Blacktown News - WEXPO - October 2022

Mayor Bleasdale congratulates City’s football champs

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, has formally congratulated Blacktown City FC on being crowned the 2022 NSW National Premier Leagues Champions at a special Civic reception dinner at Council’s Administration Centre.

Blacktown City FC took out the coveted title after a 2-0 win over Manly United in a thrilling Grand Final at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium on 27 August.

Mayor Bleasdale gifted the team a certificate of appreciation and an original painting by local award-winning Aboriginal artist Danny Eastwood.

The Civic reception was attended by the Mayor and Councillors, as well as Blacktown City FC players and staff, and club sponsors.

‘I must acknowledge the unwavering dedication and enthusiasm of Blacktown City FC’s Executive Chairman Bob Turner and the wonderful work of coach Mark Crittenden’ Mayor Bleasdale said.

‘I especially congratulate the talented and dedicated players on this great win, and thank them for all they have done for the great game of football in Blacktown City.

‘Council is a long-time supporter of Blacktown City FC, and this season we stepped up our official sponsorship.

‘The partnership between Council and the club is something I cherish as Mayor and look forward to strengthening into the future.’

Congratulations Blacktown City FC!

Pet

There will be pet stalls and displays, food trucks and plenty of free activities. With special guest Farmer Dave and the RuffTrack dog demonstrations this is an event you won’t want to miss.

EMPOWERING YOUTH BY BUILDING RESILIENCE

Partnerships show the way

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

TEN new partnership projects have now joined hands with the state gov ernment’s fight against racism, hate and all things negative in the com munity. And their purpose is to empower young people by building their resilience against negative forces.

NSW’s flagship program spearheaded by Multicultural NSW, which started way back in 2015, has nearly doubled in size and can now boast of having engaged over 50,000 young people in the commu nity since its inception.

Each of the new partnership projects have been awarded a share in $1.6 million through the Community Partnership Action (COMPACT) program, to run proj ects specifically designed to help young people combat hate, racism, and divisive attitudes.

One such partnership project is the Mt Druitt Youth for Peace and Under standing – an initiative led by Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA). They have joined hands with the Blacktown City Council, The Street University and Settlement Services International. ‘

While some projects choose to engage youth through art, others have adopted sports, volunteering and even online activities to drive home the point.

Daisy Montalvo, a young facilitator

from a Mount Druitt partner group, is happy to empower fellow youngsters in a creative way.

“Young people are invested in ensur ing they inherit a world that is fair and healthy but sometimes they’re not sure how to get involved in the big decision making within their communities. We understand that young people need to have their voices heard and acknowl edged. We help them do this in multiple creative ways,” says Daisy.

These COMPACT programs are run at multiple locations across Greater West ern Sydney and aims at inspiring a new generation of community leaders, critical thinkers and champions for community harmony to stand united against hate. A little over 80 partners are currently

delivering COMPACT proj ects across the state.

“This model is based on the principle that young people are our strength, they are not part of the problem,” says Dr Malcolm Haddon, Associate Direc tor, Community Resilience team at Multicultural NSW.

“Young people in our workshops leave the workshops not only under standing that they are an integral part of our social systems, but also with real actions that they will undertake to contribute to social cohesion.

“The COMPACT pro gram gives them tools and resources to be active cit izens,” says Charles Allen, retired senior police officer, from the Institute for Economics and Peace, who is currently involved in two partnership projects. He has delivered many Positive Peace workshops in Mount Druitt and Black town.

More at www. multicultural.nsw. gov.au/compact

COMPACT Alliance partners meet regularly to share knowledge and updates on projects. Photo: Multicultural NSW.

Daisy Montalvo.

How

Leading retailer Lids at Westpoint

LEADING global sports retailer, Lids has arrived in Australia, ex panding its international retail presence with the opening of five debut stores in Australia including Westfield Blacktown.

While Lids is no secret to sports fans and fashionistas that have trav elled through the US. the brand is calling Australia home with five epic headwear stores opening in Victoria and New South Wales throughout August and September.

Lids is the undisputed world’s

leading retailer that specialises in officially licenced and branded head wear and will change the game for fashion accessibility in Australia.

Each year the brand sells more than 30 million hats to passionate sports fans and lovers of on field and sports fashion looks.

As a first of its kind to land on Australian soil, Lids will bring to Australia the largest selection of the headwear and jerseys, exclusive to Lids.

Collector kicks, sports jerseys, foot

wear and caps, continue to make their mark with their fashionable fanbase.

The cap culture, led by hip hop artists, youth culture and street style, exuberates exclusivity and rarity in the fashion world.

The debut Lids stores key locations include Westfield Geelong, Victoria; Macquarie Centre, New South Wales; Westpoint Blacktown, New South Wales; Emporium Melbourne, Victoria; and Westfield Parramatta, New South Wales, with several more to come be fore the end of this year.

Council rates set to rise

BLACKTOWN City Council is pro posing that residential rates in crease by 20% from about $1,100 to $1,330 (average) and for businesses by 25% plus the additional waste and storm water levies for all properties over the next two years.

This is in addition to the recent introduction of 0.5% credit card fees.

While Council is increasing rates on average by $230 ($4.42 per week), pensioners will receive an additional discount of $100, leaving them out of pocket by $130 per year.

At the last council meeting, Blacktown Mayor Cr Tony Bleasdale

said: “[Council is] seeking to provide all of the services that is necessary for the growth of Blacktown City Council, for example we have 800 parks and reserves, somebody has to cut the grass.”

Cr Brad Bunting said: “It is only $2.90 [per week] not even a price for a cup of coffee. People kept saying they want more services; we want more, more, more services and this comes at a cost.”

Cr Stubley said: “Every family in Blacktown is cutting back and look ing at common sense approaches to spend less money and I am asking in

solidarity with the people, we [Coun cil] do the same.”

Cr Israel said: “People are facing increasing interest rates and inflation whilst workers are seeing only $1.05 per hour increase, therefore I reserve my judgement until I receive the community feedback.”

Blacktown Council has seen its cash and investments rise by over $200M over the last two years to a total balance of around $800M.

Have your say by checking out council website for the consultation process or contact your local coun cillor.

Inside a Lids store.

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FIVE OUT OF FIVE FOR HAYNES PAINT

From Ballarat to Blacktown

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

IT’S a long way from Ballarat to Black town but these two regional power houses have a lot in common thanks to the amazing success story of Haymes Paint.

Born in Ballarat in 1935, the family run business is now in the hands of the fourth generation of Haymes. And down through the years, each family member has taken care to hand on the commit ment and passion for crafting quality paint products.

This is where Blacktown enters the story.

Haymes Paint Shop in Blacktown has just announced that the Haymes product has been rated the best paint in Australia for the fifth year in a row.

Haymes Paint claimed Canstar Blue’s ‘Most Satisfied Customers– House Paint’ award for 2022.

The award is Haymes Paint’s fifth in a row, rounding out half a decade of excel lence for the largest Australian made and owned paint manufacturer.

Haymes Paint topped six of its major competitors in the ‘House Paint’ category including British Paints, Dulux, Accent, Wattyl, Berger and Taubmans.

What’s more, it was the only paint manufacturer to score the maximum five stars across the board for overall satis faction, durability, ease of application,

quality of finish, value for money and variety or range.

“Australians have spoken and we could not be prouder to be their most trusted and respected paint manufactur er,” Haymes Paint CEO Rod Walton said.

“To win this award for five years in a row is very humbling, and only made possible by the commitment of the entire Haymes Paint team to strive for excel lence in all areas of our business.”

“Every member of our team loves what they do and lives by our core values of passion, trust and respect and are driven by the motivation to continue deliver quality products to all our cus tomers. It is pleasing to see that passion

reflected so positively on our loyal cus tomers and partners.”

Canstar Blue works alongside re spected market research companies to ask everyday Australians about their experiences with purchased products and services. The ‘Most Satisfied Cus tomers’ award reflects the views of over 1600 survey respondents from across the country.

Canstar Blue's Home and Lifestyle Editor Megan Birot applauded the team at Haymes Paint.

"Aussies continue to rate Haymes Paint the best, which is a great testament to the brand’s commitment to offering a wide range of quality paint products at

prices consumers can afford, especially in this volatile market. In such a competi tive industry, it can certainly be difficult to maintain consistently high customer satisfaction ratings over a long period, which underlines what an achievement this is for Haymes Paint."

Haymes Paint Shop Blacktown store manager, Michael Winchester said: “To see the Haymes Paint products rated so highly by the Australian public for half a decade now is incredibly rewarding.

“At Haymes Paint Shop Blacktown, we are proud to stock quality products that are 100% Australian made and owned for our customers to enjoy.”

Lymphoedema

The team at Haymes Paint.

Haymes Paint CEO, Rod Walton.

MARITES MAKES HER MARK ON THE WORLD

Mrs Universe comes to Blacktown

„ STAFF REPORTERS

ABLACKTOWN based real estate and fashion identity has taken over the reins as Australian director of Mrs Universe Australia – a pageant on a “quest to discover the world’s most outstanding married woman who want to leave a mark on the world”.

Marites Novis, a serial entrepreneur committed to bridging the gap between property and fashion, has been appointed the new director of Mrs Universe Australia 2022/23 by pageant owner and identity, Maryrose Salubre.

Her business, QFirst Property Invest ment Group was founded in 2017 by real estate licensee Marites, along with her husband Francis Gerard Novis.

From humble beginnings with one small real estate office in Blacktown, QFirst’s dedication and commitment to customer service has lead many awards for business excellence.

These skills are an excellent fit for developing the Mrs Universe pageant.

“The Mrs Universe pageant is the perfect combination of fashion, modelling and pageantry – it’s time for Australia to take the world stage,” Ms Novis said.

Ms Novis said she intended to “rev olutionise and grow the Mrs Universe pageant to never before seen heights” as she takes over as director.

“I intend for Mrs Universe to set a new standard for pageantry in Australia,” Ms Novis said..

“I was drawn to the ethos of the Mrs Universe pageant system - to empower, engage and inspire women of all cultures and backgrounds.

“The pageant aims to build the

self-confidence of entrants whose goal is to become global ambassadors and inspire change in the world.”

Ms Novis, as founder and CEO of Qfirst Property Investment Group, has capital ised on her love of the fashion industry by establishing MFN Productions in 2018.

Love of fashion

It is a specialist production company responsible for producing and sponsoring some of Australia’s most notable fashion shows and events including two spectac ular fashion showcases featuring the late internationally renowned, avant-garde fashion designer to the stars, Rocky Gath ercole.

“I wanted to give an international platform to hard-working and talented Filipino artists who deserve to be acknowl edged and celebrated internationally,” Ms Novis said.

With the events industry coming to a grinding halt due to Covid, Ms Novis,

eager to continue waving the flag of the Philippines both in Australia and worldwide, decided to pivot and adapt by reaching out to two of her favorite Filipino fashion brands.

In December last year, Ms Novis acquired the local distribution rights of well-established Filipino ladies’ design er fashion labels Plains & Prints and Kamiseta.

She also and launched MNOVIS, a new fashion and homewares emporium at Westpoint Shopping Centre in Black town. A second MNOVIS bricks-andmortar outlet opened at Castle Towers Shopping Centre in Castle Hill in June this year.

“As a Filipino with a love of fashion, I decided to franchise the well-known Fili pino brands Plains & Prints and Kamiseta in the Australian market,” Ms Novis said.

“This has allowed me to help keep jobs for fellow Filipinos, and create more jobs here in Australia.”

Not one to shy away from a chal lenge, Ms Novis will also be stocking her own eponymous label at MNOVIS - a collection of ladies fashion for everyday wear, smart-casual and corporate.

Migrating to Australia from the Phil ippines in 2007, Ms Novis welcomes the challenge of her new appointment after having conquered the ultra-competitive male-dominated real estate industry as a female who is also culturally and linguis tically diverse.

“I've always been driven to thrive in the real estate and fashion industries, but just like any other fields requiring motivation, commitment and a strong heart, I've encountered countless chal lenges,” Ms Novis said.

“I believe that whatever you’ve set your mind to, you most likely will achieve through the power of dream ing, working hard, and knowing your purpose.”

