Young people are being reminded ‘every vape is a hit to your health’, as part of a new campaign launched by the NSW Government recently.
Developed in consultation with young people and medical experts, the campaign amplifies the voices of people aged 14 - 24 who have experienced the harms of vaping.
The campaign also uses powerful advertisements to encourage young people to consider the proven health harms of vaping, such as nicotine addiction, lung damage, breathlessness, nicotine poisoning and burns from exploding vapes.
It comes as the latest NSW Population Health Survey shows current vaping among people aged 16-24 has significantly increased to 16.5 per cent in 2021-22, up from 4.5 per cent two years prior.
The ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ campaign builds on NSW Health’s successful ‘Do you know what you’re vaping?’ campaign and Vaping Toolkit and provides a range of support pathways for young people.
For support and advice about quitting vaping young people are encouraged to contact their general practitioner, download a quit vaping app, or call Quitline on 13 78 48.
The NSW Government is committed to addressing the growing issue of vaping through ongoing collaboration with our Commonwealth and State counterparts, including contributing to the National Vaping Working Group established by the Federal Government in November 2023.
In 2023-24, the NSW Ministry of Health will invest $25 million on tobacco and e-cigarette control in NSW. This includes an investment by Cancer Institute NSW of more than $3 million in the new vaping campaign.
An additional $2.5 million is also being invested over the next 12 months to increase services to help young people quit vaping, including a new digital platform, enhancements to the iCanQuit platform and an online learning module for youth services across the state.
This comes after the NSW Government convened a roundtable last year to address the growing issue of vaping in schools.
Since then, the NSW Department of Education is continuing to update the curriculum resources, so they better address the dangers of vaping.
An online training module for school staff is also being created to have conversations with students, and webinar resources will soon be available for parents and carers.
For more information on the ‘Every vape is a hit to your health’ campaign, developed by Cancer Institute NSW, visit: http://www. cancer.nsw.gov.au/vaping.
r Article: Prue Car MP/Ryan Park MP
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
Children + Families
Cranebrook Kids
Meets at 10:00am on Tuesdays at Andromeda Community Hall (Andromeda Drive, Cranebrook). More details: https:// www.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
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/
BUMP Jordan Springs is not just a gym; it’s a community where women can come together to support each other on their fitness journeys. With its wide range of classes and welcoming atmosphere, BUMP is set to become a cornerstone of health and wellness in the Jordan Springs area.
BUMP opened its doors two weeks before Christmas last year, however, the Grand Opening held on January 9th and 10th, was a spectacular event, featuring free classes, brunch, and activities for kids in the creche.
“It was a fun day to welcome members of our local community
to our club and showcase what we offer,” said Director, Katelyn Aldacour-Prince. Attendees also received gift bags, including handmade bath salts made by Katelyn’s mother.
BUMP offers a variety of services, including reformer, mat pilates, yoga, and barre classes in the studio, as well as strength and conditioning classes in the gym. They also host mums and bubs classes and provide a free age-segmented creche for children, offering play-based learning and crafts.
“We specialise in pre and postnatal and offer a community for mums and mums to be, but we are for all women,” Katelyn explained. “We provide a safe and nurturing space for all women to work towards their health and fitness goals.”
To welcome new members, BUMP Jordan Springs is offering a 7-day trial for $29 and a free class for anyone who missed the Open Day. Additionally, Jordan Springs Gazette readers can enjoy 10% off the Silver Unlimited Class memberships until the end of March.
Katelyn is excited to be a part of the Jordan Springs community and provide a welcoming space for women to focus on their physical and mental health and fitness goals.
“We are a small family-run business,” said Katelyn. “Myself, my husband Dean, and my son Cooper, along with my parents and sisters, are the faces behind BUMP Jordan Springs. We can’t wait to meet everyone in the Jordan Springs and surrounding community.”
BUMP Jordan Springs is located at 8/65 Water Gum Drive, Jordan Springs. For more information head to their website www.bumphealth.com.au/jordansprings or check out their socials on Facebook and Instagram.
r The friendly team from BUMP - Belinda, Katelyn, Dean, and little Cooper | Image: Katelyn Aldacour-Prince. Article: Tanya Nellestein
Turning a few pages into my diary, when I see ‘GOOD FRIDAY,’ and ‘EASTER SUNDAY’, it instantly conjures up a memory of my childhood home, and a small cup with a hollow chocolate egg in it, brought to me and my brother by the Easter Bunny.
