Western Weekender July 23 2026 by Western Sydney Publishing Group

Penrith Physiotherapy Sports Centre won Business of the Year.

PENRITH WINNERS

PENRITH CITY LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

The 2026 Penrith City Local Business Awards Presentation Evening was an occasion of elegance and excitement.

The room filled with cheers as winners were announced and made their way to the stage on Wednesday, July 15.

The celebration was an exciting culmi nation to a successful awards program, complete with a five-star gala-dinner, talented entertainment, and a sell-out crowd filled with finalists, families and staff, local dignitaries, and our awards partners.

Precedent Productions Managing Director and Awards Founder Steve Loe said the highlight of the evening is always the presentation of the award winners in each category.

“What I love to see is the support that everyone gives the finalists, the huge cheers for winners, and the heartfelt speeches,” Loe said.

The evening not only sees the announce ment of the winners but provides an opportunity for all finalists to celebrate their achievements over the past year with staff and loved ones.

Loe would like to extend his thanks

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to Western Sydney Conference Centre for the incredible service, the remarkable talent who provided entertainment for the evening, the MC who kept things running smoothly, and Presenting Partner: Commonwealth Bank, Major Partners: NOVA Employment and Western Sydney Conference Centre and Support Partners: Southlands Shopping Centre, Penrith Homemaker Centre, Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Bx Networking.

Most importantly Loe would like to thank the Penrith City community for the huge support that they continue to show for their local businesses through the Awards every year.

“Without them, these outstanding businesses wouldn’t receive the recognition they deserve,” he said.

For a full list of winners or to register your business for the 2027 Local Business Awards, head to www.thebusinessawards.com.au.

This special wraparound feature highlights the 2026 winners.

Kane Woods was named Business Person of the Year.

DreamstoneHR was among the winners.

DREAMST ONEHR

2026 WINNER

F ounded in 2014 b y K ylie T homas Dr eamSt oneHR began as a one-person business with a vision t o empo w er small and medium-sized businesses thr ough pr actical, people-f ocused HR solutions . Today, that vision has gr ow n int o a t eam of 14 pr of essionals who w ork alongside or ganisations acr oss a r ange of industries t o navigat e w orkplace challenges str engthen t eams build positiv e w orkplace cultur es and manage people with conf idence while st aying compliant in an e ve r -changing emplo yment landscape.

T his y ear Dr eamSt oneHR is pr oud t o be r ecognised as a L ocal Business Aw ar d winner

T his achiev ement r ef lects the passion and commitment of the entir e Dr eam Team, who ar e dedicat ed t o deliv ering exceptional outcomes f or e ve r y client.

W e also ext end our sincer e thanks t o the businesses and or ganisations that hav e placed their trust in us ov er the y ears Your suppor t has enabled us t o mak e a meaningful dif fe r ence in w orkplaces acr oss our comm unity

Her e’s t o another y ear of cr eating positiv e w orkplaces suppor ting local businesses and making a lasting impact.

T hank y ou, P enrith, f or this incr edible r ecognition.

A: 7/282 HIGH ST, PENRITH

P: 8320 9320 | W: DREAMST ONEHR.COM.A U

W inning the P enrith City L ocal Business Aw ar d f or the f our th y ear in a r o w is an incr edible honour and a hear tf elt r eminder of the trust our comm unity places in us

At Or char d Hills Ve t erinar y Hospit al, w e f eel deeply gr at eful t o car e f or the pets that mean so m uch t o their f amilies . T his aw ar d belongs t o our entir e t eam of v et erinarians n urses animal att endants and r eceptionists who giv e their all ever y day and t o the P enrith comm unity f or their ongoing suppor t.

Your belief in us inspir es our commitment t o pr o viding personal, exper t car e—and w e’r e so pr oud t o be par t of this w onderful comm unity

A: 49 WENTW ORTH RO AD , ORCHARD HILLS P: 4736 2027 | W: ORCHARDHILLSVET.COM.A U

2026 WINNER

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

W inning the Youth of the Year Aw ar d is an incr edible honour and something I nev er expect ed.

I w as gen uinely shock ed just t o be a f inalist, let alone announced as the winner I’m so gr at eful t o m y f amily our amazing t eam at Sydney Solv ents , our cust omers suppliers and e ve ry one who has suppor t ed me thr oughout m y journe y.

T his r ecognition means so m uch, and I’m excit ed f or what the futur e holds

A: UNIT 10/10 PRODUCTION PLA CE, J AMISONT OW N

P: 02 4722 5060 | W: SYDNEY SOLVENTS .COM.A U

2026 WINNER TRADE & SER VICE

W inning the Tr ade and Ser vice aw ar d is a signif icant milest one and a pr oud r ef lection of the dedication behind Bett er Built Homes

T his r ecognition r ef lects our unw av ering commitment t o exceptional cust omer ser vice, quality cr aftsmanship and building lasting r elationships with the f amilies and comm unities w e ser ve

As w e contin ue t o gr ow, w e r emain f ocused on deliv ering the same personalised experience, tr anspar enc y, and quality that our cust omers hav e come t o expect.

We ’r e incr edibly pr oud t o be a locally o wned and oper at ed business and ar e gr at eful t o be par t of the P enrith comm unity. T hank y ou t o e ve ry one who has suppor t ed us along the w ay

A: 3 / 13 RENSHA W STREET, CRANEBROOK

P: 1300 100 922 | W: BETTERB UIL THOMES .COM.A U

ELIZA DOUGLAS

Winners are grinners as our city’s

Here’s some of the

from the

PENRITH T OYO TA

2026

&

M OT OR VEHICLES

W inning the L ocal Business Aw ar d f or New and Used Mot or Vehicles f or the thir d time is an achiev ement w e’r e incr edibly pr oud of but mor e than an ything, it’s a r ef lection of the comm unity w e hav e the privilege t o ser v e e ve r y day

At P enrith Toyo ta w e believ e buying and ser vicing a v ehicle is about building lasting r elationships , and this aw ar d is a t est ament t o the trust our cust omers contin ue t o place in us

We d lik e t o sincer ely thank our l oy al cust omers dedicat ed t eam and the P enrith comm unity f or their ongoing suppor t. T his r ecognition belongs t o all of y ou, and w e’r e committ ed t o contin uing t o deliv er the exceptional ser vice and experience y ou’ v e come t o expect.

A: 87/101 GREAT WESTERN HIGHW AY, KINGSW OOD

P: 4778 0099 | W: PENRITHT OYOT A.COM.A U

PENRITH CITY TYRES & AU T OMO TIVE

2026 WINNER

AU T OMO TIVE SER VICES

Her e at PCTA, w e’r e dedicat ed t o pr o viding the P enrith comm unity with superior v ehicle ser vicing r epairs and modif ications with unmatched cust omer ser vice and int egrity

W ith a full ser vice tyr e and aut omotiv e w orkshop , coupled with our dedicat ed O ff r oad centr e, w e’r e able

t o assist with y our most common v ehicle ser vicing r equir ements thr ough t o cutting-edge modif ications f or 4WD and adv entur e enth usiasts

W e w ould lik e t o say a v er y big thank y ou t o our l oya l cust omers f or their suppor t ov er the y ears as w e celebr at e our win in the L ocal Business Aw ar ds W ithout y ou, it w ouldn’ t be possible and it inspir es us t o contin ue w orking har d f or our comm unity!

A: 25-27 HENR Y STREET, PENRITH

P: 4722 3655 | W: PCT A.COM.A U

highlights

Penrith City Local Business Awards, held at the Western Sydney Conference Centre last week.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney. Representatives of ABCOE collect their award.

Stacey Randell from Penrith Valley Chamber.

Penrith Toyota drove away with a win.

LB A 2026

DIY CRAFTS

ANTIQUES , ART CRAFTS & GIFTS

DIY Cr afts is honour ed t o be named the winner of the Antiques Ar ts Cr afts and Gifts cat egor y at the L ocal Business

ar ds

r ecognition r ef lects our passion or cr eativity quality pr oducts and outst anding cust omer ser vice. Thank you to our incr edible st a ff, l oya l cust omers and w onderful comm unity f or y our ongoing suppor t.

y, signage and dr aping T hank y ou t o our w onderful clients and e ve ry one who vo t ed. W e ar e incr edibly gr at eful f or y our trust and suppor t.

State Penrith MP Karen McKeown. A five star win for Pietro Italian. Building a trophy case: Better Built Homes.

Brett McVea from National Locksmiths.

Narrow

The Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital team.

Well done: The Gourmet Meat Company team

SMITH STREET

2026 WINNER

DENT AL SER VICES

Celebr ating Excellence and Comm unity f or Ov er 50 Years

Smith Str eet Dent al is honour ed t o be r ecognised as a winner of the L ocal Business Aw ar ds

T his achiev ement r ef lects the dedication of our entir e t eam and the trust our patients hav e placed in us ov er the y ears

F or mor e than half a centur y, Smith Str eet Dent al has pr oudly ser ve d the P enrith comm unity , caring f or gener ations of local f amilies with compassion, int egrity , and a commitment t o excellence. While dentistr y has evolved significantly ov er the past 50 y ears , our cor e v alues hav e r emained the same—pr o viding honest advice, gentle car e, and personalised tr eatment in a w elcoming en vir onment.

Today , w e contin ue t o combine decades of experience with modern t echnology t o of f er compr ehensiv e dent al car e, including pr eventive, cosmetic, r est or ativ e, emer gency dentistr y, dent al implants , and In visalign.

W e sincer ely thank our patients , st a ff, and the local comm unity f or their ongoing suppor t . T his aw ar d belongs t o all of y ou, and w e look f orw ar d t o contin uing t o car e f or the smiles of P enrith f or man y y ears t o come.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

Retirement living where all the thread s come together.

An innovative new retirement community is being created in Oran Park The Saxon blends comfor t and connection with future focussed retirement living in a friendly, thriving communit y. Contempora ry apartments sit above welcoming spaces; knit ted together in a next-generation approach where people of all ages can connect in the vibrant mixed-use precinct. For today’s comfor ts a nd tomorrow ’s needs, The Sa xon weaves firs t- class retirement living together with the ease of a modern residential addres s.

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From The Editor’s Desk

Troy Dodds

Are they barking mad?

The rise of One Nation was always going to be curtailed by one thing: discipline.

For the party to have a legitimate chance at being a significant player in the Australian political landscape, it was always going to need candidates in place that actually appealed to local voters.

This, for me, was always going to be the downfall. How can you find disciplined, sensible candidates in enough electorates to actually upset the apple cart?

And this week, both Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce – the party’s two most senior figures – proved that not even they have the discipline required.

Joyce’s bizarre interview on the ABC this week where he yelled at his dog may have been hilarious, but it also showed a deeper discipline problem. Losing your cool on national TV like that? Not cool at all.

Meanwhile, Hanson knows immigration is her meal ticket but some of her comments and suggestions risk losing parts of her base, especially those not quite attached to all of One Nation’s views on migrants.

One Nation is no longer a fringe outsider. It’s a serious player in Australian politics but if it can’t get its discipline right from the top down, the balloon will pop.

Women’s sport conundrum

“When is the AFL going to start backing the women’s competition?”

That question from ABC ‘Offsiders’ host Abbey Gelmi threw me a little this week.

In a discussion about whether the AFL should move a sold out international between Australia and Ireland from North Sydney Oval to the SCG, the suggestion seemed to be that the AFL wasn’t supporting the women’s competition as much as it should.

For the record, the women’s AFL program loses some $50 million a year. To suggest the AFL isn’t backing it, given it subsidises those losses, seems odd.

It’s great that the upcoming international

INDEX

is sold out with some 9,000 fans to pack into North Sydney Oval.

But I can only assume it’s a lot cheaper to hire North Sydney Oval than the SCG.

Even if double the crowd went to the match at the SCG, would it cover those costs?

What about a fee for cancelling the North Sydney Oval match?

Adult tickets to the game at North Sydney were just $25, with youth and junior tickets even cheaper.

Unfortunately, the commercial realities need to play a part here.

It’s interesting that in the same week, debate about the NRLW has also launched; around better timeslots and more support.

Like the AFL, the NRL’s women’s program loses money.

I’m not suggesting the AFLW and NRLW don’t deserve backing.

Of course they do.

But I do wonder sometimes if the AFL and NRL have painted themselves into a corner by constantly touting how successful the women’s competitions are, how enormous the growth is and how many eyeballs are on it.

It presents a picture that there isn’t problems to fix, and yet there are many.

The greatest challenge these competitions face is getting people interested enough to divert their time to watch matches.

There is an eagerness to have these competitions be on level-pegging to the male competitions in terms of broadcast, salaries, length of seasons and the like.

I’m not sure that’s the right approach.

In the case of rugby league, the NRL talks the talk when it comes to the NRLW.

But the reality of crowds, TV ratings, memberships and financial success doesn’t quite match the story they like to tell.

Perhaps we need to accept there’s nothing wrong with that; that we should embrace these early days are challenging.

And perhaps we need to accept our expectations for these competitions are too high.

Can we hang up on the Greens?

I wrote last week about the ridiculous over-reaction to Telstra’s outage earlier this month.

The Greens have joined the barrage, and some of the comments from its Communications spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young are ridiculous.

“The Greens will move to legislate reliability standards to ensure that big telcos, who are raking in the big bucks, are legally required to provide reliable, dependable services,” she declared.

Newsflash: Telstra does provide a reliable, dependable service.

Yes, it had a misstep this month.

Seriously, calm the farm.

If politicians were held to the same levels of accountability that they want to hold Telstra to, Parliament House would be abandoned. If this was an ongoing problem, perhaps then pollies could scream the joint down.

But right now the response by politicians has been embarrassing, and you can add the Greens to the list.

The re-writing of history

A story out of South Australia that I found a little bizarre this week.

The Australian Electoral Commission is re-naming the seat of Grey in South Australia – named after colonial-era State Governor Sir George Grey, to O’Donoghue, after Indigenous health advocate Lowitja O’Donoghue. O’Donoghue is worthy of honouring. Her story is particularly inspiring.

But I was intrigued by a couple of elements. First, the AEC received 310 submissions about the renaming. 75 supported it, 235 didn’t. But it proceeded anyway. Is that not a little... odd?

The AEC said that “Sir George Grey had been honoured appropriately”.

Interesting. So we now put a timeframe on honouring history.

You’ve had your turn, Sir George. Off to pasture you go.

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

@troydodds

CARE HOME MAKEOVER

Jamisontown facility will be redeveloped with plans for five-storey makeover

TROY DODDS

SummitCare has won approval for a major redevelopment of its residential care facility in Jamisontown.

The project was considered a State Significant Development and was officially approved last Friday.

The new-look site at 366 Jamison Road will see will comprise of independent living units, residential care facilities and integrated administrative and communal facilities.

In addition to service and care functions, the project will have integrated communal landscaped spaces, an ancillary café, outdoor seating and entry plaza and a swimming pool and gym designed to provide improved amenity for the residents.

The entire current facility will be demolished with the new facility to include four separate buildings. Units are primarily split across three of the four buildings, with the fourth building consisting of the café, function rooms and pool.

It will see the facility go from a single storey to five storeys. A basement car park will also be built.

The heights of the four buildings range from seven metres to 18.8 metres, with three of the four buildings over 17 metres in height.

SummitCare estimates the project will cost more than $62 million.

“The existing aged care facility doesn’t meet the changing approach to seniors living, which focuses on the importance of aging in place,” documents attached to SummitCare’s proposal states.

“It is also an older facility that does not provide the services and

facilities expected of contemporary seniors housing.”

The facility was converted from a private hospital some years ago.

Four public submissions were made to the proposed development, consisting of three submissions from the community objecting to the development and one submission from Endeavour Energy which recommended approval of the application subject to conditions.

A number of agencies, including Penrith City Council, also submitted

responses to the proposal. Council raised a number of issues, which were responded to by SummitCare as part of the application process.

Existing residents will be consulted through the construction process. SummitCare has told the Weekender it does not have a definitive timeline on when the redevelopment will commence.

“The changes proposed by the development proposal will inevitably impact on some existing residents that may not welcome the

change,” a Social Impact Assessment said.

It was noted in the Social Impact Assessment that family members of current residents were particularly keen to be informed of the redevelopment planning process and of the contingency plan for rehousing current residents, noting that they wished for the close friendships created amongst current residents to not be disturbed and for comfortable transitions to new housing during the redevelopment.

The residential care facility will have an all-new look.

Renders of the proposed redevelopment at Jamisontown.

Police Snapshot Legal Matters LAW and ORDER

Penrith: Woman caught high range drink driving

A woman will front court next month charged with high range drink driving.

At 1pm on Thursday, July 16 police were patrolling the Great Western Highway in Penrith when they stopped a car for the purpose of a random breath and drug test.

Police had a conversation with the driver, a 38-year-old Glenmore Park woman.

The 38-year-old was submitted to a breath test that returned a positive reading. The woman also completed a drug test which returned positive.

The 38-year-old was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station for the purpose of a second breath analysis which returned a positive reading of 0.190.

The 38-year-old was issued a licence suspension notice and charged. She will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, August 27.

Kingswood: Woman assaults partner, breaches AVO

A woman will be behind bars until at least September after she allegedly assaulted her boyfriend.

At 9.40pm on Thursday, July 16 police went to Kingswood Train Station where they spoke with a man who had been assaulted by his girlfriend, a 45-year-old Penrith woman.

Police completed checks on the woman which revealed she was breaching her Apprehended Violence Order.

Police found the 45-year-old a short distance away and placed her under arrest. The woman was searched with police finding a replica firearm.

The 45-year-old was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station where she was charged with four offences.

The 45-year-old was bail refused and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Wednesday, September 2.

Cambridge Gardens: Man caught drink driving for the second time

An accused drink driver appears to have not learned his lesson, charged with drink driving for a second time.

At 12am on Saturday, July 18 police were contacted about a car that was driving all over the road and mounting median strips.

Police arrived at Dunheved Road where they found the car. Police activated their warning lights and sirens, and the car eventually stopped.

Police had a conversation with the driver, a 60-year-old Cranebrook man. He was

submitted to a breath test that returned a positive result.

The 60-year-old was arrested and taken to Penrith Police Station for a second breath test that returned a positive result of 0.197.

The 60-year-old was issued a licence suspension notice and charged with ‘drive with high range PCA – 2nd off’.

He will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, August 13.

Penrith: Couple caught stealing parcel

A man and a woman have been charged after they allegedly stole a parcel.

At 5pm on Saturday, July 18 a man and woman were captured on high quality CCTV stealing a parcel from a house on Derby Street in Penrith.

Police were called and shown the CCTV footage. Police identified the woman as a 46-year-old Bligh Park woman and the man as a 49-year-old Bligh Park man.

Both the 46-year-old and the 49-year-old were charged and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, August 27.

Cranebrook: Police appeal to locate missing woman

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman missing from Cranebrook.

81-year-old Pamela Gratton was last seen in Cranebrook at 11am on Monday, July 20.

When she was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare as she lives with Alzheimer’s.

Pamela is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 166cm, thin build and having short black hair.

She was last seen wearing glasses, dark coloured jacket, and blue jeans.

Anyone with information on Pamela’s whereabouts is urged to contact St Marys Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

WHAT IS TESTAMENTARY CAPACITY?

Testamentary capacity means that a person has the legal and mental ability to make a valid will.

In simple terms, the person making the will must understand what a will is, what they own, and who may reasonably expect to receive something from their estate.

In New South Wales, a person does not need to have perfect memory or be in perfect health to make a will. A person can have some memory loss, be elderly, or have a medical condition and still have testamentary capacity. What matters is whether they understand the important decisions they are making at the time they make the will.

A person making a will should generally be able to understand:

• that they are making a will, and that the will decides what happens to their property after they die;

• the general type and value of the property they own, such as a house, bank accounts, shares, superannuation, or personal items;

• the people who may expect to receive something from their estate, such as a husband, wife, partner, children, or dependants;

• the effect of leaving someone out of the will or giving one person more than another;

• the reasons for the decisions they are making.

Here is some examples.

Mary is 82 and sometimes forgets names or appointments. She still understands that she owns a home, has money in the bank, and has three children. She says she wants to leave everything equally to her children. Mary is likely to have testamentary capacity, even though she has some memory problems.

John has advanced dementia. He cannot remember that he owns a house, does not recognise his children, and cannot explain what a will does. John may not have testamentary capacity.

Peter has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Some days he is confused, but on other days he is clear and able to talk about his family, his home, and his wishes. If Peter makes a will on a day when he understands these matters, he may still have testamentary capacity.

Anne has decided to leave more to one child because that child has cared for her for many years. She understands that her other children may be upset, but she can clearly explain her reasons. This may support the view that Anne has testamentary capacity. Testamentary capacity is important because a will can be challenged after a person dies if there are concerns that the person did not understand what they were doing. This can cause stress, delay, and legal costs for the family.

Concerns about capacity often arise when:

• the will-maker is elderly or seriously ill;

• the will-maker has dementia, memory loss, or another cognitive condition;

• the will is very different from an earlier will;

• one family member receives much more than others;

• someone close to the will-maker appears to be pressuring or influencing them. If there may be questions about capacity, it is helpful to keep clear records. This may include notes of the will-maker’s instructions, the reasons for their decisions, and, where appropriate, a medical assessment. These steps can help show that the willmaker understood their choices when the will was made.

HEALTH CENTRE TEAM APPOINTED

Work to deliver a new Community Health Centre in Penrith has taken a key step forward, with the project’s lead design team appointed to progress planning and design.

The new purpose-built facility, delivered as part of the more than $1 billion Nepean Redevelopment, will be located at the existing Lemongrove campus in Penrith, providing contemporary, integrated healthcare services for local and surrounding communities, which are one of the fastest growing populations in Greater Western Sydney.

The centre will enhance access to a range of adult community health services, including HealthOne services and Renal Dialysis, and will bring together specialists, general practitioners, community health nurses and allied health professionals to help deliver coordinated, patient-centred care.

The lead design team includes architect (lead designer) Angel MahChut, project manager Lineaire Projects and cost manager Altus Group who were appointed following a competitive tender process.

Modern dentistry for every smile — especially the nervous ones

Nepean F amily Dental & Implant Centr e pr o vides personalised dental car e f or f amilies acr oss Blaxland and the wider Blue Mountains c ommunity

W ith mor e than 17 y ears of clinical e xperienc e , Dr Na vr oop Singh has a particular int er est in dental implants, minor or al sur gery, soft-tissue gr afting and full-ar ch implant tr eatment.

Alongside Dr Na v, principal dentists Dr Dha v al Pat el and Dr Ra vi Rai bring br oad e xperienc e acr oss r es to ra tiv e , gener al and sur gical dentistry. Dr Patel focuses on cr o wns, r oot canal tr eatment and dental emer gencies, while Dr Rai has e xt ensiv e e xperienc e in wisdom-t ooth r emo v al, implant plac ement, clear aligners, v eneers and cr o wns.

