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St Clair Erskine Park

Federal Member for McMahon Phone (02) 9604 0710

chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au AUGUST 2018

News

Ph: 9834 2966 Em: mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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ISSUE 34

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Explorers Conveyancing By KeRRIE DAVIES

Helen Kostrubiec and Jade Fletcher met several years ago working together at a local law firm, and decided to combine their experience to form Explorers Conveyancing. When asked what it was that had guided them so easily to success, they believe it is a combination of their dedication to helping people with their most important asset, their ability to overcome challenging transactions and their people skills. “I think clients like coming here because we talk their language - unlike some solicitors or conveyancers who forget that the clients aren’t used to the legal jargon,” Helen said. “Yes, we explain things in terms that are easy to understand, and we’ve made so many good friends out of clients over the years,” Jade added. Helen and Jade are both licenced conveyancers and their knowledge of the property conveyance process is immense. While sitting in their office based on Explorers Way, St Clair I noticed that the home office was a hive of activity. We conducted the interview between a phone that constantly rang and clients popping in to say hi. These very talented girls took it all in their stride, showing that juggling several projects at once is something they do with ease! And the thing that stuck out the most is that they absolutely love their work. They work incredibly well together, they bounce ideas off each other constantly and most of all, smile and laugh through their day. If you are buying, selling or transferring property ownership, give Jade and Helen a call on 9670 1161. They are a breath of fresh air and I believe you’ll thank me for making the recommendation! Chances are you will be sorry to say cheerio when the transaction is completed, but like many others in their massive client base, you’ll probably want to call past and say hi long after their service to you is completed. In fact, I didn’t want to wrap up the interview. Great girls!

Explorers

Conveyancing

Phone 9670 1161 121 Explorers Way, St Clair 2759 | Fax: 9670 1169

St Clair High rises from the ashes

By KeRRIE DAVIES

hilst many students reluctantly returned to school last week, St Clair High School students cheered as the doors opened to their brand new school. When a devastating fire destroyed 80 per cent of the school in 2014 Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies MP committed that in this term of Government St Clair High School would be rebuilt. “At the last election I promised St Clair High School would be rebuilt and I am so proud to have delivered this brilliant result for these students and my community,” Tanya Davies said. Tanya Davies and Acting Principal Sally Smithard spent the holidays making sure that everything was ready, helping move furniture into the new classrooms, for the beginning of Term 3. “On the first day back one of the students said that it ‘felt like my first day at university’ with others exclaiming that ‘it was awesome’,” Tanya Davies said. “Enjoy your state-of-the-art, air-conditioned, quality learning environment St Clair High. I look forward to the official community opening to celebrate with the students, parents, teachers and St Clair community.” The new $24.6 million Innovation Centre is part of the NSW Government’s $6 billion spend to deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools across the state – the biggest investment in public schools in the history of NSW.

The new Innovation Centre delivers futurefocused learning within collaborative and flexible learning spaces. It includes: • 16 new teaching spaces • A research area • A lecture hall • A learning common area • Kitchen and café • Tiered and outdoor learning area.

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• Hip Hop • Contemporary • Baby Ballet

0407 623 391

www.stmarysdancecentre.com.au

St Clair Erskine Park

News

is proudly brought to you by the Nepean News team. To contact the team call: Office: 9834 5579 Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Sales Manager: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sales: Dianne Bonello 0418 813 319 Journalist: Keegan Thomson 0421 382 560 Graphic Designer: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Letters to the editor: stclairnews@aol.com Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StClairCommunityNews 203 Banks Drive, St Clair

Deputy Mayor Phone 0417 365 313

Greg DAVIES East Ward Councillor

From the Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies

We want exercise equipment!

Mayor John Thain, Cr Robin Cook, Londonderry MP Prue Car and Cr Greg Davies at Colyton

LAST month I attended a celebration at Colyton; it was the official opening of the great new exercise equipment at a park located on Carpenter Street just near the shops there. What a great idea - there was a piece of equipment to work every part of the body. I kept thinking how good it would be for people like me who don’t join gyms because once I’ve paid the money I come up with every excuse for why I can’t go - because it’s free and you can go whenever! The fact that there’s a kids playground located right next to it is a big bonus as well - work out while the kids have fun. But the biggest thing on my mind the whole time I was there was HOW CAN WE GET ONE OF THESE IN ST CLAIR OR ERSKINE? It would be such a welcomed addition and I can think of many parks that could accommodate it. Who is with me? We have three Councillors advertising on this page so hopefully they’ll read this and join in too! Head to our facebook page: St Clair Community News and sign our petition and let’s get it happening! kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Todd CARNEY East Ward Councillor

