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Western News PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Friday, 1 May 2020

ISSUE 108

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Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

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Students to transition back to the classroom By KeRRIE DAVIES

SW school students will gradually transition back to the classroom during Term 2 as the Government continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell outlined the plan for students attending NSW public schools to progressively return to face-to-face learning in week three of Term 2. Ms Berejiklian said health advice continues to be that schools remain open, and parents, teachers and students can be confident that school is safe place. “We are grateful to all families who kept their children home from school at the end of Term 1 and to teachers who worked tirelessly to deliver education online,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This allowed us critical time to prepare our schools to develop better online learning options and for considering additional hygiene measures to allow schools to return. “We know that nothing is more important than a child’s education, and we must begin to return our students to their classrooms in a considered way. “Under these changes, from week three of Term 2, every student will be attending school for one day a week. “We will look to increase the number of days students are at school in a staged way and hope to have all children back at school full-time by

Term 3. “I’d like to thank the Catholic and Independent schools for working with the NSW Government at this time, as well as staff, including teachers, principals and cleaners, for working so hard to prepare for a resumption of school. “I’d also like to thank parents for what has been a tough month, often juggling working from home and caring for children. We hope the partial resumption of on campus learning will provide some much needed relief to those families.” During the first stage of on-campus learning, parents will be encouraged to keep their children home except on their allocated day of face-to-face learning. Initially, about a quarter of a school’s students are expected to be on site at any one time. The specific days students will be required to attend school each week will vary from school to school and will be clearly communicated to parents. Classes will be split across schools,

allowing schools to appropriately social distance students and teachers. As always, schools will remain open for students who need them and no child will be turned away from school. Ms Mitchell said careful consideration had been given to support the school community, providing clarity and certainty on the path forward. “This plan provides a clear path that balances community concerns with a need to deliver continuity of quality education,” Ms Mitchell said. “Hand sanitiser will be available in all classrooms and provisions are in place for at-risk teachers to work from home. Drop off, pick up, recess and lunchtimes will also be staggered to ensure social distancing.” In addition to the staged return to school, the NSW Government has committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our casual and temporary teachers and other non-teaching staff across NSW schools are critical to our education system, and will help ensure the educational outcomes for our students during this staged return,” Ms Mitchell said. A cross-sector working group of teachers will also be established to report back to the Minister on recent innovations and educational developments assembled during the COVID-19 period that are suitable to support future educational delivery. “It’s important that we have an inventory of the cutting edge teaching solutions and recognise the best efforts of our amazing NSW teachers during a difficult time,” Ms Mitchell said. Teachers will have an additional day to prepare for Term 2 on Tuesday 28 April making the first day of term for students Wednesday 29 April. Shadow Minister for Education, Londonderry MP Prue Car said the government’s messages over the last few weeks had been confusing for parents and teachers and said more clarity was needed. “We all know that we have to get our children safely back in front of their teachers so they can get the quality education they deserve,” Ms Car said. “But instead of providing clear direction, the Premier has put the pressure on school principals and teachers to work out how they will get through this logistical nightmare. “Confusion has been the hallmark of this Government when it comes to the education response to COVID-19.”

Free preschool for up to six months Parents in NSW will not have to pay preschool fees for up to six months thanks to a $51 million funding package announced by the NSW Government. The NSW Government has also committed up to $82 million to support 260 council childcare centres who are not eligible for the JobKeeper payments. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said preschools and early childhood educators are vital to the community, and it is important parents continue to have access to childcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Parents are under a lot of pressure at the moment and it’s crucial for them to continue to have access to childcare, particularly those working on the frontline during this crisis,” Ms Berejiklian said. “This will also provide funding certainty during an unpredictable time, ensuring preschool teachers and educators can be confident they will remain employed.

“This will provide financial relief to families during the pandemic and ensure childcare centres remain viable into the future.” The funding will be available to 700 State-funded community preschools and 38 mobile services that provide care to 45,000 three to five year olds.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the recently announced Working for NSW Fund would contribute towards the state’s community preschools. “This fund was set up to keep people in jobs and by supporting the sector, we’re ensuring the future of these early childhood services beyond

this health crisis. “It will also ease cost-of-living pressures on families in these tough times.” Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the funding means community preschools and council childcare centres would be required to remain open, unless they are closed on health advice. “Preschools and council childcare centres will now have the peace of mind that they will be financially viable, and parents will benefit from the relief of not having to pay any fees,” Ms Mitchell said. “Families and children can now also be assured that their preschool service will continue to operate, providing some familiarity for them during these trying times.” This funding is on top of the NSW Government’s commitment to maintain Start Strong funding for preschools based on service enrolments before COVID-19.

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p to 200,000 licence holders operating across the trades and construction sectors will not have to pay up to $50 million worth of licence fees, thanks to the NSW Government. Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the licence fee waivers were a crucial part of the NSW Government’s first economic stimulus package. “These fee waivers will deliver much-needed relief for small businesses, at a time when cash flow is crucial,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Up to 200,000 licence holders will benefit from this fee relief package over the next 12 months. It is the least we can do to support these businesses and their staff through this challenging time.” The measures will deliver close to $50 million worth of fee waivers to tradies for 12 months. Mr Dominello said the measures would help businesses during one of the hardest

economic challenges in our lifetime. “These measures put business and workers first so they can continue to be the lifeblood for their communities across the State,” Mr Dominello said. “We’re going to help them withstand this storm, so they can hit the ground

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running later.” Mr Tudehope said the NSW Government was focused on keeping businesses in business and as many people as possible in jobs. “Our number one priority is the health and safety of the community, but this is a dual challenge and we

need to do everything we can to ensure the NSW economy emerges with a strong beating heart,” Mr Tudehope said. “Whether it’s a local café, restaurant, indoor sporting venue, gym or club, we want to ensure they have every chance to continue to support our communities. While it seems a long way off now this will pass and we don’t want any road blocks for people.” This announcement follows the first set of fee waivers which have started to come into effect, including $19.5 million in state-based fee relief for industries. It gives eligible businesses in the entertainment and hospitality sectors access to a 12-month waiver on liquor licences and certain SafeWork NSW and NSW Fair Trading fees and charges. To date, the NSW Government has provided more than $8 billion in response to COVID-19 to support the NSW healthcare system and keep people in jobs. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au.