A major focus of the pr actic e is caring for nerv ous and anxious patients. T he t eam r egularly supports people living with dental fear, including those affect ed b y tr auma or PT SD follo wing difficult pr e vious healthcar e e xperienc es. Ev ery appointment is appr oached without judgement, with

Community Funding Program Grant Opportunities

Contact Us

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777

PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city

Council’s services are accessible via the online portal at

Services 4732 7777

Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad).

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

Monday 10 August – 7pm (Policy & Strategy Committee Meeting) Online via

penrith.city.council

penrithcouncil

penrithcitycouncil

penrithcitycouncil penrith.city visitpenrith.com.au

Council Briefs

Works begins on new central park for St Marys

Early works have commenced on the St Marys central park project, marking a key milestone in Council delivering a transformational new green space in the heart of the Town Centre.

Site remediation works are underway ahead of major construction, preparing the site for a landmark destination designed to support the town centre's growth and evolving community needs.

The park will feature a fenced playspace, water play, expansive lawn areas, water features, gardens and trees, as well as toilets, seating and pathways. A dedicated entertainment area will also position the park as a hub for community events and performances.

The project is funded by the NSW Government and Penrith City Council.

Apply for Magnetic Places funding

Calling artists and cultural practitioners of all artforms ready to work with communities. Funding is available to deliver projects that magnify residents' stories through creative expression.

Applications close Friday 31 July 2026 at 11.59pm AEST.

Find out more about what’s eligible and apply at:

Bennett Park upgrade underway

Construction is underway on a new recreation space for Bennett Park, St Marys! The upgrade will deliver a large modern playspace and a mini pump track featuring beginner and intermediate loops, catering to a range of ages and skill levels.

The upgrade will replace the existing playspace and learn-toride loop with inclusive, contemporary facilities, including exciting equipment for teenagers and younger children alike.

This project is funded by Council and the NSW and Australian Governments.

Find out more at

Development Applications

The following Development Applications have been received by Council:

• Nor’Side Investments Pty Ltd

Establishment of a temporary connector road across private land (East West Connector Road/Wianamatta Parkway)

Contact: Jodie Schembri on 4732 7449

Closing Date: Sunday 9 August 2026

Integrated Developments

Penrith City Council have received Development Applications in respect of the subject properties. The consent authority for the Development Applications is Penrith City Council.

• GPT Platform Pty Ltd

DA26/0558 (Lot 24 DP 1305900 and Lot 2 DP 1312928) 771–781 Mamre Road,

Works, including bulk earthworks, civil works and retaining walls – site Includes 783–797 Mamre Road

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from Heritage NSW under Section 90 of National Parks and Wildlife Act and from DCCEEW under Section 90 of Water Management Act.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at , in the period from Monday 27 July 2026 to Sunday 23 August 2026.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, submission is to include Council’s reference number DA26/0558. Robert Walker on 4732 7409.

• Baini Design Pty Ltd DA26/0590

Subdivision of (future) residue Lot 99 into 2 lots and construction of a 2-storey, 120-place child care centre with parking for 31 cars, on Lot 1 (site includes current 29 Ulm Road)

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from NSW Rural Fire Service Section 100b Rural Fires Act.

DA26/0623

(Lot 2 DP 588803 and Lot 1 DP 815772) 65 Union Road and 1A Worth Street, Penrith

Demolition of existing structures and expansion of existing child care facility to 124 x children

Contact: Alexandra Pearce on 4732 7757

Closing Date: Sunday 9 August 2026

• St Marys Land Limited DA26/0569

Another delay in Carter case, back in court on August 28

There has been a fresh delay in the case of a Penrith accountant facing fraud charges.

Penrith tax agent Benjamin Carter was arrested at his Silverdale home in July of 2023 by NSW Raptor Squad detectives, and the case still lingers three years on.

He had been under investigation since June of 2023 when Raptor Squad officers – with assistance from the Tax Practitioners Board – commenced an investigation into reports of fraudulent misconduct by Carter and his firm, based in Penrith.

Carter was subsequently charged with 16 offences including 14 counts of ‘dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception’, ‘knowingly deal with proceeds of crime’ and ‘possess prohibited drug’.

At the time of his arrest Carter was refused bail but has since been granted conditional bail.

Arrested at the same time as Carter was a then 25-yearold receptionist, now known to be Carter’s partner Amy

Steele, at the Carter’s Tax Advisory office.

Police will allege Steele knowingly attempted to conceal Carter’s misconduct and benefited from the proceeds of his crime.

Steele’s case currently remains before the court subject to lengthy adjournments as it is linked with Carter’s case.

Since Carter was first arrested in July of 2023 the

Integrated Developments (cont.)

• Mirvac Homes (NSW) Pty Ltd

case has been before the NSW Local Court system at least a dozen times.

The matter has been perpetually adjourned given the magnitude of the evidence collected, including an extensive forensic accounting report.

The matter returned to court last Friday where Magistrate Van Zuylen adjourned the case until Friday, August 28.

(Lot 29 DP 244610) 55 Chain-O-Ponds Road, Mulgoa; (Lot 30 DP 244610) 35–53 Chain-O-Ponds Road, Mulgoa; (Lot 2 DP 1240361) 2337 Chain-O-Ponds Road, Mulgoa; and (Lot 5 DP 29081) 2295 Chain-O-Ponds Road, Mulgoa

High profile drugs case gets adjournment to next month

APenrith man accused of a raft of drug charges has had his case adjourned in Penrith Local Court.

28-year-old Reece Iaria was arrested at his rented home on Ladbury Avenue by officers from Strike Force Torino on Thursday, February 5.

Strike Force Torino was established by the State Crime Command’s Criminal Groups Squad in March 2024 to investigate the alleged supply of prohibited drugs and money laundering linked to an Organised Criminal Syndicate.

Strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and the Dog Squad –executed a search warrant at Iaria’s home in February.

During the search police located and seized electronics including a suspected DECCD, four grams of cocaine, testosterone, and 2kg of lidocaine believed to be used in manufacture of cocaine.

Hidden inside a golf bag in the garage, police also allegedly found a Glock-style gel blaster pistol.

Iaria was arrested at the scene and taken to Penrith Police Station, where he was charged with 15 offences.

The case gained wider interest because Iaria is a friend of Penrith Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary. The house Iaria was renting, which was the subject of the police search, is owned by Cleary.

Cleary is not accused of any involvement in the case, nor is there any suggestion he had knowledge of the alleged criminal activity.

Iaria spent time in custody before a last-minute Supreme Court application for bail was heard on Saturday, February 7, granting Iaria conditional bail on the morning of his wedding.

Iaria’s case returned to Penrith Local Court last Friday, July 17 where it was adjourned until Friday, August 21. His bail will continue.

DA26/0610

Torrens title subdivision into 18 residential lots (Stage 1C, Glenmore Park Stage 3)

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from NSW RFS S100b Rural Fires Act 1997

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/datracker, in the period from Monday 27 July 2026 to Sunday 9 August 2026.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission submission. The submission is to include Council’s reference number DA26/0610. For any queries relating to the proposal: Jacqueline Klincke on 4732 8391.

• The Trustee For Legpro Orchard Hills Holdings Stage 15 Unit Trust DA26/0588 (Lot 31 DP 1344 and Lot 1 DP 863335) 190–226 Caddens Road, Orchard Hills Civil and stormwater works, new roads, retaining walls and landscaping, and Staged Torrens title subdivision into 145 lots comprising 139 residential, 1 rural/ residential, 1 drainage, Open Space and Riparian Corridor, and 4 residue lots (Stage 15 Orchard Hills North). Site Includes 53–61 Castle Road

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application also seeks approval under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, Rural Fires Act 1997 and Water Management Act 2000

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/datracker, in the period from Monday 27 July 2026 to Sunday 23 August 2026.

Reece Iaria.

EMILY CHATE

Ben Carter was taken to St Marys Police Station after his arrest. Photo: NSW Police Force.

Send your jokes to news@westernweekender.com.au.

cupboard prize

anly’s beautiful North Head Sanctuary will light up again this September and October welcoming the finest live music back to the historic precinct,

do you know where this picture was taken?

Tell us exactly where this week’s featured I Spy image is located in Penrith and you could win! Email competitions@westernweekender.com.au with your answer for your chance to win two movie tickets. Our winner will be notified by email. Entries close each Wednesday at 5pm.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

with the popular Night at The Barracks series of concerts returning for a fifth breathtaking season under the stars. The stellar programme of Sydney performances commences on Friday, September 11, rolling out across four magical weekends before concluding on Saturday, October 3.

The spectacular open-air concert series will this year feature acclaimed international artist Ben Folds.

The line-up will once again feature performances from Australia’s finest artists including ARIA award-winning bands

The Temper Trap, indie-folk band Boy & Bear, The Cruel Sea (pictured) with Magic Dirt, and JET. The Cruel Sea will be performing an exclusive celebration of the 30th anniversary of their #1, double-platinum album Three Legged Dog.

Everyone’s favourite Aussie rocker Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets / The Angels) is premiering his award-winning new show Long Way to The Top on Sunday, September 13 with

songs by AC/DC, INXS Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Powderfinger and many more, brought to you by Triple M. Platinum selling electro-pop, dance act Sneaky Sound System featuring the incredible Connie Mitchell and DJ Angus McDonald are confirmed for the second weekend with guests The Potbelleez on Saturday, September 19, with LA based, ARIA award-winning Australian electro pop pioneers PNAU bringing their live show to Manly on Friday, September 25. Katie Noonan, widely regarded as one of our country’s most versatile and prolific artists is performing her critically acclaimed live show, Jeff Buckley’s Grace, on Sunday, September 27. This follows a sell-out national tour of over 25 performances celebrating this

iconic and influential album. In addition to these headliners, an exceptional list of support acts has been confirmed including Lastlings, Charlie Collins, Alice Ivy, Lindsey Kraft, Georgia Fields and more. For tickets and further information at nightatthebarracks. com.au

The Weekender has four double passes to The Cruel Say at Night at the Barracks to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@westernweekender.com.au with ‘CRUEL’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, August 7 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www.westernweekender.com. au or Weekender reception.

Last week’s photo was taken on Castlereagh Road near Bunnings North Penrith. my name: Russell my proud owner: Charisse, Troy, Josh, Grace and Isabelle i live in: Glenmore Park

Email alison.hall@westernweekender.com.au with your favourite picture of your pet, and include your name, pet’s name, suburb and a blurb about your favourite furry friend. a bit about me: I’m the newest addition to my family! I’m a playful chihuahua who loves treats and zipping around the backyard.

Building a city from the ground up

Bradfield City’s Second Building officially had its sod turned last week, marking an exciting milestone for the first new city in 100 years.

Construction has commenced on the new building at Bradfield City dedicated to building sovereign manufacturing capability as well as approval being granted for a new $1 billion industrial estate at the Aerotropolis.

“These investments are driving the creation of jobs, industries, and economic opportunities where local residents can build their careers closer to home,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to build a brand-new city from the ground up, and we’re attracting investment and industries that will benefit the region for generations to come.”

The purpose-designed 7,000 square metre building will house Australia’s first commercial Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Facility, providing local businesses with access to the world-class advanced semiconductor packaging, micro-electronics, and precision manufacturing capabilities.

Featuring ISO 5 cleanroom laboratories supported by advanced microscopy, electron-

ics, taping and dicing capabilities, the facility will help drive breakthroughs in critical fields such as quantum computing, photonics, sensing, communications, and medtech.

The new building will also include a second advanced manufacturing hall to expand the capabilities of the initial Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility which opened last year.

The Second Building will be delivered by Australian builder Hasen Yuncken and will be located next to the first AMRF already operating.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully was excited to commence construction on Bradfield’s Second Building.

“By delivering ambitious projects like the Second Building to house Australia’s first commercial Semiconductor Advanced Packaging Facility, Bradfield City is creating the conditions for advanced industries to invest, innovate and grow in western Sydney,” he said.

“We are also seeing continued investment in the Aerotropolis as a place to do business, with significant investment and development occurring across manufacturing, logistics, technology and industrial sectors.

“Projects like these demonstrate how Bradfield City and the Aerotropolis are places

where businesses can expand right in the heart of western Sydney close to a talented, skilled and diverse workforce, supported by world-class infrastructure and growing industry capability.”

Bradfield City also had a new $1 billion industrial estate given planning approval last week.

Jointly owned by Uni Super and IFM Investors, Burrah Park is the largest industrial estate approved in the Aerotropolis to date and is expected to create more than 6,300 ongoing jobs in freight, logistics, advanced

manufacturing and high technology industries when finalised in 2032.

The proposal includes early commitments from international logistics giant DHL Supply Chain (Australia), which plans to establish a world-class 24/7 warehouse and distribution operation within the estate.

The concept proposal for the entire estate has been approved, as well as the first stage of the development which involves the construction of three logistics centres and the staged delivery of major infrastructure such as upgrades to Elizabeth Drive.

The sod has been turned on the next building at Bradfield.

Man’s request after dad killed

A man accused of brutally killing his father has requested to not be referred to by their shared surname.

The body of Ricardo Solis was discovered partially on fire in front of a home in Glenmore Park last Thursday.

Police allege the man in his 60s was murdered outside his home by his son Edicar Solis following a confrontation.

The younger man was arrested hours later and faced Penrith Local Court last Friday, sporting a bandaged hand.

His lawyer Javid Faiz told the court the alleged murderer did not want to be referred to by his last name.

Instead, the accused man wanted to use the name Ardi.

Faiz asked that his client be assessed by two psychiatrists as he pushed to have the matter dealt with under mental health laws.

Solis had been released from custody in April, with material indicating he needs to see a psychiatrist for ongoing mental health issues, his lawyer told the court.

Judge Stephen Corry said the alleged murderer could receive treatment while in custody.

“Given the nature of the facts involving significant violence, I wouldn’t have thought it would be appropriate for a person to be held in a mental health facility,” he said.

He ordered Solis be assessed by NSW Corrective Services before the matter returns to court in September.

– Adelaide Lang, AAP

WASTE BREACH

Scrap yard slugged $30,000 after EPA investigation

Ascrap metal recycling site in St Marys has been fined $30,000 for unlawfully operating a waste facility without a licence or appropriate environmental controls.

A NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigation confirmed Sunrise Metal Recycling was accepting old cars and other waste materials, then separating and sorting them –which meets the legal definition of a waste facility in NSW.

NSW EPA Director Field Operations David Gathercole said Sunrise Metal Recycling was advised of its obligations in 2022 but chose to continue operating without approval.

“The premises clearly meets the definition of a waste facility – and there’s a reason that approvals and an Environment Protection Licence is required for these activities,” Gathercole said.

“Waste materials such as scrap metal, e-waste, lead-acid batteries and waste tyres can pose risks to the environment and the community when not stored or managed properly,

including risks of fire. While no major pollution incidents have occurred at the facility, these risks can’t be ignored.”

Investigating officers found the environmental controls at the site were lacking, particularly its stormwater management protocols, and staff knowledge of environmental risks was low.

“Further, the business had gained financially from the non-compliance by failing to pay their licence fee and avoiding implementing measures required to protect the environment,” Gathercole said.

Scrap metal businesses are permitted to operate without an Environment Protection Licence if they process less than 1,000 tonnes of waste, but they require development consent.

Photos taken by investigators at Sunrise Metal Recycling in St Marys.

Community Facilities Open Day Saturday 22 August, 11am–3pm

Discover what life at Halcyon Gables is all about at our Community Facilities Open the display homes, meet homeowners lifestyle that makes Halcyon Gables so special. From pickleball courts and lawn style pool precinct, this is your chance to see our community at its very best. Call today on 1800 050 050 or visit stockland.com.au/halcyon-gables Sales & Information Centre 15 Whistler Way, Gables 10am–4pm,

Car rental giants locked in at WSI

Asuite of Australia’s leading car rental agencies have signed on to operate out of the Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).

Travellers will be able to choose from a broad range of cars and rental options across five rental agencies including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Redspot.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Western Sydney International Airport and be part of this transformational project from the very beginning,” Avis Budget Group Australia Managing Director Pacific Thomas Mooney said.

“This partnership represents a significant opportunity to support the growth of western Sydney while continuing to deliver convenient, reliable and innovative mobility solutions for travellers across Australia.

“Western Sydney International Airport will play a critical role in connecting communities, creat-

ing jobs and driving economic growth and we are proud that Avis Budget Group will be alongside the airport on this journey.”

WSI CEO Simon Hickey said the appointment of car rental partners is another way customers can enjoy choice and flexibility at the new 24-hour airport.

“At WSI, we’re rethinking the airport experience from the ground up and that includes how customers access car hire when they arrive or depart,” he said.

“Our car rental offering has been designed around conven-

ience, choice, and simplicity giving travellers access to leading global brands through a seamless experience.

“WSI will serve as a gateway to some of Australia’s most popular driving holiday destinations including the Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands.

“For visitors looking to explore Sydney and beyond, having convenient access to rental vehicles from the moment they arrive will make it easier to discover these iconic regions by road.”

Each of the major brands will

have a kiosk inside the terminal, serving both pre-booked and walk-up customers, allowing travellers to easily arrange transport on arrival.

The vehicle collection will be in P1 within a short two-to-threeminute walk from the terminal.

Bookings will open via the participating operators’ websites in the coming months with further information also set to be published on the WSI website ahead of passenger services commencing in October.

Hertz APAC Vice President Damien Shaw was excited to begin operations at WSI.

“Having a presence at Western Sydney International Airport represents an important step in Hertz’s continued investment in Australia’s transport infrastructure and evolving mobility needs,” Shaw said.

“We will play a key role in supporting passenger movements from day one of operations, offering convenient and reliable transport solutions.”

Bradfield Bulletin

Avis and Budget are among the rental car providers at the airport.

BUSY AIRSPACE IN FOCUS

“See and avoid”: Approach questioned as chopper crash inquest continues

ROBYN WUTH, AAP

The skies surrounding a theme park where a fatal mid-air helicopter crash occurred, killing a Glenmore Park mum and three others, are so busy that pilots rely mainly on a “see and avoid” approach, a coroner has heard.

Three tourists and Sea World Helicopters pilot Ashley Jenkinson were killed in a mid-air collision between two helicopters near the Gold Coast theme park on January 2, 2023.

Former Sea World Helicopters pilot Scott Menzies on Tuesday said the Gold Coast Broadwater was a small, busy area where traffic built up particularly over the Christmas-New Year period.

Effective radio communication was critical because without it pilots could not properly manage safety or avoid collisions, he said.

Menzies said he did not recall Jenkinson making a taxi or departure call on the day of the fatal crash.

Radio calls on the common traffic advisory frequency were often “stepped on” as multiple helicopters and training aircraft competed for airtime, the coroner heard.

Pilots operating out of the Broadwater still relied mainly on “see and avoid” to prevent collisions, Menzies said, warning that electronic traffic systems could suffer delays and occasionally show aircraft half a mile from their actual position.

Menzies flew for Sea World Helicopters before starting his own operation.

He is now chief pilot of Gold Coast Helitours, which was not involved in the crash.

Former Sea World Helicopters chief pilot Brett Anderson told the inquest the Broadwater had long been recognised as a complex envi-

ronment, with multiple helicopters operating from closely spaced pads outside the theme park. Anderson, now head of flying operations for a Sydney helicopter company, said conflict points in the airspace were not uncommon but had been managed through procedures, radio calls and ground support rather than major changes to flight paths.

He said pilots still depended on “looking out the window” and “keeping your head on a swivel” to spot other aircraft.

Extra radio channels, electronic displays and ground crew were options to boost situational awareness, he said.

The inquest has also examined aviation drug and alcohol rules and how they applied to Sea World

Helicopters. Witnesses earlier told the court they saw Jenkinson take cocaine at a New Year’s Eve party before the fatal flight.

The crash also killed British newlyweds Ronald and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 67, and Glenmore Park mother Vanessa Tadros, 36.

Nine others were injured including Tadros’ young son Nicholas who lost a leg and spent months in hospital. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires operators to have drug and alcohol management plans for safety-sensitive staff. Operators can introduce their own routine testing, including daily pre-flight breath tests for alcohol, but there is no mandated minimum frequency for regular illicit drug screening.

Revealed: Plan for 1,500 new homes

The State Government is set to unlock up to 1,500 homes and more than 1,000 jobs in western Sydney by transforming under-utilised Western Sydney University (WSU) land.

The proposal outlines plans for 99 hectares of the Werrington site including open space and a new town centre aiming to create a mixed-use, walkable neighbourhood close to transport, jobs and services.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said the additional housing provided by the proposal will help meet the need of the growing western Sydney community.

“As our area continues to grow, it’s essential that much-needed housing is planned to meet the needs of western Sydney families – that means housing which is delivered alongside local infrastructure,” Car said.

“We are committed to ensuring infrastructure and services match growth across western Sydney, ensuring it is an even better place to live, work and raise a family.”

An artist’s impression of the proposed development, showing new active areas.

This proposal, submitted by WSU and Stockland, will make use of land no longer required for university operations while creating a connected, walkable community.

The proposal plans for 1,500 homes including around 500 apartments, 900 residential

lots and 45 affordable homes as well as a local centre supporting more than 1,000 ongoing jobs in addition to around 1,000 construction jobs. There will be a mix of low to mid-rise housing, with buildings ranging from two to seven storeys.

There will also be approximately 12,000 square metres of retail, commercial, and community floor space and 18.4 hectares of public open space including parks, recreation areas and green links.

The proposal will also deliver 12.5 hectares of conservation land to protect environmentally significant areas and provide community facilities including the heritage listed Frogmore House.

There will be an investigation area for a potential future school.

“This plan makes better use of well-located land to deliver more homes, jobs and open space in a growing part of western Sydney, close to transport and essential services,” NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully said.

“By creating a new mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, open space, shops and community facilities, this plan has the potential to deliver the homes people need, in the communities they choose.”

The proposal is on public exhibition until Thursday, August 20, and the community is encouraged to review the plans and provide feedback via NSW Planning.

Police and Fire and Rescue personnel inspect a Sea World helicopter at the scene of a helicopter collision near Seaworld in 2023. Photo: AAP.

DEMOUNTABLES GONE

Kingswood Public School

Kingswood Public School began the first day of the new school term with a visit from the NSW Premier to celebrate the completion of a major upgrade at the school.

Delivered six months ahead of schedule, eight permanent modern classrooms are replacing temporary, demountable classrooms at the school while a further 13 classrooms have been refurbished.

“The Kingswood community asked for better school facilities, and we listened. These world-class facilities will support generations of students and ensure Kingswood Public School continues to deliver excellence,” Member for Penrith Karen McKeown said.

“We promised to replace every ageing demountable that the Liberals put on the school site and I’m proud the Minns Labor Government has delivered.”

The new classrooms will replace all of the demountables on site, some of which are a decade old. The removal of the demountables will return open play spaces to students.

Principal of Kingswood Public

School Norma Petrocco thanked the school community for their patience during the construction process.

