Federal Member for McMahon Phone (02) 9604 0710
chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au FEBRUARY 2018
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St Clair Erskine Park
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Ph: 9834 2966 Em: mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au
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ISSUE 29
Active kids Read about the NSW Government’s $100 rebate on p9
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St Clair Junior Rugby League Club PLAYERS REQUIRED Under 6’s (can play when 4 years old) up to A Grade LOOKING TO FIELD GIRLS SIDES FROM UNDER 6’s UPWARDS 2018 Registration Information Days Saturday Players ONLY pick up your gear at Peppertree Reserve (Cnr Peppertree & Swallow Drive, Erskine Park) Saturday 17th, Sunday 18th Feb and Sunday 25th Feb 10.00am to 3.00pm
ALL REGISTRATIONS AND PAYMENTS ARE NOW ON LINE from the 1st Feb 2018. Go to playnrl.com/register and press Play. You are able to utilize your $100 Active Kids Voucher. Training starts the week of 5th Feb. All players welcome. See web page for times and details. For Further Enquiries please contact: Registrar: Michael Zammit : Mobile 0412 531 935 Email – mzammo@outlook.com.au Secretary: Bill Borg : Mobile 0425 226 683 Email - bill@stclairjrlc.org.au More details on the web page www.stclaircomets.com.au All NEW players will need to show a copy of a Birth Certificate or Passport. FREE SHORTS, SOCKS & HIRT WHEN REGISTRATION FEES PAID
A Grade and C Grade training on Tuesday and Thursday 6.30pm at Solander Drive St Clair
New Year centenary birthday By Keegan Thomson
Dulcie Green, a St Clair local, celebrated her 100th birthday on New Years Day, 2018. She was joined by family and friends for this special occasion. Carol Volkiene, Dulcie’s niece, describes her aunt as a very strong and loving woman. “She is very loving but in a disciplined way,” Ms Volkiene said. “I would say she has a very black and white idea about what is right and wrong and what is expected, although she is soft around the edges. “You can tell her anything and she’ll always give you her opinion on anything, even if you don’t want it,” she joked. During World War Two, Mrs Green worked at the Munitions Filling Factory. She met and married Ron Green soon after that and had two sons, Paul and John.
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Paul Green, Mrs Green’s son, said her birthday was “a milestone in anyones language.” “My mum isn’t somebody who likes to be fussed over but this is a massive achievement,” Mr Green said. “Even though she’s 100 she still has a lot going on in her head. She’s still very switched on.” The family lived in Saddington Street for approximately 40 years. Mrs Green now resides in St Clair with her younger son John. Her family boast about Mrs Green’s skills as a wonderful homemaker and she is renowned for her morning teas, which her family still enjoy on a regular basis.
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is proudly brought to you by the Nepean News team. To contact the team call: Office:
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Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644
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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
From the Editor’s Desk
by Kerrie Davies
Last month somebody thought it would be a good idea to plant a pig’s head in the orange light position in the traffic lights at the corner of Banks Drive and Mamre Road. It was a little hard to make out until you got up close, with many motorists scratching their heads trying to work out what it was. The head was there for a number of days, during some of our hottest weather, so you can imagine the stench if you walked past it or under it as I did to snap a picture. We posted it on facebook, and once it was put on our Nepean News site it went a little viral, with thousands of shares and comments. Police have now removed it.
