at your show and they’re crying, or you’re taking them back to a time that they remember, and it’s pretty powerful stuff.”

The passionate reaction to Bloom’s songbook is not only brought on by her entrancing vocals, but also the inability to see the two world-famous artists in a live setting.

“Unfortunately, we can’t see Amy live, so we don’t really hear the songs in a live setting much and Adele doesn’t tour here often, so I did just want to create a night filled with all of those songs,” Bloom said.

“Usually if people like one and are not sure about the other, by the time they leave the show they’re converted fans.”

Bloom is also an original and independent artist with an album on iTunes called ‘Elevate’.

“I don’t pretend to be Adele or Amy, it’s a concept show where we celebrate the music of these two incredible artists,” Bloom said.

Bloom will be performing at EVAN Theatre at Penrith Panthers on Friday, November 29 at 8pm. Tickets start at $59. For more information or to book, visit www.penrith.panthers. com.au.

ALLY HALL

WesternSydney GigGuid e

IF YOU HAVE A GIG OR EVENT YOU Would LIKE TO PROMOTE PLEASE CONTACT AMANDA at AMANDA.COSKERIE@WESTERNWEEKENDER.COM.AU

Trivia night

Registrations from 6:30pm

Commercial hotel

DJ blazing Joe

From 6:30pm

Collector Hotel

Panthers group gotcha4life ball

From 6pm.

Tickets are $275 each or tables of 10 for $2,500 Western Sydney Conference Centre

The big three Car festival

From 5pm

Let’s go cars, parramatta

West side poetry slam

From 7pm

Westworlds Parramatta

Christmas tree Lighting 2024

From 5pm

Memory Park, penrith

Touch crazy

From 8:30pm

st marys rugby league club

Unlimited biryani festival

From 11am - 3pm. Tickets from $30

St marys community centre

From 3pm the log cabin

Northeast party house

Christmas market day

From 10:30am - 3pm. All proceeds support Parkinson’s Disease OES hall, merrylands

Scan

THINGS TO DO

A Cheery Soul takes to the stage

The classic Australian play by Patrick White, ‘A Cheery Soul’, will be brought to life by the Glenbrook Players. Set in the 1950s, the play centres around a meddlesome do-gooder who overtakes the lives of three couples. The play opens on November 15 at Glenbrook Theatre. Bookings can be made at www. glenbrookplayers.com.au.

BARGAIN BUYS

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

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

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

Penrith CBD Corporation

Regular meetings and networking for Penrith CBD businesses. Visit www. penrithcbdcorp.com.au.

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi & Qiqong

Saturdays 4.30pm, WSU Kingswood Campus. Outside the Food Hub. Guan 0422 120 738.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

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

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Nepean Rowing Club

Calling all mystery-lovers, it’s time to pick up the magnifying glass and put on your detective hats. Henry Lawson Theatre will be hosting a stage adaptation of the classic whodunnit, ‘Clue’, which will deliver thrills, chills and side-splitting laughter. The evening of murder mystery opens on November 15. Tickets from $25-$30. Visit www.trybooking.com. Can you guess who did it?

from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Kingswood-Caddens Probus Club

Meets on the last Monday of the month at Kingswood Sports Club at 10.30am.

Probus Club of Nepean

First Wednesday of the month at Emu Sports Club, Leonay from 10.30am. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Faye on 0417 267 866 for more information.

Penrith Lions Club

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

Nepean Valley RSL Day Club

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

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

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

Red Cross Penrith

Meetings held the second Thursday of the month for lunch. Members and

Sailability ‘Come N Try Day’

Give sailing a crack this Sunday! A ‘Come N Try Day’ will allow aspiring sailors to feel the wind in their hair and the rope on their palms from 10am to 3pm. Guidance will be provided by the Sailability volunteer team and sail boats are equipped for one or two sailors. The event caters for people with disabilities. Email comentrysailability.penrith@gmail.com.

volunteers knit teddies for trauma victims. Call 0438 244 414.

Penrith NASHOS

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

Nepean Evening VIEW Club

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

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Nepean Food Services

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

JP Service

Available weekdays from 9am-4pm at the Western Weekender offices.

MUSEUMS

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

Nepean Naval Museum

Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42 Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700 for more details.

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

SUPPORT GROUPS

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group

Third Thursday of the month at 10am, Panthers. 1300 650 594.

Penrith Carer Support Group

First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

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

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

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

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

At the movies...

Gladiator 2

Over 20 years after the events of ‘Gladiator’, the sequel will see Maximus’ nowgrown son and rightful ruler of Rome, Lucius (Paul Mescal), take on his father’s legacy.

Lucius swears vengeance against the Roman Empire after his home is invaded and the Roman army take him prisoner.

Red One

Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum by Rome’s rulers and dominates in the arena under the teaching of Macrinus – all the while he’s building a rebellion.

Mescal’s character’s quest for revenge is spurred on by his owner, Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a shady character and former slave who plots to overthrow the tyrannical Emperors.

‘Gladiator 2’ is in cinemas now.

When Santa Claus (J. K. Simmons) – referred to as ‘The Red One’ by his top-secret North Pole team – is kidnapped just days before Christmas Eve, the responsibility to save Christmas falls to the North Pole’s stoic Head of Security, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson).

As the holiday season teeters on the brink of collapse, the Head of Security quickly realises he can’t rescue Santa alone and reluctantly teams up with infamous and unpredictable bounty hunter Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans).

The two characters are polar opposites, and they take their uneasy alliance all over the world on their race against time to restore Christmas.

From tracking leads on Santa’s whereabouts to battling rivals who want to seize control of Christmas, the magic of the holiday remains even amid the car chases, daring escapes, and hand-to-hand-combat.

‘Red One’ is in cinemas now, just in time for the festive season!

www.hoyts.com.au

SUMMER EXHIBITIONS

9 November 2024 - 16 Februar y 2025

Spot the Di erence

Explores our region’s ‘Big Black Cat’ myth through diverse mediums, blending fact and fiction.

Marian Abboud and Vicki Van Hout: Magic Malfunction

Explores women’s work, identity, and process through video, installation, archives, technology, and culture.

Felix Jackson: transcript

Felix Jackson’s debut exhibition uses drawing, casting, and recording to explore transformation and transitions.

ReDivining

Highlights the work of artists who skillfully reinterpret well-known visual styles and historical stories, o ering fresh, thought-provoking perspectives.

All activities and events are FREE, no bookings required.

Needs

14 DEC 2024

COUNTRY CORNER

Denvah drops new track

With a voice that feels like home and a down-to-earth charm, Denvah is fast becoming a rising star in the Australian country music scene. After winning the Groundwater Kix-Start and Gympie Muster Talent Competitions and dazzling as a Top 3 finalist on ‘Australian Idol’, she’s been captivating audiences nationwide.

Her latest single, ‘Making Cups of Tea’, recently hit #1 on the Countrytown National Country Radio Charts, resonating with fans through its heartfelt and nostalgic storytelling.

“It’s a true recount of a life-changing moment,” Denvah shared, “filled with memories, inside jokes, and personal breakthroughs.”

Now, she’s back with ‘One of Them Cowboys’, a fun, light-hearted anthem about

“Superbly produced and performed celebration of Burt Bacharach’s extraordinary musical career.” – Australian Arts Review

finding that perfect cowboy.

“It’s a playful look at what it takes to tick all the right boxes and be ‘one of them cowboys’,” she said.

The song is out now on all the usual streaming services.

Stan to air CMA Awards

Stan will air the premier country music awards live next Thursday, November 21. Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson will host the awards, which will feature an opening performance by Post Malone and Chris Stapleton. Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Post Malone, Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and Chris Stapleton will all perform.

The broadcast on Stan begins at 12pm next Thursday, live from Nashville.

Anna Louise Richardson, On the hunt (installation view), 2017, Courtesy the artist. Photo: Docqment

Nathan Taylor

TV NEWS

Ê The new season of Channel Nine’s ‘Taronga: Who’s Who in the Zoo’ will premiere next Wednesday, November 13 at 7.30pm. The observational series showcases the work of keepers, vets, scientists and conservationists at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. Narrated by actress Virginia Gay, each episode features Taronga’s furry, scaly and feathered residents, as well as the passionate people who dedicate their lives to caring for them.

