Nepean News 16 August 2018

free Thursday, 16 August 2018

ISSUE 233

World class indoor winter sports complex proposed for Penrith. See story page 7

DRAMA ON AND OFF THE FIELD A dramatic come-from behind golden-point win on the Gold Coast last Saturday caps one of the Penrith Panthers’ most dramatic weeks in it’s history following the unprecedented decision was made to sack coach Anthony Griffin, just four weeks out from the NRL finals. The Nepean News has all the latest news as this saga continues to unfold. Credit: NRL Photos, 77 Media.

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Carolyn’s Guide to Retirement Living in Western Sydney Meet Carolyn, an expert with years of experience in the retirement living sector. Here she continues her column sharing insights and answers to the frequently asked questions people have about living in a retirement village. Is location important? The location of your future retirement village is an important factor when you decide to move. You should consider what amenities are in the area, if there are hospitals, specialists, transport etc. Even if you don’t need them now you may in the future. Moving to an area that you’re familiar with takes away a lot of the stress of moving. You can stay connected to the community you know and love, and this includes staying not only near your family and friends, it may also mean staying close to your local doctor, community groups and shopping centres. Are you looking to stay local? A brand new over 55’s village is coming to Jordan Springs. Perfectly located across the road from Jordan Springs Shopping Centre, 7km from Penrith and with a bus stop right out the front, you couldn’t be more connected. Call Carolyn on 0430 189 447. You can be amongst the first to register for VIP updates, or simply visit jordanspringsretirement.com

local news By KeRRIE DAVIES

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o you have a great idea to transform a public place in your neighbourhood? Are you a professional artist keen to work with a community to create visual impact? Apply now for Magnetic Places and make your idea a reality. Magnetic Places is a creative placemaking grants program which aims to activate public spaces with and for the local community. Placemaking is a creative and inclusive process where many different people can collaborate to make their local public spaces more sociable, accessible and attractive. Projects of different sizes are welcome to apply for as little as $1000 up to $10,000 for local oneoff activities and workshop programs with local residents. The Magnetic Places Community Placemaking Grants Program is celebrating a decade of supporting creative projects that transform local places and communities, with grants open for new projects until 31 August. Penrith Mayor Cr John Thain said Magnetic Places is a unique and wonderful program that brings people together and transforms local public spaces. “This has been an incredibly successful program, producing amazing creative projects and revitalising public spaces in some of Penrith’s oldest neighbourhoods”, Cr Thain said. “It also helps communities get to know each

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other and build social connections that continue on well beyond the life of each project,” he said. The grant program encourages suitable applicants to apply for up to $10,000 to deliver: • a creative project that transforms an existing public space into a creative place • involves active collaboration between artists and residents • provides free-of-charge events and activities, and • takes place in one or more of these neighbourhoods: Cambridge Park, Colyton, Cranebrook, Kingswood, Kingswood Park, Llandilo, Londonderry, North St Marys, Oxley Park, Penrith (suburb), St Marys, Werrington. Collaborations with local organisations and groups are especially welcome. For more information and to view past projects, visit: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/MagneticPlaces Applications for Magnetic Places grants open Monday 6 August and close Friday 31 August 2018.

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Magnetic Places grants open

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Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

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

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Dianne Bonello 0418 813 319 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Hilary Nathan Media 0402 841 434 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

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. Check www.nepeannews.com.au for complete list of distribution outlets

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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AST weekend as we sat relaxing and watching telly at our home in St Clair, a flock of deafening sirens screamed up the road, their destination obviously quite nearby. Like everyone else, we were horrified to hear that the reason for the commotion was that a man had been fatally stabbed. The immediate action of police resulted in a quick arrest. The St Clair community was in disbelief - what ever could have transpired that in the blink of an eye one man was dead and another was charged with murder? The man named Ben who’d died at the scene was a well-known St Clair local. He’d attended local schools and had many friends in the area. The next morning channel 7 reported on how the tragedy had unfolded. The network said the victim had allegedly received a text message from a female friend who was in distress due to the harassment by her former partner. Ben attended the address to help his friend. It breaks my heart to think all Ben did was reach out to help a mate. It was the last thing he would ever do. Among the hundreds of reactions on our St Clair Community News facebook page, my eyes were drawn to one comment in particular, from a reader named Thomas Jam. “Watch as the good Samaritan slowly fades into history,” he wrote. Sadly, that is a very fair observation of where our future is heading. “Back in the day” as they say, you’d stop to help someone in a broken down car, scoop up a stranger’s child if you saw them get hurt, hell you’d even march in to try to break up a punch up when you saw one. These days such a simple helping hand offer could cost you your life. It’s a very sad indictment on where society is heading. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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In 2017-18 Council presented grants through the program totalling $30,000 to a range of local non-profit organisations and community groups to fund 31 separate projects. By KeRRIE DAVIES

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ouncil is inviting local non-profit organisations and community groups who provide services to local residents to apply for small grants through our Community Assistance Program (CAP). Applications for the 2018-19 CAP grants opened on Monday 13 August and will close at 3pm on Monday 10 September 2018. We are running an information session for applicants at 10-11am on Thursday 16 August in the Penrith Library Theatrette – contact 4732 7838 or casey.holtom@ penrith.city to register your interest. The program offers grants of up to $1,200 for non-profit community organisations to use towards holding a community event, undertaking a special project or purchasing equipment. Penrith Mayor John Thain said that over the past

two decades, Council has donated over $500,000 to hundreds of local community organisations and groups to run activities and projects that benefit local residents. “There are so many wonderful groups around Penrith that share Council’s commitment to supporting a healthy, active, resilient and inclusive community,” Cr Thain said. “We are pleased to be able to offer them some financial support for their valuable contribution to our City.” In 2017-18 Council allocated $30,000 through the program which funded 31 separate projects benefitting children, young people, seniors, people with disability and residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. For more information visit penrithcity.nsw.gov. au/ Grants or contact Council on 4732 7838 or casey.holtom@penrith.city. Applications need to be submitted online at penrith.smartygrants.com.au

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Grants available for local groups

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Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

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ocal developer and resident Peter Magnisalis has unveiled plans for an Australian-first ‘Winter Sports World’ in Penrith featuring an indoor ski slope designed to be one of the top 10 of its kind in the world. The $200 million centre is proposed for a 2.35ha site at the corner of Jamison Road and Tench Avenue and is expected to generate around 896 direct and indirect jobs during construction and $145 million to the local economy. When operational, the developer said it would generate around 759 direct and indirect jobs and contribute approximately $74.9 million to the NSW economy per annum, with a forecast 231,000 people expected to visit the centre and local Penrith area by 2025. Lodging a planning proposal with Penrith City Council, Mr Magnisalis said Winter Sports World (WSW) would help strengthen Penrith’s claim as the ‘Adventure Capital of NSW’, with the centre incorporating a diverse raft of year-round wintersports facilities appealing to both local Western Sydney residents and domestic and international tourists. “Underpinning this concept is an indoor ski centre with a ski slope designed to be one of the top 10 high performance training centres in the world,” Mr Magnisalis said. “To achieve this, the building must be designed to a certain length and height, which we’ve done – creating a dramatic and architecturally significant addition to the precinct, and city generally.” Key features would include a 300 metre indoor downhill ski slope; an 80 metre slope for dedicated learning; winter wonderland snow play area offering fun activities for adults and children of all ages and abilities; an ice skating rink; ice climbing and rock

climbing areas; and fitness facilities including gymnasium and altitude training. A hotel (170+ rooms) and function centre, along with a range of cafes, restaurants and bars would also be integrated to complement Winters Sports World in a building designed to set new environmental benchmarks for a structure of its kind. “If approved, the centre has the potential to significantly contribute to Penrith’s goal of creating 2,000 new jobs in the tourism sector by 2031 and doubling the number of visitors to the city by 2025, and in strengthening its ‘adventure capital’ offering,” Mr Magnisalis said. Mr Magnisalis said WSW would complement and supplement the area’s many other attractions and venues, resulting in a cohesive, comprehensive offering of adventure sports appealing to both amateur and elite sportspeople. Importantly, it could provide a year-round training facility for alpine skiing, freestyle and snowboarding benefiting all participants, from those learning to elite and Olympic level. WSW has partnered with former Winter Olympian (GBR) and one

of Australia’s best known alpine ski coaches, Stephen Edwards, who will act as the centre’s Performance Director. “This facility will change the performance of winter sports in Australia, especially with respect to all disciplines. Being able to train on an all-year-round facility will allow athletes to focus on their skills and technique in an environment where all weather conditions are controlled. We can organise precise training on the days and times we want,” Mr Edwards said. “It will also encourage more participation into the sport, helping us develop our grassroots athletes and grow a stronger, broader team of potential international competitors. We currently spend half the year overseas. WSW would allow us to prepare for competitions at home, reducing travel time and increasing training time in stable conditions.” WSW is located within the Riverlink Precinct bounded by the eastern bank of the Nepean River to the west, Mulgoa Road to the east, the M4 Motorway to the south and the Western Railway line to the north. Designed by leading sustainable

architecture practice Environa Studio, WSW aims for statement architecture that enhances its setting and the user experience, while being carbon neutral and setting new environmental benchmarks for a building of its type. Architect Tone Wheeler says: “Rather than the industrial-style shopping-centre-cum-indoor-skislopes of old, we wanted a building that contributed positively in every way to its surroundings. The winter use areas have been designed essentially as a giant ‘esky’, with multi-layered levels of insulation and few if any windows, with a high efficiency mechanical plant making both chilled air and snow or ice.” “The entire operation, including the hotel, will run from a 1.2 megawatt power supply of photovoltaic solar cells on the roof, the equivalent of 220 homes with PV panels, run through an onsite battery storage facility.” He said WSW had been designed as a dramatically elongated sloping wedge. Sitting at 54 metres at its eastern elevation to accommodate the 300-metre ski run, it ribboned and dropped to eight metres at its western elevation facing the Nepean River. Balancing and anchoring this horizontal form would be a round tower cum lift lobby supporting the building’s highest point and acting as the main entry drop-off zone. All WSW activities and hotel had been grouped to the east under the building’s highest elevation. At ground level, an open ‘internal street’ physically separated the hotel and conference facilities to the north and WSW activities to the south, with a large viewing window positioned to the west – offering a full height and width view onto the beginners’ slope and snow play area. Construction is expected to be completed by 2020 and the venue open by 2021.

