Nepean News 30 January 2026 DIGITAL

Steam Locomotive 3642 marks 100 years of service

LAST week marked 100 years since Transport Heritage

Steam Locomotive 3642 entered service for the first time.

A popular locomotive in Penrith and the Blue Mountains on Transport Heritage weekends, 3642 is currently withdrawn pending a major overhaul.

Built by Clyde Engineering, 3642 was one of 75

locomotives in the 36 class, designed to haul the NSW Railways’ flagship express trains. When they first appeared, these powerful locomotives featured round-top boilers, earning them the nickname “Pigs” among railway workers and enthusiasts, thanks to their distinctive appearance.

Capable of running non-stop for up to 100 miles (161km), the 36 class also introduced ‘turret’ style tenders to NSW Railways, giving crews improved visibility when travelling in reverse.

95B STATION ST, PENRITH

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Australia Day tributes for fallen veterans

AGROUP of genuine Aussie Volunteers from the City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch, St Marys RSL sub-Branch, St Marys Outpost, Nepean Legacy and Air Force Cadets assembled at Penrith

and St Marys General Cemeteries on Australia Day to place Poppies on the graves of those Veterans who had served this great country. It was a humbling activity, full of reflection and remembrance. Thanks to St Marys for organising everything.

More on this in next week’s printed edition.

Walk for Tobes

JOIN us this Saturday for a very special event hosted by Mark ‘MG’ Geyer and MG Activ: the “Walk For Tobes”

This 20km charity walk will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7 AM, in honour of much-loved and missed Toby Hughes, with proceeds benefiting The Heart Foundation Australia.

Route: 9 laps around Jamison Park, Penrith Registration Fee: $25 (plus an additional $25 for a commemorative “Walk For Tobes” shirt) Don’t miss out on the chance to support a great cause!

Register now: Walk For Tobes Registration https://shorturl.at/NZDaj

Museum of Fire awards recognise 2025 Art winners

BY NOEL ROWSELL

THE Penrith Museum of Fire hosted the Awards Ceremony for its 2025 Art Competition on Thursday 15th January, 2026

In 2025, Fire and Rescue NSW marked 40 years since women were first formally allowed to join the brigade as firefighters, a milestone that transformed the service and paved the way for generations of trailblazers. To honour this important anniversary, the Museum of Fire proudly presents Trailblazers, a special exhibition celebrating the courage, achievements and enduring legacy of the women who stepped forward, broke barriers, and helped shape the modern fire service.

Trailblazers brings together a remarkable collection of artworks

Nepean Family History Society

Next Meeting: 1.30pm Saturday, 7 February

Location: Old School Residence, Gt Western Hwy (off Lawson Rd), Emu Plains

Speaker: Laurie & Lorraine Turtle (Turtle Consolidated)

Topic: Researching in Other States

created by primary school-aged children from across Australia. Open to all young artists from Kindergarten to Year 6, this competition invited students to imagine, interpret and express through paint, drawing and mixed media, the ideas and inspirations that arise when we reflect on courage, service and leadership in our communities.

Federal Member for Macquarie and Special Envoy to the Arts Susan Templeman presented the overall winner award to Austin Cao (Year 3) for his artwork titled ‘She keeps us safe’. Austin received the winner’s prizes of a $200 Museum voucher, an art prize, a perpetual trophy, and having his artwork become part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

The Second Place Runner-Up award was announced by Charisma

Kaliyanda MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Youth Justice, Customer Service and Digital Government and Member for Liverpool. The recipient of this award

was Rui Ling Hu (Year 6) for her artwork ‘Courage in Currents’.

FRNSW were also represented at the event by Acting Commissioner Michael Morris, who presented the FRNSW Commissioner’s Choice Award to the winner Rebecca Feng (Year 6) for her work ‘Unburned Courage’.

Councillor Todd Carney, Mayor of Penrith presented the People’s Choice Award to winner Elsie Kuhn (Kindergarten) for her work ‘Girls Can Do It’, which was voted for by the public.

Fire and Rescue NSW Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Steer and Superintendent Belinda Hooker also assisted in the presentation.

The theme for the 2026 exhibition is ‘Dogs in Firefighting’.

Service to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Australian ‘’National Service’

THE City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch will be conducting a Commemoration to recognise the 75th Anniversary of Australian ‘’National Service’ on 14 Feb 2026’. All Veterans, their families, other sub-Branches, ESO’s and Community Members are invited to join us at the Penrith RSL Club flagpole to begin at 10:45am (at the entrance to the Club).

There will be a short Commemoration service, followed immediately by a Museum Tour, morning tea, & light refreshments. All are invited to join us and or share the details with other Veterans & their families. Please advise numbers attending to the Penrith RSL sub-Branch for catering purposes. Please share the details with any others that you feel maybe interested.

Mcintosh: “Social media ban is a shambles”

THE Albanese Labor Government’s implementation of the under 16’s social media ban is a shambles, Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh has said in a statement.

“In an extraordinary admission, Snapchat’s ageverification provider has confirmed it is not checkingwhether the face scanned matches the gender or age details provided for the account,” the statement read.

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP said, “Despite declaring more than 4.7 million accounts for young people had been deactivated, the age verification technology used by platforms is failing. Kids are using the facial scans of adults to bypass the age verification checks or create new accounts with fake ages.

“The Albanese Government’s own Age Assurance Technology Trial advised the tools were immature and were providing inaccurate age estimations,” said

Mrs McIntosh.

“The platforms aren’t even doing basic checks to see if the genders match or if the age put in to create a new account is close to the facial scan being used. There are no checks and balances in place, this is nothing but a tick the box exercise.

“All you have to do is go to your local shopping centre to see that the kids are still on their social media accounts, posting selfies on Snapchat and their Instagram accounts – they certainly aren’t riding bikes, reading books or learning to play an instrument.

“The Prime Minister said success would equal a national conversation, well the only conversation being had by parents is that this has been a total flop – and an expensive one at that.