Greg DAVIES East Ward Councillor
Deputy Mayor
Phone 0419 177 259
Phone 0417 365 313
Penrith City Council
East Ward Councillor
Ben PRICE
Phone 0417 762 219 todd.carney@penrith.city
Phone 0410 601 343 E: ben.price@penrith.city
Penrith City Council
Penrith City Council
Todd CARNEY
East Ward Councillor
Babies and kids to get free flu jabs
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By Keegan Thomson
Children aged between six months and five years will be given free influenza vaccinations from the NSW government in an attempt to curb the number of kids struck down by the annual flu season. Last year there were more than 12,000 reported cases of the deadly strain of the flu in NSW, which claimed the lives of nearly 750 people across the country. $3.5 million will be invested in the vaccination program, following last year’s severe flu season, which will include free vaccines for the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Mulgoa MP and the Minister for Mental Health, Women, and Ageing, Tanya Davies said local families will be able to tackle the 2018 flu season with confidence after they receive their vaccines. “Last year our community, like many in NSW, was hit hard by the flu season,” Mrs Davies said. “Today’s announcement means more than 400,000 children across the state are eligible to receive better protection not only for them, but also for their families and the wider community.” School children, particularly young children, are most susceptible to the flu so the vaccines will help curb the numbers of sick children being admitted to hospitals and GPs across the flu season. “Little kids are also most likely to spread the flu so a free flu jab will not only keep them safe, but will protect others they come into contact with,” Mrs Davies said. “We all know how horrendous the flu can be and this is especially hard on the smallest members of our families.” Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said NSW childhood vaccination rates had increased by 6.3 per cent since 2010, to 93.9 per cent in 2017. With this new program the vaccination rates will surely rise in 2018. “We already have the some of the best childhood
vaccination rates in the country and this free flu jab will go even further to protect our little ones from potentially deadly flu infections,” Mr Hazzard said. “Infants and young children are most likely to spread the flu and suffer complications – not only will the free flu jab help keep them safe during winter, but it will also protect their family and friends.” Families are being told about the specifics of the vaccinations, with children who have never had a flu vaccination needing two doses, one month apart. The 2018 flu jabs will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains, which are likely to be circulating this winter. Currently the same strain of flu that devastated Australia in 2017, dubbed the “Aussie Flu”, is killing hundreds of people in the US and UK. Some British newspaper are reporting 100,000 confirmed cases of the serious disease. In Australia, last year’s flu season was the most severe in NSW since the 2009 pandemic. The federal government currently provides free flu vaccinations to Aboriginal children, those with chronic illnesses and people aged over 65.
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POLICE FILES
Two youths arrested
Teen injured during fight at St Clair home
Two youths have been arrested after a fire was deliberately lit in Erskine Park last month. About 10.20am on Monday 22 January, police will allege two boys deliberately set fire to bushland near Warbler Street, Erskine Park. The fire was extinguished before it caused damage to any property. No one was injured. Police from Nepean Police Area Command attended and arrested the two youths. The teenagers, both aged 13, will be dealt with under the Youth Offenders Act. A total fire ban was in place for the Greater Sydney area at the time and through most of January.
Inquiries are continuing after a teenage boy was injured as a result of a fight last month. Just after 5am on Sunday 21 January, police were called to a house on Jorgensen Avenue near the intersection of Barralier Way, St Clair. There had been reports of a number of people fighting in the front yard. However, they had fled the area by the time police arrived. Police found a 16-year-old boy with a cut to his arm and a minor facial graze at the scene. The teenager was receiving further treatment at Westmead Hospital. It is understood there had been a party at the address and a number of gate crashers attended.
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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS OAM for our Ted By Kerrie Davies
Many residents may recognise the smiling face of Ted Fish, from the St Marys Vietnam Vets Outpost. When the Australia Day honours were announced for the Medal of the Order of Australia in the general division, there was our Ted, who’ll now have the letters OAM attached to his name. The credentials read like this: Mr Albert Edward FISH, Erskine Park. For service to veterans and their families. Service includes: Returned and Services League of Australia: Honorary Treasurer, St Mary’s Sub-Branch, since 2004. Trustee, since 2003. Secretary, 1 year. Vice-President, 1 year. Life Member, 2015 Treasurer, RSL Youth Club, current. Volunteer, Governor King Day Club, current. St Mary’s RSL Women’s Auxiliary: Auditor, Financial Advisor, Minutes Secretary and casual bus driver, current. Member, since 1997. Treasurer, St Mary’s Outpost, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, current. Worshipful Master, Burwood Masonic Lodge, for many years and Board Member, for many years. Congratulations Ted!!