“We want to thank the families and community members who advocated for this project and helped make it possible. Students will benefit from these improvements for years to come,” she said.

“This completed upgrade is a boost for our students and dedicated teachers who work tirelessly to inspire and nurture them through their schooling.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car was excited to see the school kids using their new classrooms.

“Under the previous government

we saw places like Kingswood Public School where demountables were a band aid fix [that were used] as the permanent solution,” she said.

“Demountables on school sites for more than a decade is not good enough, kids and their teachers deserve permanent classrooms.

“We’re doing both things; we are

building the brand-new classrooms, the brand-new schools, upgrading existing schools and making sure that the teachers inside those classrooms are well paid and are supported to do the incredible work that they do.”

Premier Chris Minns toured the new classrooms with McKeown and Car and said the upgraded classrooms were overdue.

“This is an investment for western Sydney that is long overdue and absolutely crucial,” he said.

“These communities are some of the fastest growing in the country, and the grim reality is, for decades, there was an under investment. When you take into consideration the number of families and the projected growth of school aged children in public education, there just wasn’t enough schools, not enough permanent classrooms, not enough teachers, and systematically over the last 3.5 years we’ve made decisions to invest in what is not nice to have but a must have for a developed, modern society and economy.

“You need world class public education, and we are delivering it for western Sydney.”

Premier Chris Minns meets with students. Photo: Melinda Jane. Prue Car chats with students.

No child is left behind

Swimming is more than a physical activity in Australia – it’s part of the country’s culture.

That is why Nepean Aquatic Centre and Rainbow Club have partnered to ensure every local has access to swimming lessons regardless of ability.

Together, they are expanding access to specialist swimming lessons for children and young adults with a disability.

“We are delighted to partner with Rainbow Club to bring access to swimming lessons to more families in the region,” said Director at Nepean Aquatic Centre Karen Bentley.

“Our Achievers Program at Nepean Aquatic Centre has been providing all ability swimming lessons for many years, however we are simply unable to keep up with the demand for all ability lessons in our local community and do not want any child to miss out.

“Every child deserves the chance

to learn to swim, gain confidence in the water, and develop skills that can save lives. This partnership will help ensure more local children with a disability have that opportunity.”

Now, local families requiring specialist swimming instruction can be referred to Rainbow Club’s nearby specialist programs, while children who are ready may be supported to transition to mainstream swimming lessons at Nepean Aquatic Centre.

“We’re excited to work alongside Nepean Aquatic Centre to create more opportunities for children with a disability to access the swimming program that best meets their individual needs,” said Northwest Sydney Regional Manager at Rainbow Club Ali Searle.

“By working together, we hope to create a more inclusive community where every child can thrive and progress in the right environment for their stage of swimming development.

“We also look forward to support-

ing children to transition from specialist to mainstream swimming programs as their confidence, independence and skills continue to grow.”

Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report 2025 showed there were 357 drowning deaths in the 12 months prior – a 27 per cent increase on the 10-year average.

With that in mind, Nepean Aquatic Centre’s HR and Marketing Manager Julie Sheldrake said this partnership is more important than ever.

“I’m really excited and relieved because when demand exceeds what we’re able to provide for children needing swimming lessons from any section of the community it’s always a little bit disappointing. With demand outstripping opportunity, this partnership means that no child will go without a lesson that’s suited to their level of progression and ability,” she said.

“To ever have to turn a child away does not sit well with us as a

business, so we will do everything in our power to make sure we can fill the swimming lesson needs of every child that comes to us, and this partnership helps us do that.”

Both Nepean Aquatic Centre and Rainbow Club’s qualified instructors are specially trained to

teach children with a wide range of disabilities using individualised teaching methods.

Families interested in enrolling their children can learn more online at www.nepeanaquaticcentre.com. au and www.myrainbowclub.org. au.

Motorists warned of likely delays on Mulgoa Road

Motorists are being warned of potential delays as more work on Mulgoa Road takes place from next week

The work will take place between Monday, July 27 and Thursday, August 6.

Affected intersections include where Mulgoa Road crosses with School House Road, Jeanette Street, Spencer Street, Gibbes Street, and Glenmore Parkway.

The work will include:

– Investigating ground conditions

– Investigating, constructing and relocating utilities

– Constructing permanent kerb, gutter and verge

– Constructing temporary and permanent pavements

– Drainage installation and investigation work

– Sewer rising main installation

– Restoring the site when the work is finished.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) will carry out night work between 6pm and 7am on the 27th, 28th, and 30th of July, as well as on the 3rd, 4th, and 6th of August, weather permitting.

Traffic may be affected while work is being undertaken and motorists are advised to follow the direction of traffic controllers and signage.

A speed limit of 40km/h will be in place while the work is being undertaken.

ALLY HALL

Learn to swim at your own pace with Nepean Aquatic Centre and Rainbow Club! Photo: Nepean Aquatic Centre.

Work will take place on Mulgoa Road over the next fortnight.

EMILY CHATE

Giving back: Food drive to help locals in need

Local real estate agency

Merrick Property Group is launching its Community Food Drive, with the first collection date scheduled for August 2.

“We’re organising the Community Food Drive because we understand that times are tough for many families right now,” said Merrick Property Group Sales Consultant Ty Hickson.

“As a local business, we’re fortunate to have a strong network of schools, businesses and people throughout the Penrith community. We want to use those connections to bring people together and support those who need it most.

“Even small donations can make a real difference when a community works together.”

Hickson told the Weekender that giving back to the community has always been important to him.

“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in community fundraising through sport, during my time at St Dominic’s College, and through my work

at Merrick Property Group,” he said.

“I’ve also been inspired by community-minded people such as Matt Gamble from Unwind. Studios, who are passionate about making a positive impact.”

number of local schools, the Merrick Property Group team hope to unite the community for this initiative.

“We’re proud to support organisations that are making a genuine difference in our local community, including Mama Lana’s Community Foundation, the Penrith Lions Club and The Ross Hutchison Foundation,” Hickson said.

“These are some organisations which do an incredible job supporting local families and individuals, and we’re excited to play a small part in helping them continue their important work and meet many new members of the community.”

“Seeing firsthand the incredible work they do and the number of meals they prepare for people doing it tough really opened my eyes,”

Hickson said.

“I’ve also had the privilege of help-

His mum, who volunteers at Mama Lana’s Community Foundation, is also a source of inspiration.

ing at their building through previous work, so I’ve seen the impact they have on the local community. It makes you realise how much of a difference a simple act of kindness can make.”

In addition to the support that the agency already provides to a

To participate in the Community Food Drive, email or call Merrick property Group to provide your residential address. From there, place donated non-perishable food items in a bag or box clearly marked with an ‘M’ and leave it on your front doorstep by 12pm on August 2 for pick-up.

Email Merrick Property Group at community@merrickpropertygroup.com.au or call the team at 4760 0812.

Do you want to be friends?

Making new friends can be a daunting experience – take it from someone who moved to Penrith two years ago without knowing anyone!

So, in honour of International Day of Friendship on July 30, here are my top three suggestions to form connections in the Nepean region.

Like a Club

Like a Club is a social and networking collective founded by Adam Rogers, Larissa Smith, and Holly Bryan.

The trio organise social and networking events across Penrith where everyone is welcome.

“We wanted to create a community where the younger, next generation could come together and connect. That’s why we launched Like a Club,” Rogers said.

“We decided it would be a networking

nity at the start, but after our first and second event, we found that there was a need for social gatherings in Penrith as well.”

The networking events are ideal for young professionals and small businesses to build connections, meanwhile the social events are a comfortable way to build personal relationships.

“When you go to the pub or a café to make friends, people are already there with their own groups, and it’s harder to introduce yourself.

But coming to this event where you know that it’s purposeful, you can just walk up to an individual or a group and say, ‘Hey, I’m new’,” Smith said.

“It removes that barrier of feeling like you can’t speak to someone because everyone is walking around talking to people.

“We had someone come to our event for the first time recently and they spoke to every single person in the room. He worked his

way around and made all these new connections. At no point does anyone try to shut people out of a conversation. It’s very open and everyone is there to have a conversation and meet new people.”

Find out more about Like a Club online at https://www.likeaclub. com/ or keep an eye on the Instagram account @likeaclub.

is an incredible play community in Penrith and he has seen many friendships bloom at the store.

“In the modern world we are so tied up with the digital space where everything is connected and always turned on,” he said.

Mega Games

For those who prefer to bond through activities, Mega Games

Penrith is the place to be. The High Street store and venue hosts games nights on Fridays and Saturdays.

“People are welcome to come along and join with local groups that play; they play all sorts of games, from very simple ones to quite challenging and complex ones,” said Mega Games’ Moloy Rossiter.

“We have organised play sessions across a lot of trading card games like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars, and Lorcana.”

Rossiter told the Weekender there

“Having the ability to switch off, go a little more analogue, and sit down face-to-face and socialise in a structured, safe environment gives the opportunity for creativity, meeting new people, and building friendships. In a lot of cases, those friendships are very long term.”

Visit the Mega Games Penrith store on 478 High Street.

The Lions Club of Penrith

If you want to combine friendship with community service, you can join a local not-for-profit organisation like the Lions Club of Penrith.

Lions Club members Lyne and Matthew Plummer said the shared goal of helping others is a great base for friendship.

“When you have a common goal, that’s how you get people together and form connections,” Matthew said.

“We do a lot of face-to-face things with the public like the Chocolate Wheel, our barbecues, and helping out at cultural festivals,” Lyne continued.

“Through those social interactions, you build a network of people that you know, and common interests then draw you together again.”

In addition to fundraising events,

the Penrith Lions Club meets fortnightly.

“At the Lions Club, you don’t bring along politics or religion, and you don’t come with an agenda. Everybody is welcome and we have people from all different backgrounds and religions,” Matthew said.

“In our ethics, nobody can be denied by race, politics, or religion. Our group is welcoming to all,” Lyne finalised.

In addition to Like a Club, Mega Games, and charitable organisations like the Penrith Lions Club, there are a plethora of sporting clubs and run clubs in the Penrith area for people who prefer to connect through physical activity.

So, if you’re in the market to broaden your friendship circle, that’s where I would start.

The Merrick Property Group team are preparing for their food drive. Photo: Melinda Jane.

ALLY HALL

The founders of Like a Club. Photo: Ally Hall.

Mega Games is on High Street.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

Lyne and Matthew from Penrith Lions Club. Photo: Melinda Jane.

ALLY HALL

Liberals move slow on candidate

The Liberal Party has edged slightly closer to finding a Penrith candidate for the 2027 State Election, officially opening nominations for the seat.

Just a handful of first preference votes separated the two major parties at the 2023 State Election, with a 2.2 per cent swing to Labor after preferences resulting in Karen McKeown being elected the local Member.

With Labor’s hold on the seat sitting at a precarious 1.6 per cent, Penrith is one of the seats the Liberal Party is hoping to win back at next March’s State Election as it rebuilds under new leader Kellie Sloane.

But its lack of candidate in the seat, albeit still more than six months out from the election, is raising concerns from some within the party, particularly given One Nation’s likely impact on the seat.

Former Deputy Liberal Leader and long-time Penrith MP Stuart Ayres, who lost the seat to McKeown at the 2023 election, had been rumoured to be considering a comeback in an attempt to win back his old seat.

But it is understood that Ayres, who is now CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW), is at long odds to be the candidate and has little interest in moving on from his current position.

Current Councillor Reece Nuttall has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

More: westernweekender.com.au.

Quilters back for annual airing

ALLY HALL

On August 29 from 9.30am to 2.30pm, the Arms of Australia Inn will be covered in colourful quilts that are bound for the beds of local palliative care patients.

This annual display and fundraiser –called Airing of the Quilts – and subsequent donation is organised by the Caring Hearts Community Quilters – a group founded by Margaret Collier and Anne Thomas.

“We started in 2000, and we’ve been making quilts for palliative care patients for 26 years,” Margaret said about the charity.

“There are around eight or nine of us, but we do have people that give us quilts and make quilts outside our group. So, we do get donations of quilts as well, but we’re pretty prolific; we have a lot of fabric, and we sew and sew and sew and sew.”

There will be over 100 quilts on display at Airing of the Quilts, and entry costs $5. All funds raised will go towards making more for local palliative care patients.

“They are at the end of their life and it’s nice to give somebody something and bring them a little bit of comfort,” Margaret said.

“Before we give them all out, we hang them up. We only do it for five hours just to

get enough money for wadding for the year.

That’s what we do with the money. We don’t make thousands of dollars or anything, but it kicks us along for another year.”

In addition to perusing the quilted wonderland on the day, there will also be a raffle quilt, a trading table with handmade goods, a plant stall, refreshments, and the historical

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

Transformation of St Marys gets underway

Penrith City Council and our community’s shared vision for St Marys is coming to life. The ground has officially been broken on the highly anticipated central park project, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of St Marys.

society

For more information

the cause, contact Margaret Collier on 0438 670 012.

The needs of current and future generations are top of mind for Council, and the multi-million-dollar central park will serve as a civic heart. It will bring people together in a beautiful green space where they can relax and enjoy community events, only steps from transport, shops and other facilities.

Importantly, we’re delivering this park now, in line with our commitment to amenity-led transformation that provides immediate benefits to our existing community, and unlocks further investment and opportunities for the future.

It was fantastic to be on site last week and turn the first sod, as early works get underway before major construction starts. Council has recognised and strategically planned for St Marys’ place in Sydney’s growth story, and the central park project is a crucial part of the St Marys Town Centre Master Plan.

St Marys is at the heart of one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions. The new airport, which opens for freight operations this weekend, and the Metro rail line under construction, are catalytic for our region.

As more people choose to invest, do business and call this City home, Council is building on the strengths of St Marys to make it even more vibrant, welcoming and connected.

The St Marys population is set to reach 25,500 by 2041 and around 9,300 new dwellings and more than 8,300 new jobs will be created over the next 20 years through the Master Plan.

Projects like this are so important as they support changing and thriving communities.

Thanks again to all of you who have contributed to the vision for St Marys and helped shape the central park design.

We are also grateful to the NSW Government for sharing our vision and partnering with Council to deliver this vital infrastructure.

We anticipate that the park will be open by mid-2028. Visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/stmaryscentralpark for more information.

CR TODD CARNEY Mayor of

Penrith

will be cooking a sausage sizzle and making Devonshire tea.

about Airing of the Quilts at Arms of Australia Inn on August 29, or to enquire about joining the Caring Hearts Community Quilters and contributing to

Members of the Caring Hearts Community Quilters. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Fostering leaders of the future

ALLY HALL

Last week, Penrith local Thalia participated in The Y NSW Youth Parliament Sitting Week as one of 100 young people from across the state.

This year marked Youth Parliament’s 25th anniversary, and Thalia took the opportunity to upskill and connect with like-minded people.

“I wanted to meet all these incredible, authentic and passionate people,” Thalia explained why she chose to participate.

“Everyone here has brought something truly special to the program. There are people who are passionate about HSC and making things better towards the curriculum, and then there are people who are passionate about women’s affairs and domestic violence.

“There is such a widespread range of interests and passions. Not only that, but I wanted to have the wonderful experience of seeing how Parliament works and being part of that process.”

Youth Parliament participants spent months researching and writing their own Bills, which they debated last week. Some issues included youth homelessness, mental health, ethical use of AI, and more. Thalia’s portfolio was Youth Justice.

“Right now, we’re working on our Hate Crime Bill, but I’m actually a refuter, so I didn’t create the Bill, but I am making a lot of amendments towards it,” she told the Weekender last week.

“The Bill is particularly looking at online hate crimes. We are targeting cyber bullying and gang

recruitment, and our amendments strengthen the Bill.”

An example of an amendment Thalia called for is ensuring the Bill is more specific, and also better rehabilitation services.

“They say that if people don’t seem to be improving with their psychological analysis’ they should be put into further facilities,” Thalia explained.

“We have combatted that by saying they need to have proper rehabilitation and better facilities rather than just moving them on to longer sentences.”

Throughout her experience, Thalia felt supported by her peers and reaffirmed in her future goals.

“After school I want to go into something like law, politics, or even economics. That is something I’m really passionate about. I love

Work begins on major new industrial development

EMILY CHATE

The official groundbreaking ceremony took place this week for the new $139 million Crosspoint estate on Elizabeth Drive, a major industrial development in the heart of the Aerotropolis.

Crosspoint was the first major State Significant Development industrial community approved in the Aerotropolis and the commencement is a catalyst for the broader $26 billion in development planned for the precinct.

The development will deliver 70,000 square metres of industrial and logistics space across seven buildings on the corner of Elizabeth Drive and The Northern Road.

Crosspoint is owned by Aware Real Estate, developed in partnership with Barings and backed by Aware Super.

“Crosspoint represents the type of high-quality, longterm investment we seek on behalf of Aware Super members,” CEO of Aware Real Estate Tracey Whitby said.

“Located alongside one of Australia’s most significant infrastructure projects, the estate is well positioned to

benefit from the long-term growth of western Sydney and the increasing demand for modern industrial and logistics assets.”

Aware Super Head of Property Alek Misev said the estate will contribute to the economy for decades to come.

“With western Sydney continuing to grow as one of the key logistics hubs in Australia, Aware Super sees this development as an important economic contributor to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis for many years to come,” Misev said.

The industries and jobs at Crosspoint will provide key goods and services essential to the operation of the airport.

Over 600 jobs will be created, including 390 during development and 250 full-time jobs on completion.

Head of Industrial Development for Barings Real Estate Australia Stephen O’Connor said the estate will support economic growth.

“Barings takes a long-term vision in creating high-quality industrial and logistics assets in transformative, infrastructure-led precincts which support economic growth and provide sustained employment opportunities,” he said.

“Crosspoint exemplifies this strategy.”

Deputy Premier Prue Car said developments like this were helping bring the aerotropolis “to life”.

making change, I love helping others, and I love arguing for the rights of others,” she said.

Thalia has advice for those who hope to participate in the program in the future.

“Put in your best effort – even if you don’t think you’re going to be good at something. A lot of people here didn’t think they were going to be good at what they’re doing now, but as soon as they get into it, they have so much fun,” she said.

“They feel like they are making a

difference and they are setting an example for the rest of the people that are going to come into this program. Even if you don’t want to do this program, if you put in your best effort, people will want to follow in your footsteps. It’s amazing to set that example.”

The Y NSW’s 25th Youth Parliament concluded on July 17 after giving high school students the opportunity to advocate, strengthen skills, and make life-long connections.

Thalia. Photo: The Y NSW.

Todd Carney, Prue Car, Alek Misev, Stephen O’Connor and Tracey Whitby. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Δ Let’s go Crazy: Stir Crazy has opened its new location at Nepean Village. It’s in the old Gloria Jeans building near Percy Plunkett. The opening of the new shop follows its departure from Westfield Penrith earlier this year.

Δ Nespresso in Penrith: Nespresso has announced a new pop-up boutique will open soon at Westfield Penrith, bringing its premium coffee experience to Sydney’s west for the first time. Open from Monday, July 27 the boutique will provide local coffee lovers with easier access to Nespresso’s wide range of coffees, machines, accessories and expert advice, alongside convenient capsule recycling services.

Δ Cheers to Chimichurri: Australian family-owned food brand SUR Direct has launched its ready-to-eat chimichurri range into Harris Farm Markets, making its authentic Latin American flavours more accessible to shoppers both in-store and online. Founded by Carlos and Janet Cordova and inspired by the family’s Latin American heritage, SUR Direct creates flavour-packed products using traditional recipes and quality Australian ingredients. Harris Farm Markets now stocks two of the brand’s most popular products: its award-winning Original Chimichurri and Extra Hot Chimichurri.

Δ A great catch: Australia’s best-selling fishing guide, The Complete Fishing Bible by legendary Australian fisherman, underwater photographer and television personality Alistair ‘Al’ McGlashan, has returned in a fully updated sixth edition, eight years after the previous edition. Widely regarded as Australia’s most comprehensive recreational fishing guide, the 528-page book features the latest fishing tackle, technology and techniques,

hundreds of new photographs, updated fishing locations and practical tips for everyone from first-time anglers to seasoned fishers.

Δ On the market: Stonebridge Property Group has been appointed to sell the standalone El Jannah, Guzman y Gomez and Hungry Jack’s investments at Cranebrook individually. Completed in June 2026, the three freestanding drive thru assets are seamlessly integrated into a new mixed-use development also including a new service station, childcare centre and gym. KFC also occupies a neighbouring property.

Δ Got some Source? Tell us about store openings, new menus and more! Email news@westernweekender.com.au to contribute to The Source.

CAR AVAN & OUTDOOR

ROADSHOW

DON’T BE LEFT BEHIND ON AI BUSINESS MATTERS

12 months ago, small business owners were asking whether AI was worth learning. Now the question is how are your competitors already using it?

AI has moved from answering questions to taking action. Tools now run ad campaigns and handle customer enquiries from first contact to resolution without human intervention. The businesses benefiting are extending what small teams can achieve.

The “augmented worker” is becoming standard. Employees who use AI effectively produce more than colleagues who don’t. This changes how you think about hiring and training. One capable person with the right tools now outperforms a team working manually.

For lean western Sydney

businesses, this matters more than it does for CBD firms with dedicated departments.

Early adopters used ChatGPT for everything and accepted inconsistent results. Businesses seeing

returns now are choosing specialised tools: accounting software with forecasting, CRM systems that predict customer behaviour. That question from 12 months ago has been

BRADLEY SILK Projects Manager at Simple Media

answered. The businesses moving ahead are automating action, amplifying their people, and picking tools that fit their problems. The question now is whether you’ll catch up before the gap becomes permanent. What you can do this week: Identify one process where your team spends hours on repetitive decisions. Research whether a purpose-built AI tool exists for it. Start narrow, measure the result, then expand.

Most businesses don’t fail because they’re unprofitable. They fail because they run out of cash before they have time to react.

Cashflow problems rarely appear overnight. They build quietly over weeks until one Friday, you’re wondering how you’ll pay wages, the BAS, or your suppliers.

That’s why I’m such a passionate advocate for the 13-week cashflow forecast.

Despite the name, this isn’t an accounting exercise. It’s one of the most powerful leadership tools a business owner can have.

A 13-week cashflow forecast estimates the money expected to come into your bank account and the money due to go out over the next three months. More importantly, it gives you time to act while you still have choices. Instead of reacting to a

crisis, you can follow up overdue invoices, negotiate payment terms, delay non-essential spending, bring work forward, or arrange finance before you’re under pressure.

That’s proactive leadership.

The strongest businesses I work with review their forecast every week. That’s not fiction, that’s fact. They don’t rely on hope or yesterday’s profit and loss report. They rely on visibility.

This week’s challenge:

Build your 13-week cashflow forecast. My all-time favourite tool is the BDO Financial Education Cash Flow Forecast Tool spreadsheet. Google it and download it. It’s a paid resource, but in

my experience it’s worth the small investment.

