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iven the ongoing number of infectious cases in the community, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced this week that the current lockdown will be extended for at least another two weeks until 11:59pm on Friday, 30 July.

“We are constantly reviewing the health advice and will continue to update the community if any changes are required,” the Premier said.

“This means the restrictions currently in place across Greater Sydney including the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour will remain in place until this time.

In these areas, online learning for students will also continue for an additional two weeks.

We understand this is a difficult time for the community and appreciate their ongoing patience.

It is vital people continue to come forward for testing to help us find any COVID-19 cases in the community.”

Restrictions in regional NSW remain unchanged

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he draft Penrith Green Grid Strategy identifies priority projects for Council to work towards delivering, to help create a cooler, greener and better-connected city One of the priority projects is Jamison Road which would be enhanced by connecting Mulgoa Road to Tench Reserve and the Great River Walk with a cycle link that provides natural shade.

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This draft Penrith Green Grid Strategy is on public exhibition until 3 August and the community is invited to view the document and share feedback at: yoursaypenrith.com.au/ greengrid.

Please note – all priority projects put forward in the draft Green Grid Strategy are currently unfunded and do not impact private land.

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he Property Council of Australia has welcomed state and federal business support packages for NSW announced, saying commercial property owners are working closely with hard-hit cafes, restaurants and other retail tenants in the Greater Sydney area to support them through the current lockdown.

Property Council of Australia Acting NSW Executive Director, Lauren Conceicao, said property owners provided more than $15 billion of support to tenants around the country during 2020 and 2021 and are once again supporting many small hard-hit tenants.

“The government support packages announced are very welcome news and commercial property owners are also once again stepping up to play their part, working closely with their smaller hardhit tenants,” Ms Conceicao said.

“Small CBD cafes, restaurants and retailers that rely on office workers as their customers bear the brunt of the necessary lockdown actions by governments.

“As they did so effectively last year, property owners are again engaging closely with their small business tenants experiencing hardship in the current lockdown and are providing support on a case-by-case basis.

“This important case-by-case support for hard hit small business tenants will sit alongside the substantial government support announced.

“We welcome the sensible and proportionate measures the NSW Government will put in place around commercial leases. It makes sense for land tax support be used to help tenants and for a temporary stay on evictions to be put in place.

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“The property industry continues to make community safety our highest priority during the pandemic, ensuring shopping centres, construction sites, retirement communities, and logistics hubs and warehouses have been able to stay open while being Covid-safe,” Ms Conceicao said.

“The Property Council continues to successfully partner with government on CBD activation initiatives to support our business hubs and lead the way out of these lockdowns, and we look forward to the implementation of this work postlockdown,” Ms Conceicao concluded.

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Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Commercial owners supporting tenants

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Council Budget to deliver multi-faceted success

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rom improving local roads and parks to delivering exciting Cityshaping projects, Penrith City Council’s plans for the next 12 months address all aspects of community life.

Council adopted its Delivery Program 2017-22 and 2021-22 Operational Plan during the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 28 June, where a balanced budget of $345.4 million was presented.

The safety of residents as they move around town has been prioritised in the budget, with $61.2 million set aside for roads, footpaths and buildings.

Of this, $15.36 million will fund Roads Asset Renewal works across the LGA, including $1.3 million in scheduled upgrades to reseal and resheet streets in rural areas such as Berkshire Park and Mulgoa.

With roughly 3,500 children currently enrolled in 26 Councilrun childcare centres, Council plans to reinvest $31.1 million. This will guarantee spruced-up play spaces and enhanced Children’s Services to serve our community’s youngest citizens for years to come.

Penrith’s parks and recreation areas are also set to receive a boost worth $34.3 million as Council continues to encourage and promote an active lifestyle for all residents.

Topping the list of budget allocations, at around $70 million, is the City’s major projects. This

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM and General Manager Warwick Winn at the launch of Regatta Park.

coincides with Penrith entering its most transformational period, during which several visionary projects will start to sprout in the CBD. Construction is slated to start later this year on the Soper Place revitalisation project that answers the call for more parking in the City. It is expected to add 600 car spaces across five of the building’s nine storeys and a basement level, whilst also reflecting Council’s Cooling the City Strategy with a striking, sustainable ‘green wall’, setting a new benchmark for concept designs. Four levels will house office space and the building plans show a rooftop garden as well as a mixed-use public space.

Council’s planned City Park is also

set to get underway in the 2021-22 timeframe. Concept plans show the 7,000 sqm site at the corner of Henry St and Station St, Penrith, will be a vibrant, green space. Designed for the community to enjoy, it will incorporate water features, natural shade, public artwork and flat lawn area, all walking distance from cafes, restaurants and other retailers.

In Emu Plains, the Regatta Park upgrade is scheduled to commence shortly as Council funds $9 million of the collaborative project between all three levels of government.