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

World class indoor winter sports complex proposed for Penrith

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

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local news

Foodbank ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste By BART BASSETT

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hen Foodbank came into existence in 1992 the aim was to redirect good food from going to waste and be safely redirected to those in need. In the 25 years since the organisation commenced Foodbank is now the state’s largest food relief organisation. Foodbank’s heart of operation is in a large purpose built warehouse at Glendenning in western Sydney. Here food is sorted and stored for redistribution. The food comes from a range of different supplies including farmers who have fresh produce which is rejected by the large supermarket chains because it doesn’t meet their specifications for commercially acceptable products, it could be too big, too small or have blemishes on the skin. Also perfectly good non perishable packaged food which is close to “best by date” is donated by manufactures, supplies or supermarkets. Last financial year Foodbank NSW & ACT provided the equivalent of over 15,000,000 meals to over 600 registered not for profit members who then in turn helped over 166,000 families and individuals with food relief every singe week. The amount of food collected and distributed in a single year is astounding. 2,311,000 kg of fruit/ vegetables, 439,000 kg of bread, 787,000 kg of milk, 183,000 kg of meat/protein, 4,380,000 kg of packaged food and 319,000 kg of general grocery product. This equates to nearly 9,000,000 kg of perfectly good food diverted from unnecessarily going to waste and instead going into people’s tummies. Of all this food product 86% was donated, 7% was purchased and another 7% was supplied through the Key Staples Program which is an initiative where manufactures provide as a donation every year necessary pantry type staple foods. Any organisation which is a registered charity can become an agency member of Foodbank. This

entitles the organisation to place an order for food and then the agency itself goes to the distribution centre to collect the order. Charities and agency partners include St Vincent de Paul, BaptistCare, Mission Australia, Uniting Care, Wesley Mission, Vinnies, Canteen, Camp Quality, Salvation Army, Youth Off the Streets and Australian Red Cross. Volunteering at Foodbank is vital to allow for the smooth running of food product in and out of the distribution centre. Volunteers support Foodbank in three critical ways: helping sort and pack food, sharing specialist skills in office activities and assist in fundraising activities. Not only individual volunteers are involved but there is a significant amount of corporate volunteering. Last year 4,173 corporate volunteers were involved in packing food orders as well as sorting, bagging and labelling food for distribution. Foodbank also operates a School Breakfast 4 Health Program, delivering healthy breakfasts to over 100 of the most disadvantaged schools across NSW & ACT, with the aim to increase the number of schools to 700. They also provide fresh produce and pantry

staples to low-socio economic schools for their students to take home. So far the initiative has supplied over 84,300 kg of healthy staples like watermelon, apples, oranges, pumpkins, snack packs and pasta for students to take home to their family. With the help of Kellogg’s over 35,000 breakfasts were provided to Sydney students last year. The reality is that 3.6 million Australians experience food insecurity per year without enough food or in many cases no food. The face of hunger is diverse - male, female, young and old, single and families, students, employed and unemployed, as well as retired people. For many people food has become a discretionary spend

and with the cost of living, especially the ridiculous cost of electricity, skyrocketing food insecurity is at crisis point. Foodbank NSW & ACT is an amazing organisation saving the wastage of food and at the same time providing food to the most in need. Foodbank can only continue to do this with the generous assistance of the community so if you are a business, individual or organisation who wish to provide volunteers or donate please contact Foodbank NSW & ACT for details on how to get involved by calling 02 9756 3099 or email office@foodbanknsw. org.au you can also find out more by visiting www.foodbanknsw.org.au

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By CONNER LOWE

he City of Penrith Motor Cycle Club hosted the twentieth Charity Classic Dirt track racing event. The event went over two days, beginning on the 4th and ended on the 5th of August. The Charity in focus for this year’s event was the Australian Rotary Health for P.T.S.D for returned service persons. The donations collected from spectators is to be added to from rider’s entry fees, sponsorships from local and other trade houses, plus the track hire fee was wavered by the Nepean Raceway Body. Wally Cox, a competitor in the charity event spoke about how the event progressed over the weekend. “The Super Seniors event was run over three rounds (races) on the day. It was great to see Chris Lewis ride as he had never competed before and finished impressively in fifth,” he said. “Unfortunately, the two 80-year-olds, myself and John Imrie were unplaced, although I did manage to be first into turn one at each of the three rounds, I couldn’t repeat my win of 2017, I guess I was over excited!” A regular feature event each year is the Super Seniors race for riders over 65-years. The winner of the event this year was 65-year-old Geoff Watson, second place was filled by 70-year-old Ron Draper and third was 65-year-old David Lewis. These were followed home by 65-year-old Jim Garvey and 70-year-old Chris Lewis on his first ever race riding a bike on loan from “Matcho Mick”.

Wally also spoke about his previous work with the Rotary and if he will continue to ride to raise funds for charity. “My wife Margaret and I have lived in Mulgoa for 46 years and we have both been interested in community affairs,” he said. “When we had our small Service Station in Mulgoa we were invited to join Rotary, where Margaret became President on two occasions and I was involved in various Rotary portfolios where we both got involved in charitable work. “I have been interested in motor sport since I was a child. My father raced cars, my late brother

Kerry raced cars quite successfully and Kerry’s two sons are involved in motor sports, I guess it’s in the family blood. “I plan to race in the event next year, in the sixtieth year of Nepean Raceway history.”

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Super Seniors ride for charity T

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

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NEPEAN HISTORY

Historic Mortimer’s House

By Wendy Mason

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ortimer’s House is to be found only a few doors away from the historic Arms of Australia, having been home to the innkeeper, John Mortimer, and his family from the early 1840s. The house features one of Australia’s earliest styles of architecture, sometimes referred to as Colonial Vernacular or Colonial Georgian. Joseph Barrow Montefiore, (after whom Montefiores village, Wellington, is named) first owned this property in 1832-1833, onsold it to William H Mackenzie (1833 or 1834), who then sold it to John Mortimer in the early 1840s. It was surmised for many years that Mortimer had the house built, however this does not match the architecture, which shows that it is highly likely that the front two rooms were built around the early 1830s and the other half of the original five rooms added in Mortimer’s time. Recent discoveries, historical and physical, seem to support this. The house features ashlar stonework, which is in perfect condition, across the front of the building. The first two rooms were built of solid 18 inch thick sandstone and the next three rooms appear to have been built with sandstone which has come from a different quarry, no doubt due to the two different times of the build. This home still stands solidly showcasing the beautifully polished, grey gum, wideboarded timber floors, with unique but simple architecture. Several of the window panes have the original glass with its slight waviness and tiny creasing showing the rolled-glass techniques used in their day. The architecture of the doorways in the front two rooms predates the mitre-ing of the corners at the tops of each doorway. No mitres, just direct vertical and horizontal cuts to form the frame. The flagstones across the front of the property are still

in excellent condition, no doubt due to protection from the wide wrap-around veranda, which also serves to keep the house naturally cool in the summer. One of the original fireplaces is still in use in a front room, but sadly the other from the second room was removed several decades ago. There is also a hand-built well on the property which is over 10m deep, featuring brick lining for most of its depth. The pipework into the depth of the well remains. Over the years very few families have owned the house. For several decades the Gow family owned it, running a small business at the front. Mrs Gow ran a shop along the front verandah, from which the local school children would purchase their sweets. The house has been not just a home to the innkeeper and the Gow family, but also was used as a manse, and had a butchery with another family. From 1988 to 2013 the Mason family removed unsympathetic features, restored what was able to be restored, renovated areas previously poorly renovated and built on sympathetic additions, thus bringing the entire house into a seamless blending of the old and new. These days it is a beautiful, five/six bedroom family home, with large living areas, sitting graciously on spacious park-like acreage barely noticed by passers-by and in almost perfect silence from the busy world outside its gates. This remains one of the Penrith region’s best kept secrets and havens, well loved by all who come to take in another world that is slowly being forgotten, but nevertheless longed for. The baton has now been handed on to a new generation of custodians of the house.