Phone 0419 177 259

Phone 0417 762 219 todd.carney@penrith.city

Penrith City Council

St Marys Spring Festival fun

By KeRRIE DAVIES

he St Marys Spring Festival is a community event that showcases the CBD and local businesses and performers. Mark the 1st September in your diary and prepare to be part of the fun and excitement. The St Marys Spring Festival is the major annual community event held in the CBD of St Marys, and attracts a crowd of approximately 20,000-30,000 people each year.

The 2018 Festival will be held on Saturday 1st September from 9am to 3pm. The Festival has run for over 40 years and this year’s Festival is sure to be just as fun and exciting. The Festival is FREE for families to attend and attracts people from all over the region. For more information about the event please follow the facebook site or visit www.stmarystowncentre.com.au

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New firefighter academy at Erskine Park

he next generation of NSW firefighters will be trained in new state-ofthe-art facilities in Sydney’s west with purpose-built props to simulate fire, rescue, hazardous material handling and other emergency situations. The official opening of the new Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Emergency Services Academy by Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, and FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter marked a new chapter for the agency that has trained recruits at Alexandria since 1974. Mr Grant said the academy is set to be a world-class training facility, ensuring the best possible preparation for our firefighters in their vital work protecting lives and property. “The men and women of FRNSW invest a great amount of time in intensive training and the NSW Government is investing in them with the facilities they need to ensure they can undertake their important work,” Mr Grant said. “Our firefighters operate in an increasingly complex and ever changing environment and this training academy has the ability to adapt to these changes now and into the future. “This new FRNSW Emergency Services Academy will be the home of where great firefighting careers start and continual professional development is undertaken with the very best in new technology and equipment.” The six-hectare site at Mamre Road at Erskine Park includes six lecture rooms, offices, a large gymnasium and outdoor exercise area, a virtual reality training room and a fire station simulation area, complete with a watch room and pole. The recruits will also have access to a new fivestorey fire tower to learn how to deal with fires in high-rise complexes and a simulated collapsed building for Urban Search and Rescue training to ensure they’re prepared to respond in times of natural disaster. Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the official opening was not just a celebration for the emergency service but also a great win for the Western Sydney community.

“The academy is another example of our Government’s commitment to relocating publicservice jobs and boosting the economy of Sydney’s western region,” Mrs Davies said. “We want to see our community continue to be a place where people feel confident to live, work and invest, now and in the future.” Commissioner Baxter said the academy will replace the existing FRNSW training college at Alexandria, which is more than 40 years old and about one-third the size of the new site. “The college has served our organisation since 1974, but 40 years is a long time in firefighting and our training needs have evolved,” said Commissioner Baxter. “Firefighting and rescue methods have changed dramatically, particularly as the emergencies we tackle become more complex, more diverse and, potentially, more dangerous. “This new academy will ensure our firefighters are prepared for anything – and ready to help anyone, anytime, anywhere.” The fire tower development is expected to be completed in early 2019, while the simulated Urban Search and Rescue collapsed building will be relocated from Ingleburn. About 150 permanent staff, both uniformed and civilian will relocate to the academy, which will welcome its first class of recruit firefighters next year. On any given day, there will be up to 350 people at the academy campus.