“It’s been nearly two months and all we have seen is PR stunts from the Prime Minister riding a bicycle and tokenistic claims of success.

“The Albanese Government’s failure to release the details of the data for the closure of the 4.7 million accounts was yet another transparency failure proving even they know this hasn’t worked.

“The national conversation the Prime Minister wanted is not one of success, but world-wide embarrassment.

“This hasn’t stopped kids accessing social media, reduced online harm or made the online world safer. Continuing to defend the botched implementation of this helps no one, least of all the kids it claims to be trying to protect. They need to stop worrying about bike riding photo shoots and start fixing the problem.

“We all want our kids to be safer online but the only way we can do that is if the Government is transparent about it. The Snapchat revelations today are very concerning, and the Minister for Communications needs to explain what will be done to fix this loophole.”

Army of Tradies work on $4.4 million School Maintenance blitz over the Summer Holidays in Penrith

THE Minns Labor Government is delivering more than $200 million in school upgrades and maintenance works over the summer holidays, with students at hundreds of schools set to return to new and improved classrooms and facilities for the start of Term 1, 2026.

Almost 850 public schools across NSW have benefited from works delivered during the break, ranging from routine maintenance and minor upgrades to larger refurbishment projects led by the Department of Education’s local asset management teams.

Hundreds of tradies were working on more than 1,300 projects across the state, including painting classrooms and school buildings, while more than 200 flooring replacement projects and close to 50bathroom upgrades are also underway.

Dozens of schools will also receive critical accessibility improvements, including new ramps and lift upgrades. Schools will also benefit from refreshed outdoor areas, repaired walkways and other essential works ensuring clean, safe and welcoming environments for staff and students.

In Penrith, the summer school maintenance program includes works at Cambridge Gardens Public School, Cambridge Park High School, Cranebrook High School, Emu Heights Public School, Emu Plains Public School, Henry Fulton Public School, Jamison High School, Kingswood High School, Kingswood Park Public School, Kingswood Public School, Kingswood South Public

School, Leonay Public School, Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, Penrith High School and Penrith Public School, an investment of over $4.4 million on our local schools.

Maintenance works have included the refurbishment of classrooms at Kingswood PS, sports court upgrades at Emu Heights PS, painting, kitchenette upgrades and flooring at Kingswood HS and painting at Penrith PS.

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM said:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering and focused on getting the fundamentals right. That means maintaining our schools, improving facilities, and supporting principals, teachers and school communities with the infrastructure they deserve here in Penrith.

“Whether it’s with new paint and flooring, upgraded bathrooms, vital repairs or accessibility improvements, we are ensuring our Penrith schools have quality facilities.”

Red’s Memorial Meet draws massive crowd to Warragamba

BY NOEL ROWSELL

“THE 2nd annual Reds Memorial Meet, hosted by Wollondilly Shire Cars & Coffee in Warragamba on Sunday 25th January, was an absolute banger,” organiser Shaun Marsh said. “The heat and slight rain didn’t stop hundreds of people from showing up and displaying their ride.

“It was a massive turnout and we lost count of (both) cars and heads to be honest. Very similar numbers to last year (454 cars and 1,500+ people) and we all got caught up in the moment. It was a very emotional atmosphere. So many pics and videos are flooding in and we are posting them all on the Facebook page.

“Appreciate your story (last week). It hit a lot of people hard and we received so many comments of praise for the Nepean News wrap - it was pretty cool.”

Cori Stokes said, “Words can’t describe how thankful I am for the car community my dad surrounded himself with. The familiar faces and the memories shared with those who loved the man my dad was brings a smile to my face. I want to thank each and every person who shows up and supports these meets. Not just the Australia Day meets remembering a great man, but all the meets run by Shaun and the team.

“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make these (meets) possible, and the support from

everyone who takes the time out of their day to show up does not go unnoticed. I want to thank Shaun and the team for all the work they put in to make these meets happen.

“Thanks for all the continued love and support you show. Let’s continue to keep the car scene –and the legacy of Red Stokes – alive, and show everyone what the car scene is all about.”

the tragedy that broke the heart of a nation 40 years ago ANITA COBBY

BY KERRIE DAVIES

IWAS a teenager when five loathsome monsters took the life of beautiful Anita Cobby, and like everyone else old enough to remember this horrific crime, it is etched in my mind forever as a stark reminder that unspeakable evil does exist.

A young nurse in the prime of her life, Anita was snatched from the side of a Blacktown road by a carload of despicable creatures before being raped, tortured and murdered.

The brutality the 26-year-old endured at the hands of the five men devastated her family, reduced the most hardened police officers to tears and broke the heart of a nation.

It has now been 40 years since the crime that shocked Australia and made Anita Cobby a household name for the saddest of reasons.

It was on February 2 1986 that Anita took that fateful walk from Blacktown station to her home. She usually called her father to pick her up, but on this night, the phone box was broken.

The five criminals stopped and she was pulled into the car. After torturing her in what must have been the most terrifying car ride, Anita was taken to a field in Prospect where she was systematically raped and tortured further, before finally having her throat cut by the ring-leader and left to die a lonely death.

News first broadcast into our loungerooms that the young nurse was missing. Then, the devastating news that she’d been found so brutally murdered.

Australia’s collective heart broke all the more when we saw Anita’s parents, Garry and Grace Lynch, who were so lovely and showed so much dignity throughout their ordeal. It hurt to see such sweet, warm-hearted parents in unimaginable pain.

The details of what Anita was subjected to were revealed in an autopsy report. Many people who never knew her, including emergency services, journalists and political leaders set out to read the report - but found the circumstances so horrendous that they couldn’t finish it. One can only imagine how heart-wrenching it was for her parents.

Retired Detective John Wakefield was second in charge (2IC) at Blacktown at the time Anita was found.

“The day her body was located will always be etched in my mind. I remember the crime scene as if it was today,” Mr Wakefield said.

“A murder scene tells a story; the last moments and what they did to her will always stay with me. The look on her face, the state of her body.

