Jordan Springs Gazette February 2024

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FEBRUARY 2024 | Issue 117

Indi’s Cool for School

See Article Pg 7

PRE–KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 12

Enrolling Now for 2025.

A Christian college offering rigorous academics and a strong community.

Book a Discovery Tour today to find out more.

02 4736 8100 enquiries@penrith.nsw.edu.au www.penrith.nsw.edu.au

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au February 2024

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NEWS + MEDIA

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Penrith’s City Park Opens

Submit your Community Notice on/by 10th of the month, to be included in the following edition. Notices may be edited or omitted due to space limitations.

E: info@districtgazette.com.au

Penrith now has its new and iconic green heart, with City Park open.

Located on the corner of Henry and Station Streets in the City Centre, the 7,000 sqm site has been transformed into a thriving green space with a central lawn, a 78-metre sunken rain garden, amenities building with green roof, trees which will grow over time to provide natural shade, four pergolas, seating, and public artwork.

Several water features including a circular water fountain, cascading pools with a connecting stream, and fog fountains will help to cool and refresh visitors to City Park in the warmer months.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the completion of the highly anticipated City Park was a game changer for the City.

“Penrith now has its very own vibrant, communal space in the City Centre for workers and shoppers to meet up and get some fresh air in the outdoors during the day, and for residents and visitors to enjoy special events in the evening,” Cr Carney said.

“City Park will become a focal point for Penrith and help stimulate the local economy by attracting more people into the City Centre and encouraging them to explore our exciting shops, restaurants, bars and cafes.”

“Thank you to the NSW Government for understanding the value of this transformative project and for supporting Council to bring City Park to life.”

Allen Place laneway has also been widened and revitalised with a paved footpath, vehicle loading bay area, mountable kerb, garden beds, tree planting, and the installation of raised pedestrian thresholds as part of the project.

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

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the jointly funded project included a $4 million contribution from the NSW Government as part of the NSW Public Spaces Legacy program and funding through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.

“The NSW Government is committed to investing in new and upgraded public open space areas,” Mr Scully said.

“It’s important that growing communities like Penrith have easily accessible recreational green spaces where the communities can come together to relax and unwind.

“The public open spaces created through the NSW Public Spaces Legacy Program will shape and connect communities for generations to come.”

Member for Penrith Karen McKeown OAM MP said City Park is ideally situated for the local community being opposite Penrith Westfield and within a short walking distance from Penrith Station.

Council will hold an official opening and community event in City Park in early 2024, inviting the community to celebrate this iconic park.

Find out more at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/penrith-city-park

Children + Families Cranebrook Kids Meets at 10:00am on Tuesdays at Andromeda Community Hall (Andromeda Drive, Cranebrook). More details: https:// w w w.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/ CranebrookKids

Cranebrook PlayConnect Meets at 9:30am on Thursdays at Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre (1 Kington Place, Cranebrook). More details: https://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/ CranebrookPlayconnect

Markets Blacktown Markets

Held weekly on Sundays from 6:30am till 2:00pm at The Skyline Drive-In (33 Cricketers Arms Road, Prospect). More details: www.blacktownmarkets.com.au

Penrith Producers Held on Friday 23rd June, Friday 29th September and Friday 1st December from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Triangle Park (565-567 High Street, Penrith). More details: https://www.visitpenrith. com.au/www.penrith.city/events

Support + Wellbeing Alcoholics Anonymous Women’s Group Meets every Tuesday from 7pm at Jordan Springs Community Hub (2 - 6 Cullen Avenue Jordan Springs). More Details: Lauren 0404 666 344.

Prostate Cancer Support Group Meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at Emu Sports Club (1 Leonay Parade, Leonay) from 6.30p.m. More Details: www. prostatesupport.org.au or phone the Group’s President David Wilkinson on 1300 13 38 78.

Penrith Womens Walk and Talk Meets 5pm every Wednesday (for Guest Speaker) and walk from 6pm outside Coffee Club Nepean River (78-88 Tench Ave, Jamisontown).

More details: www.facebook.com/ Penrithwomenswalkandtalk

Penrith Mens Walk and Talk Meets 5pm every Thursday (for Guest Speaker) and walk from 6pm outside Coffee Club Nepean River (78-88 Tench Ave, Jamisontown).

More details: www.facebook.com/ PenrithMensWalkAndTalk/

r Image/Article: Penrith City Council

2 February 2024

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au

your Listing Here

Sean and Marley Win TikTok Award

Local friends Sean Skeels and Marley Whatarau are social media superstars, taking the world by storm. With a TikTok Award now under their belt, the only way is up.

The duo, who are known for their ‘Get Down with Sean and Marley’ videos, have amassed an amazing 3.6 million followers on TikTok. Such is their popularity, that they were winners at the 2023 TikTok Awards, held on 6th December at the Horden Pavilion. They took home an award in the TikTok for Good category, which celebrates the creators who share a passion for driving positive change within the community.