Pint-sized stall holders converting their toys into cash

orget the lemonade stand in the front yard, the next generation of entrepreneurial youngsters is turning their unwanted toys into cash at My Kids Market NSW. “This year we have seen an increase in the number of kids hosting stalls with their parents to make some PVR Sports Centre money to buy a prized toy Cambridge Park or experience,” said Jennifer Harrison, Market Organiser, My Kids Market NSW. “Just recently we saw Alec and his Mum on a mission to sell his unwanted toys and books to make way for his long awaited Xbox One! “The markets have always been a great way for mums and dads to clear out unwanted baby and kids items from the house and make some extra cash for the family” Sydney mum Leanne Lewis is one such parent. “My 8-year-old has been wanting an Xbox One for some time. We’ve resisted and decided that if he wanted it, he’d have to earn it. Selling all of his old toys was the way to go.” Mum, Leanne said. “The benefit of the market stall was far greater than the cash 8-year-old Alec made to purchase his prized Xbox One. This was such a valuable learning exercise for my son. He got to work for something that he wanted, the value of working for his money, sorting At the end of most of our markets we have a local through his old toys and honestly saying that he no charity, such as Mummies Paying It Forward, come longer wanted them, also pricing the toys, which to collect any items stallholders don’t want to take home so you can kill two birds with one stone. proved to be hilarious fun!” 3. A visible goal will help keep their eyes on the Are your kids dreaming of something new? To help them on their mission My Kids Market NSW prize! Stick a picture on the wall of whatever it is are giving them a special $10 cash-back from their the kids are planning to do with the money they make from selling their toys. stall fee on Market Day! 4. When it is time to pack away the toys the kids To be eligible book a stall at Penrith Market online and type the words NEPEAN CASHBACK have decided to keep, if there are any that you don’t in the notes when you make your booking then think the kids will actually play with again, put email info@mykidsmarketnsw.com.au confirming them in a separate box and store it out of reach. If your booking with a photo of the kids cleaning out the kids ask for a toy in the box you can get it down, their unwanted treasures. Stalls at the market are otherwise after a few months you can suggest that only $59 and with the cashback will be just $49, these are also toys that they no longer need as they didn’t even realise they were missing. the event is held indoors and the table is provided. 5. Encourage the kids to identify unwanted toys Here are the My Kids Market’s top five decluttering tips to help get you and the kids started: on an ongoing basis. Keep a box in the laundry 1. Start your declutter in the morning rather than or garage and anytime they decide that they have the afternoon. You need the kids to be on board outgrown a toy they can pop it in the box for their with the idea and not grumpy or tired. Plan a fun next market stall. It will make the decluttering process much simpler next time. activity for the afternoon as a reward. For more details or to book a stall visit 2. When starting your toy cupboard clear out, create four piles – keep, sell, donate and throw. www.mykidsmarketnsw.com.au

Sunday 9 SeptEMBER 9am-12 noon

Tanya Davies launches petition for Mamre upgrade

ULGOA MP has launched a petition through social media to lobby the federal government for funding to upgrade Mamre Road. “For too long St Clair and Erskine Park residents have battled to turn onto Mamre Road often making risky decisions with grave consequences,” Mrs Davies said. “Last year alone there were 9 casualty crashes, 5 serious injury crashes and 1 fatal crash which resulted in the death of 2 people, left 21 people injured and 12 seriously injured. “Every day Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk.” Mrs Davies said with the new Western Sydney airport the traffic will only get worse and the pressure placed on the already dangerous Mamre Road will only increase. “Enough is enough, Mamre Road must be upgraded,” she said. “I need your support to call on the Federal Government to include Mamre Road on the

Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) for the Airport and to provide funding for the upgrade of Mamre Road. “Sign the petition today and share with your neighbours, colleagues, family and friends!” The petition can be found by going to https:// goo.gl/forms/7KYvmeMhrZBxDukd2 or via Tanya Davies MP facebook page, our St Clair Community News facebook page or in the Erskine Park St Clair group on Facebook.

Labor: State Government must upgrade Mamre Rd

hadow Minister for Roads Jodi McKay, Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP and Labor Candidate for Mulgoa Todd Carney joined at the corner of Mamre and McIntyre to call on the State Government to urgently prioritise the upgrade of Mamre Rd. “Residents in St Clair and Erskine Park have known for years that the notoriously dangerous Mamre Rd is well overdue for an upgrade,” Cr Todd Carney said. “Mamre Rd has seen countless shocking accidents in recent times and is becoming increasingly congested - with new suburbs in the region adding more cars to the road. “In her own petition, Local Member Tanya Davies notes that ‘Every day Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk’. “Labor is calling on Tanya Davies as the Local Member and a Cabinet Minister to ensure the State

Government funds the upgrade of Mamre Rd,” he said. Jodi McKay MP Shadow Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight said she couldn’t understand a need for a petition. “It makes no sense that Tanya Davies would launch a petition when she sits in the State Government’s Cabinet,” Ms McKay said. “The State Government could have funded an upgrade in the recent Budget but instead this community has been ignored.” Cr Carney said everyone agrees that Mamre Rd is long overdue for an upgrade. “As our local population increases we are going to see more pressure on Mamre Rd which is already accident prone. “We are calling on Tanya Davies as a Government MP and Cabinet Minister – fund the upgrade of Mamre Rd now before it’s too late.”