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Slashed licence fees a help for businesses

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

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

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Western News

From the Editor’s Desk By KeRRIE DAVIES

Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 General Manager: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sales: Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Sports Journalist: Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Sports Journalist: Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Graphic Design: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Web: www.wsnewsgroup.com

Western 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.

The COVIDSafe app is now ready to download. The entire focus of the app is to be able to trace contact with positive cases quickly. It is not so that the government can spy on you.

Vineyard Riverstone Rouse hill Marsden Park Kellyville Ridge

Schofields Shanes Park Colebee

Ropes Crossing

Quakers Hill

Hassall Grove

St Marys

Dean Park Glendenning

Emerton

Plumpton

Stanhope Gardens Parklea

Kings Park Marayong

Woodcroft

Kings Langley Lalor Park

Mt Druitt Rooty Hill Minchinbury

Blacktown

Seven Hills

Arndell Park Toongabbie

Eastern Creek

Prospect

ith most restrictions still in place, it does appear that we are doing a great job as a country in tackling this pandemic. And with that, some hope of returning to normalcy is starting to

But let’s not dive in too quick - a combined effort is needed to keep this thing under control. Sadly through the infected nursing homes and cruise ships we’ve seen how one case quickly multiplies to dozens and hundreds.

Letters to the Editor: nepeannews@aol.com

Distribution Map

materialise.

COVIDSafe app now ready to download

There are lots of people saying ‘no way’ to taking part in this. But it is interesting to see where most of the noise is coming from.. you got it, facebook. You know, that place where people display their birthday, where they live, where they go, who they see and even what they eat. Here’s a newsflash from Captain Obvious: the government can also access facebook. If they had any interest in tracking what you’re up to they’ve probably already done so. So let’s be sensible about this. We all want this thing to get under control. The government needs approximately 40 per cent of the people to download the app for it to be effective, and I’ll be one person who’ll contribute towards that percentage.

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Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Blacktown Leisure Centres donate to Foodbank

lacktown City Council closed its aquatic and leisure centres to the public last month as a consequence of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. The closures left the food and drink outlets at the venues with a stock of food items and rather than it going to waste Council looked for opportunities to help those in need in the community. Staff from Blacktown Aquatic Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope, Riverstone Swimming Centre and Mount Druitt Swim Centre organised for their perishable food items to be sent to Foodbank Australia at Glendenning. Foodbank teams up with local charities to supply vital relief programs such as community pantries, dining halls, mobile soup vans, emergency hampers and breakfast or lunch programs in schools. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “Year in year out our friends at Foodbank do a fantastic job of feeding the vulnerable in our community. “Now more than ever people need help and seeing this food go to where it is needed is something Council was more than happy to be involved in.”

Foodbank’s Natalie Nugara with George Nicolaides from Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope at the Foodbank warehouse in Glendenning.

The range of non-perishables items donated included fresh vegetables, fruits, breads, frozen foods, biscuits and drinks.

Michael Vassili

Barristers and Solicitors Family Law – Criminal Law – Civil Law All Litigation in All Courts throughout Australia

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Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

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Western News

$25 million research fund to tackle COVID-19

estmead Health Precinct will share in a $25 million funding injection from the NSW Government to fasttrack statewide research and clinical trials to tackle the global COVID-19 pandemic and reduce its impact on the community. The Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) and the Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research (ICPMR) at Westmead Hospital are among the leading research bodies investigating this new disease. ICMPR Westmead was the first lab in Australia to develop a blood antibody test to help track the spread of COVID-19, and WIMR researchers are identifying biomarkers that will help doctors identify which patients will fall critically ill. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the $25 million boost is part of about $800 million in extra health funding by the NSW Government to bolster the health system. “Already researchers in NSW have made huge inroads to improve diagnostics and potentially aid the eventual creation of a vaccine by growing the novel coronavirus,” Mr Hazzard said. “The $25 million funding boost will further assist the collaborative research efforts of clinicians, universities and research hubs with crucial roles in the NSW COVID-19 response”. The funding will be directed to research focused on: • accurate and timely diagnosis of COVID-19; • support conducting COVID-19 clinical trials including vaccine trials;

An artist’s impression of part of Westmead Health Precinct, featuring Westmead Hospital, the yet-to-be-open Central Acute Services Building, and Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

• monitoring, developing and evaluating strategies to slow community transmission; • developing and evaluating treatments for COVID-19; • preventing the need for intensive medical care; and • minimising the impact of physical and psychological trauma on the community. The $25 million is on top of $108 million already invested in medical research in 2019-2020 and will help ensure all research findings on COVID-19 can be implemented rapidly.