Ê Over at Channel Seven on the same night and same time, viewers can catch new travel competition series ‘The Big Trip’. Four teams of celebrities will embark on a road trip from the Great Australian Bight to the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a series of challenges along the way. Hosted by comedian Dave Thornton, the series sees the celebs compete for the chance to gift $300,000 of hybrid and EV cars to some lucky fans. The four teams are: The Competitors – Olympic Gold medallist and ‘Australian Survivor’ contestant Lydia Lassila and actor turned ‘Australian Survivor’ winner Pia Miranda; The Performers – comedian and ‘Dancing with the Stars’

NOVEMBER 13 7.30PM

TARONGA: WHO’S WHO IN THE ZOO, 9

NOVEMBER 13 7.30PM THE BIG TRIP, 7

finalist Nikki Osborne and ‘Underbelly’ star Gyton Grantley; The Stylists – former ‘The Block’ contestants Mitch and Mark; and The Comedians – Logie Award winner Dilruk Jayasinha and fellow comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann.

Ê UK series ‘Douglas is Cancelled’ is heading to the ABC on Sunday, December 1 at 8pm. The four-part comedy-drama is about TV presenter Douglas who faces backlash after he makes a sexist joke at a wedding. To make matters worse, his co-host Madeline accidentally amplifies the situation, and things quickly get out of hand.

Ê In some mind-blowing news, legendary 10play soap ‘Days of our Lives’ has been renewed for a 61st season. Truly remarkable!

Ê One for the country music fans to get excited about with the 58th Annual Country Music Association Awards heading to Stan on Thursday, November 21 at 12pm. Lainey Wilson will join Luke Bryan and Peyton

Manning to host this year’s CMA Awards, live from Nashville.

Ê The new season of anthology series ‘Goosebumps: The Vanishing’, starring former ‘Friends’ actor David Schwimmer, will premiere on Disney+ on Friday, January 10. The new season draws on elements from some of the most popular Goosebumps books. ‘Goosebumps: The Vanishing’ begins when twins Cece and Devin Brewer are sent to spend a summer in Gravesend, Brooklyn, with their divorced dad (Schwimmer). A threat is stirring, and they quickly realise that dark secrets are among them, triggering a chain of events that unravel a profound mystery. As they delve into the unknown, Cece, Devin and their friends – Alex, CJ and Frankie – find themselves entangled in the chilling tale of four teenagers who mysteriously vanished in 1994.

Ê Finally, Netflix has confirmed that the fifth and final season of ‘Stranger Things’ will premiere in 2025.

TV Guide: November 15–21

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Planet America (PG) 10:30 I Was Actually There (PG) 11:00 Fake Or Fortune? 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Shetland (M l,v) 2:00 Plum (M d,l) 3:00 A Bite To Eat With Alice 3:25 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:15 Grand Designs NZ (PG) 5:00 Antiques Roadshow 6:00 A Bite To Eat With Alice 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:35 Gardening Australia 8:30 Shetland (M v) 9:30 Fisk (PG) 10:00 Question Everything 10:35 Hard Quiz (PG) 6:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 11:30 Seven Morning News 12:00 Movie: “A Date With Danger” (PG) (’21) Stars: Lara Jean Chorostecki 2:00 Catch Phrase (PG) 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Better Homes And Gardens 8:30 Growing Home With Jamie Durie (PG) 9:30 Murder In The Goldfields (M d,v) 11:30 GetOn Extra (PG) 12:00 Taken (M) 2:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Today 9:00 Today Extra 11:30 NINE News Morning 12:00 Movie: “Dancing Through Christmas” (PG) (’21) Stars: AnnaLynne McCord 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III (PG) 8:40 Movie: “Spencer” (M l) (’21) Stars: Kristen Stewart 11:00 Inside Beverly Hills (M) 10:00 Judge Judy (PG) 10:30 Sort Your Life Out (PG) 11:45 Entertainment Tonight 12:00 Farm To Fork

7:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country

1:00 Air Crash Investigations (PG) 3:00 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 3:30 Cricket: WBBL: Perth v Sydney Thunder *Live* 7:00 Cricket: WBBL: Melbourne Stars v Melbourne Renegades *Live* 10:30 Movie: “Men In Black 2” (PG) (’02)

3:20 Modern Family (PG) 3:45 Bondi Vet (PG) 4:45 Sean’s Kitchen 5:15 Australia’s Got Talent (PG) 6:30 Movie: “Abominable” (G) (’19) Stars: Chloe Bennet 8:30 Movie: “The Social Network” (M) (’10) Stars: Jesse Eisenberg

November

2:00 Escape To The

3:30 AFLW Finals: Week 2: Adelaide v Fremantle *Live* 5:30 Surf Patrol (PG) 6:00 Taste Of Australia With Hayden Quinn 6:30 The Highland Vet (PG) 7:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG)

4:35 Motown Magic 5:00 Our Stories 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Kenya Wildlife Diaries 7:30 Movie: “Inkheart” (PG) (’08) Stars: Brendan Fraser 9:25 Movie: “Sione’s Wedding” (AKA ‘Samoan Wedding’) (M l,s,v) (’06)

6:00 Home Shopping 8:00 What’s Up Down Under 8:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 10:30 JAG (PG) 12:30 NCIS (PG) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 10:20 FBI (M) 12:15 Home Shopping 2:00 Becker (PG) 2:30 Frasier (PG) 3:30 Rules Of Engagement (PG) 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Ghosts (PG) 7:30 Friends (PG) 8:00

Festive Flavours 8:30 Mary Berry’s Fantastic Feasts 9:35 Come Dine With Me UK 10:30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 4:35 PBS News Hour 5:35 The Fast History Of Toys (PG) 5:55 The Complete Taylor Swift Story (PG) 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 A League Of Their Own Road Trip

*Live* 5:00 Seven

6:00

3:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 3:30 The Nanny (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Real Steel” (PG) (’11) Stars: Hugh Jackman

2: Teams

At 5 5:30

7:00

Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 7:30 Movie: “The Sound Of Music” (G) (’65) Stars: Julie Andrews 11:10 Movie: “Last Night In Soho” (MA15+) (’21) Stars: Thomasin McKenzie

Getaway (PG) 6:00 NINE News Saturday 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Gladiator” (M v) (’00) Stars: Russell Crowe

12:30 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 1:00 Repco Supercars Championship Highlights 6:00 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 AFLW Semi Final: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide *Live* 9:30 Movie: “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (M l,v) (’91) Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger 1:00 Australia’s Got Talent (PG) 2:15 Wife Swap Australia (PG) 3:30 Dancing With The Stars (PG) 5:00 Jabba’s Movies 5:30 Movie: “Surf’s Up” (G) (’07) Stars: James Woods 7:30 Movie: “The Karate Kid” (PG) (’10) Stars: Jaden Smith

QI (PG) 8:30 Live At The Apollo (M)

5:00 Jimmy Shu’s Taste Of The Territory 5:30 Movie: “The Shaman’s Apprentice” (PG) (’21) Stars: Madeline Ivalu 5:50 Jimmy Shu’s Taste Of The Territory 6:20 NITV News Update 6:30 The Other Side (PG) 7:30 Deadly Funny 2022

5:30 Lorraine’s Fast, Fresh And Easy Food 6:00 Taste Of Australia In Vietnam 6:30 View From River Cottage 7:30 Alex Polizzi Secret Italy 8:30 Rick Stein’s India 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 10:30 River Cottage Australia

12:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 1:00 JAG (PG) 2:00 Football: Ninja ALeague Women: Round 3: Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers *Live* 4:30 On The Fly 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 6:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 2:00 Frasier (PG) 3:00 The King Of Queens (PG) 3:30 Becker (PG) 4:00 Frasier (PG)

4:10 BBC News At Ten 4:40 ABC World News Tonight With David Muir 5:05 PBS News Hour 6:05 The Future With Hannah Fry (PG) 6:35 The Secret Genius Of Modern Life (PG) 7:35 Impossible Engineering (PG) 8:30 Great Australian Concerts 4:40 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders (PG) 5:40 Movie: “The Flintstones” (G) (’94) Stars: John Goodman 7:30 Movie: “Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets” (PG) (’02) Stars: Emma Watson