local news

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VER the past few weeks there have been very few days that Lindsay MP Emma Husar hasn’t been the main headline across the country. Complaints and allegations made by former staff played out in the media over several weeks prior to an internal Labor Party report being completed last Friday. The report concluded that staff allegations surrounding how the office was run had merit, but that some of the more salacious allegations did not. Mainstream media outlets have reported that some items have been referred to the Parliamentary Expenses Authority. Prior to that, Ms Husar went pubic with an announcement that she would not be re-contesting the seat of Lindsay at the next federal election. “My family has made massive sacrifices for me, and I’ve given my all, to represent the community of Lindsay, survivors of domestic violence, people who rely on the NDIS and those who need Labor’s progressive policies,” Ms Husar said. “I support the right of anyone to have their complaints heard, which is why I cooperated fully with NSW Labor’s independent assessment, and, to uphold the confidentiality of that process, maintained my silence while my reputation was completely trashed in the media. “I kept quiet in the face of vicious and baseless smears and sensational clickbait headlines with no basis in fact. This vendetta lead to threats to my personal safety, the trolling of my children online and media parked outside my house around the clock. It has been terrifying for my kids and utterly traumatic for me. “Once again, and for the record, I absolutely reject the malicious allegations which have been

published to my great detriment. Given my reputation has been completely shredded by nameless, faceless people, I see no point in waiting for this report,” she said. “This stops now. Enough is enough. I’ve spoken with Bill Shorten and let him know that I won’t be re-contesting the next election.”

After the report was delivered to NSW Labor, Ms Husar released a statement. “I note the report has cleared me of the most malicious and damaging of allegations, which were not only baseless but leaked to media. Having only seen the summary findings in the form of a media statement, I don’t believe any of these should have cost me my reputation, my job, or humiliated me and my children. I have acknowledged the difficulties I faced in establishing a new office, despite requesting assistance. I have always been and remain willing to take guidance and help. I will take some time before returning to work to do this. I’ve always maintained that anyone has the right to have their complaints heard in the proper forum. Instead this has been trial by media, gossip and innuendo. I am gutted that the willingness of certain individuals, and certain parts of the media, to defame me on vexatious and unfounded accusations, has caused so much personal, emotional and professional damage to me, so much hurt to those close to me, and political harm to the party I love, have supported and worked so hard for. I am confident that, had I been afforded a proper opportunity to respond to all allegations in full, and without simultaneously been subject to public attacks to which I could not respond, I would have been able to put this behind me and to continue serving the people of Lindsay and working towards electing a Shorten Labor Government. As it stands, I have done what I could in the interests of the Labor party by announcing I would not recontest the seat of Lindsay.”

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Emma Husar: “This stops now, enough is enough”

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‘Back to St Marys’

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Yes! It’s that time again to get together and enjoy the many historical photographs of St Marys (South Creek). • ‘Sports People of St Marys’ Photographic Display • Catch up with old friends • Search through the many school photographs collected by Paul Mills • Refreshments available

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0450 132 181 (voicemail)

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre is seeking a casual Cleaner to assist in the cleaning operations of its theatres, workshop and conservatorium spaces, public areas, back of house and housekeeping stores. Part of The Joan’s dynamic Venue Services Team, the role will report to the Senior Cleaner and will be required to work on an on-call casual basis. Each call is a 6am to 10am shift. Due to the nature of our business, the shifts will not form a regular roster as such. If you’re a motivated self-starter with plenty of initiative, excellent attention to detail and a genuine passion for cleaning, we’d love to hear from you. Closing Date: 31 August More information: thejoan.com.au/jobs Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street Penrith

local news

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aturday 1st September will see Queen St come alive as it celebrates the 43rd St Marys Spring Festival. But, it must be a day for numbers as St Marys will also be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Ford Model A going on sale in Australia. St Marys will be marking this special occasion with the help of the NSW Ford Model A Club. “2018 will be the second year that the Model A Ford Club of NSW has been involved with the St Marys Spring Festival. 2018 also happens to be the 90th anniversary of the release of the Model A Ford in Australia,” said Robert Brown, President of the Model A Ford Car Club of NSW. “The St Marys Spring Festival will showcase a number of vehicle’s from our club. Members are excited about attending

and participating in the parade down Queen Street. “I hope the public comes along to say hello and view our cars which will be on display during the day.” So, if you are a car enthusiast or, you have a little car enthusiast, make sure you come to the St Marys Spring Festival and look for the Model A Ford display near Coachman’s Park. Stick around as the Model A Ford’s along with a few other vintage vehicles will be rolling down Queen St as part of the grand parade. The parade kicks off at 1230pm so make sure you are on Queen St with lots of time to grab a good vantage point. For more information on the St Marys Spring Festival and what will be there on the day, visit, stmarystowncentre.com.au.

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Ear infections in pets Ear infections can be one of the most frustrating and painful conditions for our pets. Low grade ear infections can often go unnoticed. They can cause long-term damage to the ear canal and also effect hearing. The correct term for ear infections is otitis externa and it occurs when bacteria or yeast infect the external ear canal. Some breeds, particularly those with large or hairy ears like Cocker Spaniels, Poodles or Old English Sheepdogs are prone to ear infections, but they can occur in any breed. Dogs that love water and like to swim also seem to be an increased risk. It is important to recognise the early symptoms of ear infections. An animal with an ear infection becomes very uncomfortable as the ears become swollen and sensitive. They usually shake their head and scratch at the ears in the aim to get the debris out. Ears often become inflamed and develop an offensive odour and a black or yellow tinged discharge commonly occurs. So what causes ear infections? There are many different causes. Several types of bacteria and at least one type of yeast will cause an infection. Ear mites are also another common cause. Pets can also get foreign bodies in their ears such as grass seeds. Another common cause of ear infections are skin allergies. With skin allergies, the ear becomes itchy

and the pet causes secondary infection in the ear by constant scratching. Some dogs with allergies will only develop ear infections, without the typical body itch most people associated with allergies. In order to treat ear infections, we need to first examine the ear canal with an instrument called an otoscope. This has a special ear piece that goes into the ear with a light and a magnifying glass. When an ear is painful this can be uncomfortable so some pets require a gentle sedation to perform this. Samples need to be obtained from the ear canal to determine the type of infection present. The veterinarian can look at samples under the microscope or sometimes send the sample off to the pathologist to culture

the bacteria or yeast causing the infection. Some pets may require a general anaesthetic to have the ear canal flushed out and a thorough examination performed. If your pet has underlying allergies, treatment for these allergies is also important. Most ear infections are treated with ear drops. Your veterinarian will be able to show the best way to do this with your pet. It is important to ensure the infection has completely healed before stopping medication and a follow up check will help with this. Some pets will require long term medications and ear cleaners to prevent recurrence of the problems. When an ear canal becomes severely damaged surgery may be recommended for long-term maintenance.

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

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Calling all car enthusiasts and festival goers

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

14

local news

Steering disengaged young people away from crime

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remier Gladys Berejiklian, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM and Minister for Police Troy Grant and have launched a bold new mentoring program that will steer disengaged young people away from crime and into education, vocational training and employment. The new RISEUP program, developed personally by Commissioner Fuller and run statewide in partnership with Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) and leading businesses, will help ensure 15 to 18-year-olds remain on the right side of the law and have a bright working future. “This is an outstanding initiative that will build on the excellent work NSW Police are doing to reduce crime across NSW, while further boosting the employment prospects of young people,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Under the RISEUP program, young people will be supported by NSW Police and PCYC youth workers to secure a job, including help with literacy, numeracy and vocational education, mentoring and work experience.” It comes after the NSW Liberals & Nationals allocated record funding of nearly $40 million for the PCYC in the 2018/19 State Budget, helping to build four new clubs and upgrading five existing clubs.

The RISEUP program links with businesses so that young people receive real-life, on-the-job training in the workforce, and includes workshops on relationship building, nutrition, leadership and assistance to tackle the underlying causes of crime. The initiative will operate statewide in partnership with PCYC NSW supported by a cornerstone funding grant from the Macquarie Group Foundation. Commissioner Fuller added, “It has been my long-held view that by investing in preventative strategies with our young people, we can save

a generation of children from a life of crime. “RISEUP is breaking through barriers to engage our vulnerable young people from heading down a less desirable path in life and giving them a career start, which is a priority of mine. “Importantly, employment gives our youth a sense of achievement, pride and structure they might not be getting in a traditional family environment and it’s humbling to know we have some of the country’s biggest businesses standing beside us to support our future leaders.”

Mr Grant said this initiative has the potential to be a life-changing opportunity for young people who are in danger of heading down the wrong path. “Developing teenagers’ vocational skills and connecting them with business will help build their selfesteem and confidence to take their life in a positive direction,” said Mr Grant. The NSW Police Force is encouraging employers to participate in the RISEUP program. For more information, please visit www.riseup. org.au.

Amanda Little, Principal Solicitor Suite 10, 86 Henry St, Penrith NSW 2750 PO Box 662 Penrith NSW 2751 T: (02) 47 616 935 F: (02) 47 6161 939

Do you need a Will? Have there been recent changes in your Life? Let us help you plan for the future. Are you an Executor of an estate and don’t know where to start? Probate forms confusing? No Will and you need to apply for Letters of Administration? We also offer Estate Administration including: Applying for Probate, Letters of Administration, calling in and disbursement of assets to beneficiaries. We offer fixed price Estate administration. Please contact us for further information. Phone 47 616 935.