Help deliver happiness This Starlight Day, Friday 1 May, Starlight Children’s Foundation needs your help to raise $1.3 million to deliver happiness to more than 33,000 seriously ill and hospitalised children both locally and around Australia. As Starlight’s biggest national fundraising event, Starlight Day aims to raise much-needed funds to support sick kids through its hospital services - the Starlight Express Room and Captain Starlight. With a Starlight Express Room in every children’s hospital in Australia and over 180 Captain Starlights nationally, every child admitted to hospital, regardless of their illness or injury, can access these vital services with their family. CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation, Louise Baxter, said: “Happiness is critical to a sick child’s development and to building resilience. The work Starlight does to support sick kids in every children’s hospital nationally is only made possible through the community, who we rely on for support. “Being seriously ill shouldn’t mean missing out on the fun of childhood, especially when evidence shows happiness helps kids bounce back after going through tough times.” “While health professionals treat the serious illness, Starlight, through its hospital services (Captain Starlight and the Starlight Express Room) is there to deliver fun to sick kids and their families when they need it most.” Anyone can make a donation today on the Starlight Day website, with all donations made before midnight AEST Friday 1 May generously doubled by Starlight’s corporate partners. To donate today, please visit starlightday.org.au.

The extra funding will also support clinician-led research into the COVID-19 impacts on the healthcare workforce, vulnerable populations and regional, rural and remote communities. Professor Anthony Kelleher, Director of the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, said the institute is leading several research projects on COVID-19, including developing an antiviral therapy. “The infectious disease expertise within the NSW medical research sector is truly world class, and we are eager to turn this investment

into research that will transform this pandemic and ultimately save lives,” Professor Kelleher said. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: “This funding will go a long way to progressing urgent research to minimise the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in NSW.” Spanning 75 hectares, the Westmead Health Precinct includes four major hospitals, three worldleading medical research institutes, two university campuses and the largest research intensive pathology service in NSW.

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ig hair, lycra, dance music on cassette and Star Wars was on the big screen in the cinemas. That was the way things were when the first nurses commenced training at Westmead Hospital, known as the ‘West Metropolitan Group of Nursing Class’. On 3 March in 1980 a group of 223 students embarked on a lifetime journey and career in nursing. Before the COVID-19 social distancing and restrictions were in place, this group of 80’s nurses returned to the facility where their nurses careers began. Two nurses from this group still work at Westmead Hospital to this day: Sharon Fowler and Rosemary Gainsford. Sharon started in the high dependency surgical ward, moved into intensive care and then cardiothoracic intensive care, which has become her second home – even after getting married and having five children. “I still really enjoy going to work, feeling productive and looking for new challenges,” Sharon said. “The cardiothoracic intensive care unit is a specialised unit where patients are cared for heart related conditions. This unit has been through many evolutions, including many moves over the years and now

The 1980’s West Metropolitan Group of Nursing Class return to Westmead before the COVID-19 social distancing and isolation measures were in place.

into a brand new ward D3e.” Kerry Rouse worked at Westmead from 1980 until 2005 in many roles including Emergency Department registered nurse, nursing roster manager (now called the Nursing Support Unit), Gynaecology Inpatient Unit nursing unit manager and nurse planner. She’s currently a health facility planning consultant and has been involved with the new Central Acute Services Building, and is now working with the Children’s Hospital at Westmead stage 2 capital works. “When we first started working at Westmead Hospital it was a worldclass, brand new building in Western

Sydney with new wards, a new design, technology and colour schemes,” Kerry said. “We have seen the transformation over the years from the old and new

– it’s totally amazing. “We walked through the Westmead Education and Conference Centre, which used to be the old staff cafeteria and dining room, and couldn’t believe it was the same space.” Kerry said the tour brought back many memories and the group was excited to see how Westmead Hospital directly links to research institutes, the children’s hospital and soon the new building. “We were all very pleased to have had the opportunity to tour our old facility and see the future of healthcare in Western Sydney, which we were proud to be part of such a long time ago,” Kerry said. For information about the Westmead Hospital Redevelopment, go to www.westmeadproject.health.

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Nostalgic return to Westmead for 80’s nurses

nsw.gov.au

Class of 80’s nursing group return to Westmead Hospital where their careers began.

www.knownforlounges.com

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

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Western News

New government app ready for downloading

he COVIDSafe app is part of the government’s work to slow the spread of COVID-19. Having confidence we can find and contain outbreaks quickly will mean governments can ease restrictions while still keeping Australians safe. The new COVIDSafe app is completely voluntary. Downloading the app is something you can do to protect you, your family and friends and save the lives of other Australians. The more Australians connect to the COVIDSafe app, the quicker we can find the virus. What COVIDSafe is for The COVIDSafe app helps find close contacts of COVID-19 cases. The app helps state and territory health officials to quickly contact people who may have been exposed to COVID-19. The COVIDSafe app speeds up the current manual process of finding people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19. This means you’ll be contacted more quickly if you are at risk. This reduces the chances of you passing on the virus to your family, friends and other people in the community. State and territory health officials can only access app information if someone tests positive and agrees

to the information in their phone being uploaded. The health officials can only use the app information to help alert those who may need to quarantine or get tested. The COVIDSafe app is the only contact trace app approved by the Australian Government. How COVIDSafe works When you download the app you provide your name, mobile number, and postcode and select your age range (see Privacy). You will receive a confirmation SMS text message to complete installation. The system then creates a unique encrypted reference code just for you. COVIDSafe recognises other devices with the COVIDSafe app installed and Bluetooth enabled. When the app recognises another user, it notes the date, time, distance and duration of the contact and the other user’s reference code. The COVIDSafe app does not collect your location. To be effective, you should have the COVIDSafe app running as you go about your daily business and come into contact with people. Users will receive daily notifications to ensure the COVIDSafe app is running. The information is encrypted and that encrypted identifier is stored

securely on your phone. Not even you can access it. The contact information stored in people’s mobiles is deleted on a 21-day rolling cycle. This period takes into account the COVID-19 incubation period and the time it takes to get tested. For more, see Privacy. When an app user tests positive for COVID-19 When someone is diagnosed with COVID-19, state and territory health officials will ask them or their parent/ guardian who they have been in contact with. If they have the COVIDSafe app and provide their permission, the encrypted contact information from the app will be uploaded to a highly secure information storage system. State and territory health officials will then: • use the contacts captured by the app to support their usual contact tracing • call people to let them or their parent/guardian know they may have been exposed • offer advice on next steps, including: - what to look out for - when, how and where to get tested - what to do to protect friends and family from exposure Health officials will not name the person who was infected.