As the years went by, the Easter Weekend became our family camping time, the weather usually beautiful, the fishing good. We met the same families every year, looked forward to fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, and we all played together outside as night fell, watching the sky and embers of the campfire.
But for Christians around the world, Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the holy calendar. Christians come together on this weekend to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. Churches hold special services, and there are celebratory foods of significance: eggs, to symbolise rebirth, and hot cross buns with the cross representing the cross on which Christ died.
Easter Sunday itself is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next after March 21. It changes every year, and the date is set by religious leaders in accordance with the lunar calendar. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate a different date from Western Christians, because of differing lunar calculations.
May of the other world’s most popular religions also base their important holy celebrations on the lunar calendar – Buddha’s birthday depends on lunar calculations, Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca doesn’t start until the new moon is visible –if it is overcast, they wait.
Although each religion teaches its own beliefs, in the everevolving movement of people, religions and cultures across our world, we still choose to look to our planet to influence the time and tides of our religious celebrations.
For many of us who were not raised in accordance with a religious calendar, we still took those annual days and made them our celebration of family, and community. For my family, they were also a time to reconnect with nature, a time to take a breather from the rat race, a moment to slow down and take stock.
We all celebrate in our own way. Rather than answering emails and messages, we hope all our readers can find some time to relax and enjoy family, community, nature, God, or whatever it is that brings you peace and joy.
r Article: Kate NeillWhen I decided to draft an article about International Women’s Day, I checked a few statistics and found it easy to become despondent very quickly with Australia’s progress to parity. It’s slow.
International Women’s Day (IWD) will be celebrated this year on Friday 8 March, with the theme “Inspire Inclusion”. IWD is a day of collective global activism and celebration committed to forging women’s equality. It is a day for women across the world to lobby for gender equality, reproductive rights, an end to violence and abuse against them, equal participation and leadership opportunities, and the myriad of other issues women find themselves below parity with men.
IWD was borne of women’s oppression and inequality, spurring them to campaign for change. In New York City, 1908, thirteen thousand women marched to demand shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Women across the world joined in, and finally International Women’s Day was marked for the first time by the United Nations in 1975, 67 years later.
It is fact that women are paid less than their male counterparts, they are not present in equal numbers in business or politics. Globally, it is estimated it will take 131 years to reach full parity between men and women, and no country has achieved it so far. It is not only about money. Women fall behind in opportunities for education, leadership, rights, healthcare, and violence against them. They face gender discrimination at every turn.
While IWD calls for positive change in advancing women and accelerating gender parity, it is also a day to celebrate our achievements so far. There is great strength in women celebrating women, and this year’s IWD theme, Inspire Inclusion, recognises that when women themselves are inspired to be included, there is a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
A short but measurable note to end with, is Equal Pay Day. It has not yet been announced for 2024, so we look at the Government Website Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) date for last year: August 25.
Equal Pay Day is the last day women work after the end of the financial year, to have earned the same amount as men did in the past financial year (on average). In 2023, this was August 25. Women in Australia had to work an extra 56 days to make the same pay as men. This is the gender pay gap. Women in Australia won the right to equal pay back in 1969.
r Article: Kate Neill
For Jessie Browne, starting a sewing business was about sharing something she loves with others in a place a little foreign from her own. Jessie moved to Western Sydney to study Medicine and now in her fourth year, has opened Yuluwirri Threads Sewing Studio in Ropes Crossing.
Yuluwirri means “rainbow” and the name was given to Jessie by an elder in her home community of Tamworth, and she
belongs to the Gamilaraay People.
“I had a vision of supplying a vibrant, creative space, where all could come to meet other creative people and learn a new skill, sewing!” said Jessie to the Jordan Springs Gazette.
“I started my business to teach sewing to people who have always wanted to learn but didn’t know how and where to start. Sewing is not only a useful skill to have, but it also opens up a world of creativity, enjoyment, and fulfilment in people’s busy lives” she added.
