Issuu

free Thursday, 12 September 2019

ISSUE 260

Alex McKenzie B Com

Principal Financial Planner T: (02) 4704 8585 E: alex@futurefinancialservices.com.au W: www.futurefinancialservices.com.au A: Suite 9, 488 High St, Penrith NSW 2750

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ome down to Jamison Park on Saturday 28 September for Council’s free microchipping day! Between 9am and 12pm, you can have your pet microchipped, meet the Council Animal Services team, and speak to Greencross Vets – Coreen Ave. Microchipping keeps your pet safe. It’s a vital step to ensure they can be identified if they are lost. With a microchip, vets, animal shelters and Council can scan them and reunite you with your beloved pet. If you have a pet that’s microchipped, it’s important to check your details are up to date. Moving to a new house or state, changing phone numbers, and rehoming a pet are all important reasons to update your pet’s microchip details. The easiest way to update this information is online at petregistry.nsw.gov.au. If the details of the microchip aren’t up to date, it can take a long time to find the pet’s owner, and in some cases pet and owner may never be reunited. If you can’t make it on the day, visit your local vet or call Council’s Animal Services team to microchip your pet. If you aren’t sure whether your

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pet has been microchipped, your vet or Council’s Animal Services can scan your pet. In NSW, all dogs and cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before they are adopted, and lifetime registered by 6 months of age. For more information on microchipping call Animal Services on 4732 7543 or visit penrith.city/ microchipping

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

203 Banks Drive, St Clair Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Sales Manager: Sales: Sales: Sales: Sports Journalist: Sports Journalist: Sports Journalist: Graphic Design: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Dianne Bonello 0418 813 319 David Burnet 0412 448 883 Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com issuu.com/nepeannews

Nepean News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres. Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet. Phone for complete list of distribution outlets

By KeRRIE DAVIES

N my former life which I call BMW - Before Moving West - I had a part-time job at a place called Joseph Dahdah & Co in Surry Hills. The boss, who we called “Mr Peter” was a mad Panthers fan and as many footy fans will know, ended up being the Panther’s jersey sponsors for a while. My main friend at work was a bloke we called Davo. Everyone loved him, he was like having round-the-clock comedy without having to buy a ticket. He could imitate any person perfectly. Mr Peter would storm into the office in a foul mood because Panthers had lost, and wouldn’t realise that Davo was walking behind him imitating his every gesture. We’d all die laughing underneath desks and behind water coolers. He had a never-ending stash of jokes and he was perfect at delivering the punch lines. Even if the joke wasn’t particularly funny, his telling of it would be gold. We all pegged him as the type of person whose life was just one big long laugh. That is until he never showed up for work one morning. Later that day Mr Peter called a meeting and broke the horrific news that Davo had taken his own life the night before. It was an enormous shock. At his funeral his mother told me that he’d kept diaries that revealed he had battled depression for years, and one cold winter’s night he took a cocktail of drugs that could have taken out ten people. The point to all this is that people with depression don’t always wear it as a badge for all to see. Some find ways to disguise it, and battle their demons internally. Alone, which often leads to a devastating outcome. These days many people with depression are declaring it and owning it. The stigma of shame or embarrassment is evaporating. It isn’t something one chooses, or can just shake off and those of us who don’t have it have become more understanding It is vital that this attitude continues and improves if we are ever to conquer the demon. September 12 is R U OK? Day. Take the time to let your loved ones know you care. Ask them if they are okay. And wait for, as well as listen to, the answer. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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enrith City Council is paving one of its streets with glassphalt, an environmentally sustainable alternative to the traditional asphalt. “Asphalt uses sand in the road paving mix, but glassphalt uses ground glass,” said Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM. “Around 50 tonnes of ground glass will be used to pave Stafford Street, which is a better outcome than the glass ending up as landfill. “To get an idea of just how much glass is involved, 25 tonnes of glass is equivalent to just Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM, Penrith Council General Manager Warwick Winn more than 113,600 stubbies and Director of City Services Brian Steffen at Stafford Street where the new glassphalt is being laid. – some 4,700 slabs. “Glass does not break down in the environment. Glass up to 2,500 years recently upgraded its plant to make glassphalt, old has been found in archaeological digs around and so we are trialling their product now that it is the world. available,” Mr Winn said. “This not only shows that glass in landfill never “Glassphalt is already being successfully used goes away, but also indicates just how durable it is by other NSW local councils and meets current as a road base,” Cr Fowler said. standards for road base material. Penrith Council General Manager Warwick “In an average year, Council resurfaces or Winn said the use of glassphalt shows Council is reconstructs some 30 km of roads and by increasing continuing to embrace more sustainable practices the use of glassphalt rather than asphalt, we will be whenever possible. doing a lot to reduce the amount of waste glass in “Council’s tendered road service contractor landfill,” he said.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Penrith roadway paved with glass

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onations and grants have played an important part to the success of the Luke Priddis foundation since its inception in 2006. Chairman of LPF Luke Priddis welcomed the Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh MP along with the other major Donors, Westpac, Rotary and the Lions to look at the completed refurbishment to level 2 at the foundation. “Our organisation continuously works hard and we are proud this dedication is recognised through the receipt of funding grants which assist us to continue on with the fantastic work of the Foundation that contributes so much to our local families and kids living on the Autism Spectrum,” Luke Priddis said. Between the Federal Government and donors, $30,000 was raised which totals half the cost of the upgrade. “The Stronger Communities Program allows local organisations like the Luke Priddis Foundation to apply for grants between $2,500 and $20,000. The Foundation has successfully upgraded the bathroom and kitchen and this is a fantastic use of funding.” said Ms McIntosh.

The program for young adults on the Spectrum being taught life skills in order to gain independence is certainly worthy of the community grant she said. “I look forward to working with the Luke Priddis Foundation on the Community Digital Hub which is the next stage of LPF’S strategic planning. The Foundation is achieving

great results for our local kids.” said Ms McIntosh. Stephen Hull from Wespac and Will Peipers from Rotary looked over the Kitchen and new Admin offices where the SELF (Spectrum Empowered Life Framework) will be run from. Stephen and Will were impressed with the quality of work and design of

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

SELF Program upgrade completed

the facility and agreed their donation had been well utilized. Basic food preparation, cooking skills and personal grooming will be run from level 2. The program is aimed at young adults between 18 to 30 building confidence and capacity for the future should they choose to live independently.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

local news Fusion celebrates Mental Health Month in the Fusion Cafe, St Marys

n Thursday 10 October, youth and community organisation, Fusion Western Sydney is holding an event in the Fusion Café, St Marys to celebrate Mental Health Month (October) in NSW. The theme for Mental Health Month this year is Share the Journey and Fusion will be running fun activities in the café to raise awareness of the importance of connecting with others in the community and telling your friends and family when things are a bit tough. The message is important – isolation has a huge impact on the wellbeing of people whose mental health isn’t as

great as they’d like it to be. We can all share the journey to make things a little easier, to make communities as supportive as possible, to make good mental health a bit more accessible for everyone. Come along to the café, share something to eat at our free bbq, share a laugh over a board game, share a coffee, share a story, share a walk around the streets of St Marys and much more. At 7pm, Fusion is delighted to have Blue Mountain’s singer/songwriter, Phil Davidson, perform in the Fusion Café. Phil’s songs are full of light, humour and passion. He’s a regular

on Richard Glover’s Drive show and TGIF. He has toured internationally and has recently recorded a new album in Nashville. He is also known for his song, “Love that Matters”, written to raise money for the Blue Mountains Fire Appeal in 2013. Entry to see Phil perform is $15 with funds going to support the work of Fusion Western Sydney with vulnerable young people and families. Tickets at the door. Join us in the Fusion Café, cnr Queen and Station Streets, St Marys for Mental Health Month on Thursday 10 October. All welcome. For more information phone Judy Tweeddale at Fusion on 8805 5900.

RAAF Hercules Celebrates a 20-Year Anniversary

The Hercules C-130J aircraft flying over Glenbrook on Friday. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Six C-130J Hercules aircraft flew over Jordan Springs then Glenbrook RAAF Base on Friday afternoon, as part of celebrations to mark 20 years of service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Five RAAF C-130Js led the formation, joined by a United States Air Force (USAF) MC-130J. The six aircraft left Richmond

RAAF Base at 12.45pm and flew over Barrenjoey Heads, before returning over the north of Penrith and Glenbrook then home to Richmond. The C-130J’s were introduced to RAAF service in September 1999, following a number of other Hercules models which had served the RAAF since 1958.

St Clair Toastmasters is hosting an ‘Open House’ meeting

s public speaking one of your biggest fears? Some experts say that up to 75% of the population has anxiety when it comes to speaking under pressure. Toastmasters offers a safe environment where you can learn the art of communicating with confidence. The club will be hosting an

NOVENA

Thank you Lord Jesus for all the blessings given to my family, especially my daughter. May the name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and praised throughout the world forever. Amen.

‘Open House’ meeting on the 23rd September. If you are curious to see what Toastmasters is about please join us in the Gateway Room, 1st Floor, St Marys Band Club at 7.15 for a 7.30 start. The club also offers 6 week Speechcraft courses for people who would like to learn the basics of constructing and delivering

speeches with confidence. If you need to make a presentation, a wedding speech or want to gain knowledge to improve your existing skills, this is the course for you. The next course commences on the 5th October. For more information please contact Jason Cornelius: 0408 066 566.

Transport NSW: Castlereagh Road reopened ahead of schedule Motorists are advised Castlereagh Road between Jane Street and Thornton Drive has reopened almost 24 hours ahead of schedule. The temporary closure was in place to allow for work on the railway bridge as part of the $105 million upgrade of Mulgoa Road at Penrith between Union Road and Museum Drive. This closure was in place to allow essential work to be carried out ahead of the new bridge being installed in December.

All detours have now been lifted and motorists are thanked for their patience during the temporary closure. The community and motorists will continue to be updated about changes in the area and are thanked for their ongoing patience while work is carried out on the important upgrade. For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW App. To plan your trip on public transport, visit transportnsw. info.

local news By Jim Devine

omenic Meduri, Licensee of McDonalds, St Marys North, understands the significance of family, community and assisting local youth. Domenic has been with McDonalds for 16 years beginning as a crew person at Richmond before progressing through the management ranks to his current position as Licensee. Domenic continues the ‘family business’ tradition, as his parents have been Licensees of various stores across the North West Sydney area. The Emu Plains Club have announced a partnership for this year’s Youth of the Year Program, with Domenic and McDonald’s St Marys North agreeing to provide scholarships of $250 to the Overall Club winner and $500 to the Overall Area winner of this year’s Program. If you are 15-19 years of age and attend one of the following schools, you can apply to be a contestant in this year’s Emu Plains Lions Youth of the Year. • McCarthy Catholic College • Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School • St Pauls Grammar • Penrith Anglican College. Other schools are supported by Lions Clubs in the area, so for more information please contact me, the Emu Plains Club’s Youth of the Year Chairman, Jim Devine, on jimdevine@bigpond.com or 0427 110 061 for further information.