“It was such a shock for the man who owned the dairy where she was found. Nobody could expect to come across a body like that.

“When the team of detectives arrived, we found the cattle around her. They were poking her, as if to try to wake her.”

Not long afterwards, Mr Wakefield was transferred to Penrith, but he always kept an eye on the case.

The horror of Anita’s murder will also live in the mind of retired Chief Inspector Gary Raymond forever. He believes the memory of her tragic death delivers a strong message.

“Anita’s tragic passing serves as a message against violence. It has also served as a reminder to women in particular, on safety and security. It became somewhat of a catch-cry from mothers all over the country, ‘don’t walk home alone, remember Anita Cobby.’

“We all wish women could walk anywhere at anytime and be safe.”

Mr Raymond worked around the clock at Blacktown trying to generate leads on who the perpetrators were.

“My main job was to ‘turn the streets over.’ That basically means go talk to the people on the street, including the prostitutes and the drug users.

“The streets talk - part of good detective work is to knock on the doors, go in the pubs, even the brothels - and find out every bit of information you can.”

Anita’s abductors were in a stolen car at the time of the crime, and the ‘streets did talk’ information came from an informant that the Murphy brothers had stolen a car.

Another important piece of information came from a neighbour who noticed a burning smell and then saw them burning clothing in an incinerator.

“A detective’s job is to join the dots. People should always report suspicious activity, even if it seems insignificant. It could just be the missing piece of the puzzle,” Mr Raymond said.

Once arrested, community outrage at the criminals responsible for Anita’s death rose to a level never seen before in this country. The court appearances of the five men (John Travers, Michael Murphy, Leslie Murphy, Gary Murphy and Michael Murdoch) were always packed with members of a very angry public calling for their heads.

“I was upstairs in the detective office, when it came over the speaker that every available officer was to head to the front to address crowd control,” Mr Raymond remembered.

“There was, I’d guess, about 200 people protesting. Blokes on top of the carpark hung a noose. The crowd started chanting ‘Hang the bastards!’ Then they tried to get at the cars that they were in.

“One memory I’ll always have, is of a very elderly lady in the crowd. She was very thin, had grey hair up in a bun - she looked a bit like a nun. She began screaming ‘hang the bastards’ and lunged at the car.

When I asked her to move back, she grabbed my coat and screamed at me, ‘have you got a fu**ing daughter? I have, let me at them!’”

“I understood the emotion. I looked at her and gently said, ‘justice will be done.’ It was certainly a level of anger that I had never seen before and have never seen since.

“People were angry and also afraid. Before we’d arrested the Murphys and were looking for them, blokes were picking up their wives from the station armed with baseball bats. They’d scream, ‘if we find them we’ll cave their heads in!’

Mr Raymond spoke of calling in to see Anita’s parents after the autopsy.

They’d been told the details.

“They were just such lovely, beautiful people,” Mr Raymond said. “I can still see Grace entering the room in her apron. Garry stared at me for a long time, and then grabbed my hands in his and said, ‘Gary, something good has to come out of something so bad.’ We all cried and cuddled.”

All five men, who had over 50 previous convictions between them, would be found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, never to be released.

Travers, Murdoch, and two of the Murphy brothers, Les and Gary are in NSW prisons. Michael Murdoch died of a liver condition in February 2019.

The Lynch family endured a nightmare that was so utterly unbearable, yet they focused their time in the subsequent years reaching out to other families struggling to cope with homicide.

They established the Homicide Victims Support Group with Christine and Peter Simpson, parents of Ebony Simpson.

Ebony was just nine years old when she was abducted after alighting from her school bus before being raped and then tossed into a dam in Bargo and left to drown.

Finding themselves to be members of a club nobody would ever want to be in, Anita’s parents and Ebony’s parents were united in a grief that only those who’ve lost their children from horrendous homicide could understand.

Garry and Grace have both passed away now.

Documentaries on Anita’s murder have aired over the years, and a book has been published called ‘Someone Else’s Daughter.’

Sadly the title came from a quote by Garry Lynch (Anita’s father) who said, “I could wish it was someone else’s daughter, but I can’t, can I? They would then have to go through what we’re going through.”

He was a very decent and honourable man. A stark contrast to his daughter’s brutal killers.

Back to school first aid: What every parent should know

AS students across Australia head back to school, National First Aid Courses (NFAC) is urging parents and carers to brush up on essential first aid knowledge, particularly when it comes to allergies, common playground injuries, and knowing when to act fast.

National First Aid Courses director Samuel Bohr said with schools returning to full activity, minor injuries are inevitable. However, many incidents can be managed, or even prevented, when parents, carers and educators understand basic first aid principles.

“Children are naturally active, curious and energetic. Scrapes, bumps and allergic reactions are among the most common school-related incidents we see,” Mr Bohr said.

“The right knowledge can make a critical difference in those first few minutes.”

Allergy awareness at school: What parents need to know

Food allergies are a growing concern in Australian schools, with an increasing number of children carrying EpiPens or other adrenaline auto-injectors.

Key EpiPen and allergy safety tips for parents:

• Ensure your child’s EpiPen is in date, clearly labelled and stored according to school policy

• Teach children (age-appropriately) to recognise early symptoms such as itching, swelling or difficulty breathing

• Make sure teachers and carers know where the EpiPen is kept and how to use it

• Review your child’s ASCIA Action Plan with the school at the start of each year

• Remember: adrenaline is safe. When in doubt, use the EpiPen and call 000 immediately

“Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency,” Mr Bohr said.

“Prompt recognition and action saves lives.”

Common School Injuries — and How to Respond

While most school injuries are minor, knowing the correct response can prevent complications.

Some of the most common back-to-school injuries include:

Cuts and grazes

• Clean the wound with running water

• Apply pressure to stop bleeding

• Cover with a clean dressing Sprains and strains

• Use the RICER principle: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Referral

• Avoid returning to play too quickly

Head knocks

• Monitor for symptoms such as vomiting, confusion, headache or drowsiness

• Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or persist

Nosebleeds

• Sit the child upright and lean them forward

• Pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes

• Do not tilt the head back

Why First Aid training matters - for parents too

While schools are required to have trained staff, experts say parents benefit greatly from formal first aid education.