The award was icing on the cake for Sean and Marley. They plan on using the win as motivation for the year ahead and beyond.

“Sean and Marley were super shocked, but absolutely over the moon to win the award. They have been on a high ever since and have been saying just how amazing it was” said Tammy Horton, Marley Whatarau’s Mum to the Jordan Springs Gazette.

The pair have some big plans ahead of 2024 and can’t wait to share them with their devoted fans.

“There are a few exciting things coming up. However, they are most thrilled to be back in the kitchen, doing what they love and hanging out with each other” she smiled.

Sean and Marley’s special bond through a shared loved of cooking and music is inspiring. It’s easy to see why they have been embraced by so many in the Tik Tok/ YouTube/Instagram communities.

“They are real. What you see is what you get with Sean and Marley. There are no scripts, just a beautiful friendship that is the same on and off the camera. They are also breaking down barriers” Tammy explained.

They are thankful for their award and all the support that they have received.

“Sean and Marley would like to give a huge thank you to everyone that voted for them. The support they are shown means so much to them and their families” she ended. r Marley Whatarau (left) and Sean Skeels (right) with their award | Image: Tammy Horton

2024 Australian Yoga and Wellness Festival After a successful launch last year, the Australian Yoga and Wellness Festival will be returning in 2024, with a whole lot of new elements.

Last year’s event at Panthers Penrith was a huge success, with over 200 people coming through the doors to fill each of the 4 classrooms.

Now they are bringing it back with a new team, consisting of Hayley Ashe from Embodied Breathwork, Nin Yoga’s Annika Saigi and Amy Horder from Align with Amy, in its brand new home at The Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith.

This new venue provides plenty of opportunity for growth, with capacity being several times larger than last year’s event.

In addition to a huge variety of yoga classes, the festival’s schedule will consist of all thing’s wellness and mindful living; from meditation, breathwork and sound healing sessions, self-help talks, massage, and psychics readings available on the day.

Purchase your ticket and you can plan a wholesome wellness day just for you!

In between visiting their 4 rooms of wellness offerings, you can browse the 50 market stalls, book a psychic reading, or grab a bite to eat from onsite facilities.

With tickets now available for Saturday the 3rd of February 2024, the trio can’t wait to see their vision come to life.

Tickets are on sale now at bit. ly/47cQAaD. For more information, visit www. yogawellnessfestival.com.au.

r Event Coordinators - (L-R) Amy Horder from Align with Amy, Hayley Ashe from Embodied Breathwork, and Annika Saigi from Nin Yoga.

Image Supplied by Amy Horder/Australian Yoga and Wellness Festival.Article: Amy Horder/Australian Yoga and Wellness Festival

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au February 2024

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The Gift of Kindness this Valentine’s Day

As soon as the Christmas retail juggernaut ends, the Valentines Day equivalent begins. We are faced with red love hearts and often one-use disposable ‘gift’ items instantly appear in huge numbers in every retailer we can imagine. From car accessory shops to the local hairdresser, to our local cafes and corner shops. The internet is awash with ads for holidays, weekend getaways, and useless trinkets catering to all budgets, so that the person you love can prove their love to you by giving their money to a third party in the rampant commercialisation that is now Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day, or Saint Valentine’s Day, or even the ‘Feast of Saint Valentine’ is celebrated on February 14. Also, July 6 and July 30. Some historians believe it predated Rome and was a celebration of Juno, the pagan goddess of love and marriage.

Valentine was a common name in centuries past, and many individuals have been so named throughout history, beginning with Valentine of Rome who was martyred in 269. After him came lots more Valentines, including saints, popes, rulers, and pilgrims, and we can find their relics and the stories of their deeds littered throughout history.

From an obscure past, St Valentines Day became something to celebrate when printed cards were available commercially by the late 1700s. Printed cards appeared in the mid-1800s, when it became the fashion to exchange greeting cards to acknowledge and celebrate various forms of love. More cards are exchanged at this time of year than any other, except Christmas.

The all-pervasive advertising is everywhere we look. We are confronted with red hearts and happy couple images online, in the papers, magazines, and on the TV. Perhaps it’s time to check our expectations from this one day out of 365 each year.

It can be a time when many people feel particularly alone and unloved, especially straight after Christmas, a time traditionally spent with family and loved ones. It is a time when kindness to the people in your community, both friends and strangers, is a far greater gift than anything money can buy. Save your money for something more meaningful. r Give with your heart | Image: www.unsplash.com/Article: Kate Neil

4 February 2024

2024 Resolutions: Quality time Vs Screen time It is a few weeks into 2024, and I find myself sitting in one of my favourite places pondering the year ahead. I am in the corner of a radio station studio, my headphones filled with the gentle exotic music of a Kora, I feel wrapped in peace and the silence of the space between stars. It’s my thinking time.