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Free cash for ‘Active Kids’
By Keegan Thomson
PARENTS of school children across western Sydney are being encouraged to take advantage of the $100 Active Kids rebate for sporting and fitness related costs. The program, which is not means tested, launched this week with Premier Gladys Berejiklian visiting western Sydney with Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres. “This is a fantastic boost for parents because we know the cost of kids’ sport and activities can really add up. Active Kids is one of the ways the NSW Government is easing cost of living pressures on families,” Ms Berejikilan said. The $100 rebate can be claimed back through the Service NSW website and can be used for almost every physical sport in NSW including outdoor social activities like Girl Guides and Scouts. Clubs also need to be registered as an Active Kids provider through the NSW government so it can be determined if the club meets the appropriate requirements. Minister for Sport says there has been a massive take up in the number of clubs registering for the program. “We’ve had over 40 state sporting organisations bulk upload and register into the scheme, that represents over 7,000 clubs an associations from today,” Mr Ayres said. The Premier boasted she was extremely excited to have so many clubs already signing up and hopes many more continue in get involved. “I’m thrilled that so many sporting organisations
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have already jumped on board,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Thousands of clubs in local communities have already gone out there and are interacting with parents and I’m thrilled with the response we’ve had.” According to the Minister, sports not included in the Active Kids scheme include low energy physical activities like static shooting or billiards. “Ultimately what we want this scheme to do is lower the cost so more children are out moving, getting their heart rate up and making sure they are healthy,” Mr Ayres said. “Through Active Kids, we want to make sport more affordable and continue our target of reducing childhood obesity rates by five per cent over 10 years,” he said. Across the next four years $207 million has been set aside for the Active Kids program, but the Premier and Minister for Sports say if more children sign up, and the cost is blown out, they’ll be happy to cover the costs. The Minister for Sport even laid himself a challenge. “If we get to 100 percent I’ll be the Sports Minister doing cartwheels with the kids,” Mr Ayres said. “If we have every child sign up across the state I will be more than happy to have us spending more money, putting more money into the pockets,” he said. Some 810,000 thousand children across NSW will now be eligible for the $100 rebate. Families can apply via the website https://sport.nsw.gov.au/ sectordevelopment/activekids.
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Annual student exchange
Local students aged between 15 and 19 have the opportunity to travel to Penrith’s sister city Fujieda and live with a Japanese family for three weeks. They will experience Japanese culture, learn about the Japanese way of life and share their Australia with a Japanese student in return. In conjunction with Penrith Council, the Penrith International Friendship Committee has been successfully running this annual exchange program for 30 years and has facilitated the exchange of over 240 students from Australia and Japan. Past students report that the exchange was a life changing experience and they have made strong friendships that continue long after the exchange. When in Japan, students will attend school with their host, travel to shrines and temples and go on an excursion to Hiroshima. When the Japanese students are in Penrith, the Penrith International Friendship Committee arrange an exciting itinerary that takes students to many interesting places in Penrith, Sydney and Canberra. They also visit the school of their host brother/sister for a few days.
Students participating in Penrith’s Student Exchange.
An information session will be held on Wednesday 21 March from 7pm at the Penrith Civic Centre. Contact Stephanie Loobeek Wood 4732 8258, stephanie.wood@penrith.city if you would like further information. Applications: Applicants must live and/or go to school in Penrith. Forms can be mailed out or downloaded from the webpage: www.penrithcity. nsw.gov.au/Student-Exchange. Applications close 4pm Friday 20 April 2018. Approximate cost: $2,500
New program
NSW training awards: nominations have opened
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By Keegan Thomson
Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies MP has urged employers and trainers in Mulgoa to nominate outstanding local apprentices, trainees and organisations for the 2018 NSW Training Awards. Tanya Davies said nominations for the regional round of the NSW Training Awards opened on Monday, 15 January 2018 and will close on 16 March 2018. “The NSW Training Awards are a chance to recognise and congratulate the best apprentices, trainees and teachers in our Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector,” Tanya Davies said. “I know we have many deserving candidates so I urge employers and VET trainers to step forward and nominate an individual or organisation for an award. This is a chance to show your pride in their efforts and your commitment to their training.” Once nominations close, they will be assessed and regional award winners will be announced in June. Winners will then represent our region at the State Finals in September where they will have a chance to be named among NSW’s best. “State winners will compete for NSW for national honours at the Australian Training Awards in November,” Tanya Davies said. VET students can be nominated if they have completed or are due to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship between 1 October 2017 and 30 September 2018. Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills John Barilaro said the awards are a great way to celebrate the hard-working apprentices, trainees and employers in Mulgoa.