Yuluwirri Threads provide fun beginner sewing workshops for both adults and children, where people learn everything they need to know to get started sewing. They also do classes for intermediate sewers to build on their sewing skills, as well as social “sip n sews” for people to meet other likeminded creatives. There really is a sewing class for everyone at Yuluwirri Threads.
They run sewing classes every day of the week, including evenings and weekends, “We do small group classes with set projects to make with a maximum of 4 people per class, and private 1:1 classes that are more flexible with what you would like to make. You can see more details about our classes on our website” stated Jessie.
“The thing I have enjoyed most about starting my small business is meeting new people and watching the huge smiles on their faces at the end of a class when they see the finished project and say, “I made this!” she smiled.
In the future, Jessie would like to hold sewing and darning yarns with younger people, to not only show them the skills of sewing, but as a way of bringing indigenous youth together.
r A small group adult “Get the know the sewing machine” workshop on the weekend. Students learning how to make an envelope cushion cover. Image: Jessie Browne. Article: Julie Lobel
Article Written + Submitted by: Sussan Omar | Parenting Facilitator Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services W: www.nepeancommunity.org.au
E: info@nepeancommunity.org.au
As children start a new school year it can be challenging after such a long holiday, for both carers and children, to get back into the school routine. We have some suggestions here for you about the hard part – setting up a good study routine.
All children need good quality sleep to function and get through the school day. Increasingly children are on devices just before bedtime. Many, especially teens, have devices overnight in their rooms.
Children aged 6-12 years need 9-12 hours of sleep every night, and for teens, 8-10 hours is recommended.
It is important to note the stimulation caused by blue light can interfere with sleep patterns, as it can interfere with melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Children should therefore not use devices just before bed. Instead, encourage children to read, do puzzles or meditate before bed.
Physical activity should be incorporated into your child’s everyday routine. Research has shown that physical activity helps with memory, concentration, and processing of information, all of which help with study.
Furthermore, regular exercise reduces stress levels by releasing endorphins, thus promoting better mood. Another benefit to exercise is the increase in energy levels which can help with study.
Space, Time, And Organisation
A regular study time helps children to incorporate study into their routine. Often after school, after a break, or after exercise, will work best.
Can you dedicate a quiet, well-lit and distraction free place for study? New stationery, a plant or a new planner can help children start the year fresh. Make the homework area as calm and inviting as possible. If you don’t have the space, check out your local library or homework club. Most schools and public libraries offer free homework spaces.
Take the opportunity to help your child to organise their time effectively. A visual planner can easily be printed out and filled out to include assignments, tests, and scheduled events. Bigger tasks can be broken down into manageable tasks and assigned a time frame to help children stay on track.
Depending on the age of your child, you may find an app or electronic diary with built in reminders and alarms work best.
There really is no magic formula when considering a study routine, but a good place to start is to consider your surroundings, sleep quality, organisation tools and exercise.
local Synagogue in 1967, at the time of the Six Day War, he dreamt two prophetic dreams. In his first dream he witnessed a bushfire type disaster on the escarpment of the Blue Mountains. The following night he dreamt that he saw earthquakes occurring around the world.
In 1994, Rod received a cryptic message where if A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, up to Z = 26, the gematria of his message added to 287, which was the combined gematria of Jesus Christ (151) and Virgin Mary (136). I.e. 151 + 136 added to 287
In 1995 he recorded these two 1967 dreams and his message in his 1st book Bow in the Cloud
On Xmas Day 2001 Rod’s house and Plant Nursery were destroyed in a bushfire.
On the following day (Boxing Day) Rod heard on the news that an earthquake had occurred in Asia. The following Boxing Day (2002) an earthquake occurred in Hawaii. On Boxing Day 2003 an earthquake occurred in Bam, Iraq killing 30,000 people. The following Boxing Day (2004) the Boxing Day Tsunami occurred killing 210,000 people. On October 8 2005, 287 days after the Boxing Day Tsunami an earthquake occurred in Pakistan/ Kashmir, killing 80,000 people. This was followed 287 days after by an earthquake in China.