After the pandemic At the end of the Australian COVID-19 pandemic, users will be prompted to delete the COVIDSafe app from their phone. This will delete all app information on a person’s phone. The information contained in the information storage system will also be destroyed at the end of the pandemic. Deleting the COVIDSafe app You can delete the COVIDSafe app from your phone at any time. This will delete all COVIDSafe app information from your phone. The information in the secure information storage system will not be deleted immediately. It will be destroyed at the end of the pandemic. If you would like your information deleted from the storage system sooner, you can complete our request data deletion form. Privacy Your information and privacy is strictly protected. Read the COVIDSafe Privacy Policy for details on how personal information collected in the app is handled. A Privacy Impact Assessment was commissioned to ensure that privacy risks have been addressed.

$73 million to support mental wellness during COVID-19 pandemic More than 180 mental health workers will be deployed across the state as part of a $73 million package to boost mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor recently announced the NSW Government funding boost, which will help support the mental health and wellbeing of people across the state. Ms Berejiklian said the additional mental health staff and new digital resources would ensure anyone who requires support is able to access it when they need it. “We know how challenging the past few months have been. Many people have lost their jobs and all of us have had to change the way we live,” Ms Berejiklian said. “During this time it is vital we deliver robust mental health services that fit the evolving needs of the community – this means employing more frontline workers and greater investment in remote technology.” The NSW Government’s mental health support package includes: Over 180 additional specialist, community-based mental health clinicians and peer support workers; Expanding the virtual mental health program to all local health districts; Free access to Tresillian’s digital

Photo credit: Energy Resourcing

SleepWellBaby program; Capacity for 60,000 extra calls to the 1800 NSW Mental Health Line; Creation of pop-up mental health Safe Space sites, reducing pressure on emergency departments. Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the NSW Government

measures complement the Federal Government’s mental health plan and enhance the capacity to support people in their homes rather than in hospitals and emergency departments. “The NSW Mental Health Line is staffed by specialist mental health clinicians who can provide immediate

care and expert advice and make referrals to appropriate services, with this additional funding it will now be able to take an extra 60,000 calls,” Mrs Taylor said. “In this time of extraordinary stress on the health system, we are preparing pop-up mental health Safe Space sites to divert people with mental health issues from emergency departments.” Mr Perrottet said boosting technology for vulnerable people would have an immediate positive impact. “Virtual services will connect specialist mental health clinicians with remote and at-risk populations where face-to-face service options are limited,” Mr Perrottet said. “This funding will make a real difference to so many people who will be confronting an extremely difficult period in their lives at what is an extraordinarily challenging period.” The NSW Government announced last month $6 million would be provided to Lifeline to ensure it is equipped to respond to the increased needs of the community throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The NSW Government previously announced $800 million for NSW Health to support the health system including significantly increasing capacity in NSW public hospitals, particularly within ICUs.

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lacktown City Council has delivered a balanced 2020/21 draft budget but warns that adjustments will have to be made in the coming months due to the impact of COVID-19. Council has adopted a draft budget of $716 million for the 2020/21 financial year, including a major capital works program of more than $224 million. This represents Council’s second largest budget spend ever following the record $736 million 2019-20 budget. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said: “This budget delivers on promises made to residents and business alike. “This budget is balanced and financially responsible, and enables the continuation of the transformation of Blacktown into a modern, sustainable city despite funding shortfalls from the Federal and NSW Governments, and a NSW Government imposed income cap.” However Mayor Bleasdale warned, “Like the rest of the world, Blacktown City is living and operating under the health and economic cloud of coronavirus COVID-19. “We are acutely aware that the pandemic will have a major impact on our budget going forward. “Council staff commenced work on 2020/21 budget during 2019, long before COVID-19 became a reality. We are continuing to develop and implement short, medium and longterm responses to the pandemic. “The cost to Council of the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated at more than $2.1 million per month. “We will have to make budget adjustments in the coming months due to responses to the pandemic by Council and the Australian and NSW Governments that impact on our income and expenditure.” “We need to maximise savings and make practical cuts where we can without adversely impacting on our community and service delivery.” “However, Council is totally committed to delivering the City’s transformational projects. The Warrick Lane precinct CBD redevelopment, an International Centre of Training Excellence at the Blacktown International Sportspark and a world-class Animal Rehoming Centre will all proceed. “In addition, we will see students studying in a new Australian Catholic University campus in the Blacktown CBD in 2021 and we will continue to operate one of the state’s largest childcare programs at our 25 Kids Early Learning centres.” Speaking at Wednesday’s Council meeting, Deputy Mayor, Julie Griffiths said: “This year’s budget delivers increased spending on service delivery while at the same time maintaining high levels of spending on infrastructure to support in the