“As a university drop-out and tradie myself, I want us to do everything we can to recognise and celebrate our apprentices, and promote the benefits of Vocational Education and Training,” Mr Barilaro said. “Last year we received a record number of nominations for the awards, which is a great sign that more and more students, parents and employers in NSW are realising the value of VET. “I want people to know that university isn’t your only option to achieve a rewarding and well-paid career. Our VET sector offers high-quality and affordable training, including in nine out of the 10 occupations predicted to have the highest jobs growth over the next five years, like healthcare, biotech, cyber security, agriculture, ICT and tourism,” he said. Lodge nominations now for the 2018 NSW Training Awards at https://www.training.nsw.gov. au/training_awards/.
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Time to ‘think outside the sandwich’
The task of creating a healthy school lunch is now easier for Greater Western Sydney parents with the launch of Cancer Council NSW Healthy Lunch Box website healthylunchbox. com.au The website includes recipes, ideas and tips – and also features an interactive lunch box builder that enables parents and children to plan a healthy lunch box at home, or on the move with their smartphone or tablet. The Healthy Lunch Box website shows parents how easy it can be to add more fruit and veg and pack a lunch box their children will love to eat. Western Sydney mother of two Esther Chaise said the website helped her prepare simple yet healthy meals for her son and daughter, who attend Primary School. “It’s really informative. It teaches you the importance of not making meals too complex and gives you some great and simple recipes to try,” she said. “I really liked that the Healthy Lunch Box website encourages you to take the children and get their input when you’re shopping for meals.” The website launch is part of Cancer Council’s Eat It To Beat It program, which runs free sessions and workshops across Greater Western Sydney for parents of primary aged school children. “I loved that it educated me on the basics,” Winmalee mother Clare Mullins said. “I found the website really useful. I like how they have a lunchbox set out with a meal and you can then click on a link, which takes you through to the recipe. “They’re easy recipes with some great variety. It makes you think outside the sandwich.” The Healthy Lunch Box website helps parents understand why fruit and vegetables are so important. Just seven per cent of NSW children eat enough vegetables and 22 per cent of children are overweight or obese. “Alarmingly, in South Western Sydney, 97 per cent of adults don’t eat enough vegetables, while 51 per cent don’t eat enough fruit,” Cancer Council NSW Greater Western Sydney Regional Nutrition Project Officer Kate Sewell said. “In Western Sydney, 43 per cent of adults are eating enough fruit, while four per cent are eating enough vegetables and in the Nepean Blue Mountains, 49 per cent of adults are eating enough fruit and eight per cent are eating enough
vegetables. It’s a great start and we’re here to help boost intakes even higher.” One in three cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating well, being active and maintaining a healthy weight. “As parents we teach our children how to cross the road or how to play football from a young age. We prepare them for when they grow up to keep them safe,” Werrington mother of two Rekha Roy said. “But when it comes to food, too often it’s all about convenience. The great thing about the Healthy Lunch Box website is it tells you what children should eat, not what they shouldn’t eat. “It’s really easy and the message is very clear.” Winmalee father of two Steven Fensom said preparing meals for your children could be a challenge. “Getting kids to eat anything can sometimes be a real battle,” he said. “What I love about the Healthy Lunch Box website is that the meals are not too confronting, for you or your children.” Ms Sewell said parents wanted quick and easy access to healthy recipes and inspiration on how to vary lunch box content. “Parents want to ensure they are providing their kids with the energy and nutrients they need to learn and play,” she said. “With one child eating about 2500 lunches throughout their years at school, for many parents packing lunch boxes can be a chore, especially when it comes to getting kids enthusiastic about healthy options such as fruit and vegetables.” The website has been supported through the ongoing generosity of Outrun Cancer www. outruncancer.com and the community. Visit healthylunchbox.com.au and pack a tasty healthy lunch box today.
Formidable Fleas!!!