6:00 rage (PG) 7:00 Weekend Breakfast 9:00 Insiders 10:00 Offsiders 10:30 The World This Week 11:00 Compass (PG) 11:30 Songs Of Praise 12:00 ABC News 12:30 Landline 1:30 Gardening Australia 2:45 Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen 3:15 Long Lost Family (PG) 4:00 Restoration Australia 5:00 Antiques Roadshow 6:00 Grand Designs Australia 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Spicks And Specks (PG) 8:00 Fisk (M l) 8:30 Plum (M l,s) 6:00 NBC Today 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend (PG) 12:00 Border Security - International (PG) 12:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 1:00 Repco Supercars Championship: Adelaide 500: Day 2: Qualifying & Supports/ Pre-Race & Race *Live* 6:00 Seven News 7:00 My Kitchen Rules (PG) 8:35 Tsunami - The Wave That Shook The World (PG) 10:35 Crime Investigation Australia - Most Infamous (M v) 6:00 Hello SA (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Cross Court 10:30 Surf Boat Tsunami 11:30 Fishing Australia 12:00 Drive TV 12:30 The Pet Rescuers (PG) 1:00 Attenborough’s Wonder Of Song 2:00 Movie: “Loch Ness” (G) (’96) Stars: Ted Danson 4:00 Explore TV 4:30 Helloworld 5:00 NINE News First At Five 5:30 RBT

2:50

2:50 Movie: “The Truth About Women” (PG) (’57) Stars: Laurence Harvey 5:00 Movie: “How To Murder Your Wife” (PG) (’65) Stars: Jack Lemmon 7:30 Movie: “When Harry Met Sally” (M l,s) (’89) 9:30 Movie: “Mermaids” (PG) (’90)

Movie: “Amazing Grace” (G) (’18) Stars: Aretha Franklin

NITV

(PG) 7:30

6:20

(PG) 4:00 My Kitchen Rules (PG) 5:30 Gold Coast Ocean Rescue (PG) 6:30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (PG) 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M) 3:00 Our Stories 3:20 AFL 2022: NTFL Women’s Under 18s

(PG) 8:30 Walkabout To Hollywood (PG) 12:30 Shark Tank Australia (PG) 1:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 2:30 Camper Deals 3:00 What’s Up Down Under (PG) 4:00 I Fish 4:30 NBL: Round 9: Brisbane Bullets v Perth Wildcats *Live*

River Cottage Australia 11:30 Gordon Ramsay Uncharted 1:30 Field Trip 4:30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic 4:55 Fashionista 5:10 Shane Smith Has Questions: Are The Borders Really Open (PG) 6:05 Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes In 12 Hours 6:40

From

(PG) 7:35 Abandoned

(M)

Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders (PG) 3:30

“The Pink Panther” (PG) (’06) Stars: Steve Martin 5:30 Movie: “Agent Cody Banks” (PG) (’03) Stars: Frankie Muniz 7:30 Movie: “Superman Returns” (PG) (’06) 1:40 Movie: “Geronimo” (PG) (’62) Stars: Chuck Connors 3:50 Movie: “Run For The Sun” (PG) (’56) Stars: Richard Widmark 6:00 M*A*S*H (PG) 8:00 Tennis: Billie Jean King Cup: Quarter Final: Australia v Slovakia/ USA *Live* 2:00 Chicago Med (M) Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Get Macca’s® delivered.

5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:05 Kangaroo Beach 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 Little Lunch 7:50 Operation Ouch! (PG)

3:10 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien 6:00 ABC News Hour 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 7:30 4:35 MythBusters (PG) 5:25 Merlin (PG) 6:10 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Penn And Teller: Fool Us (PG) 5:30 My Market Kitchen 6:00 River Cottage Australia 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw

News With Joe O’Brien 6:00 ABC News Hour 7:00

5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:05 Kangaroo Beach 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 Little Lunch 7:50 Operation Ouch! (PG) 3:10 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00

National News 7:30 7:30 3:50 MythBusters (PG) 5:25 Merlin (PG)

Ponky” (M I) (’23)

5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:05 Kangaroo Beach 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Andy And The Band 7:35 Little Lunch 7:50 Operation Ouch! (PG) 3:10 ABC News Afternoons 4:00 Afternoon Briefing 5:00 ABC News With Joe O’Brien 6:00 ABC News Hour 7:00 ABC National News 7:30 7.30 4:35 MythBusters (PG) 5:25 Merlin (PG) 6:10 Car S.O.S (PG) 7:00 My Family (PG) 7:30 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 8:30 Big Boys (MA15+) 6:30 Cook Like An Italian

The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 4:00 Tough Love With Hilary Farr 5:00 TBA 6:00 House Hunters International 7:00

(PG)

12:00 ABC News At Noon 1:00

5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:05 Kangaroo Beach 6:25 The Adventures Of Paddington

JAG (PG) 12:30 NCIS (PG) 2:30 Jake And The Fatman (PG) 3:30 Diagnosis Murder (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 8:30 FBI (M) 4:00 Farm To Fork 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 4:00

“Empire Of The Sun” (PG) (’87) Stars: Christian Bale 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 3:35 Movie: “Mandy” (PG) (’52) Stars: Mandy Miller 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By (PG)

Delicious food in the middle of town

Nestled in the heart of High Street sits Nepean Pizza and Kebabs, a takeaway shop that serves high quality and delicious meals.

There is no lack of choice at Nepean Pizza and Kebabs as they serve a variety of delicious food such as pizza, oven baked potatoes, fresh seafood, Turkish pide, pork ribs, kebabs, falafels, burgers, chips, salads and desserts. You can order in store or via their website, choose from anything on the menu, place your order and have it delivered straight to your door for total convenience.

Nepean Pizza and Kebabs is proud to serve their surrounding area as one of the finest takeaways in town. They are passionate about providing delicious and high-quality meals and their main priority is to satisfy their customers’ needs. They offer a wide range of excellent food which is all prepared with the freshest and finest ingredients, to the highest standards.

Nepean Pizza and Kebabs

offer delicious food at competitive prices. They have so many great deals to choose from on their website and in store! All making sure everyone can get a great deal. Just one example from their range of deals is one large pizza, one garlic bread roll, one 1.25L soft drink and one dessert for $30, saving $4.

Nepean Pizza and Kebabs wants to express their heartfelt thanks to all their customers for the support they have shown. This Christmas season to lend a

helping hand Nepean Pizza and Kebabs are hosting a $500 giveaway! All you need to do is get a free ticket by messaging the Facebook or Instagram page and watch out to see if you are the lucky winner.

Open Sunday through to Wednesday from 11am to 1am, Thursday 11am to 2am and from 11am to 3am on Friday and Saturdays. Visit them in High Street, Penrith, or check out their menu at www.nepeanpizzakebabsandcharcoals. com.au.

The Nepean Pizza and Kebabs team.

Grab your morning coffee fix or afternoon sweet treat at Coffee Corner Co. in the Jordan Springs Shopping Centre.

Here, they cater to morning coffee lovers and after-school milkshake enthusiasts while still serving high-quality breakfast and lunch options every day of the week.

Everyone’s taste buds will be satisfied through

their wide range of food and drink options – from mums to young kids, there is definitely something for everyone at Coffee Corner Co.

And you can’t go past their incredible Frozen Hot Chocolate, with a wide range of chocolate options including dark, white, marble, mint, hazelnut, and white choc caramel.

Or their signature thick shakes – ranging from Oreo

SPONSORED

and Mars to Kit Kat and Tim Tam. Seriously, we don’t know if there’s a better thick shake around town.

Open every day, Coffee Corner Co is serving from 4.30am Monday through to Saturday and 6am on Sundays.

Whenever that café craving hits, Coffee Corner Co is ready to serve.

With the choice of both indoor and outdoor seating, the whole family can visit and enjoy their delicious food and drink.

Just one of the reasons to visit Coffee Corner & Co is their budget-friendly ‘Grab and Go Breakfast Specials’.