Where to apply

Applications for Mrs Universe Australia 2022/23 are now open, with the national gala crowning ceremony taking place on Friday, October 21 at Doltone House at Sydney Harbor’s Pyr mont. Tickets can be purchased at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ mrs-universe-australia-2022-mno vis-presents-passion-fashion-tick ets-381992839867

More information about the Mrs Universe Australia pageant can be found at: https://www.facebook. com/mrsuniverseaustraliaofficial and Mrs Universe Australia 2022/23 hopefuls can email Elizabeth Sulla at elizabeth.sulla@qfirstinvest. com.au to obtain an application form and registration information pack.

Line up of entrants in the Mrs Universe Australia pageant.

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Have a PAWsome time at pet festival

NJOY a PAWsome day out with your furry, feathered or scaly friend at the Blacktown City Pet Festival this Octo ber.

The Pet Festival will return on Sunday, October 9, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with a range of fun interactive activities, demonstrations and exhibits for pet lovers.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM is encouraging owners and their pets to come along and celebrate pets of all shapes and sizes at Blacktown Showground.

“The Blacktown Pet Festival is a fan tastic event on our city’s annual calendar and celebrates all things pets, while also

promoting responsible pet ownership,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Council will once again team up with the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility (AHF), which provides a safe home for lost animals while attempts are made to reunite them with their family or rehome them.

A highlight of the festival is the pet fashion parade and canine high jump com petition, with prizes on offer for: the tallest pet, shortest pet, best trick, ugliest pet, best AHF rescue, best dressed and most like owner.

The festival will also feature: Dog obedience, Pet competitions, Free jumping castle, Free face painting,

Time to celebrate Deepavali

„ FROM THE MAYOR, TONY BLEASDALE OAM

LATER this month, we will all join in celebrating Deepavali, India’s biggest and most significant festival celebrated by Hindus around the world.

Deepavali, or Diwali, is described as the ‘Festival of Lights’, five days from October 23-to-27, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

Deepavali is one of the most celebrated festivals around the World, of great signifi cance to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists and as Blacktown is one of the most mul

ticultural cities in Australia, it is therefore one of our most celebrated festivals.

The Hindu Council of Australia de scribes Deepavali as a special time of peace and serenity. A time of building bridges of understanding and tearing down barriers of intolerance.

Deepavali is a very prominent time for Hindu businesses with the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

Many businesses close their accounts and start the new financial year on Deep avali. It is also a time of buying new things, investments, property, gifts, gold and jewellery.

In Blacktown City, the theme of light

over darkness is illustrated across thou sands of homes and businesses.

People of all cultural backgrounds join the 40,000 members of our Indian com munity in an incredible variety of displays from simple candles to whole buildings dec orated with hundreds of lights and ‘rangoli’ artworks.

People come from all over Sydney to admire the spectacular light displays that in some cases, adorn whole streets in suburbs such as Schofields, The Ponds and Marsden Park, in fact right across our city.

Blacktown City's popular Diwali Lights Competition is held this month with $2500 in cash prizes for the best decorated prop

Reptile display, Free pony rides, Free vet checks, Free microchipping, Sheep shearing demonstrations, Pet stalls and displays, Animal Holding facility animal adoption stall, Food trucks.

Visit the website for more details: https://www. blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities /2022-Blacktown-City-Pet-Festival

Event information

What: 2022 Blacktown City Pet Festi val.

When: Sunday, 9 October, 10am-2pm.

Where: Francis Park, Blacktown Show ground, Blacktown.

erties across the city’s five wards, including the ‘best street’ category.

Entries have been open since September 1 and close Friday, October 14 with judging taking place between October 17 and 23.

Let’s all get together this month and celebrate the victory of light over darkness and truth over evil.

Tony Bleasdale OAM is Mayor of Blacktown City.

Pet lover, Mayor Tony Bleasdale.

Last year's winning light show.

(formerly Blacktown Workers Club Group).

Brought to you by

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WORKING TO BEAT HEPATITIS

National quiz event at Workers

FROM Cathy Freeman to Warnie, Aussies love win ning on the international stage.

But while most budding quizzers can name who hosted the 2000 Olympics or what animals are on the Australian coat of arms, we are less likely to know that there’s a cure hepatitis C, or that Australia is vying to become the first country in the world to elim inate it!

To prove that knowledge is power Hepatitis Australia are gathering communities across Australia - including at Black town Workers Club on October 26 - to take part in the world’s largest ever trivia event, for an evening of fun, facts and world record breaking.

Everyone across Australia is invited to play – either at one of 16 live events, spread across the States and Territories, or online. The event will be hosted by TV’s Jan Fran and will feature a few surprise guests.

Aujstralia’s Biggest Quiz is a land mark event forms part of the Ending Hepatitis C campaign being delivered by Hepatitis Australia and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care as part of a wider programme of initiatives in Australia’s

strategy to end viral hepatitis.

Carrie Fowlie, CEO of Hepatitis Aus tralia said: “Most people only go to their GP when something is bothering them, not as a preventative measure. But if you think you might be at risk, getting tested for hepatitis C and then cured is easy, non-invasive and effective.

“To highlight how easy it is, we’re hosting a fun quiz event, showing the power of disseminating knowl edge. There will be some great general

knowledge questions on the night, and a strong message to ask your GP one more question afterwards – a question which might save your life and help Australia eliminate hepatitis C for good.”

At a glance

• Hepatitis C can be cured.

• Around 115,000 people in Australia are currently living with the bloodborne virus hepatitis C.

• The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to have a blood test. Hepatitis C is not generally test ed for on routine blood tests and individuals who think they may be at risk of having hepatitis C can ask their GP to test for it.

• The World Health Assembly mem ber states have set a target to elimi nate hepatitis C this decade (by 2030) and Aus tralia could become the first country in the world to achieve the goal.

• Currently, thousands of people don’t know they have hepatitis C.

• 50% of people living with hepa titis C have been cured in the last five years.

• Australia’s Biggest Quiz is the public activation of the Ending Hepatitis C Campaign and is being delivered by Hepatitis Australia

• Hepatitis Australia is the national peak community organisation pro gressing national action on issues of importance to people affected by viral hepatitis.

• The Ending Hepatitis C campaign is part of a suite of initiatives being funded by the Australian Govern ment Department of Health and Aged Care aimed at finding and curing 50,000 Australians living with hepatitis C by 2023

• Liver cancer, which can result from hepatitis C, is the fastest growing cause of cancer death in Australia

The National Hepatitis Infoline 1800 437 222 (1800 HEP ABC) provides free and confidential information about viral hepatitis and is delivered by Hepatitis Australia’s members in all states and territories.

For more information about hepatitis C visit: www. hepatitisaustralia.com/hep atitisC

Event Details: page 31. Register to play for free at www.australiasbiggestquiz. org

Carrie Fowler.

Campaign launches ahead of plastics ban

SHOCKING images of plastic pol lution in the ocean and a turtle choking on a plastic bag feature in a thought-provoking new advertis ing campaign released today ahead of the NSW Government’s November sin gle-use plastic ban.

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the confronting images are an important reminder about why the state is banning certain single-use plastics.

“Our new Stop it and Swap it cam paign is a stark reminder about why the NSW single-use plastic bans are critical for our environment – as consumers we must all change our behaviour,” Mr Griffin said.

“About 95 per cent of the litter on beaches and waterways comes from suburban streets, and the vast majority of that litter is single-use plastic.

“The amount of plastic in our oceans is predicted to outweigh the amount of fish by 2050. That is a horrifying prediction and a call to action to ensure our wildlife, like the turtle featured in the campaign, can have a brighter future.

“The NSW plastic bans are just the beginning of our massive shift away from single-use plastic, and they’ll prevent 2.7 billion items of plastic litter from entering the environment over the next 20 years.”

Plastic packaging and single-use plastic items make up around 60 per cent of all litter in NSW, which is why the NSW Government is banning more single-use items from November.

• plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery, plates, bowls and cotton buds

• food ware and cups made from expanded polystyrene

• rinse-off personal care products containing plastic microbeads.

The easy-to-understand messaging of the Stop it and Swap It campaign aims to raise awareness about the single-use plastic bans and will be translated into multiple languages to reach diverse com munities across the state.

The advertising campaign, running from September 21, is rolling out across radio, print, social media, out-of-home and digital and is expected to reach mil lions of people.

The NSW Government engaged the National Retail Association (NRA) to provide education and support to more than 40,000 businesses and community organisations to implement the changes.

The NSW Government has also part nered with Great Plastic Rescue to collect excess stock from small and medium businesses for recycling and remanufac turing into new items.

For more information about the NSW single-use plastic bans, visit http://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/ plastics-ban

Bush fire tankers roll out

dent Bushfire Inquiry. Each $530,000 multi-purpose four-wheel-drive truck features a water spray system to protect the crew, a compressed air foam system and a 3,500-litre water tank.

Lightweight single-use plastic bags were banned from June 1, and from November 1, the NSW Government is

banning single-use items including:

danger season. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the trucks are funded through the NSW Government’s response to the indepen

Images of turtles

are disturbing.

AWARDS AWARDS

BLACKTOWN LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS 2022

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS A WIN FOR ALL Blacktown’s BEST take the stage

THIS year’s The Blacktown City Local Business Awards was a glittering spectacular that provided a fitting finale to the annual event.

This year’s winners exchanged exu berant hugs and cheers filled the room as they made their way to the stage on Tuesday, September 13.

Awards founder and Precedent Pro ductions Managing Director Steve Loe said the evening was an exciting culmi nation to a successful awards program.

“The Local Business Awards recognise the vital role businesspeople play in the lives of their communities,” he said.

“The presentation evening not only sees the announcement of the cate gory winners but is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all the finalists.

“We had a sell-out crowd that includ

ed our finalists, their families and staff, as well as our sponsors and local digni taries, who helped to present awards to the winners.”

Blacktown News captured all the ex citement as the finalists in each category were announced, complete with images on the big screen, followed by huge cheers as the winners’ names were read out and they took to the stage to claim their trophies.

“The winners’ speeches are always heartfelt and emotional,” Mr Loe said. “This year was no exception.

“It’s very emotional for everyone there to see their tears and smiles as well as hear the beautiful acceptance speech es.”

As official media partner for the Blacktown City Local Business Awards, the Blacktown News will publish a win ners’ feature, that recognises all category winners from the presentation evening.

“Of course, the awards are only pos sibly with the support of Major Spon

“Their involvement proves their commitment to their community and the businesses that thrive there.”

Mr Loe also thanked Blacktown Workers Club for the high quality food and service it provided.

“Thanks to them it was a five-star occasion,” he said. “I would also like to acknowledge the incredible enter tainment and our fabulous MC Paul Hancock who kept the evening flowing smoothly.”

sors Blacktown City Council, Blacktown Workers Club, NOVA Employment and Westpoint and Support Sponsors, Seven Hills Plaza, Woodcroft Village, White Key Marketing and Greater Blacktown Business Chamber.” Mr Loe said.

Businesses can register for the 2023 Local Business Awards at www.thebusinessawards.com.au

2022 winners of the Blacktown Local Business Awards.

BLACKTOWN CITY BLACKTOWN CITY

WINNER

“What being a WINNER means to us”:

Images from this year's Local Business Awards gala event

Order food online f rom Fratelli Pizzeria! It` s so easy to use fast and convenient . Tr y our new online website which contains our entire takeaway menu. we`re passionate about providing delicious and high-quality food, our priority is to satisf y all of our customer` s needs - we

offer a variety of excellent food, prepared with the f reshest and finest ingredients, to the highest standard.

Fratelli Pizzeria is located in Riverstone. You can now order online all your favourite dishes and many more delicious options and have them delivered straight to your door in no time at all.

Unpacking uncertainty with Besa Deda

WESTPAC Business Bank Chief economist Besa Deda will deliver the lunch address at WEXPO 2022. Besa is also the Chief Economist of St George Bank, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA and BT –which are other businesses within the Westpac Group.

Besa has been within the Group as a Chief Economist since 2009.

Besa is one of the Bank’s key eco nomic spokespersons in the Group and is responsible for helping to formulate views and forecasts on the outlook

for the economy, interest rates and currencies.

She manages a team of economists, gives regular presentations and often appears in the media reporting on economic conditions.

Prior to this role, Besa was with the Commonwealth Bank in special ised economic roles that covered fixed income, foreign exchange, macroeco nomics and equities. Before the CBA, Besa was with the Colonial Group.

Besa is the Secretary and Depu ty Chair for the Australian Business

Economists’ Association. She is also a member of the Melbourne Economic Forum and has previously written a regular property column for The Australian newspaper and lectured for Kaplan.