“Accidents don’t just happen at school. They happen at home, sport and on weekends,” Mr Bohr said.

“A nationally recognised first aid course gives parents the confidence to respond calmly and correctly, wherever they are.”

National First Aid Courses delivers accredited first aid training across Australia, including CPR, anaphylaxis management, asthma first aid and childfocused courses designed for parents, educators and carers.

For more information or to find a course near you, visit www.nfac.edu.au

About National First Aid Courses (NFAC)

National First Aid Courses is a leading Australian provider of nationally recognised first aid training, delivering practical, up-to-date education for individuals, workplaces, schools and community groups. Courses are delivered by experienced trainers and aligned with current Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and ASCIA guidelines.

Gut-friendly fibre shows surprising immune benefits in peanut allergy study

A NEW clinical study co-led by Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District based researchers Dr Gabriela Pinget and Dr Duan Ni and supervised by Professor Ralph Nanan has uncovered an unexpected discovery in the quest to make food allergy treatments safer and more effective: a gut-friendly dietary fibre that may nudge the immune system into a calmer, more tolerant state.

The study focused on a modified fibre called HAMSB, designed to slowly release butyrate, a natural compound produced by healthy gut bacteria and long admired for its ability to keep both the gut and immune system in balance.

Researchers wanted to know whether boosting butyrate levels could enhance peanut oral immunotherapy (OIT), a treatment that gradually exposes people to tiny amounts of peanut to train the immune system to stop overreacting.

Professor Nanan, Professor of Paediatrics at NBMLHD, says the results were not what the team expected.

“The fibre didn’t change the clinical outcome, but it strengthened a group of immune cells that help switch off allergic reactions,” says Professor Nanan.

These regulatory T cells, act as an immune system ‘peacekeeper’ and play a crucial role in preventing overthe-top reactions to harmless triggers, like peanuts.

In participants who received HAMSB, these peacekeeper cells didn’t just increase in number, they

became more stable and showed behaviour suggesting they might help foster long-term tolerance.

Even more interesting, this immune boost persisted for weeks after participants stopped taking both the fibre and their allergy treatment.

“That tells us that HAMSB created a lasting shift in the immune system, which is very encouraging,” says Professor Nanan.

Importantly, HAMSB didn’t dramatically reshape the gut’s bacterial

environment. Instead, it increased the levels of beneficial gut chemicals, including butyrate and propionate, which are known to support immune balance and may explain the positive immune changes observed.

Whilst HAMSB didn’t enhance the effectiveness of peanut OIT in this trial, Ralph says the broader implications are exciting.

“This gives us a new way of thinking about allergy treatment. If we can guide the immune system toward tolerance using something as simple as a dietary fibre, it could help us develop safer and more natural therapies for allergies and even autoimmune conditions.”

The research team now plans to explore in more detail how gut-derived substances like butyrate communicate with the immune system and how this interaction might be harnessed to support long-term immune health.

Full findings from the study are available in the Allergy journal via the Wiley Online Library at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/10.1111/all.70161?af=R

Understanding the Real Financial

Value of Solar

BEFORE installing solar, most households buy all their electricity from the grid at prices that seem to rise year after year. The usual ways to cut costs are to reduce usage or shop around for a better rate. Both can help, but over

Jim’s Gems

time price increases tend to wipe out those gains and the bills creep back up.

Installing a solar system changes that equation. From day one, households begin using electricity generated by their own rooftop power station. This naturally reduces how much energy is purchased from the grid. Of course, it’s not always possible to use all that energy at the moment it’s generated, so excess power is exported back to the grid.

Many people remember the early days of solar, when exported electricity was paid at rates as high as 60 cents per kilowatt hour—far more than what households paid to buy power. It wasn’t uncommon for bills

to show a healthy credit. Over time, however, governments wound those incentives back. Metering changed from “gross” to “net”, and feed-in tariffs steadily fell.

Today, most households receive just 3–5 cents per kilowatt hour for exported electricity. From July 1, new charges will further penalise exports during certain times of the day. That makes it more important than ever to understand what those figures on your bill mean.

The feed-in tariff line on your electricity bill does not show what your solar system has earned you. Instead, it shows how much solar power you didn’t use when it was generated. In fact, a lower feed-in

figure usually means you’re using your system more efficiently.

It makes little sense to export solar power for five cents during the day, then buy it back at night for 40 cents. Running appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, pool pumps or air-conditioning during daylight hours—or using timers if you’re not home—can make a big difference.

Another increasingly popular option is battery storage, which allows households to store excess solar energy for use in the evening.

If you have questions about your solar system or want to learn more about solar or battery storage, you can contact Nepean Solar on info@ nepeansolar.com.au or 4760 0809

The Skin Treatment That Works Beneath the Surface – PRX

ONita Lemonia McHugh Author of All You NEEDLE to Know Cosmetic Nurse, Trainer, Educator Practising

VER the years, I’ve seen countless skin treatments come and go. Some promise the world, others deliver short-lived results, and a few quietly stand the test of time. One treatment that continues to impress both clinicians and clients is PRX – often described as a “no-needle biorevitalisation,” and for good reason.

So what makes PRX different?

Unlike traditional chemical peels that work by causing visible peeling and inflammation, PRX works beneath the surface of the skin. It stimulates collagen and skin renewal without damaging the outer layer of the epidermis. That means no frosting, no peeling, and virtually no downtime – a major advantage for people who want results without looking like they’ve “had something done.”

PRX combines trichloroacetic acid (TCA) with hydrogen peroxide and kojic acid in a unique formulation. The hydrogen peroxide moderates the action of TCA, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the skin safely. This triggers collagen stimulation in the dermis while leaving the skin barrier intact. In simple terms, it encourages your skin to regenerate from within rather than stripping it from the outside.

What results can you expect?