City’s rapid growth and development. “Providing vital services such as waste management, childcare, roads, footpaths, libraries and leisure centres are the cornerstone of Council’s operations. “Council is allocating nearly $25 million to our childcare centres as well as $9.9 million to our libraries that attract 1.5 million visitors each year. “Our parks are the lungs of our City. Council is spending $49.2 million on the purchase and maintenance of our City’s parks, reserves, playgrounds and sporting fields. “Council is responsible for more than 1,400 kilometres roads, 117 bridges and 1,500 kilometres of footpaths. “We are allocating $110 million in 2020/21 for construction and maintenance of roads, footpaths and bridges.” Deputy Mayor Griffiths said. “We are the largest Council in NSW with more than 395,000 residents. Council is a major employer and business in Western Sydney and we remain committed to maintaining jobs, paying our creditors, providing quality services, facilities and infrastructure for our residents and businesses.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Blacktown City Council 2020/21 Budget key points. Budget forecast spending for 2020/21 - $716 million $224 million allocated to major capital works in 2020/21 including: • $27 million towards the Western Sydney Animal Rehoming Centre • $11.5 million towards the Warrick Lane transformational project (from a total allocation to this project of $76.5 million) • $74 million for the ICTE project at the BISP (from a total allocation to this project of $100 million) • $35.6 million for the purchase of land in the new release areas to deliver essential drainage and water infrastructure • $19 million for new roadworks in the growing areas of Riverstone, Schofields, Rouse Hill and Marsden Park • $4.5 million for new drainage and stormwater in the growing areas of Riverstone, Rouse Hill and Marsden Park • $5.3 million for new open space in the growing areas of Riverstone and Schofields • $6.2 million to upgrade facilities at Council’s sporting grounds. $369 million is allocated to the ongoing provision of services,

programs and maintenance including: • $55.7 million for the operation and maintenance of waste collection and management services. • $24.7 million for the operation of Kids’ Early Learning (KEL) child care centres. • $9.9 million for the operation of 5 libraries. Our libraries attract more than 1.5 million visitors and host over 2,000 events, each year. • $21.1 million will go towards the operation of 5 Leisure Centres, the Leo Kelly Arts Centre, Blacktown, and to other community and recreational facilities. Blacktown City Key Facts. • Blacktown City has a population of more than 395,000 and is predicted to reach 569,000 in 2036. • Blacktown City has a $18.81 billion regional economy • Average economic growth rate of 4.6 % • 24,990 registered businesses supporting 143,259 local jobs • Blacktown City contains 48 suburbs • 1,466 kilometres of local and regional roads, 117 bridges and 1,500 kilometres of footpaths. • 40% of residents were born overseas • 182 languages are spoken in Blacktown City • The largest urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in NSW • Blacktown City has 262 kilometres of waterways • Council provided 33,436 trees in 2018/19 for planting. The Blacktown City Council 2020/21 draft budget and supporting documents are available for public comment on Council’s website: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au.

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Council delivers $716 million balanced budget

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

local COLUMNISTS Western News

Adventures in your own backyard

Town Hall Anzac morning By BEN CRANNEY

s I walked around after the ANZAC Day Driveways at Dawn service on the weekend, I realised that once upon a time, there would have probably been people living in my house who served in one, or both, of the World Wars. There were definitely people living in it whose lives would have been drastically changed. Maybe the change was a simple as worrying about whether someone would sign up, or how close the war would get to Australia. Or maybe they put their

time into trying to shut down our involvement. Maybe they even fought at Galipolli. Or maybe they were on the ‘other side’, and they were hounded by our society for their perceived links to the enemy. As I walked past a handful of tea lights, flickering in the empty streets, I started thinking about what other stories my suburb might tell, the ones right here that I’ve never even thought about. Some of them are hidden, even if in plain site. A couple of blocks over from me, there’s an old Salvation Army hall. Built in 1916, it most definitely would have had people passing

Magee in the Inner West

through after returning from the war, or maybe looking for a bit of comfort before going. But today, it’s a private residence, so while it stands grandly on the street corner, there’s not much readily available knowledge about the people who the Salvos would have served there. Close to me is an old hatter’s factory, where teams of women used to sit over sewing machines and make hats, according to the owner. He now uses it as his art studio. He has stiff competition, because just next to it is mural by Fintan Magee. Magee has done giant murals all over the world,

Murder mystery

including one as part of Victoria’s silo art trail, so any person struck by this one enough to look him up is instantly connected to the world. There was also a Cottee’s jam factory, the first Australian factory to make licensed Disney merchandise, and the Cyclops Toy factory, the company responsible for the first mass produced Australian car, even if it was a toy pedal car. It’s a funny thing, because while there’s obviously a lot of history in the suburb, and lots of stories, they do seem to be hidden but now’s a great time to discover them.

By Tiffany Pascoe

Alone in the End Series 1, Episode 2

Mitch hung up the phone. In the short minutes it took for Ted and his team to arrive he took a quick look at the body. He peered at the bloated face and thought he recognised its owner. He saw that the mouth was stuffed with something. He heard car doors and walked out to see Ted leading a small initial response team towards the fern house. He met Mitch with a warm handshake and a rueful smile. Ted started saying, “You haven’t…” Mitch interrupted, “Touched anything? No, mate. You know that this is not my first rodeo Ted.” “Righto, had to ask,” Ted replied. They looked at each other and nodded in agreement. Of course, he had to ask. Ted knew that Mitch wasn’t a copper, he was something altogether different. Ted’s team had erected the first of the flood lights and with an unceremonious flip of the switch it illuminated the almost completely flayed corpse which was hanging from the rafters. Ted winced, and said “My God, that is grim”. Mitch agreed with a solemn