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local news

Two of last year’s winning entries from John Lindsay (Black&White) and David Whiteman (Plants, Animals and Other Life Forms) By Noel Rowsell

T

he Photographic Competition at Penrith Show on 25th-26th August is always one of the highlights of the weekend and this year promises to live up to a very high standard. Henry Lawson Camera Club President Luciano Vranich undertook the coordination of the event in 2008 and over the ensuing ten years at the

helm, has accepted an average of 250 photos per Show. The standard of entries is high, with the five categories including: Black and White - A black and white image fitting from the very dark grey (black) to the very clear grey (white) with the various shades of grey. Colour - Any image that is entirely in colour including images toned with a single colour. Plants, animals and other life forms-

* Valid until 31st August 2018, not to be used in conjuction with any other offer.

(including insects) or flower wherever photographed-in the wild, in a zoo or in a studio are eligible. Portraits or People - in this category a portrait is restricted to a human portrait. People may be any image having a natural person/s. Digital Inspiration - This section requires evidence that two or more digital images have been used to construct the final image, giving an added meaning not contained in the original images per se.

Conditions: 1. Print Size 10cm x 15cm to 20cm x 25cm or A4 2. Name, address and print number on the back of the print to correspond with the entry detail. 3. Up to six entries per class. 4. Photos are to be matted. Size of thickness of matting to be 2mm. (Standard matt thickness). Please do not have the photo on a separate backing if using a window matt. 5. Images that have been previously submitted in the Penrith Show competition are not eligible. 6. Single images only. 7. Size of margin of matting - 3cm 8. Entries are to be delivered to the Show Office up to and including the 17th August, before 10am.

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Start snapping: it is almost show time!

15

h t 6 2 T S U G U A Ngala Sunday Markets Last Sunday of the Month @ PENRITH VALLEY SCHOOL LOT 3 WERRINGTON RD, WERRINGTON

To book a stall phone: 9623 7532 We walk together

education feature

17 Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Mamre Anglican School, a place ‘where every child matters’

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astoral care of our students is of utmost importance. Our PALS Program in Junior School ensures each of our children develop and maintain friendships in a positive way. It is just one indication of the many areas in which our students feel valued and cared for. Our unique co-curricular program allows students to develop their interests and abilities. Students in our Football Program develop their talents to become accomplished, confident and creative players in their own clubs. Our Young Scholars (Years 3-10) think creatively to solve problems and perform brilliantly at state based competitions. Students in the Cadet Rural Fire Brigade participate in

service activities and Music and Drama students perform and entertain both here and in their own communities. Teaching programs facilitate inquiry-based and research-centred learning coupled with direct instruction to provide explicit strategies for our students to be confident and successful in their learning. We strive to develop students who are passionate about learning and who recognise the relevance of knowledge, understanding and skills. At Mamre, we aim to be a place where our staff, students and parents are proud to belong – where students feel engaged, valued and confident and use their learning experiences to make a difference in the world.

Mamre

Anglican School Expanding to 3 classes for Kindergarten 2019 Call 9834 1881 to arrange a chat and tour

Looking for a quality Co-Educational school to complete your HSC?

McCarthy Catholic College Emu Plains

McCarthy Catholic College focuses on personalised and contemporary learning for Year 11 HSC Pathway. Achieve the HSC (ATAR or Non-ATAR) in a supportive learning environment where student wellbeing and learning come together for young adults. Our Learning Framework aims to build enterprise skills and independent learning to assist young adults in their transition post school to University, TAFE or work by maintaining positive mental health and developing skills in communicating, collaborating, decision making and problem solving. All students will have a mentor during Year 11 and 12 to support and guide them in their HSC learning journey. Information sessions will be held in our New Mackillop Learning Centre to discuss your choice of courses to achieve your career goals.

Year 11 Information sessions on: Thursday 16 August 4.30pm-5.30pm Follow-up session Wednesday 17 October - Time TBA For more information please contact the College. T: 4728 8100 W: www.mccarthyemuplains.edu.au A specific Trade Training Centre Information session will be held on Wednesday 28 August at 5pm.

McCarthyCC

@McCarthyCollege

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR

HOME

Warm up for winter

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

18

W

ith new climate records being set throughout Australia each year, choosing the right air conditioning solution will turn your home or office into an oasis of comfort, all day, every day. Wizard Air Services provides quality Air Conditioning solutions to customers throughout the Sydney Metropolitan region covering all aspects of the industry. They can support you with sales, preventative maintenance, repairs and installation. When it comes to heating and cooling your home or office, Wizard Air Services are the air conditioning specialists. It’s all they do and they’re here to help you choose the very best system that’s just right for you. They

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work with brands like Daikin, Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Actron Air, Panasonic and more. Wizard Air Services is an Australian based company established in Sydney. Their service team have over 20 years of fault finding experience between them. All their technicians are fully qualified and can design and construct any type of system from domestic systems to commercial multi-storey buildings. They have built upon a core business ethic of value for money and ongoing efficiencies through sound engineering and design practices. Escape the chill and stay warm this winter! Let Wizard Air take your heating and cooling experience to the next level.

What’s on at the Henry Sports

Bookings Essential T: 9623 2119 E: sharont@hlclub.com.au

Sunday 2 September

Buffet Lunch Menu SUNDAY 2 SEPTEMBER Member $29.50 per person Non Member $34.50 per person Child $19.50 per person

Fresh

BIG BREAKFAST Bacon, Egg, Tomato, Mushroom, Beans, Toast, Hash Brown & Sausage $8.90 Members $10.90 Non Members

AVO SMASH w/Tomato Salsa on Sourdough for the more health-conscious $7.90 Members $9.90 Non Members

...or enjoy our special BUFFET LUNCH or book for DINNER & try our Chef’s Specials

ALL DAY DINING Bookings are essential 9623 2119

Avocado & Prawn Tart Sydney Bistro Oysters Cooked Australian Prawns

Hot Dishes

Chicken Satay Skewers Beef Stir Fry w/ Hokkien Noodles Roast Lamb w/ Mint Gravy Sweet & Sour Pork Fried Rice

Salads

Garden Salad Potato & Bacon Salad Fettoush Salad

Sushi Rolls

Salmon / Tuna / Prawn Avocado / Cucumber

Desserts

Chocolate Cake Bread Roll & Butter

Bookings Essential

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

20

ENTERTAINMENT

B2M: MAMANTA PUMPING TIWI ISLANDS RNB

Australia’s answer to the Backstreet Boys, B2M will transport you to their Tiwi island homeland with a pumping R’n’B performance, blending dance, chants and song. PLAYING AT THE JOAN 1 SEP 7.30PM ONE SHOW ONLY! STANDARD $45 CONCESSION $40 UNDER 30s $30 BOOKINGS 4723 7600 | thejoan.com.au Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 597 High Street Penrith

Pumping RnB performance

B

uilding on their international touring acclaim, B2M (Bathurst to Melville), are embarking on their first national tour. Come and see this seven-piece band from the Tiwi Islands as they showcase their new album with its unique blend of contemporary and traditional sound. Mamanta – meaning ‘friend’ in Tiwi – is a pumping RnB performance, Tiwi style! Incorporating footage and imagery of the Tiwi Islands, Mamanta is a vibrant cultural experience told through a mix of dance, chants and song. In an historic show of support from the Tiwi Elders, B2M have gained permission to use traditional Tiwi chants and blend them with modern musical elements. “Australia’s answer to the Backstreet Boys.” – Huffington Post If you’ve never had an opportunity to travel to the Tiwi Islands before, this show is sure to take you on an illuminating and uplifting journey. This unique boy band have

conquered China, East Timor, Taiwan and Ireland. You’ll find yourself dancing as they bring you a rare insight into their island culture delivered with their trademark wit, musicality and charm. ONE SHOW ONLY! Duration 70 minutes, no interval Standard $45 Concession $40 Under 30s $30 OR SUBSCRIBE & SAVE! Don’t miss out, get your tickets now!

The Pioneer Tavern invites you to an Audrey Wilkinson Wine Appreciation Night Join Audrey Wilkinson, renowned 150 year old Hunter Valley winery, for a 6 course feast carefully paired with Audrey Wilkinson wines. DATE: Thursday 18th October LOCATION: Pioneer Tavern, Cnr Maxwell St & The Northern Rd, Penrith TIME: 7pm

To book call (02) 4736 4466 or ask at the bar. Limited tickets available - book now to secure your seat!