In this remarkable book, the author, Roderick Luckett, documents the evidence for a numerical code in the Bible. In fact, this book is full of numerical codes that will enlighten the reader to an angle of the Bible that they may never have experienced before. Four Bible Codes offers both skeptics and believers a gold mine of information that will prompt much thinking about the origins of the Bible.
r Book Review by: Jimmy Fardouly
Last month, on Friday 9th February, the Hon. Prue Car MP alongside the Principal of Jordan Springs Public School, Mrs Kylie Walker, announced the site of Jordan Springs High School.
The new school will be in the heart of Jordan Springs, located on the corner of Armoury Road and Infantry Street. The high school will be a short five-minute drive from Jordan Springs Public School.
Jordan Springs High School is planned to open on Day 1, Term 1, 2027, with a capacity for 1,000 students. This was a key Labor election commitment and forms part of a $3.5 billion investment in educational infrastructure for Western Sydney.
The record investment in Labor’s first budget begins the job of undoing years of neglect under the former Liberal National Government, which failed to properly plan for schools to meet the needs of families in Sydney’s growth areas.
The NSW Labor Government’s targeted investment in growing communities will ensure working families have access to a world class public education.
Ms Car, Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Member for Londonderry said, “this is fantastic news for the Jordan Springs community, who fought for years for local public schools and under Labor will finally get a local public high school.
“In three years’ time, a brand new high school will be located here in Jordan Springs to serve the growing communities of Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing.
“The former Liberal National Government failed communities like Jordan Springs where rapid residential development was approved without proper planning or investment for local essential services like public schools. I cannot wait to share progress on building this brand new high school as we get on with the job of delivering it.”
Designs for the new school are already underway, with acquisition of the new site to be finalised shortly. The new high school will accommodate families of the rapidly growing Jordan Springs, ensuring quality education for all.
Nepean Food Services provides Meals on Wheels and social support services to eligible people over 65 and people living with a disability across the Nepean Local Government Area, including the Warragamba and Silverdale regions. Its support services are aimed to provide nourishment and social connections to sustain valued, healthy, and vibrant communities.
One of its core service provisions is the Regional Distribution Program (RDP), which was established in 2014. It involves partnering with various meal suppliers to enable smaller and regionalbased Meals on Wheels organisations access to a broader range of meals that are otherwise beyond the capacity of their local area.
Nepean Food Services acts as a hub, utilising the services of Food Boss to store meals from approved suppliers all across Australia. Meals are then distributed in the Nepean Food Services’ freezer ute to Meals on Wheels locations across Greater Sydney and the South Coast including Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, North Shoalhaven, Randwick, and Parramatta.
The RDP gives clients in these areas an expanded selection of meals to choose from, so that specific dietary needs and individual preferences can be suitably accommodated.
The RDP relies on the support of volunteer delivery drivers to deliver and assist with loading meals that are boxed into the freezer ute at Nepean Food Services’ site, and unloading boxes upon arrival at each distribution location. Volunteer delivery drivers are also required to liaise with staff and volunteers at each location when completing deliveries. On occasions, RDP volunteers collect meals from local meal suppliers.
Volunteers are essential to the overall success of Nepean Food Services and the RDP. Without the tireless effort from volunteers, the program would become immobile and collapse.
As the RDP enters its tenth year, it continues to grow exponentially with new partnerships formed every year with both meal suppliers and other Meals on Wheels organisations. Product and transport costs are kept competitively low, and funds are used to further the mission of Nepean Food Services, by being streamed back into the community.
rArticle: Nepean Food Services
The Kingsway Playing Fields, Werrington Saturday 16 March, 9am-3.30pm
Dispose of your unwanted, broken, or old electronic items correctly at our E-Waste Drop-off Day! If you have any of the items below, it’s your perfect opportunity:
Computers
Monitors
Mice
Keyboards
Cables
Cameras
CD drives
Clock radios
DVD players
TVs
VCR players
Video cameras
MP3 players
For a full list of accepted items and more information, visit penrith.city/e-wasteday
NEVER WASTE A CHANCE TO BE GREAT WITH E-WASTE
With the cost-of-living pressures impacting households and the constant focus on how we can reduce waste, Jordan Springs local Anna Stone recently took it upon herself to start the Llandilo Clothing Swap.
After seeing an episode of ABC’s “War on Waste”, Anna felt compelled to do something to create an opportunity to change the way clothing waste is dealt with. The ‘swap’ was born and successfully held on the 26th of January 2024 at the Llandilo Community Hall.