Secret debate

What’s better - the old days or modern times? He Says........................... .........................She Says Ah the good old days, what a great time to live, assuming that is that you like the smell of cigarettes whilst eating in the restaurant or recovering in hospital. Then we also had far less traffic on the road, which is just as well given we managed to put about 1200 people per annum in an early grave from motor vehicle fatalities. Did I mention the injured and disabled victims that accompanied drunk driving and no seat belts? What else was there, ah yes we built houses for returned soldiers and poorer people from asbestos sheeting, the results of which we will bear for the next 50 years assuming asbestosis has not got you already. But we did have 6pm closing at hotels. That meant you could swill down as many last beers as possible, before going home to abuse the missus and kids. Speaking of wives and women in general, we kept them in their place too. Made them work during the war for little money and then sacked most at the finish or kept them working for far less than the male wage, after all it is a mans world isn’t it? But we did have Australian made cars, remember them. Put together with minimum thought about comfort, safety or anything that resembled good engineering. Mind you, good engineering required higher education and we made sure that only the elite had any access to universities, can’t have the masses getting above their station in life. I know this is a bit tongue in cheek, but people only remember the good old times, not the bad parts that went with it. It is great to reminisce but does anyone really want to go back to iceboxes for refrigeration, black and white remoteless TVs or sitting in the old red rattlers heading to work? I doubt it. Enjoy today, because in 20 years time you will look back and say, “gee it was good back then,” or in the words of Richard Clapton “Don’t waste time, these are the best days of our lives”.

WIN!

Take me back to the good old days anytime, when people valued what little they had, worked hard to get it and raised kids to have respect. Sure we have a lot more labour-saving things today, but what have we really achieved with all the time we have gained? Where are all the children getting exercise and fresh air on the street or the park playing hopscotch and cricket with the neighbourhood kids? That’s all been replaced with obesity problems and social issues from living in internet game world. When did you last make the effort and time to sit down to dinner as a family and just talk about what happened that day? Now it is a rush to gulp down food and charge off to another job, a function or the computer and internet for games and chatting with people that in most cases you don’t even know. Maybe I live In a timewarp but I can still remember the good times where we did not know as much about the world as we do today but we knew everything about our kids, family and neighbours. I suppose I don’t really want to go back to the days of no mod-cons, but I do wish we could have bought those values we had back then into our modern world. It would be a real shame if words like respect, discipline and consideration are words that disappear out of the modern dictionary.

Who do you agree with? Send your vote to nepeannews@aol.com for a chance to win a table for 4 at the Major Oak Theatre Restaurant including dinner and show.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Partnership supporting our local youth to excel

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

local news

Taking University to the streets By CONNER LOWE

he region’s first ‘Street University’ will be established in Penrith by the end of the year and will provide a free community space that embraces young people’s art, music and culture while providing early intervention for addiction and mental health issues. Announced by the Hon Greg Hunt, Minister for Health and Melissa McIntosh, Federal Member for Lindsay, the ‘Street University’ concept engages and motivates young people and helps them develop new abilities and opportunities while assisting them with personal health or social issues. Funding for this service is provided by the Federal Government’s Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programs through the Primary Health Network. Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, initiated bringing the concept to Penrith and has commissioned the concept’s founder, the Ted Noffs Foundation, to design and operate the service, building on the success of the seven existing ‘Street Universities’ across Australia. Lizz Reay, the Wentworth Healthcare CEO spoke about the excitement to bring the initiative to Penrith and the importance of understanding the needs of the community. “We are excited to be able to bring this innovative youth service to the streets of Penrith,” she said. “Essential to what we do as a Primary Health Network, and as a regional health planning and funding body, is knowing our region and understanding the primary healthcare needs of our community. “Our region has been lacking addiction support

Wentworth Healthcare Board Director, Paul Brennan; Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay; Minister for Health, The Hon Greg Hunt MP; the Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP and Ted Noffs Foundation Corporate Program Manager, Naomi Noffs with staff and young people from current Street Universities in Mt Druitt and Liverpool.

services and particularly services that engage with young people in a non-clinical setting.” “To be able to respond to an identified need like this, and to provide greater local support to young people struggling with mental health and addiction issues, is at the heart of why Primary Health Networks were put in place,” she added. The ‘Street University’ uses art, dance, music, theatre, design, writing and technology to engage young people while providing more traditional services such as addiction and mental health counselling, along with educational and vocational training. Research shows that the combination of engagement and treatment leads to a wide range of positive outcomes for young people. Matt Noffs, the Ted Noffs Foundation CEO spoke about the design model of the initiative and the significant drop in crime and drug use. “The ‘Street University’ is a non-residential drug

treatment model,” he said. “Across our services we see a 60 percent drop in crime, over 50 percent drop in drug use, with many ceasing use altogether, and significant reductions in suicidal ideation post-treatment. “But the success really comes from the fact that while the treatment aspect is based on the best evidence out there, each centre is co-designed with the young people themselves.” The Penrith ‘Street University’ will also be home to specific programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, based on connection to country and cultural identity. In addition, these programs will be delivered through schools and community venues throughout the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Penrith and Lithgow Local Government Areas and will be include culturally safe case management for those young people who need addiction or mental health support.

Western Sydney scores three state honours for multicultural health

ancer screening, communication and healthy eating projects are reaping benefits for the multicultural patients of Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD). The three projects all received recognition last week at the 2019 NSW Multicultural Health Communication Awards, which kicked off Multicultural Health Week. WSLHD worked with Cancer Institute NSW to make educational flipcharts for bowel and breast health, which were highly commended in the ‘keeping people healthy’ category. These flipcharts features clear pictures and are currently available in languages including English, simplified and traditional Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Greek and Vietnamese. WSLHD bilingual community education program officer Anoop Johar said it’s important to deliver information sessions to community groups in their first language. “The programs are designed for people from nonEnglish speaking backgrounds who, in some cases, may not have strong literacy even in their own language,” Anoop said. The WSLHD Population Health team also scored a highly commended in the ‘keeping people healthy’ category for their family visual healthy lifestyle resources. The team wanted to deliver simple health messages to parents of children under 12, such as choosing water and healthier snacks, and turning off screens in favour of getting active. They worked with parents to transform textheavy fact sheets into visual resources, with key messages available in English, Arabic, Chinese,

Hindi, Korean, Persian and Tamil. “The new and improved resources, with simple but distinct visual messages, enable parents and carers to access healthy lifestyle parenting information previously not available,” Health Promotion operations manager Michelle Nolan said. “Most importantly, these improvements in health literacy will lead to a better understanding of health information and encourage behaviour change for families.” A project that WSLHD Multicultural Health, Social Work and Clinical Governance developed in partnership with South Western Sydney Local Health District was also a finalist in the ‘patient safety’ category. This project focused on communication issues

for older people from non-English speaking backgrounds. A fact sheet was developed for older people and their family and friends to inform them about the roles of different parties in communication in healthcare settings, such as when family can contribute information about a patient and when a professional interpreter must be used. The fact sheets are available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Arabic, Turkish and Assyrian. There is also a fact sheet for health professionals on the same topic. Multicultural Access program officer Sora Machida distributes the fact sheets when running sessions on topics such as elder abuse and the Australian Aged Care System. She said these sheets are a good reminder about the importance of interpreters as they are not used always.

local news

By Noel Rowsell

wenty-Four students from Chifley College, Dunheved Campus were at the Penrith SES compound on 10th September, learning life saving skills from seasoned campaigners. The NSW SES Cadet Program provides secondary students with progressive, interesting and challenging training which encourages the development of positive personal and team characteristics amongst the participants. The training has a theoretical underpinning but concentrates on practical, experiential and collaborative learning. The format of the program at Dunheved HS consists of 10 weekly sessions, a visit to another emergency services provider (usually Ropes Crossing Fire and Rescue), a visit to the local SES Unit (hence Penrith SES) and a 2-day camp at the conclusion of the program. The visit by students from Dunheved Campus, Chifley College to Penrith SES was designed to give the cadets a full day’s experience of practical activities.

Students and teachers from Chifley College, Dunheved Campus training at SES compound, Claremont Meadows. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

The day was organised by volunteers from Penrith SES and included activities such as communication using radio and phonetic alphabet; using harnesses and rope safety knowledge to access heights; winching and ‘pack and jack’ techniques in order to conduct a rescue and unit operations induction. The students also explored the facilities available at the unit, including the truck and flood boat equipment.

It’s a dire emergency if you’re not prepared

enrith City Council and the NSW State Emergency Service are calling on all residents to ensure they have up to date emergency plans in place. “Emergency Preparedness Week is the appropriate time for our residents to think about what they would do if there was an emergency,” said Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM. “That’s why we have decided to support the “Get Prepared App”, which is a free, easy to download App that takes people step by step through the creation of an emergency plan.” The Red Cross and its project partner, insurer IAG, developed the App to help community members prepare for any type of emergency, Cr Fowler said. “Many residents are familiar with the need to have a bushfire plan. The App helps them to prepare for all emergencies and natural disasters. “All you have to do is follow this link https://getprepared.app.link/ Penrith_City_Council download the app and it will take you through the process,” he said. NSW SES Penrith Unit Commander Scott Lynch said that if people are prepared for emergencies, then they will be safer and response crews can act more efficiently. “If you are not prepared for an emergency, then you have to make it up on the run, and that’s when disaster

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM (right) NSW SES Penrith Unit Commander Scott Lynch at the Penrith base.

can strike,” Mr Lynch said. “One of the biggest causes of accident or injury in an emergency such as a flood or storm is last minute panic, when decisions are made in haste and under pressure. It is important to know your risk and be prepared. “The idea of an emergency plan is that you have already thought about

what to do, where to go and who to call. Just a little preparation can reduce the risk of injury and even save lives.” NSW SES has 9,500 volunteers who partner with their communities prior to and during emergencies. Read more www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer The Get Prepared App is an initiative of Resilient Sydney, a program

aligned to the 100 Resilient Cities initiative pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation. The Resilient Sydney Strategy (2018) lays out a roadmap to address the key shocks and stresses that will impact the communities of metropolitan Sydney. The program is a collaboration by all metropolitan Sydney councils.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Chifley College learn new skills from SES

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

local news

My Community Projects receive $321,721

tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced that four local projects have been selected to receive a share of $321,721 through the NSW Government’s My Community Project funding program. “Our strong management of the NSW economy generates funds that enable us to reinvest back into local communities through improved facilities and amenity,” said Stuart Ayres. “This program put the decision making in the hands of local residents and they have chosen which projects they wanted to see delivered for our local community,” Stuart Ayres said. “I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that these projects will offer to people across the Penrith electorate.”

The My Community Project is made possible by the NSW Generations Fund to help improve the well-being of the people and communities. Successful projects include: • The Rotary Club of Lower Blue Mountains – Shelter, improved access and refurbishment for Whitton Park, Glenbrook, • St Thomas Anglican Church Cranebrook – Tree removal and construction of an awning, new bench tops and new BBQ facilities, • Lapstone Public School – Spectator shade shelter for the school’s multipurpose court, • Blue Mountains City Council – Footpath connection from Glenbrook Village to Wilson Way, Blaxland. “This is a great win for the Penrith electorate. I’d like to thank all the

community groups that participated in the program and advocated passionately for their local projects.” “While the NSW Government is getting on with delivering major

infrastructure projects, we also understand the importance of local community projects to improve our local facilities,” added Stuart Ayres.