For just $10, you can grab a gourmet muffin, ham and cheese toastie, ham and cheese croissant, or bacon and egg ciabatta roll with a regular coffee, hot chocolate, or chai latte.

Head down to the Jordan Springs Shopping Centre

Penrith’s newest meat wholesaler

Penrith’s best kept secret is now open to the public!

After 15 years of providing top-quality meats to local restaurants, The Outlet by Ribs & Roast is welcoming the community to experience their sous vide and fresh meat selections at wholesale prices.

Founded by a skilled butcher and an experienced chef, this local business has built a reputation for excellence.

With a purpose-built facility at Penrith’s popular Manufactor precinct on Castlereagh Road, The Outlet by Ribs & Roast bring restaurant-quality meats and convenience to the homes of busy families.

Their sous vide options are expertly pre-cooked and vacuum-sealed, allowing

customers to enjoy tender, flavoured meals in minutes – perfect for those short on time but unwilling to compromise on quality.

Simply heat, serve and enjoy a meal that tastes slow cooked without effort.

With a wide selection of affordable options, from fresh cuts to ready-to-eat sous vide,

The Outlet by Ribs & Roast makes it easy to prepare delicious, wholesome meals any day of the week.

The local business is proud to serve the community and is ready to transform dinner tables with a new approach to home dining.

The Outlet by Ribs & Roast is open Monday to Saturday at 28/2115 Castlereagh Road, Penrith. Visit www.ribsandroast.com/the-outlet.

NEW FORTUNE PALACE

Experience authentic flavours at New Fortune Palace! Indulge in our freshly prepared Chinese dishes, per fect for family gatherings or a cosy meal. Dine-in or takeaway available.

320 High Street , Penrith | 4732 3350

Monday: 4:30pm - 9:30pm Tuesday: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 4:30pm - 9pm

Wednesday - Friday: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm

Saturday: 4:30pm - 10pm Sunday: 12pm - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9pm

newfortunepalace.yumbojumbo.com.au

A dining institution in Penrith’s CBD

Opening in 1984, Happy Inn has made a name for itself as the best in the west for top-quality Chinese cuisine in Penrith.

The restaurant offers classic dishes like Mongolian lamb and sweet and sour pork for traditional diners, as well as fusion menu items for the contemporary customer.

Owner Vincent Wong said the long-serving restaurant has stuck around for 40 years because they have a lot to offer.

“We’ve been here for such

a long time, we understand what people like about Chinese food,” Wong explained.

“We provide high-quality meals and services, giving everyone a satisfying dining experience.”

Happy Inn is known for its friendly and attentive staff, delicious flavours, fast service, and reasonable prices.

With the festive season coming up, Wong is urging locals to make their Christmas party bookings early to avoid missing out. You can find the restaurant at 401 High Street in Penrith and you can make a booking by calling 4731 5352.

Enjoy your end of year celebration at the most well known Chinese restaurant in Penrith. Our private function room seats 120 people (no hire charge), and ser ves excellent Chinese cuisine.

Open 7 days, with a recently expanded and refurbished restaurant, call now to secure your spot! Serving our customers quality hot and cold beverages, main and

Sunday - Thursday: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 9:30pm Friday - Saturday: 11:30am - 2:30pm, 5pm - 10:30pm

Martin Lau, Vincent Wong and Annie Lau.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

Happy Inn’s incredible dishes. Photo: Melinda Jane.

A summer delight at Hog’s Breath

Hog’s Breath Café is a tried-and-true Australian institution. They are an iconic Aussie restaurant known for good times, good food, cold drinks and a great atmosphere.

Hog’s Breath Café Penrith, located on the corner of Mulgoa Road and Ransley Street, is dedicated to providing an enjoyable dining experience for all customers. To them, the best version of a great restaurant experience is enjoyment and quality food wrapped up with a dash of fun.

As the summer months approach fast, Hog’s Breath Café has delivered the best surf and turf ever; Lobsterfest.

Hog’s Breath Café’s Summer Lobsterfest is back for a limited time only! It is the perfect combination of two of the tastiest summer foods: a delicately sweet rock lobster sauteed in garlic herb butter, and their famous 18 hour slow cooked 200g Prime Rib steak,

along with your choice of two sides. It is only available until Monday, December 16, so make sure you get in quick to try it for yourself. This deal is too good to be missed! Looking to celebrate the holiday season or just to get together with some of your closest friends?

Make a booking at Hog’s Breath Café Penrith!

It’s a place to feel at home, with large tables and good times. It doesn’t matter how big the group is, there will always be enough tables to accommodate everyone. Splitting the bill at the end of the night has never been easier, it can be split anyway you want, no matter how large the group is.

Make sure to visit Hog’s Breath Café Penrith now to get your fill of their iconic curly fries! Visit the website to check out the menu or make a booking at www.hogsbreath.com.au/location/penrith.

Lobsterfest is back at Hog’s Breath Cafe.

DESIGN ED FOR TH E ULTIMATE AU DI O-VI SU AL

PR ESEN TAT IO N OF AL L

SPORTS

STAD IU MLI K E ATM OSPH ER E sound system with mass ive sc re ens & in di vidual boo ths

EXT EN SI V E R AN GE OF B EV ER AG ES in cludin g 18 be er s on ta p, signatur e cocktail s & wine on ta p

MOUTH WAT ER ING S PO RT S B A R C LA SS IC S in cludin g bu rg er s, lo a ded hotdogs, juic y steak sa ndwiches , su cculent wings, pi zza, pa sta & shar in g bo ar ds

OPEN: WED-THUR 3PM-10PM | FRI 11.30AM-MIDNIGHT | SAT 10AM-MIDNIGHT | SUN 10AM-10PM

MELISSA IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD AFTER WIN

LJ Hooker Penrith’s Senior Property Manager Melissa Jerzyna has won the World Champion Property Investment Manager award at LJ Hooker’s 2023/2024 International Awards, previously winning this award in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

She has also won the prestigious state award Top Property Investment Manager NSW/ ACT for five of the past seven years including 2023/2024.

Jerzyna is a true professional and constantly outperforms her peers through her unwavering commitment, dedication to her customers and incredible leadership qualities that has enabled her to develop an incredibly talented team of like minded Property Management professionals.

“I HAVE A STRONG PASSION FOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT”

Jerzyna is an active and highly respected member of LJ Hooker and is regularly called upon to represent the Franchise Group in relation to all things Property Management.

“I am so grateful to have been recognised once more as LJ Hooker’s World Champion in Property Management,” she said.

“I want to thank our business owners, my team at LJ Hooker Penrith and the LJ Hooker family for all their support, hard work and unwavering commitment.

“I have a strong passion for property management and believe that professionalism and creating ongoing relationships with both landlords and tenants is key to success.”

Jerzyna has worked in the real estate industry for more than 20 years, 14 of which have been at LJ Hooker Penrith and has developed strong relationships and a thorough knowledge of her local area.

The awards night took place during the three-day LJ Hooker International Conference in Auckland and recognises top performers across Australia and New Zealand.

Call LJ Hooker Penrith on 0414 373 347 for more info about the property management services.

Melissa Jerzyna (centre) accepts her award in Auckland.

Ma rian’s Mana is a pre stig iou s maste r-plan ne d pre ci nct offer i ng prem iu m land lots and a rchite ct ural ly des ig ne d res idence s i n one of South-West S yd ney’s faste st-g rowi ng com mu nities.

PR ICES START FROM $554, 50 0

FE AT URES MANICURED GARDENS AND GREEN SPAC ES , ALL MAIN TA INED UNDER A CO MMUNIT Y TITLE SCHEME

WELL PO SITIONED NE AR THE RA PI DLY EX PA NDING OR AN PA RK TO WN CENTRE

Located near Oran Park ’s most popular amenities and shopping precinct, Marian’s Mana invites you to enjoy an addres s that blends nature with urban conveniences. It ’s a place you’ll want to call ho me.

impression

This 3- bedroom home in Kendall o ers charm, comfort, and opportunity. Nestled on a leafy 1,026 sqm block, it features a modern kitchen, new air-conditioning, bright north-facing living areas, and a private outdoor entertaining space.