“The pure amount of clothes that gets trashed is astronomical. A clothes swap made sense to be more environmentally conscious, sustainable, and economical,” said Anna.
So how does it work? “People bring in items of seasonally appropriate, excellent condition clothing for any size, gender, and age. No money is exchanged, you pick out “new” items, and go home with a whole new wardrobe. Everything that wasn’t swapped was taken to a charity store, and we saved money, and fast fashion going to landfill” she explained.
Anna plans to run the swap again mid-year and is currently working with council on what is required on the day. The community can get involved through the donation of clothes, garment racks, and coat hangers. “Save your clothes for the next swap party” added Anna.
The Australian Government is acting on waste related to clothing textiles. Clothing textiles are on the Minister’s Product Stewardship Priority List. The government is funding a National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. The Australian Fashion Council is leading development of the scheme.
These programs aim to reduce the environmental impact of clothing textiles. They will contribute to positive social and health outcomes including a circular economy.
The Australian Fashion Council has released the following research findings:
• Australians bought 383,000 tonnes of new clothing in 2018–19 – about 56 items per person.
• 210,000 tonnes of clothing are donated or re-used annually.
• Very little recycled sourced fibre is used in clothing fabric production.
The National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme seeks to:
• collect data on the textile lifecycle;
• reduce the amount of clothing sent to landfill;
• improve clothing design and production to increase longevity, re-use, and recycling.
Those wanting to know more can connect through the Jordan Springs Pay It Forward (PIF) group on Facebook.
r Plenty of clothes available at Llandilo Clothing Swap | Image: www. pixabay.com. Article: Julie Lobel
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.
• Learning environment enriched by faith and values
•
• Broad curriculum including Religious Education
• (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
Article Written + Submitted by: Andreas Klein Nutritionist + Remedial Therapist from Beautiful Health + Wellness P: 0418 166 269
Unlike functional scoliosis, structural scoliosis is not a simple lateral curve of the spine. It involves a more complex three-dimensional deformity of vertebrae. Thus, the side to side curvature we see is normally a product of two abnormalities.
1. Increased lordosis (like the bend in your lower back)
2. Abnormal rotation of individual vertebrae with respect to one another
Structural scoliosis is actually very common. Normal children have neither straight nor symmetrical spines. Fifteen per cent of children show evidence of a lateral curvature on a visual examination and as many as 30 per cent with a more accurate measurement. Anatomists two centuries ago clearly demonstrated that everyone had a scoliosis, albeit of small magnitude (Dickson 1984). Structural scoliosis is also 7 times more common in women.
It can be classified by the type of curve that is seen or by the age it develops i.e.
• Infantile,
• juvenile,
• adolescent
The majority of cases are adolescent onset. Screening of children allows early intervention to minimise progression.
Doctors measure the size of the curve from X-rays using the Cobb technique (see below). A curvature of 20 degrees or more is considered significant, but this is rare (2-5/1000 cases).
Most structural scoliosis cases (80%) are ‘idiopathic’ (no known cause).
Known causes include:
• Congenital (bone abnormalities present at birth)
• Neuromuscular conditions such as
* Cerebral palsy
* Muscular dystrophy
• Connective tissue disorders
* Marfan’s syndrome
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Certain dwarves
• Trauma
* Fractures
* Irradiation
* Surgery
Orthopaedic or neurosurgeon treatment in severe cases may include ‘Harrington’ metal rods, or bone grafts for spinal stabilization.
People with structural scoliosis are often afflicted with great back pain. The tremendous ongoing workload placed on muscles trying to stabilise a bent spine eventually causes cell damage. Muscle cells release inflammatory chemicals which cause fluid accumulation, muscle swelling/shortening, and pain.
Physical therapy can help relieve pain for people with structural scoliosis, however the treatment needs to be regular and ongoing to be beneficial because the back muscles are continually over worked. If you have structural scoliosis and would like some advice, please come see us at the clinic.
r **Refer to: www.districtgazette.com.au for expanded version. Images supplied
Shop 4A, Oran Park Podium
351 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park
Only a hop, skip and jump away!