I prefer a spreadsheet over automated software because manually entering the receipts and payments forces you to think about the timing of every dollar. It creates awareness, accountability and better decision-making. Most importantly, update your forecast every Monday. It isn’t a report you prepare once and forget. It’s a leadership habit that helps you make better decisions.

Remember, your bank balance tells you where you’ve been. Your 13-week cashflow forecast tells you where you’re heading. One records history. The other gives you the opportunity to change the future.

LOCAL NEWS

Modern dental care with a personal touch

Nepean Family

Dental & Implant Centre provides modern, personalised dental care for families throughout Blaxland and the wider Blue Mountains and Penrith community.

Led by principal dentists Dr Navroop Singh, Dr Dhaval Patel and Dr Ravi Rai, the team combines extensive clinical experience, advanced technology and a compassionate approach to patient care.

With more than 15 years of experience, Dr Nav Singh has a particular interest in dental implants, minor oral surgery, soft-tissue grafting and full-arch implant treatment. He is committed to continuing education and incorporating current techniques and digital technology into patient care.

Dr Dhaval Patel has a calm and gentle approach, with interests in restorative dentistry, crowns, root canal treatment and dental emergencies. He takes the time to understand each patient’s concerns and aims to make every appointment relaxed and comfortable.

Dr Ravi Rai has extensive experience in general and

surgical dentistry, including wisdom-tooth removal and dental implant placement. He also has a strong interest in clear aligners, veneers and crowns.

The practice has a strong focus on helping anxious patients access the dental treatment they need. Sleep dentistry is available for suitable patients who feel particularly nervous or require longer or more complex procedures, allowing treatment to be completed in a calm, carefully monitored environment.

The practice uses modern equipment, including 3D scanning and digital imag-

ing. For implant dentistry, the team uses Straumann, a globally recognised Swiss implant system known for quality and precision.

Every patient is treated with patience, clear explanations and compassion, without judgement about how long it has been since their last dental visit.

Services include general and children’s dentistry, implants, sleep dentistry, wisdom-tooth removal, clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry and more.

Nepean Family Dental & Implant Centre is located Shop 3, 140 Great Western Highway, Blaxland. Call 9188 6844.

The Penrith Valley Chamber — where good business meets great people. We connect, support and celebrate the businesses driving Penrith’s growth, shaping a thriving, future-focused economy for the west. Business is Community. Don’t

The expert team at Nepean Family Dental & Implant Centre.

For 15 years our quali ed team at Taxtips Penrith have provided a professional and meticulous ser vice for our vast and growing clientele.

– Specialist in all individual Tax Returns, Sole Trader, Small Business, NDIS Contractors, B.A.S.

Tax Refunds on the spot (conditions apply)

TRADE

Our Trades or classifieds section is the most comprehensive weekly guide available in the Penrith and St Marys regions.

Invitation for Registrations of Interest

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment - Regentville BESS, Regentville, Penrith LGA

Castle Group proposes to develop the Regentville BESS (the project) near Regentville NSW Penrith Local Government Area (LGA). The project proposes the installation, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of an up to 900-megawatt (MW) / 4-hour duration battery energy storage system (BESS) and associated infrastructure. The project will be strategically located near the existing Transgrid Regentville 330 kilovolt (kV) Substation, providing a connection point to the National Electricity Market (NEM) that avoids the need for new transmission corridors and signi cant infrastructure upgrades

The project will be assessed as a State Signi cant Development (SSD) under NSW Government legislation (State Environmental Planning Policy [Planning Systems] 2021 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) which includes opportunities for community and stakeholder consultation. Castle Group is committed to early and transparent engagement with local and Indigenous community members and businesses throughout the planning process

In preparation for commencing the planning submission, Castle Group has engaged EMM Consulting Pty Ltd (EMM) to prepare an Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment of the site.

The purpose of Aboriginal community consultation is to:

1) assess the Aboriginal heritage values of the area,

2) assist the NSW Government in its assessment of Aboriginal heritage reports prepared for this project, and

3) support any future applications or approvals for the project sought under the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and/or the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974.

EMM, on behalf of Castle Group invites Aboriginal individuals and organisations who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the signi cance of Aboriginal objects and/ or places in the project area, and who wish to be involved in the consultation process undertaken as part of the assessment, to register their interests

Registrations of interest are to be provided no later than 6 August 2026 to: Laressa Barry

E: lbarry@emmconsulting.com.au

T: +61294939576

A: EMM Consulting Pty Ltd, The Forum, Level 10/201 Paci c Highway St Leonards NSW 2065 For more information about Regentville BESS, contact the Project Team on Ph: 1800 024 871 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm), Email: regentvillebess@castlegroup.com.au or Website: https://castlegroup.com.au/infra/

Want to increase cash ow? Need more Work?

Position Available: Junior Journalist

The Western Weekender is the Penrith region’s leading local media brand. For more than 35 years, it has been the hear tbeat of the city - providing a strong mix of news, spor t, enter tainment and more. The Weekender has been nominated as Newspaper of the Year on three separate occasions, won a major editorial award at the Mumbrella Publish Awards in 2023, and has been a star ting point for dozens of national and international journalists

We currently have a position available for a junior journalist to join our team at our Penrith-based of ce

This particular opportunity has a strong focus on community-based stories, but also extends into general news and entertainment. The ideal candidate would also create short-form video and social content where required.

Reporting to the Managing Editor, the successful candidate would write for both print and digital, with a primary focus on the highly regarded print edition.

A strong knowledge of the Penrith area would be an advantage, as would a broad news knowledge If you don’t know who the Opposition Leader is, who hosts Breakfast on 2GB or what the river walk is - this job probably isn’t for you.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic journalist with an eye for news, who is able to help deliver quality stories and information to our large readership

As this is a junior role, it also encompasses strong on-the-job training and guidance

Skills, attributes and requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to produce accurate copy

• Ability to identify and research fresh story angles and ideas

• Ability to meet tight deadlines

• Ability to work both independently and as par t of a team

• Strong wor th ethic

• A genuine interest in the local, state and national news cycle

• High attention to detail

• Ability to create shor t-form video content (such as social reels etc) would be an advantage

• Driver’s licence and car is required

This is a full-time role.

The role is open to all experience levels including junior journalists and recent graduates

A driver’s licence and car is a requirement of this role

Applications close Friday, July 31.

Email Troy.Dodds@westernweekender.com.au to apply

CONNECTION to country

A special supplement focused on local Indigenous affairs and services

Recognition for care and compassion in nursing

Awestern Sydney nurse has been recognised for her tenacity and care during her over six-decade career.

Community healthcare nurse

Shirley Brown was recently awarded the Community Award at the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association’s (NSWNMA) Stronger Together Awards for her efforts to improve health outcomes in disadvantaged communities.

She said she was surprised at the honour.

“I must admit I get quite shocked when I get awards because I feel like I’m just doing my job!” Brown said.

“It’s just amazing that I get recognised for doing my job.”

Brown grew up in a small country town where there were limited job opportunities, but one that was available to her was nursing.

Over the next 40 years Brown worked as a nurse in hospitals and regional communities, as well as being a community nurse.

Brown retired at the age of 60 but didn’t enjoy it as much as she thought.

“I did that for two months and I absolutely hated every second of it!”

Brown said with a laugh.

“So, then I went back to nursing as a community nurse and about 15 odd years ago I got asked to apply for an Aboriginal position in community nursing.

“It has probably been the best job I have ever done in my life! I’ve loved it.”

The now 83-year-old community nurse works in western Sydney delivering health care to the Indigenous population.

“Aboriginal people die 20 years younger than non-Aboriginal people, even in this day and age,” Brown explained.

“They are dying in their 50s and 60s… They get a lot of different illnesses at a very young age like they are very prone to diabetes but why? Nobody seems to understand why they’ve got a higher incidence of diabetes than any other group of people.

“Their health issues are just awful, and they need to have a lot of infor mation.”

Brown reflected that working with the Indigenous community in her local area has been the best part of her career.

“It’s a very rewarding job and the people have just been beautiful to me since I have been working in Aboriginal health,” Brown said.

“I love going to work! Here I am, I’m 83-years-old but I just love going to work.

“I love the fact that I’m linking people into organisations that can benefit them and can help.

“I walk away feeling so good inside that I have been able to help.

“It’s a very rewarding position.”

Brown was recently also awarded the 2026 Public Service Medal by NSW Health for lifetime work in Aboriginal Chronic Care nursing. Well done, Shirley. – Emily Chate

Shirley Brown has been recognised for her work.

Health Services

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service

www.gwahs.net.au

One of Western Sydney’s leading Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations.

Provides GP services, chronic disease management, mental health support, child and family health services, men’s and women’s health programs, drug and alcohol support, and community wellbeing initiatives.

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service Penrith

www.gwahs.net.au

Provides culturally safe healthcare and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout the Penrith and Nepean region.

Aboriginal Health Unit

www.wslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/

Aboriginal-Health

Part of Western Sydney Local Health District, delivering culturally appropriate health programs, community engagement and support services across Western Sydney.

Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation

www.tacams.com.au

Provides comprehensive medical, allied health and preventative health services for Aboriginal communities across South Western Sydney.

Aboriginal Counselling Service

www.wentwest.com.au

Provides counselling, therapeutic support and mental health services for Aboriginal people experiencing personal, family or emotional challenges.

Greater Western Aboriginal Health Service – Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program

Social & Emotional Wellbeing Program

Provides culturally appropriate support for mental health concerns, emotional wellbeing, grief and trauma support, and alcohol and drug issues.

Sydney Aboriginal Family Support Service

www.safss.com.au

Supports Aboriginal families through parenting assistance, advocacy, family support programs, case management and community development initiatives.

Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation www.baabayn.com.au

A highly respected Western Sydney organisation delivering cultural, educational, youth and family support programs while strengthening Aboriginal identity and community connection.

AbSec www.absec.org.au

NSW’s peak Aboriginal child and family

Strait Islander people across Western Sydney and NSW.

Western Sydney Community Legal Centre

www.wsclc.org.au

Provides free legal and social support services for vulnerable residents, including Aboriginal clients seeking legal assistance.

Education & Youth Services Kimberwalli www.kimberwalli.com.au

Australia’s first Aboriginal-owned and Aboriginalgoverned independent school, supporting Aboriginal students through education, culture and leadership development.

National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy www.nasca.org.au

Provides mentoring, education, employment pathways and leadership opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

National Centre of Indigenous Excellence www.ncie.org.au

Delivers education, health, leadership, employment and community programs designed to empower Aboriginal and Torres

Koori Kulcha Aboriginal Corporation www.koorikulcha.com.au

Promotes Aboriginal culture, education, arts and community engagement through cultural programs and events.

Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation www.kinchela.org.au

Provides healing, advocacy and support programs for survivors and descendants affected by the Stolen Generations

Gunawirra www.gunawirra.org.au

Works with Aboriginal families and children through early intervention, health, education and family support programs.

Emergency & Crisis Support 13YARN 13 92 76 | www.13yarn.org.au

Australia’s first national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line, available 24 hours a day.

Lifeline 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au

24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention service available nationwide.

Aboriginal Health Services & Local Health District Aboriginal Health Teams

CONNECTION to country

Building relationships

Penrith City Council is inviting the community to have their say on its Reconciliation Action Plan, following endorsement by Councillors to place the draft plan on public exhibition.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan sets out Council’s structured approach to building stronger relationships with First Nations peoples, while growing organisational understanding, cultural capability, and meaningful opportunities across the city.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the draft Reconciliation Action Plan represents an important milestone in Council’s reconcili-

ation journey.

“This is Penrith City Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan, and it reflects our commitment to respectful engagement, understanding, and unity with First Nations people,” he said.

“The Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on building strong foundations, strengthening relationships, improving cultural awareness, and ensuring Council is better equipped to work in partnership with First Nations communities into the future.”

Penrith’s First Nations community continues to grow with the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census showing that five per

cent of Penrith residents – more than 10,900 – identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Penrith has a rich First Nations history, with 757 Aboriginal Heritage and Information Management Sites recorded across the local government area.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan has been developed in line with Council’s Penrith 2041+ Community Strategic Plan, which commits Council to respecting, engaging, and celebrating First Nations people through reconciliation.

It also aligns with Reconciliation Australia’s national RISE framework and reflects

the requirements of a ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan, an 18-month action plan designed for organisations at the early stages of their reconciliation journey.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan has been shaped by engagement with First Nations community members, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, local stakeholders, and Council staff.

The draft Reconciliation Action Plan is on exhibition until Friday, August 7.

To view the draft plan and provide feedback, visit www. yoursaypenrith.com.au/RAP.

New Centre of Excellence

Parramatta will be home to a nationally significant centre for Indigenous leadership and excellence that will be a major gathering place for the community.

Located on Darug land at the Parramatta South campus, Western Sydney University’s Indigenous Centre of Excellence will be a national benchmark for Indigenous leadership, research, and education set to open in 2028.

Through state-of-the-art facilities, the hub will honour tens of thousands of years of Indigenous knowledges, cultures, and histories, creating a space for inquiry, innovation, and community engagement.

Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership, at Western Sydney University, said the Centre is a transformative opportunity for Indigenous Australians and the communities of Western Sydney.

“The Indigenous Centre of Excellence is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine and reshape how Indigenous

knowledges and leadership are positioned in higher education and across the Australian landscape,” said Professor Trudgett.

“It builds on the University’s deep and longstanding commitment to serve and empower our

authenticity, creating a space that honours rich traditions and wisdom.

The Governor-General of Australia, Sam Mostyn AC, and Simeon Beckett SC were announced as joint Patrons of the

communities and be a national leader in Indigenous education, employment and research.”

Led by Indigenous peoples, the project will work closely with Elders, community members, and stakeholders to ensure reciprocity, respect, and cultural

Indigenous Centre of Excellence.

The design for the Indigenous Centre of Excellence has also been revealed. Guided by Country, it brings to life a vision for a community-centric, transformational building that integrates Indigenous knowledges, featur-

ing a new state-of-the-art theatre and cinema, exhibition galleries, teaching and learning facilities.

Following a nationwide competition, the winning design is by Sarah Lynn Rees, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects (JCB), Peter Stutchbury Architecture and Jane Irwin Landscape Architecture, with Uncle Dean Kelly, Hill Thalis Architecture and Flux Consult.

The Centre will target a 5-star Green Star rating and feature a mass timber structure using Australian hardwoods.

It prioritises Indigenous and Country-focused materials and suppliers.

Integrating innovative and sustainable principles, it will feature an entirely Indigenous planted landscape, honouring the site’s ecological heritage and providing spaces for both human and non-human kin, fostering gathering, respite, shelter, and play.

The Centre is supported by the NSW Government through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.

Council’s draft Reconciliation Action Plan is on public exhibition.

Parramatta will be home to a new Indigenous Centre of Excellence.

Liam Henry.

Photo: NRL Photos.

THE FINAL WORD

Just a few weeks ago Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses were arm in arm, celebrating a new milestone in their mateship after an incredible series win by New South Wales over Queensland in State of Origin.

This Thursday night, friends become foes.

For 80 minutes, anyway.

Cleary and Moses go head-to-head in the latest instalment of the Battle of the West; a long-time rivalry that has only intensified in recent years on the back of the 2022 Grand Final.

The Panthers have played the Eels more than any other side since entering the competition in 1967.

And while the Eels hold overall bragging rights with 62 wins from their 114 matches, there’s no

question the roles of big and little brother have changed in recent years.

Penrith is now at the top of the mountain, the pride of western Sydney. Indeed, everything the Eels aspire to be.

While Parramatta are left clinging onto Grand Final highlights from an era where colour TV was still new and exciting (OK, that’s a stretch – but you get the point), Penrith is living their glory days – a time that will be remembered in the club’s history as its golden era.

But while the Panthers have owned the Eels in the moments and matches that have mattered in recent years, there is no doubt the Eels have proved troublesome during the regular season. There is just something about Parramatta that gives Penrith trouble, and at the centre of it all on Thursday night will be Moses.

Moses proved during Origin that his long kicking game can be deadly. It is perhaps the one thing he has over Cleary, who while a sharp

and tactical kicker, doesn’t quite have the boot of the Parramatta number seven.

It is the battle between Cleary and Moses that makes this clash particularly juicy.

Cleary deservedly got all the plaudits after the Blues’ victory in Origin III, but Moses played a critical role too, and he’d like nothing better than to get one over his mate and prove a point.

If that happens, it will be on the back of his kicking game and forcing Penrith to work out from their own line more than they’d like to.

The rain proved the great leveller in Penrith’s clash with Brisbane last week, bringing the sides closer together and ultimately handing the Broncos an unlikely victory.

I’d argue that at present, Penrith get more out of losing than winning. They sit comfortably in the top four, and are experienced in September football. Winning is great, but when a champion side loses, that is when the best opportunities arise. Rest assured Ivan Cleary

would have seized on that opportunity and found some lessons out of the Broncos game; rather than wallow in self-pity.

The chances of Parramatta making the Finals are about as slim as can be, but if they are to pull off a miracle run, it would need to start against the Panthers.

It’s the same desperation that drove Brisbane last Thursday night, which means victory is by no means an easy feat for the Panthers.

However, Penrith’s forward pack should ultimately be able to get on top; while Nathan Cleary rarely delivers two poor games in a row and I’d be confident of a strong showing here. Parramatta’s side is just too young and inexperienced. There’s too many players with less than a dozen first grade games to their name. I’m confident Penrith will get the job done here, but they’ll need to be a little sharper than they were against the Broncos Tip: Panthers by 10.

Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses.

Photo: NRL Photos.

McLean eyes strong finish to ’26

Exciting Panthers centre Casey McLean has labelled Laurie Daley one of the best people he’s ever met, with the winning NSW Blues coach making a huge impact on the youngster.

The pair got to know each during the recent State of Origin series where the former Canberra Raiders premiership winner turned coach handed the 20-year-old Kiwi superstar his NSW Blues debut.

“It was definitely the lowest point of my career”

In just over 20 minutes of action towards the end of the match, McLean was one of the best on the park for the Blues in Origin I, which resulted in Daley’s men taking a 1-0 series lead.

Off the back of his debut performance, McLean was selected by Daley to start in Origin II however the Blacktown Bears junior had to withdraw from the team after suffering a quad strain at training.

Speaking with Extra Time on Tuesday,

McLean said he was gutted that his Origin experience was cut short through injury.

“It was definitely the lowest point of my career, I was more just disappointed,” he admitted.

“I think carrying a sore ankle into camp kind of just had my mind in two, but to be ruled out with a different injury was really a bummer. However, I was just grateful enough to be in camp.”

As history would show, the Blues were blown off the park in Origin II down in Melbourne with the Maroons tying the series at one game apiece.

With the Blues scraping home in Origin I and then being pummelled in the second game, NSW were massive underdogs heading into the decider in Brisbane.

With the world seemingly against them, the Blues produced one of their biggest wins in history – upsetting the Maroons on their turf.

McLean said he was cheering on his Blues teammates from his home back in western Sydney.

“Those boys that went up there did an amazing job. They dominated up there and it was special,” he said.

“At camp we were talking about being the dominant side and working together and I think that showed on the big stage.”

A total of 25 players took the field for NSW during this year’s Origin series, with McLean feeling every part of the series win despite only playing 23 minutes.

“Loz (Daley) messaged me after, like a week later, to say thank you for the campaign,” McLean said.

“I couldn’t respect him more – not just as a coach but as a person. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met. He’s such a humble and nice person. That message meant a lot to me.”

Following roughly a month on the sideline rehabbing his injured quad and ankle, McLean returned to the Panthers line-up during last Thursday’s narrow defeat to the Brisbane Broncos at CommBank Stadium.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the best of returns for McLean stats-wise but just getting through the game unscathed was a win in itself.

“It was a little bit of a tough one for me, I didn’t really find myself playing too great,” McLean said.

“Just the conditions and how the game panned out… I don’t want to make too many excuses. I wasn’t up to my own standards or expectations, so I don’t think I played overly great.”

McLean will be desperate to get back to his best when the Panthers battle the Eels tonight at CommBank Stadium. Penrith have won just one of their past four matches, with the Roosters and Warriors closing in on their position at the top of the table.

McLean said he’s always had a rivalry with Parramatta players dating back to when he went to school at Newington College in Stanmore.

“The school I went to had a Penrith and Parramatta split, so coming up against a heap

Casey McLean will forever be impacted by his State of Origin experience.

Casey McLean returned against Brisbane last week. Photo: NRL Photos.

NATHAN TAYLOR

FEATURE

Cole considering Penrith departure, but

Having a positive outlook as an athlete is often regarded as one of the keys to success, and Panthers five-eighth Jack Cole has that in spades.

The 23-year-old from Orange has only played one NRL game this season and is also unsigned for next year, but despite not being able to show off his talent on the big stage and his future rather clouded, he’s remaining upbeat and optimistic about his predicament.

Cole said while it’s frustrating not being able to showcase his skills to a bigger audience during a contract year, he’s not letting it get to him.

“In some sense it is a little bit [frustrating], but I’ve been fortunate to still play a bit of NSW Cup here and there,” he said.

“The way I’m thinking about it,

is not trying to be a victim to it. Just when I am playing trying to put my best foot forward, just knowing that’s going to help me with my contract and where I end up – whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

Cole revealed he has been speaking to rival clubs about a deal for next year but wouldn’t get into which clubs are interested in his services.

He said his preference would be to land somewhere that he can play regular first grade.

“Obviously I’m off contract, so I’m not going to deny that I haven’t been talking to people. I’m still not 100 per cent sure what I’m doing but I’m just trying to focus on my footy at the moment and that’s the thing that’s going to hep me land somewhere and get a contract,” Cole said.

“Our Cup team, as well as the NRL team, is going well this year. The more we can just do our roles for the team and play well, the more noticed our team’s going to get.”

Like in the NRL, the Panthers are enjoying an outstanding season in the NSW Cup competition. Led by former player turned coach Matt Eisenhuth, the side is currently sitting atop of the ladder with 13 wins, one draw and two losses.

Cole said his former teammate in Eisenhuth is taking to coaching like a duck to water.

“He’s been really good!” Cole exclaimed.

“At the start of the year it was a little bit weird.

“When he started to be serious with us it sounded a little bit funny, but everyone respects him.

“I think it helps having a coach that’s just finished playing at that level too.

“He understands the ups and downs of it all.

“He understands that level of footy and what we need to do and what’s going to help us. He’s been awesome.”

has been named on the extended bench for tonight’s showdown with the Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium.

If he plays, it will be just his second game this season following a strong performance against South Sydney earlier this month.

“I was pretty stoked to get that opportunity, to be honest,” Cole said.

“I was grateful Ivan put his trust in me to jump into six after having a bit of time out…

“That’s where I feel like I belong to be honest. That’s what everyone here wants to do.”

Cole

Jack Cole. Photo: Melinda Jane.