It is a universe away from my daily life and the demands of the internet which are beginning to feel all-encompassing. My mornings begin with Wordle and Connections, and by the time I go to bed at night I realise much of my day has been spent looking at a screen.

When I considered this article, I googled the top new year resolutions, and the internet immediately spat out the top twenty. It seems losing weight, getting fit and learning a language still top the list, and although it did not specify Spanish, I can see that they have not changed over the years.

I lifted my head after a lot of reading and scrolling. I had looked up the options to learn a language, checked out apps to follow a new exercise regime and how much it costs to join some weightloss programs these days, I saw the price of a picture of my cat as the king and noticed someone is making shoes that are super comfortable. I realized an hour had passed.

I put my phone down and rather than google what internet addiction looks like, I considered what I could have done with that hour. The first thing that came to mind was making a coffee and sitting in my garden with my dogs and cat, to enjoy the relaxing green space.

The internet likes us to focus on what other people are doing and thinking. What are their New Years resolutions? Which café did they have lunch? How is that holiday going? Let us not forget that the reason entities like Facebook exist is to sell advertising and make money. They show us how our lives could be, then bombard us with ads to convince us that if we just spend some money, we could live the dream.

I have made my New Year’s resolution now, and although it is only early days, my pets and I are happily on board with the plan.

r Quality time with my pets | Image: www.unsplash.com/Article: Kate Neil

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au

Local Charity’s Christmas Spirit As a Jordan Springs community-based charity, Our Community Cares’ 2023 Christmas was far more intense and demanding than in previous years.

In preparation for Christmas, November saw them wrapping and packing gifts for Penrith LGA residents in aged care facilities. Of course, the behind the scenes work involved in organising, purchasing, and sorting started long before November. They delivered 1,046 gifts to 10 local aged care facilities, to be handed out to residents during their in-house Christmas parties. These gifts were all wrapped by one committee member and her husband, during November.

The gifts were then counted and recounted, packed into Santa sacks, and cheerfully delivered by their chairperson to each facility. Over and above those gifts, another 191 gifts for the lonely in facilities were purchased, wrapped, and delivered, ensuring lonely residents had a small gift to open on Christmas Day. In addition, they also co-ordinated, wrapped and delivered: • 80 small gifts for the aged in Nepean Hospital, so they would not be left out.

• 60 Christmas food hampers for the young, working through Platform Youth Services to have them collected for distribution.

• 30 food hampers were organised from the Community Kitchen to be handed out to those doing it tough this year in the St Marys and Penrith communities.

On the 4th of December, Our Community Cares started their annual gift wrapping stations at Westfield Penrith (2 different sites) and Nepean Village. During this fun, but at time frantic 21 days of wrapping, they managed to use: • Approx. 8.5kms of wrapping paper (close to the distance between Jordan Springs and Nepean Hospital).

• Approx. 5,925 bows (1,500 were handmade by one volunteer and 600 by another).

• 54 rolls (or 3.5kms) of Sellotape.

Their amazing volunteers spent 1,832 hours wrapping and, with an average of $4 per gift donated, this equated to a staggering 10,459 gifts being wrapped.

“These wonderful volunteers, the number of gifts they wrapped, and the generous donations given by the community resulted in the raising of an amazing $41,838. This is sufficient for us to purchase our goal of 20 sofa beds for critical care areas within Nepean Hospital. These sofa beds will allow patients to have loved ones by their side during their most desperate times.

“We are very grateful to our volunteers, Westfield Penrith, Nepean Village and the wonderful people of Penrith who came along and supported our efforts in making this possible” ended Kris Gauci of Our Community Cares. r Marlene Shipley (St Marys Diggers & Band Club), Rosie Hamilton and Natalie Sykes (Officeworks Penrith) lending a hand | Image/Article: Kris Gauci/ Our Community Cares

2024 OPEN NIGHT 11 MARCH 4pm - 7pm Self-guided & guided tours available no bookings required SCAN FOR PENOLA BUS TIMETABLE

SCAN FOR HOW TO ENROL

@PenolaEmuPlains

P: 02 4728 8100

www.penolaemuplains.catholic.edu.au

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au February 2024

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your Book Review

PARENTS CORNER Article Written + Submitted by: Sussan Omar | Parenting Facilitator Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services W: www.nepeancommunity.org.au E: info@nepeancommunity.org.au

Playgroups: Building Blocks for Success

Playgroups play a significant role in giving your child the best chance at successful happy transition to school. Children who attend playgroups generally adapt to school life more easily having better social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.

Impact on Brain Development The first 3-5 years of life are vital for brain development, this is the time the neural pathways that create the foundation of our brains are built. The first three years are signified by rapid development, and during this time, every child needs to feel secure attachment to their primary caregivers, and supported by their community environments, including playgroups.