CREA is an Italian restaurant and Pizzeria, located at Oran Park Podium. The staff were delightful and greeted us as soon as we arrived. Seated in a small room towards the back of the restaurant, it was as if we had been transported back to Italy. The ambience, including the décor and music was authentically Italian. Soft drinks were ordered to quench our thirst, before the amazing food arrived. The entrée was Mozzarella Balls, consisting of four pieces of mozzarella coated in a crispy crumb. The mozzarella had that classic stretch, and the taste did not disappoint.
My favourite Italian food is pizza, so how could I pass up the opportunity of trying it? My main meal was BBQ Meat 2.0. A BBQ sauce base with mozzarella, ham, salami, bacon, Italian sausage, pepperoni, nduja (spicy, spreadable pork sausage), extra virgin olive oil and oregano. It was cooked to perfection and the combination of meats was great. Each meat had its own flavour, and my favourite was the nduja. Just the right amount of spice to add to this meaty treat.
Kobhi had the pasta, and he chose the Crab Linguini. It was made up of crab meat, garlic, parsley and rosa sauce. It normally comes with zucchini, but he ordered without it. The pasta was al dente and nice and firm. The rosa sauce was rich and delicious, with the right balance of tomato and cream. The crab complimented this well, with a nice sweetness to the meat.
All servings were generous. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. Overall, a wonderful experience of Italian cuisine right here in our local community.
The word ‘yoga’ comes from the root word ‘yuj’, which means “to yoke” or “to bind.” The word itself has numerous meanings, from an astrological conjunction to matrimony, with the underlying theme being connection.
Therese Vella of Therese Vella Yoga & Pilates is proud to announce that she is now holding yoga classes here in Jordan Springs.
Her journey began in 2019, with yoga teacher training. She has now been teaching for a little under 2 years. Therese said, “I love being able to share this beautiful practice with students and the first class is free! Our classes run for one hour and include some meditation and breathwork, as well as moving through different yoga poses and flows, finishing with a relaxation practice. Beginners as well as more advanced students are welcome”.
Therese chose to hold her Yoga classes at Jordan Springs because she is a local and loves the Jordan Springs community. Yoga classes run every Wednesday night during the school term. For those interested in trying yoga, classes are open to anyone aged 13 years and over. Anyone under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult.
The scientific research into yoga’s benefits is still somewhat preliminary, but much of the evidence so far supports what practitioners seem to have known for millennia: Yoga is incredibly beneficial to our overall well-being and participants can experience improvement in strength, increased immunity, lower levels of anxiety as well as many other benefits.
If you would like to attend Therese’s classes, you can find her on Instagram @theresevella.yogapilates, or Facebook at Therese Vella Yoga. She can also be emailed at theresevella29@ gmail.com.
Location:
Jordan Springs Community Hub in the Kookaburra Hall
Address: 2 - 6 Cullen Avenue, Jordan Springs
Date: Wednesday nights (during school term)
Time: 7:15pm - 8:15pm
First class is free. After this, a casual class is $22, or you can purchase a 5 class pass for $90. There is also a free referral pass for you and a friend if you refer someone.
r Therese Vella of Therese Vella Yoga & Pilates | Image: Therese Vella. Article: Julie LobelArticle Written + Submitted by: The Probus Club of Jordan Springs
E: Jordanspringsprobus@gmail.com
W: probussouthpacific.org/microsites/jordansprings
Jordan Springs Probus group meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month at Jordan Springs community hub (2-6 Cullen Ave Jordan Springs) at 10.00am. New members are always welcome. Come along to a meeting and see if our group is for you.
March is our AGM where we will elect a new committee to create new ideas and outings for the coming year. In future months we will hear from the local fire brigade , a local podiatrist, NSW services along with other interesting presentations. In May, we will once again hold our annual Biggest Morning Tea , where we encourage all members to bring a friend for the day.
Throughout the year we will continue with our monthly lunches and other exciting events.
For more information, contact Judy on 0414 766 763, Tricia 0414 976 997 Annie 0409 230 753 or via email at jordanspringsprobus@ gmail.com
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 the life, work, execution and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ, is it possible to argue that it is relevant today?
The answer itself defies demonstration, as it is answered in faith, based on reason, and our understanding of history. The choice comes down to a decision based on a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the challenge of its relevancy.
Passion Week and Good Friday sets out the question: Why did Jesus offer his life?