Council grant for Music Therapy hits right chord

enrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM has presented a grant for $2000 to the NordoffRobbins Music Therapy Centre, a centre that uses music therapy to engage adults and children with a disability in new creative experiences. This year Council’s Mayoral Scholarship has supported the ongoing delivery of the Music Club, Drumming, Key Word Sign Choir and Mum’s & Bub’s programs. Mayor Ross Fowler said Council has been an ongoing supporter of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre. “It is incredible what the staff at Nordoff-Robbins do and how music therapy helps children and adults,” Cr Fowler said. “I had the opportunity to join in a session recently and I was as excited as the participants were in making music, singing songs and laughing together. “Music is good for the soul and the participants in these programs respond incredibly, it’s just heartwarming to see and be a part of,” Cr Fowler said. Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy takes its name and inspiration from Composer Paul Nordoff and special educator Clive Robbins, who developed the creative music therapy approach. Music therapy uses improvised live music to build a relationship between music therapist and participant where they interact and communicate directly through music. It is a participatory form of therapy where the power of music acts as the agent for change, growth and healing. Nordoff-Robbins music therapy programs deliver significant and quantifiable benefits to children and

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM joins participants at Nordoff-Robbins for music therapy.

adults with physical and intellectual disabilities, trauma, mental health problems, depression and learning, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Program details: Music Club Music club is about supporting young people (1830) with a disability who want to make friends and make music in a group. The group started after a small group of school friends decided they wanted to get together after leaving school. They all loved music and so they started attending the Kingswood Centre every week and Music Club was born. Drumming The human response to rhythm is a deeply engrained behaviour that is immediately

engaging. Drumming brings people together, in an energetically inspiring, fun way. These groups are run at the Kingswood Centre and provide a creative outlet, release tension and offer a fun way to relax. Key Word Sign Choir Key Word Sign (formally Makaton) is a simplified form of signing using a small vocabulary of signs which provide visual cues to support and enhance the communication of basic concepts and language development in children and adults with communication difficulties. Mums & Bubs The Mums and Bubs program consists of interactive activities using live music to promote early childhood development and social skills.

local news

tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced that the weekend of 14 and 15 September marks “Get Ready Weekend” with local Rural Fire Services reminding the community to be aware and prepare for bush fire risks this summer. Mr Ayres said it is particularly important for anyone who lives near bushland and areas prone to grass fires to start preparing now. “After another dry winter, its important households and families have a Bushfire Survival Plan in place, it may save your lives,” Mr Ayres said “We’re fortunate to have some of the most skilled

and experienced firefighters in the world right here in NSW; however, they’re facing a potentially long bush fire season so we all need to do our part in the community to be as prepared as possible. Stuart Ayres encouraged residents to visit a local event to pick up vital fire safety information and to take a moment to thank our outstanding local firefighters for the tremendous work they do to help keep our communities safe. Local events for the weekend include: Brigade: Orchard Hills Location: Orchard Hills Fire Station, 58 Castle Rd, Orchard Hills

Date: 14/09/2019 from 9am to 3pm Brigade: Llandilo Location: Bunnings Warehouse North Penrith, 2166 Castlereagh Road, Penrith Date: 14/09/2019 from 7am to 5pm Brigade: Regentville Location: Regentville Fire Station, 20 Jeanette Street, Regentville Date: 14/09/2019 from 10am to 2pm You can download a Bushfire Survival Plan at: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survivalplan

Who could forget the devastating fires of six years ago? By KeRRIE DAVIES

“You can damage and flatten our homes but you can’t destroy our spirit, you bastard.” My photographer Kieren Tilly and I stood in a street that resembled a war zone, these were the confronting words one resident spoke to the ferocious, indiscriminate fire that raged through Winmalee in October 2013. The fire was no longer there to hear his message, but it had left a catastrophic mark; destroying everything it could in its path. At the time of Nepean News going to press on 24 October 2013, 197 homes were lost, 107 were damaged and the number was expected to rise. Thankfully no lives were lost in the Blue Mountains region, but many people’s pets were sadly injured or killed. And many families were left with nothing. As we pulled in to a cul-de-sac named Sunny Ridge Rd, the feeling could only be described as total devastation. The bottom end of the street that once housed half a dozen homes was almost a total wipe out. Some of the homes were so destroyed that it was impossible to make out the type of structure that once stood there - impossible to envisage the home that once had a happy family sitting around the dinner table, and years and years of memories. Totally gutted, what was left on the still very hot ground was unsalvageable. Pieces of debris still smouldered and the eerie silence was broken every few minutes by the

sound of choppers flying overhead and the shrill of distant sirens. A constant reminder that this tragedy was far from over. Then there were the residents. Some who’d lost everything, standing and looking at what was once their little slice of heaven - their home. Others in the same street, whose homes miraculously survived, watching on in disbelief. The fire was indiscriminate in her fury. Adam Schweinsberg was one resident who lost everything. The home he shared with his mother was little more than a pile of ashes. Adam was at work in Richmond when danger struck, and his 66-yearold Mum was home alone. She decided it was time to get out when she saw the flames begin to lick the valley. ‘It was pretty scary stuff. I was at work and I heard about the fire when it was up at Links View Rd, and I know that’s just up across the way and the wind blows in this direction - I thought here we go, Sunny Ridge Rd is going to cop this,” Adam said. “I jumped in the car and took off. There was a traffic jam up on Hawkesbury Road so I left the car there, got out and ran home. I could see there was a lot of smoke but it hadn’t really taken hold of any of the houses. I went to grab my firefighting equipment but I didn’t have it all set up at the time. It was just too late.

“Mum was sitting up the top of the street and was pretty stressed out. I was running backwards and forwards up and down the street helping with the hose and she began to feel chest pains.” Stress took its toll on the 66-yearold as she sat at the top of the street, watching the chaos so Adam took her to the hospital and headed back to save the cat - but found he was unable to get through. When he was finally able to return, the aftermath was heartbreaking.

What once was a grand two-storey home was nothing more than a pile of smouldering ash, with jagged slices of brick wall here and there standing defiantly. Adam’s mother who is a nurse, was due to fly out to China the next day. The trip was put on hold while she recovered in hospital. The cat was saved - just - and was extremely freaked out, but thankfully alive. The family pet is about the only thing Adam and his mother have left.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Get ready for bush fire season S

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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REMBRANDT New home needed DUTCH CLUB By KeRRIE DAVIES

Saturday September 28 87 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys Time 10am – 4pm Open for morning tea and lunch Free jumping castle for the little ones Clothes, small equipment, souvenirs, household goods, toys and much more!

It’s not just a garage sale.

It’s a moving sale. When we move we need to be able to cover moving costs.

We are still searching for a next premises and have looked at some 30 possibilities. The Rembrandt Club would like to stay in the St Marys/ Nepean area. We are not just Dutch, but always welcome any nationality. We are a family friendly club, solely run by volunteers and are against poker machines.

HE Rembrandt Club has been celebrating everything Dutch as well as providing a social haven for its members at their Dunheved location for the last 40 years. But the club must now vacate by Christmas to make way for bulldozers who will demolish the building. Rembrandt Club Caterer Mia Joosten said although it was a big change for the club she was hopeful that a new venue would be found so that the club could continue with its services. And those social services are many; including seniors lunches, gatherings to play board games, weddings, birthdays and even wakes. The Rembrandt Club also hosts the local annual Dutch Festival in March each year. “Our members need a place to socialise, sit and have coffee, meet people and play board games,” Mia said. The membership is 400 strong, made

up of mostly local residents and a few who have moved from the area but have kept up their membership. Are you in a position to provide tenancy for the Club? They are on the lookout for a landlord who wants a good tenant who will pay a modest rent on time as well as keep the premises clean and tidy. “Our venue is always nice and clean, and we look after own repairs. Our members are always happy to chip in when needed,” Mia said. “What we need ideally is a premises that we can use 24/7, that seats at least 80 people. We also need a full kitchen, but we can construct that ourselves if need be and our younger members are willing to do the physical work.” The garage sale is being held to ensure they have the funds to make the move as soon as a premises becomes available. If you’d like to speak further to Mia about this, please call her on 9623 2569.

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ember for Mulgoa Tanya Davies has announced the winners of the My Community Project with applicants now able to bring their ideas to life. The Mulgoa electorate will benefit from 3 projects put forward and voted on by the local community, which will now be funded by the NSW Government’s My Community Project program. The successful Mulgoa projects are: • Infants Adventure Playground ($113,746) – a safe, purpose built adventure playground for the Regentville/Glenmore Park community at Regentville Public School. • A Safe Place to Play ($80,000) – a safe, secure outdoor play equipment for preschool children and infants in the Glenmore Park Community at Glenmore Park Anglican Church. • St Clair and District Men’s Shed Stage 2 Shed Build ($65,000) – helping in the prevention of men’s mental health issues by providing a welcoming place for men to gather. Tanya Davies thanked all applicants and sponsors for taking the time and effort to develop their ideas and promote their projects along with the members of the community who voted.

“My Community Project captured the imagination of the Mulgoa community with people putting a lot of work into their ideas and it was great to see people get behind the projects that matter to them,” Tanya Davies said. “These projects came from the community and were voted on by the community and I now look forward to seeing applicants and sponsors getting on with the job of rolling out these projects and the benefits they will provide to the local community.”