The real bonus? DA-approved double-story duplex and subdivision potential at the backyard—perfect for investors or those seeking multi-generational living. Enjoy the serenity of a close-knit community, just 10 minutes from stunning beaches and 30 minutes to Port Macquarie

And the best part is, that it is highly a ordable as it is in the $725000 price range

Contact us as we have only one of this gem available at the moment!

Agent declares interest

7 Raymond St, Kendall, Port Macquarie, NSW

Experts

WHY PRIORITISE LEARN TO

As we head towards the silly season I wanted to remind parents of all the benefits of Learn To Swim, and why it is important to swim all year round alongside any other sports and activities in our busy family schedules! Learning to swim is an activity that offers numerous benefits for children beyond simply staying safe in water. From physical health to mental wellbeing, swimming provides a holistic approach to a child’s development in a way that no other sport or activity can match.

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise that engages the entire body, improving cardiovascular health, strengthening muscles, and enhancing flexibility. Swimming is low-impact, making it suitable for children of all ages and fitness levels, and regular swimming sessions can help combat childhood obesity and promote a healthy lifestyle from an early age.

The most obvious benefit of learning to swim is water safety. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death in children of all ages, and teaching kids how to swim reduces the risk significantly. Knowing how to float, tread water, and perform basic strokes can save lives in emergency situations. Moreover, understanding water safety rules instils confidence and promotes responsible

behaviour around water.

Learning to swim empowers children and boosts their self-confidence. Overcoming the initial fear of water and mastering new skills gives them a sense of achievement. As children progress in their swimming abilities, they gain confidence not only in the pool but also in other areas of their lives. This newfound confidence can translate into improved social interactions, academic

performance, and overall wellbeing! Learn to Swim lessons are often a child’s very first structured activity.

Swimming has therapeutic effects on children’s emotional wellbeing. The soothing nature of water calms their minds and reduces stress and anxiety. Swimming releases endorphins and also provides an outlet for pent-up energy and emotions, helping children regulate their emotions more effectively. Plus, swimming lessons provide opportunities for children to socialise and make new friends!

Swimming is a life skill that opens up a world of opportunities for children. It enables them to participate in water-based activities such as snorkelling, surfing, and kayaking. Strong swimming skills can lead to future endeavours such as lifeguarding, competitive swimming, or even careers in aquatic sports – we have lots of junior employees whose first job is with us!

By introducing children to swimming at an early age and allowing children to consistently swim all year round, parents provide their children with a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life both in and out of the water. On the flip side, a break from lessons often leads to skill regression, undoing some of the progress made prior to time out of the water. See you soon at the pool!

The Experts

KELLIE TICKNER

Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital 4736 2027

CAT HAIRBALLS AND HOW TO HELP YOUR FELINE

Hairballs are a common occurrence for cats, especially those that frequently groom themselves. As a cat grooms, it swallows loose hair, which doesn’t digest easily in the gastrointestinal tract.

Over time, the hair can accumulate, forming a hairball that the cat will eventually try to expel through vomiting. While this is a natural process, excessive hairballs can lead to discomfort or more serious issues, like blockages, that may even require surgical removal.

How hairballs develop

The hair that cats swallow passes slowly through the digestive tract. Since cats lack enzymes to break down hair, larger accumulations can’t move easily through the system, leading to partial blockages. When a hairball is too large or persistent, it stimulates a reflex, causing the cat to vomit. However, frequent vomiting could signal an underlying gastrointestinal disorder,

BENEFITS OF DRY NEEDLING

Dry needling is a therapeutic technique used by podiatrists to treat muscle pain, trigger points, and soft tissue dysfunction.

It involves inserting thin, solid needles (similar to acupuncture needles) into specific “trigger points” or areas of tight muscle fibres that are causing pain or discomfort. Despite its name, “dry needling” does not involve any medication or fluids being injected into the body; rather, it stimulates the muscle directly to alleviate pain and promote healing.

The primary purpose of dry needling is to target myofascial trigger points, which are tight knots or bands within muscle tissue that can cause localised pain and may refer pain to other parts of the body. These trigger points are often a result of muscle overuse, injury, stress, or poor posture, and can lead to chronic pain or limited mobility. The needle is inserted directly into the trigger point, and

the technique may cause a local twitch response, which is a brief, involuntary contraction of the muscle. This twitch response is often seen as a sign that the muscle is releasing tension and responding to the treatment.

Dry needling works by initiating neurological and biochemical responses. Inserting the needle into a trigger point is thought to stimulate the nervous system, leading to the release of muscle tension and the reduction of local inflammation. It may also

such as inflammatory bowel disease, so monitoring your cat’s behaviour is essential.

Remedies for hairballs

While hairballs are normal, there are several ways to manage or reduce their frequency. Lubricants, fibre supplements, and grooming are common approaches. Each of these remedies is meant to aid in the control of hairballs but is not a cure.

Lubricants and laxatives

Veterinary-recommended hairball lubricants, often petroleum-based, are designed to ease the passage of hair through the intestines. These are flavoured pastes that some cats will eagerly lick, while others might need coaxing. For effectiveness, these lubricants should be used two to three times weekly. However, avoid using mineral oil-based products, as they can be inhaled, leading to aspira-

HEALTH

BLAKE COSSOR One Point Health 4732 5188

promote blood flow to the area, which helps remove metabolic waste and deliver fresh nutrients to the tissues, facilitating healing. Additionally, dry needling is thought to disrupt the cycle of pain and muscle spasm, allowing for greater movement and reduced discomfort.

Dry needling is often used to treat conditions like myofascial pain syndrome, muscle strains etc. While it is generally considered safe, it may cause mild soreness or bruising at the needle insertion site. For best results, dry needling is typically combined with other physical therapy interventions, such as stretching, strengthening exercises, and manual therapy.

tion pneumonia.

Diet and fibre

Many feline-specific diets aim to reduce hairballs, often with added fibre. Fibre promotes regular bowel contractions, helping swallowed hair pass through the digestive tract more smoothly. Additionally, fibre supports water reabsorption during digestion and gently cleans the intestines, reducing the likelihood of hair accumulation.

Grooming

Increasing the frequency of grooming can minimise the amount of loose hair your cat swallows. Brushing or combing removes excess fur, particularly in longhaired breeds, which are prone to frequent hairballs. Some owners choose to have their cat’s hair trimmed by a professional groomer, signif-

icantly reducing the amount of hair available for ingestion.

When vomiting isn’t normal While it’s normal for cats to vomit hairballs occasionally, frequent vomiting may indicate other health issues.

If your cat vomits often or shows signs of distress, consult your veterinarian. Vomiting can signal a range of health problems, from food intolerance and gastrointestinal disease to more severe conditions like liver or kidney disease. To diagnose the cause, your vet may run tests, take X-rays, or, if necessary, conduct more advanced diagnostic procedures.

Regular grooming, the right diet, and occasional use of hairball remedies can help manage hairballs, keeping your cat comfortable and reducing the risk of complications. Observing your cat’s habits and seeking veterinary guidance as needed will ensure your feline friend stays happy and healthy.

us! Phone 4736 2027 49 Wentwor th Road,Orchard Hills Monday - Friday: 8am-7pm | Saturday: 8am-2pm Sunday: Open for emergencies for existing clients 9am-3pm ills Veterinar y Hospital, d that your pet is a ily member. That’s t care ser vices to s district

At Orchard Hills V we understand that your pet is a cherished family member why we offer comprehensive and affordable pet care ser animals across the Penrith district. We offer:

• Vaccinations

• Radiography

• Microchipping

• Surger y

• Dental care

• Ultrasound

COLOUR E-READERS ARE

GAME

In the world of e-readers, black-and-white has long been the norm. While colour e-readers have been around for some time, Amazon’s announcement of a new colour e-reader will bring them into the mainstream. I travel a lot for work, and as someone who likes to read tech magazines, this will allow me to read them on a Kindle rather than on my iPad – one less device to carry with me. I will drop a few hints to my family as a potential Christmas gift.

Traditional e-readers primarily display text in grayscale. This is ideal for reading novels and other text-heavy content. However, colour e-readers offer a more comprehensive range of possibilities, allowing you to enjoy full-colour images, comics, and even magazines.