Playgroups support brain development by providing an interactive and stimulating environment. One of the ways they achieve this is sensory play, where children are exposed to touching and exploring different things, and physical play, which enhances sensory and motor skills.

Language and Cognitive advantages Language and vocabulary develop through play and communication with others, listening, and following instructions in playgroup. Cognitive skills are developed through exposure to activities like puzzles, games, and activities, encouraging critical thinking, memory and problem solving.

These building blocks are appreciated by schools when the children start Kindy.

Social and Emotional Development One of the key advantages that schools report for children attending playgroups is the impact on social and emotional development. Exposure to playgroups and interaction with other children and caregivers provide opportunities for children to practice sharing, co-operating, and navigating emotions in a safe environment. In addition, children benefit emotionally as they learn to express feelings like sadness, fear, anger, and joy, all in the context of play in a nurturing environment.

Children also benefit from the structured nature of playgroups that can help with practical tasks at school like lining up, sitting down, and following instructions.

Research consistently highlights a distinct advantage that children who attend playgroups have over other children when it comes to future academic outcomes. Playgroups provide a safe and nurturing environment to explore, play and practice a range of social, emotional, and cognitive skills that are building blocks for healthy relationships and ensure a smooth transition to school.

For more information on playgroups and to access NCNS local playgroups click below.

• NCNS Playgroups at www.nepeancommunity.org.au/ service_category/events • NSW Playgroups at www.playgroupnsw.org.au

r Image: www.pixabay.com

6 February 2024

Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder Author Kerryn Mayne

‘Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder’, published in November last year, was given to me by my daughter, who read the back, and thought I’d love it. I read the back, and couldn’t imagine why, but I never look a gift book in the mouth, and so here we are pondering Lenny Marks and her past.

Lenny Marks is an annoying character at first. She’s an irritating, boring and uptight rule follower, and she’s not easy to like. Her life revolves around her teaching job.

Lesson planning, structure, rules, and order. She spends her evenings playing scrabble and watching TV with her imaginary flat mate. She’s 37, and content with her life.

To make her stepmother happy, or at least leave her alone, Lenny decides to ‘get a life’. She doesn’t have a clue how to do that, and her awkward attempts at friendship and socializing are cringeworthy, not least because it makes you think back over your own excruciating moments and social faux pas.

Lenny just doesn’t understand the social norms and subtleties of friendships and relationships, and you begin to wonder how she became so unsure of herself, completely lacking in confidence and social skills.

A letter finds her and starts Lenny on a journey of terrible memories she has hidden even from herself. The people around her become far more complex than she understood them to be, and worse, she doesn’t know who she really is or what she has done in the past.

I loved this book. I didn’t expect the story to go in the direction it did, and I found myself hooked and needed to know what it was that Lenny had forgotten. Despite my initial annoyance with Lenny, the book dragged me in, and by the end I loved it. It’s one of those books you think about long after you’ve finished reading it.

I’m looking forward to her next book ‘Joy Moody Is Out of Time’, about a woman who dies without telling her twin daughters who their real parents are, to be released on February 27. r Book Review by: Kate Neil

SUBMIT YOUR BOOK REVIEW and receive a $50 GiftCard if your review appears in print!

EMAIL: info@districtgazette.com.au SUBJECT: Book Review Please include: (1) Name (2) Postal Address (3) Phone Number (4) Book Review (250-300 Word limit) and a clear (4) Book Cover Photo to qualify.

GiftCard randomly selected and sent by post to the chosen 'printed' entries. Printing may appear in all/any District Gazette publication.

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Indi’s Cool for School

Thousands of parents across the Penrith District, New South Wales and Australia are preparing for their children to start or return to school. Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that 4,042,512 students were enrolled in 9,614 schools in Australia in 2023.

The preparation is tedious, starting straight after Christmas for most families. But for Kindergarten goers, the process starts at the end of the Pre-school year with visits to “big” school for orientation, beginning the transition to Primary education.

Uniform, check. Shoes, check. Bag, check. Drink bottle, check.

For Llandilo’s Alex Robinson, her daughter Indi has been ready for school since the end of December and starts at Llandilo Public School this month. Indi is most excited about starting and is most looking forward to playing in the playground with her new friends and helping Mrs Carroll with the chickens.

Indi’s Mum Alex said, “It will be such a proud moment for us, as Indi’s parents watching her walk into school on her first day. She has waited and watched her brother go to school daily whilst she has been taken to daycare at Early Learning on George in South Windsor”. Indi is very eager to learn and is a very determined little girl.

“My favourite memory of school was going on the school bus to Underwater World at Manly and being allowed to paint and do craft” explained Alex. So, what advice would Alex give to other parents? “Our advice would be to not compare your child to others. There’s no comparison between the sun and the moon. They shine when it’s their time”.