Besa will be talking about: ‘Un packing Uncertainty’. She will cover what the next 12-18 months holds for the economy, jobs market, in Western Sydney.

Tickets are just $28 per person includes lunch. To purchase head to www.wexpo.floktu.com Besa Deda.

OLYMPIC DIVER EXCLUSIVELY AT WEXPO

Melissa’s recipe for success

OLYMPIC diver and motivational speaker, Melissa Wu spoke to Black town News editor, Michael Walls ahead of her special breakfast pre sentation at WEXPO 2022 on October 24. Thanks, Melissa, for spending time with us. Can you tell our audience what lessons have you learnt from sport that translate into business?

How to set goals and achieve them. I always had a vision as a young athlete to compete on the world stage and become an Olympian. My passion for diving made me hungry to reach my goals and I've always been committed to doing whatever it takes to achieve success. This involves early mornings, sacrifices (not only from myself but also my family), discipline, hard work, commitment, per sistence and focus - not just for a short period, but over and over and over again. Resilience is key. It's not just about getting through obstacles, it's about com ing out the other side stronger. This has been an ongoing lesson for me through out my life in both sport and business and has involved a lot of hard work in the areas of mindset and mental health. I believe that the things that challenge us the most are the greatest opportunities for learning and growth. Throughout my diving career I've built resilience from constantly overcoming self-doubt and bouncing back from disappointments, and my biggest breakthroughs usually come after I've been tested the most. During these times, finding the strength to dig deep and never give up has been a huge asset to me. The resilience and grit I've developed as an athlete continuously help me overcome the many hurdles and setbacks I encounter in my businesses. I always try to learn from my mistakes and draw on the strength I've shown in the

past to overcome new challenges.

Always find a way. Although I've always been a hard worker and don't give up easily, in sport that's often not enough to make the podium. You need to learn how to be adaptable, whether that's finding a way to perform while carrying injuries, handling high levels of pressure and expectation, overcoming self-doubt, or learning to block out things that are outside of your control. Often, the areas I need to focus on the most go beyond my usual diving preparation and relate to things such as nutrition, mindset, life balance, injury management, strength and conditioning, or recovery. I believe it's up to me to figure out what needs work and I don't always go about it in a conventional way. I will often delve deep into these areas through research, coming up with new strategies, trial and error, leaning on my support network, or seeking further help if nec essary. I believe there's always a way, it's just about taking a proactive approach to figuring out what that is and having the persistence to keep explor ing new options.

The above lessons have translated to my business in terms of having a long-term vision, having the grit and determination to relentlessly pursue my goals, overcoming setbacks and obstacles along the way, and never giving up. Things don't always go to plan

or pan out the way I want them to, but I try and find a way to make things work and then stick at it until it does.

How would you define resilience in terms of success?

I think resilience is one of the most important characteristics of success. For me, resilience is about optimism, self-belief, willingness to adapt, and an ability to solve problems. These things are crucial to success in all areas of life and the challenges I've faced throughout my career have been a necessary part of me developing the mental toughness required to perform on the world stage. Resilience also plays a big part in my sense of accomplishment and my greatest achievements in life are linked to the hard work and dedication that went into them and what I had to overcome to succeed.

Your top three tips for achieving long term goals?

1. Set long term goals.

It might seem obvious, but many people don't set long term goals. I try and set long term goals that feel almost out of reach and are sometimes a bit scary to voice out loud. I aim high and set my sights on big things even if I know there's no guarantee I'll achieve them. By setting goals with no limits or boundaries, even if I 'fail' I will likely come close, which should still keep me headed in the right direction.

2. Break your long-term goals down

into smaller, achievable goals.

My long-term goals involve being able to achieve short term goals along the way and these short terms goals are what keep me motivated and focused each day. I regularly give myself targets to achieve and I know that everything I do today, tomorrow, or next week will influence whether or not I reach my long-term goal. Competing on the world stage for most of my life has taught the impor tance of getting the process right, so I don't make all my goals about results and performance. I try to set goals for myself that are based on improvement rather than attaching my sense of achievement solely to whether I win a medal. These types of goals are related more to my work ethic and character, which are com pletely in my control compared to where I place in a competition.

3. Goal setting is an ongoing pro cess.

I constantly set and reset goals for myself that inch me closer to my longterm goal. My goals usually change and evolve as I reach them or sometimes working towards them steers me in a completely different direction to what I had planned. I like to set daily goals as a constant reminder of what I want to do and so I can reflect on what I was able to achieve each day. Goal setting is an ongo ing process that helps me stay motivated and accountable and is something I do so often that I don't even need to conscious ly think about anymore.

Please define / describe a success mindset.

A success mindset for me is all about positivity, optimism, and self-belief. It sounds simple, but it can be difficult to apply under the pressure of competition or the stress of balancing athlete and business life. When I'm faced with some thing that brings on self-doubt or a fear of failure, I try to overcome it by making all my thoughts and actions positive. When things aren't going well, or I face a setback, I try and approach the situation with optimism to achieve the best out come possible. Positivity and optimism are linked to my self-belief, so getting them right allows me to trust that I can get the job done and achieve success.

Thanks so much Melissa, we look forward to your presentation at WEXPO. For ticket purchase head to www.wexpo.floktu.com

Champion diver Melissa Wu.

SME Business Advisory: Growth, Future Proofing, Exit.

You started with a passion, now, you need proven profitability, cash flow, growth, and management strategies to reach all-new heights.

We deliver all the value of a big-end-of-town consultancy without the highfees. Our awardwinning services, and innovative strategies have propelled many of our clients to remarkable success, including making the BRW’s Top 100 Fast Starters List, and winning other business awards, as well as future proofing their businesses, and becoming exit ready.

Would

Eric is presenting on Monday, October 24 at 3.45pm in the Waratah Room, Blacktown Workers Club.

Tickets are free but limited so please jump online here to secure your seat www.wexpo.floktu.com

Recognised as one of the top 10 Australian Business Strategists & Experts to Watch in 2021 by the Australian Business Journal BLACKTOWN

TM

• Worried your current events are not meeting your strategic event objectives?

• Unsure how to run your events to comply with current health restrictions?

• Looking for some support to take the stress out of the event planning process?

• When you work with us you can rest assured that we will manage your event with minimum stress and maximum results.

see us at stall L3

Monday, October 24 Blacktown Workers Club

Combined Chamber event commencing 5.30pm in the Ballroom, level 1 with 2 keynote speakers

Followed by networking. Tickets: $15 per head -includes finger food and drinks. All ticket income is donated to the Better Foundation.

Do n’t miss thi s com bined chamber event

6pm Dr Valentine Mukuria

Partnership towards innovative social entrepreneurship opportunities in Blacktown.

An overview of ACU Blacktown’s campus locations, programs and expansion aspirations will be presented.

ACU Blacktown seeks stronger partnership with industry to establish and deliver more innovative (social) entrepreneurship models that will chart a path to economic performance and social progress in Blacktown over the next decade.

DR VALENTINE

MUKURIA

Campus Dean at ACU Blacktown

6 .40pm

Register here: https://wexpo.floktu.com/ For

Q and A session with Lee Ussher M aximising digital media and G oogle for bet te r business.

A s a seasoned Digital & Soc ial Media Brandin g S t rategist, professio n al speaker, trainer and multiple business own er , Lee has developed a n i n fluential public p rof i l e who holds many r ol es associated with indus try programs run b y G oogle, Govt & Universiti es to educate b u s i nesses how to cura te c ontent that ranks i n s earch & social follo w ers love sharing - in o rder t o elevate industry l eadership and m aintai n consumer loyalty. Lee h as a passion t o share h er vast experience a nd knowledge.

Westpac

Westpac is Australia’s first bank and oldest company, one of four major banking organisations in Australia and one of the largest banks in New Zealand. Westpac Group’s purpose is ‘Helping Australians and New Zealanders Suc ceed’ – it’s what we do, who we are and why we come to work every day. They provide personal, business, and corporate banking.

www.westpac.com.au

Digital Age Lawyers

You are in trusted hands. Katherine Hawes at Digital Age Lawyers is a Bar rister and Solicitor, business influencer, social entrepreneur and media person ality who positively shapes her clients’ business culture. She is passionate about the need for businesses to future-proof their assets. Digital Age Lawyers is differentiated through a primary focus on Digital Social Media law, policy and compliance which forms a critical aspect of the firm’s Commercial Law services and education.

www.digitalagelawyers.com

SydWest Multicultural Services

Since 1985, SydWest Multicultural Services has supported diverse refugee and migrant communities across the Greater Western Sydney. We support people of all ages and cultures, with a focus on the vulnerable and most in need. Specialising in the provision of culturally responsive care, we recognise culture and language is key to building community connections and empower ing people to reach their full potential. From our youth and family services, in cluding domestic violence support, set tlement and housing support services, employment and training, to our home care and disability services, there is a program or service for every member of the family.

www.sydwestms.org.au

WentWest

For 20 years WentWest has been part of the Western Sydney community, deliv ering support and education to primary care health professionals such as general practitioners (GPs), practice nurses and allied health providers, working with key partners to progress the region’s health system. In July 2015, WentWest became the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN), allowing us to ex pand the work we do with our partners to deliver better health outcomes for the region.

Qfirst

QFirst Property Investment Group was founded in 2017 by real estate licensee Marites Idea Novis, along with her husband Francis Gerard Novis, from humble beginnings with one small real estate office in Blacktown, NSW. With QFirst’s determination, dedication and commitment to provide excellent customer service and satis faction of home buyers and investors, it has been awarded as the “Best Real Estate Agency 2020”, and “Business Person of the Year 2020” to the founder of QFirst by the local government of Blacktown Council.

www.qfirst.com.au

Blacktown City Council

Blacktown City Council will be providing information on the range of services provided to our community. This will include information on the support we give to businesses within the Black town local government area, the services provided to our community residents and even information on how you can join our organisation if working in local government is a career of interest.

www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Home

AS Digital Pty Ltd

"We understand that every business has different and unique needs, that is why at AS Digital, we take an individu alised approach to each and every one of our clients when it comes to advertising and branding consulting. We take the time to get to know our clients and their business in order to provide the best possible service available. Come see us at WEXPO and see our how customer-first attitude differentiates us from the com petition."

www.asdigital.com.au EZMARKETING

An ACU education builds on the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in pursuit of knowledge and promotion of human dignity and the common good. An ACU education seeks to transform lives and communities. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom, solve real world problems, develop their own search for meaning, and cultivate strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter. Opportunities for personal and professional growth are critical to ACU. This is a university of service – so much so that it is built into the curricula. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships, or volunteering opportuni ties.

www.acu.edu.au

BNI Sydney North West & Penrith

Grow your business and your net work through quality word of mouth referrals and develop your loyal base of referral partners along with strong presentation skills at the same time! The BNI system is built on the law of reci procity, if I give business to my fellow member, they will want to give busi ness to me. The proven system is built to maximise your return and use your time most effectively for the maximum return. With over 6,000 members in Australia, BNI has generated $500 mil lion in revenue for its member last year alone. Please stop by our stall to be in the draw to win FREE BNI Membership valued at $2,046!

www.bnisnw.com.au

One Law

EZMarketing has an extensive expertise in digital marketing, from website design to social media, we’re the ideal partner for small to medium businesses looking to improve their reach and grow their brand. As a digital marketing company and Blacktown local business, we provide our clients with a professional service that puts their business in the top spot to bring new customers in. Sign up or refer to us for SEO or social media manage ment package (starting from $499 per month) by December 1, and you will receive a FREE holiday accommodation voucher, valued at $748.