Some of the key features of colour e-readers:

• Colour e ink displays: These displays use a unique technology that mimics the appearance of paper, reducing eye strain and providing a comfortable reading experience, even in bright sunlight.

• Colour e ink: Supports 4096 colours, but they appear softer and more subdued than on LCD screens. Colour accuracy varies, and the overall look resembles a printed newspaper.

• Enhanced image quality: Colour e-readers offer vibrant and detailed colour

reproduction, making them perfect for reading comics, graphic novels, magazines and illustrated books.

• Longer battery life: Despite the added complexity of colour displays, many

colour e-readers still boast impressive battery life, often lasting weeks on a single charge. Amazon claims a single charge will last up to eight weeks

• Versatile functionality: Many colour e-readers offer additional features like notetaking, PDF reading and audiobook playback.

Several manufacturers have embraced colour e-ink technology; here are some notable brands and models:

• Kobo: Is known for its sleek design and user-friendly interface.

• Onyx Boox: This brand caters to more advanced readers, offering high-end colour e-readers with features like stylus support and customisable software.

• PocketBook: Offers a variety of colour e-readers at different price points, making them accessible to a wide range of readers.

• Amazon Kindle Coloursoft: Amazon is the market leader in eBooks, magazines, and comics.

While colour e-readers offer a more immersive reading experience, they typically cost more than traditional grayscale e-readers. However, as technology advances and production costs decrease, I expect more affordable options will become available.

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

bohoastro.com

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2024

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Pluto transits into your sign, so curious, quirky Aquarians are keen to ricochet off in transformative new directions. And don’t worry about making messy, complicated (or embarrassing) mistakes along the way. Keep stretching your wings, trying new things and being the authentic you. Draw inspiration from actress Goldie Hawn (who celebrates her 79th birthday on Thursday), “I want to dig deep and ask – Who am I? What do I have to offer? What do I have to learn?”

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Powerful Pluto transits into your career zone mid-week (where it stays until 2043) so there are ambitious goals to set and lofty heights to reach over the next few years. Which will require hard work, passion and plenty of persistence. No procrastinating or snoozing on the sideline, Bulls! Then Friday’s Venus/ Saturn link is fabulous for planning a heavenly holiday, networking with work colleagues or nurturing a long-term personal relationship.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

It’s a lovely week for Lions! On Tuesday, there’s a terrific Sun/Neptune trine which boosts creativity and compassion, so you’ll feel like painting, writing, performing or helping someone in need. The Sun (your patron planet) shimmies into fellow fire sign Sagittarius (on Friday) when you’re fired up and ready to socialise, fraternise, travel and explore! Then the Sun links up with Pluto, which will help you take a deep dive into a special close relationship.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Your power planet Pluto transits into Aquarius and makes a positive link with the Sun, which is fabulous for boosting personal charisma and generating creative ideas. Don’t be stubborn and unimaginative about your current plans and choices though. As birthday great, singer-songwriter Bjork observes, “I sometimes fall into the trap of doing what I think I should be doing, rather than what I want to be doing”. Keep your mind flexible and your options open.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Tuesday’s Sun/Neptune trine favours compassionate, creative and spiritual pursuits. But are your aspirations for the future ambitious enough? The current stars favour ruminating over big-picture ideas. And there’s no room for false modesty or passive Piscean procrastination as you enjoy talking, texting, posting, promoting and socialising, and then come up with a cracking plan and pursue it. Powerful Pluto also encourages you to dream big and dig deep.

GEMINI

22 TO JUNE 21

It’s time for a well-organised pivot Gemini! Smart Twins will examine all possibilities, especially ones that come from left field. With powerful Pluto transiting into your aspirations zone, it’s important to have ambitious longterm goals that you’re steadily working towards. You’ll have to be patient though, as you focus on bringing your dreams down to earth via a practical plan. Thenwhen everything is in place – you’ll know the perfect time to pounce.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Many Virgos will feel very unsettled on Monday, when the Mercury/Jupiter opposition stirs up your restless side. Then Pluto powers into your work and wellbeing zone, where it stays until 2043! So your job and your health will be under the microscope for many years to come. It’s a good time to reorganise your daily routine and work schedule, plus make your diet healthier and your fitness routine more regular. Your motto for the moment? Health is wealth.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

There’s an impulsive Mercury/Jupiter opposition on Monday, which boosts your blunt and tactless side. So slow down Sagittarius and think (carefully) before you speak, especially when dealing with family and friends. Pluto powers into your communication and education zone mid-week, which could signal a learning renaissance as you consider studying a topic that has always fascinated you. Then the Sun shimmies into your sign, and it’s your turn to shine!

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Joint ventures and trust issues are on the table but don’t spoil a potentially productive week by being a verbally blunt and/or physically reckless Ram. Slow down, think before you speak and consult with loved ones and colleagues before you make any important moves. Pluto shifts into your hopes and wishes zone mid-week (where it stays until 2043) so it’s a wonderful week to set transformative goals and dream powerful dreams for the years ahead.

This week the planetary focus is on your daily routine and work zone but expect some challenging developments and stressful moments. Resist the urge to be a bossy, moody and cantankerous Crab. Try to ground your emotional energy and calm your restless mind. Your motto for the moment is from actress Goldie Hawn (who turns 79 on Thursday), “The ability to remain calm and focused in stressful situations is central to making positive decisions.”

With Pluto transiting into your leisure and friendship zone, you’ll be drawn to exploring hobbies, people and places. A child’s talent blossoms, a new friendship flourishes or a burgeoning romance progresses to a deeper level. So expect a busy week full of pleasing partnerships, convivial conversations and colourful creativity. The weekend looks wonderful courtesy of a work opportunity, an outdoor adventure or a favourite four-legged companion.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

After 16 years, Pluto finally transits out of your sign and into your inner/outer security zone. Hopefully you’ve learnt some important, transformative lessons along the way. Now you’re set for a major transformation involving self-esteem or financial matters over the next few years. Clever Capricorns will concentrate on personal development and growing your nest egg for the future. Friday will be fantastic for strategic, long-term planning.

ESCAPE TO THE CITY IN

For 50 years, well-known hotel brand ibis has led the way in making travel accessible to everyone. With more than 2500 hotels in 79 countries around the world, ibis declare they put the most into your stay, so you can get the most out of it.

To celebrate half a century in the hospitality business, ibis recently launched its new global brand campaign ‘Go get it’, and I was fortunate to spend a couple of nights at their newly-refurbished ibis Styles Sydney Central.

The last time I had stayed at an ibis property was in historic Edinburgh a couple of years ago, so I was really keen to see how an ibis Styles hotel differed.

From doing some research prior, I discovered that every ibis Styles hotel offers an immersive experience inspired by a unique theme.

“I STILL FIND MYSELF THINKING ABOUT THEIR SIGNATURE COCKTAIL LIST”

When I stepped foot inside the all-new ibis Styles Sydney Central, I quickly realised that this hotel’s theme was inspired by the trendy – and somewhat cheeky – part of town it was situated in.

Conveniently located on Wentworth Avenue on the doorstep of vibrant Surry Hills and Oxford Street, this 413-room hotel is the premier destination for experiencing all Sydney has to offer with sought-after restaurants like Chin Chin across the street, hidden cocktails bars like The Soda Factory 100 metres up the road, and the best shopping, theatre and live music venues all just a stone’s throw away.

This was an area of the Sydney CBD I’ve never stayed overnight in before, and somewhere I was eager to immerse myself in.

Following a smooth check-in process, my wife and I made our way to the elevator bound for the 18th floor where our Deluxe King Room awaited us.

Upon entering, I was thrilled with the

modern and spacious room that we were given. There was a fully equipped kitchenette, large bathroom with walk-in shower, comfortable bed and pillows, working temperature air control, a large flat screen TV and the most amazing windows that had sweeping views of all the fun that was awaiting us down below.

You could immediately tell that this property had a multi-million-dollar upgrade because the entire floor as well as the décor inside the room appeared fresh, clean and colourful.

As the sun began to set and the lights of the CBD started flicking on outside, we got changed and made our way down to the restaurant on the ground floor.