02 4736 4647 THEPIONEERTAVERN.COM.AU CNR MAXWELL ST & THE NORTHERN RD, PENRITH NSW 2750

We promote the responsible service of gaming & alcohol. alhgroup.com.au

SATURday 1 SEPT 7PM

SATURday 18 AUGUST 8pm-10.30pm

Tickets Members $25, Non Members $30 Book your tickets at reception now to avoid disappointment

Cocktail night to celebrate the Gaels Club’s

21st BIRTHDAY SATURday 25 AUGUST

FATHER’S DAY

SUNday 2 SEPTEMBER

3PM

Purchase tickets online: www.goonshow.com.au Tickets Members $20, Non Members $25

Shamrock Grill SPECIALS

LUNCH 12 - 2.30pm - LUNCH SPECIALS $10 MONDAY Barramundi Night $15 TUESDAY Steak & Ale Night $15 WEDNESDAY Bangers & Mash Night $15 THURSDAY Parmy Night $15

FREE ENTRY in the JA Room

Between 5 & 8pm (Conditions apply) SUNDAY - Sunday Roast $17.50 Members $18.50 Non Members

FREE ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY 17 AUG - 8PM

FRIDAY 24 AUG - 8PM

SATURDAY 25 AUG - 7PM

SUNDAY 26 AUG - 5PM

Skyz the Limit

Time Machine

Shalyee Wilde

BLACKWATER

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

22

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

Home lenders are looking closely at your living expenses With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

I

n 2016, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRAwho regulates our banking industry) were very concerned about the escalation of Sydney and Melbourne property prices. One area they highlighted was that lenders were not looking at borrowers actual living expenses and taking them into consideration in determining borrowing capacities. All lenders (and mortgage brokers) now have to look very closely at all applicants’ actual living expenses when applying for home loan. Historically lenders would just apply a minimum nominal amount of living expenses to applications depending on how many adults and/or dependent children the applicants had. For example, a couple would have nominal living expenses of around $2,500 per month, plus $500 for the first dependent child and an extra $300 per month for each subsequent child. The lenders would just apply these figures into their borrowing calculators and add them to any other liabilities. Now lenders and brokers have to look at credit card and savings account statements over the last 3 months and add up all the applicants’ expenses and itemise them into different categories. Categories include food and groceries, clothing utilities, council rates, house insurance, phone, internet and pay TV, petrol, car expenses, public transport, medial insurance, health and personal care, education, child

care fees, entertainment and dining out, sport and recreation, holidays, gifts and donations and general household purchases. Applicants can’t just say they spend $3,000 per month on living expenses if their credit card and savings account statements show that they are spending a higher amount. Of course annual expenses incurred need to be divided by 12 to give you a monthly cost. Any one off large expenses need to be explained or added to the relevant category. When it comes to borrowing for investment purposes, some lenders now also want applicants to include all their expenses for the investment properties (council and water rates, strata fee, insurances etc) as extra expenses. Lenders still only use 75 to 80 percent of the gross rent received as income. Historically, the remaining 20 to 25 per cent of the rent was taken to cover the above costs of the property but now these lenders will only use 80 percent of the rent plus add the all the costs as expenses as well. For people who own multiple properties, this new policy by some lenders will vastly reduce their borrowing capacity. History always shows that whenever finance becomes more expensive and/or harder to get, property prices always fall. APRA is also concerned about the high numbers of people (especially in Sydney) who have taken out home loans over the last few years with interest only repayments for properties that they are living in. These types of repayments are generally taken over 5

SELECT MORTGAGE FINANCE

years with the loan reverting to principle plus interest (standard) repayment over the remaining term, usually 25 years. As you can see in the following table, after 5 years of only paying the interest to the lender, the repayments rise substantially over the remining 25 years. Principle Interest Only + Interest Loan Amount repayments repayments over 5 years over 25 years at 4 per cent $500,000 $1,792 p/m $2,639 $600,000 $2,150 p/m $3,167 $700,000 $2,508 p/m $3,695

Increase in repayments $847 p/m $1,017 p/m $1,187 p/m

APRA and other property monitors are concerned that many people with increasing repayments will not be able to pay these higher costs when their 5 years of interest only repayments expires. If there is a substantial number of distressed sellers, then this will increase the size of any price decreases in each market place. How much Sydney prices will fall over the next period is a very big and hard question! Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com.au if you want to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any Home Finance questions that I can assist you with. This information is of a general nature and should consider your own situation carefully before making any decisions.

Phone: 4739 4500 Mobile: 0403 166 207 Email: beards@selectgrp.com.au Award winning mortgage broker

CROSSWORD ACROSS 9 Oval (7) 10 Breed of horse (7) 11 A musical interval of eight tones (7) 12 Artist’s studio (7) 13 A gradual increase in intensity (9) 15 An attribute of a people or era (5) 16 A chronicle of past events (7) 19 Clothing (7) 20 The golden touch (5) 21 Learn by heart (9) 25 Gracefully slender (7) 26 Spilt (7) 28 Used to spin yarn (7) 29 Utmost (7)

DOWN 1 With bravery and valor (6) 2 Carefree (6) 3 Idler (4) 4 A unit of instruction (6) 5 A mathematical curve (8) 6 Wildlife warden (10) 7 One who completes the task (8) 8 Mezzanine (8) 14 Puzzles like these (10) 16 Without shelter (8) 17 Skid (8) 18 Complained whiningly (8) 22 Young ladies (6) 23 Clothes fastener (6) 24 A shifty deceptive person (6) 27 A cereal grass (4)

solution 2/8/18

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT

By STEWART MOSES

I

@TheRiffMarn

t was only three years ago that Nathan Cleary made his Holden Cup debut under the watchful eye of rookie Holden Cup coach, Cameron Ciraldo. Fast forward to last Saturday and in the midst of the one of the club’s tumultuous weeks in history following Anthony Griffin’s sacking, Cleary and Ciraldo would reunite as player and head coach once more to conjure up yet another remarkable come-from behind win. It was a far from convincing 17-16 win over the Gold Coast Titans, but the Panthers now control their own destiny in regards to securing that all important top four spot with just three games remaining. Cleary set up one try, scored another and sealed the win with a 30m field goal in the 84th minute, after his relatively simple conversion miss sent the game into golden point. The NSW Origin half says he was determined to make amends for his conversion miss. “I just really wanted to get it. I was filthy on myself after the conversion. I just thought I owed it to the team,” a relieved Nathan Cleary said postmatch. “It was the biggest relief when it went over. I didn’t want to be sitting in the sheds kind of thinking how I let the team down. “I owed it to the team and Ciro to get out there and play well. “My form of late has been a bit up and down. But to get away with the win it’s a pretty special one.” It was anything but a memorable game for the better part of 75 minutes, especially for a team pushing their claims for a top four spot. But as accustomed in recent weeks, the Panthers again hit the go button inside the final ten minutes, with tries to Cleary and Watene-Zelezniak. It was all set up for Cleary to give Ciraldo a winning start as Penrith’s interim head coach, but a simple conversion miss meant the rookie coach had to also endure golden point for good measure. But Ciraldo was relieved that his half finally secured the win with that field goal. “I sort of had the feeling that they would have had the confidence to pull it out but I didn’t really feel at the time that we were playing well enough,” Ciraldo said after the match. “To their credit, they are a talented group. They pulled it out at the end there. “I’m so pleased for the bloke next to me to win it for us after the week he’s had not of his own doing.

A relieved Nathan Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo front the media following Penrith’s dramatic 17-16 golden point win on the Gold Coast. Credit. NRL Photos.

“Just the way he has handled himself this week I couldn’t be prouder of him. With intense speculation surrounding the coaching future of Ivan Cleary, seen as a pivotal factor behind Penrith’s move to sack Anthony Griffin just four weeks out from the finals, son Nathan says it was one of his toughest weeks he has had to endure as a NRL footballer. “It’s up there (as toughest week). Start of the week it was just a whirlwind. I could barely sleep. There were so many thoughts going through my head,” Cleary admitted. “I think my wrongdoing was at the start of the week I was on social media too much and reading into too much rubbish. “There was a lot of stuff out there at the time. I kind of thought there were a lot of lies out there as well. “Half way through the week I spoke to Ciro and I just made the decision that I couldn’t look at social media too much. “I think me and Mum (Bec) were doing it too much. It was hurting Mum, she was reading stuff that she didn’t like to see. We made the resolution to get off it and not read that stuff.” Nathan added that it is special to be able to play under Ciraldo again and given the bond both Cameron and Ivan also share, it could well be a defining factor in whether Nathan re-signs with Penrith beyond 2019. “It’s pretty special. I’ve got a lot of respect for Cameron,” Nathan replied.

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Cleary and Ciraldo reunite for a golden win

23 23

“He’s helped my game massively as I have come through the grades. “I think a lot of the boys in there would say the same thing. For him to be our head coach now is pretty cool and I’m really happy for him.” With the Panthers completing at just 65%, making 17 errors, conceding 13 penalties and missing a whopping 40 tackles, Nathan concedes that this latest win continues to mask performance issues for the Panthers that need to be addressed and rectified before the finals. “I thought we had a lot more intent in our defence today but obviously the errors weren’t just good enough, the penalties and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves,” Nathan said. “I’d love to win normally for once but I think there is a belief in the group that we can push for the title. “But we do know there is a lot of improvement required and we can’t keep dishing up performances like this. It’s not going to cut it come finals time.” Ciraldo added that his side was guilty of not being patient when in possession. “I think a lot of those mistakes were (due to) over-excitement or over-enthusiasm to win those little battles,” Ciraldo responded. “We’ve got to make sure those blokes play a little bit calmer and understand the consequences of their actions. “We need to go over that game pretty thoroughly and learn from a lot of those mistakes that we made.”