Clients often notice an immediate improvement in skin texture and glow after the first session. Over a course of treatments, PRX can help to:

• Improve skin firmness and elasticity

• Smooth fine lines and crepey skin

• Brighten dull, tired complexions

• Improve pigmentation and uneven skin tone

Support skin quality in areas such as the face, neck, décolletage, and hands

What I particularly love about PRX is how natural the results look. Skin appears healthier, fresher and more resilient – not over-treated or shiny. It’s an excellent option for those who want skin rejuvenation without injectables, or as a complementary treatment alongside other modalities.

How many sessions are needed?

While a single treatment can give your skin an instant boost, PRX works best as a course of treatments. Typically, I recommend 3 to 5 sessions, spaced about one week apart, depending on your skin concerns and goals.

After completing a course, many clients choose to maintain their results with occasional top-up treatments throughout the year. Think of PRX as a way of training your skin to behave better, rather than a one-off quick fix.

Who is PRX suitable for?

PRX is suitable for a wide range of skin types and ages, making it a popular choice for both men and women. It’s ideal for those who want visible skin improvement but are time-poor, needle-averse, or simply prefer a more subtle, progressive approach to skin rejuvenation.

As always, a proper consultation is essential. Every face tells a story, and good skin treatment should respect that individuality.

Until next time,

Ask Nita

ORCHARD HILLS

VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Ph 4736 2027

49 Wentworth Road, Orchard Hills

School’s back — and puppies can enrol too

BY KELLIE TICKNER, ORCHARD HILLS VETERINARY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR

WITH the school year back in full swing, routines are settling in and households are finding their rhythm again. It’s also a great reminder that learning doesn’t just apply to kids — puppies benefit enormously from early education too. Those first few months of a puppy’s life play a huge role in shaping the dog they’ll become. Puppy School is about much more than teaching a sit or a stay; it’s about building confidence, resilience and good social skills during a critical stage of development.

IPuppy School offers a calm, controlled environment where young pups can safely interact with others their own age whilst learning essential life skills. Just as importantly, it gives owners the guidance and reassurance they need to navigate the ups and downs of puppyhood — from toilet training and chewing to understanding normal puppy behaviour.

Our Puppy Pre-School program is designed specifically for puppies aged eight to fourteen weeks. This window is widely recognised as one of the most important learning periods in a dog’s life. Puppies are naturally curious, more adaptable and generally more open to new experiences, making it the ideal time to introduce them to the world in a positive way.

Across five weekly sessions, our trained instructors cover practical and relevant topics including puppy socialisation, dog-to-dog communication, basic training, veterinary and general pet care, child

and dog safety, and managing common problem behaviours before they become long-term habits. Sessions are hands-on, supportive and focused on real-life situations you’re likely to encounter at home and out in the community.

Using positive reinforcement techniques, puppies quickly learn that training is enjoyable and rewarding. This approach helps build trust, strengthens the bond between puppy and owner, and sets the tone for future learning. It also helps puppies develop healthy coping skills when faced with new or unfamiliar situations.

Puppy School also exposes pups to the sights, sounds and smells of the “big wide human world” — things like cars, bicycles, hats, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers and everyday household noises. Puppies learn that these experiences are normal and nothing to fear. They also learn that dogs come in all shapes and sizes, which is an important part of developing good

LEFT OF FIELD

S it just me or have people noticed the (Jaws music please) the New Year’s Resolution walkers!?

Run for your lives, they are taking up our streets, roads, footpaths and even parks, they are everywhere, don’t feed after dark or add water.

Yes folks these are the people that you never see all year round, they are like hermit crabs all year and then suddenly......

The one thing I also notice is all the different types of walkers out there.

Mixed Matched walker - The mixed match walker is a person who has never bought fitness gear in their life and it appears that they have replaced an engine block prior to the walk.

The determined walker - This is a person that has the look of pain on their face, like they are passing a large object, however they’re walking slower than a snail. There’s a lot of arm pumping going on but not much distance happening.

The I don’t give a rat’s bum walker - This is a walker that proceeds to kick every stone up along the path and meander like they are heading to work or something.

social skills.

Missing out on this early learning phase can, for some dogs, lead to fear or anxiety later in life. While learning continues well beyond puppyhood, this early exposure is one of the most powerful tools we have to help dogs grow into calm, confident adult companions.

Puppy School is about setting realistic expectations and giving owners the tools to raise a happy, well-adjusted family pet. A little education early on can make a lifetime of difference.

For more information about Puppy School, contact the friendly team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 4736 2027.

The sweaty walker - This is a walker that looks like they have swum 10 laps and then jumped out of the pool for the evening walk. The sweat beads are pouring out and the t-shirt looks like the last scene of Rocky when he is yelling out for his wife, Adrian!

The male bum crack walker - This is a walker that feels the need to wear shorts with no elastic. Their pants are constantly sliding down and they are presenting a crack bigger than a plumber’s.

The Harry High Pants - This is a walker who wears their shorts so high it looks like they need an operation to get them off.

Colour co-ordinated walker - Thank God for these ladies, with matching shoes, socks, tops and of course the Lycra pants, with, yes folks, the matching thin colour stripe down the side of the pants. (I hear the angels sing).

Supermodel walker - This is a walker who attends the beautician to have their hair and make-up done simply for their daily walks. These people don’t care if they are getting fit as long as they get 20 thousand car horns beep, they’re happy.

Now I know you’re asking what has all of this crap got to do with security, but alas my dear readers it

has a lot, because I am going to give you walking security tips. So just keep ya knickers on!

Firstly, tell people where you are walking, so when you are not back in 48 hours they know where to come looking. They can also cash in on your life insurance as well.

Secondly, we know how much you love Dolly Parton, but having her screaming at 70 thousand decibels in ear phones is not really good, considering you won’t hear anything or anyone around you.

Thirdly, walk in groups, so society not only has to put up with one of you on the street but 15. (Yippee) Fourthly, don’t keep checking facebook. Taking selfies on every street corner is not really needed, because to be quite frank we don’t really care that you have decided to walk for two weeks only into the New Year, and it also takes your attention away from what you are actually doing.