The G Spot

S it just me or does there appear to be an increase in armed robberies, hold ups and shootings? Now I am no rocket scientist or brain surgeon, however I have been very blessed (not) to have worked in many a club and pub over the past 25 years in security and I lurve to observe the human creature in its most natural habitat - the club! The thing that I find the most hilarious (well not hilarious - let’s just say hypocritical) is that the hotel manager is usually the first to scream “Why Me?”Almost like a love song gone wrong. Now who am I, I am just a mere security officer that had the wonderful job of clearing the drunks out (who all love me). On closing time the bar staff are winding down and chucking wet rags at each other, the manager is in the office because he has been there

all day dealing with the crap and needs to update Facebook. The safe door is wide open because that’s where the night takings are going, the registers are being counted (usually at the bar) and the beer-filled mats are being hosed down out the back car park or loading dock with the fire door chocked open with an empty keg. The band is packing up and have chocked open the main glass doors to pack their cars. Oh and don’t forget camera 16 has been playing up for a while and that just happens to be over the safe area, but that’s on the to-do list, gotta go to the board or the manager has been busy buying meat raffles, right? Dear dear dear folks – I’ve seen it time and time again and I just shake my head. I seriously reckon they should place a neon sign on the main highway and say “get it while it’s hot” because all the crap I have just said above has just

More than $24 million was made available, spread across the entire State, for projects valued between $20,000 and $200,000 that would make communities more liveable, cultural, accessible, safe, revitalised or healthy. Acting Treasurer Damien Tudehope said My Community Project was a great example of real grassroots democracy in action and the projects chosen to receive funding reflected the wishes of the people. “There has been a tremendous response to the My Community Project program with more than 61,400 people casting their vote through the My Community Project website across the State,” Mr Tudehope said. “I congratulate the successful project applicants and urge those projects that were unsuccessful to see if they could be eligible to apply for other NSW Government funding from programs such as Community Building Partnerships, which is now open. “My Community Project was made possible by the NSW Generations Fund, a sovereign wealth fund that helps maintain debt at sustainable levels, while sharing the benefits of its returns with local communities.” For further information visit www. nsw.gov.au/mycommunityproject.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

given the baddies a good chance to hold up your premises! Okay, so what can we do to stop our mates at Work Cover asking for a free lunch at your joint for the next 15 weeks while they investigate the ‘why ya didn’t do it and how ya coulda stopped’ it scenario? Batten down the hatchets captains, because your closes should be tighter than a fishes bum (sorry but love that saying). Controlled access points, security, security, security and secured doors and staff escorted from club to car. Control is the answer my friends, if the baddies see control and the fact that their hold-up attempt may be hindered or observed, they will move onto the next place. It is as simple as that! They try the element of surprise, always be one step ahead of them! Let’s just pretend that you’re in a horror movie and that the blob is going

to get in the access points, that’s how you should treat your club or pub on closing time; shut the doors, lock the doors. Also recommended is a decent security service, if your security officer is on his mobile or chatting up the staff it’s time for a change kids security have a really important role of checking toilets, securing doors and controlling access points whilst the club is placed in locked down. A security dude chatting up the last single lady in the club is not the look you need - wouldn’t happen on my watch or in my company - period! So there you have it kids, control, security, close the access points and be tighter than a fishes bum, which I might add I have never seen or experienced. (Tick). PS. Please be aware that no fish were injured during the writing of this column.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Mulgoa chooses My Community Projects

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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Painting the town REaD By KeRRIE DAVIES

aint The Town REaD is an early Literacy program targeting birth to five years focusing on the importance of singing, rhyming and reading to children and helps to prepare them for school. It’s also a valuable tool for parents to learn about the importance of reading to your children. An initiative driven by Mission Australia, it has been running for approx. nine years. The non for profit organisation has been attending the St Marys Village Centre for a couple of years, showcasing Rooby Roo performances and creating awareness for the program, this however was the first Annual REaD Day held at the Centre. Approximately 100 families attended over the 3 ½ hour event, it was a great success. Mayor Ross Fowler and Councillor Robin Cook attended along with other special guests from St Marys Fire Station and the Hawkesbury SES who participated in storytelling activities. These activities included nine individual stations offering free craft activities, storytelling, musical

instruments and face painting. Paint The Town REaD have Multiple partnerships with services in the local LGA assist with the program to spread awareness throughout the community. Mirvac Marketing Manager, Rebecca Lynch was extremely pleased to see so many happy faces enjoying the day and the community participation. “The Annual REaD Day team are a fantastic resource for the local LGA, we (St Marys Village Centre) look forward to collaborating together again with the REaD team next year,” she said.

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ental health is under the spotlight in September with three awareness days this

month. yourtown/Kids Helpline CEO Tracy Adams said Child Protection Week (which was from Sept 1-7); World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept 10) and RU OK Day (Sept 12) focussed discussions around mental health. Kids Helpline says mental health issues and suicide-related thoughts accounted for more than one fifth of all calls made by children and young adults. Young people are considered as having a mental health issue when they are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, emotional distress, psychotic thoughts, thoughts of suicide, or when they are engaging in violent behaviours, disordered eating, substance abuse, or selfharming behaviours. The number of contacts to Kids Helpline for the 6 months to July 2019 was 76,257, with 6,928 (19%) related to suicide. “To cope with increasing counselling demand, Kids Helpline recently increased the opening hours for web chat to 24/7. This has resulted in an additional 3,108 attempts and 1,723 contacts in the first half of this

year. As a result, we are seeing longer counselling sessions and increasing numbers of children and young people who require regular support,” said yourtown CEO Tracy Adams. “In addition, significant numbers of young people in our employment services are dealing with mental health issues and it is one of the biggest

barriers to employment readiness,” she said. “The impact of long term unemployment is of itself a contributor to mental health issues.” “There should be no wrong doors to accessing help but we need to be working together, early intervention, greater access to services and support for families need to be prioritised,”

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

September’s spotlight is on Mental Health

Ms Adams said. Kids Helpline relies heavily upon yourtown’s charitable art union and donations from the community to continue its operation. The only 24/7, free and confidential service for kids and young people aged 5 to 25, Kids Helpline is 69% self-funded by yourtown art union, donors and grants.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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‘Solar charge ports’ — solving space restraints With LUKE SPICER, Skyline Solar

t’s a problem that we hear all too often. Customers want to install solar power but just can’t use the roof due to building constraints in the roof or due to trees, shading and other reasons. However, these same clients will often have a carport that they want solar installed on. In the past, unless the car port is an engineered structure to carry weight and meet the correct standards, we simply haven’t been able to offer a solution — until now. Skyline Solar has been working with our racking/ framing manufacturer to design and engineer a free standing structure large enough to fit a car under, which we can install solar panels on. We took some current concepts they had in place and also the current ground mount solutions and created what we like to call ‘The Charge Port’. It’s purposely designed for easy installation in almost any location and is a relatively straight forward process. It’s customisable to cover a variety of car spaces and is suitable for almost every home. We can install this on an existing driveway, pending site tests, or simply add any required civil works for

connecting and mounting the system. We installed the first one here in our carpark at our showroom to demonstrate how convenient and handy they are. If you looking to charge electric vehicles, we can install car chargers and batteries as well. This is an ideal solution that will serve many purposes and solve many issues for townhouses, small houses, granny flats etc. These can also be

used as structures for areas around pools and back yards. This can all be done at a reasonable cost, along the same lines as installing any decent structure. The system’s anodised black coating gives it a modern touch that will blend in with many scenarios, whilst having a low visual impact on surroundings. The most attractive part of this is that since it’s a solar panel mounting

solution, it comes under exempt developments guidelines and at this point needs no council approval in the majority of places. Feel free to contact us at Skyline Solar to find out more about this particular system, and our other products. We are at 5/317 Windsor Rd, Vineyard; call us on 1300 759 765 or visit www.skylinesolar.com.au for more information.

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s pet care becomes more advanced, it is becoming increasingly common to give unwell pets blood transfusions. Blood transfusions may be needed for many reasons and often animals that receive blood transfusions are saved from life threatening disease. Why is blood given? There are many reasons why ill animals need blood transfusions – the most common being blood loss from trauma, autoimmune disease, rat bait toxicity and snake bites. Blood not only contains red blood cells which carry oxygen, but also platelets which are vital for clotting. Blood also contains additional clotting factors and protein. It can be beneficial in animals with severe infections and clotting problems.

Are there blood types in animals? Yes! Some animals are easier to give blood transfusions to than others. Both dogs and cats have different blood types but interestingly, dogs can receive blood from any other dog as long as it is their first transfusion. For subsequent transfusions, dogs need to be blood typed to avoid reactions. Just like humans, some dogs are universal donors whose blood can be given to any other dog. Cats are a bit more complex and always need to be blood typed to avoid reactions. We have even previously performed blood transfusions on very sick ferrets!

Where do we get the blood from? Obtaining blood can be difficult as we need donor animals. We will often use large breed, young and healthy animals, aged over two years of age as donors. The procedure is very simple and only takes 5-10 minutes. The donor animal is then placed on a drip and given a large meal to restore their energy levels. Blood transfusions are a gift for animals as they are usually lifesaving and immediately make a very sick animal feel better. They are not possible without donor animals and we are very grateful for our donors.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Blood transfusions in pets

We are thankful to all of our donors, the Jeans family of greyhounds and Ripley, Indi and Matilda all owned by staff members at Greencross Coreen Ave. If you have any questions about blood donation please call the clinic on 4731 3055.

Greencross Vets | Phone 47 313 055 Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

Can you help reunite these pets with their families? When a pet goes missing it is a particularly distressing time for any owner. And by the look on the faces of some of these local pets who’ve been found, it can be pretty distressing for the pet as well. Have you seen any of our missing pets? Do you recognise any of the pets who have been found? There’s a facebook page called Penrith Area Lost and Found Animals and they are exceptionally good at reuniting lost pets with their owners. If you have any information regarding any of our featured pets, please head to the page and scroll for the owner’s information. Alternatively, if you don’t use facebook feel free to call us on 9834 5579 and we will hook you up!

FOUND Mount Druitt

MISSING Pie from Kingswood

MISSING Falcon from Kingswood

At Hawkesbury Animal Shelter waiting for our owners or to be re-homed

Legends of the Nepean Caroline Volkiene By Noel Rowsell

 Victor & Caroline Volkiene 1972

 Lyn Forde, Caroline Volkiene, Norma Thorburn

ar o line Vo l k i e n e ’ s family heritage is intrinsically linked with St Marys, so it was perhaps inevitable she would become a member at the St Marys Historical Society. Caroline’s family relatonship to St Marys began with James Hackett (1807- 1897), a former Convict who obtained his ‘ticket of leave’ in 1835, whilst his wife Mary Ann was the grand-daughter of two First Fleet convicts. James would become a prominent businessman in St Marys, opening a Butchers Shop, the Woolpack Inn and also Hackett’s Racecourse (now the site of St Marys Senior High School). The lineage continued with Charles Albert Hackett (1855 - 1941), who had Charles Hackett Drive named in his honour and was also a prominent figure in St Marys history.

Fast forward to 1951 and Caroline became one of a new generation, born in Governor Phillip Hospital, Penrith. Caroline attended St Marys PS and St Marys HS, obtaining the Intermediate Certificate in 1966. Caroline completed a Secretarial Course at St Marys HS whilst in her final year, covering shorthand and typing, and upon leaving school started work as a Mail Girl at McPhersons Engineering in Bathurst Street, Sydney, moving on through the Dispatch Department, Invoice Department and Special Accounts. McPhersons moved the business to Alexandria and being reluctant to stop working in the City, Caroline moved to a Secretarial role with Loris H. Hassall (Rawhide Exporters), where she regularly visited Consulates and Shipping Companies in Sydney. Caroline married childhood sweetheart Victor in 1972 and the couple moved to South St Marys. Caroline subsequently moved to a new employer APN (manufacturers of

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Caroline Volkiene was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Jackie Greenow OAM. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

 Charles Hackett - courtesy of the St Marys Historical Society  James Hackett - courtesy of Geni.com

laminated paper) and worked there as an Office Assistant / Receptionist. The imminent birth of eldest son Michael in 1974 would see Caroline begin a new career at home, soon adding daughter Narelle (1977) and youngest son Matthew (1979) to the family. Life with children would revolve around sport, with Victor coaching at the Colyton Colts Junior RLFC and Caroline coaching Softball at the Mt Druitt Softball Club. Caroline returned to work in 1989, taking up a position with the ANZ Bank in St Marys, before moving into the Operations Department at Parramatta from 1990 - 98. The Operations Department would be relocated to Melbourne in 1998 and Caroline accepted retrenchment, taking the opportunity to travel with Victor and undertake refurbishments

 Caroline’s 60th Birthday

of the family home. With time on her hands and looking for volunteer opportunities, Caroline took up a position with Meals on Wheels in 1998 and would work with the organisation for the next two years, meeting ‘some wonderful people and really strong characters’. Caroline responded to a notice in the local paper from the St Marys Historical Society looking for volunteers, joining them in 2000 and remaining there through the next 19 years, serving as Secretary from 20052011 and President from 2011-2018. The Historical Society has 23 volunteers and 5 executive members and is located on the corner of the Great Western Highway and Mamre Road, St Marys. Caroline is also a founding member of the Encore Historical Sewing Group, which is now in it’s 15th year.