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Celebrity

ROUND 23

ROUND 24

BRI MAN MEL PAN WES CRO BUL CAN WES NZW NQC CAN GCT SYD CRO STG SOU GCT PAR NEW STG NQC NZW SYD MAN PAN PAR SOU MEL BRI NEW BUL Aug 16 7.50pm

Aug 17 6.00pm

Aug 17 7.55pm

Aug 18 3.00pm

Aug 18 5.30pm

Aug 18 7.35pm

Aug 19 2.00pm

Aug 19 4.10pm

Aug 23 7.50pm

Aug 24 6.00pm

Aug 24 7.55pm

Aug 25 3.00pm

Aug 25 5.30pm

Aug 25 Aug 26 7.35pm 2.00pm

Aug 26 4.10pm

SCORE

Jeff Watson - Club President, St Marys Band Club - 9623 1211

216 Sharon Spindler - Aussie - 0449 954 497

192 Romano Garofali - Nepean Pools - 4722 9201

182 Victor Glanville - Vic’s Maxi Transport - 4732 2195

206 Brett McVea - National Locksmiths - 1300 897 170

188 Toby Hughes - Sinclair Hyundai - 4720 1111

182 Daniel Galea - Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091

194 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

194 John Thain - Penrith City Mayor - 0411 427 812

188 Iris Russell -Benard VenueBratusa Manager, Pioneer Tavern - 4736 4466 Councillor

178 Thor Thor’s- Cafe Aaron- Tyres @print- 4721 0292

200

TIPSTERS ROUND 23

ROUND 24

BRI MAN MEL PAN WES CRO BUL CAN WES NZW NQC CAN GCT SYD CRO STG SOU GCT PAR NEW STG NQC NZW SYD MAN PAN PAR SOU MEL BRI NEW BUL Aug 16 7.50pm

Aug 17 6.00pm

Aug 17 7.55pm

Aug 18 3.00pm

Aug 18 5.30pm

Aug 18 7.35pm

Aug 19 2.00pm

Aug 19 4.10pm

Aug 23 7.50pm

Aug 24 6.00pm

Aug 24 7.55pm

Aug 25 3.00pm

Aug 25 5.30pm

Aug 25 Aug 26 7.35pm 2.00pm

Aug 26 4.10pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News columnist

188 Prue Car - Member for Londonderry - 9833 1122

192 Councillor Aaron Duke - 0404 085 981

182 Peter Zaccazan - Zac Homes - 1300 350 793

172 Paul Wallace - Property Central - 0412 272 407

184 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

180 Emma Husar - Member for Lindsay - 4722 0600 - www.emmahusar.com.au

186 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

190 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055

184 Brock Shepperd - Wests Harold Matthews Coach

204 Sharon Mudiman - Bespoke Realty Group - 0413 757 998 Nicole Keene - Blink Property - 1300 629 610

180

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

26

SPORT

PVSF Sky Encouragement Award By CONNER LOWE

T

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Makayla Saia from Erskine Park the Sky Encouragement Award for the month of July for her amazing development and skill in Netball. Makayla has been playing Netball for four years and plays for St Clair Netball Club. Recently Makayla was selected to represent the Sydney West P.S.S.A team who competed in the NSW tournament in Homebush this month. She has also been selected to represent NSW at the Indoor Championships in Queensland later this year. Makaylah spoke about how she felt when she received the award and her greatest achievements so far in Netball. “I was very excited when I found out that I won this award. There are so many kids that do awesome in their sports,” she said. “I train and work hard to improve all the time. It’s great when your hard work pays off.

“I recently played for the Sydney West Netball team at the NSW P.S.S.A State Championships at Homebush. We finished in third place after a long three-day competition. “I also was recently selected as part of the NSW Indoor Netball team. We will be travelling to QLD in

December to compete at the National Championships.” When Makaylah isn’t playing Netball on Saturdays she is spending her time coaching and umpiring.

Makaylah lives and breathes the sport and this has helped her develop her amazing skills in the sport. Makaylah also spoke about how much she loves Netball and her commitment and drive to achieve big goals in the future. “I love Netball because I enjoy playing a team sport with great friends. We play hard but have fun at the same time and I have made many friends from all over the state,” she said. “I play Netball six days a week currently, which includes training for outdoor Netball twice a week and training for indoor once a week. I play indoor two nights a week and on Saturday I coach a little U/8’s team, then play and umpire which I love! “I would love to play for the Sydney Swifts and someday the Australian Diamonds. But for now, I would like to continue to improve and hopefully get badged for my umpiring.” We would like to congratulate Makaylah on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue her incredible dedication in Netball.

PVSF Junior Sportsperson Award By CONNER LOWE

T

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Kyah Vaeila from Hassal Grove the Junior Sportsperson Award for the month of July for her amazing development and skill in Netball. Kyah began playing Netball at fouryears-old and plays for the St Marys Leagues Netball Club. Kyah also represents the Penrith District Netball Association and has been since her selection for the U/11’s development squad in 2014. Kyah has been selected multiple times for the State Team, NSW indoor team and during 2016 was named a shadow player for the Australian team. Kyah then was named Captain in 2017 for the State team, but suffered a terrible injury breaking her ankle and severing a ligament. Kyah spoke about how she felt to

receive the award and her greatest achievements in the sport thus far. “I feel very privileged, humbled, thankful and truly honoured to have my achievements be recognized as there are so many talented players out there and was not expecting to be chosen,” she said. “Definitely being runners up at State Age this year with an amazing talented team and coaching staff who are my Netball family. Being selected in Western Sydney Academy of Sport and NSW Indoor Netball then being named in the Australian Merit Team.” Since Kyah has returned to Netball and was selected for the NSW and the Australian merit team. This year Kyah was given the opportunity to be part of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport Netball program and named as Vice-Captain for the Penrith state age team. Kyah also spoke about the bond you

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build with your team and the amount of time she puts into the sport weekly. “Netball is my passion it is a game where you play as a team and the team becomes your family. You build trust and stand together strong all reaching for the same goal,” she said. “I was training up to four hours a week with my Penrith representative team, four hours with my school Netball team, three hours with Western Sydney Academy of Sport, one-hour of club Netball and played two games on Saturdays. I have now begun training with NSW Indoor Netball as well. “My ultimate plan for the future is to represent Penrith in Metro League then go on to Premier League and one day play for the NSW Swifts and represent Australia with the Diamonds. Paige Hadley once a Penrith representative is my inspiration proving dreams do come

true and to never give up.” We would like to congratulate Kyah on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in Netball for the future.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT EXCLUSIVE - PART 2

Continued from last issue.... By STEWART MOSES

O

@TheRiffMarn

bviously a lot has happened since the first half of our exclusive two-part series was released, given the coaching dramas that unfolded a little over a week ago. Some within the media have even called for Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM to resign over his handling of the matter. But given the challenges that the game itself continues to throw up and a determination to ensure that Panthers continues to thrive as a development club amid those challenges, Gould suggests he is in no mood to walk away from the club. In Part Two, the Panthers supremo explains the key factors and personnel behind the club’s development pathways that in part is driving Penrith’s success in 2018, despite the challenges brought about by an extensive injury toll similar to one that derailed the club three years earlier. NN: The changes made to the lower grade competition structures, has that been a backward step for the game? PG: I was a big fan of the under 20’s as a national competition but the NRL chose to send that back to the state leagues and as a result I think we’ve already seen a deterioration in the quality of those competitions. I think the former Under 20’s programme has been a great asset to our game. Every other code in Australia was jealous. It not only produced a lot of first grade footballers, it was producing a lot of great people for our sport; those with aspirations of getting in at the NRL level such as coaches, referees, linesmen, officials, physiotherapists, trainers and managers. A lot of that I fear will be lost. Real problems will emerge in about four or five years’ time if we continue down this path. NN: How does it impact on the Panthers? PG: As far as we are concerned, we will maintain things as they are. We have a direct line of development all the way through from our Under 13’s Cubs programmes through to our 15’s plus representative programmes and to our Under 20’s programmes, NSW Cup and then on through to first grade. When you come into this club at 14, 15 years of age you know the pathway to first grade and you’ll play in a Panther jersey all the way through if you are lucky enough to come through this club. NN: Just how important is the Western NSW region to Penrith and

Panthers EGM Phil Gould AM, is expected to oversee Penrith’s coaching set-up for the remainder of 2018. Credit 77 Media.

why invest heavily there given the junior strength within the Penrith region? PG: Firstly we’ve always had an association with the West for as long as I can remember. We’ve had a lot of kids come down from country areas to play for this club. We’ve also got Bathurst Panthers out there and when we were looking to take games out to regional areas that became an obvious choice for us to support that club. From that, we’ve extended our Academy programmes to places like Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Forbes, where Matt Cameron takes our coaching staff to help coach country coaches. This year for the first time, we took our under 15’s and under 17’s transitional teams out to play in the country representative competitions as an experience for our players as well as an experience for the country kids. It was a great success. It’s given Penrith kids a taste of what country life is all about and it keeps the Panthers name very strong in Western NSW. NN: You mentioned the role Matt Cameron has played, who are some of the other key personnel who have helped shaped Panthers for the long term? PG: Jim Jones for starters. The system that Jimmy has set up here at Panthers is irreplaceable. Jimmy has a network of talent scouts amongst the junior rugby league, watching our local juniors and bringing the right ones into our system. Jim’s son Sam and Ben Harden have done a great job as Academy coaches running our junior rep programmes. This year we won the National Under 18’s title and there’s some great

kids coming through as well. The development pathways here are outstanding and are the envy of most clubs in the NRL. It is actually showing in the NRL team and everyone is understanding now what we’ve been about for the past four-five years in trying to create this and the next couple of years look very exciting to me.

should be run. So there’s no end in sight for me at the moment. I’ll just keep going and doing the best we can. But as they say a year’s a long time in football. The systems in place will live on and will always keep this club in good stead now and keep it very much Penrith so that Panthers fan can be proud of the club.