At One Law we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of individuals who excel at what they do. With diverse industry backgrounds, cultures, and specialisations our team continues to go from strength to strength. We do things differently at One Law. We have a great team of lawyers and support staff em bodying old school values with a fresh, modern, and dynamic approach to get outstanding results for our clients. More importantly though, and something that continues to take us from strength to strength is that we treat our clients like family. Meet with us over a cup of coffee (and maybe even a piece of cake) to discuss your circumstances and how we can help.

www.onelaw.com.au

Procuret

Procuret is a B2B payment plat form that allows service providers and suppliers to get paid upfront, while their business customers pay in monthly instalments. Using the latest technolo

gy, Procuret provides a seamless online payment process that takes 2-minutes, approval is back within 15-minutes and the supplier is paid in full within 30-minutes. Our mission is to simpli fy the way businesses pay for invoices, whilst providing exceptional customer service. If you're a supplier or service provider looking to get paid faster, whilst providing your business customers with a cashflow-friendly payment option ask one of our partnership managers about how we can help.

www.procuret.com

BREED Australia

BREED Australia is the only busi ness incubator in Western Sydney that operates as a not-for-profit. Over the last 25 years, we have empowered thousands of young Australians, small businesses, and disadvantaged community members through our work placement, education and business incubation programs. Our BREED Business Hub provides affordable co-working spaces, office hire, virtual office services, and meeting and train ing rooms. Our educational platform, BREED Learning for Good, provides life-changing educational programs and workshops. We will provide special offers and a free workshop on Business Success Principles to visitors of WEXPO as we believe in the power of entrepre neurship.

www.breedaustralia.com.au

BGES.co

Recognised as one of the top 10 Australian Business Strategists and; Ex perts to Watch in 2021 by the Australian Business Journal SME Business Adviso ry: Growth, Future Proofing, Exit. You started with a passion, now, you need proven profitability, cash flow, growth, and management strategies to reach allnew heights. We deliver all the value of a big-end-of-town consultancy with out the high fees. Our award-winning services, and innovative strategies have propelled many of our clients to remark able success, including making the BRW’s Top 100 Fast Starters List, and winning

Australian Catholic University

other business awards, as well as future proofing their businesses, and becoming exit ready. Contact us for a FREE onehour consultancy.

www.bges.co

MITRONICS

MITRONICS OFFICE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS has been operating since operating 1994, and is a one stop shop for all your office technology require ments. We supply: computers and laptops, computer monitors, computer accessories, video conferencing, digital signage, interactive screens, business supplies, multifunction printers, wide format printers 3D printers, office furniture, label printers. Mitronics is proudly Australian owned, and through our tailored technology solutions, they assist companies with the security and privacy of their documents, show them how they can improve the productivity of their employees, and through their new technologies, show them innovative ways that they can achieve both revenue growth and expense reduction.

www.mitronics.com.au

RoJo Consulting

RoJo Consulting was founded by a former journalist, and an events direc tor, responding to a need in the mar ketplace for clients who want results: TV, print, and digital publicity for their brand. Our strike rate is renowned in the industry. Our clients trust us because we have decades of combined experience in journalism, events, and publicity. Our services include: PR campaigns, events, social media content, copywriting, influencer campaigns, brand activations, and more. WEXPO visitors can redeem an offer: a free press release valued at $850* (conditions apply). Call: 1300 10 40 60 or email: creative@rojoconsulting.com.au

www.rojoconsulting.com.au

Cancer Council

Cancer Council is a federated notfor-profit who works to make cancer research progress, provide information and support to those who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families, advocate to the government to make policy changes and create awareness in our community to prevent cancer. Our mission is to achieve a cancer free future and with 1 in 2 Australians to be diagnosed by age 85 it is so important you find out how you can do your bit to prevent yourself getting cancer as well as help your friends and family around you. Come and visit us to find out more about

the exciting events we have in our local community and how you can learn to live a healthier lifestyle.

www.cancercouncil.com.au

SWR 99.9 FM

SWR 99.9 FM is your local com munity FM station broadcasting from Blacktown Showgrounds. We are a not for profit organisation servicing Western Sydney for over 30 years and we survive through the support of our generous sponsors including Workers Blacktown and WEXPO. You can listen to SWR through 99.9 on your FM dial, digital platforms including iHeart Radio, our website: www.swr999.com.au or our attached QR Code. Busco (Busco for Breakfast) will be coming down to the SWR 99.9 stand in the Diamond room after his breakfast show, so come and say hi and discuss how SWR can provide you with value for money radio promotions.

www.swr999.com.au

The Growth Engineer

icated to designing unique solutions for your whole of business, to help position you for tomorrow’s opportunities. Our team is ready and able to assist you with all your technology and communications needs, from simple mobility or NBN, end-to-end office relocation, complex IoT or network design, Microsoft Office365, web conferencing, and cyber security. We look forward to assisting at WEXPO.

Email us at: info@tbtcsydneywest.com.au

Dynamic Business Collaborators

Open for people that want to do busi ness and be known, Dynamic Business Collaborators hold Monthly Networking groups for micro, small and medium business owners, to come together to build relationships and give a positive impact on other like-minded business owners, through referrals and to add value to their connections. Our focus is to meet, share and collaborate. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, at 9.30am, at Breed Business Hub, T2A Warawara Circuit, Niramba Education Precinct, Quakers Hill. Dy namic Business Collaborators is a Finalist in Strategic Connector of the Year Award for WWA.

www.dynamicbusinesscollaborators.com

Parramatta Community College

JuJu Graphics

Community Broadcast Network (CBN) Design Services. Give your Brand a BOOST with our professional design services. Our design services include: Logos, Business cards, Letterheads, With Compliment Slips, Presentation folders, Marketing flyers, Promotional cards, Posters, Pull Up Banners, Infographics, Brochures, Catalogues, Annual reports, Newsletters, Magazines, Advertisements, Social media tiles, Web banners and custom creations - Just let us know what you need.

www.jujugraphics.com

DidgeNet

At DidgeNet, we pride ourselves on providing IT services that are designed FOR people to perform their daily business activities. We understand that technology can be daunting and ev er-changing, which is why we work close ly with our clients to ensure that they get the most out of their IT investment. Our team of experienced and certified professionals offer a wide range of IT services, from managed services to cloud consulting (Office 365, Azure, AWS), digital forensics, and cyber security. If you're looking for IT services in Australia that are designed to empower people and businesses, contact us today.

The Growth Engineer has a 40-year track record of achieving MASSIVE success for clients and companies. Our clients achieve MAJOR profitable growth in a structured program of coaching and consulting focused on incremental improvements in processes, perfor mance, and people. Our program has been battle-tested and proven over more than two decades and literally thousands of business cases to not just improve, but absolutely transform the business and lives of those who are implement it properly. WEXPO attendees can regis ter for a complimentary PAS session to unlock a hidden $50,000 to $100,000 in 45 minutes in their business.

www.thegrowthengineer.com.au

Telstra Business Technology Centre Sydney West

Telstra Business Technology Centre Sydney West is a full-service ICT provid er, helping clients for over 22 years, ded

Parramatta Community College has been delivering adult and community education in Western Sydney since 1986. We’re an award-winning organisation, for social purpose (not-for-profit), a Registered Training Organisation and a member of Community Colleges Aus tralia. We focus on quality education for all ensure our training is accessible. We strive to deliver various courses that cre ate opportunities for all members of the community to improve their professional and personal development.

www.parramattacollege.edu.au

Content Box

www.didgenet.com

365 Care

365 Care provide home care services for older Australians and people living with a disability across Western Sydney. At 365 Care, we want to help you to live a rich and fulfilling life and maintain as much independence as you can. We believe in supporting you to live your life to your truest potential, supporting you every step of the way. Come visit us at our stand at WEXPO where we can tell you more about the 365 Care experience.

www.365care.com.au

SuperHelp

We work with SME business owners who know they need to do more mar keting, but don't know what, when or how to do it. To get the results you need requires the right strategy, then the right marketing tactics which include content, design and more. First, we identify the overall marketing strategy that the busi ness needs to follow in order to find new clients. We then identify the right kind of tactics needed to achieve their goals. In attending our workshop presentation, attendees can learn about our 7 Steps to Small Business Marketing. Our offer for WEXPO is a Total Online Presence Audit (TOPA) for only $595+gst (RRP $995) valid until October 31, 2022.

www. contentbox.com.au

SuperHelp Australia is a group of accountants specialising in Self-Managed Super Funds. We have been operating for over 15 years assisting thousands of trustees of SMSFs to manage their own super. Sandra is a licensed SMSF advisor. Book an obligation free consultation with Sandra to have all of your SMSF ques tions answered.

www.superhelp.com.au

Local Area Marketing

Local Area Marketing & Networking Group (LAMNG) has business network ing groups in Blacktown City (BBN), the Hills district, Parramatta, Penrith and the Lower Blue Mountains. We provide a mix of monthly online and in-person meetings. Our focus is on relationship

building with like-minded people. You get to exchange ideas, learn, social ise, collaborate, gain knowledge, form new relationships, get fresh business ideas and tips to expand your business network. Whether your business is in a shared space, shop, office, industry, or home-based you will meet motivated owners and entrepreneurs to share your passion and grow your business. See us at WEXPO.

www.localareamktg.com.au

Officers’ who are the first point of contact should clients require assistance with their support and services. Our CSOs work very closely with external stake holders, liaising and attending meetings with Allied Health and NDIS teams. Visit our booth and learn more about our services.

www.caremode.com.au

If you are struggling with the collec tions on overdue accounts or looking for some professional help come and visit us. We are looking to talk to business owners about an exciting new offering which is an outsourced collection reminder sys tem. We know how important client rela tionships are, but equally how difficult it can be to call customers for payment. Let Commercial Credit Services assist via its new product “Boost Collections”.

www.commercialcredit.com.au

Tech Abstract

Can your business benefit from the Research & Development Tax Incentive Program? Have you developed a new product feature or design? Have you de veloped a new process or manufacturing method that is new in your industry?

You may be doing Research & De velopment that is eligible for the R&D Incentive and not even know it! If you’re eligible you can claim up to 43.5% of your costs back.

Visit our stand to hear more.

www.techabstract.com

Care Mode

Care Mode Disability Support Services is a registered NDIS provider servicing clients in Victoria and New South Wales. We pride ourselves in working collaboratively with our clients, their support coordinators, and families, to empower, support and work towards realising their goals to ensure they achieve their real outcomes. What makes us unique, is our team of Client Service

Arthur Bozikas is a professional social justice leader for people with disability and Amazon #1 best-selling author. After his day job as the CEO for a disability organisation, Arthur was lecturing many businesses manage ment courses part-time for over seven years, at the same university he grad uated from. Additionally, he also was teaching many business management subjects as a casual teacher at several TAFE colleges for eight years, finally concluding all his teaching commit ments to focus more on his passion for writing fiction novels. The Aussie au thor (from Blacktown) published three books internationally in 2021, with the fourth (The Book Glasses Series Book 2) to be released later this month (Sep tember 2022). In September 2016, Ar thur was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on the Queens’ Honour list because of over two decades as the CEO for a disability organisation, sup porting disadvantaged people.

Cumberland Ford

At Cumberland Ford we pride our selves in being ‘The Best in the West’. Our team are dedicated to making your experience fun and you’ll feel right at home during your vehicle ownership journey.We’re a team of passionate people across all departments: Sales, Administration, and Service. Our people care about the community and do our upmost to contribute when we can. This year we’re participating in the Sydney Blackmore’s Bridge Run, R U OK? Day, WEXPO, and sponsoring the Bryden’s Lawyers Golf Day. We’re also a long-time sponsor of the Blacktown Workers Club.

www.cumberlandford.com.au

In2Mortgages

In2Mortgages is a boutique mortgage brokerage which specialises in quality service to customers, by delivering a wide range of lending options and solu tions. With over 30 years in the finance industry, In2Mortgages is well placed as leaders in the industry to also serve as Mentors for new entrants into the broking industry. Broker development covers a wide spectrum of territory and so it follows that a mentor’s experience should equally span in knowledge and experience. Our mentees are supported and guided over a 24-month period. We hold ourselves accountable for their

success. Although, mentee success is not altogether one sided; our commitment to our mentees is guaranteed by being accepted into our program.

www.in2mortgages.com.au

My Skills Australia

International students. The Australian Careers Business College (ACBC) com bines training in the classroom with hands on work experience. Our in de manded Nationally Recognised Courses can earn you credit points towards Bachelor Degrees at leading universities and our training philosophy of pairing study with work placement, delivers the relevant hands-on skills that employers are looking for.

www.acbc.nsw.edu.au

Macquarie Community College

Thinking of a career change? Or just wanting to do a short online course to upskill or get into a job quickly? My Skills can find out what training you’re eligible for with our 60 second Free Skills Check and you could be on your way to achieving a nationally recognised quali fication. You’ll additionally be gifted the eBook “The Career Hack” guiding millen nials through all job prospects straight after school or UNI. “No one should be pigeonholed into a particular career, let’s look at all the options” - Author Simone Rennocks.