nod of the head. “Do you see who it is Ted?” Ted took a closer look, “It’s the proprietor of ‘Mrs Quays’ on Summer Street. Mitch nodded. Ted watched as they took photos from all angles. Ted asked, “What’s that in her mouth?” Mitch replied “Truffles. What a waste.” Ted looked at Mitch and as if to ask how he knew that. Mitch just smiled and said, “I’ll be available for a statement, just give me a call, but for now, I’m getting back to my run. Come on Rusty.” Ted waved him off and snapped at the newbie Colby, to get him a coffee. Having never witnessed such a grotesque scene, Colby was only too happy to get away to do a coffee run. By the afternoon, the news of the owner of the one hatted restaurant had infiltrated the small-town rumour mill, with the details of her demise becoming grislier in nature as the day went on. No one disputed her excellent culinary skills and her restaurant had most definitely deserved being awarded the prestigious hat. However aside from her fabulous snapper pie and wood smoked tomatoes, few

people would be grieving the loss of Cecilia Butler. As promised, Mitch made himself available to be interviewed in the early evening. On his way down to the station he thought about the woman who had been skinned like a rabbit. Mitch couldn’t find himself feeling to sorry for her. To truly know Cecilia, was to know that first impressions cannot always be relied upon to be

the most accurate. For when you first met Cecilia, she would fill your head full of believable platitudes. One was lulled into a false sense of security and often it took way too long for people to fully understand the duplicitous nature of her character. Simply put, she wasn’t good people. Mitch went through his morning routine with Ted and explained in excellent detail what occurred once inside the park. Afterwards, Mitch asked “Out of curiosity Ted, how many truffles were there?” Ted replied, “One very large one that had fallen toward the back and 5 smaller ones in the mouth, weighing about 250gms in total”. Mitch nodded. “Do you feel like joining the lads for drinks Mitch” asked Ted. “No thanks Ted, I’ll take a rain check.” Mitched walked up Byng Street and arrived outside the wine bar and read the chalkboard menu hanging on the exposed brick wall. “That should hit the spot” he said to himself, “A nice house Shiraz and Filet steak and Fungi risotto with leek and, how about that, truffle.” To be continued………

Western News

local news

he inspiration for great art ultimately comes from within. But the triggers to paint the initial picture seem endless. Enter the team at Intensive Care Services, Westmead Hospital. Inspired by mandalas created for the newborn care wards at Blacktown Redevelopment by artist Martha Jabour, Westmead’s team drew on its own creativity. “We decided the input of our medical and nursing staff would make for a great project,” said director of Intensive Care Services at Westmead Hospital, Dr Dani Goh. “This linked with our thinking around well-being and staff engagement. “So for three weeks last year we dedicated a room in the unit as a drop-in space for all staff, filled it with art materials and linked it to sessions with our wonderful workplace psychologist Natalie Harman.” This inventive approach resulted in a series of pastel and watercolour swatches, photos and images. Martha then met with staff to workshop these concepts, thus continuing the circle of inspiration. Dani said two themes emerged: nature (sky/ earth/water), and colourful abstract patterns that referenced the diverse cultural backgrounds of staff and the “community we serve”. “When Martha brought the final range of worked images to us, we loved so many of them we extended the project to other areas of the service,” she said. So what began in the new Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (ICU) waiting area now stretches to the ICU ward space, staff tearoom and administration

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Westmead ICU goes full circle in artistic team approach

Westmead Hospital ICU nurse Rebeca Soria and director Dr Dani Goh with ‘Beads 1’, one of two geometric-themed mandalas in the refurbished Intensive Care Unit staff room.

area thanks to six additional commissioned mandala artworks. “They bring colour, light, freshness and peace,” Dani said. “We all love them. “There is even one that looks a little bit like coronavirus that makes us laugh at the moment too.” Such is the team feedback, which in part describes the artworks as “bringing light in dark times”, a further four pieces are planned to be commissioned

by the artist. Martha was engaged as an artist in residence for the ArtsLab @Connectivity Centre program made possible through the CreateNSW Grant. Her works also form part of the Westmead Redevelopment Arts and Culture Strategy, which includes the delivery of artworks for the Central Acute Services Building (CASB) and refurbished spaces in Westmead Hospital. Westmead Redevelopment director Carla Edwards described the art process adopted by the Intensive Care Services as a triumph of ingenuity and teamwork. She said patients and carers were also surveyed around theme and colour preferences. “These works stand as powerful visual symbols of how art supports patients, carers and staff through the health journey,” Carla said. “What they don’t show is the creativity and abstract thinking behind the pieces – by both the artist and our health staff.”

Social worker Christine Vo and staff specialist Dr Ashima Sharma admire the nature-themed `Water’ mandala in the ICU administration area.

The art provides a colourful backdrop to a group chat between ICU team members Pauline Osborne, Karl Valdez and Carolyn Kim in the administration area. *Some photographs supplied were taken prior to social distancing rules being adopted

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

ENTERTAINMENT

SUDOKU: EASY

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill the grid so that every column, every row & every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

SOLUTIONS: 17 April EASY

medium

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annual virus (9) 6 Full of flavor (5) 9 On the beach (7) 10 Boat in Venice (7) 11 Deletion (7) 12 Imperial ruler (7) 13 Steals from stores (9) 15 Entice (5) 16 Modelled (5) 19 Stunt plane (9) 22 Instructions on food preparation (7) 23 A distant settlement (7) 25 Mediterranean sailing ship (7) 26 Choking or retching (7) 27 Is concerned for (5) 28 Prediction (9)

solution 17/4/20

down 1 Silly (5) 2 Melange or hodgepodge (7) 3 Not normal (7) 4 Gentle push (5) 5 Attacker (9) 6 Storm on the sun (7) 7 TV show (7) 8 A pronunciation mark (9) 13 A drug that induces sleep (9) 14 Flagpole (9) 17 Not religious (7) 18 Portrays (7) 20 Double crosses (7) 21 Equipping (7) 23 Different (5) 24 Taut (5)

ENTERTAINMENT

ven though, due to social distancing, we’re required to be apart, Blacktown Arts is working hard to connect you, our community, with arts and creativity. We will bring you digital access to works in our galleries and the artists who

created them, creative workshops for kids, live-streamed performances by local artists, and opportunities to share your creativity. It’s an exciting schedule that we know you will love. We look forward to seeing you online!