NN: Periodically you have mentioned your time at the club is coming to an end sooner rather than later but when is that exactly? PG: The day will come when I’m not here and Jimmy’s not here and we all understand there needs to be a succession plan at some stage. But we’ve had discussions around that and it’s a pretty much open-ended deal I have here. We are going through a very important period at the moment and salary-cap wise it is the most difficult position we’ve ever been in. There are some big decisions that need to be made in the next couple of years and manage that process, as well as keeping an eye on what the league are doing around their pathways and salary capping and how they see what competition structures should be running. We’ll do that because we believe this is best for our club and we believe that it is best for the game. Our model should be replicated in a number of areas and I’ll maintain that belief and maintain the club the way it is until such time someone can prove otherwise. I made a very strong decision that we would not change what we were doing until I was convinced that the NRL had it right or wrong in what they were feeling how the competition

NN: Given all these challenges, what will define 2018 as being a successful year? PG: The club has done extremely well to be where it is placed. Not just in the NRL but all our teams from under 16’s right through to first grade. The results we’ve achieved so far in 2018 have been in planning for some time and this year is not a surprise to us. Our players are starting to mature at that age where they should be having an impact at the NRL level on a consistent basis. We got off to a good start to the season despite having some significant injuries, including four players who are out for the season who played very little football this year - Tim Browne, Sam McKendry, Dylan Edwards and Peter Wallace. We’ve debuted six young players in first grade this year which is tremendous and we’ve been doing that quite regularly for a number of seasons now. We have also had the representative period to get through as well. But they’ve all performed extremely well under difficult circumstances and even though we obviously won’t get everyone back, if we can hit September fit and well then that’s a new competition and we’ll try to have some impact there.

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

Gould determined questionable NRL pathways won’t impact Penrith

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

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SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

GOLDEN POINTS UNPRECEDENTED Anthony GRIFFIN SACKING The announcement of coach Anthony Griffin’s abrupt and unparalleled parting of the ways with the Penrith Panthers late last Monday afternoon by Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher, was meant to end the ongoing speculation on the coach’s future that came to the fore in the pre-season and never really showed signs of abating despite Penrith’s on-field success in 2018. Instead it triggered a series of events and a rapid fire media storm in what was quite possibly one of if not the most tumultuous week in Penrith’s 52 year history. Even last Saturday’s win over the Gold Coast had that dramatic feel to it. WHY AND WHY NOW? Two reasons: Firstly as Phil Gould explained last Tuesday, there was a sense that Anthony Griffin had reached his potential as a coach and wasn’t in his view capable of delivering a premiership despite the talent at his disposal. He even suggested that Griffin’s methods were “old-school” in that he liked to control most coaching matters, as Gould himself did back in his day in the 90’s. But the problem was that in the modern era of the game, rather than be inclusive with his coaching staff, Griffin was seen at times as being exclusive, which caused considerable friction amongst the ranks and confusing messages for the players. Plenty of controversy has certainly emerged from the other reason, given that Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill approached former coach Ivan Cleary a week prior, to ascertain any interest in coaching Penrith again. Whether or not that was for 2021 (in accordance with the club’s current stance) when both he and Anthony Griffin were coming off contract versus the notion from others that the Panthers were poaching him for 2019 and inducing him to break his contract with the Tigers, remains to be seen. Regardless of the “truth” it is clear that Cleary is currently Penrith’s first choice as its long-term coach for the time being. What is also clear is that the discussions between O’Neill and Cleary, which triggered the Tigers coach to alert his current employer, was the final straw for a club already thin on patience with Griffin, given results during and post-Origin as well as those differences in coaching philosophies with his boss.

the comments made regarding his lack of surprise by Gould’s attempts to poach Cleary, given he was sacked by the Panthers EGM, given it was Pascoe who made the abrupt switch to join chairperson Marina Go at the Wests Tigers in 2015.

Despite the 2nd best win/loss record (58.3%) of Penrith’s 18 first grade coaches, the club had strong reasons to sack Anthony Griffin. Credit: 77 Media.

WHY CLEARY AND WHY WOULD A SACKED COACH RETURN? Despite the denials, it is hard to look past the fact that if Ivan Cleary were to return to the Panthers, it would all but resolve their retention issue regarding son Nathan Cleary, who has made no secret of his desire to be coached by his father. This question has even more credence when you consider Ivan’s moderate coaching record which has raised the eyebrows of many within the media. However it should be noted that nearly half of Cleary’s coaching career has been taken up in rebuilding teams and has a decent record with teams who are in a position to challenge for the finals. Having never been given the keys to such a roster before, could Cleary fulfil his potential and win a title at Penrith? No doubt it would be an appetising challenge for Cleary. But it would almost certainly involve another working relationship with Gould – could that work? Gould himself has said he has no problem with Ivan Cleary despite sacking him back in 2015, but it would be hard to imagine why Cleary himself would return to work under the Panthers supremo. Many have suggested he won’t. But until Ivan provides some more clarity instead of just a simply prepared statement that confirmed he had not been made an offer nor asked for a release from his current contract, no-one really knows the truth concerning the extent of his discussions with Penrith. As for the Wests Tigers’ CEO Justin Pascoe, who demanded Ivan to show “good faith” in honouring his existing contract, Penrith officials won’t forget

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THE FALLOUT BETWEEN COACH AND EGM The biggest drama erupted last Wednesday and Thursday nights, when both former coach and EGM through various media outlets, went a little deeper to explain their version of events that led to Griffin’s demise as Penrith coach. The normally media-shy Anthony Griffin spent nearly eight hours at Fox Studios briefing News Limited journos on his version of events as he looked to save face and arguably take more than his fair share of the credit for Penrith’s success in little under three seasons at the helm. Whilst his on-screen unchallenged recollection of events won the hearts and minds of the average rugby league supporter, his true comments about the club when he arrived, which were reflected in online reports, left several good Penrith staff feeling they had been thrown under the bus. Needless to say Gould had no choice but to defend the integrity of those staff who were deeply hurt by Griffin’s reckless remarks, the next night on Channel Nine, making a stinging revelation of his own that interim coach Cameron Ciraldo, was twice talked out of resigning because of Griffin, which Ciraldo confirmed the next morning at his maiden NRL press conference as coach. SO WHY DID THE CLUB RE-SIGN GRIFFIN LAST YEAR? Quiet simply to send a clear message to the playing roster that there was stability among the coaching ranks when it came time for players to consider their futures when coming off-contract. But it since emerged that it came with a proviso that Griffin, who was roundly criticised for his inability to implement effective attacking plans particularly against the better teams, would focus on man-management and defence while Ciraldo (with Gould’s assistance) would take over attack. The messaging since has been mixed as acknowledged by the majority of players since Griffin’s sacking and it created conflict between

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PENRITH PANTHERS

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with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

POSSIBLY PENRITH’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL YET However the Panthers face a tough road to secure that spot with games against top-placed Newcastle this Saturday at home (11am) followed by a tricky last round clash at Brookvale against Manly the following Saturday (1pm). The Panthers will at least finish no worse than fourth.

Gould and Griffin, as the latter attempted to wrestle back full control of his team. A mid-season review almost had Griffin sacked before the Warriors game. And a four-day camp on the Gold Coast preceding a disastrous result against the Broncos, almost had the same effect. On both occasions, Gould confirmed he wanted to manage the situation himself and get to the end of the season before making any such coaching changes. But discussions with Ivan Cleary changed all that. OTHER COACHING OPTIONS? Having stated that he had a preferred coaching candidate in mind (i.e. Cleary) apart from the twelve approaches he had received inside the first 24 hours of Griffin’s sacking, Gould who believes Cleary is unlikely to be at Penrith in 2019, has also confirmed the coaching situation will be reviewed after the season. Could Penrith make that offer to Cleary for 2021 with a view point that it could in fact force the Tigers’ hand to release sooner given that carrying a coach with limited loyalty will be detrimental to their long-term plans? If not will the club stick with Ciraldo? That will be determined by his results for the remainder for the season but he certainly has the support of the playing roster. Otherwise could it be Michael Maguire? Or Trent Barrett? Or perhaps the unthinkable Wayne Bennett? The latter could be an option should Penrith decide to wait for Cleary. But I’m banking on Ciraldo being the coach unless Cleary manages to wriggle out of his current Tigers deal. Your thoughts? Email me on stewart@ nepeannews.com.au The finals run has heated up with the Panthers back in control of destiny as far as securing a top four spot is concerned. The Panthers (30) are two points ahead of St George Illawarra, Cronulla and NZ Warriors, but their rivals do have easier draws than Penrith. In order to finish fourth, Penrith will need to defeat Newcastle this Saturday convincingly, get the better of their top eight showdown clash with the Warriors the following Friday and possibly even finish with a win over Melbourne or at least a competitive loss.