Pet Dental Month By Dr Richard Miller

August is National Pet Dental month. Dental disease is extremely common in our pets, especially in small dogs that aren’t keen chewers, but any cat or dog that doesn’t regularly gnaw on chewing aids or raw bones. Nature designed dog’s and cat’s teeth to chomp on fresh meet and bones but modern diets often don’t reproduce the same cleaning effect this activity has on keeping the gums healthy and the teeth clean. Wet foods are just too mushy and most dry foods/kibbles are just swallowed whole or not chewed adequately to have this effect. Genetics can also play a role and we have actually bred dental disease into many of the breeds we have today, especially the smaller ones. A lot of smaller dogs and some cats simple don’t have big enough and strong enough teeth to chew effectively Mamre ROAd

Veterinary Surgery

which makes them prone to developing dental disease even when young. Generalising, dental disease involves the accumulation of tartar on the teeth which causes yucky smelly breath and irritates the gums which then recede exposing the roots of the teeth which eventually become loose. Loose teeth are painful and result in further reluctance to chew, spread and worsening of the dental disease, and potential loss of teeth even as young as 4 years old for some. If you think it may be time for your pet to come see the dentist, in August we are offering 50% off the consultation fee for assessment and 15% off standard fees for any dental work necessary pending the findings. Please call our friendly nurses to make an appointment.

Incorporating Puppy Preschool, Cat Boarding Along with a full range of medical, diagnostic and surgical services and facilities

Serving the local community

Mamre Rd

9623 3970

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Shackles (7) 5 Without ceasing (7) 9 Trademark or signature (9) 10 Long metal nail (5) 11 Tedious (7) 12 City in Washington state (7) 13 Estimate (9) 15 Whips (5) 17 A small picture inserted within another (5) 19 Unsteady in gait (9) 22 Frolic (7) 25 Affective (7) 26 Stitched (5) 27 Crooks (9) 28 Female siblings (7) 29 Funeral cars (7)

DOWN 1 reventing (7) 2 Not thinness (9) 3 Punches of sweetened milk and eggs (7) 4 Whipping boy (9) 5 An attribute of a people or era (5) 6 Female (7) 7 Poet T.S. _____ (5) 8 Searchers (7) 14 Frisky or flirtatious (9) 16 Not reproductions (9) 17 Asserts (7) 18 Pretentious talk (7) 20 Strange or rare objects (7) 21 Suppositions (7) 23 Caterwauls (5) 24 Strikes with the feet (5)

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Have you been to The Bandy lately? By KeRRIE DAVIES

T MARYS Band Club, affectionately known as The Bandy, has carried a lot of labels and stigmas over the years. Although perhaps they’ve been a little unfair, unwarranted and certainly unPC, the reality is they’ve managed to stick, and they relate mainly to the demographic that most frequently patronised the club. Recently the club underwent an absolutely massive renovation, and with the very capable and progressive-thinking Marlene Shipley at the helm as CEO, the club’s eating facilities, family-friendly environment and entertainment has undergone a complete overhaul as well, changing it’s focus entirely. With this in mind, I took the hubby, son, daughterin-law and two grand-kids for a meal recently to check out the new club. Wow, what a surprise we got! The club has had a complete face-lift and the difference is incredible. The pleasure at the transformation begins when you first enter the ample undercover parking area; gone are the days where you’d drive around and around before giving up and parking across in Aldi or risking a ticket on Queen Street. There’s now plenty of parking, yay! The extensive makeover the club has had hits you the minute you walk through the door. It’s bright, its airy, full of wide open spaces and has a fresh and exciting vibe. We did a quick tour around the club before sitting down and the facilities are exceptional. The foyers, the dining areas, kids playgrounds, gambling areas, the sports areas, seating areas and even the bathrooms are impressive. You really have to see it to believe it. We took a table in the restaurant right near the kid’s play area. Very comfortable seating, and not noisy like some venues where you have to shout in order to be heard during simple dinner conversation. A trip to the bar put a smile on Gregory’s face when he compared the price of beer to other establishments in the area. Soft drinks are also very reasonably priced, which