So there you have it the NYRW (New Year’s Resolution Walker) not for the faint-hearted folks, this is a trend that you must approach with fear and caution as it only happens at 12.01 on the 01/01 of the New Year - miss the boat and you have to wait another 12 months!

The Royal Aero Club

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

IN October 1914, a group of young officers of the newly formed Australian Flying Corps met in Victoria. They decided that an Australian Aero club should be formed to be affiliated with the Royal Aero Club in London. The first President Major H.A. Petre was sent out from England to inaugurate a flying school for the Australian Government. Further development of the Clubs was delayed by World War I and in 1919 individual sections of the Australian Aero Club was formed in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. In March 1926 the national aero club movement was formalised under the name of the Australian Aero Club Federal Council and consisted of representatives of the Victorian and New South Wales Clubs only. In 1929 a new Constitution was adopted and the name changed to the Associated Aero Clubs. The primary object of the Clubs was initially to develop interest in flying throughout the Commonwealth, with particular attention paid to Aerial pageants, air races and public receptions for pioneer aviators at the end of historic flights. These were accompanied by flying displays and were well attended. As WW2 began to threaten in the 1930s, the Clubs began to realise their defence potential and they made strong representations to the Federal Government for financial assistance to support pilot training at a reasonable cost for the individual. When war finally broke out in 1939 several of the larger Clubs were turned into elementary flying training schools and provided the instructors, aircraft and ground maintenance facilities to train cadet pilots for the Royal Australian Air Force that allowed the RAAF to concentrate on intensive instructor training. In December 1945 while on a local flight a single engine aircraft went out of control and spun in between Prince Henry Hospital and Long Bay Gaol in south Sydney. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot Miss Betty Faux (30) an electrical worker of Kensington was killed in this aircraft rebuilt during the war by the Aero Club of NSW at Mascot when replacement aircrafts required desperate measures. The plane was based on the wreck of a Moth VHUHQ that was badly burnt in a hangar fire at Wagga in December 1939. The rebuilt aircraft was designated a DH.60GIII Moth Major that was originally built by De Haviland and flight tested in December 1943. It continued to fly with the RACNSW for almost exactly two years until the fatal crash. In 1948 the name changed to the Aero Club Federation of Australia and during 1960 the prefix ‘Royal’ was granted by Her Majesty and the present title adopted. In March 1954, Peter Williamson Eastaway (28-single) of Cremorne, a student pilot of the Bankstown Royal Aero Club died from the effects of injuries accidentally sustained when the Tiger Moth plane he was flying hit an electric high-tension wire stretched across the Nepean River and the plane fell into the river at Agnes Banks. Peter was taking his “A” class cross-country license test. At the inquest held at Penrith Court House, the District Coroner Mr N C Gardner CPS found that no blame was attached to the Club. Constable Ellis of Penrith said that he went to the Western bank of the Nepean River at Agnes Banks and saw an aeroplane submerged in the river close to that bank and saw Peter lying cold on a blanket on the riverside. Penrith Ambulance then took his body to Nepean District

Hospital where Dr Barrow examined Peter’s body at Penrith Morgue. He said that in his opinion, death was due to a fracture of the skull. Flying Instructor Tasman Herbert Dalton of the Royal Aero Club of NSW said that Peter was a student pilot and his flying experience was approximately 45 hours, made up of dual and solo flying, approximately 21 hours would have been the solo flying but before Peter could be tested as a pilot, he would have to have a minimum of 40 hours total flying. He said that Peter was to be tested for his licence the next day by him as he had supervised Peter’s flying instruction and from his experience he would say that Peter had shown sound average ability and that he was on the premises when the aircraft was ready for Peter to fly that day, but he did not see the actual departure. He also said that he had flown that aeroplane that morning and it was perfectly normal in operation and the course Peter was directed to fly on that day involved flying directly along the Nepean River and Peter was on his second cross-country solo flight. Eric Buhois Spooner an accountant of Wahroonga said that about 5.10 p.m. in March he was standing at the side of a house on the western bank of the Nepean River at Agnes Banks when he saw a yellow single-engine aeroplane travelling in a northerly direction and following the line of the Nepean River at about 160 to 200ft and it appeared to be running normally from the sound of the motor and was descending at an angle of about 20 degrees when it levelled out at about 60ft above the treetops and flew on that course for about 100 yards. Eric said he saw sparks coming from the front of the plane and he heard a screeching noise that he later learnt was the cables parting, and the left wing dropped pointing to the ground and the nose of the plane rose and he saw the plane falling but did not see it after it fell below the level of the trees. He ran in the direction of where the plane fell and located it near the western bank and he noticed that the cockpit was about two feet underwater but Peter was well under the water, he freed him from the cockpit and cut the straps but the shoulder straps were quite tight, and so tight that Eric had to put a little force on them in order to get the knife under and after he had freed Peter he was placed in a rowing boat and taken to shore. Stanley Lintott, a farmer residing at Springwood Road in Agnes Banks said he was sitting on the veranda of his home facing the Nepean River when he saw the plane fall into the river after hitting high tension wires. He rowed down with his brother to the plane and he was present when Eric Spooner released the pilot from it and helped to place Peter on the bank and said that he carried out artificial respiration in case that it was necessary. Peter’s parents George & Lillian of Holt Road, Cremorne were at the inquest when the coroner said the he was satisfied from evidence in this most unfortunate accident that all adequate steps had been taken by the Aero Club, both in the instruction of Peter and in the checking and preparation of the plane and that the aeroplane was in an airworthy condition and it was a most unfortunate happening that can only be ascribed to the failure of the pilot Peter to observe closely the instructions that he had been given. Peter’s funeral was at St Augustine’s Church, Neutral Bay and then to the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.