www.myskillsaustralia.edu.au

On Road Driving Education

On Road Driving Education are Australia's leading experts in driver education will provide you with the skills required to be a safe and confident driver for life. We offer a wide range of driving lessons and courses in Sydney, Quean beyan, Wollongong, Newcastle, Canberra and Melbourne to suit your needs and pride ourselves in delivering quality education with an excellent and profes sional team.

www.onroad.com.au

ACBC

ACBC is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) No 90271. We offer fulltime face to face classes in our Liverpool campus, flexible online study as well as supporting Trainees to learn in their workplaces. ACBC is also approved by CRICOS as a provider for

Macquarie Community College have been creating and providing affordable and inclusive learning opportunities that meet the needs of individuals, organisations and communities, for over 70 years. As a NFP Registered Train ing Organisation, we train individuals within our communities to upskill, reskill and gain new skills for work and study. Over 70% of our Child Care, Aged Care and Disability Care students graduate with employment offers from the work placements that we organise. Our English, digital literacy and job seeker programs bridge the skills gaps for people seeking to study and work and includes our new program, SKILL S4You, aimed specifically at job training for migrant women. Visit our stall to find out how we can help you with your training needs.

www.macquarie.nsw.edu.au

Inspiring the Future Australia

Research reveals that young people who have had four or more connec tions with people from the workplace while they are at school are five times less likely to be unemployed or not in education in their early 20s. Inspir ing the Future Australia (ITF) is on a mission to help increase those connec tions. You and your employees can help by offering one hour or more a year to visit local schools to share your career story and broaden students’ career horizons. You could change a young person’s life while putting your organ isation and industry sector on their career radar.

www.inspiringthefuture.org.au

Training Services Western Sydney

Training Services NSW works to improve training outcomes for the people of NSW. We support apprenticeships and traineeships, Smart and Skilled, and adult and community education. We're

Commercial Credit Services

Arthur Bozikas

Macquarie Community College

part of NSW Department of Education. We work with industry, providers and the community on vocational education and training. This gives people practical skills and knowledge for the workplace. It can help people entering the workforce for the first time, improving their skills, or developing a new career. We provide funding, guidance and support for pro grams. This, in turn, supports economic, regional and community development.

Training Services Western Sydney –9204 7400.

TS.Parramatta@det.nsw.edu.au

Tender Loving Care

TLC is committed to provide people who have disabilities with reasonable and individualised support services to facilitate access and the successful achievement of their life goals. We work hard every day for a world where children, young people and adults with disabilities are able to easily access the services they need to achieve their goals. TLC is dedicated to advancing disability rights in the community and paving the way for all individuals to be happy and healthy.

www.tlcdisabilityservices.com.au

Gem Eco Ventures

My Business Gem Eco Ventures Pty Ltd specialises in marketing Eco Friend ly products, some of which are 100% Biodegradable, Indirectly assisting in the upliftment of artisans/artists from differ ent parts of the world and endeavouring to offer plastic replacement alternatives, for a sustainable future - "Bio-Plates" are food serving plates and bowls made

from Palm Tree Sheath. Products on offer for sale will be discounted specifically during Wexpo.

www.bioplates.com.au

Hills and Shores

Key offerings:

• Buying properties in NSW and Interstate.

• In-depth knowledge of high growth regions and suburbs.

• Above average ROI achieved through property development strategies.

• End to end management of property purchases for a stress-free experi ence.

Why people should visit you at WEXPO.

• A chance to ask any property related question to an expert.

• Receive a free investor guide upon registration.

First 50 customer registrations to receive $1000 off on our service fee.

• Win prizes on our lucky draw.

www.hillsandshores.com.au

Ultratune

Don’t have a mechanic that you love and trust? Then come meet Russell and Tammy, owners of Ultra Tune Blacktown. Our team has over 40 years’ mechan ical experience and will love your car like it was our own. Free Roadside with every manufacturer’s logbook service (conditions apply). Visit us at WEXPO to get a $20 voucher to use at Ultra Tune Blacktown.

www.ultratune.com.au/location/blacktown/

Punjabi Trenz

Punjabi Trenz is run

"We are known for our quality, and we customise and design dresses according to customer's requirements and budget. We started our business in October 2018 just by renting out cultural dresses. Then gradually started designing our dresses as per customer's needs. And we have been Finalist in the local Business Awards for 2021 and 2022.” We are look ing forward to showcasing our designs on WEXPO and offering a special on our dresses: 10% - 40% discount on the day.

Leanne

Elich Consulting

Have you had the chance to meet and greet One Kind Box? They’re Sydney’s newest sustainable store with low-toxic, low-plastic gifts. This small business is on a mission to connect people through earth-friendly gifting. They have a range of beautifully curated gift boxes packed with Australian artisan products and ethical gifts. One Kind Box dreams of a future in which nature’s heart beats strong. With the hope of building a more sustainable future for the Earth and sending fewer items to landfill, they source small batch made gifts that are low in plastic, sustainably manufactured and easy to compost. Visit us at WEXPO this October 24th to say hello and par ticipate in winning one of their gorgeous gift boxes.

www.onekindbox.com.au

True Blue Care

Transform your business with the power of Behavioural Science and Psychology. Leanne Elich Consulting is a business advisory firm specialising in ethical, human-centred sales strat egies, business systems, processes, and practices. Learn how to use behavioural science and psychology to develop your skills, strategies and tactics to influence consumer behaviour and accelerate your business growth. Don't miss out on Dr Leanne Elich launching her latest book: Solving the Sales Equation named “The one-of-a-kind sales tool EVERY business needs!” – Sydney Morning Herald. A special signed edition will be available for purchase: Only at WEXPO!

www.leanneelichconsulting.com

Australian Hearing & Balance Centre

At Australian Hearing & Balance Centre, they speak your language: simply advise their friendly receptionists when you call which language you speak, and they will book you in with an Audiologist that can help you. If you have tinnitus, or are having trouble hearing your loved ones, why not come in and have a full clinical hearing assessment. With a valid doctor’s referral, a consultation with them is fully bulk billed. Call them on 02 9676 8866 to book your FREE hearing as sessment with one of their fully qualified Audiologists. You may also be eligible for FREE hearing aids.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/australianhearing-balance-centre/about/

At True Blue Care, we understand the importance of staying true to yourself, expressing your genuine self and aspiring to reach new heights. Therefore, we offer bespoke services and guide you to get the best out of your NDIS plan. True Blue Care is a registered NDIS provider with vast experience in disability services. We ensure that you receive the best, per son-centric approach every single visit. True Blue Aussies doing what we do best, and that is being the lodestar of your NDIS journey. True Blue stands for being your local guide, sharing our expertise and knowledge, and tailored tools and services to lead the life you want. True to our name and mission to care for our community and support our specially abled participants to seamlessly and comfortably get back within the com munity and gain control over their space and time.

www.truebluecare.com.au

Community First Credit Union

Community First has been in opera tion for more than 60 years having start ed in 1959 as the Sydney Water Board Officers Credit Union Co-Op. Community First strives to offer members something different and truly puts members first in the delivery of products and services which help them achieve their person al financial goals. Today, Community First Bank has over one billion dollars in assets, has store locations stretching from the Sutherland Shire, the Hunter Region, Western Sydney and in between. As one of Sydney’s largest community-based credit unions, we are member owned and run for the benefit of our members, not for external shareholder profit. We aim to continue to be an integral part of the communities in which our Members live and work.

www.communityfirst.com.au

by Harpreet Bhinder and his sister Ravneet Kaur.

Coldbuster supplies a range of floor heating and related heating products to the Trade, Retail and DIY markets and distributes and installs throughout Aus tralia. We import and distribute only the best quality products manufactured by top international companies that invest substantial funds on new product Re search and Development in consultation with Coldbuster, ensuring leading-edge technology. Our products meet a range of European quality standards and have ISO certification and USA Underwriters Laboratory listings. The products meet Australian standards in regard to Volatile Organic Compounds and Electro Mag netic Radiation. We supply and install underfloor heating for almost all flooring finishes. All our under timber, under tile, in screed and in slab heating cables have a 25 year warrantee. We will price match and beat any quote for underfloor heating put to us.

www.coldbuster.com.au

SMETech Solutions

With more than 15 years of expe rience, we are adept in the labour-in tensive but highly specialised field of technology, and we excel at it. We are devoted to growing the markets where our services are offered, including the cloud, digital, software, and telecommu nications markets. We propose to serve our clients in automation, cloud services, security, and help desk support. SME Tech Solutions is an innovative and effi cient provider with years of experience. We at SME Tech Solutions are proud to have served diverse groups of clients from various industries. As a result of this expertise, we have a thorough un derstanding of each industry, but we are constantly searching for new approaches to address the unique issues of our cli ents. Each member of our qualified staff is dedicated to producing work of the highest calibre.

In addition to our expertise and trustworthiness, we also come highly recommended for our approach to work, which is one of friendliness and collabo ration.

www.smetechsolution.com.au

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Church and not for profit organisation, bringing hope to people in the community. The Salvos is an international Christian movement, united by faith and giving hope where it’s needed most. Across Australia – in cities, country towns and rural commu nities – our work touches every demo graphic and age group.

They’re involved in national issues while also bringing hope to people who may be experiencing hardship or injustice. Since their foundations in nineteenth century London, they express their faith in charitable work to provide both the spiritual and the social support. As both a church and charity, they can preach and speak about justice, compas sion, and other issues that support the welfare of others and see them as a whole person – body, mind and spirit. At WEX PO, they will showcase their community work and would love to engage and partner with local businesses to support the community better.

www.salvationarmy.org.au

Signarama Blacktown

Linked Business

We are an Australian based Business Development company that actually does the work for our clients! LBS will: Analyse and fix your current sales problems, bring you work, and then mentor you as you grow. If you’re a business owner or manager who is very busy, can't afford a full-time salesperson OR needs to fill your sales team’s funnel, then LBS is for you!

www.linkedbusiness.com.au

Sarah Bauling

Having been in the hospitality industry since 1998 Sarah has lived and breathed all aspects of business. Her areas of passion are customer service, events and sales and marketing. Her focus and intent to always achieve success in these areas has resulted in many hours and years of learning and experience. She knows how impactful these segments are in any business. Sarah has consolidated her experience and areas of passion to create focussed training and keynote deliveries that she shares with customers, her students and the stage. She is authentic, real and passionate. She in spires her audiences and customers to shift their thinking and the way they do things resulting in impactful changes.

www.sarahbauling.com.au

Digital Presence

Our digital marketing strategy is constantly evolving to ensure we produce exceptional results for your business. We are one of Australia’s most experienced Digital Marketing Agencies serving busi nesses worldwide for over 18 years. We are an SEO agency that helps other SEO agencies with their clients. You heard that right! Speak to one of our SEO & Digital Marketing experts today, give us a call on 1300 867 726.

www.digitalpresence.com.au

Western Sydney Community Forum

The people of Greater Western Sydney are our priority. Greater Western Sydney is home to around 2 million people. Its richness of culture is unique. Its diversi ty is inspiring. Its economy is booming. Its landscapes are breathtaking. In this space, we lead and shape social policy and service delivery. We are defined and driven by fairness, collaboration, integrity and excellence in all we do. We advocate for and champion solutions that sustain community resilience, health and wellbe ing. We work with community groups and organisations. We partner with Govern ment across all its levels. And we join with regional and local businesses. In this way we can collectively make an impact in building a thriving and inclusive region.

www.wscf.org.au

Mentor 2 Mentor

Buzz Web Media

We like to think of ourselves as an outsourced marketing department – we want to become an integral part of your business, understanding your business objectives and guiding you on digital strategy and delivering services that get results. Buzz Web Media primarily deals with Australian markets, servicing from smaller businesses right through to big brands you may recognise like Centrum & HomeWorld. Most of the work we do is brand management and digital marketing for professional services.

www. buzzwebmedia.com.au

Blacktown Workers Club

Featuring five floors of sporting and health facilities, two restaurants, multiple function rooms and sporting clubs, the Blacktown Workers Club is a premium entertainment and leisure destination in western Sydney. Due to the NSW Government’s Public Health Orders, Blacktown Workers Club and Sports Club, Blacktown has extensive safety measures in place to ensure the health and well being of our members, guests, and staff. This includes entry registration, physi cal distancing, increased cleaning, and sanitising stations. Our great facilities are just as welcoming as they’ve always been, with membership, functions, sports, and events still taking pride of place in our community.