It is interesting that in the lead up to his trial and death, he did not confront his followers, but invited them to a meal. That meal became a constant in Christian worship following his resurrection.
The meal records the words ‘the blood of the Covenant that is shed for many.’ This is an ancient sacrificial concept that is foreign in our day and generation, but when we apply reason to gain understanding, the first surprise is that the greater our efforts to understand, the greater the silence of Jesus.
The silence comes about as we look to ourselves and note the dominance of selfishness, both at an individual and community level. People are happy to follow a life that takes, rather than gives. This becomes evident in religious practice when we say, ‘God will give and make me happy’. However, the meal that Jesus invites us to is the reverse: ‘I will lose my life, but in doing so, will gain life’. Even death will not separate us from that life. As always, the moment is part of the eternal and as such, the meal is the essential core of faith. The meal, Holy Communion, the sharing of the bread and the wine, is the outward visible sign of the actual sharing of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
It is our faith that gives the affirmation that it remains relevant today.
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
What
Of all God’s commandments this seems the most difficult to judge. Adultery, murder, stealing, lying, are obvious. But covetousness? That is between us and God.
So, what is covetousness that makes it so damaging to the human soul and our mental health? And why does it cause such resentment between us and others?
Covetousness is a grumbling and dissatisfaction against God. We are angry at God for withholding certain things from us which we desire, whilst also being resentful, jealous, and envious, at what God appears to have given to others. Therefore, we find our relationship with God and others poisoned by bitterness. Covetousness is grumbling against God and others because of our own unhappiness with God. If only we could flip the switch!
Unbelievably, there is a way of flipping the switch — by cultivating a spirit of gratitude and happiness in God. Like ballast in a boat, gratitude and joy keep us steady, upright, and much less likely to be tipped over, regardless of circumstances. For example, try writing down three things at the beginning or end of each day for which you are especially grateful to God for. Then thank the God who gave them to you.
As the Bible explains in Philippians 4:4-9:
1. Rejoice (i.e. be joyfully God-focussed) always (v.4).
2. Replace anxiety with thankfulness and talking to God (vv.5-6).
3. The peace of God will guard your heart and mind (v.7).
4. Focus on things which are true, right, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (v.8).
5. Put these things into practice and the God of peace will be with you (v.9).
Article Written + Submitted by: Kellie Tickner from Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital
A: 49 Wentworth Rd, Orchard Hills P: 4736 2027
Our homes are enriched by the comforting presence of our furry companions, who, over the years, have given us a profound gift – a lifetime of unwavering love. As our pets gracefully transition into their golden years, it’s our opportunity to repay their loyalty with the care and consideration that they deserve.
The first step in honouring our senior pets is understanding their unique needs and challenges. As our faithful friends age, they often encounter a range of health issues that necessitate tailored care. Arthritis, dental problems, vision and hearing impairments, and organ-related ailments are common companions of old age. Regular veterinary check-ups become crucial to identify and address these issues early on, allowing us to provide timely interventions and ensure our pets' continued well-being.
Creating a comfortable environment is paramount to the happiness of senior pets. Soft, orthopaedic bedding aids in alleviating joint pain, while maintaining a warm and draft-free living space is essential for their overall comfort. Accessible water bowls and litter boxes accommodate any mobility issues, making daily routines more manageable.
One prevalent concern in older pets is arthritis, a condition that can severely impact their mobility. Gentle exercises, such as short walks or moderate play sessions, can help manage arthritis symptoms. Moreover, the market offers a variety of joint supplements and medications that, when prescribed by a veterinarian, can enhance our pets' quality of life by easing pain
CONSULTING HOURS
Services provided include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
and inflammation.
Dental care is another critical aspect of senior pet health. Dental diseases can lead to discomfort, difficulty eating, and even systemic health issues. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, combined with dental-friendly treats and toys, contribute to maintaining good oral hygiene.
Emotional well-being is equally vital for senior pets. Spending quality time together, engaging in low-impact activities, and providing mental stimulation through toys or puzzles can counteract feelings of loneliness or anxiety. Our pets thrive on routine, and maintaining a consistent schedule helps reduce stress and fosters a sense of security.