NATHAN TAYLOR

with The Masked Panther

Cheers to Origin success

Shield on show: Penrith captain Isaah Yeo was back on Blues duty earlier this week, taking part in a promotion that saw the Men’s and Women’s Origin shields make their way to the Tooheys Brewery in Lidcombe – along with a triumphant Trojan Stag that paraded through the gates. Last week, former Origin star Aaron Woods rode the Trojan Stag through enemy territory on Caxton Street in Brisbane. Its return to Tooheys at Lidcombe this week served as its homecoming. And with that, Yeo gets to sign off on his Origin commitments for the year.

Backing the Panthers: Have a look at the team from PRD Real Estate in Penrith, who are well and truly backing the Panthers as the run to the Finals begins. It’s all part of a Penrith CBD Corporation and Western Weekender initiative, aimed at getting businesses to get behind the Panthers with decorations and celebrations earlier than normal. Make sure you email your contributions to news@westernweekender. com.au – you could win great prizes.

Spotted: Keen reader (and bird watcher) Mitch Kenny walking down High Street, Penrith with a book in hand.

Game ball dilemma: Panthers officials have been pondering a potential awkward moment that could strike as early as tonight. Brian To’o is just one try away from his 100th try, which would normally qualify him to receive the official game ball in recognition of the achievement. But it’s possible Tom Jenkins will go past

Rhys Wesser’s all-time Penrith try-scoring record if he scores. Such a milestone would of course equally qualify him for game ball honours. Now we all know there’s more than one game ball, but from a token / honour point of view, it does make things a little tricky if they both score.

Family time: Powerhouse Panthers forward Isaiah Papali’i may not have been on the winning side last Thursday night, but he couldn’t contain his smile post-game as he spotted his young family.

Nod to history: The Panthers have had talks with the NRL about potentially opening Helloworld Stadium with a game of historical

significance. That could mean playing the Dragons, to replicate the official opening game of the old Penrith Park in 1967 – which also saw Penrith record one of its most famous victories. The new stadium will definitely be ready for the opening round next year, and you can expect a ribbon cutting in the weeks prior to the March State Election.

Keen reader: Always keen to support the work of his partner Mary Fowler, we spotted this pic of Nathan Cleary on Instagram with a couple of the Matildas star’s junior fiction books. The pair recently got to spend a chunk of time together, but Fowler has headed back to the UK ahead of the new Premier League season.

time: Panthers forward

Spotted: A proud Panther fan floating around Glacier Bay, Alaska.

Young gun on the move: Which rising Panthers star has signed a deal with the Gold Coast Titans? The youngster is considered a top talent, but won’t be staying at the foot of the Mountains.

Catch-up

Moses Leota and winger Brian To’o had a good chat with former Panther and now Bronco Preston Riki post-game last Thursday night.

Dance must go on: The unexpected downpour at CommBank Stadium last Thursday night didn’t dampen the spirits of the Pantherettes, who pushed on with their performance despite the wet weather.

Power meeting: Panthers Chief Executive Officer Matt Cameron and head coach Ivan Cleary were spotted having a casual chat prior to kick-off at CommBank Stadium last Thursday night.

Laurie Daley, Isaah Yeo, Isabelle Kelly and John Strange.

PANTHERS POSTER

NRL transfer system is too messy

While the NRL hierarchy are patting themselves on the back after negotiating a record

$5.3 billion dollar broadcast rights deal, they still need to address some important issues in the game which, if not dealt with, will slowly erode the very loyal fanbase it has accumulated over the last 25 years.

The first issue is the ridiculous rule which allows teams to sign players a full year before they can play for their new club and the other issue is the one which allows players to break any signed contract almost at will.

The NRL needs to get tougher on enforcing these contracts or imposing tougher penalties if a player wants an early exit.

In the last two years alone over 50 NRL players have been granted early contract releases.

That is an obscene amount and one which is growing every year.

I mean an NRL contract these days is not worth the paper it’s written on.

A player can sign a three-year deal with a club but it guarantees nothing.

Now I understand that in sport, as in life, sometimes, individual circumstances may warrant an early release but in my opinion

those circumstances have to be quite unique.

Now, early contract releases are the norm.

The Zac Lomax situation is a classic case.

After only completing one year of a four-year deal with the Eels, Lomax decided he wanted out to join Melbourne instead.

Fortunately, the Eels stood as firm as they could, and Lomax didn’t end up completely getting his way

but the situation dragged out for months and it was not a good look for the game.

A signing window needs to be introduced so that clubs can only negotiate and sign players from other clubs during that threemonth period and only for the following year.

For me that time would be between September 1 to November 30.

That’s plenty of time for a player

to change teams and still get settled into his new club environment.

I can’t imagine it would disrupt the Finals series which takes place in September, if anything it would add to it and give those supporters whose teams aren’t in the Finals something to look forward to.

Let’s be realistic, most major signings would be completed early in that period.

While it’s not a perfect solution, at least the player wouldn’t be signing with a new club a full year ahead of time.

The only exception is that clubs would be allowed to negotiate when re-signing their own players at any time. If they can’t come to an agreement with that player by September 1, the player can then go on the open market.

And the NRL simply must get tougher on enforcing signed contracts. Otherwise let’s forget written contracts altogether and just shake hands on a deal.

They used to do that many years ago and it seemed to work fine.

There’s nothing quite like, looking someone in the eye and saying;

“You have my word and it’s stronger than Oak!”

Well, it’s about as binding as a signed legal contract seems to be these days.

Peter Lang has given NRL Interim CEO Peter V’landys some homework.

with Peter Lang Lang on League

BEHIND THE GAME

Why Jaxen is a cut above the rest

Growing up in South Penrith 20-year-old

Jaxen Edgar dreamed of making it to the NRL one day. That dream came true one Thursday night last year when Edgar debuted for the Penrith Panthers against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Despite playing a game the Panthers would lose, Edgar got a taste of something he had been longing for his whole life.

“I grew up dreaming about playing with the Panthers one day,” he reflected.

“I live five minutes down the road, so it is pretty special to play for this club.”

Each game Edgar plays he always has a support system sitting in the crowd, including his Nan, who never misses a game.

“My mum is my number one supporter,” Edgar said.

“She has always done everything for me like driving me everywhere and is always looking after me through the highs and lows.

“All my family come to my games even my Nan. My Nan loves watching footy! I don’t think she has missed one of my games in that long.”

Edgar is right at the beginning of his footy career but already has life after footy sorted: the official Penrith Panthers barber.

“I actually cut hair a bit!” Edgar revealed.

with Emily Chate

“I’m also into fishing and love going to the beach.

“I got into cutting hair during the COVID break when you couldn’t get a haircut. I cut all the boys’ hair, and I was half decent at it.

“I cut some of the boys’ hair here like Billy Scott, Billy Phillips, a few of the boys!”

Playing footy for a living is a unique career and Edgar said he has learnt to appreciate every moment.

“Footy has taught me how to create special bonds with all of your mates and to just have fun,” he told Behind the Game

“That’s why I do it because I love the game. I have fun every week and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t love it.”

Coffee order: Caramel latte

Cheat meal: GYG

Favourite movie:

‘The Hangover’

Musician: Drake

Who did you support growing up?

Penrith Panthers

Pet peeve: Loud chewing

Jaxen Edgar. Photo: Melinda Jane.

“I’ve got the support of the majority, if not all of the clubs. For me, it’s to determine whether I wanna do it.”

“I think the NRL has to take on the responsibility of rugby league worldwide.”

THEY SAID IT...

“You’re not going to get everything perfect all the time, but you’re going to make the bold decisions. You’ve got to be hungry, you’ve got to have a level of humility.”

“Touch judges are just fans with eyes. I don’t know what they do.”

“Credit to the Broncos, they controlled the ball well and kicked well. Reece Walsh was unbelievable tonight.”

“I’d love to see every team have a reserve grade team. That would be good for our game.”

“[Nathan] Cleary won’t re-sign just through hometown loyalty. He is definitely going onto the November 1 open market in what is a sure sign he wants to explore rival clubs and offers.”

“It’s a bit of a sick obsession. I was a bit fired up. It happens too often.” Braith Anasta

Now former NRL CEO Andrew Abdo

Paul Gallen

Peter V’landys on taking the NRL CEO job full-time

Phil Gould

Paul Kent

on Danny Weidler

Ivan Cleary

Tries: J Riki, K Staggs, J Karapani Goals: R Walsh 1/3

Tries: T Ale 2, N Murphy 2, D Wigmore, L Patea, J McLean Goals:

L Ollerton, D Tui, T Vasilovski, S Tautalafua Goals: A Bullman 3/4

Missed last week’s results? Here’s a rundown of what happened in key Penrith Panthers games...

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie

NRL LADDER & FIXTURES

BRONCOS DRAGONS SHARKS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

RAIDERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS

COWBOYS TITANS SHARKS

BRONCOS DRAGONS SHARKS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS RABBITOHS RAIDERS WARRIORS COWBOYS TITANS SHARKS

PANTHERS KNIGHTS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

PANTHERS ROOSTERS RABBITOHS RAIDERS

COWBOYS TITANS SEA EAGLES

PANTHERS ROOSTERS

TIGERS

Blaxland

McDonald's

C addens

C addens News (C addens Corner)

Woolworths

C ambridge Gardens

Coles

McDonald's

Overlander Hotel

C ambridge Park

C ambridge Park Newsagency

Cellarbations

Friendly Grocer

C astlereagh

Ampol Ser vice Station

Claremont Meadows

IGA Claremont Meadows

Coly ton

Coly ton Centre Pharmacy

Coly ton Friendly Grocer

Coly ton Hotel

Coly ton Newsagency

Dan Murphy's

Hewitt Street Takeaway

Cranebrook

Aldi Cranebrook

Cranebrook Community Health

Cranebrook Village

McDonald's

Plus Pharmacy

Raygal Landscape & Nursery Supplies

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

McDonald's

Penrith Regional Galler y

Woolworths Lennox Village

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Gre at Western Highway)

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Old Bathurst Rd)

Emu Height s

Super Save Compounding Chemis t

Erskine Park

Ashcroft’s IGA

Erskine Park CTC

G lenbrook

Glenbrook Newsagency

G lenmore Park

Coles

Mags News

McDonald's Glenmore Park

McDonald’s Mulgoa Rise

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

J amisontown

Abcoe

Abel Street C afé

Atmosphere Fitness Signature Gym

B att Street Takeaway

Grey Gums Hotel

Har vey Norman

New On York Takeaway

Parrabey Gourmet Kitchen –

(Penrith Homemaker)

S alt C afé (Penrith Homemaker)

S hell Ser vice Station

Taproom On Tench

The Coffee Club Nepean River

Three Sugars C afé

We stern Weekender

York Takeaway

Zoo Fitness

7/ 11 Jamisontow n

Jordan Springs

Brooks Tavern

Jordan Springs Newsagency

Woolworths

Kemps Creek

C altex Ser vice Station

Kemps Creek Bowling Club

Kingswood

B arista Bar Coff ee Shop

(Nepean Private Hospital)

Countr y Brewer

Hallani’s

Kingswood Hotel

Kingswood Newsagency

Kingswood Sports Club

Penrith Gaels Club

Volunteers Desk Nepean Hospital

7/ 11 Kingswood

Leonay

Emu Sports Club

Grow C afé (formerly Willow Tree C afé)

Llandilo IGA

Londonderr y

Londonderr y Liquor Store

S hell X Roads

Luddenham

Au stralia Pos t

IGA Luddenham

Minchinbur y McDonald's

Minchinbur y Fruit Market

Mulgoa

Glenmore Heritage Golf Club

Mulgoa Newsagency

Mulgoa Pharmacy

Nor th St Mar ys

Boronia House (Retirement Community)

Little Bottler

MFC Food Stores

Old Mt Druitt

RM Newsagency

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris C are & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Astina

7/ 11 Henr y Street

Atmosphere Gym

Ca fé Fre d

Au stralian Arms

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles ( We stfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mar t

High Street Pies

Hog's Bre ath C afé

Hoyt s Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Liquor Stax Pe achtree

McDonald's High Street

McDonald's Panthers Le agues

McDonald's Pe achtree

Mercure Hotel

Museum Of Fire

Nepean Aquatic Centre

Nepean Motor Group C afé

Nepean Rowing Club

Nepean Village Coffee Club

Nepean Village Newsagency

Nextra Westfield

O ffice of Karen McKeown MP

One Point Health

Panthers Le agues Club

Pe achtree Hotel

Penrith Bowling Club

Penrith CBD Corporation

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Librar y

Penrith Hotel

Penrith Markets (Thursdays)

Penrith Paceway

Penrith RSL

Penrith Senior Citizens’ Centre

Pioneer Tavern

RE/MAX

Sittano s Restaurant

Tattersalls Hotel

The Heritage Terrace C afé

The Log C abin

We stfield

Wingsto p

World Gym

Regentville

7/ 11 Regentville

Ropes Crossing Coles

Ropes Crossing Newsagency

Silverdale

Choice Pharmacy

Mobil Ser vice Station

S outh Penrith

Budget Ser vice Station

Fish Fish

Friendly Grocer

Grose’s Pharmacy

Southlands Newsagency

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley C afé)

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

Woolworths

St Clair Blue C attle Dog Hotel

Foodworks

St Clair Librar y

St Clair Shopping Centre

7/ 11 St Clair

St Mar ys All Good Newsagency

Andrew s Corner Store

Ampol Foodar y Astley Pharmacy

C assand ra’s On Queen

Cr ystal C afé

Guido’s Hair C are

Jayam Supermarket

McDonald's

St Mar ys Band Club

St Mar ys Diggers

St Mar ys Fish Market

Queen Street Newsagency

St Mar ys Le agues Club

St Mar ys

Gloria Jean s (St Mar ys Village)

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES, TELEVISION, MUSIC AND MORE – PENRITH’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

HUGHESY IS NEVER FAR FROM THE HEADLINES

Aussie comedian and TV personality Dave Hughes describes himself as someone who sees life as silly. He is often affectionately referred to as a larrikin, which he confirmed to the Western Weekender

“To a degree, as much as a non-drinking vegan can be a larrikin I suppose,” he said. Hughesy will be bringing his quick wit and humour to Blue Mountains Theatre next month with his stand-up comedy show ‘Cooked’.

The show will reflect his take on the world, and recount some of his adventures, including a sporting mishap and his time on ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ last year.

“It’s sort of based around this AFL Legends match that I played – even though I’m not an AFL legend as my wife pointed out – where I broke five ribs and punctured a lung in a charity game that was meant to be raising money for men’s health. So, I almost died for that which was good,” he remarked.

“There is lots of material there, and lots of fun that came out of that, apart from being a near death experience.”

The comedy legend is stoked to be on the road and reconnecting with his stand-up comedy roots.

“It’s still my number one joy; I just love it. The thrill of having a live audience in front of you and making them laugh – or not laugh depending on how they take the experience – is a joy and an adrenaline rush

that I will never get sick of,” he said.

“I’m loving it more and more as I get older, which is weird.”

Recently, Hughesy has been in headlines for speaking out against the Labor Government’s proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. But regardless, he writes in his journal every day ‘Everything is funny’.

“Even when I’m on some serious rant, I still see it being funny, and there are so many other comedians who take the piss out of me for that, so they get some joy out of it as well,” he said, referring to comedians making parody videos of his political opinions.

“But I still get the message across which is good. I’m happy for everyone to laugh at me or laugh with me, but hopefully they learn stuff as well.”

For now, Hughesy is performing in Canada before bringing his humour back to home shores, where he is keen to step foot back in western Sydney.

“I love western Sydney and Parramatta and Penrith,” he said.

“I’ve spent a lot of time watching the Sydney Kings at Olympic Park and watching rugby league there as well. I watched AFL there as well – the Greater Western Sydney Giants – which no one in Sydney cares about but they’re a good team.”

See Dave Hughes at Blue Mountains Theatre on August 9, because behind that ‘cooked looking façade’ is a comedy icon who is now more brutally honest than ever.

Book a ticket online at www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/season-2026/dave-hughes-cooked.

ALLY HALL

THINGS TO DO

The Fletch and Hindy Show

On July 31, Join Fletch and Hindy for a night of fun and entertainment. See them at Panthers Penrith sharing their favourite on and off the field moments along with a conversation about the current state of rugby league. A must for any footy fan. Book online at https://penrith.panthers.com.au/event/thefletch-and-hindy-show.

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm. Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, Kingswood. Morning tea every Friday morning.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

For more information about membership and upcoming events, visit www.penrithchamber.org.au.

On August 7, maestro trumpeter and conductor Håkan Hardenberger will lead the brass and percussion musicians of Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Expected to be a night of beautiful contrasts at The Joan, the program unveils an unexpected softness of the brilliant depth of brass music. Get your tickets now for this special show.

month at Kingswood Sports Club at 10.30am. All new members welcome.

Jordan Springs Probus Club Fourth Tuesday of the month. 9.45am for 10am at Jordan Springs Hub. Call Keith on 9713 9038 for details.

Ropes Crossing Probus Club Meets every third Monday of the month at Ropes Crossing Community Hub from 10am. Email ropescrossingprobusclub@gmail.com for more information.

For

only

volunteers knit teddies for trauma victims. Call 0438 244 414.

Penrith NASHOS

Monthly meeting on the third Sunday of the month at Penrith RSL from 10am. Call 0448 983 399 for details.

Nepean Evening VIEW Club Community fundraisers for The Smith Family. Meets the third Monday of the month at Panthers from 7pm, with dinner and interesting speakers. Call 0411 306 150.

0408 412 708 for more information.

Nepean Naval Museum

Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42

Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700.

Arms of Australia Inn Monday and Wednesday 10am-1pm, 4735 4394. 127 Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group Third Thursday of the month at 10am, Panthers. 1300 650 594.

Penrith Carer Support Group First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk Thursdays from 5.30pm. Meet at Coffee Club Nepean River.

Penrith Women’s Health Centre Domestic violence support services.

Prostate Cancer Support Group Meets third Monday of the month at Emu Sports Club from 6.30pm. Call 1300 13 38 78 for more information.

one weekend

it’s all aboard the refurbished 3801 steam locomotive, taking passengers on a return ride from Penrith into the scenic lower Blue Mountains. With the first train departing at 9.30am on July 25, bookings are essential. If you miss out, visit some rail line viewpoints, including Weir Reserve, Regatta Park and Yandhai Nepean Crossing. All aboard for steam train rides

Sydney Symphony comes to Penrith

MUSIC AND MORE

On August 15, Blue Mountains Theatre will host Lolo Lovina – a critically acclaimed ensemble that blends ancestral Romani music with tango, swing jazz, and British pop.

The group is heading up the mountain with their one-night-only performance of their production, ‘DRrOM – Balkan Fire’.

The performance promises to be a deeply immersive experience, weaving fiery instrumentation and heartfelt personal storytelling with vibrant stage projections to celebrate resilience, culture, and their love for each other, their ancestors, and the audience.

At the heart of the band is charismatic vocalist and actress Sarah Bedák – with Hungarian Romani heritage – who fronts an incredibly diverse, eight-piece lineup of world-class musicians hailing from Serbian, Macedonian Romani, Bulgarian,

Ukrainian, and Greek backgrounds.

Bedák’s ability to source global talent has created a powerful, intoxicating musical brew that has enraptured audiences worldwide with performances at the Havana World Music Festival in Cuba, the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, and major stages across Europe and the Pacific Islands.

Australian music journalist Glenn A. Baker was captivated by the group.

“To say the sound is infectious doesn’t quite express it… I’ve seen bands of all shades play, but I can’t recall seeing anything quite like this,” Baker said.

“Yes, it is gypsy, but there are also dollops of Spanish flamenco, Russian, Greek – indeed the music of anyone who likes to party.”

Book a ticket online at www.bluemountainstheatre.com.au/what-s-on/ season-2026/lolo-lovina.

COUNTRY CORNER

This week in Country Corner, we’re taking a look at the top five country albums released so far this year...

5. Larry Fleet

‘Another Year Older’

Larry Fleet sits just under the top tier of country music artists, still breaking through with a rich sound and an unmistakable voice.

His ‘Another Year Older’ album is a reflective journey and his stage of life, with a young family, definitely hits home.

Tracks like ‘More of That’, ‘Another Year Older’, ‘Whole Lotta Little Things’ and ‘Both Sides of the Fence’ make it one of the best albums of the year so far.

4. Luke Combs

‘The Way I Am’ It’s rare Luke Combs gets it wrong and he again deliv-

ered with this new album, which features a whole bunch of repeatable tracks.

This record hasn’t spawned the number of hits as Combs’ previous work but it’s an excellent collection of tracks. Hard to go past as one of the best records of the year so far.

3. Megan Moroney

‘Cloud 9’

An album that solidified Megan Moroney’s status as one of the leaders in the next generation of country music, and importantly dragging an entire generation into the genre like Taylor Swift did all those years ago.

Songs like ‘6 Months Later’ and ‘Medicine’ are instant hits, but there’s some deeper cuts here that really show the strength in the blonde bombshell’s writing and vocals.

Not surprisingly, it debuted at #1 on the US Top Country albums chart.

2. Cody Johnson ‘Banks of the Trinity’ Cody Johnson is right at the top of the country music scene around the world at the moment and this album certainly doesn’t suggest he’ll be dropping down any time soon.

There’s a whole bunch of great tracks on this album, including ‘Take Me Back’, ‘C’mon Cowgirl’ and ‘Every Man’. This one has only just been released, but after multiple listens it’s moved straight to our best of the year list.

1. Ella Langley

‘Dandeloin’

The absolute “don’t skip a single song” album of 2026; and the record that will likely define Ella Langley’s career and win her a swag of awards.

From ‘Choosin’ Texas’ to ‘Be Her’ and ‘Bottom of your Boots’, this album is full of hits and helping Langley break records everywhere.

There is just not a bad song on this album, and it’d be hard to find another record that will beat it for our Album of the Year.

Christopher Nolan’s latest film adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, a story renowned for its scale and complexity.

Bringing such a legendary poem to the screen is no easy task, but Nolan is arguably the best director for the challenge. Having previously directed films such as ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘Oppenheimer’, Nolan has built a reputation for delivering visually spectacular stories.

‘The Odyssey’ continues that tradition, transforming one of history’s great epics into a cinematic experience that feels genuinely monumental. I foresee quite a few awards in this movie’s future.

Before watching, it helps to know the basics of Homer’s poem. The story follows Odysseus, King of Ithaca, on his journey home after the Trojan War. His 10-year journey is filled with extraordinary dangers, including cyclopes, giants, and sirens, while back in Ithaca he is presumed dead and suitors compete for his wife Penelope’s hand.

Rather than simply retelling the poem, Nolan uses it as a foundation to explore deeper themes of morality, consequence, and expectation. These ideas give the film emotional weight and elevate it beyond a straightforward historical adventure. There is

an enormous amount of story to cover, and despite its nearly threehour runtime, the film still feels as though it could have benefited from more time.