Despite having only just started school, and the fact that she will not even start Year 7 till 2031, and graduate High School till the year 2036, Indi has decided that she will be a hairdresser and make-up artist working for herself when she grows up.

We wish Indi and everyone a wonderful start to school in 2024. Western Division schools return to the classroom on 6th of February 2024.

Corpus Christi Primary CRANEBROOK We work in partnership with our parish, families and local secondary schools, Xavier College Llandilo, Caroline Chisholm College (girls) Glenmore Park, to provide quality Catholic schooling from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Enrolling Now WE OFFER • Learning environment enriched by faith and values • Broad curriculum including Religious Education • Wide range of cocurricular activities • (sport, creative and performing arts, academic competitions, etc) • Dedicated and professional teaching staff • New and integrated technology including interactive whiteboards, laptops and iPads • Learning support and enrichment programs • Transition programs (Kindergarten and Year 6 for high school) • Extensive recreational and sporting areas • Active and supportive parent community

For more information please contact Corpus Christi’s Principal

Mrs Sarah O’Rourke

r Feature Article [Cover] Indi Robinson standing out the front of Llandilo Public School [Above] Indi is so excited to be starting big school this year.

Images: Alex Robinson. Article: Julie Lobel

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au February 2024

7

Flirty February

KID’S CORNER 1

2

FIND ALL THE VALENTINE WORDS

SPOT THE 7 DIFFERENCES SOLUTIONS

Puzzle 2 Puzzle 1

8 February 2024

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St Paul’s Grammar School 2023 Elite Achievers SCAN THE QR CODE TO LEARN MORE

Congratulations On Your Outstanding Results

Our Crest

Our Crest

The St Paul’s crest represents the centrality of the cross to the Christian faith and thus mission of our school; profiled by the rising sun symbolising our hope and future in Christ. The crest is made up of the central logo with the name and motto of the school around the diameter.

The St Paul’s crest represents the centrality of the cross to the Christian faith and thus mission of our school; profiled by the rising sun symbolising our hope and future in Christ. The crest is made up of the central logo with the name and motto of the school around the diameter.

The logo should not be redrawn, digitally manipulated or altered. No rescaling of the horizontal or vertical proportions should occur.

The logo should not be redrawn, digitally manipulated or altered. No rescaling of the horizontal or vertical proportions should occur.

Design & Colour

PMS 294 C

PMS 362 C

PMS 3935 C

C100 M69 Y7 K30

C78 M0 Y100 K2

C2 M0 Y60 K0

R0 G47 B108

R80 G158 B47

R243 G234 B93

Abhinav Ananth

98.80 ATAR

Colour Reverse White reverse / CMYK crest should be reversed out of St Paul’s Blue - PMS541

RESIDENCE Kellyville

I enjoyed working with other musicians and making new friends, some of whom I believe I’ll retain for a lifetime.

C100 M69 Y7 K30

C78 M0 Y100 K2

C2 M0 Y60 K0

R0 G47 B108

R80 G158 B47

R243 G234 B93

PAGE 4

Shania McCabe

98.60 ATAR

97.50 ATAR

RESIDENCE Kings Park

RESIDENCE Jordan Springs

COCURRICULAR 2023 House Captain, Annie Musical, Peer Reading Mentor, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Top End Service-Learning Trip, CRU Leadership, Sport Academy: ISA Swimming, Music Academy: Secondary School Choir, Senior Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble

COCURRICULAR Peer Reading Mentor, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Sport Academy: ISA Basketball, ISA Football, Drama Academy: Dramaniacs, Musical Theatre

The highlights of my time at school were the various opportunities that I was exposed to, such as learning about vaccines at the University of Sydney.

My favourite subjects varied, but mainly I enjoyed English, Mathematics, and Environmental Systems and Societies.

available.

ST PAUL’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

SS

PMS 3935 C

Colour Reverse White reverse / CMYK crest should be reversed out of St Paul’s Blue - PMS541

Mono / Mono Reverse To be used when appropriate for non colour reproduction (forms, reversed out of photographic background) or when colour isn’t

BRAND IDENTITY 2016

E ACCE

PMS 362 C

Rohan Sinnadurai

available.

COCURRICULAR Annie Musical Orchestra, Peer Reading Mentor, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Top End Service-Learning Trip, Music Academy: Secondary School Choir, Ceili Band, Senior Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Cello Ensemble, Chamber Ensemble and String Ensemble

XIM

PMS 294 C

Colours: Pantone, CMYK and RGB versions of the St Paul’s School crest have been created. The colour values are:

Mono / Mono Reverse To be used when appropriate for non colour reproduction (forms, reversed out of photographic background) or when colour isn’t

PAGE 4

RO

P

Colours: Pantone, CMYK and RGB versions of the St Paul’s School crest have been created. The colour values are:

DUX

IT

Design & Colour

BRAND IDENTITY 2016

ST PAUL’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Information correct as at 15 January 2024.

stpauls.nsw.edu.au

p. 02 4777 4888 e. enrol@stpauls.nsw.edu.au

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au February 2024

9

Jordan Springs Joeys FC Recruiting Now Jordan Springs Joeys Football Club is expecting a big year on the field, ahead of the 2024 season. The club sits in the Nepean Football Association, and they are looking to recruit new players, administrators, and sponsors to help with their expansion and to purchase more equipment to match the growing needs of the club.