Sources: Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives- Ed Coates, Nepean Times

Catch aussie icon Ben Lee at The Joan

BEN Lee is back! After his sold-out Awake is the New Sleep 20th Anniversary Tour, this ARIA Award-winning musician is bringing three decades of iconic hits to The Joan, Penrith for one-night only..

From Catch My Disease to We’re All in this Together, Ben Lee’s timeless songs have defined generations, alongside chart-toppers like Breathing Tornados, Ripe and I’M FUN!

Just Announced

The incredible Holiday Sidewinder joins as a support act, making this a night of unstoppable energy, nostalgia and musical magic.

Date & Time: Friday 30 January at 7:30pm

Venue: The Joan, 597 High Street, Penrith

Get ready to be entertained when PJ Lane brings his father’s legacy to the stage in “I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story”

AUDIENCES are set to be thrilled by the rebirth of the variety entertainment glory days when PJ Lane brings his acclaimed musical stage spectacular I Love Your Faces: The Don Lane Story to Panthers Penrith on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Presented by Changing Lanes Entertainment, I Love Your Faces is a star-powered theatrical event that blends stunning musical theatre with the story of one of Australia’s most prominent names in television history. Featuring nods to the stars of television’s golden era, the show celebrates a time when entertainment was bold, glamorous and larger than life.

Following in the footsteps of his father, PJ Lane proves himself to be one of the great entertainers of today with his powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence and undeniable star quality. Backed by a live big band, dazzling showgirls and show-stopping musical numbers, this production is a full-scale showbiz spectacle anchored in the extraordinary life of his Australian television legend father.

“This is about giving today’s audiences the thrill, glamour and scale of variety entertainment,” says PJ.

While I Love Your Faces honours Don Lane’s remarkable legacy, it is a career defining turn for PJ who electrifies that legacy for a new generation, proving the Lane showmanship is alive and stronger than ever.

After receiving two standing ovations at The Palms, Melbourne, I Love Your Faces now arrives in Penrith to launch a new chapter. An emotional celebration of family, legacy and the enduring magic of Australian entertainment, the show captures the spirit of The Don Lane Show while thrilling audiences anew.

“It was extraordinary.” - The Herald Sun

“I just witnessed the birth of a new star!”- Barry Crocker

Round One of Supersports Racing this Sunday at SMSP

THE 2026 NSW Motor Racing season kicks off this Sunday 1st February at Sydney Motorsport Park, as the NSW Supersports prototype cars take to the circuit for Round One of the 2026 Motorsport Australia NSW State Championship.

This event marks an important milestone for the category. For the first time in the history of NSW Supersports, racing will take place at an event promoted by Motor Racing Australia (MRA), following MRA’s move under the FIA-affiliated Motorsport Australia umbrella.

At least eight Supersports cars will be competing at SMSP, joined by a minimum of four classic Clubmanstyle racing cars. This marks the first time in more than four years that Supersports and Clubmans have raced together, adding an extra layer of interest to the weekend’s competition. Round One of the 2026 Regulator Automation NSW Supersports Championship is being held earlier in the year than has been the case in recent seasons, a result of increased challenges in finalising the 2026

racing calendar. As a consequence, several NSW Supersports competitors whose cars require significant servicing and preparation have been unable to complete this work in time, and will unfortunately be absent.

Regardless, the NSW Supersports field reflects the depth of driver strength. Wollongong’s Paul Royal returns to NSW Supersports racing after a one year sabbatical, with his Wilroy Kitchens Radical SR3 now ready to take on a full year of NSW Supersports racing.

Sue Hughes, Australia’s most experienced lady racing driver, is making a concerted effort to attack the NSW Supersports Championship in her brilliantly presented GWRprepared FASIDU Consulting Radical SR3.

International racing driver Nick Kelly is ready for a full year of racing in between his international commitments, in his fearsome turbocharged Industrie-sponsored GFMS-prepared Wolf Mistrale. 2024 and 2025 NSW Supersports Champion, Warwick Morris, is 100 percent ready to become the only competitor in NSW Supersports history to make it a three-peat in his GFMS-prepared Radical SR3.

2018 and 2019 NSW Supersports Champion, Stephen Champion, has full intentions of also taking out a third NSW Supersports title with his GWS-prepared Radical SR3.

Highly experienced 2021 NSW Supersports Champion, Mark Brame, has raced in high level events and categories over many years, and intends to add the 2026 NSW Supersports title to his resume in his GFMS-prepared Radical SR3.

David Loftus has raced cars with roofs for many years and now makes his NSW Supersports racing debut this weekend, having prepared for this event with extensive practice in his Radical SR3. Shaun Hannah appeared in NSW Supersports at the beginning of 2024, and has progressively risen up the results sheets to now compete for a result in the top three in his GWR-prepared Radical SR3. NSW Supersports cars are the fastest statebased racing cars in Australia, and

post lap times at many racing circuits faster than the V8 Supercars.

The 2026 Regulator Automation NSW Supersports Championship takes place over five rounds in 2026, with Round One on 1st February, Round Two on 13th March and Round Three on 30th May – all at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The action then heads to One Raceway, with Round Four on 24th July and round Five on 23rd October.

The 2026 Regulator Automation NSW Supersports Championship is supported by Option 56 Racing Consultants, Austwide Freight, Radical Australia East, Gary’s Motorsport tyres, and DAS Automotive Services. For more information on NSW Supersports, go to the NSW Supersports web site at www.supersportsracing.com.au/ or go to the NSW Supersports Facebook page.

Bayliss family acknowledged at PCRA Festival of Speed

BY NOEL ROWSELL

THE Post Classic Racing Association of NSW (PCRA) is hosting the ‘Bridgestone Festival of Speed’ at Sydney Motorsport Park over the 7th-8th February.

The meeting includes all Historic Categories and capacities, Superbike Masters, Presidents Cup, sidecars, trade stands, Club displays, Historic Bike display, BBQ and 2025 Club Championship Award presentation on Saturday evening, celebrating PCRA’s 40th Anniversary, free camping for

both competitors and officials, cheap camping for spectators (under 16 free).