Matt Damon delivers an outstanding performance as Odysseus. While he is widely recognised for his work both as an actor and writer, I still think he is underrated as an actor. He consistently brings depth and emotion to his roles, and ‘The Odyssey’ is no exception. Damon anchors the film with a commanding performance that reminds audiences

why he remains one of Hollywood’s top dogs. He is supported by an exceptional cast including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, all of whom deliver exceptional performances. Even the supporting cast, many who have little or no dialogue, help create a world that feels authentic and lived in.

As expected, Nolan’s consistent commitment to practical filmmaking is one of the film’s greatest strengths. Although ‘The Odyssey’ is filled with mythical creatures

and grand events, much of what appears on screen was achieved using practical effects, including an animatronic Cyclops rather than relying solely on CGI. The result is a film grounded in realism despite its mythical inspiration. Instead of distracting digital effects, every frame feels tangible and immersive, allowing the audience to remain completely invested.

‘The Odyssey’ is one to be seen in the cinema where every moment can be appreciated.

– Emily Chate

See these movies at... PENRITH

Ê Seven has confirmed it is the new home of long-running reality series ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Here!’. After a decade on 10, the hit show will switch networks in 2027. All other details including location and hosts are still to be finalised, but this is a pretty big get for Seven and I’m excited to see how they refresh this beloved series.

Ê Following their recent $5.3 billion deal for the NRL rights with Nine, Foxtel is jacking up their prices for subscribers. Foxtel Plus is currently $78 a month on a 12-month plan, while Platinum Plus is being offered at $99 a month. It’s been confirmed Foxtel Plus and Platinum Plus customers have been notified of a $5 a month increase from September.

“To continue bringing customers the world’s best sports and entertainment, while delivering great value through a premium customer experience, we are changing the price of Foxtel for a small percentage of premium package set-top box customers,” a Foxtel spokesperson said.

Ê With comedy series ‘Colin From Accounts’ due back next Monday, July 27, Binge and Foxtel have confirmed this upcoming

season will be the last. Creators and stars Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall, said, “Creatively it feels like the right time to say goodbye to ‘Colin From Accounts’ after three seasons. We love everything about making this show… Thank you for watching, it means the world.” Episodes one and two will drop first, with the rest of the series airing weekly.

Ê The new season of ‘The Great Australian Bake Off’ will premiere on Tuesday, August 11 at 8.30pm on Foxtel and Binge. Over 10 weeks, 12 home baking enthusiasts will take on 30 challenges all in pursuit of the coveted title of Australia’s Best Amateur Baker. Returning are judges Rachel Khoo and Darren Purchese, joined by hosts Natalie Tran and Tom Walker.

Ê New eight-part food and travel series ‘Matt Preston’s Plating Locally’ sees former

ocean reefs in Western Australia’s Margaret River, to the centuries-old vineyards of the Barossa, the rugged coastline of Kangaroo Island, Tasmania’s cool-climate Tamar Valley and New Zealand’s renowned Marlborough region, every stop reveals a deeper connection between people, place and produce. The series premieres on SBS Food on Wednesday, August 12 at 8.30pm.

Ê ‘Crystal Lake’, a prequel to the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise will drop on Stan on Friday, October 16 – just in time for Halloween. ‘Crystal Lake’ gives fans and newcomers alike a suspenseful, all-new mystery as it expands the lore surrounding one of horror’s most infamous stories. It follows single mother Pam Voorhees after her young son Jason’s drowning in the town lake, a catalyst for her elusive past to return. When two strangers suddenly arrive at Pam’s door, digging into

TV Guide: July 24 - 30

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Compass 10:30 Stuff The British Stole (PG) 11:00 Race Around The World (PG) 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Portrait Artist Of The Year 1:50 Treasure & Dirt 3:00 Fake Or Fortune? (PG) 3:55 Murdoch Mysteries (PG) 4:45 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 Monty Don’s Rhineland Gardens 8:30 Saint-Pierre (M v) 9:15 Spicks And Specks (PG) 9:45 Would I Lie To You? 6:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 1: Opening Ceremony *Live* 7:00 Sunrise 9:00 The Morning Show (PG) 12:00 Seven News At Noon 1:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Highlights 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 1: Evening *Live* 8:30 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 1: Night *Live* 10:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 1: Late *Live* 6:00 Today 9:00 Today Extra (PG) 11:30 NINE News Morning 12:00 Movie: “The PA And The Manhattan Prince” (PG) (’24) Stars: Amanda Nicholas 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 4:30 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 5:30 WIN News 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 NRL: South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm *Live* 9:55 NRL: Post-Match 10:45 Movie: “Death Wish V: The Face Of Death” (MA15+) (’94) 10:00 Entertainment Tonight

3:25 Ready, Steady, Wiggle! 4:05 Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures 4:35 SuperKitties 5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Talking Tom Heroes 6:10 Spidey And His Amazing Friends 6:30 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Gardening Australia Junior

1:30 American Pickers (PG) 2:30 Kick Ons 3:00 STIHL Timbersports (PG) 3:30 Tougher In Alaska (PG) 4:30 American Restoration (PG) 5:00 Storage Wars (PG) 5:30 American Pickers (PG) 6:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 7:00 Friday Countdown 12:00 Zumbo’s Just Desserts (PG) 2:30 A Moveable Feast (PG) 3:30 The Food Dude (PG) 4:00 Emergency Call (PG) 4:30 Anh Does Vietnam (PG) 5:30 First Dates UK (PG) 6:30 Movie: “Trolls Band Together” (PG) (’23) Stars: Anna Kendrick 3:25 Mysterious Cities Of Gold (PG) 4:40 Dreaming Big 5:05 Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward (PG) 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Wild, Smart And Deadly (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Crackers” (PG) (’98) Stars: Warren Mitchell

(PG) 4:50 The Piano UK (PG) 5:40 Grand Designs: House Of The Year (PG) 6:30 Richard Osman’s House Of Games 7:00 Spicks And Specks (PG) 7:30 QI (PG) 6:00 Andy’s East Coast Kitchen Crawl 6:30 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 No Taste Like Home 8:30 La Dolce Vita 9:30 Come Dine With Me UK 10:30 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw

News 7:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 2: Evening *Live* 8:30 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 2: Night *Live* 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Today Extra Saturday (PG) 12:00 Great Australian Detour Snow 12:30 NRLW: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla-Sutherland

10:30 Building The Dream Home 11:30 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG) 12:00 Days Of Our Lives (PG) 12:45 The Young And The Restless (PG) 1:30 JAG (PG) 3:30 Bull (M) 4:30 JAG (PG) 6:30 Bull (M s,v) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 11:00 Frasier (PG) 12:00 Lingo 1:00 Friends (PG) 3:00 Frasier (PG) 4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 4:30 Becker (PG) 5:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 6:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

12:00 DW The Day 12:30 Land Of The Giants: Titans Of Tech (M l) 2:00 Cycling: Tour de France Highlights 4:00 Worldwatch 6:05 Inside The Huddle 6:35 Over The Black Dot 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 11:30 My Way 11:45 Snackmasters (PG) 2:30 The Nanny (PG) 3:30 Seinfeld (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:30 Bewitched 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix” (PG) (’07)

1:30 Secrets Of Beautiful Gardens 2:30 Harry’s Practice 3:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: Randwick/ Caulfield/ Eagle Farm *Live* 5:00 Dog Patrol (PG) 5:30 Escape To The Country 6:30 Bondi Vet (PG) 7:30 The Yorkshire Vet

1:00 Blokesworld (PG) 1:30 The Car Club (PG) 2:00 Rides Down Under 3:00 Night Thunder 4:00 American Restoration (PG) 4:30 AFL: GWS Giants v Sydney Swans *Live* 7:30 Movie: “Gladiator” (M v) (’00) Stars: Russell Crowe 12:30 Yummy Mummies (PG) 1:30 Zumbo’s Just Desserts (PG) 2:45 Australia’s Got Talent (PG) 4:30 Movie: “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” (PG) (’23) Stars: Shameik Moore 7:30 Movie: “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (M v) (’21)

6:00 News Breakfast 9:00 ABC News 10:00 Australian Story 10:30 Kitchen Cabinet 11:00 Lucy Worsley’s Victorian Murder Club (PG) 12:00 ABC News 1:00 Better (M l) 1:55 Back Roads (PG) 2:25 Julia Zemiro’s Home Delivery (PG) 2:55 Race Around The World (PG) 4:00 Murdoch Mysteries (PG) 4:45 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 8:00 Foreign Correspondent 8:30 Kitchen Cabinet

3:35 Stompem Ground 4:30 Faboriginal 5:00 Murder In Big Horn (PG) 6:00 Home, Land & Sea (PG) (In English/ Maori) 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 The Other Side (PG) 7:30 Alone Australia (M l) 9:40 Movie: “Event Horizon” (M) (’97)

Fool Us (PG) 3:30 QI (PG) 4:00 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 4:30 MythBusters (PG) 5:25 The Piano UK (PG) 6:10 Grand Designs: House Of The Year (PG) 7:00 Spicks And Specks (PG) 7:30 QI (PG) 5:40 Hot Dish With Franco 6:05 Flat Out Food 6:30 Dinner With Gavin Rossdale 7:30 Jamie’s Ultimate Veg 8:30 Rick Stein’s Australia 9:40 John And Lisa’s Food Trip Down Under 10:35 Eating Inn 11:30 Hairy Bikers Go West

Games:

*Live* 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00

Morning

Weekend (PG) 12:00

6:00 Home Shopping 9:00 Reel Action 9:30 So Help Me Todd (PG) 12:30 The Living Room 2:30 JAG (PG) 4:30 Reel Action 5:00 Escape Fishing With ET 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 10:20 Numb3rs (M v) 12:15 JAG (PG) 7:00 The Bold & The Beautiful (PG) 9:30 Millionaire Hot Seat (PG) 11:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 11:30 Ridiculousness (M l) 1:00 Friends (PG) 6:00 The Big Bang Theory (M l) 10:30 The Montreal Comedy Festival (M) 1:00 The Flipping El Moussas 2:00 Renovation Aloha 3:00 Barnwood Builders

12:00 The Real Stories Of Basketball (M v) 2:00 Cycling: Tour de France Highlights 4:00 Worldwatch 6:05 Mastermind 6:40 The Mega-Brands That Built The World (PG) 7:30 Record-Breaking Submarines (In English/ French)

2:35 IndyCar Series Highlights 3:40 Movie: “Blueback” (PG) (’22) Stars: Mia Wasikowska 5:40 Movie: “Red Dog” (PG) (’11) Stars: Josh Lucas 7:30 Movie: “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring” (M) (’01) Stars: Elijah Wood

12:35 Movie: “The Sound Barrier” (PG) (’52) Stars: Ann Todd 3:00 Rugby Union: Blue Crane Capital Shute Shield: Northern Suburbs v Gordon *Live* 5:00 NRLW: North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans *Live* 7:00 Customs (PG)

*Live* 1:00

“Flushed Away” (G) (’06) Stars: Hugh Jackman 3:00 Better Homes And Gardens 4:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games Highlights 5:30 Sydney Weekender 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Day 3: Evening *Live* 8:30 Glasgow Commonwealth Games *Live* 6:00 Hello SA (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Wide World Of Sports (PG) 11:00 NRL: Sunday Footy Show *Live* 12:00 NRLW: Parramatta Eels v New Zealand Warriors *Live* 1:30 NRLW: Brisbane Broncos v Newcastle Knights *Live* 3:30 NRL: Manly-Warringah

Sunday Footy

Movie: “Seasick” (PG) (’23) 6:00 Home Shopping 7:30 Religious Programs 8:00 Building The Dream Home 10:00 So Help Me Todd (PG) 11:00 Escape Fishing With ET 11:30 So Help Me Todd (PG) 1:30

5:00 Cards And Collectables Australia 5:30 Movie: “The Lego Movie” (PG) (’14) Stars: Chris Pratt 7:30 Movie: “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” (M l,s) (’04) Stars: Ben Stiller

12:30 My Favorite Martian 1:00 The Baron (PG) 2:10 Movie: “Operation Bullshine” (G) (’59) Stars: Barbara Murray 4:00 Midsomer Murders (PG) 6:00 NRLW: Wests Tigers v Sydney Roosters *Live* 8:00 David Attenborough’s Asia (PG) Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

Get Macca’s® delivered.

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:45 Kangaroo Beach 6:10 Spidey And His Amazing Friends 6:30 The Adventures Of Paddington

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Talking Tom Heroes 6:10

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:30 Talking Tom Heroes 6:10 Spidey And His Amazing Friends 6:30 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Batwheels

3:00

Bewitched 6:30 Baywatch (M v) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Dark Knight Rises” (M l,v) (’12) Stars: Christian Bale

12:00 ABC News 12:30 Cooper & Fry (M) 2:05 Saint-Pierre (M v) 2:50 Bill

The Travelling Auctioneers 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By 8:40 Midsomer Murders (PG) 10:40 Rizzoli & Isles (M v)

FIRST HOME BUYERS ARE FOCUSED ON THE WEST

Western Sydney is leading the charge for first home buyers in New South Wales, claiming seven of the top 10 suburbs for buyer activity in the second quarter of 2026.

PropTech firm InfoTrack recently released its latest Property Market Update, which analyses sales activity from Wednesday, April 1 to Tuesday, June 30, with the data revealing NSW property sales volumes increased 7.1 per cent over the quarter.

InfoTrack’s Chief Operating Officer Lee Bailie said the results highlight a market where affordability is playing an increasingly important role in buyer decisions.

“First home buyers are making

very deliberate choices about where they enter the market, and affordability is clearly shaping demand,” Bailie said.

“WESTERN SYDNEY CONTINUES TO STAND OUT”

Apartments led first home buyer purchases, accounting for three quarters of sales (76.7 per cent) and pointing to affordability as a key consideration for this buyer group.

Bailie explained that first home buyers are finding

success in western Sydney given a mixture of things.

“Western Sydney continues to stand out because it offers a combination of relative value, infrastructure investment and access to housing options that suit first home buyers,” Bailie said.

Parramatta reclaimed the top position as the most popular suburb for first home buyers, this time widening its lead.

“Parramatta’s return to number one reflects its strong fundamentals, including transport connectivity, employment opportunities and a growing supply of apartment stock,” Bailie said.

For the first time Fairfield made an appearance, ranking in second place after seeing a 130

per cent increase in volume of sales quarter-on-quarter, driven by its relative affordability and increasing supply of apartments.

“With borrowing capacity impacted by interest rates, suburbs like Fairfield are becoming increasingly attractive,” Bailie said.

“Affordable price points combined with significant local investment, including a $630 million hospital redevelopment and a new $50 million mega venue, are boosting its appeal among first home buyers.”

Western Sydney continued to dominate the rankings, with Liverpool ranking fourth, Blacktown seventh, Schofields eight, Penrith ninth and Wentworth Point 10th.

A CONNECTED LIFESTYLE

What is so great about this property?

A thoughtfully designed family floorplan that offers both connection and privacy. Move-in ready with every modern convenience. Who does this property suit?

Growing families, couples, those seeking low-maintenaince living. Tell us about the suburb the property is in?

Caddens is a thriving, masterplanned community renowned for its modern homes, leafy parks and exceptional convenience. With quality schools, Caddens Corner Shopping Centre, Western Sydney University, Nepean

Hospital and Penrith CBD all just moments away, it offers a connected lifestyle in one of the region’s most sought-after suburbs.

Disc

over

exclusive

townhome living in Oran Pa rk .

Inviting you to enjoy the best of both worlds, Oran Park townhomes combine the space of a house with a back yard and the low-maintenance qualities of apar tment living

You can choose from an exceptional selection of architecturally designed townhomes located near all the town’s popular amenities and most loved at tractions.

Ideal for growing families, downsizers and couples, these distinctive residences of fer excellent value-for-money.

• Spacious, designer interiors

• Landscaped grounds

• Two to five-bedroom layouts

• Private porches and cour tyards

• Family-friendly living areas

• Premium finishes and inclusions

• Tranquil locations

Ready for you to move in, these elegant townhomes are curated for comfor t and practicality. A beautiful lifest yle in one of Au stralia’s fastest growing suburbs awaits

Arena - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

The Circuit - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

Civic Collection - Typical example of Oran Park townhomesB anksia - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

The ResidencesTypical example of Oran Park townhomes

The Experts

HAMSTRING STRENGTH IN SPRINT SPORTS

Hamstring injuries are one of the most common injuries in sports that involve sprinting, such as rugby league, football and athletics. While most people think about hamstrings from an injury prevention perspective, they also play a major role in helping athletes run faster and perform at their best.

Every time an athlete accelerates or reaches maximal speed, the hamstrings are working to produce force and control the movement of the leg. If they’re not strong enough for these demands, both performance and injury risk can be affected.

Building sprint strength

The ability to produce force into the ground is what allows athletes to accelerate quickly and maintain speed. Strong hamstrings contribute to a more powerful stride and help athletes generate force more efficiently during a sprint. Including exercises that target

the hamstrings in the gym can support these improvements. Movements such as Romanian deadlifts, Nordic hamstring curls and single-leg strength exercises all help build strength that transfers to running and sprinting.

Reducing injury risk

As training intensity increases throughout the season, so do the demands placed on the hamstrings. Strength training should be combined with regular sprint exposure so athletes gradually build the capacity to handle the speeds they’ll reach in games and training. Progressing both gym work and running load helps reduce sudden spikes that are often linked to injuries.

Strength for performance

Hamstring strength should be viewed as a key component of athletic development rather than simply an injury prevention strategy. A balanced program that develops strength, power and sprint capacity gives athletes

the physical qualities needed to perform at their best throughout the season. If you or your athlete would like an organised strength and conditioning program, book in with

UNLOCK

Tme at OnePointHealth. Together, we’ll develop an individualised training plan that builds strength, improves performance and helps reduce the risk of injury throughout the season.

interest rates than unsecured finance options such as personal loans or credit cards. Over the life of a renovation loan, this can mean substantial savings.

he family home has quietly become more than just a place to live, it’s a financial asset that’s grown in value over years of mortgage repayments and rising property prices. Increasingly, local homeowners are tapping into that growth to fund something practical: renovating the very home that created it. What is equity, and why does it matter?

Renovations such as kitchen and bathroom updates, additional living space, or improved energy efficiency can add value to a property – in some cases offsetting some or all of the cost of the works over time.

Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage. If your property has increased in value since you bought it or you’ve paid down a significant portion of your loan, you may have built up equity that can be accessed through refinancing or a top-up loan, without needing to sell.

Why renovate using equity rather than other finance options?

Because a home equity loan is secured against the property, lenders typically offer more competitive

For growing families or those wanting more space, renovating can be a more affordable alternative to selling and buying a larger home, particularly once stamp duty, agent fees, and moving costs are factored in.

Rather than juggling a separate renovation loan alongside a mortgage, many homeowners choose to fold renovation costs into their existing home loan structure, simplifying repayments.

Points worth considering

Using equity isn’t the right fit for everyone, and it’s worth going in with eyes open:

• It increases your loan balance. Borrowing more against your home means a larger mortgage and, potentially, a longer loan term or higher repayments.

• Property values can fall as well as rise. Renovation spending doesn’t guarantee a dollar-fordollar increase in value.

• Not all lenders assess useable equity the same way, and borrowing capacity, serviceability, and loan-to-value ratio requirements will affect how much can be accessed.

• Fees and structuring matter. The right approach depends on individual circumstances.

The Experts

UNDERSTANDING KENNEL COUGH AND ITS IMPACT

If your dog has suddenly developed a persistent hacking cough, you’re not alone. Over recent weeks, veterinary clinics have seen a noticeable increase in cases of kennel cough, leaving many owners concerned about what is causing their dog’s symptoms.

Kennel cough (also known as canine cough) is a contagious upper respiratory infection in dogs caused by several different highly infectious bacteria and viruses, most commonly Bordetella bronchiseptica. Much like the common cold in people, it is highly contagious and spreads easily wherever dogs come into contact with one another.

Despite its name, dogs don’t have to visit a boarding kennel to catch kennel cough. It can be picked up almost anywhere dogs socialise, including dog parks, or even during a walk where dogs greet each other. The infection spreads through airborne droplets produced when an infected dog coughs or sneezes, as well as

contaminated bowls, bedding, toys and other shared surfaces.

The most common symptom is a harsh, dry, hacking cough that often sounds as though your dog has something stuck in their throat. Many dogs will gag or retch after coughing, while others may sneeze or develop a mild runny nose. Excitement, exercise or pulling on a lead can make the coughing worse, and some dogs cough so forcefully they vomit.

Most otherwise healthy dogs remain bright, active and continue eating normally despite their cough. Symptoms usually appear three to seven days after exposure and often improve within one to two weeks. However, not every cough is kennel cough.

A cough can also be a sign of more serious conditions including pneumonia, heart disease, collapsing trachea, airway obstruction or, in some regions, heartworm disease. For this reason, any persistent or wors-

ening cough should be assessed by your veterinarian. A physical examination, and in some cases blood tests or chest x-rays, may be recommended to determine the underlying cause.

Treatment depends on

the severity of the infection. Many mild cases simply require rest, avoiding strenuous exercise and allowing time for the airways to heal. More severe infections may require medication, particularly if there are signs of secondary bacterial infection or pneumonia.

Vaccination remains the best way to reduce your dog’s risk. Vaccines are available and help lessen both the severity of illness and the spread of infection. While no vaccine offers 100 per cent protection, vaccinated dogs generally experience much milder disease.

If your dog develops a cough, keep them away from other dogs until they have recovered, as kennel cough spreads very easily. Early veterinary assessment not only helps your own dog recover but also reduces the risk of passing the infection on to others.

For more information or if your dog has developed a cough, contact our team.

Relax & Unwind

AMANDA JANE

Clairvoyant Medium

amandajane-xo.com

revivalretreats.com.au

@ amandajaneclairvoyant

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

Relationships remain your greatest teachers this week. Honest communication and vulnerability will strengthen important connections, whether in love, family or friendships. Be willing to compromise without losing yourself. An unexpected conversation may bring healing, deeper understanding or exciting plans for the future.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

Your attention naturally shifts towards creating more stability and comfort in your personal life. Financial matters look positive if you avoid impulsive decisions. Someone may seek your advice or support, reminding you just how much wisdom you have to offer. Prioritising self-care will leave you feeling refreshed and energised.

LEO

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23

Happy Birthday, Leo! Your confidence begins to shine brighter as your season arrives. Others are naturally drawn to your warmth and leadership, making this a wonderful week to launch new ideas or pursue personal goals. Believe in yourself – you’ve worked hard to reach this point, and your time to shine has arrived.

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Career, purpose and long-term ambitions receive positive attention this week. Your dedication is beginning to pay off, even if results have felt slow to appear. Stay focused on your vision and avoid distractions. Trust your intuition when making important choices – it won’t lead you astray. Don’t doubt yourself.

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Small, intentional changes to your daily routine in this next little while will create lasting positive results. Your intuition is especially heightened, so pay attention to dreams, signs and quiet inner nudges. Spirit encourages you to simplify your schedule, protect your energy and trust that you’re exactly where you need to be.