Unspoken: Jonah Hammond

African drumming for kids

Dinner date with Mirko

Tune into our Facebook page on Monday night for a live online gig with Bidwill-born soul singer, Jonah Hammond. Jonah will liven up your evening with his raw and honest artistry, which right now can only be seen via Blacktown Arts’ channel.

Break the monotony and the silence with a special West African drumming workshop for kids hosted by Yaw Derkyi and friends. It will be uploaded to our Instagram and YouTube channel on 27 April. Keep an eye out for this unforgettable at-home experience.

Date nights are back with our local virtual resident pianist, Mirko Golub, performing your requests live on Facebook every Thursday. Weekly performances will take place in the coming weeks. Stay tuned and got to www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Home to submit your song requests.

Drawing workshop with Kristone

I am Blacktown: an online exhibition

Open studio on Zoom

Launching Friday 1 May Want to use iso-time to sharpen your artistic skills? Artist, Kristone Capistrano is here to help with a two-part drawing workshop that will live indefinitely on our Instagram and YouTube pages. Get your pencils and erasers ready because part one is out on 1 May.

See incredible moments from Blacktown’s extensive history as part of our first online exhibition, I am Blacktown. Works and stories were shared by locals during a series of recent workshops by local artists Mike Moore and Jeff Lees.

Check in with fellow artists and receive professional feedback as part of our open studio Facebook group. In addition to online support, the group also includes a weekly one-hour meeting via Zoom every Wednesday morning.

Blacktown Arts recommendations

Beats and Bytes the lockdown sessions

Stop Motion with Florence, a digital workshop

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: noon Blacktown City Council is bringing the beats to your living room with a three-times weekly broadcast of your favourite local musicians.

Available now Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre continues to share great content for kids with a range of at-home activities, including a stop motion film workshop.

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Blacktown Arts: Creating online

Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

WESTERN HISTORY

Western News

Two Charlies

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

and in 1849 he was elected to the board of the newlyformed Sydney Tramway and Railroad Co., became its chairman and was appointed manager at £600 a ir Charles Cowper was born in 1807 at Dryford year. Also, in 1849 Charles persuaded the council to in Lancashire, England. He was the third son of condemn Grey’s proposal and when Grey ignored all William Cowper and his first wife Hannah, née protests Charles organized a large meeting in Sydney Horner. In 1809 Charles was brought to NSW by his in September 1850 at which the NSW Association for father, who had been appointed Assistant Chaplain. Preventing the Revival of Transportation was formed Charles was educated privately and at 18 years of with himself as chairman. The association recognized age he entered the Commissariat Department and in that transportation to Van Diemen’s Land as well as to 1826, appointed Secretary to the Church and Schools NSW must be abolished because convicts and former Land Corporation. As an official he was granted 1280 convicts could pass from Tasmania to the mainland acres in the County of Argyle in 1827 and a further and the council resolved that NSW should never again 1280 acres in 1830. By 1852 he had acquired by receive convicts and by this time free immigration grant or purchase, large estates in Argyle and town had revived and repugnance to transportation was allotments in Goulburn and as a tenant of the Crown no longer restrained by anxieties about labour. His he held nearly 20,000 acres in Argyle and 47,000  Photo of Sir Charles Cowper dual role as Chairman and Manager of the Sydney acres in the Lachlan pastoral district. He owned the courtesy of NSW Parliament. Tramway and Railroad Co provoked strong criticism, property Wivenhoe and 900 acres at Camden Park as so he resigned from the Legislative Council Board well as interests in the Sydney real estate. In 1831 he married Eliza the and gave his full time to the company to retain the Managership. By that second daughter of Daniel Sutton of “Wivenhoe” near Colchester in time as a Politician he had sat on eighty-three select committees and Essex. Two years later the Church and Schools Land Corporation was presided over twenty of them enduring many conflicts over his time in dissolved, and he declined another official post. Charles then farmed in politics and was appointed CMG in 1869 and KCMG in 1871. He died Argyle living as a country gentleman and interesting himself in sheep at Kensington in October 1875. His son, also Charles Cowper (Jnr) was breeding. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1839. He presided born 1834 in Macquarie Place at Sydney and not long afterwards the at a public meeting in 1840 that condemned proposals made by W E family moved to Kirkham in Camden where he was sent to the school of Gladstone the Secretary of State for the colonies who wanted to revive his uncle William Macquarie Cowper at Stroud at the age of 9 years and transportation in a new form. A week later however, a select committee later attended The King’s School at Parramatta for a couple of years. At under William Charles Wentworth reported in favour of a limited age 17 he was sent by his father to manage “Burrabogie” station near return to transportation. In 1843 at the first elections under the new Hay (Burrabogie is said to be a compound aboriginal word meaning Constitution, Charles stood for the County of Camden, announcing that “Burra” quick and “bogie” swim). In 1855 Charles married Mary the his political principles were moderate and that he was a member of the daughter of Robert Copland Lethbridge of Penrith. In 1857 Charles was Church of England which bought him into conflict with the Macarthur appointed the first Honorary Secretary of the Goulburn Agricultural and family who were powerful in that electorate and supported Roger Therry Horticultural Society and in the late 1850s he spent some time on the a Roman Catholic. After a bitter contest Charles was defeated but won Kiandra goldfield where he set up a store on “New Chum Hill” and election for the County of Cumberland against James Macarthur. In the became a gold-buyer. He tried his hand at politics with various stints in Legislative Council Cowper established himself as a most active man the Tumut Legislative Assembly but resigned his seat in 1863. He stood of business. He had opposed district councils, advocated some parts of for Tumut again in 1864 and was elected but his seat was declared vacant the squatters’ case for land reform, argued against the financial powers in July 1866 as he was sick and absent for an entire session without of the executive, introduced bills for the registration of births, baptisms, leave. In 1869 Charles was offered the police magistracy at Bourke and marriages and burials, opposed the separation of the Port Phillip district, accepted on condition that he be transferred to Sydney when a vacancy maintained the exclusive right of the Church of England to establishment occurred there. He stayed at Bourke from June 1869 to May 1870 then in the colony (a view that he later abandoned) and supported church he took up the promised new appointment in Sydney as a water police schools so strongly that he became known as ‘Member for the Church of magistrate. He resigned in August 1874 to become sheriff of NSW, an England’. In September 1847 he moved that the report of Wentworth’s office he held until he retired in 1896. His wife had died in 1894 and in committee to revive transportation be disavowed and because some of 1898 at Sydney he married Amy Rose Clarissa Bramley. Charles died Wentworth’s supporters were absent in the country Charles’s motion at Beulah in Bowral in 1911 and was buried in the family vault at St was passed by 11 votes to 7. Later Earl Grey who was now the Paul’s Church, Cobbitty. He bequeathed most of his small estate to his Secretary of State again proposed to renew transportation in a revised daughter for devoting her life to mothering his grandchildren. form so in April 1848 the council accepted Grey’s proposals including the important safeguard that the convicts should be accompanied by Sources: John M Ward-“Cowper, Sir Charles Australian Dictionary of equal numbers of free immigrants at Britain’s expense, but Grey sent the Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, The Legislative Council of NSW-1843-1943, State Library of NSW, Daily Telegraph, convicts without the free immigrants. In 1848 Charles was chairman Sydney Morning Herald, Pamela Moore-“Charles’Cowper1834–1911, Trove. of the select committee that reported in favour of railways for NSW