Open to hotel guests and to the public, Mee So is ibis Styles Sydney Central’s new Korean and Japanese fusion bar and restaurant.

Inspired by the streets of Seoul and Tokyo, diners at Mee So can discover an immersive foodie experience as they dive through a diverse menu, expertly prepared with high-quality ingredients.

With thanks to the incredible team at Mee So, my wife and I were treated to the $65 per person Mee So Tasty Menu.

With a strong emphasis on a fusion approach, combining traditional Korean and Japanese techniques to create innovate flavour combinations, we were served six uniquely tasting and plated dishes that

Mee So, located at ibis Styles, is a great place for a bite to eat and something to drink.

The modern and stylish foyer at ibis Styles Sydney Central.

One of the cocktails at Mee So.

CLASSY STYLE

included Japanese Style Tuna Tartare, Miso Eggplant, Prawn Wonton, Peking Duck Bao, Spicy Pork Taco and the absolutely to-die-for Airy Cheesecake.

This dessert, which came in a cocktail glass, was like no other! It was airy-fairy and fluffy with berry tuile, toasted soybean flour & 100 per cent pure maple syrup.

On top of Mee So’s incredible food and dessert menu, I still catch myself thinking about their signature cocktail list, which the bar says is inspired by Japanese and Korean artists and their masterpieces.

From the classics with a twist to their

signature potions, each concoction that Mee So’s mixologists crafted me dead-set blew my mind and were downright Instagram worthy!

Seriously, if you’re just after a couple of cheeky beverages with some friends before hopping off somewhere else for the night, this is the place! Plus Mee So’s resident DJs do a great job in getting you in the party mood as well – a cool touch!

Along with everything I wrote about earlier, ibis Styles Sydney Central also has the bells and whistles you’d expect from a three-star Sydney property and more, including 24-hour reception, complimentary Wi-Fi, luggage

storage, access to secure off-site parking, express check-in and check-out kiosks, in-room dining, buffet breakfast and a guest laundry and dry cleaning service. So, with summer – and the party season – fast approaching, you won’t find many better options in this part of the city than the newly-refurbished ibis Styles Sydney Central. The writer stayed as a guest of ibis Styles Sydney Central.

The ibis Styles Sydney Central is located on Wentworth Avenue and Goulburn Street.

The Deluxe King room at the ibis Styles Sydney Central. Photo: Nathan Taylor.

9.

12.

41. Skeleton photographs (1-4)

42. Occasion

43. Overthrow, coup ... (1’4)

44. Haughty

47. Nauseous in

51. Stupid (behaviour)

52. Santa’s laugh (2,2,2)

53. Fleet of warships

64. Snuggle

65. Left behind

66. Motionless

68. Sacrificial

71.

72.

78. Members’

80. Kind

83. Expected landing time (1,1,1)

contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store. The

Word Search

Find

BOOTLACE

BRACELET

CARAPACE

COALFACE

CRUSTACEAN FACE

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Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

in 1981, but what company

These need to be filled in with numbers that 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.

Starting at the selected white letter, move in any direction (but use each letter only once) to find a three-word phrase (4, 3, 9) related to the cartoon.

ALFAKODO

Letters A to Z have a number value, some are shown in the right hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.

Fill in 1 to 6, in each row across and down, and in each rectangle.

Letters A to Z have a number value Some are shown in the right hand cells Create remaining values using clues in centre cells

A U+H N F-L B N-U O Y+E C J+N P Q×Q D V-B 2 Q Y-S E N-Q 8 R R×Z F D×U S O-N G D+V T N+H H L+E U Z+E 9 I R+J 21 V Z×V 5 J J×Z 10 W D+Y K B×E 24 X X×Z L F÷B Y X-B 17 M B×V Z B-D 1

Egan -

Find twelve words beginning with ‘f’ from these jumbled letters.

These two soldiers are ready for a play battle. Can you help the foot soldier find the knight?

MINI-SUDOKU:

PIC PUZZLE: A watched pot never boils.

Special word: Fallow - land plowed and left unseeded for a season or more.

WORD TRAIL: “Stop oil pollution” HIDDEN WORDS: Foot, fall, fat, fool, fob, foal, flab, flat, fallow, flow, follow, float and football.

1. The magician’s coat is longer, 2. A star is missing from the tablecloth, 3. One of the rabbit’s teeth is shorter, 4. The rabbit’s ear is straight, 5. The mouse’s nose is in a different position.

ALFAKODO: PUZZLE PLAY: SPOT THE DIFFERENCE:

Refs recognised

Penrith Basketball Association honoured with top award

Penrith Basketball Association have been recognised for developing the game’s next wave of officials at the 2024 Basketball NSW Annual Awards.

In what came as a surprise to those involved, Penrith picked up the 2024 BNSW Award for Referee Program of the Year for associations with over 3000 members.

It was the first time Penrith had taken home the honour, and it was also the first time they were nominated.

Speaking with the Weekender, Penrith Basketball Association Officials Manager Bruce Keirs said the award was a huge surprise.

“It was fantastic to win and everyone has been very positive towards it. We’ve had many players send their congratulations,” he said.

“I believe if we get it right and get good officials and make the games good then it makes it more enjoyable for the players

and, in turn, that grows the competition.”

Penrith currently has between 150 to 200 officials on their books, with some as young as 13 involved. Penrith run basketball games nearly every night at their brilliant facility in Cambridge Park.

Keirs said the referee program at Penrith has undergone plenty

of work over the past couple of years to get it up to the standard it is today.

“There’s definitely been a lot of work done over the past two years. My wife Debbie Keirs was Officials Manager prior to me, and she implemented a lot of policies and procedures to turn it all around,” he said.

“We are always recruiting and

developing our officials. Some we develop from 13-years-old.”

To be recognised for the Referee Program of the Year award, Penrith had to submit a nomination outlining the work they do to develop and train officials as well as their plans for the future of the program.

“I quoted how many courses we did, the success of the referees throughout the various levels, the whole development program and then I gave them an oversight on our plans for the future and what we want to implement moving forward,” Keirs said.

“Our management and board have been very supportive of us in many ways, especially financially. It’s encouraging because you often don’t get that at all associations who are restrictive with their budgets.”

Keirs said ultimately the award was a team effort by everyone involved at Penrith Basketball.

“It wasn’t just one person… it’s the management, the referee supervisors, the referee coaches and of course our junior and senior referees themselves,” he said.

MCLEAN STARS IN TEST DEBUT

Story continued from » p.72

For Tonga, Panthers centre Paul Alamoti came from the field early in the second half after hyper extending his elbow. Thankfully the injury won’t require surgery, and he’s expected to be fit in time for Penrith’s pre-season.

Following the thrilling Australia versus Tonga Final, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea battled it out in a Playoff/Relegation game.

The Kiwis, who were yet to taste victory the entire tournament, were far too good for the Kumuls, prevailing 54-12.

In his debut game for New Zealand, 18-year-old Panthers winger Casey McLean scored a whopping four tries in the contest – proving he’ll be a star of the future for the Kiwis. Rugby league’s off-season is now officially underway.

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Officials Manager at Penrith Basketball Association, Bruce Keirs.

Casey McLean. Photo: NRL Images.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Wanders shake off concerning early season form

The Western Sydney Wanderers finally have the monkey off their back, enjoying their first win of the season last Friday night at CommBank Stadium.

Western Sydney’s 4-1 thrashing of the Newcastle Jets was their first victory at the Parramatta venue since January.

It was a much-needed win for coach Alen Stajcic and his troops who, prior to their Round 4 triumph, started the season with a one draw and two loss record.

“It was good to get the monkey off the back,” an elated Stajcic said after the match.

“Obviously there was a bit of internal pressure building in terms of the start to the season we’ve had, so it’s good that we have finally seen a bit of the form I’ve seen in pre-season now when it matters.

“I saw a lot of these players play to this potential earlier, so it’s good that they can reproduce that when it really matters. Hopefully it’s just the start of better things to come.”

Wanderers youngster Nicolas Milanovic scored his first A-League hat-trick in the impressive win, scoring twice before half-time and getting his third courtesy of a second-half penalty.

Zac Sapsford was the other scorer for the winning side, while Jets captain Kosta Grozos

was the lone goal getter for the visitors.