GEMINI

MAY 22 TO JUNE 21

Your gift of communication is especially strong this week, making it an ideal time to express ideas, negotiate or reconnect with someone important. New opportunities could arrive through social interactions or networking. Trust your curiosity and don’t dismiss the small signs pointing you towards your next exciting adventure.

VIRGO

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Life asks you to slow down and reconnect with yourself before taking your next big step. Rest is productive too, especially if you’ve been pushing yourself lately. Trust that everything is unfolding in perfect timing. Behind the scenes, opportunities are quietly aligning in ways you may not yet recognise.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Adventure is calling, whether through travel, learning something new or simply saying yes to experiences outside your comfort zone. A fresh perspective could completely change your outlook. Listen carefully to conversations that inspire you, as they may contain the guidance you’ve been searching for.

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Momentum is beginning to build, but don’t feel pressured to have all the answers just yet. This week rewards patience, thoughtful planning and trusting your instincts. A conversation with someone close could inspire a fresh direction or help you see a situation from a completely new perspective. Stay open to unexpected opportunities.

CANCER

JUNE 22 TO JULY 22

As one chapter closes, another begins with fresh possibilities. You’re being encouraged to honour how far you’ve come while confidently looking ahead. Trust your intuition around finances, relationships and career decisions. A small step taken this week could create significant positive momentum over the coming months.

LIBRA

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

Friendships, teamwork and meaningful connections take centre stage. Someone may offer encouragement, support or an opportunity that helps move you forward. Be willing to receive as much as you give. Balance comes through honest conversations and surrounding yourself with people who genuinely lift your energy.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Amanda Jane is an internationally recognised Clairvoyant Medium, spiritual teacher, retreat facilitator, and founder of Revival Retreats Australia.

With a gift for connecting to the spirit world and over a decade of experience supporting people through healing, transformation, and personal growth, Amanda has built a reputation for delivering heartfelt, accurate, and compassionate guidance.

BRISBANE’S TOP 10

When your best friend lives interstate and says she needs you, you book a flight.

That’s exactly what I did last month and proceeded to spend a weekend doing all her favourite activities.

So, without further ado, here are the top 10 things to do if you want to be a Brisbane local for a weekend…

1. Enjoy a festival

At the time of my visit, Brisbane was in the throes of Festa Italiana – an annual Italian food and culture festival at Howard Smith Wharves.

Acoustic Italian music rang through the event, and red gingham tablecloths adorned tables throughout the festival. The smell of pizza and pasta lingered in the air and refreshing Aperol Spritzes tasted just as satisfying as they did in Italy.

Although Festa Italiana has now ended, it was one of many festivals on Brisbane’s cultural calendar! Still to come this year is Providore Park, Redfest Strawberry Festival, Night Feast, and the Good Food and Wine Show.

2. Explore New Farm Markets

The Jan Powers Farmers Markets Powerhouse has run from 9am to 12pm every Saturday for 26 years, and it is still bustling!

The market’s popularity is no doubt thanks to the rows of passionate stallholders selling handmade products and fresh produce like fruit, vegetables, artisan cheeses, pasta, bread, and more!

3. Picnic at New Farm Park

Since you’re already in New Farm for the market, have a picnic at New Farm Park!

Set up a blanket on the lush grass after a stroll along the riverside promenade, prepare your cheeseboard, people watch, enjoy

the scenic view of Brisbane River, and have a laugh.

4. Catch a ferry at sunset

In Brisbane, a sunset cruise costs $1. That is if you board one of Brisbane’s ferries – known as CityCat’s and KittyCat’s – at the right time of day.

“I’LL

These ferries are a go-to form of public transport and stop at a network of 22 terminals along the Brisbane River. They are not only an amazing way to get around the city, but also a great tool for sightseeing.

Taking in the Brisbane skyline and the iconic Story Bridge as the sun set behind them casting incredible shades of gold and pink across the sky was a memorable moment.

5. See the city from above

If you want a different view of the CBD, head to the Star Casino’s Sky Deck. 100 metres above the city, you can soak in the view day or night, and if you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate it with a cocktail in-hand.

6. Get fancy

If you’re in the mood for fine dining, I recommend Tillerman Seafood Restaurant. It boasts resort-style riverside dining and serves incredible local seafood. Not to mention, the live piano player and friendly staff! I’ll be

back at Tillerman every time I venture to Brisbane.

If you want something a bit more lowkey, I recommend Stratton Bar and Kitchen – an industrial-style venue within two transformed World War II hangars in Newstead.

7. Bust a move

My best friend and I spent our pre-teen and early teenage years dancing competitively together, so when we catch up, a dance break is non-negotiable.

For a night out, I recommend heading to Fortitude Valley – or ‘the Valley’ if you’re a local – and starting the night with karaoke at Lost Souls. After that, it’s only right to head to the local country bar! We selected Honky Tonks for a dose of live music. After a country fix, head to Su Casa Nightclub and Rooftop for some R&B, before completing the night at a local kebab shop.

8. Wake up properly

For a great coffee and an incredible breakfast, Pablo’s Pantry is

the answer. The food is delicious and the family behind the counter are passionate about delivering an amazing experience. They hope to create a feeling of home for every customer, and the recipes have been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. You can taste the love.

9. Smell the roses Stop and smell the flowers at MILKBUD – a new florist in Woolloongabba. This florist has quickly gained popularity for its flowers over fillers philosophy, pet-safe range, zero plastic use, and on-trend stems.

10. Go old school

Finally, you can’t do a girl’s trip without a little bit of shopping. If you want to do that sustainably, I recommend a visit to Vintage Street in Stones Corner. This shop offers a huge selection of second-hand designer clothing. I spotted a gorgeous Prada handbag for $100, and the Burberry coat collection is amazing! Not to mention, if you want to continue the vintage vibes, there is a record store called Sonic Sherpa just next door. There is so much to see and do in Brisbane! But if you want to embrace being a local for a weekend, these top 10 tips are a fool-proof method.

Watch the sun set from a ferry!

Shop at Vintage Street.

Story Bridge at sunset.

Enjoy one of Brisbane’s many festivals!

Check out the CBD from Sky Deck.

Fine dine at Tillerman Seafood Restaurant.

Visit MILKBUD for a gorgeous floral arrangement.

The family behind Pablo’s Pantry.

Picnic at New Farm Park.

Ally and Malika.

26. Eternally

29. Gives

32.

38. Aromatic

40. Perch

41. Denmark natives

42. Packs of cards

43. Ponds

44. Severe (illness)

47. Amasses

51. Cross-country walk

52. Fidget

53. Brief turbulent storm

54. Idiom

58. Kit out

59. Insecticide (1,1,1)

61. Diner

63. Black pool-ball number

64. Smudges

65. Taller

66. Provide (with)

68. Courage

71. Abrasive paper

72. Lounge about 74. Bare

76. Curves

78. Recording reel

80. Excellent (1-1,1)

83. Favourite

Word Search

Find all the words listed hidden in the grid of letters. They can be found in straight lines up, down, forwards, backwards or even diagonally.

THEME: FRUITS APPLE

LIME

Last week’s solution

Trivia Quiz

Test your knowledge about Commonwealth Games in this week’s special trivia quiz...

When do the 2026 Commonwealth Games begin?

Where are the 2026 Commonwealth Games being hosted? 3. How many sports are being played in the 2026 Commonwealth Games? 4. How many nations and territories are participating in the 2026 Commonwealth Games?

5. Which two nations are making their Commonwealth Games debut?

6. How often are the Commonwealth Games held?

7. Where were the inaugural Games held in 1930?

8. How many times has Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games?

9. Where will the 2030 Commonwealth Games be held?

–

Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how ‘straights’ are formed.

COLOUR ME PENRITH!

Honey & Maddie’s Meals

Green Tea Cookies

This cookie recipe is an easy favourite of mine, and you can swap out the mix ins for anything you like.

What You’ll Need:

– Large mixing bowl

– Electric Mixer (optional)

– Measuring cups

Ingredients:

– 1/2 cup of Butter (approx. 113 grams), softened

– 1/2 Castor Sugar

– 1 cup Self Raising Flour

– Vanilla to taste

– 2 Tbsp Condensed Milk

– 2 Tbsp Honey

– 1 bag Green Tea, steeped

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°

2. Cream the butter and sugar with the electric mixer until it is smooth and lighter in colour.

3. Add the vanilla and condensed milk, mixing well.

4. Add in the flour and mix until just combined. This may be easier with just a spoon or spatula.

5. Steep the green tea in a small amount of water, adding to the mixture a little at a time. Run the bag under cold water and then break open, adding some of the steeped tea leaves to the mixture. Add the honey and mix through.

6. Roll cookies into balls and place on a tray. Cook for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes and enjoy!

Tip: If yours spread together like mine did, you can cut out fun shapes instead!

A unique farewell in Emu Plains

In a fast–growing region like Penrith, where development often brings speed and efficiency, one Emu Plains chapel is quietly pushing back against the idea that everything must run to the clock – especially funerals.

At Grace Funerals – Penrith, located in Emu Plains, families are finding a chapel designed around flexibility rather than fixed time slots, offering a noticeably different experience to many traditional funeral venues and crematoriums.

Locals who have attended services at the Grace Chapel say the absence of strict time limits allows families to move through farewells at their own pace, without the pressure of ‘the next service waiting’.

The chapel itself reflects that philosophy. Filled with natural light, the space feels open and calm – a deliberate departure from darker, more enclosed funeral interiors. A green wall forms a central feature, adding warmth and a sense of life to the room, which is a detail that has resonated strongly with families looking for a more contemporary setting.

Unlike older facilities, the Emu Plains chapel is modern and purpose–built, with clean lines

and a light, neutral palette. Technology has also been built in rather than added on. High–quality live streaming allows family members who cannot attend in person to take part – something that has become increasingly important for Penrith families with widely spread relatives.

Practicality also plays a role. Parking is readily available, easing congestion and stress during an already difficult time, particularly

for older attendees or those unfamiliar with the area.

Beyond the building itself, Grace Funerals is family owned and operated and has developed a reputation for a high level of service with a strong focus on listening and personalisation rather than formulaic arrangements. Each farewell is planned to reflect the individual, rather than fitting a set template.

After services, many families continue gatherings at nearby

Penrith and Emu Plains venues, reinforcing the chapel’s connection to the local community. Popular wake locations include O’Donoghue’s, The Log Cabin, Emu Hall, Nepean Rowers, and Leonay Golf Club – all within easy reach and familiar to many locals.

As Penrith continues to grow, the Grace Funerals Emu Plains chapel

is emerging as a space that reflects changing expectations; a place that prioritises time and care, and offers families a farewell shaped around people, not schedules.

Grace Funerals can be contacted via phone at 4735 6900 or email at info@gracefunerals.com.au. Find out more information online at www.gracefunerals.com.au.

MOTORING WITH GARY WORRALL

MX-5 is the formula for fun

Despite the prevalence of SUVs in Mazda’s line-up, there is a string of sporting cars, including a Le Mans 24 winner, in the company’s heritage, with the MX-5 the current flag bearer.

Inspired by the great British lightweight sports cars of the 1950s and ’60s, Mazda debuted the two-seat MX-5 in 1989, and has remained true to the philosophy ever since.

Despite calls for more power, designers have steadfastly refused, saying it is a precision instrument, finely balanced, and extra power would upset the formula that makes it a fan favourite.

Successive updates have refined the experience, honing the MX-5’s performance to a razor’s edge.

Our test car was a Jet Black Roadster GT, a folding soft-top, Mazda’s ultimate expression of lightweight motoring.

The body is all swoops and curves, the bonnet drops away to the ‘open mouth’ under-bumper air intake, the guards are broad, front and rear, pumped to house the 17” alloy wheels.

Although there are years of research, including wind tunnel testing, there is a human, organic, feel, reinforcing the MX-5’s appeal. It sits low, the lowest road car I have ever driven, not often your hips sit level with the wheel centres and you are eye level with the sidesteps of the 4WD next to you, it is all part of the experience!

Designed as a soft top, the MX-5 is one of the few convertibles where the roof doesn’t look like an afterthought.

Twin roll-over hoops sit behind the headrests, black plastic covers deflect the eye, the A-Pillars are thick, without being bulky, the overhangs are minimal front and rear, the boot is short, this is a grown-up go kart, unapologetic about its role of delivering the ultimate immersive driving experience.

The minimalist theme continues inside, while I fitted, despite friends declaring it an impossibility, I was at the upper end of the body size scale able to drive the MX-5.

A thin-rimmed steering wheel greets the driver, framing the instrument cluster, the large tachometer takes centre stage, a smaller speedo to the right and ancillary gauges and information display to the left.

Switches on the steering wheel

handle the audio, telephone, display selection and cruise control, this one is ‘old school’, speed only, there is no radar assistance, you manage the gaps manually.

Seats are comfortable, with fixed height headrests, they wrap around, finished in Legane imitation suede, they fill the space between the door sills and transmission tunnel.

“GLORIOUS, A REMINDER OF THE FUN AND FREEDOM OF DRIVING”

Leg room is adequate for tall drivers, the passenger side is shorter than the driver’s side, I just squeezed into the navigator position, OK for special stages, but not for long trips, sorry dear…

The driver gets three pedals and a footrest, my size 12s fit, but I tangled between the clutch and footrest a

couple of times, next time it is race boots for all journeys!

A stubby gearshift falls perfectly to hand, movements are short and precise, much like the rest of the car, further back are rotary dials for the 8.8” wide touchscreen infotainment unit, there are cupholders, at the driver’s elbow, the MX-5 frowns on distractions like drinking coffee while moving…

There is a deep storage box in the rear bulkhead, everything is focused on function as well as form, if it can’t justify its existence, it doesn’t get a start, at least everything is within easy reach of the driver!

The boot may look small from above, but it held a week’s groceries, your packing skills upgrade to Tetris Master level after a couple of days.

Lowering the roof is simple, a front latch releases the roof, which then folds up, over and back into a space ahead of the boot, the whole operations takes seconds and is done singlehanded.

famous for rotary engines, the MX-5 gets a 2-litre, four cylinder, petrol engine, providing a linear power delivery, rather than the more ‘peaky’ outputs of the rotary units.

The engine is free-revving, spinning out to more than 8,000rpm, producing 135kW at 7,000rpm with peak torque of 205Nm at a relatively high 4,000rpm.

Unlike most other transmissions, the MX-5’s six-speed manual uses a 1:1 top gear, with no overdrive, instead, the little sporty accelerates through every gear, pushing on as the revs build.

It also makes the MX-5 quite tractable, in traffic you can stay in third, or even fourth on a flat road, and it pulls smoothly from 10km/h to 110km/h.

Driving the MX-5 is a tactile, visceral, experience, you hear and feel everything.

I am of an age where ‘neatness and accuracy’ appeared on school report cards, in which case the MX-5 would have been an A+ student, the neater, more precise, and even gentler, your inputs, the more it rewards you.

This is not a car for the ham-fisted, heavy-footed driver wanting to dominate, heaving the car around and stomping on pedals while forcing gear changes through. It will do it, but you won’t feel the lightness of the ultra-accurate steering, where a nudge clears a roundabout, and twisting roads are to be celebrated, with the car responding to subtle inputs, braking and accelerating almost by thought. The MX-5 becomes an extension of your body, sending information not just to your eyes, but to your ears, hands, feet and buttocks, communicating every subtle change in angle, grip and road surface. You think your way through corners, a touch of brakes on approach, pushing the throttle on exit, up and down the gears, it inspires you to improve, to show you are worthy.

That is the delight of the MX-5, wanting to be a better driver, brake that bit later, steer that touch more accurately, finesse the gearshifts, being aware of your surroundings, anticipating and acting instinctively.

The MX-5 may not be for everyone, but it’s a fun and wild drive.

Fixture is a winner for families

The A-League Men 2026/27 season will kick-off with the Sydney Derby for the firsttime ever.

The 2026/27 season will officially get underway on Friday, October 16 with the new look Wanderers battling old foes Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium.

The Wanderers finished with the wooden spoon last year, while the Sky Blues were runners-up after losing to Auckland FC 1-0 in the Grand Final.

“For the first-time ever, the Sydney Derby will open the season with Sydney FC taking on the Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday, October 16 at Allianz Stadium,” APL CEO, Steve Rosich said.

“Marquee matches will headline

the opening rounds, as we look to build on last season where we welcomed more than 1.6 million fans across Australia and New Zealand, and leverage the hype from the FIFA Men’s World Cup.”

Western Sydney’s first home game of the year at CommBank Stadium will be against Auckland FC on Saturday, October 24 before welcoming Adelaide United, Perth Glory, Wellington, Newcastle Jets, Macarthur FC, Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Brisbane Roar, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Victory across the season.

Highlights of the home fixture list include a Boxing Day clash with Newcastle, a New Year’s Day meeting with local rivals Macarthur FC, and the highly anticipated Sydney Derby on Saturday, January 30.

The Wanderers will also host

Melbourne City twice during the regular season while afternoon fixtures against Brisbane, Central Coast and Melbourne Victory provide great opportunities for families and the wider football community to experience the atmosphere at CommBank.

A venue for the Mariners game on Sunday, April 11 hasn’t been confirmed as yet, with speculation mounting that the afternoon fixture could be played at the new Helloworld Stadium in Penrith.

The new A-League Men season will be played across 28 matchweeks, with two split matchweeks in December and February, with each club playing 26 games – full homeand-away, plus four additional third-match up fixtures.

The A-League will observe the FIFA international windows in

November and March and will play through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup that will be held between January 7 to February 5 in Saudi Arabia – with A-League matches to be scheduled each day leading into the Socceroos’ group stage matches.

The A-League Grand Final will be played on the weekend of June 3-6, 2027.

“We have worked with clubs, venues and partners to release the A-League 2026/27 fixtures earlier

than ever, to give clubs and fans more time to plan and prepare for next season,” Rosich said.

“The fixture has also taken into account fan feedback and venue availability based on shared stadia and live events.

“It’s set to be another even and entertaining A-League season, engaging traditional and new fans as they get behind their favourite teams, and make this a season to remember.”

Wanderers home matches will be played at CommBank Stadium.

NATHAN TAYLOR

WHAT A CHAMP

Logan hits stumbling blocks, but still adds to trophy cabinet

While many 10-year-old boys spend their weekends playing video games, Cranebrook local Logan Dean enjoys his days off competing against some of the best remote-control racers in the state.

Earlier this month at the Penrith District Nitro Racing (PDNR) Winter Champs at the Regatta Centre, the Year 5 student at Henry Fulton Public School raced his way to a first and third place finish after an outstanding weekend of competition.

Having only been involved in the sport for just over two years, Logan competed against some of NSW’s best young drivers across two classes, showcasing both his speed and determination.

“Two years ago I started racing petrol cars with my dad at Luddenham Model Park and then we started racing on Tuesday nights at PDNR,” Logan told the Weekender

“This was my first-ever Winter Champs. I was nervous and excited for it at the same time.”

On the first day of competiton, Logan raced in the Junior Electric Touring Car 21.5 class. Despite facing early challenges, including learning on brand-new, cold tyres during qualifying and then suffering a mechanical failure that resulted in a DNF, he qualified on the front row for the finals.

When it mattered most, Logan delivered a flawless performance, winning all three finals to claim the PDNR Winter Champs title in his RC Maker SP1 for the Junior Touring Car class.

The following day saw Logan switch to his Short Course Stadium Truck, where the challenges continued.

Battery issues and a connector failure threatened to derail his day, but Logan never gave up. After several excited wheel-to-wheel battles with fellow competitor and mate Ethan, he fought his way to an impressive third-place finish.

The Winter Champs not only highlighted Logan’s driving ability but also his sportsmanship. He said he enjoyed making new friends, catching up with fellow competitors and embracing every opportunity to learn and improve, qualities that have helped him progress so quickly in the sport.

“I love RC racing because you get to try different things and know what works and what doesn’t,” Logan said.

“I also love that I get to meet new friends and it’s an outdoor activity, instead of staying at home and playing the Xbox.”

With another championship trophy added to his growing collection after just a couple of years, the future looks bright for the talented young racer as he continues to chase even bigger goals.

“My trophy collection is getting quite big. I keep them in my bedroom next to my TV,” Logan said.

“My next major competition will be the National titles in Queensland this September.”

ATHLETES TO WATCH AT GAMES

Story continued from » p.80

The 24-year-old qualified in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle event, which will be held at Tollcross International Swimming Centre on Wednesday, July 29.

The former Nepean Aquatic Centre lifeguard qualified second fastest for the event at the recent 2026 Australian Swimming Trials.

“We are so proud to have watched Matthew work towards this goal over many years, from swimming in our squads at a young age through to working on deck as an NSF (Nepean Swim and Fitness) lifeguard alongside training before moving to Queensland to train with Dean Boxall to pursue his Australian Dolphin dreams,” Nepean Aquatic Centre posted on Facebook.

Finally, contesting his second consecutive Commonwealth Games is Penrith-born athlete Joshua Azzopardi.

The 26-year-old sprinter is competing exclusively in the Men’s 4x100m Relay after he was controversially left out of the individual 100m sprint events by Athletics Australia. He subsequently launched an appeal, but the challenge was unsuccessful.

Azzopardi will start in the heats on Saturday, August 1.

Overall, the Australian team will consist of 257 athletes, including 151 debutants.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and 7plus from tomorrow.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Logan Dean with Mayor Todd Carney.

Derby delight: Must-win clash for Giants

In between his university studies and looking after his newborn son, GWS Giants star and former number one pick Lachie Whitfield has a huge game to prepare for.

This Saturday evening in front of a packed house at ENGIE Stadium, Whitfield and the Giants will be looking to keep their season alive when they go head-to-head with the Sydney Swans in the latest instalment of the Sydney Derby.

Sitting in second position heading into this weekend’s match, the Swans will play Finals football this year while the Giants are once again

fighting for a place in the post-season.

This year things are a little bit different with 10 teams in the running for a spot in the playoffs thanks to a massive change to the AFL Finals format.

The AFL Finals series now includes an expanded format with a Wildcard Finals Round. Instead of a pre-Finals bye, teams finishing 7th to 10th play off for the final two spots in the traditional top eight bracket, while the top six teams receive a week off.

The new format gives teams, like the 11th-placed Giants, something to play for over the last five weeks of the regular season.

Speaking with the Weekender on Wednesday, Whitfield said he’s a big fan of the Wildcard Finals Round for a number of reasons.

“Firstly, I think it fills the void of the Finals bye… more footy for the spectators to watch is ultimately going to be a better thing for the sport,” he said.

“I also didn’t mind the idea of the new format at the start of the season and now, considering our position on the ladder, I love the idea of it!”

The Giants will go into Saturday clash at home as underdogs, however like with any sporting derby, form and ladder position often goes out the window.

Whitfield has played 27 games against the Swans during his 14-year career, with the 32-year-old pumped to play them once again.