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Western News

Finances on your mind? Do yourself a favour, speak to broker

f you are finding it tough to meet your current financial obligations or you are just interested in reviewing your current home loan, then you are not alone. Mortgage brokers like Wealthwiz stand ready and able to assist with your options during this difficult time. Turbulent does not even begin to describe 2020 so far. As a result of COVID-19 and not forgetting the bushfires, thousands of Australians are out of work, with Treasury predicting that the jobless rate will double in the June quarter from 5.1 per cent to 10 per cent. Many others have had their hours reduced or have been temporarily stood down. In this period of uncertainty, at the very least many will be taking a closer look at their finances to make sure their current loan arrangements are right for them. Mortgage and finance brokers have the experience and knowledge to assist in a variety of situations and are simply an internet search or phone call away. Mortgage brokers are in regular contact with their lender panel and make it their business to understand the different options lenders currently offer.

And while the options can seem straight forward, it is easy to miss the details and differences that can add up, particularly over a 30-year term. For example, a number of banks are offering to temporarily freeze mortgage repayments for three or six months. While this may seem like a good option, it is important to fully understand the implications. This could mean that the total debt will increase. Of course, depending on an individual’s circumstances, there may be a number of available alternatives that may reduce repayments while not increasing your interest bill as much in the long term. Refinancing too may be on the minds of many as a result of the Reserve Bank cutting rates and banks passing them on, to varying degrees, as well as access to a range of competitive fixed interest rate options on the market. Does your home loan rate start with a 2? A discussion with Wealthwiz may be just the ticket. While a simplistic view of what constitutes a great mortgage is the one with the lowest interest rate, mortgage brokers know that what suits one

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15 Western News 1 May 2020 Issue 108

Alex Soncini

REAL ESTATE

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Western News

SPORT

Friday, 1 May 2020

The family that isolates together trains together By MARK GEYER

irst things first, how are you all? Wow is a word lots are uttering daily and with good reason. This pandemic is real and came with a thud. But let’s keep working together to rid this horrid virus from our country once and for all. There are 7 of us in lock down in my ‘compound’ at South Penrith. Raff, our youngest came up with a novel way to pass the time whilst all together in isolation. She reasoned that ‘because there are 7 of us, and there are 7 days in the week why don’t we get our own day to organise everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner, training, games to play and what movie we should watch.” Great idea. So every Sunday night we put all of our names in a hat and all the days of the week in another hat, pull out a name and a day and that’s ‘your day’. It has seen us all stretch our imagination and has seen the likes of colouring in, handball, basketball and other various games that we haven’t played in ages. Obviously it’s harder for our kids than it is for Meags (my wife) and I, especially my daughter Kennedi who celebrated her 21st birthday recently. But we had something very special planned for her which blew her mind! We have never experienced anything like this in our lives and let’s hope we never do again, but as soon as we resign yourselves to the fact that we must all be in this together and self isolate and keep up with our social distancing, the sooner things will be back to some sort of normality. Stay safe, and love the ones you’re with.

The Geyer clan implementing Raff’s great idea