Caroline is proud of her St Marys heritage and said “You get a sense of place - it’s where I belong.” Major achievements by Caroline and the team at the Historical Society in the past 7 years include: • For the past seven years the Society partnered/participated in the St Marys Community and Cultural Precinct, Queen Street Riches & Textures Projects, supported by Penrith City Council. Their latest being the very successful ‘Queen Street Riches and Textures 2018 – Windows on Queen.’ • 2012 - The successful lobbying to Penrith City Council for the housing of the Bennett wagons to be placed on display in South Creek Park, St Marys. • Successful application of grants and fundraising to purchase printers, computers, display cases, filing cabinets, projector, mannequins for displaying the many costumes made

by their members. • 2013 - Participating and assisting in the making of costumes for the 2013 Bi-centennary of the Blue Mountains Crossing breakfast at Gregory Blaxlands land grant ‘Leeholme’ St Marys. • 2017 - Participating in Oonagh Sherrard’s 2017 ‘South Creek Wianamatta Turning’ event. • 2017 - Participating in the 200th Anniversary of the Historic Castlereagh Wesleyan Chapel (Methodist Church) at Castlereagh. • 2015 - Participating in the 2015 commemorative Cooee March at Victoria Park, St Marys. • 2017 - As President, Caroline was invited to help collect soil from historic Werrington House and Victoria Park to be displayed in the New Artwork for the ANZAC Memorial Centenary Project in Hyde Park. The walls in the Hall of Service will display the names of the towns, suburbs and settlements across NSW where men and women enlisted from for the First World War. Alongside each place name will be displayed a sample of soil, collected from each listed locale.

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WOW â€” In another phenomenal display of Community support for the challenged and less fortunate in our city a staggering $200,000 was raised on Thursday night at the 2019 WestCare Fundraiser Dinner at The Coffee Club Nepean River. Photos: Brooke Grosse Photography

Social Butterfly

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

westcare ANNUAL FUNDRAISER DINNER

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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PINK UP PENRITH Nepean area residents came together last week to support the offical launch of pink Up Penrith. Photos: Hilary Nathan Photography

Social Butterfly

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

NEPEAN HISTORY

The Good Old Days

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

hile looking for an article to write for this History Page, I came across a copy I had taken many years ago of a book titled “Historic Roads around Sydney”. At the “St Marys” section, I had highlighted information incorrect in the book about the grant that St Marys stood on. No need to say that this book was very old and very misguided in its information on St Marys. It is well known now that St Marys got its name from the St Mary Magdalene Church of England and before that St Marys was called South Creek. In the 1840’s after the O’Connell family sold off their acres, South Creek-St Marys was able to thrive. Agriculture and industry took hold, employing the locals and their families to carry on the traditions most of our earlier settlers brought with them from overseas. Many currency lads and lasses, as well as the “swells” in the Colony, claimed St Marys’ soil did well for farming as well as agriculture. The King, O’Connell, Marsden and Lethbridge families of the “gentry” land grants, as well as the ex-convicts who had served out their time, settled in the district and saw the potential to make a life never considered available from where they started out. Who would have thought, even sixty years ago, a suburb of the district would have been named after Anthony & Elizabeth Rope, a First Fleet convict family, but they saw the potential to raise a family here and their many descendents are scattered all over Australia and overseas. Today, we say Australia is a multicultural country, but the same is also said about St Marys-South Creek back then. Nationalities such as English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, American and many more were already living here. They were blacksmiths, tinsmiths, wheelwrights, gardeners, farmers, tanners, stonemasons, carpenters and many more were known as “labourers” who did the hard yakka of wood chopping, brick making, timber getting, hauling and ploughing that was needed to be able to feed their families and make some needed money in the process. The gentry of the district were the Magistrates, Coroners, Church Wardens, Police and Justice’s of the Peace. The freed convicts, if they were smart, saw the potential in putting the money they made back into ventures such as buying up local land, opening inns and hotels and starting coach making and mending works. They saw the potential of the Western Road with the prospectors heading to the Bathurst-Sofala goldfields and the coaches with their horses that needed attention. There was also a growing need for Postmasters, Teachers, Butchers and Shop Keepers and many more industries as the district grew. Women were needed for Midwives, Dressmakers, Shop Assistants and later Hairdressers, Cooks and Housekeepers and Servants. Always there was a need for Overseers, Stockmen, Horse Breakers and cattle and horse Auctioneers. As St Marys’ land was taken up and sold off, the district was becoming known around NSW as a thriving town, with the largest tanneries in NSW owned by the Thompson and Brell families, the biggest wagon works owned by the Bennett family and the timber industry owned by the likes of Garner & Turner, who supplied the local, as well as the Sydney markets, with firewood and building timber for homes, the railway and countless other industries that relied on wood to survive. Local men

provided the labour to build bridges for the railway from Parramatta to Penrith. We had Master Builders in the Saddington, Loveday and Dollin Families who built the homes around the district, especially “Mimosa” and “Bronte” still standing today as a testament to these men. Just imagine what would have been said in the book “Historic Roads around Sydney” if they had been able to research all this information back then. Isn’t history fascinating! Our small towns stuck together. In the pages of the Nepean Times, you can see many a time there was a concert or a ball to raise money on behalf of a destitute family of the area who needed assistance to live. Much help was done by local clubs and organisations that sprang up with some continuing to this day. So, is history repeating itself? Now more than ever there is growing poverty and hardship as people can’t afford to own a home and raise a family. Is this the time to go “back to the future”? St Marys was a town on the watch of the weather, going right back to the time “South Creek/St Marys” was settled. Agricultural farmers, livestock farmers and grape growers were here in the district where the alluvial soil was made for farming because of South Creek and several small tributaries that made these small farmers viable. They all supplemented their incomes by buying and selling produce from their farms here in the district. Therefore, our area is so historical and worthy of remembrance. Maybe it is time to go back to the earth? Supplement what income is available with growing your own small farm. Are we getting too soft to go “back to the future”? I leave that up to you! With all the cooking shows on TV now, we all should be great cooks, but the problem is their ingredients are too expensive. Our parents and our parents-parents learnt to cook from the austerity of the wars. Wouldn’t your grandmothers or greatgrandmothers have turned “green with envy” at seeing how easy it is to heat up food and eat it straight away. Even baby boomers would remember the cooked food being left keeping warm in the fuel stove oven, usually with a plate over the meal plate until it was ready to eat at the table (no alfoil then). Who remembers what it looked like when left too long!! Unpalatable. Tough cheap meat was bought and would be soft and tender by boiling or baking for several hours with a few vegetables thrown in along with the rice to “bulk it up” and if careful, could be eaten for a week of meals as stew or soup. All chores were handed out according to the age of the family. Dad was given the task of cutting up the meat and making sure the bones were cut for the tasty marrow. Mum helped with the preparation and making sure the children were given a task of washing the vegetables and gathering up all the peelings ready for the ice box for soups in winter. The “ice man” would then bring into the house a great lump of ice and put it into the ice chest and use an ice pick to cut the block to size, making sure there was some small icicles for the children who were waiting patiently. Small trucks were used in the early days for those farmers and merchants who could sell from them. St Marys’ area had a bread cart (horse or engine) or a vegetable cart usually connected to a shop in town. This was particularly appropriate for families living out in the surrounding bush area. Those were the days! Photo of horse & cart of Ball’s Bakery that was on the western corner of Mamre Rd & H’way.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Celebrate lost and rare trades

he annual Clarendon Classic Rally is on again on 21 and 22 September 2019. Last year, over 5,000 people came to see classic trucks, cars, tractors, and models, plus the big range of stationary steam and internal combustion engines running on the weekend. Some are small models, but some are huge traction engines. Check out the radial aircraft engine that will be started several times each day. “The rally incorporates a model and hobby show, and apart from models you’d expect like trains, boats and cars, there will also be a major display of historic racing cars,” Steve Muscat told us. “The Kenworth Klassic truck show is also run annually as part of our rally, and there are usually over 400 trucks on show, along with vintage cars, and tractors that people bring along.” Over the two days there will also be thrilling displays of chain sawing, steam engines, classic boats, motorbikes, military vehicles, and buses. There are free fun rides for the kids, such as the jumping castle, and tractor pulled ride trailers to ferry attendees around the grounds. There are plenty of food stalls, collectable stalls to buy

he 5th and 6th October provides you with a great opportunity to celebrate lost and rare trades, see incredible skill and craftsmanship, and meet master artisans at one of the country’s most unique events. Find passion and craftsmanship and be inspired by incredibly talented master artisans and craftspeople when the Lost Trades Fair comes to the Hawkesbury Showgrounds. This popular fair celebrates the art of creating, designing and crafting things with skill, things that are made to last with a level of unmatched craftsmanship. Gaining an insight into the skilled manual work of a true artisan is not something most people have the opportunity to experience. The fair is about sharing and demonstrating skills and techniques, tricks of the trade that have been passed down through generations, and shows the results of fine practiced craftsmanship. Today, we have a generation of people that have never known a world without social media and the immediacy of the internet. To think

from, the tractor pull, and wood cutting demonstrations. The vintage bus which will be running a shuttle service from the showground to Richmond Train Station and back; what a great way to arrive at the showground! The Lachlan Valley Railways group will be there, offering trips on their vintage steam trains. Bookings can be made for Richmond through their booking site (reached via www. sydneyantiquemachineryclub.com/ train-rides-booking-page.html). Entry is just $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Displays open for the public at 9:00am each day, closing at 4:00pm Saturday and 3:00pm Sunday. Eftpos and ATMs will be available. For further enquiries call Steve Muscat on 0418 453 203, or check out the club’s website at www. SydneyAntiqueMachineryClub. com/rally.

that the next generation may have to read about what a cooper did on the internet, rather than see one handcraft a barrel is a very real concern. The Lost Trades Fair unites artisans specialising in field crafts, workshop crafts, decorative and fine arts, traditional bush skills and household crafts. It includes all trade disciplines and all mediums; metal, stone, mineral, wood, glass, textiles, cloth, wool, cane. There is literally something for everyone to find interesting, so much to discover and a few things to surprise. Founded on the principle that people are fascinated when artisans and craftspeople openly demonstrate their skills and share their knowledge; the fair celebrates traditional trades and the artisans and makers that continue to practice these trades. You will see demonstrations by wheelwrights, chair makers, tinsmiths, coopers, makers of penny farthings and rocking horses, toolmakers and leatherworkers. Glassblowers and stonemasons demonstrate alongside blacksmiths, silversmiths, spinners and candle makers.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

For lovers of old machinery!