www. blacktown.workersclub.com.au

Local Area Marketing

Local Area Marketing (LAM_ runs a number of local business networking groups across Western Sydney. Unless you plan for business growth, it won't happen. Local Area Marketing & Net working Group – helps guide businesses to create you’re their own playbook for growth. Having a growth strategy is a key to growing your business. LAM groups examine for example: how do you create generate new leads and sales and website and social media management.

www.localareamktg.com.au

Parramatta College

The Parramatta College has been at the forefront of community education in the region since 1986. We are for social purpose (not-for-profit), a Registered Training Organisation and a member of Community Colleges Australia. We focus not only on quality education for all, but also on ensuring that our training is ac cessible. We educate for life. This means we provide adult education opportuni ties that includes developing personal in terests, through to upskilling or reskilling for work and career.

www.parramattacollege.edu.au

If you've been looking for the perfect signage to advertise your products or in form customers of your services, then look no further than Signarama Blacktown: your full service sign centre, helping you with all your signage necessities. Signara ma Blacktown has the latest technology, producing the best quality signage while keeping your company image in mind. We can custom-make any type of sign for your business. For visitors to WEXPO we have the following offer: 10% discount for all orders placed in November 2022.

www.signarama.com.au/store/blacktown

Situated in The Hills and Hawkesbury areas of Sydney, Mentor2Mentor offers businesses the facilities to collaborate and communicate with other likeminded busi nesses, to discuss, and find solutions for their business issues and future planning. With small groups of 6-8 business owners, you experience an empathetic, support ive environment to share your concerns and challenges (and wins!!). Your team is made of businesses from non-competitive markets, ensuring confidentiality – an essential key of the Mentor2Mentor group process.

www.mentor2mentor.com.au

SWR 99.9FM

SWR broadcasts loud, live and local 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All our programming is produced in our studios at Blacktown and delivered to your near est radio on 99.9 FM by our transmitter at Horsley Park. Our broadcast can be received across most of the Sydney met ropolitan area. The diverse community of Western Sydney is represented by our wide variety of programming and regular outside broadcasts. There’s something for everyone on SWR 99.9 FM, check out the on-air guide and see for yourself. www.swr999.com.au

Coldbuster Floor Heating

Community First Credit Union.

AS Digital R3

EZMARKETING

R4

ACU R5

One Law R6

BNI North West R7

Procuret R8

DIAMOND ROOM STALLS

Commercial Credit Services A02

Didgenet A04

Content Box A06

Coldbuster A07

Care Mode A09

Cancer Council A11

Arthur Bozikas A14

Australian Careers Business College A16

Australian hearing & Balance Centre A18

NAB Wetherill Park A24

365 Care A26

Cumberland Ford B02

Community First Credit Union B04

Gem Eco Ventures Pty Ltd B06

CBN Design Services B07

Leanne Elich Consulting B09

Inspiring the future B11

Hills and Shores - Property Buyers Agency B13

In2 Mortgages B15

Linked Business B17

Local Area Marketing B19

Macquarie Community College B21

One Kind Box B22

On Road Driving Education B24

My Skills Australia B26

Ultra Tune Blacktown B28

MatchWorks Employment Service B30

Telstra B31

Punjabi Trendz B33

Noela McIntosh B35

RoJo B37

Rebootr B40

Buzz Web Media B41

SWR FM C02

Tech Abstract C04 Superhelp C07

SME Tech Solution C09

Chill IT C11

Salvation Army C14

Signarama Blacktown C16

Digital Prescence C18 Parramatta College C20

The Growth Engineer C22

Training Services NSW Western Sydney & Blue Mountains C24

Ultimate Success Summit C26 Mentor2Mentor C28

Wealth Forum Group C30

True Blue Care C32

Western Sydney Community Forum Inc C34

Melissa Wu OLYMPIAN Besa Deda CHIEF ECONOMIST WESTPAC

LEE USSHER

| Co-Founder Buzz Web Media | Grow with Google Trainer | Federal Government Mentor for Female Founders Program | UNE-SRI Resident Expert

A FREE 45-minute Grow with Google training session brought to you by, Grow with Google trainer and Western Sydney business identity, Lee Ussher.

You will learnPractical steps to be found online with Google Search & Maps. Ways to connect with more customers using Google Ads. How to interpret data to make better business decisions with analytics.

About Lee Ussher

Lee has been a seasoned professional speaker, trainer & media commentator since 2008. In 2010 Lee cofounded a brand management agency Buzz Web Media, and recently a business communications hub software Focal.Contact, to support her consulting services.

With a desire to help others shine online, she has created networks & programs to support niche industries grow. As a female founder and advocate for women in business, she founded Women With Wit (2013), an online media platform supporting & socially connecting women content creators. As an ex teacher she founded SER4KIDS (2009), an online platform supporting teachers, professionals & parents within the education sector.

Lee’s passion to share her vast experience and knowledge is also very evident in her active roles as Grow with Google trainer, Mentor for Federal Govt’s Female Founders Initiative, Resident Expert for UNE’s Smart Regional Incubator, and Advisor to Industry Schools Partnership ‘Inspiring The Future’.

Details:

Monday, October 24 Blacktown Workers Club Ballroom, Level 1. Commencing at 11:15am sharp, concluding at 12 noon.

For more info go to: www.wexpo.com.au

Grow your business and your network through quality word of mouth referrals and develop your loyal base of referral partners along with strong presentation skills at the same time!

The BNI system is built on the law of reciprocity, if I give business to my fellow member, they will want to give business to me. The proven system is built to maximise your return and use your time most effectively for the maximum return.

With over 6000 members in Australia, BNI has generated $500 million in revenue for its members last year alone.

About the project

We are proud to be participating in WEXPO.

For 20 years, WentWest has been part of the Western Sydney community, delivering support and education to primary care health professionals such as general practitioners, practice nurses and allied health providers, working with key partners to progress the region’s health system. Our mission is to lead better system integration and coordination, strengthening equity and empowerment for Western Sydney communities and the people who care for them.

Be sure to stop by stall number L1 to meet us and get involved.

Follow us on Facebook

Live a better life in Western Sydney

Since 1985, SydWest Multicultural Services has supported diverse refugee and migrant communities across the Greater Western Sydney. We support people of all ages and cultures, with a focus on the vulnerable and most in need.

Specialising in the provision of culturally responsive care, we recognise culture and language is key to building community connections and empowering people to reach their full potential.

From our youth and family services, including domestic violence support, settlement and housing support services, employment and training, to our home care and disability services, there is a program or service for every member of the family.

• SydWest Home care for seniors

• SydWest Disability services

Settlement services

• Women and families • Support with housing

• Employment and training

Come and visit our SydWest Multicultural Services stall at the Wexpo to speak with our friendly team. Keep an eye out as we launch our rebrand with a vibrant new look!

Tapered Barbershop wins for second time

TAPERED the Barbershop has won the Best Barbershop at the Black town Business Awards for the second year in a row.

Baz Tastan and Tapered the Barber shop are proud of their success in awards and the support they receive from the wider Quakers Hill community.

Now, there is very much a two-way street in this business - you have a pre mium barbershop that has the highest quality of cuts, shaves and fades.

Tapered the Barbershop have always been about community first before any thing else. This is how they've been able to build a solid business for more than five years.

“To win the Best Barbershop award

for the second year in a row is a hum bling experience,” Baz said.

“It shows us that when you provide good service, very professional standard haircuts and place where people can talk about anything going on in your life, then you can succeed.

“A lot of people come into the shop from outside the local area too, we are very meticulous about being barbers but also stylists and advisers too. We've cut hair long enough to know what styles suit what face but naturally we cut to your request .

“Thank you again to all concerned with helping us win this award.”

Visit: www.facebook.com/TaperedTheBarbershop/

Experienced Dental Care

Riverstone Family Dental aims to be your complete dental prac tice, offering a wide selec tion of treatments for you and your family With over a decade of experience in the dental industr y so far, we’re highly committed to providing our patients with gentle and trust-wor thy care.

Advanced

Riverstone Family Dental contains a wide range of advanced, on-site technology and dental equipment, helping our patients to receive treatment which is as comprehensive, reliable, and quick as possible. This includes ever ything from x-rays, to intra and ex tra oral photography technology

About O ur Dentist and O wner:

Dr. Shireen Mustafa has been working as a general dentist for over 15 years and in Australia for about 10 years. She provides her patients with the highest level of care and respec t. She carefully listens to any concerns a patient has and tries to help them as much as possible Her main aim is to change the patient’s perception of dentistr y in to a positive experience, that they may be proud to call our prac tice as their own.

Dental Treatments for the Whole Family

MEMORIES OF HER VISIT TO WESTERN SYDNEY

The Queen touched our hearts

„ MICHELLE ROWLAND

THE recent passing of Her Majesty the Queen has been felt deeply across the nation and the world.

Queen Elizabeth II was the only sovereign many Australians have ever known, and a Head of State who will be remembered fondly by our great country as the perfect example of duty, respect and leadership.

Her Majesty deeply touched the hearts of people in Greenway across generations during her 70-year reign and was the first and only reigning Monarch to visit Australia and indeed, Western Sydney.

The Royal Tour brought our country to a stand-still, with some 70 per cent of our population flocking to witness a

young and energetic Queen visit nations of the Com monwealth.

Queen Elizabeth’s sense of warmth and grace was evident as she travelled through our part of the world, which is evident when viewing the his toric archives of images from the Royal Tour on the Blacktown Memories Library site.

From Her Majes ty’s train travel through Blacktown, to The Queen opening the Mount Druitt Hospital with former Premier Neville Wran, reflecting on these incredible moments in history that took place in Western Sydney is heartening.

Queen Elizabeth was comfortable with all people. There was a generosi ty and warmth in all she did, and it is evident in those photos, as she graciously walked the crowds gathered to witness the historic event.

At a time where many ignored our Western Sydney community, Her Maj esty The Queen greeted us a number of times with sincerity and respect.

In turn, the people of Western Sydney loved their Queen.

Driving through Kings Langley re cently, I went past home after home with

Many – including myself – will miss the familiarity that came with Her Maj esty’s reign. We will miss the comfort of Her Majesty’s Christmas broadcasts and the wisdom imparted by the Crown.

Above all else, we will miss a sov ereign who showed a deep admiration and abiding respect for Australia – our unique island nation on the other side of the globe so many before her had over looked as just another colony, yet one which Her Majesty lovingly embraced as part of the Commonwealth family.

May Her Majesty rest in eternal peace

in the love and comfort of the Lord.

I also acknowledge the succession of His Majesty, King Charles III. On behalf of the good people of Greenway I extend His Majesty our best wishes for his reign.

God Save The King.

Michelle

Minister for Communications and Federal Member for Greenway. Visit: www. michellerowland.com.au

Australian flags flying at half-mast, as a gesture of respect for Her Majesty The Queen’s passing.

Rowland is

Minister Rowland signing the condolence book in Parliament House, Canberra for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

[Sourced from the Blacktown Image Library] The Queen with former Premier Neville Wran at the opening of the Mount Druitt Hospital.

Minister Rowland with her Federal Executive Council to witness the Governor-General proclaim King Charles Ill as Australia's new head of state.

CONVERTING TRASH TO TREASURE

$8B success of Return and Earn

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

IN what could be called a pleasing mile stone for the state, a whopping eight billion bottles, cans and drink cartons have now been returned through the ‘NSW Return and Earn’ network. The state touched the high figure in mid-Sep tember.

Western Sydney had a significant role to play in helping NSW reach its record numbers. Blacktown City Council resi dents have returned over 455.3 million containers through their 29 local return points since the commencement of this program in 2017, thereby claiming the top spot in the state.

City of Parramatta Council residents have returned over 64.7 million contain ers through their 12 local return points in the same period of time.

Significantly, Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned a mas sive 2.4 billion containers so far.

In overall second spot is Central Coast Council, who have recycled 387.2 million containers through their 27 local return points.

Essentially, the Return and Earn pro gram has fundamentally shifted people’s behavior and become an integral part of people’s life in NSW. As many as 78% of adults have participated in it so far and two-thirds do so at least once in a month.

Lauding the effort, Minister for En vironment James Griffin has praised the community for transforming the recycle process.

“Return and Earn is a highly success ful NSW Government initiative that has well and truly changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning trash into treasure,” said Mr Griffin. The Minister believes that what was once seen as waste has now been able to be

converted into a valuable resource for the recycling industry, bringing in huge refunds to the community.