Registrations opened on the 3rd of January and will remain open until mid-way through the season. Team nominations are due on March 1st; however, they recommend registering as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

“We have seen a large increase in new names joining the club already”, said Adrian Tunks of Jordan Springs Joeys FC. Highlights from the 2023 season include the club’s All-Age Men’s team, who were Division 2 Champions and hosting a great Gala Day for the Under 10/Under 11 teams for the Association.

Joeys FC have been extremely busy during the off-season and have successfully obtained sponsorship from multiple local businesses, which has provided them the opportunity to

purchase new jerseys for the upcoming season. From this, they have partnered with a new supplier, Elite Sports, and Adrian said, “We are extremely proud of the design they have come up with. We can’t wait to see our players represent the club in them and thank our sponsors gratefully for this”.

Their sponsors for the 2024 season include: • Brooks - Jordan Springs • Great Western Kia • Nick Rigas - The Agency • Evolution Medical Care • Alycia Marie Biscuits • Elite Sports The club is aiming to offer a team in every age group, from the Under 5s all the way through to Over 35s. “We already have received a large number of registrations for the Under 5s to Under 11s, however, we are actively seeking more players in the Under 12s to Under 16’s and All-Age groups. Especially girls, as we wish to field girls only teams in the Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and a second All-Age Women’s team” he said. v AA2 Grand Final - All-Age Men Division 2 Champions | Image Supplied

by Adrian Tunks on behalf of Jordan Springs Joeys FC. Article: Julie Lobel

HEALTH MATTERS Article Written + Submitted by: Andreas Klein Nutritionist + Remedial Therapist from Beautiful Health + Wellness P: 0418 166 269

Functional Scoliosis – A Hidden Cause Of Future Back Injury!

Scoliosis can cause much back pain. Scoliosis occurs when the spine (viewed from behind) isn’t straight, but instead deviates left or right forming an “S-Shape” along its length. Very few people have a perfectly straight spine. Most of us will have a small amount of left-right deviation here or there, usually without symptoms.

There are two main sub-types of scoliosis: functional and structural.

In functional scoliosis, structure of vertebrae and discs are normal. Altered muscle length/tightness on the left and right of the spine can pull the spinal column out of vertical alignment e.g.

1. Over-development and or shortening of muscles on one side of the body from: a. playing one-sided sports (golf, tennis, etc), b. different leg lengths, c. compensating for chronic/acute pain, or 2. Muscle spasms due to: a. injury on or around the spine, b. altered nerve flow to muscles,

10 February 2024

c. inflammatory conditions, e.g. appendicitis, and can lead to functional scoliosis. Since no structural problem exists, returning muscles to normal length removes scoliosis.

Treatment may be as simple as playing two sided sports, evening-up leg length with orthotics, or stretching. However, often muscles simply don’t come back to their ideal length without specific treatment. Such ongoing/untreated muscles and the resulting functional scoliosis can eventually produce excess ‘wear and tear’ and premature degeneration of both vertebrae and discs. Such chronically weakened vertebrae or discs can increase risk of acute injury, that is, the type where a simple lift leads to a ‘slipped disc’.

Specific treatments such as ‘muscle elongation therapy’ (MET), and sometimes the addition of nutrition focused on better muscle health, can help. MET treatment restores affected tissue to optimal length and condition, helping chronic injury. Call the clinic if you’d like to learn more.

Next month, we will talk about Structural Scoliosis

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r **Refer to: www.districtgazette.com.au for expanded version

Guest Reviewer

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

Llandilo Students Celebrate Opening of Co-designed Playspace

Al Aseel Restaurant 62/72 Batt St, Jamisontown

Upon entering the restaurant, Luke and I were warmly greeted by staff and seated at a lovely window table. Situated on the second level, the ambiance was delightful.

The drinks set the tone for the evening.

The Lychee Lycious Mocktail was a delightful blend of spritz and sweetness, a perfect start.

However, the Baalbek Sunrise Mocktail fell short, lacking the expected sweetness.

For starters we tried the Baba Ghanouj, an eggplant dip, which was a perfect teaser dish. Smoky and smooth, the pomegranate garnish added a beautiful sweetness without overpowering. We paired this dip with the provided Lebanese bread.

Next, we had Mjadara, a cumin infused lentil rice, with tomato sumac salad and mint cucumber yogurt. This dish was a perfect balance of flavours with the zesty yogurt and perfectly cooked rice.