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

ENTERTAINMENT

Mike’s Pantry

PENRITH

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with Michael Creed from Thor’s Cafe Penrith

TOY & HOBBY FAIR

Baked Salmon with roasted tomatoes and green beans

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Ingredients: • 150g salmon fillet • 10 cherry tomatoes (or similar size) still attached to the vine. • 1t olive oil • 120g green beans • Salt and pepper to taste Method: • Preheat fan forced oven to 200c. • Place the salmon fillet with the tomatoes still on the vine on a baking tray. • Drizzle the teaspoon of olive oil over the top of the fillet and tomatoes. • Sprinkle some salt and pepper

over the ingredients for taste. • Place the baking tray in the oven and roast for about 15-20 minutes or until the fish is cooked. • Serve with a generous helping of steamed green beans.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

ENTERTAINMENT

BATHORY BEGINS: A bloody, funny production for teens! “We always knew this was going to be difficult. Bathory is a supernatural enigma. Not quite vampire, not quite witch, not quite crap art teacher.” Jane, Student, Butt Road High School ATYP, the national youth theatre company and Q Theatre Penrith present the world premiere of B athory Begins, by awardwinning playwrights Emme Hoy and Gretel Vella, showing 11-21 September at The Joan. Year 10 Art teacher Mrs Bathory is most definitely a reincarnation of the sadistic, serial-killer Countess, Erzebet Báthory. It’s pretty obvious to her class of seven —yes, seven — girls. The last remaining survivors. When the students in 10F decide to pull the prank of the century and destroy the beast for good, there’s just one thing that stands in their way. The private school boys from Judas Gents have arrived, and they don’t feel so comfortable with murder. Playwrights Emme Hoy and Gretel Vella are delighted to see their pitch-black teen comedy premiere in September after they

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stumbled across the story of Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed a couple of years ago. After a little research, they decided the story was too good to pass up. Director Rowan Bate knows that this production is going to resonate with audiences. “Bathory Begins is for anyone who loves shades of darkness and light in their comedy. At its heart, behind the jokes and the murder plots, is a powerful message about social equality that speaks to this moment in history. I hope that audiences leave the show having had a laughter-filled night at the theatre, but also thinking about the way we as members of society make hasty judgements about our fellow humans.” Published by Playlab, the Bathory Begins season at The Joan in September is the perfect chance for audiences to see the first production of a show that will be presented in schools and youth theatres around the country for years to come. Girls vs. boys. Public vs. private... And an undead woman of the night. Things were never going to end well. Bathory Begins 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 September 7:30 pm 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 September 7:30pm Allan Mullins Studio, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith Tickets $30-$35 Duration 90mins (no interval) To book please visit: www.thejoan.com. au/events/bathory-begins/

ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Night must fall

Roll up the circus is in town

ere’s a great opportunity to see a local show by Ruby Productions. Night Must Fall has an intriguing plot. Olivia isn’t as taken in by the charming Dan as her aunt is; she feels that he is putting on a facade and lying to hide something sinister. Her suspicions grow when, a few days later, it is reported that a local beauty has gone missing. Believing Dan to be involved, she, the servants, and her pompous admirer, Hubert, go through Dan’s things when he is not around, finding a picture of him and the missing woman buried among his belongings. This shocking discovery strengthens Olivia’s suspicions and determination to prove that Dan is not what he seems. Performance dates: 14th, 21st at 7pm and 28th at 7pm September 28th September has one matinee at 2pm Ticket price is $25 for adults and $20 concession, $35 at the door. To book tickets go to www.trybooking.com/493232 To reserve show only phone (02) 47355422. “NIGHT MUST FALL” will be performed at John Lees Centre, 15 Evan Street; Penrith. www.rubyproductions.com.au

ebers Circus, With a Touch of the Wild West, is a fantastic show filled with wonderful acts from around the world which will keep you on the edge of your seat. The five very cute miniature horses and the comedy dogs will keep you laughing, along with Australia’s funniest Kano the clown. Aerial acts that amazes audiences again and again. The other feature act is the Russian Swing, a very entertaining act with the three Webers sisters somersaulting through the air only to be caught by a catcher 7 metres high off the ground. And the WHEEL OF

26th Sept - 13th Oct

DEATH, The show also includes silks, hula hoops, trapeze, hand balancing, line dancing, whip cracking and much more, Webers Circus is the perfect mix to keep you entertained from start to finish, the performance lasts 1 hour and 45 mins and tickets are on sale one hour before the show time at the ticket office out the front of the big top. Don’t forget cash sales only at the onsite ticket office or a $2.50 fee for eftpos or credit cards. For all enquiries call 0448 247 287 (0448 CIRCUS) or book online @ www.weberscircus.com.

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

WORD SEARCH

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Wealth (7) 5 Put on clothes (7) 9 Pernicious (9) 10 What fish breathe with (5) 11 Inner spirit (7) 12 Dawn (7) 13 Crystal (9) 15 Secure or fasten (5) 17 Loose temporary stitches (5) 19 Space for movement (9) 22 Unsinkable ship (7) 25 Inate skills (7) 26 Pulsate (5) 27 Cover with zinc (9) 28 Courage (7) 29 Dragged the bottom of a harbor (7)

DOWN 1 Not succeeding (7) 2 Repeat payments to performers (9) 3 Take one’s clothes off (7) 4 Soften and moisturize skin (9) 5 Writing tables (5) 6 Causing the improvement in offspring (7) 7 Ragout (5) 8 Tropical starchy tuberous root (7) 14 Beset with controversy or conflict (9) 16 Existing in abundance (9) 17 Basin (7) 18 Give a title to someone (7) 20 Government financial assistance (7) 21 Give false information (7) 23 Latin for “Earth” (5) 24 Clever (5)

solution 29/8/19

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

Ask the Expert - Avoid Self-Sabotage for a Stress-Free Sale Sharon Mudiman Licensee and Principal of Bespoke Realty Group has been negotiating the sale of property for over twentyfive years in the Greater Penrith Region

elling a property can be a financial and emotional roller coaster. The highs and lows of managing risk, trusting unknown professionals, and ultimately saying goodbye to a home that is much more than just four walls, can be trying at best. With high expectations and heightened emotions, keeping in mind these top tips can help avoid self-sabotage for a stress-free sale. First and foremost, surround yourself with

professionals that are capable of having hard conversations. A realistic appraisal of your property creates a solid foundation of trust and contrary to belief, does not indicate a lack of motivation by an agent. A good agent would rather exceed expectations than leave a vendor disappointed with a sales result, so be careful not to buy into an overinflated value

of your home. Good marketing is an investment. Today’s buyers are most likely to be viewing a property several times online far before they step foot in the door. Professional photos and strong copywriting are the key to actioning buyers from behind their computer and into your property, which will ultimately expedite a sale. Spend time on staging. Cleaning, decluttering,

and depersonalising creates visual space for buyers to see themselves living in the home. If the budget allows, statistics indicate that professional staging may increase your home’s value from 7-10%, proving that it is well worth the cost. Lastly, avoid emotional pitfalls such as distrust that can derail a sale. For example, often a first purchase offer is the best offer, so avoid being sceptical of a quick sale at a good price. Another example may be a vendor remaining onsite during an open for inspection. This is not recommended for a reason, as it causes discomfort for buyers, so trust your agent when they advise of professional norms in real estate. Understanding and anticipating stress while selling a home can help create a sense of acceptance during the process. Keeping the end goal in mind, reminding yourself the process is temporary, and ultimately choosing an agent that can support you from beginning to end will all contribute to a smooth sale.

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Is it time to Spring into action? With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

ell its Spring time again. The flowers are blooming and the birds are noisy trying to find a mate to make more baby birds. Spring also brings an increased number of properties listed for sale and increased buyer activity in the property market. There currently appears to be more enthusiastic buyers willing to commit to a property purchase. Apart from the warmer weather, the main reasons for this increasing willingness to buy are the followingRecord low interest rates Owner occupiers can get fixed rates for principle plus interest rate loans under 3 percent and variable rates just over 3 percent. Investors still have to pay around half a percent more than owner occupiers though and slightly higher again for interest only repayment type loans. Most economists and lenders are predicting that the Reserve Bank of Australia will reduce the official cash rate by 0.25 percent before Christmas and maybe further reduction/s next year. When rates are reduced, this is a sign that the economy is not as strong as it needs to be to grow. If you take out our big immigration growth, our economy is currently contracting into recession. Increased lending capacity to everyone -

Due to the lower interest rates used to calculate borrowing capacity, most people can borrow 10 to 20 percent more than they could last month. Marketing Have you noticed that most newspapers are running front page stories about increased demand, auction clearance rates and rising prices recently? Auction clearance rates in Sydney and Melbourne have jumped up to high levels of around 80 percent. There are advertisements on TV from RealEstate. com and lenders as well. Some lenders are offering amazing interest rates and cash bonuses of up to $2,000 and over if you refinance your home loan. 2 years of declining prices Prices in Sydney have risen by around 1 percent over the last few months with the first increases in 2 years. People are seeing better or fairer value in property prices at the moment. Underlying demand is good This is due to the population increases to the major cites plus unemployment continues to stay low (even though wages growth is very low and many people want to work more hours to increase their incomes). For buyers in good financial positions (stable incomes and low personal debts), it may be a great time to buy your first home or upgrade your home. If you’re an investor, there are still better returns (with less downside risk) to be made by buying in

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Brisbane or Melbourne or, with more risk, in Perth. Rent returns in Sydney remain poor and there is a real risk prices could stagnate for a few more years yet. However, don’t let fear or greed drive your property decisions As mentioned above, the economy is only growing at very low levels and this growth is only due to high levels of immigration. There are currently many head winds for our economy. We are also overdue for a possible recession (with currently 28 years of continual growth). If the Chinese economy contracts, trade wars with the USA continue or escalate, European economy slips further (Brexit issues) or any major disruption to the financial status quo around the world, then we could easily slip into recession very quickly. Many Australians have way too much personal debt and not enough cash reserves to see off any troubles if they arise. A debt bomb may explode if your personal income decreases or stops for a period. A debt bomb will also eventually explode for many countries who have borrowed more than they can repay (the interest on) eventually in Asia, Europe, South America or Africa as well. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com. au if you what to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any home finance questions that I can assist you with.

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LAKESIDE LONG LUNCH Pursuant to Section 115 Roads Act, 1993, notice is given that in case the Sydney International Regatta Centre carparks fill, Old Castlereagh Road west of Leyland St will close to all vehicles except for residents, emergency and accredited vehicles, shuttle buses, limos, permit holders and Rideshare vehicles for the purpose of an event, The Lakeside Long Lunch, Saturday 28 September, 2019 from 1000 – 1900. A variable message sign will be positioned at the intersection of Old Castlereagh, Castlereagh and Andrews Roads, in the middle of the traffic island on the west side of the roundabout to notify vehicles of traffic changes.