“Since it began in 2017, eight billion containers have now been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52%, certainly a huge win for our environ ment,” added Mr Griffin.

As a result of this effective recycling, all returned plastic containers and glass bottles are being able to be given a new life, turned back into new food and drink containers and stocked back at the supermarket shelves within a span of few weeks.

Return and Earn has contributed more than $35 million to community groups and charities since 2017.

Significantly, Vinnies has seven Re turn and Earn depots across NSW where around 30 people have been successfully able to process 95 million containers in the last financial year.

At a glance

Blacktown City Council locals have claimed top spot in NSW re turning 455.3 million containers.

• In second place is Central Coast Council where residents have re turned 387.2 million containers.

• City of Canterbury Bankstown res idents are at the third spot in NSW having returned 328.7 million containers.

• Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned 2.4 billion containers.

• There are over 620 return points located across the state, from self-service machines to staffed automated depots for bulk re turns.

• The current state-wide dona tion partner of the Return and Earn program is Animal Welfare League, NSW. They have already raised more than $75,000 since April 2022.

Blacktown is a standout in the Return and Earn scheme.

During Mental Health Month Reach out

Mental health refers to our state of wellbeing and enables us to learn and work well, contribute to our communities, cope with stress, and realise our abilities.

October is Mental Health Month. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of if we have experienced mental illness or not. It gives us the chance to understand the importance of good mental health and encourages people to reach out for help when needed. Research shows that positive mental health is associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more positive relationships, and improved physical health and life expectancy.

Last year, 16,989 people in Western Sydney were diagnosed with a mental health condition.2

Over 3,000 people die by suicide in Australia each year, which is an average of nine lives lost per day. 3

Mental Health in Western Sydney

Building strong social and personal relationships and feeling part of a community are crucial to preserving good mental health and contributing to people’s recovery. However, if you are experiencing a mental health condition, it’s important to remember that there are additional support services available. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you’ll start to feel better.

Western Sydney is one of the most diverse communities in Australia, so WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, works with partners across the region to provide culturally appropriate, timely and affordable services.

1. ABS 2022, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2. WentWest Health Information Unit, Mental Health GP Diagnostics data

3. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021, Causes of Death, Australia

Over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.1

If you are experiencing any of these signs, please reach out to your GP or health professional for support.

For immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 and in an emergency, always call triple zero (000)

Head to Health - The Right Care, at The Right Time

Head to Health is a free phone line connecting community members to local services, including Head to Health hubs, for quality, timely care. Head to Health hubs are staffed by trained mental health professionals and peer workers who have been on similar mental health journeys.

If you need support, call Head to Health on 1800 595 212

I’m on my recovery journey now, so I can meet clients where they’re at because I’ve been there. It really helps them to know they’re not alone, there is someone who’s been through what they’re experiencing who can help guide them through.

– Rebecca Yu, Head to Health Peer Worker.

Know the Signs

If you think you or someone you know may be struggling, it’s important to remember that there is support available. The following are signs that you or your loved one may benefit from speaking to a medical or mental health professional:

anxious or worried

depressed or unhappy

outbursts

Find out more about mental health services available in Western Sydney: wentwest.com.au/MentalHealth

Healthy Western Sydney is delivered by WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.

Each square in the puzzle may contain either 0 or 1 1. No more than two adjacent squares may contain the same digit, ie you cannot have three adjacent squares in a row or column of the same digit.

TAKE YOUR TIME HEADING NORTH

Forget Byron Bay or Bust

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

RATHER than charging up the M1 to Byron Bay or Queensland next time you go on holidays, take your time and do it over a week.

There are treasures to found along the Coast if you dare to get off the beaten track.

I recommend you slow down and embrace the opportunity to savor the journey on a road trip from Sydney up to the buzzing and busy beach town of Byron Bay on the far North Coast. Leave the Pacific Hwy behind to explore picturesque coastal towns on the 800km journey, including these key stops.

Ease into holiday mode on the Cen tral Coast

Feel enlivened by the power of the waves crashing against the golden sandstone cliffs of Bouddi National Park as you take an invigorating coastal walk on the Central Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Sydney.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be pleased to find a smorgasbord of new foodie treats to try on the first leg of your journey. Take your taste buds on a detour to Latin America at Chica Chica in Ettalong or Tango on The Entrance waterfront, or indulge in a long, mod ern Australian meal by the sea at Swells Terrigal.

Slip between the sheets at a romantic getaway like Kim’s Beachside Retreat at Toowoon Bay, and dive into the ocean for a refreshing morning swim before you hit the road again.

Pair nature with fine food in Port Stephens

Immersing yourself in nature is easy in Port Stephens, two-and-a half hours’ drive north from Sydney, whether you find joy in watching wild dolphins frolic in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on a cruise with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises or lap up the dramatic coastal views on the 2.2km-return Tomaree Head Summit walk in Tomaree National Park.

Toast to a day well spent with a craft brew at Murray’s Brewing Company at Bobs Farm, or get a gourmet taste of local produce at Restaurant William, the brewery’s recently opened fine-dining restaurant.

Unleash your appetite for freshly caught seafood at Nelson Bay’s Little Beach Boathouse before retiring for the night in luxury at The Anchorage in Corlette or Bannisters Port Stephens

in Soldiers Point, both of which have fine-dining restaurants showcasing local produce and seafood that may tempt you to stay longer.

Kick back with koalas in Port Macquarie

Soak up the superb coastal scenery on the drive through the Great Lakes region to riverside Port Macquarie, four hours’ north of Sydney, via The Lakes Way. This is koala country, and here you can support the incredible work of wildlife carers while cooing over furry icons at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which rehabilitates sick and injured koalas for release back into the wild.

You may also be lucky enough to experience the visceral thrill of spotting a koala in the wild along the 1.3km rain forest boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park.

You’ll soon discover more great reasons to pause in Port Macquarie, from the simple pleasure of slurping down freshly shucked local oysters at the likes of Bills Fishhouse and Bar to the fun of sipping local wines at Cassegrain Wines and Bago Maze and Wine, which is home to one of the world’s largest hedge mazes.

Or feel emotion wash over you as you spot kangaroos and wallabies while relaxing in the outdoor tub of a studio cottage at Telegraph Retreat, just 15 min utes north of town.

Have fun in the sun on the Coffs Coast

Surrender to the laidback beach holiday vibe of the Coffs Coast, five-anda-half hours’ drive (or 530km) north of Sydney, where the azure Pacific Ocean meets the banana plantations and national parks dotting the region’s lush hinterland.

Marvel at the majesty of humpback whales up close during a life-changing swimming encounter with Jetty Dive during the winter months. Or come in summer to feel the sun warm your face as you laze on the region’s gorgeous beaches.

Feel revived by the mix of salty sea air and coastal scenery as you stretch your legs on part of the 60km Solitary Islands coastal walk or take an Indige nous-guided stand-up paddle boarding tour on a coastal creek with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, which will leave you with a whole new

perspective on this sublime corner of the North Coast.

Then relax and recharge in the trop ical gardens at Sensom Luxury Bed and Breakfast, 15 minutes north of central Coffs Harbour, the perfect adults-only escape for the night.

Breeze into Byron Bay

Slowly become aware the landscape whizzing past your window is taking on a new level of lushness as you continue from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay, 2.5 hours’ drive (or 230km) further north. Harness the restorative benefits of cocooning yourself in nature during a night’s camping at the seaside towns such as Angourie and Evans Head on the way, or farewell the Pacific Highway at Ballina to enjoy a wholesome lunch perched above the beach at Shelly Beach Cafe.

Or, if you had a late start, you might enjoy a signature cocktail and an oyster mushroom bao at Hey Lady, one of Bal lina’s more recently opened bars, before blazing a trail to Byron Bay. Here awaits a slew of new places to eat and drink – an other adventure perhaps best begun with a glass of natural wine at cosy watering hole Dusty’s bar. Cheers!

IMPORTANCE OF PROTEIN FOR RESULTS Recovery and muscle building

„ FITNESS | ADAM SIMPSON

PROTEIN is required for the growth and repair of muscle tissue. It’s going to be key in helping you recover from training sessions and build lean muscle tissue. Why is this so important?

Building muscle will help you increase the amount of ener gy you’re burning as well as improve your overall health. Protein also plays other roles in the body and higher protein diets have been found to yield better results when trying to burn body fat.

That’s why includ ing a portion of a high protein food with most meals and snacks is a great way to im prove your nutrition.

Foods that are high in protein include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, some beans as well as protein powders. A portion of protein is around a palm size portion of a high protein food or a

30gram scoop of protein powder. How much protein you should be having really depends on your age, training schedule and goals. But as a general guide line eating between 1 to 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is a great start. EG a 100kg male

would need between 100 to 250 grams of protein per day.

If you aren’t eating enough protein your body can take protein from skeletal muscles to preserve the more important tissues and body functions.

Therefor a lack of protein can lead to

muscle wasting over time and will greatly inhibit your results. If you are looking to build a lean, strong and toned body. You will want to make sure you are eating adequate protein. Here are some tips to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet.

1. Make sure each meal that you eat includes a high-quality source of protein.

2. Eat the protein portion of your meal first.

3. Have a protein shake after you exercise.

4. Include things like High Protein Yoghurts, Cottage Cheese or Beef Jerky to your snacks.

5. Cook up some eggs to go with your breakfast cereal or change to Eggs on Toast.

6. Eat quality leaner cuts of red meat frequently.

7. Pack yourself some canned fish to add to your lunches or eat fish regularly.

If you are unsure on how much protein your body needs to get the results you are after. Email adam@rep etitionspt.com.au and I will be happy to help you out.

Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. Visit: www.repetitionspt.com.au

JUST 75 EXAMPLES OF LAND ROVER’S DEFENDER

75th Limited Edition headed to Australia

„ PETER BARNWELL

LAND ROVER is marking the 75th an niversary of the company with spe cially equipped Defender 75th Limit ed Editions priced from $152,077 plus on-road costs for the short wheelbase 90 P400, and $156,157 plus on-road costs for the long wheelbase 110 P400.

Just 75 examples will be available in Australia, 25 of which will be the 90 and the remaining 50 to be the 110, with deliveries expected in April 2023.

Both variants have an exclusive exte rior design theme with specific detailing and, in a nod to the very first Land Rover vehicle, are finished in iconic Grasmere Green paint with complementing wheels and interior finishes.

Land Rover came about after severe labour shortages and the general need for a utilitarian vehicle in the UK just after World War II.

British car-maker Rover embarked on creating a simple-to-manufacture, multi-purpose vehicle with four-wheel drive capability that could fulfil a num ber of roles in post-war Britain.

It led to the formation of the Land-Rover company in 1948 when the Series I vehicle was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show.

The design for the original ‘Landy’ was started in 1947 by Maurice Wilks who was then chief designer at Rover. He saw the need for a utility 4x4 while working at his farm in Newborough, An glesey, developing the vehicle in conjunc tion with his brother Spencer who was the managing director of Rover.

Said to have been inspired by WWII Jeep vehicles and the prototype, later nicknamed ’Centre Steer’, was built on a Jeep chassis and axles.

The hues of green colour on early models was dictated by military surplus supplies of aircraft cockpit paint, so those early vehicles only came in various shades of light green. Land-Rover be came Land Rover Limited in 1978, losing the hyphen.

Grasmere Green is introduced to the Defender line-up for the first time on the 75th Limited Edition and is, for now, exclusive to this commemorative model.

Also in Grasmere Green are its 20inch alloy wheels with matching centre caps. Further ensuring recognition are specially designed 75 Years graphics, Ce res Silver bumpers and privacy glass.

Similar treatment has been applied to the interior, with the dashboard beam finished in brushed Grasmere Green

powder coat and laser-etched detailing on its end caps.

The seats are in a colour called Resist Ebony, with the ‘hockey stick’ on the cen tre console featuring Robustec material – said to be the toughest fabric available on a Defender.

Defender lifecycle chief engineer Stuart Frith said: “Since revealing the new Defender, customers around the globe have fallen in love with it and demand remains extremely strong. This new Limited Edition captures the spirit of the past 75 years, with its colour and detailing, and fuses it with innovative, configurable terrain response, software over the air updates and unrivalled all-terrain capability.”

The Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with comprehen sive standard equipment.