“During Sydney Derby week there’s a lot more local eyes that are on us, more media, more interviews but it’s the same every time we play the Swans – it’s hard contested games that are usually pretty close,” Whitfield said.

“I know they beat us convincingly earlier in the year, but I feel like we’re poised to play a really good game and challenge them. They are doing well this year and are up the top of the ladder, but if we can play Giants brand of footy, we can challenge them really well.”

The Giants will be eager to bounce back against the Swans after their shock defeat to the last-placed Essendon Bombers at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

It was just Essendon’s second win of the year, with the Giants going down in a low scoring affair 67-64.

“The loss didn’t feel great,” Whitfield admitted.

“We didn’t take them

lightly. We spoke about the possibility of them playing their best footy and us going into the game not at our best and it’ll be a close game and that’s exactly what happened. We didn’t perform in a lot of key areas, and they played well and the result speaks for itself.”

The Giants take on the Swans at ENGIE Stadium this Saturday at 4.35pm.

Lachie Whitfield. Photo: James Wiltshire/AFL Photos.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPORTS SHORTS

Big summer forecast for Thunder

CRICKET: Sydney Thunder fans are set for a blockbuster start to BBL|16, with back-to-back home matches including the first Sydney Smash of the season to launch an actionpacked summer. Led by newly appointed coach Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, the Thunder begin their season in the nation’s capital, taking on the Adelaide Strikers at Corroborree Group Oval, Manuka on Wednesday, December 16. The action then shifts to western Sydney just three days later, when the Thunder host crosstown rivals the Sydney Sixers at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, December 19. The festive season fun continues on Sunday, December 27, when Thunder host the third edition of The Wrap Party. The end-of-year celebration has become a highlight of the summer, featuring League-first innovations such as a drone show and LED wristbands. Fans can expect another unforgettable night of entertainment at ENGIE Stadium. Back-to-back matches against the reigning champions, Perth Scorchers, will see the second game culminating in a blockbuster home clash on the first Saturday of the New Year at ENGIE Stadium. The Thunder’s last home fixture of the regular season will be a return to Corroborree Group Oval,

Manuka to take on the Melbourne Stars on Monday, January 11. The Thunder close out the regular season on the road, with the second instalment of the Sydney Smash to be played at the SCG on Friday, January 15, before the final match in Brisbane against the Heat on Sunday, January 17. Sydney Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland said the festive period fixtures, and the return of the Sydney Smash, would give members and fans plenty to look forward to across the summer. “This is a fixture built for our fans; we’ve got three blockbusters on weekends at ENGIE Stadium across the festive period. The biggest and best games in our heartland, including finals when we get there,” he said. “Canberra has become another fortress for us, we saw what Matt Gilkes and Sam Konstas did there last year in our win against the Heat, and Samsy’s heroics against the Strikers the year prior, so we’re excited to open the season there and give our fans in the ACT the first chance to see the team in action. It’s a great opportunity to build momentum early before returning home for what promises to be a huge Saturday night Sydney Smash. We’ve got a great run at ENGIE Stadium, with our Sunday night Wrap Party before the year ends, followed by the first Saturday night match of the New Year before work goes back. The balance of the fixture sees us spend big stretches of the summer at home in Sydney, which is exactly what we wanted for our players, fans and members. We can’t wait to get the summer started and to see everyone out supporting the team.”

AFL: The GWS Giants have failed to win three games in a row, losing to the last-placed Essendon Bombers 67-64 in Round 19 of the AFL. Last weekend’s result at Marvel Stadium is being billed as the “upset of the season”, with the Bombers winning just one of their previous 30 games heading into the clash. The threepoint loss sees the Giants remain in 11th with a wildcard spot on the line. GWS will return to ENGIE Stadium this Saturday to play the second-placed Sydney Swans.

AFL: The Penrith Rams have suffered their third loss of the season, going down to the North Shore Bombers 55-50 in Round 13 of the AFL Sydney Men’s Division 2 competition. Playing at Greygums Oval, the Rams led 39-1 after the first quarter before the Bombers began their incredible comeback and ultimately won The Rams will aim to bounce back when they play the Randwick City Saints this Saturday at Pioneers Park. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes enjoyed a huge win, smashing the

North Shore Bombers 64-0 in Round 13 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Division 2 competition. The Ramettes will look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Randwick City Saints this Saturday.

FOOTBALL: Glenmore Park Socceroos sensation Patrick Beach is moving to France after the goalkeeper completed a permanent transfer to French Ligue 1 club Troyes. The 22-year-old will depart A-League club Melbourne City after three outstanding seasons that saw him establish himself as the nation’s premier young shot-stopper, becoming an A-League Champion, Socceroo and Australia’s first choice goalkeeper at the recent FIFA World Cup. “The last three years at Melbourne City have shaped me so much, both as a player and as a person,” Beach said. “This club has given me the opportunity to challenge myself every day, improve my game and ultimately fulfil my dream of representing the Socceroos and Australia at the FIFA World Cup. I’ll always be incredibly grateful for that.”

RUGBY: The Penrith Emus have suffered their first loss since early June, outclassed by Merrylands 33-15 in Round 12 of the McLean Cup. Penrith will hope to bounce back when they hit the road to take on Oatley at H.V. Evatt Park this Saturday. Meanwhile, Penrith’s second grade team went down to Merrylands 47-5 in Round 12 of the Grose Cup. The Emus will enjoy this weekend off before facing the Sydney Harlequins on August 1.

BASKETBALL: The Penrith Panthers have ended their 2026 NBL1 East campaign with four defeats. Last Friday night up against the Sutherland Sharks, the Panthers men’s team were thrashed 104-55, while Penrith’s women’s team went down 74-60. Returning to the court

last Sunday afternoon, the Panthers took on the Illawarra Hawks at The Snakepit Stadium. Penrith’s men’s team were flogged by the Hawks 101-76, while the Panthers women’s team suffered a 95-65 defeat. Overall, it was another challenging season for both teams. Penrith’s men’s team finished the year in second last position with three wins and 17 losses, while the club’s women’s team finished the year in third last position

NETBALL: Round 12 of the Netball NSW Premier League competition took place at Netball Central last week. Panthers Netball’s U23s team were defeated by the Sutherland Stingrays 62-50, while their Opens were beaten badly 82-53. Panthers will take on the UTS Randwick Sparks in Round 13.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 15 of the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield took place last weekend. In the Ron Massey Cup, St Marys narrowly beat the Wenty Magpies 18-16, while Penrith Brothers had a 24-all draw with the Bulldogs. In the Sydney Shield, the Saints were too good for the Magpies 36-12, while Brothers smashed the Moorebank Rams 43-10.

LEAGUE: The Penrith Panthers have fallen to third on the NSW Women’s Premiership ladder, drawing with the Wests Tigers 22-22 last Thursday at CommBank Stadium. The Tigers led 16-8 at half-time before the Panthers clawed back to tie the game. The Panthers will travel to Eric Tweedale Stadium this Sunday afternoon to battle the Parramatta Eels.

RUGBY

Crowds flock to Thunder BBL games.

Socceroos star Patrick Beach.

Penrith and Wests had a draw last week.

THOMETOWN HEROES

he 2026 Commonwealth Games will kick-off in Glasgow, Scotland, tomorrow morning, with local sporting fans having several athletes with a Penrith connection to cheer for.

Making her Commonwealth Games debut is 18-year-old Layla Sharp.

The talented Cranebrook athlete will achieve her sporting dream when she contests the Women’s Long Jump T38 event next Friday, July 31.

Sharp has been an excellent track and field athlete for many years, but it’s her selection in long jump that took many

people by surprise. Well-known for her running and sprinting, Sharp has only been focusing on long jump since October last year when she realised that event would be her best shot at qualifying.

“After the World Championships in India last year, I decided to give long jump a shot to hopefully make the Australian Comm Games team and it’s all worked out,” Sharp told the Weekender in May.

With a new coach in her corner, Sharp took to long jump like a duck to water, posting a personal best jumping distance of 4.86m to easily qualify for the event in the T38 classification (athletes with cerebral palsy).

Also making his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow is 22-year-old track star Luke Boyes. The local resident will line up in the Men’s 800m event when heats get underway at Scotstoun Stadium on Tuesday, July 28.

Boyes is one of three Australian men who will contest the 800m in Glasgow, with Peter Bol and Peyton Craig also qualifying.

“It was a really tough team to make… we’ve got so much depth in the 800m,” Boyes told the Weekender.

“To put the season I had together was pretty important to me and getting selected off the back of that meant a fair bit.”

The Emu Plains Little Athletics

junior has already competed at a World Championships, but he believes that battling for a medal at the Commonwealth Games ranks even higher.

“This one is up there, I think it’s above World Champs,” Boyes admitted.

“Australians value Comm Games pretty highly. It’s part of our national identity and performing well at a Comm Games is Pretty special.”

Making his Commonwealth Games debut in the pool is local swimming sensation Matthew Galea.

Club

NATHAN TAYLOR

Layla Sharp.

Joshua Azzopardi.

Matthew Galea. Photo: David Mariuz.

Luke Boyes.

LB A 2026

2026 WINNER

PHARMA CY

W inning the 2026 L ocal Business Aw ar d f or Pharmacy is an incr edible honour and a pr oud moment f or e ve ry one at Kings w ood Compounding Pharmacy . T his r ecognition belongs t o our t eam, whose car e, dedication and har d w ork ar e at the hear t of e ve r ything w e do

W e f eel privileged t o car e f or people and f amilies thr oughout Kings w ood and P enrith. Whether pr o viding e ve r yday pharmac y car e, pr eparing personalised compounded medicines or simply t aking the time t o list en, our aim is t o mak e e ve r y person f eel kno wn, suppor t ed and gen uinely car ed f or W e ar e deeply gr at eful t o our cust omers and comm unity f or their l oy alty and trust . T hank y ou f or allo wing us t o shar e in y our health journeys . T his aw ar d inspir es us t o k eep impr o ving and t o contin ue ser ving our comm unity with compassion, pr of essionalism and hear t.

2026 WINNER

UTCHER/DELI CA TESSEN

We ’r e honour ed t o announce that Gourmet Meat Compan y has been named a winner in this y ear’s L ocal Business Aw ar ds!

Nestled in Em u Heights since 1996, w e pride ourselv es on deliv ering pr emium gr ass-f ed meats meal kits fr esh pr oduce and mor e – av ailable in-st or e or deliv er ed locally with car e.

Our experienced t eam, back ed b y m ultiple past “Best Butcher” aw ar ds also supplies caf és r est aur ants pubs and clubs acr oss W est ern Sydne y.

Fr om w eekly specials t o comm unity sponsorships lik e junior rugb y and soccer, it’s a privilege t o be r ecognised among the best – and t o contin ue ser ving our cust omers with quality and passion.

ABCOE FOOD & CLEARANCE OUTLET

2026 WINNER SPECIALISED RET AIL BUSINESS

W inning the 2026 L ocal Business Aw ar d is an incr edibly pr oud moment f or the ABCOE t eam.

As a local business this r ecognition means so m uch, it r ef lects the suppor t of the comm unities w e ar e f or tunat e t o ser v e e ve r y day W e ar e pr oud of our har dw orking t eam and gr at eful f or ever y cust omer who shops with us r ecommends us and contin ues t o suppor t local.

T his aw ar d motiv at es us t o k eep gr o wing impr o ving and deliv ering gr eat v alue, pr oducts and ser vice.

W e look f orw ar d t o w elcoming mor e locals thr ough our doors intr oducing them t o the ABCOE experience and becoming a trust ed par t of their comm unity

A: UNIT 4-8, 69 Y ORK RO AD SOUTH PENRITH

P: 1300 122 263 | W: ABCOE.COM.A U

KANE W OODS

2026 WINNER B USINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR

I am incr edibly honour ed t o be named Business P erson of the Year

T his aw ar d r ef lects the har d w ork, dedication and passion that goes int o our business e ve r y day

A h uge thank y ou t o our l oy al cust omers f or y our contin ued suppor t, our amazing st af f f or their commitment and har d w ork, and m y business par tner and wif e, Nat alie, whose suppor t and dedication hav e been instrument al in our success

T his r ecognition is a t eam achiev ement, and I’m gr at eful t o e ve ry one who has been par t of our journe y.

W e look f orw ar d t o contin uing t o ser v e our comm unity with the same passion and commitment f or man y y ears t o come.

A: SHOP 19, 2 BIRMINGHAM RD SOUTH PENRITH

P: 4732 4474 | W: KA QU ALITYMEATS .COM. AU

UNITY STUDIOS

2026 WINNER

EDU CA TION SER VICE

T her e ar e moments in business that r emind y ou wh y y ou do what y ou do and winning the 2026 P enrith L ocal Business Aw ar d f or Outst anding Educational Ser vices has been one of those moments f or Unity Studios

T he aw ar ds night w as an incr edible experience, but the highlight w asn’ t st anding on st age accepting the aw ar d, it w as bringing the tr oph y back t o the studio and sharing it with our t eam, ment ees and f amilies Seeing the excit ement, pride and hear tf elt messages fr om our comm unity has left us on cloud nine all w eek and w e w ould lik e t o t ak e this oppor tunity t o thank them all.

T his r ecognition belongs t o e ve r y person who has w alk ed thr ough our doors trust ed us with their learning journey and celebr at ed the gifts and achiev ements of others Fittingly the aw ar d coincided with the launch of our Online Sho wcase, a beautiful r ef lection of the cr eativity, conf idence and gr o wth that happens at Unity Studios e ve r y day It’s been an amazing w eek of celebr ation.

F or us , this aw ar d is not just a tr oph y. It is a r eminder that when a comm unity comes t ogether t o encour age, suppor t and believ e in one another incr edible things can happen.

If y ou’d lik e t o learn mor e about our cr eativ e and educational pathw ays , please get in t ouch!

A: 1/30 W OODRIFF STREET, PENRITH

P: 0466 580 175 | W: UNITY STUDIOS .COM.A U

2026 WINNER

MOST INCLUSIVE EMPL O YER

W inning a L ocal Business Aw ar d is an incr edibly pr oud moment f or our t eam.

Aft er mor e than 20 y ears of helping cr eat e memor able w eddings par ties and ev ents this r ecognition means so m uch because it comes fr om the comm unity w e pr oudly ser ve

We ’r e gr at eful t o e ve r y cust omer who has trust ed us with their special occasions and t o our dedicat ed t eam f or their har d w ork . T hank y ou f or y our contin ued suppor t - w e couldn’ t hav e achie ve d this without y ou.

A: UNIT 3B/2 COOMBES DRIVE, PENRITH

P: 4731 1313 | W: PENRITHPARTYHIRE.COM.A U PENRITH PARTY HIRE

NARRO W ESC APE R OOMS

2026 WINNER

T OURISM & EXPERIENCES

W inning the P enrith L ocal Business Aw ar d f or Tourism & Experiences is an incr edible honour and one w e’re so pr oud t o shar e with our t eam, our cust omers and our comm unity

As a f amily-o wned business and pr oud P enrith locals we ’r e gr at eful t o e ve ry one who has suppor t ed us ove r the past eight y ears

T hank y ou f or believing in us and allo wing us t o do what w e l ove ; cr eating unf or gett able escape r oom experiences right her e in P enrith.

A: SUITE 4, FIRST FL OOR, 2 C ASTLEREA GH ST, PENRITH P: 4789 0140 | W: NARRO WESC.COM.A U

B UDDIED UP

2026 WINNER

DISABILITY SUPPORT SER VICES

W inning the L ocal Business Aw ar d is an incr edibly h umbling and emotional moment.

It is r ecognition of the passion, r esilience, and countless hours pour ed int o building something that truly mak es a dif fe r ence.

F or me, this aw ar d isn’ t just about Buddied Up— it’s about our amazing par ticipants , their f amilies , and our dedicat ed t eam who trust and inspir e us ever y day

It r eminds me that leading with kindness , compassion,and purpose cr eat es r eal impact. I f eel incr edibly pr oud, gr at eful, and motiv at ed t o k eep gr o wing, suppor ting our comm unity and pr o ving that ev en the biggest dr eams can st ar t with one small st ep

P: 0422907585 | W: B UDDIEDUP.COM SOCIALS: B UDDIEDUP

T hank You, P enrith!

We ’r e absolut ely thrilled t o hav e been named L ocal Business Aw ar d winners and w e couldn’ t hav e done it without y ou.

To e ve ry one who v ot ed f or High St Depot, visit ed us f or y our morning cof f ee, caught up ov er brunch, or made us par t of y our daily r outine— thank y ou . Your suppor t means the w orld t o our t eam.

T his aw ar d belongs t o our incr edible st af f, who bring their passion and smiles e ve r y day and t o our amazing comm unity who hav e suppor te d us fr om day one. W e’r e so gr at eful t o be par t of P enrith and pr oud t o call it home.

We ll k eep doing what w e ov e—ser ving gr eat cof f ee, delicious f ood and cr eating a place wher e e ve ry one f eels w elcome.

Fr om all of us at High St Depot, thank y ou f or y our suppor t, y our l oy alty and f or helping us achiev e this w onderful r ecognition.

Her e’s t o man y mor e cof f ees co nv ersations and good times t ogether!

A: 488/490 HIGH ST, PENRITH P: 4704 8244 | SOCIALS: @HIGHSTDEPO T

COLD ROCK ICE CREAMER Y PENRITH

2026 WINNER

F AST FOOD/T AKE AWAY

W inning the L ocal Business Aw ar ds f ills me with immense pride and gr atitude. It is an incr edible r ecognition of the passion, dedication and har d w ork that goes int o Cold Rock P enrith ev er y day I am so pr oud of m y amazing t eam, who ar e the hear t of our business and deeply gr at eful t o our l oya l cust omers and ev er y one who v ot ed f or us

T his aw ar d means so m uch because it celebr at es not only our success but the comm unity w e ar e so pr oud t o be par t of

A: SHOP 2/191 HIGH ST, PENRITH P: 4732 1179 | W: COLDROCK.COM.A U

2026 WINNER

REST A URANT

W e ar e so honor ed t o be the winners of the Outst anding Rest aur ant cat egor y f or 2026, this is our 4th aw ar d in 5 y ears of o wning our r est aur ant but the f irst one in the P enrith LG A since mo ving t o Mulgoa last Sept ember

W e w ould lik e t o thank our v er y l oy al and suppor tiv e guests , our “Pietr o F amily” that tr av el fr om near and f ar t o enjo y our fr eshly pr epar ed Southern It alian cuisine and experience our gen uine hospit ality

W e cannot w ait t o see y ou all again as w ell as w elcoming new members t o our Pietr o It alian F amily

PENRITH CITY LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Make the most of your victory!

Winning a Local Business Award is something worth celebrating – but it should also be viewed as the beginning of a new marketing campaign, not the end of one.

Too many businesses proudly display the trophy in reception, update their Facebook profile for a week or two, and then move on. The smartest winners, however, understand that an award is a powerful endorsement that can continue attracting customers for months, or even years.

Start by updating every touchpoint your customers see. Add the award logo to your website, email signature, social media profiles and marketing material. Include it in advertisements, brochures, invoices and even your staff email signatures. If customers are choosing between two similar businesses, an independent award can often be the deciding factor.

Don’t be afraid to tell your story repeatedly. Share photos from the awards night, thank your customers for their support and explain what the recognition means to your team. Create short videos, publish behind-the-scenes content and remind people that your success is built on the trust of the local community.

This is also the perfect opportunity

SILK Laser celebrate their win at the Penrith City Local Business Awards.

to invest in ongoing advertising. An award gives your marketing extra credibility, but only if people continue to see it. A campaign in the Western Weekender allows you to reinforce your achievement with a highly engaged local audience, keeping your business front of mind long after the awards ceremony has finished. Rather than a single “we won” advertisement, consider a sustained campaign that combines your award recognition with your products, services and customer success stories.

Don’t forget your shopfront either. Window decals, posters and signage celebrating your award instantly build confidence with passing customers. Your sales team should also reference the achievement during conversations with prospective clients, while your award logo should feature in proposals and quotations wherever appropriate. Finally, remember why you won. Continue delivering the exceptional customer service, innovation and community involvement that earned the recognition in the first place.

A Local Business Award isn’t simply a trophy on a shelf. Used well, it becomes a powerful marketing tool that builds trust, strengthens your brand and helps generate business growth.

T his achiev ement truly f eels surr eal.

I’m incr edibly gr at eful t o celebr

contin ued trust and l oy alty, and t o m y h usband, f amily and friends f or y our unw av ering suppor t.

I’m so pr oud of e ve r ything w e’ v e built t ogether and excit ed f or man y mor e y ears of cr eating beautiful hair and lasting connections

A: 114 ST AFFORD STREET, PENRITH

P: 4721 4454

B AKER Y BRO THERS

Bak er y Br others is incr edibly pr oud and honour ed t o be named Best Bak er y at the L ocal Business Aw ar ds

T his aw ar d is a t est ament t o the passion, har d w ork and dedication of our amazing t eam, as w ell as the incr edible suppor t of our l oy al cust omers and the wider comm unity

L ocat ed at T he Or char d, w e’r e committ ed t o cr eating quality bak ed goods and memor able experiences e ve ry day

A: 50 TENCH AVE, J AMISONT OW N

IG: B AKER YBRO THERS .A U

P: 4721 5567 | W: PENRITHPHY SIO THERAPY.COM.A U PENRITH PHY SIO THERAPY

2026 WINNER

B USINESS OF THE YEAR

e thrilled and deeply h umbled t o be named anding Health Impr ov ement Ser vice and Best Business in P enrith at this y ear’s L ocal Business Aw ar ds

ears , we ’v e been par t of this comm unity and what a journey it’s been. W e’ v e w atched P enrith gr ow and it’s been our privilege t o w alk alongside our neighbours e ve r y st ep of the w ay helping them er, r ec ov er str onger, and liv e fuller liv es

e endlessly gr at eful f or what w e get t o do: helping people so dir ectly so personally ever y single day

P enrith, can’ t w ait f or the next 40 y ears!

A: 119-121 LETHBRIDGE STREET, PENRITH

PENRITH PHY SIO THERAPY SPORTS CENTRE

2026 WINNER

TH IMPRO VEMENT VICES

e thrilled and deeply h umbled t o be named anding Health Impr ov ement Ser vice and Best Business in P enrith at this y ear’s L ocal Business Aw ar ds

e endlessly gr at eful f or what w e get t o do: helping people so dir ectly so personally ever y single day

P enrith, can’ t w ait f or the next 40 y ears!

A: 119-121 LETHBRIDGE STREET, PENRITH

P: 4721 5567 | W: PENRITHPHY SIO THERAPY.COM.A U

Celebr ating Excellence

Congr atulations t o K ane W oods , r ecipient of the 2026 P enrith City L ocal Business Awa r ds – Business P erson of the Year

(02) 4732 4474

Recognised f or excellence in ser vice, pr of essionalism and outst anding commitment t o the local comm unity . Congr atulations t o the eam at Southlands

Est at e Agents

(02) 4721 1111