Can interim NRL coach Cameron Ciraldo secure the gig long term? Many suggest he can. Credit: 77 Media.

Fijian flyer, Maika Sivo has signed a two-year deal with the Parramatta Eels, which will give him a chance of playing in the NRL given the deal will put Sivo into Parramatta’s top 30 roster. In just 26 ISP appearances to date since joining Penrith midway through 2017, the powerhouse winger has scored 24 tries. Congratulations to coach Guy Missio and his team after Penrith secured the ISP minor premiership with three rounds remaining with a convincing 38-10 win over Wests Magpies last Saturday week at Panthers Stadium. The minor premiership has been built off the back of unbeaten stretch that extended to ten games after their courageous come-from behind, last-minute win over Wyong Roos 36-32 at Panthers Stadium last Saturday, their eighth win in succession. With just two rounds remaining before the finals, the Panthers face Newcastle this Saturday at home (12:45pm) before concluding with an away trip to Brookvale to take on Blacktown Workers next Saturday (3pm). There is also a strong chance that Adam Keighran will finish the season as top point-scorer having scored 168 points thus far, ten points clear of his nearest rival. Also there are strong suggestions that week one of the finals series will be played at Panthers Stadium. The Panthers remain in contention for that all important top two spot after back-to-back wins over the Wests Tigers 28-8 and Sydney Roosters 1814 but remain two points behind in third position to Cronulla, heading into the final two rounds of the season.

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The Panthers have received a setback with James Maloney (knee) ruled out for three-six weeks. But the Panthers skipper who admitted on the Big Sports Breakfast that he was due to be rested for this Saturday’s clash with Newcastle, is confident he will return for a potentially top-four sealing clash with Melbourne in the final round of the season. Meanwhile Jack Hetherington (suspension) will also miss the next two games. This latest suspension means that this season alone, the fiery forward has been suspended four times including three since making his NRL debut and has six suspensions in total inside two seasons. In some good news for the club, James Tamou (ankle) returns from injury and will start with Moses Leota reverting back to the bench for Hetherington. Tyrone May will replace Maloney at five-eighth, which allows Wayde Egan to return to the bench, while Isaah Yeo will captain the side in Maloney’s absence. Penrith’s 21-man squad for the Knights clash for what will be Old Boys Day at Panthers Stadium, is as follows: 1. Tyrone PEACHEY 2. Josh MANSOUR 3. Waqa BLAKE 4. Dean WHARE 5. Dallin WATENEZELEZNIAK 6. Tyrone MAY 7. Nathan CLEARY 8. James TAMOU 9. Sione KATOA 10. Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD 11. Viliame KIKAU 12. Isaah YEO 13. James FISHER-HARRIS 14. Wayde EGAN 15. Trent MERRIN 16. Corey HARAWIRA-NAERA 17. Moses LEOTA 18. Kaide ELLIS 19. Christian CRICHTON 20. Adam KEIGHRAN 21. Liam MARTIN The Panthers then head to New Zealand for next Friday night’s clash with the improving Warriors who are not without a chance of finishing in the top four themselves, along with Cronulla and possibly St George-Illawarra, and will be looking to make amends for an embarrassing 36-4 loss to an under-manned Panthers side earlier this season. Make your support count and show your #PantherPride at the game.

Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

SPECIAL EDITION

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Nepean News 16 August 2018 Issue 233

30

SPORT

Coach’s Corner I

The Griffin Ball Experiment Ends

f you are a listener to the Fifth and Last NRL Podcast you will know that since the day the Penrith Panthers fired Ivan Cleary as Head Coach and replaced him with Anthony Griffin I have held grave concerns over the future of the Rugby League program. The development program constructed by Phil Gould, Ivan Cleary and Matt Cameron is the best I have seen in my 25 years involved within Rugby League as a player and coach. During the four year period from 2012 to 2015 in the Harold Matthews Under 16’s, SG Ball Under 18’s and the National Youth Competition Under 20’s the Panthers made five Grand Finals and won two of them. The worst result during that period was the 2014 Under 20’s team who finished 9th in heartbreaking fashion who were coached by Trent Barrett. The majority of the NRL team that runs out each weekend to represent the Penrith Panthers are products of that development program. Anthony Griffin played no role in the development of those players, he gave some of them an opportunity to play in the NRL but to say the club was in a bad state when he took over the reigns as head coach in late 2015 is simply not backed up by the facts. I would argue that during the period from 2016 through to the present day that more players within the development system should have played NRL but have not progressed due to a lack of intelligent and progressive coaching within the NRL program. I have seen firsthand

the development program implemented by Ivan Cleary and also the program set down by Anthony Griffin and there isn’t a comparison in depth nor quality. People have been quick to highlight that Griffin took the Panthers to two finals series and had the team positioned to make a run at this seasons premiership. And that is true but this team has not progressed to the heights they should have under his tenure. People are very quick to forget that Ivan Cleary took the Panthers within a whisker of the Grand Final in 2014 with a side still based around the rebuild he inherited in 2012. I do not know Anthony Griffin personally but since the Panthers took top spot on the competition ladder with a massive home win against the Dragons on the eve of Origin they have gone backwards. The process in getting to this decision has been very ugly… and those in senior positions at the Panthers need to take some responsibility for that as it has been a poor reflection on what is such a strong club with a very bright future. It takes hundreds of good moves and decisions to build a good reputation and only one poor move or decision to have that reputation destroyed. We now move into the most important and influential period in Phil Gould’s reign at the Panthers, the decisions made now will determine whether the team reaches their potential and win at least one and potentially

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

multiple premierships in the near future or whether the foundations built do not amount to the ultimate on field success. Overall the club will never have to rebuild in the short term as the development programs are feeding not only our local NRL team but also the majority of other NRL clubs who put no time, money or effort into developing their own they pinch players from strong development clubs such as the Panthers, but that’s a discussion for another day. Who the Panthers appoint as their next coach is the most important move the current management will make in order to get this team to the next level. Anthony Griffin was a yes man, who fell out of favour because he started to say no. Cameron Ciraldo has taken the reigns despite wanting to quit the club on two occasions during Griffin’s tenure which tells you all you need to know about the working relationships between the former head coach and his staff. When you lay out all the information its clear the club made a mistake by firing Ivan Cleary - that has now been widely acknowledged. Both from a performance, development and tactical perspective the club went backwards in the past three seasons. Firing Anthony Griffin was the right decision but was executed poorly to the point it was played out in the media which has done some damage to the club’s credibility and reputation. The next move is the most important the club will make since it appointed Phil Gould to save it from extinction.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

with MARK GEYER

What an explosive week at the foot of the mountains!

 Trophy winners and runners up  What an explosive week at the foot of the mountains!

W

ow! Fair to say a ‘little’ bit has happened since we last chatted. Wink wink. Also fair to say that I don’t think the Penrith Panthers have taken up this much of all media headlines - ever. Gobsmacked is a word I think all Panther fans used when word filtered through that coach Anthony Griffin was relieved of his duties affective immediately, four weeks out from the semi finals. Didn’t see that one coming. Then what we’ve seen over this past week is a massive dose of ‘he said he said’ between GM of footy Phil ‘Gus’ Gould and Griffin himself. Who to believe? I believe both men but feel the actual truth lay somewhere in the middle of all the to-ing and fro-ing. There has been rumour and innuendo re Griffin’s position as far back as late February before a ball had even been touched in the premiership proper; but when the actual axe fell it was still hard to fathom.

What next? Who will be coach in 2019 of the Panthers? Ivan Cleary had been thrown into the saga but he extinguished the flames last Saturday at a convened press conference reaffirming his position of Tigers coach for the next two seasons. Caretaker coach Cameron Ciraldo has got the players stamp of approval going forward and I believe he will one day be first grade coach of Penrith, but for the short term, the next two seasons, I’d look at someone like Wayne Bennett to come in and do a similar job to what he did at the Dragons winning a competition after seemingly just stepping foot into Kogarah. But then how would he and Gus work together? So many questions, not so many answers. What I do know is that after yet another comefrom-behind victory against the Titans last Saturday one feels the Panthers may have used up all of their life lines for one season and must make a massive statement this Saturday at Panthers Stadium against

the Knights, which coincides with the ‘old boys day’. Stay tuned, there still is a twist or three to happen before the competition ends. And another thing.. The fourth installment of the Mark Geyer trophy was played last Sunday as we welcomed 36 u/8’s teams from all over the state. I’d like to thank the Brothers junior rugby league club for the honour attaching my name to the biggest comp of its type in Australia. Vince Lebreton, Troy Cooper and all their team at Brothers put on yet another fantastic day that saw Cabramatta take out the MG trophy against a willing Brothers. And Minchinbury prevailing over a galant West’s Tigers outfit in the Vince Lebreton trophy. Thanks to all the kids, their parents and coaches for making it another amazing day of grass roots rugby league. See you at the game..

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MG on the mark

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