We then tried the Triple Cheese Sambousek, a Lebanese style pie. These were a delight with stringy cheese, hints of parsley, and a perfect doughy lining.

Lastly, we had the Hommos Bi Lahme, which consisted of hommos and pan-fried lamb mince, topped with toasted pine nuts and sizzling ghee. While tasty, the dish left us wanting more lamb.

Though portions seemed small for the price, the overall experience was delightful, with dishes complementing each other well. The service was impeccable, with attentive staff ensuring our needs were met promptly.

I highly recommend Al Aseel, whether you love Lebanese cuisine or are yet to try it, you will not be disappointed.

Tayla Luke showcasing the delicious assortment of meals we enjoyed!

Lychee Lycious & Baalbek Sunrise

**Restaurants are not privy to reviews taking place, and all meals are fully paid by us.

Penrith City Council joined Llandilo Public School students to celebrate the opening of the new playspace in Wilson Park in December.

Students from the school co-designed the playspace with Council as part of the annual Penrith Mayoral Challenge program, which teaches young people about civic engagement, local government, and the decision-making process.

Key features of the new playspace include climbing equipment, a multi-play unit with slide, three bay swing set with an accessible swing, outdoor fitness equipment, and a revitalised multi-sport court.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said it was fantastic to see the ideas and creativity of the students come to life in Wilson Park.

“Llandilo Public School students have played a key role in improving this facility for their local community to enjoy and should be proud of what they’ve achieved,” Cr Carney said.

Shade sails, a picnic table, hammock, bin, bike racks, pathways, trees, and landscaping were also included in the upgrade.

This project was funded by Council and the NSW Government who contributed $75,000 through the Everyone Can Play grant program and $15,000 through the Community Building Partnership program.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP said she was thrilled to see Wilson Park reinvigorated thanks to the new playspace.

“This playspace has been designed for children, by children,” Ms Car said.

“In years to come, Llandilo Public School students can look back on this momentous achievement and know they had a hand in its creation.”

“I can’t wait to see local families enjoy the new facilities at Wilson Park.”

A new amenities building is also under construction which will include a unisex toilet and unisex ambulant toilet with baby change tables, as well as a MLAK-fitted unisex accessible toilet.

The delivery of this project is part of Council’s commitment to upgrading 40 playspaces across the Local Government Area between 2019-2024, with 32 playspaces now renewed.

You can find your nearest local playspace at: penrith.city/ playspaces r Llandilo Public School students and Principal Naomi Amidy join Deputy Premier, Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP and Penrith Mayor Todd Carney to officially open Wilson Park.

Image/Article: Penrith City Council

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PROBUS CLUB Article Written + Submitted by: The Probus Club of Jordan Springs E: Jordanspringsprobus@gmail.com W: probussouthpacific.org/microsites/jordansprings After a break over the festive season, the Jordan Springs Probus group got together again to meet and greet old friends and new, on January 23. On that occasion, we had a wonderful talk by the wonderful people from Nepean Food Services, an organisation that not only home delivers meals but also provides social support.

In the months to come, we will be hearing from the local bush fire brigade, who are always interesting, and full of advice for us all, even in these wet conditions we have been having lately. We will also be hearing from one of our local podiatrists, and many more interesting groups and people.

In March, we will be holding our AGM, where we will elect a new committee to create innovative ideas and outings for the upcoming year, while we continue with our monthly lunches and other exciting events.

Probus is an organisation for people to find fun and friendship in retirement. Come and make new friends, listen to interesting guest speakers, learn a new skill, explore new interests and hobbies at your local Probus Club!

Jordan Springs Probus meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Jordan Springs Community Hub, 2-5 Cullen Avenue, Jordan Springs at 10am. New members are always welcome – come along and see if our group is for you!

For more information, contact Judy 0414 766 763, Tricia 0414 976 997, Annie 0409 230 753, or email us at jordanspringsprobus@ gmail.com.

FAITH – ST DAVIDS CHURCH LLANDILO Article Written + Submitted by: Rev John Hebblewhite A: Lot 257A Seventh Ave, Llandilo P: 4736 3592 Service Times: 10am each Sunday with additional services held: 2pm on the Third Sunday + 8am on the Fourth Sunday In religion, the Jew appeals to the Torah, the Buddhist and Hindu to the Vedas and Vedanta, the Muslim to the Koran, the Atheist to philosophical structures, while the Christian appeals to Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. To anyone in this vast arena of appeal, no one can claim to have the mastery and yet the religious dimension and influence in life is one that cannot be ignored.

The history of religions centre on the perennial search to give people some understanding of existence. Even the Atheist, when defending atheism, is in fact searching for an answer that does not include the concept of theism to gain understanding for their lives.

It can be argued that most individuals rarely give time to consider the question, but in the long run, it cannot be easily ignored. In the history of the evolution of the universe, when humans take the vast array of scriptural appeal from various religious systems (including atheism), it is important that they find appeal along the axis of evolution.