For further information, please contact regatta@sport.nsw.gov.au or 02 4730 0000.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Nepean News

SPORT

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Double glory for Jessica Fox By CONNER LOWE

enrith’s own Olympian Jessica Fox was as close to her best form, as she broke through for her first K1 win of the 2019 season at the ICF canoe slalom world cup final in Prague on Saturday. The win also locked away her defence of the overall K1 world cup title she won last year. After dominating the women’s K1 for much of the 2018 season, Jessica Fox has not been able to get back to the top of the podium in 2019. But the two-time Olympic medallist got it right on the challenging Prague course on Saturday to win by almost three seconds, with Brasil’s Ana Satila second and Slovakia’s Eva Tercelj third. Jessica spoke of how well she had been training in the lead up and how she felt to deliver such an impressive performance in the final. “I think today was really exactly what I was looking for,” she said. “I’ve been training so well here, so I really wanted to put it together. It was just about getting that run out. “Just to deliver that in the final, I was so pleased. That was the elation when I crossed the finish line. I’m really pleased with today, it could not have gone better.” Fox was also rewarded for her consistency over the five-world cup series with the overall K1 world cup title, defending the crown she won last year. She is now looking forward to taking this form into

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the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and Tokyo 2020 qualification coming up in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain in a couple of weeks (25-29 September 2019). “It’s always a little confidence boost,” she said. “It’s been a long season, but now all the world cups are done, we have a couple of weeks off, so

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I’m happy to finish the world cups on this note, and looking forward to being back in Seu.” Fox will also have the chance to defend her 2018 world cup crown in the women’s C1. Fox currently holds a 47-point lead heading into the final day with the C1 semi-final and final on the schedule and double points awarded.

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By Noel Rowsell

he NSW Veteran Golfers Association (NSWVGA) is staging the inaugural State Medal and 4BBB Finals in Port Macquarie over 30th Sept - 1st October. There are 29 active Groups within the NSWVGA, with the Western Sydney Region (WSRVGA) identified as Group 20. The current leaders and secondplaced players in both Men’s and Ladies Divisions, in all Groups, have been invited to Port Macquarie for the inaugural tournament. The WSRVGA nominees are brothers Steve Cromer (Leonay GC) and Peter Cromer (Wallacia GC), along with Carol Carter (Richmond GC) and Sue Evers (Springwood CC). 68-year old Steve and 58-year old

Peter are currently in 3rd and 4th positions respectively in the ‘Player of the Year’ rankings but with the top two players unavailable to travel, the brothers will have the privilege of representing the Western Sydney Region in the State Finals. Both brothers live adjacent to their respective courses, with Steve a Leonay resident and a 20-year golfer playing off a handicap of 24, whilst younger brother Peter lives in Mulgoa, is a 40-year golf veteran and plays off a highly-respectable 12 handicap. NSWVGA is sponsoring the cost of the event and Presentation Dinner, whilst the WSRVGA will provide travelling costs to each of it’s nominees. All players also have the opportunity to play the course on the preceding Sunday, in the local Club’s regular competition, to familiarise themselves with the course.

Peter & Steve Cromer will represent the WSRVGA in Port Macquarie. Photo supplied by Steve Cromer.

Juniors stars unite at Penrith for Eric Apperly Shield Pennant Series By Noel Rowsell

he Eric Apperly Shield competition is open to all Sydney Metropolitan Golf Clubs which are members of Golf NSW. Conducted annually from July September, the competition is also open to country Golf Clubs, which may qualify for the Finals by competing in their own or a neighbouring District Golf Association competition. The 2019 event consists of 3 Sydney Sections and 1 Country Section, with 6 individual matches played within each Section over 18 holes of MatchPlay, without the benefit of handicap. Male Club members who are aged 21 years or under, as at the date of the first round of the competition, are eligible to take part in the competition. Penrith GC fielded a number of exciting young players from the Nepean District for their 2019 campaign, including Coby Carruthers (Leonay GC), Chazz Ritchie (Wentworth Falls CC), Blake Hodges (Dunheved GC) and Reginald Papps (Richmond GC), along with Michael Organ, Blake Murray and Lachlan Baker from Penrith GC. Manager Jamie Organ (Penrith GC) said “As no local club had the base to form a team, a number of local juniors joined forces to form a team for Penrith Golf Club.” “Many of the group are current members of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport.” “The team is relatively young and in most matches were up against much older and stronger competitors” said Jamie. “Of the five matches (played), the team halved three and lost two, which

The Eric Apperly Shield Pennant Team (L-R): Blake Hodges, Reginald Papps, Michael Organ, Blake Murray, Chazz Ritchie). Missing from pic Coby Carruthers, Lachlan Baker.

was a sound result given the quality of the competition - such as The Lakes and Pymble Golf Clubs.” “The team are keen to compete again next year and will certainly benefit from the experience this year.” Penrith finished in 4th spot in their 6-team section behind Pymble, The Lakes and Asquith but ahead of Lakeside Camden and Pennant Hills. Section 3 winners Pymble played Section 1 winners Concord in one semi-final, whilst Section 2 winners St Michael’s played Country winners ACT Monaro in the second semi-final.

Blake Murray

Michael Organ

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

WSRVGA leaders to play for State Medal

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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PVSF Senior Sport Star Award

By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Lachlan Bignall from Yarramundi the Senior Sport Star Award for his amazing skills and development in Gridiron. Lachlan has been playing Gridiron for the Nepean Ducks since 2016. He has been the Quarterback for the club and has been the colts MVP three years running as well as Player’s Player. He is admired in the club for the effort he puts in, as well as his desire to always improve on his game. Lachlan spoke about how delighted he was to be

recognised by Penrith Valley Sports Foundation for his achievements in Gridiron. “I am very grateful and humble for the recognition I have received, and it definitely came as a surprise when I was selected,” he said. He was selected to the NSW U/19’s representative team for the Australian Gridiron League held in April 2019. He was also named as captain for the squad. His leadership and dedication to the sport will see him become a big name in the Nepean Ducks club for many years to come and help bring more people to the sport of Gridiron. Lachlan also spoke about his achievements in his time with the Nepean Ducks and what his plans with the club are for the near future.

“I have won my team’s MVP award three times, and I was a captain on the 2019 NSW Wolverines team for the Nationals tournament,” he said. “I love the sport for how strategic and team driven it is, there is a position for everyone. I currently train twice a week with the Nepean Ducks colts’ side and we play on Saturdays. “I plan to continue playing American football, I have two more years of colts and after that I hope to play with the men’s team.” We would like to congratulate Lachlan on his award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in Gridiron for the future.

Spring Classic draws riders to Sydney International Equestrian Centre

Cross Country action from Saturday. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au) By Noel Rowsell

he Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC) hosted the ‘Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Sydney Eventing Spring Classic’ over the weekend of 7th-8th September. There were a total of 19 categories of events (across Dressage, Showjumping and Cross Country) held over the two days, with 176 entries on Saturday and 267 on Sunday. A number of riders fielded multiple horses over the weekend, trialing the inexperienced mounts in the easier events and riding their more seasoned jumpers over the tougher layouts. Full results can be viewed at https:// www.nominate.com.au/equest/nsw/results/ Sydney092019.htm

PENRITH PANTHERS

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By STEWART MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

ames Maloney predicts a bright future for the club despite having his time in the NRL come to a premature end in last Sunday’s 54-10 win over Newcastle, with the Panthers falling well short of expectations in 2019. Unfortunately they failed to make the top eight, let alone being the top-four side most predicted. Maloney’s career is undoubtedly a decorated one. A career that spanned 11 seasons with five clubs totalling 247 NRL appearances, scoring 1,825 points (including 772 goals - the most of any player), for two premierships (as well as being the first half to take three NRL clubs to a grand final). Along with 14 appearances for NSW and along with a solitary game for Australia, Maloney certainly has a lot to be satisfied about as he looks to extend his career in the English Super League. But having played 44 of those games at Penrith (for 6 tries, 65 goals and 8 field goals), the Catalans Dragonsbound five-eighth, firmly believes the Panthers should have been playing finals footy for a fourth consecutive season despite the poor start to the season which saw the team at one point in last position with just two wins. “It doesn’t always go perfect (ending your NRL career) but that’s rugby league,” Maloney told Nepean News. “We’ve had a fairly inconsistent season and we were too far off where we should have been too many times this year. “We have fallen short of that expectation of playing finals footy. “I think if you look at the squad we have and the team we’ve got, we should have been playing finals footy without a doubt. “But just because you’ve got a good squad doesn’t mean you are going to win footy games. “You have got to go out every week and put in the actions, put in the effort and turn up and do everything right

A disappointing 2019 season ends on a good note for outgoing Panther, James Maloney. Credit: NRL Photos.

and we didn’t do that often enough. “Obviously the way we started, we left ourselves a pretty big ask and did well to get ourselves back into a position where we probably should have went on with it from there. “But that wasn’t to be and you live and learn and the team will hopefully have a really big year in 2020.” Much of Penrith’s demise in 2019 has been put down to coach Ivan Cleary’s desire to move on key players such as Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Waqa Blake and replace them with upand-coming talent with no less than 9 NRL debutants alone making their debuts in 2019, more than any other NRL club. Further changes to the roster are almost inevitable with reports Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Wayde Egan could also be on the move. But Maloney, who himself was

granted a release 12 months early to head abroad, says that whilst it wasn’t ideal to debut so many players in 2019, he believes the club will be better off long term and enjoyed the role he played in helping those players come into the NRL. “I’ve really enjoyed my time overall at Penrith especially seeing a lot of kids coming through and making their NRL debut and I get a real kick out of that,” Maloney replied. “I remember when it was me and how special it was and these boys are no different. A lot of them have really big NRL careers ahead of them. “I saw in the club reception the other day where they have got all the names and since I’ve been here, I think we have had 18 blokes over two years (15 of them NRL rookies) and that’s a lot of kids to come through. “Obviously Penrith has a big

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catchment with a lot of really good juniors but that is a lot of kids to bring through over a two-year period. “I don’t know how many other sides have debuted 18 over the past two seasons but I don’t think it’s been an ideal situation. “A lot of the time, it’s hard for the younger blokes to achieve that sort of consistency required to play in the NRL week in week out, but hopefully there aren’t too many (debutants) next year and we keep as many of them playing together as possible. “They will all be better for the experience and when they get another pre-season under their belt, hopefully they will have a really good season. “I’m looking forward to watching them from afar now and knowing that I’ve had some sort of influence at the beginning of their NRL careers.”