“It’s good for him, he deserved it,” Stajcic said of Milanovic’s performance.

“He works so hard on and off the ball.

Some of his off the ball efforts were as good as his threat on the ball, so it was a fantastic all-round performance for him, but you could go through the whole team, to be honest.

“Brandon Borello didn’t score a hat-trick,

but worked just as hard for the team on and off the ball and won the penalty for us.

“I could go through all the players that turned up on the pitch. From that perspective it’s pleasing and gives us a little bit confidence and belief before moving into the Derby.”

Due to the international break, the Wanderers and the rest of the A-League will enjoy this weekend off before returning with a block-

buster match-up against Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium on November 23.

The last time the Wanderers played their old foes was back in Round 1, with the Sky Blues prevailing in a thriller 2-1.

Revenge will certainly be on the cards as Western Sydney aim for back-to-back wins and knock off their fiercest rivals in the process.

NATHAN TAYLOR

A masked Zac Sapsford scores against the Newcastle Jets.

Brandon Borrello and Nicolas Milanovic celebrate.

SPORTS SHORTS

WITH NATHAN TAYLOR

Warner gets nod as Thunder skipper

CRICKET: David Warner has been announced as the new Sydney Thunder captain as the western Sydney club heads into the highly anticipated BBL|14 season. This milestone follows the Cricket Australia Conduct Commission’s recent decision to lift Warner’s leadership ban, which was reviewed and cleared by an independent Review Panel, deeming Warner eligible for future leadership roles. Warner’s return as captain marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Thunder, as the seasoned global superstar brings both experience and motivation to a dynamic line-up. Having been the foundation captain for Thunder, Warner expressed excitement about the role and a commitment to shaping the team’s next generation. “Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, and now to be back with that ‘C’ next to my name feels fantastic. I’m looking forward to leading from the front and sharing my experience with the young talent coming through,” he said. Warner also emphasised the importance of building connections off the field. “Leadership off the field is just as crucial. I want to create an environment where we can all take a break from the game, bond, and enjoy ourselves. Whether it’s over a team meal, out on the golf course or engaging with our fans in western Sydney, it’s all about building camaraderie and staying grounded.” With a squad that blends fresh talent and seasoned players, Warner is excited to take on the mentorship role. “One of the most exciting parts of this role is the chance to give back to the younger players, to pass on some of the knowledge I’ve gathered over the years. I want to help them grow so that one day, one of these young guns can step up and lead the team when I’m done,” he said. “We have an incredible group of young players like Ollie Davies, Jason Sangha, and Sam Konstas. They’re fearless and have so much potential. My goal is to guide them, help them learn the game, and ultimately give them the tools to thrive both in the BBL and beyond.” Trent Copeland, General Manager of Sydney Thunder, said Warner’s appointment was huge for the club. “Appointing David Warner as captain isn’t just about winning, it’s about setting up our young players for success, surrounding them with leadership on and off the field,” he said. “In bringing in leaders like David and Sam Billings for the full season, from start to finish alongside Chris Green, Jason Sangha and many others, we’re building a foundation that empowers our young talent to learn and thrive.” Copeland said Warner could create a legacy for the club and himself that lasts well beyond his

playing days. “This is a huge moment for David and for our club. It’s not only about his career; it’s about the legacy he’s creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players,” he said. “For the fans in western Sydney who’ve long recognised David as a Thunder legend, it’s a special moment to now see him as their captain.” The Thunder kick off their season in Canberra on December 17 when they take on the Adelaide Strikers.

CRICKET: Penrith are in a strong position heading into day two of their clash against Manly Warringah in Round 6 of the Belvidere Cup. Playing in a Two-Day Match at Howell Oval, Manly Warringah won the toss and elected to bowl. Penrith’s batsmen played well in their first innings and were ultimately dismissed for 201. Tyran Liddiard top scored with 63 runs. When Manly Warringah hit the crease that afternoon, Penrith bowler Liam Doddrell (3/17) tore through the two openers, cleaning bowling both of them. At stumps, Manly Warringah were 3/41. Play between the two sides will resume this Saturday morning at Howell Oval.

CRICKET: Penrith have lost a tight one to Sydney University in Round 6 of NSW Premier

Cricket Women’s first grade competition. Playing in a T20 Match at Howell Oval, Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat. After 20 overs, Sydney University posted 7/106. Penrith bowler Aimee Ravot took 4/15 in a spectacular display. When Penrith hit the crease later that day, they batted well initially before losing their way as the game went on. After 20 overs, Penrith fell short on 7/86. Ella Tilburg top scored for Penrith with 32 not-out. Penrith will travel to Mark Taylor Oval this Sunday morning to face-off against Northern District in a T20 Match.

CRICKET: Round 4 of the Nepean District Cricket Association (NDCA) competition took place last weekend, with Panthers Cricket Club enjoying a strong win over the Colyton St Clair Colts in fourth grade. After being sent into bat, Panthers’ top order got off to a strong start, eventually reaching 141 after their 40 overs. Panthers bowlers then put Colyton St Clair under extreme pressure, and after taking regular wickets, were able to dismiss their opposition for just 68 in 31 overs.

FOOTBALL: The Western Sydney Wanderers have suffered their first loss of the season, beaten by Adelaide United 2-0 in Round 2 of

the A-League Women’s competition. Played at Wanderers Football Park in Rooty Hill, scores were level at 0-0 at half-time before Adelaide scored through Fiona Worts one minute into the second half. The visitors’ second goal of the afternoon came just five minutes later when Emily Condon got the ball into the back of the net. Western Sydney will aim for their first win of the season when they battle Sydney FC at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Western Sydney battled Adelaide last week.

FOOTBALL: A number of clubs from the Nepean Football Association are currently recruiting for the upcoming women’s football season. Visit the Nepean Football Association Facebook page for more details.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL: After a blip on the radar last week, the Nepean Ducks have returned to the winner’s circle with a monster win over the Northern Sydney Rebels 64-0 in Round 7 of the Gridiron NSW Colts competition. Unfortunately it wasn’t good news for Nepean’s men’s team who were smashed 49-12 to the Rebels, while Nepean’s women’s team also suffered defeat, losing 48-0 to the UNSW Raiders.

GET IN TOUCH: To make a submission to ‘Sports Shorts’, email Nathan@westernweekender.com.au.

David Warner is the new captain of the Sydney Thunder.

Win for Wanderers- see page 70

YEO’S CLEAN SWEEP

The Kangaroos are the toast of the international rugby league world once again after they overcame a fast-finishing Tongan side to be crowned Pacific Cup Champions last Sunday afternoon.

In front of a packed house at CommBank Stadium – made up of mostly passionate Tongan supporters – Australia closed out the 2024 Pacific Championships with a hard-fought 20-14 victory over Tonga.

The narrow win capped off a year to remember for Panthers and Kangaroos skipper Isaah Yeo, who led the Aussies beautifully in his first three games in charge of the national team.

Yeo had already guided Penrith to Grand Final success this year, and helped lead the Blues to a groundbreaking victory in State of Origin over Queensland.

Speaking after the match, the 30-yearold lock said he was proud of his troops, especially his fellow forwards who stood up against a gigantic Tongan pack.

“They are a wonderful pack, the Tongan pack, particularly how they played against New Zealand [last week],” Yeo said.

“But I thought the way they (Australian teammates) defended, not just this game, but all three games – just ultra fit, ultra-competitive and that showed in the big moments where we were stuck on our line for what felt like the 20th time all game and they still turned up for one another, just never letting anyone down and that’s a big wrap to their team-first [mentality].

“They show that every week at Clubland, they showed that in the Origin series and now they’ve shown that for Australia. It’s a pretty special group to be a part of.”

Along with Yeo’s incredible captain’s knock, Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards also played a crucial role in the win – preventing a near certain Tongan try close to full-time.

Fellow forward Lindsay Smith became the latest in a long line of Panthers to play for Australia when coach Mal Meninga tapped him on the shoulder late in the second half to make his Kangaroos debut. The St Marys junior played six minutes in total.

Story continues on

NATHAN TAYLOR

Isaah Yeo. Photo: NRL Images.