Jesus, who is called the Christ, offers the ability to unify the individual with their society in a personal relationship, thus allowing insight into the true meaning for existence. The Christian argues that worship evolved through Christian living as a means by which the impetus and ability is given.

But no matter what religious environment, the factors of intolerance and ignorance can be used to hurt, particularly when utilized in the field of politics. Individually, religious sentiment is regulated to the environment into which the person is born and grows.

Conversion as such can be a rare occurrence across religions, except in circumstances where political agendas play a part, and history gives us many examples of this.

Now that 2024 is well underway, may a deeper appreciation of the sanctity of life become a reality.

FAITH – MOSAIC COMMUNITY CHURCH (LLANDILO) Article Written + Submitted by: Pastor Heath Whiley A: Llandilo Community Hall, Seventh Ave, Llandilo P: 0402 712 972 W: www.mosaiccommunitychurch.com.au Service Times: 4pm-6pm Sundays

Missed it by That Much?!

Whenever things went wrong, Agent Maxwell Smart, whilst holding up his thumb and forefinger revealing a mere inch, would always quip “Missed it by THAT much”.

‘That much’ might not seem a lot, however the reality is that the longer you travel, the more obvious the effect of being off by a mere few degrees becomes. People far smarter than me have explained to me that if you are going somewhere, and started off course by just 1°, then after just about 30cm, you will have missed your target by half a centimetre.

This does not seem important, but after 91m, you will be off about 1.6m. Again, not huge, but noticeable.

And then after 1.6kms, you will be off 28 metres, and now it’s starting to make a difference.

After travelling from San Francisco to L.A., you will be off by 9.6kms. If you were trying to get from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., you would end up on the other side of Baltimore, 68.5kms away. Travelling around the globe from Washington, DC, you’d miss by 700kms and end up in Boston.

But consider this. In a rocket going to the moon, you’d be 6,709kms off course, nearly twice the diameter of the moon. If you were going to the sun, you would miss by over 2,574,950.4kms, which is twice the diameter of the sun. All because of 1°.

With this in mind, consider the things you’ve set your heart on now, at the beginning of 2024, and think about where you may end up by the end of the year.

“Above everything else, guard your heart. For everything you do comes from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)

12 February 2024

www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au

PAWS A WHILE Article Written + Submitted by: Kellie Tickner from Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital A: 49 Wentworth Rd, Orchard Hills P: 4736 2027

Back to School With our children now back in the classroom, it is time to think about enrolling our puppies into school also.

Our Puppy School and Adolescent dog classes provide a safe space to allow structured socialisation for puppies with other dogs their own age. Our trained instructors will teach you about socialisation, dog communication, vet care, pet care, child & dog safety and troubleshooting undesirable behaviour.

Over a 5-week period you and your puppy will learn practical information to put you on the path to success.

Our Puppy Pre School classes are specifically designed for dogs eight to fourteen weeks of age as this is a very important developmental period for dogs. Through positive reinforcement puppies find that learning is fun and rewards will follow. We also offer new adolescent dog training classes for dogs from six months of age for those dogs who need a little extra assistance with their training.

Prior to six months of age is the time that puppies start exploring, a time when puppies are very accepting of new situations and experiences, and learn strategies to cope with

situations that may be new or a little frightening. This makes it the perfect time for introducing your puppy to the big wide human world that it is going to live in - a world of funny sights (cars, bicycles, balloons, hats, other animals), funny sounds (horns, thunder, television, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners) and funny smells (foods, perfumes and cleaning products).

It is also a good time for learning about other puppies – that they come in all shapes and sizes; short, tall, long tails and floppy ears. For some dogs, missing this ‘window of opportunity’ can lead to a life time of fear and anxiety. Even though it is important to continue to expose your dog to as many sights and sounds as possible throughout adolescence, this early period is seen as perhaps the most important.

Our puppy classes aim is to give you realistic expectations of your puppy through the understanding of their natural behaviours. The program equips you with the tools to develop a strong relationship with your puppy, allowing them to become an integral part of the family.

Please contact our friendly team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 0247 362 027 for further information.

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Happy New Year!

As our first edition of 2024 finds it’s way into your letterboxes, and we bid farewell to Christmas and the Summer holidays, it’s time to embrace the many adventures awaiting us in the year head!

The Summer holidays brought some amazing weather that was only best suited to lazy days by the pool (and a lot of rain!), for many of us the holidays were filled with joy, laughter and unforgettable memories.

However, in our local area there are some who have experienced great loss and heartache facing unthinkable tragedies. There is no time limit to grief; I hope that the New Year can bring them happiness, healing and peace.

We kick off the year with plenty to read, see and do around our fabulous communities.

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As C.S.Lewis said ‘You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream’.

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