Technology fitted includes a 3D surround camera, configurable terrain re sponse, Meridian premium sound system, Matrix LED front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, head-up display and wireless device charger.

All 75th Limited Edition models fea ture a sliding panoramic roof, 14-way driv er and passenger electric memory seats with heating, a heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control. The vehicle is also equipped as standard with a tow bar.

All Australian delivered 75th Limited Edition Defenders use the straight six cylinder P400 3.0L straight-six 294kW

Ingenium mild-hybrid petrol engine. Land Rover says: “The uniqueness of the Limited Edition ensures its place as a highly collectible Defender, it is revealed alongside a new range of Land Rover lifestyle goods celebrating this historic moment.”

The ‘Lifestyle Collection’ shares the Grasmere Green colour theme of the ve hicle and features a comprehensive range of goods including a minimalist watch featuring two straps, a functional back pack and clothing with 75 Years graphics and detail.

The latest Defender has won more than 50 global awards since introduction two years ago, scoring a five star ANCAP safety rating along the way.

Ticket to Paradise review - 2 Stars

„ JACOB RICHARDSON

WHEN their daughter Lily (Kait lyn Dever) goes to Bali after graduation, she meets a young man named Gede (Maxime Bouttier) who she decides to marry; cast ing off her plans of taking up law in New York to instead farm seaweed with him in Bali.

Two people who aren’t having that are her divorced parents, David (George Clooney) and Georgia (Julia Roberts).

While they passionately despise one another, they find themselves in Bali, needing to put their differences aside as they team up to try and convince their daughter, and their future son in law, that this is a bad idea.

Ticket to Paradise, from a story perspective, is just confounding. It makes no sense from a filmmaking perspective either.

The whole movie is full of mind-bog gling creative decisions, story threads that go nowhere and a general sense that there was something to be had here, but it has been violently missed.

The saving grace of the film is un doubtedly Clooney and Roberts. Their natural chemistry shines on screen, and while 90-100% of the ‘jokes’ in this mov

ie don’t land, every moment between them has a certain buzz that keeps you smiling.

Alas, ultimately, while Ticket to Para

dise is inoffensive and enjoyable enough, it is a disappointingly simplistic, ambling and structurally disparate take on mate rial that could have been more.

DON’T WORRY DARLING - 3 STARS

Don’t Worry Darling isn’t the trainwreck the dramatic press tour would have you imagine, but it is a film that starts incredibly strong, and decidedly unwinds with the third act twist that is frankly cheap, cliche and a bit gross.

„ JACOB RICHARDSON

ALICE (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) move to the town of Victory when Jack gets a job with charismatic leader Frank (Chris Pine).

But while Jack, Frank and the rest of the men go off to work every day, on some mysterious project in the surround ing desert, the women are left to shop, prepare meals, and tend to children.

Over time, something starts nagging at Alice, and she begins to have what she understands to be hallucinations. After a trek out into the desert, past where she has been ‘allowed’, she starts to suspect that not all is as it seems with the town of Victory.

Directed by Olivia Wilde, who also acts in the piece, Don’t Worry Darling is often visually impressive.

Beautifully choreographed blocking and dancing, stunning pastels and a mid-century vibe that feels like the mov ie was shot in a West Elm store combine to create a movie that sucks you in with the stunning on screen image.

It also sucks you in with the first

two thirds of the story. As we try and work out just what is going on, the film is incredibly engaging; on the edge of your seat stuff. A lot of this is down to Florence Pugh and Chris Pine, who both respectively excel in their roles.

Pugh in particular is fantastic, and holds the piece together, but the best scenes are those when Pine and Pugh face off across the kitchen, or the dinner table, or a crowded ballroom. Their he ro-villain dynamic is palpable, tense and

unmissable.

And despite the maligned commen tary in some reviews, Harry Styles isn’t so bad. His performance is perfectly fine - if not excellent - and while it might be tempting to imagine what an actor like Shia LaBeouf may have done with this role, and indeed how that might have played given his real life drama, in the end Styles serviceably supports Pugh’s powerhouse work.

The issues really stem from the ultimate reveal. Coming at the end of the second act and blowing all of the good will out of the movie, it feels like the cheapest, most manipulative and ham fisted possible ending to a film that until then had promised nuance.

The piece becomes so on the nose, that it almost entirely derails the film; the only benefit being that such an ending is so immediately forgettable that even a day after the screening, you can barely remember the final third and instead recall the first two fondly.

ticket to Paradise is extremely light-hearted fare, buoyed by the presence of Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Mental Health

Some days are diamonds, some days are, well…..whatever you make them

„ MINDSET | MARCUS WHEAN

THE Neil Diamond song, like many in pop culture, ring true for many of us.

Art representing life. These cliches become cliches because they are re latable and stable across time.

The truth is absolutely that life is at times hard and challenging, and others beautiful and amazing, and everything in between.

While we may relate to cliches and songs like Neil Diamond’s; the experience of life is always subjective and no ‘truths’ are exactly alike. You and I might expe rience the same event but process and experience it differently. This is basic psychology 101.

It’s great to have great days; and when things are going well in our life we often think and wish they would day that way. It can often be really saddening and even depressing when life hits us in a negative way.

Maybe a relationship breakdown, job loss, grief or loss. Life can be going well and we are happy and our subjective experience of life is going well and then something happens and it can often throw us off the deep end.

And depending how we experience and process these events will predict how we are able to deal with it. Good days are great and well but how do you deal with stony or bad days? This is more important than always being happy. How do you create, maintain or deal with bad days and in turn your mental health?

This is about mental fitness not men tal health. Like physical health, in most cases, mental health is predicted by men tal fitness. That is; how well can someone deal with and respond to stress?

And, what does someone do to main tain and look after their mental fitness much like their physical health? Being physically fit helps to prevent disease and so too mental fitness helps to pre vent mental health issues.

Like physical health there are some foundational activities you can do to build your mental fitness. I call them mental fitness staples. My suggested staples are 1. Daily meditation 2. Exercise and 3. Journaling.

Meditation helps to train your mind

to be mindful, present and observant of thoughts and emotions. This helps you stay ahead of unhelpful reactions and deal with problems in a more responsive way.

Exercise is important for cognitive function and to release pent up cortisol associated with stress. Journaling is a great way to download your thoughts and emotions and to also use it for daily plans and goals and to reflect on prog ress.

I’ve written before about the power of goals. Having goals and something to focus is really positive way to stave off

unnecessary stress because it gives you reason to think ahead and be positive about the future.

All in all, these three staples are something to focus on daily. I have learned that when I lapse with my staples routine I am more susceptible to stress and sometimes have even been a culprit for making mountains out of a molehills because I have been more stressed than usual because I haven’t been caring for my mental fitness and working my sta ples as part of my routine.

So, try my staples or decide on your own but practices and commit to them

for the sake of your mental fitness and health.

Some days will be diamonds and some days stone but the way we deal with grey er and stonier days is a positive predictor of mental health and serves to enhance the diamond days and overall, our experi ence and quality of life in all aeras.

Marcus Whelan is a Registered Psychologist and Mental Fitness Coachwith 10+ years’ experience in private practice. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in psychology and education. Visit: www.marcuswhelanpsychology. com.au

Social Media: impacts in Family Law

KYRIAKI THEODORIDIS

IT is often the case that material such as emails, text messages, social media posts, including short-term posts such as Instagram and Facebook stories and even online dating profiles, are includ ing within Affidavits filed in the Family Court.

Suddenly, private thoughts and feelings that may only be intended for ‘friends and families’ can be used to paint a negative light on an individual.

Neville J of the Family Court out lined his position in the case of Lackey v Mae when he said - “It never ceases to astound me how many litigants in [the Family Court of Australia] publish material through social media such as Facebook without consideration as to how poorly it might reflect upon them if adduced in evidence”.

Ultimately, social media posts are commonly used by one party to show the negative side of the other given most Family Law cases can be a battle of ‘he said, she said’.

Rules of Evidence

So when can these posts be used in your Family Law matter? Rules of evidence are extremely complicated and contain several provisions that include and exclude certain documents. How ever, put simply and for the purpose of

social media evidence, to be accepted as evidence the document must be relevant. Evidence will be considered relevant if it relates to any facts presented by either party and/or issues that need to be determined by the judicial officer. Exam ples of social media posts that have been considered relevant include:

1. Photographs of a parent, or even a parent’s new partner demonstrating distasteful behaviour such as exces sive drinking or drug use.

2. Screenshots of private messages where a party of the proceeding is discussing the other party, the chil

dren or the proceedings in general in a derogatory way.

3. Public posts or comments on posts relating to the children of the pro ceedings or the other party to the proceeding.

4. Public posts or comments contain ing threats or abuse to the other party or the court and its officers.

5. Photographs showing a party wast ing joint funds or property.

These posts can have an impact on the Court’s understanding of you, most notably your:

1. Character and integrity, depending

on what your post contains.

2. Ability to provide a safe environ ment for your children.

3. Dating status.

4. Continued discussion of the Family Law proceedings with the children that are parties to the proceedings.

Further, Judges discretion means that in the Family Courts there has been a tendency to admit evidence that may usually not be allowed because of rules such as hearsay and opinion. This is be cause of the value that evidence may add to the proceedings.

However, after evidence is admitted it is ultimately a decision of the Judge as to how much weight they attribute to the social media posts.

A study published by Family Law Review journal saw that whilst 82% of social media evidence was accepted, only 36% was attributed any significant weight by the presiding Judge. More weight was given to social media posts that demonstrated a party was mislead ing the court or deliberately delaying proceedings.

In any event, litigants in the Family Court need to be aware of the damage a simple social media posts can do. The best thing you can do in these situations is simply not posting or share anything relating to the proceedings.

Kyriaki (Kerrie) Theodoridis is a solicitor with Digital Age Lawyers. www.digitalagelawyers.com

Better Foundation

Friday 18th November Blacktown Workers Club

The Better Foundation Spring Gala is back for 2022!

Come & join Natarsha Belling & Kaleidascope Dreams for a wonderful night supporting Blacktown & Mount Druitt Hospitals Tickets available at betterfoundationgala.com.au

Around the Grounds

The Academy's pre elite athlete development programs have all gone through an assessment and planning process that will enable us to renew all programs, and also consider additional programs for the 2022 23 cycle

Nominations for a number of our programs have been taken during September Any aspiring athletes that have an interest in nominating for Academy programs should maintain a watch on the Academy's website (www wsas com au)

2022 23 will see the Academy deliver development programs in partnership with the relevant State Sporting Organisations for the sports of BMX, Cycling, Golf, Netball, Netball Umpire, Triathlon, Softball, Rowing, Rugby Union, Volleyball and a Lone Star individual program.

The Academy is also endeavoring to plan and implement a new Basketball Program that will underpin the current Basketball NSW talented athlete pathway programs

Sydney West Sports Medicine Puts Athletes to the Test

Academy Partners Sydney West Sports Medicine has been putting our athletes through their paces! Most recently, it was the BMX and Rowing Squads chance when the staff at Sydney West Sports Medicine (SWSM) completed athlete functional assessments before moving onto sport specific testing

SWSM is passionate about supporting local sporting clubs and communities, which is why they are offering all Western Sydney Academy of Sport athletes, coaches and support staff a 15% VIP discount across all services

This discount can also be used for the SWSM Yong Athlete Program The Young Athlete Program Framework implements the latest research by ensuring participants are tested, measured and follow the fundamental competencies that athletes must demonstrate at specific ages and stages of their sporting career To find out more information contact the SWSM reception on 9851 5959.

UAA Indigenous Talent ID Day a Success!

On Wednesday the 14 September the Academy held their inaugural UAA Indigenous Talent Identification Day at Western Sydney University’s Kingswood Campus

Over 40 Indigenous athletes from Western Sydney region were put through their paces in Rugby Union, Volleyball, Rowing and Cycling Athletes also participated in functional movement tests and learnt about the opportunities for Indigenous athletes from GWS Giants Senior Exercise Physiologist John Quinn

Academy CEO Martin Bullock commented “The Academy of Sport would like to acknowledge Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) for their support and extend the thanks to Western Sydney University and the GWS Giants for their support on the day This is an important first step for Indigenous athletes in our region ”

A huge thank you to the staff and students from the Western Sydney University Sport Science department for their assistance on the day!

Athletes who showed their athletic ability will be contacted in the coming weeks and information regarding the 6 week education program will be sent out to all attendees soon