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By Dr Richard Miller
Because of the warm weather conditions, along with a bit of humidity, we seem to be having a particularly bad year for fleas. For the first time ever, in over 20 years here, we actually saw a critically anaemic 25Kg dog because it had so many fleas, each drinking a bit of its blood every day. Without an urgent blood transfusion, it wouldn’t have survived another day!! I also saw a dog with so many fleas on its back, they were a writhing mass, side by side so I couldn’t see the skin! Fleas are nasty, prolific little blood sucking parasites. A single female can lay 2000 eggs and 2000 can lay 4 million. This gives you an idea of their potential once they get on your pet. Cats tend to be the carriers and the ones that pick them up on their travels then bring them home. Cats often don’t itch and some dogs don’t either so it can be hard to tell they have fleas without looking…the lower back is the best place to look and black gritty stuff that stains damp white tissues a reddy-brown Mamre ROAd
Veterinary Surgery
can be your clue even if you don’t see a flea. Some dogs are highly sensitive to even 1 or 2 fleas and will rub, scratch or gnaw their skin until red raw because ‘sore is better than itch’. Any doing this to their lower back, fleas are prime suspect. Nowadays there is a range of excellent products to kill fleas, and most importantly, break the flea’s life cycle. For advice regarding fleas or flea products, please feel free to give as a call.
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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS Local champions honoured by
By Keegan Thomson
L
OCAL champions, community groups and charity organisations have been given top appreciation awards from Penrith Council as a part of their annual Australia Day celebrations. Penrith Council described these organisations and individuals as people who work “tirelessly for the local community”. The North St Marys Matters project The team behind the North St Marys Matters project was given a Penrith Community Group award for their hard work in promoting the neighbourhood of North St Marys. Local residents began holding monthly community meetings over 12 months ago and now meet regularly with local organisations and Council staff to discuss the priorities and ideas they have to build a brighter future for their community. Team Colyton Team Colyton is a group of Colyton residents who work together to improve the neighbourhood they live in. Their aims are simple, promote and make Colyton a better place for people. Since August 2015, residents in Team Colyton have been working together to deliver this vision on a voluntary basis. The group has planned and
delivered a significant number of projects, actions, and events aimed at making Colyton a better place for everyone. Each resident’s passion for and commitment to their neighbourhood is remarkable. OZWAC OZWAC was given a Penrith Community Organisation Award for the ground breaking medical research they undertake. The foundation was established in Penrith in 1992, to provide research grants for local doctors, nurses, scientists and researchers at Nepean Hospital in the area of women and children’s health, and in particular the health of premature babies. They have provided specialised ultrasound equipment that has assisted in cutting edge research and improved access for physicians. They have also funded a blood gas machine for Nepean Hospital, that is used for every new born. Nicole Bridges Nicole Bridges was given a local appreciation award from Council for her inspiring volunteer work with the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). Ms Bridges has worked for the ABA for over 15 years and has held a number of positions including local group leader, NSW PR Officer and is now ACT/NSW brand president, all while juggling
AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS Penrith Australia Day nods
being a mum to three beautiful children. She has also spent over a decade working as a qualified volunteer breastfeeding counsellor on the 24/7 hotline mum2mum. Her work for others has been tireless, and her help to local families has been invaluable. David Hancock David Hancock received a local appreciation award for his “generous, flexible and committed” volunteer work with Nepean Food Services. Mr Hancock assists by delivering meals to seniors in their homes on a regular basis and often saves the day by completing extra deliveries at late notice. He is also a valuable team member in the packing and distribution of meals, and always completes his duties with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. David creates a positive atmosphere and is an asset to the Nepean Food Services and his community. Myra Rodgers Myra Rodgers was given a local appreciation award is a reliable and dedicated volunteer for Nepean Food Services’ hot run service. According to Council, Ms Rodgers delivers meals and stays to heat the meal and help the person begin eating. “This is often invaluable as many people who use the service need extra assistance to
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remember to eat their lunch or require additional support measures to ensure they can eat safely and with comfort,” Council says. The hot run service also offers people the opportunity to share any general concerns they have and Myra always provides support in a caring and professional way. Ms Rodgers is the go to person, often stepping in at the last minute to help, and providing quality support to everyone she meets. Jim Riley Jim Riley was awarded a local appreciation award for his service to the Nepean Food Services as well. Council says he gives up more than 20 hours each week to volunteer in a jack-of-all-trades type job. His patience and relaxed manner are integral to the way he supports other volunteers in the delivery of these vital services. Mr Riley is often seen packing meals and steps in to deliver them when needed, Council said. He goes above and beyond, providing additional service to those with special requirements, and always with a smile. St Clair and Erskine Park News would like to congratulate all the winners of the 2018 Penrith Australia Day awards.