You’re in for a big, big surprise is different to some venues in the area where you’d be forgiven for wondering if you’d accidentally ordered a nip of something in the outrageously priced glass of coke. The Bandy’s bar prices are very decent. Time to order food and we were pleasantly surprised to see many pages of choices. There were many items on the specials list at just $13.90, and even the choices throughout the main menu were not expensive. Greg opted for lamb cutlets, and is still raving about them days later; he loved the home-cooked feel to them. Daughter-n-law Brooke was very happy with her chicken snitty. My son Kurtis has a “feed the man meat” kind of mantra so the mixed grill was the pick for him. There was everything imaginable on that plate, and the price was very pleasing. The tin lids chose fish and chips and enjoyed being out for a dinner where relaxed rules applied, eating two chips and running into the play area, back for a bite of fish and off again and so on. I picked something on the menu but when I went up to order I spotted the special’s board advertising Lobster Mornay for just $39 - so my mind was immediately changed. And let me tell you it was divine! Creamy, cheesy and fresh - it was delish! Our experience at The Bandy was amazing, the club is fabulous, the food scrumptious and the prices fantastic! The good news about the The Bandy is that its not just about the great food - their upcoming events are going to be amazing! Carole King’s Tapestry Tribute Show is on Sept 22 and Menopause The Musical on Nov 17, just to name a couple! There’s loads of fun to be had for the kids with free monthly discos, and they get to eat free on Sundays. The Bandy also provides a great meeting place for new Mums in a warm, family-friendly environment. The New Mums Meet Up is on every Tuesday, with supervised play for the kids! You’ve got to get down there and check it out, you won’t be disappointed!!

PVSF Sky

By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Georgia Wright from Erskine Park the Sky Encouragement Award for the month of June for her amazing development and skill in Netball. Georgia has been playing Netball for six years and currently represents Erskine Park. Recently Georgia was selected in the Penrith District Netball team and trains with both teams throughout the week. Georgia spoke about her award and why she loves Netball. “I’m very glad because I really love netball, I feel happy and proud of my achievement,” she said. “I love playing netball, the positions I play are ‘Centre’ and ‘Wing Attack’. Netball is a lot of fun and very competitive and it also keeps me fit.” Leanne Wright, Georgia’s mother spoke about her approach to the sport and her dedication. “Georgia always goes into Netball with a big smile on her face. She is never dirty and always shows enthusiasm and respect to the opposition in every game she plays,” she said. “Georgia is a good sport and is very dedicated to Netball and it has begun to show with her development in the game and her selection into the Penrith representative team. She lives and breathes Netball.” Georgia also spoke about how often she trains with both teams and her dream for the future. “I train on Wednesday for my local club which is Erskine Park Netball and I train on Thursday nights for Penrith District Netball. I play Saturdays and I have representative carnivals on a Sunday, I also play for my school in PSSA,” she said. “My plan is to play for the Sydney Swifts and my dream is to play for the Australian Diamonds in Netball.” We would like to congratulate Georgia on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in Netball for the future.

Encouragement Awards By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Coopa McMahon from St Clair the Sky Encouragement Award for the month of May for his amazing development and skill in Rugby League. Coopa who plays Rugby League and Oztag has received the award for his dedication and good sportsmanship when on the field. Kylie McMahon, Coopa’s mother spoke about how much he loves his sport and his achievements. “When Coopa has footy not much else matters during the week, whether it’s training on Tuesday or Thursday or game day Saturday, Coopa can’t wait to run around with his mates,” she said. “If ever training or footy is off his coach rings Coopa and apologises because he knows he gets upset if it’s called off. “Coopa has played Oztag for the last two seasons and won both grand finals. He has started playing basketball at school and has made us buy him a basketball hoop for home.” Coopa at 7-years-old is very determined and an extremely caring boy with a fantastic attitude towards all sports he participates in and he especially likes to give out high-fives to his team mates. Coopa spoke about winning the award and who he wants to play for in the future. “I’m very happy to win the award, I love tackling and training with my friends. I also want to play for the Cronulla Sharks when I get older,” he said. Kylie also spoke about Coopa’s development and how much enjoyment he gets from playing with his mates. “Coopa has become a very good League and Oztag player and there is no greater joy than watching your kids excel in anything they do, but we get great enjoyment watching how happy sport makes him,” she said. “He loves being on the field with his mates and gets just as much enjoyment out of when his mates score as when he scores. Even when the opposition score, Coopa claps and pats other kids on the back.” We would like to congratulate Coopa on his award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue his incredible dedication and sportsmanship in all sports.

Contact Michelle for

Pre-Planning & Pre-Paid Funerals Michelle Latham 1300 HEVNLY ( 1300 438 659 ) michelle@heavenlycelebrations.com.au

PH: 9623 6656 MOBILE: 0418 250 242 Office address: 196 Queen Street, ST. MARYS ( Directly Opposite Library )