Celebrating senior pets goes beyond meeting their physical needs; it involves a genuine commitment to their holistic health and happiness. These remarkable companions, who have given us a lifetime of unconditional love, deserve nothing less than our unwavering devotion as they navigate the golden years of their lives. By understanding their unique requirements and embracing a proactive approach to their care, we can ensure that our senior pets continue to be cherished members of our families, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.
For more information check out our Facebook, website www.orchardhillsvet.com.au, instagram @orchardhillsvethospitalgrooms or call 02 4736 2027
It’s no secret. We often have items lying around the house that we no longer use. What do you do with them? A new, local group has been created on social media and just may be the answer to this.
$2 Auctions Jordan Springs, Penrith and Surrounds was started in March 2023, celebrating it’s first anniversary this month. The Facebook group already has over 1,000 members.
“$2 Auctions Jordan Springs, Penrith and Surrounds is an auction page for local residents. The items that are listed for sale range from clothing, stationery, tools, homewares, furniture and much more” explained Niaree Palfrey, Administrator of the group.
Created by Priyadarshini Thakur, the community have embraced the group, and it continues to grow.
“The page is growing every week with already has over 1,100 followers” Niaree said to the Jordan Springs Gazette.
Niaree believes that groups like this are an important asset to the area that offer an avenue to clear out those unwanted items, all from the comfort of your home.
“This page allows people to clear items, make a few dollars and others to grab a bargain” she stated.
She has found that it’s also a way of bringing the community together and making new friends.
“It’s a great way to get to know people in your community. I myself have made some lovely friends” she ended.
For more information or to join the group, search ‘$2 Auctions Jordan Springs, Penrith and Surrounds’ on Facebook.
editor@districtgazette.com.au www.districtgazette.com.au
PO Box 8254
Glenmore Park NSW 2745
General Enquiries info@districtgazette.com.au
Advertising Enquiries advertise@districtgazette.com.au
Account Information + Enquiries accounts@districtgazette.com.au
Artwork Submissions + Approval design@districtgazette.com.au
Distribution Enquiries wedeliver@districtgazette.com.au
Online: 1st April 2024
Letterboxes: 2 + 3 April 2024
ABN:
Advertising Policy... Payment on booking secures your space. The Business Directory offers cost effective advertising to businesses in an alphabetical format. Premium Placement may be available, at an extra charge. An editorial focus on a local business may be included if space permits, at the Editor’s discretion. Community News... The Jordan Springs Gazette welcomes community news and events, local achievements, births, deaths, obituaries, weddings, engagements and anniversaries (published free of charge) Articles of interest will be accepted at the Editor’s discretion. Articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editor.
Letters to the Editor... May be printed and edited as necessary. Names must be submitted but can be withheld from publication at the writer’s request. Every effort is made to print correct information but no responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions.
And just like that we’re back to school, back to work, taking on new challenges, climbing new mountains and ticking off our list of new year resolutions!
For those of us that have set our minds to ticking off some major milestones or putting in a serious effort to focus on that BIG bucket list - GO YOU! If not now, when?
We’re thrilled to bits here at the Gazette, we’ve been receiving masses of emails and feedback from YOU our loyal readers, thanking us for delivering local news directly to your letterbox. We are one of the very few (if not only) that continues to land in the letterbox of loyal readers, so THANK YOU for inviting us into your homes!
If given the chance, thank our advertisers - the small, medium and major businesses within these pages, they’re the ones that help us continue doing what we love. Tell them you saw them in ‘the Gazette’ when you next book their services.
You can always make more money, but you only have a set number of days to make more memories. Make the moments count!
Enjoy Your Community News. Belinda
Delivered MONTHLY to the letterboxes of Jordan Springs and Ropes Crossing with pick up points @ Llandilo.
or PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY from ...
Australia Post Llandilo
Coffee Corner
Corpus Christ Primary School
Farm Fresh Llandilo
H Café
Healthy Body Co. Jordan Springs
IGA Llandilo
Jordan Springs Newsagency
Kingfisher Grove
Llandilo Farm Fresh Eggs
Ropes Crossing Community Hub
Ropes Crossing Newsagency
If you would like to have the Jordan Springs Gazette available for collection at your place of business, please contact us.
www.jordanspringsgazette.com.au