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

Maloney signs off in style

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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PENRITH PANTHERS

Repeat Sets with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

CLEARY EXCITED BY FUTURE BUT REFUTES SUGGESTIONS 2019 IS A REBUILD YEAR It took 25 rounds but the Panthers finally showed what they are capable of in attack, when they ruthlessly handed Newcastle their worst ever loss to Penrith, 54-10 in front of over 12,000 fans on what was Old Boys Day but just as much about sending James Maloney off to France on a winning note. The Panthers trailed 4-0 but by halftime led 18-4 thanks to two-tries from Nathan Cleary and Brian To’o. Despite losing the latter to injury at the break, which saw makeshift centre Jarome Luai (starting for Brent Naden) moving to the wing to allow Billy Burns (who scored two tries in just his second NRL game) to play out wide, the Panthers although they conceded early points in the second half, were never headed from there, scoring 36 unanswered points to give the coach plenty of optimism for 2020, given that 10 of Penrith’s 17 were aged 25 or younger. Eight of his side’s nine tries were scored by players aged 22 or under – and that included four by his 21-year-old son Nathan and with his nine conversions that gave him 34 points for the game, it beat the Panthers club record for most points in a game, previously 30 points scored by Michael Gordon back in 2010. “We’re a development club. We debuted nine guys this year. It’s definitely a season of regeneration I guess,” Cleary said. “The future is to try and pick the young guys that are going to be the ones that end up steering the ship for a long time yet. “There are some good signs there. We’ve had some really good guys coming through.” The win as good as it was still masks an underwhelming season for the Panthers, who were widely tipped to be a top four side challenging for the title yet didn’t even make the finals for the fourth season in succession, having finished in 10th place with 11 wins from 24 games but only one victory outside the eight. With the third-worst attack in the league heading into the final round, the performance left fans wondering if they had loosened the shackles earlier in the year, maybe some of those low-scoring August defeats would have been converted into wins that would have seen the Panthers play finals footy once more. A week earlier following their 22-6 loss to Sydney Roosters, coach Ivan Cleary conceded

Ivan Cleary is confident the Panthers will be better for 2020 having given the likes of Billy Burns their NRL debuts in 2019. Credit: NRL Photos.

Penrith’s 2019 season fell below expectations but remains confident the club is on the right track after blooding its ninth debutant of the year, Billy Burns. “Yeah, I haven’t had time to reflect too much,” Cleary said post-game. “We definitely finished the year feeling like we should have done better. “External expectations are one thing but internally we’ll definitely reflect and yeah, we should have done better. I felt like we could have done better for sure. “I’m not sure how accurate the external ones were based on everything but we definitely finish the year feeling like we should have done better.” “(But) I don’t really want to give a postmortem tonight; every team will have their own story and we’re no different, but bottom line is we’re going to be disappointed with our finish. “But (we’re) extremely confident about what’s in front of us. There’s a clear plan about how we’re going to do that and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.” The fact all nine debutants had come through the Penrith system was a sign the club was headed in the right direction according to Cleary who also scoffed at suggestions the Panthers are in the middle of another rebuild. “No one’s called it a rebuild but we’ve certainly made some adjustments,” he said. “We’ve had nine debutants this year and playing six or seven rookies (against the Roosters), that’s a pretty inexperienced team. “I’m confident in our system, I know the path forward and what we need to do and

I’m looking forward to getting into it.” Penrith have paid the price for a late season slump in the Canterbury Cup with three successive losses seeing the Panthers, minus Sam McKendry and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, eliminated in week one of the finals last Saturday at Campbelltown Stadium, following their 34-16 defeat at the hands of the eighth-placed Wentworthville Magpies. The Panthers came into the game low on confidence and lacking in cohesion and experience following their shock 42-34 loss to bottom-placed Blacktown Sea Eagles six days earlier, when a win would have guaranteed Penrith a top four finish and a second bite at the cherry. In better news for the club, the third-placed Panthers Jersey Flegg side are one win away from making back-to-back grand final appearances, following a dramatic 25-24 win over the Sydney Roosters in golden-point after scores were locked up 24-all after extra time, with Daine Laurie kicking the important field goal which gives his side the week off. The Panthers finished in third spot after their runaway 42-6 win over Manly Sea Eagles at HE Laybutt Field the previous Sunday. And with Penrith’s NRL season over for another season, this is the last Repeat Sets column for 2019. I hope you enjoyed and look forward to bringing you all the game day news from the Panthers in season 2020. #PantherPride

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45 45

with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

RECORD-BREAKER CLEARY TO CAPTAIN PENRITH IN 2020? Before the ink had dried on Nathan Cleary’s record-breaking point scoring deeds for Penrith in their 54-10 demolition of the hapless Newcastle Knights, reports surfaced that coach Ivan Cleary is seriously considering replacing current captain James Tamou with his son. 21-year-old son Nathan, racked up a personal tally of 34 points against the Knights with four tries and nine conversions from as many attempts, eclipsing Michael Gordon’s scoring record for a single game – 30 points against South Sydney in round 24, 2010, ironically on the same weekend the former Panther retired from the NRL. But should such a move actually be made it will undoubtedly change up the father-son dynamics to a new level and will leave many wondering how team harmony can be achieved if the captain should also happen to be the coach’s son? Star Manly hooker Api Koroisau, is returning back to the club he played 16 NRL games for in 2015, Penrith on a three-year deal until the end of the 2022 season, beating the likes of Canterbury, who were widely reported to be favourites for the Fijian international’s signature. “I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to bring Api back to the club,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said in a club statement. “I had a high opinion of Api when I coached him previously and his game has only continued to develop in recent years. “He’s a man of good character and will provide valuable experience and leadership for our young squad moving forward.” Koroisau’s signing means that there could be not just one but two casualties

Meanwhile it’s been also reported that Canterbury Cup coach Guy Missio is up in the air following the move to bring Trent Barrett back into the coaching ranks at Penrith, but it is understood the coach is some chance of remaining with the club having been offered a new deal for 2020.

Could Nathan Cleary become Penrith’s NRL captain in 2020? Credit: NRL Photos.

in Penrith’s current hooking ranks. Not only is Sione Katoa all but departed from the club ahead of the 2020 season but it is being also reported that Ivan Cleary met with Wayde Egan’s manager, Mark Stewart to inform him that the up and coming hooker is free to explore his options elsewhere despite having signed off on a new deal at the club only last year. There would be no shortage of takers for the Lithgow product, with Canterbury, Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors all likely suitors. News of Wayde Egan’s possible exit comes as reports continue to ramp up that Panthers prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard will be unveiled as a Parramatta Eel in coming weeks, despite having five years to run on his Penrith deal. Congratulations are in order for recent NRL debutant, Spencer Leniu

who on Monday night’s Brad Fittler Medal awards ceremony, was named NSWRL U20s Player of the Year. And in further good news for the club, fullback Charlie Staines was named Jersey Flegg Player of the Year. It seems that Sam McKendry’s career at Penrith, which took off in 2008 with his NRL debut, may have come to a sad end, with the former Kiwi international prop, sidelined with another knee injury (to his good knee) ahead of last Saturday’s Canterbury Cup elimination final against Wentworthville, which saw the Panthers slide to their third successive defeat and end their season on a sour note. Cameron Ciraldo’s name continues to be linked to a possible move to Newcastle, but it is understood the Panthers assistant coach recently resigned on a new deal to remain with Penrith.

Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

GOLDEN POINTS

Speaking of Trent Barrett, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary opened up on what he will bring to the club particularly with regards to fixing at times the clunky attack, which plagued the team throughout 2019. “Trent’s responsibility will be around attack. So that’s exciting,” Cleary said post-game Sunday. “Trent is obviously a very good coach and he’s very motivated, being out for a bit, so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can bring to our team. “Obviously with our young spine members he’ll be a great mentor for those guys as well.” It looks like Phil Gould AM, could be reprised in a similar role at St George-Illawarra following confirmation that the former Penrith Executive General Manager has agreed to oversee the Dragons’ 2019 season review, having finished 15th after being touted as a premiership contender at the start of the season. Next Monday is Merv Cartwright Medal night and surely Panthers forward James Fisher-Harris has to be considered as being the front-runner for the prestigious award, with James Tamou and James Maloney the other possible contenders. See you at a game in 2020 #PantherPride

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Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

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Coachâ€™s Corner NRL Finals Preview Brock Shepperd

Wests Harold Matthews Coach | Fifth and Last NRL Podcast | b.shepperd@hotmail.com

he field has been cut in half and we are down to our Top 8 to contest the NRL Finals Series in 2019. The Top 4 teams sit deservedly as the clear stand outs but there are some interesting cases who sit in positions 5th through to 8th who could cause some issues for the more fancied teams. I have a firm belief that the teams who progress in these big games do so due to their defence. The Storm only conceded 300 points this season at an average of 12.5 points per game. Incredibly 67 less points than their next opposition. If the Storm can keep teams below their season average in the big games they will be hard to beat.

If you do not have the best defence it is always handy to have the best roster. And the Roosters undoubtedly have that at their disposal. They are not completely healthy, however they have had some key inâ€™s in recent weeks and they look ominous as the whips get cracking. The Raiders and Rabbitohs have won enough to land in the Top 4 but have had some up and down periods. Over the past fortnight the Rabbitohs have re emerged as a potential Premier. I like the Raiders and am excited to see how their style holds up over the next month. In the bottom half of the 8 we have two teams I believe making up the numbers in the Broncos and the Sea Eagles. The Broncos have not been

convincing all season. The Sea Eagles have unfortunately lost their best player and have had a magnificent season. The Eels and the Sharks interest me... they have upset potential. Some difficult hurdles for both teams ahead as the Sharks have only won 5 games in 39 appearances at Brookvale Oval. The Eels have not shown great form away from Bankwest Stadium. In a fortnight we will only have four teams remaining. I would almost guarantee the Storm and the Roosters are among them, and the Sea Eagles and Broncos will not. I really hope we see match ups in week two between the Raiders and Eels along with the Rabbitohs and the Sharks.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

mark with MARK GEYER

Drama central as we head into finals

 A record breaking day for Nathan Cleary

ou wanted drama for the last round of the 2019 NRL competition? Well your wish was granted, in spades! They say rugby league is just one big soap opera, this was never more reinforced than in round 25 of this year’s season. From players being sighted for high hits, hair pulling, and eye gouging, what were you thinking Hudson Young? To Roger Tuivasa Sheck’s try of the year where he touched the ball three times before putting it over the

line for a blinder. Then we had the “Leichhardt Oval Matinee.” Robbie Farah was out, then he was in, the Sharks secured the last spot in the 8 with a statement-like victory over the Tigers, Paul Gallen kicked a field goal, yes you read that right, Manly may forfeit the right to play a final at their home ground before asbestos has been detected on the family hill, and Nathan Cleary scored 34 points (a club record) in the Panthers 54 points to 10 ‘shellacking’ of the Newcastle Knights. Phew!

 5 players giving their teams a headache

Forget a soap opera, this game is a 25 episode masterpiece of pure non fiction and fantasy!! Let’s dwell a sec on Nathan Cleary’s performance. The kid has been under the pump for most of the season, even when playing for his state, but last Sunday was an ‘up yours’ to all the naysayers who continue to find fault in the young play-maker’s game. Make no mistake - Nathan is Penrith’s future - and I get that his exorbitant salary often gets brought up when Penrith aren’t firing, but with

the Panthers being HIS team next year, look for him to steer them deep into semi final action. Speaking of finals action, it begins this Friday, and I CANNOT WAIT! Bring on the best time of the footy season. See you at the game. PS if you’re in the market to buy a car, go see my mate Toby at Sinclair Hyundai this weekend. Tell him I sent ya!

MG (random Westie) OAM

47 47 Nepean News 12 September 2019 Issue 260

on the

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