A major feature on Saturday 7th will be the inaugural ‘Stan, Barnie and Griz Bayliss Memorial Cup’.

For many decades, the Bayliss family name has been synonymous with Motorsport in Australia. Whilst they have spent some time on four wheels, as well as two, it is through sidecars that most people came to know them.

They were fiercely competitive, whether it be racing Historics, Moderns, Dirt Track or Speedway. But for all the battles they had on track,

they made just as many friends and earned the respect of others for the passion they put into the sport and the sidecar family.

Annandale Leichhardt Motorcycle Club are proud, and honoured, to have worked with the Bayliss family and to remember the stalwarts of the sport with the introduction of the Stan, Barnie and Griz Bayliss Memorial Cup.

At next month’s Festival of Speed, there will be a feature Sidecar

race run on the Saturday, with the winner being the first to place their name on the trophy that will be presented by members off the Bayliss family.

This is a small way the PCRA can acknowledge a family who have contributed so much to our sport for such a long time and the Club invites anyone who knew Stan, Barnie or Griz to join us at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday February 7 as it celebrates and remembers them.

Ben Michelmore wins South Creek Cup

BY NOEL ROWSELL

OVER 200 players, from 36 golf clubs, teed off at Dunheved GC on Saturday, contesting the 2026 South Creek Cup.

An impressive tally of 51 players were on handicaps of 6 or less, with Ben Michelmore (Glenmore Heritage Valley GC) taking out the event with a score of 69, three shots ahead of Mark Ellison (Newcastle GC) on 72.

The Colt winner was Connor Hamilton (Dunheved GC) on 75, the John Fearnley Cup (Juniors) went to Chayse Thorpe (Richmond / Concord GC) on 76, the Captain’s Cup (Nett) went to Molina Laulualo (Dunheved GC) on 67, ahead of Emmanuel Richards (Dunheved GC) on 68.

Jordan Springs resident Coby Carruthers (Concord GC) has finished in a tie for 9th spot in the 2026 Avondale Amateur, which was held over 20-23 January.

Carruthers shot rounds of 68/68/76/68 to finish at 4-under-par, six shots back from winner Kayun Mudadana.

Chayse Thorpe (Richmond / Concord GC) shot 72/66/74/72 to finish in 19th spot at even-par, whilst Darcy Mackay (Twin Creeks / The Australian GC) shot 77/72/70/69 to finish tied 27th at 4-overpar.

Penrith junior Jessica Fog (The Lakes GC) has

Strong local representation at NSW Amateur Championship

BY NOEL ROWSELL

SEVENTEEN western Sydney golfers are contesting the 2026 NSW Amateur Championship, which is being held over Tuesday 27th to Saturday 31st January at both Oatlands and Strathfield Golf Clubs.

Players from Stonecutters Ridge GC dominate that group, including Annoushka Maikap, Jack Gillett, Luke Carruthers, Nihal Gaundar, Ryan Cadle, Savannah Webb and Sean Sammons. They were joined by Zachary Lange (Leonay GC), Michael Elliott (Penrith GC), Andrew Relph (Fox Hills GC), Darcy Mackay (Twin Creeks / The Australian GC), Chayse Thorpe (Richmond / Concord GC), Ti Fox (Richmond / Concord GC), Coby Carruthers (Jordan Springs / Concord GC), Matt Nathan and Enzo Moon (Lynwood CC),

The NSW Amateur Championships are National (GA) and World Ranking Events (WAGR), open to amateur golfers who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent GC handicap that does not exceed 5.4 for men and 12.4 for women. 2025 Club Champions (Men) from NSW Golf Clubs are eligible to enter the Championship if their GA handicap is greater than 5.4.

NSW Medal (Men): The NSW Medal is played over both courses. It is two rounds of 18-holes stroke play, played over two days. The winner of the 36 holes is the winner of the NSW Medal.

NSW Stroke Play (Women): The NSW Stroke Play is played over both courses. It is two rounds of 18-holes stroke play, played over two days. The winner of the 36 holes is the winner of the NSW Stroke Play Championship.

Champions of Champions (Men): The Men’s Champion of Champions will be played in conjunction with the NSW Medal. The Women’s Champion of Champions is held separately.

NSW Amateur Championships

The leading 32 Men from the NSW Medal (who have nominated to play in the NSW Amateur) will be eligible to compete in the Men’s NSW Amateur Championship Match Play, with each match played over 18-holes, other than the Final, which is played over 36-holes. The match play is seeded, with ties determined by lot.

The leading 16 Women from the NSW Stroke Play (who have nominated to play in the NSW Amateur) will be eligible to compete in the Women’s NSW Amateur Championship Match Play, with each match played over 18-holes, other than the Final, which is played over 36-holes. The match play is seeded with ties determined by lot.

Tuesday 27 - Wednesday 28 January - Stroke PlayRound 1 & Round 2 - Oatlands GC and Strathfield GC

Thursday 29 - Saturday 31 January - Match Play (Top 32 Men / Top 16 Women) - Oatlands GC.

STOP PRESS

NSW Amateur Update

DARCY Mackay (The Australian GC) and Ti Fox (Concord GC) have made bold second round moves in the NSW Medal, with Darcy shooting rounds of 65/67 (-9) to finish in a tie for second spot with Kade Bryant (Glenelg GC), and Ti shooting 67/66 (-8) to finish fourth.

Coby Carruthers (Concord GC) shot 70/69 (-2) to finish tied for 19th and Nihal Gaundar (Stonecutters Ridge GC) 68/72 (-1). Darcy, Ti, Coby and Nihal have all advanced to the Match Play rounds.

Darcy is also now the Champion of Club Champions, finishing five shots clear of Harry Atkinson (Pymble GC) in the 53-man field. Matt Nathan (Lynwood CC) and Zachary Lange (Leonay GC) finished well down the leaderboard in this event.

Family Day - Pre-season training

The Panthers hosted their Preseason Training Family Day, where players and their families came together for a fun day of training and team activities. Photos courtesy of Panthers media