A 112-metre pavilion incorporating a covered play space and water features are just some of the facilities being delivered in the first stage.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said the 2021-22 Operational Plan highlights Council’s ability to split funding between various priorities and continue to deliver both short- and long-term visions for the City.

“Council is pleased to have adopted the latest budget, which functions as the final puzzle piece of our 201722 Delivery Program and tackles all facets of community life,” Cr McKeown OAM said.

“Through our Community Plan, Council worked closely with residents to identify key focus areas and these are reflected as we continue to provide our regular services, including waste collection, whilst delivering transformational projects and muchneeded facilities.

“This responsible and carefully detailed budget has all members of our community in mind as we plan for the future.

“We also show an ongoing commitment to cooling our City, bringing jobs closer to home, and creating a resilient and robust community – which we have proven we can achieve even in the midst of a pandemic.”

Council’s adopted Operational Plan 2021-22 is available to read on our website at https://www.penrithcity. nsw.gov.au/resources-documents/ documents/strategic-planning

Penrith lga to benefit from disaster recovery funding package

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indsay will benefit from a $200 million recovery funding package announced by the Australian and New South Wales governments to provide support for communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods.

In addition, a $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund will be established to support the reconstruction and improved disaster resilience of public assets damaged during the recent storms and floods as well as the 2019-20 bushfires.

Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh said the $200 million in support will be delivered through eight key initiatives and will help with the next stage of recovery for NSW storm and flood impacted regions.

“The impact of the severe storms and flooding on our community and industry here in Lindsay has been significant, with damage to areas including Londonderry, Castlereagh and Agnes Banks” Ms McIntosh said.

“During the floods, I worked on the ground with local volunteers and organisations to ensure we delivered support where it was needed most.

The Prime Minister joined me to meet with members of our community impacted by the floodwater and

extreme weather, and thank our incredible emergency services personnel for banding together.”

“This third phase of recovery support is in recognition and appreciation of the work involved to repair and rebuild these major public assets and infrastructure, and will provide support for our local economy.

“This includes funding for the agriculture industry to recover, grants for rural landholders for flood cleanup activities, the restoration of floodaffected riverbanks, and targeted mental health services.”

Penrith was one of over 70 Local Government Areas across NSW impacted by the storms and floods, with recovery funding targeted to help industry and job retention and to help

rebuild the community.” infrastructure, deliver a range of projects to safeguard mental health and community wellbeing, and ensure impacted regions have resources that they need to bounce back.

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the NSW Storm and Flood Phase Three Recovery Package would ensure the long-term recovery of impacted regions.

“We have listened to farmers and producers and included more than $25 million to provide grants for rural landholders who do not qualify for the existing supports, as well as funding for environmental recovery initiatives, including riverbank restoration.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the 50/50 jointly funded package complemented the funding provided to date and would play a key role in supporting longterm recovery.

“The Australian and NSW Governments continue to stand by communities who were hit by devastating storms and floods earlier this year, many of whom were already reeling from the impacts of prolonged drought, bushfires and COVID,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We cannot underestimate the mental health and wellbeing of those impacted by these disasters and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to provide extensive support to assist communities hardest hit, as well as dedicated flood Community Recovery Officers in highly impacted LGAs to play the same important role as those already supporting bushfire-affected areas.”

People requiring ongoing flood assistance, support and referral are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov. au/floods Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

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he NSW Government announced a comprehensive economic support package worth billions of dollars aimed at helping businesses and people right across the state fight through the current COVID-19 lockdown.

The commitment will now be up to $5.1 billion, including more than $1 billion from the Commonwealth as part of a business and employee support program.

The business grants program announced two weeks ago has been expanded, with grants between $7,500 and $15,000 available to eligible businesses with annual wages up to $10 million. A new grant program has also been introduced for smaller micro businesses with turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.

Thousands of employees will also be protected with NSW committing half of a new $2.1 billion business and employee support program to be delivered together with the Commonwealth.

Businesses will benefit from payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover.

The NSW Government will also cover the disaster recovery payments for areas outside the Commonwealth declared hotspot from week four of the NSW lockdown, providing valuable support across the state.

Residential tenants will have greater protection with a targeted eviction moratorium. Residential landlords who decrease rent for impacted tenants can apply for a grant of up to $1,500 or land tax reductions, depending on their circumstances.

Commercial and retail landlords will need to attempt mediation before recovering a security bond, or locking out or evicting a tenant impacted by the Public Health Order.

Commercial, retail and residential landlords liable for land tax will be

eligible for a land tax concession where they reduce the rent of their tenant.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the comprehensive package had three key aims - protecting business, saving and keeping jobs through the lockdown and ensuring people had support during an uncertain and difficult time.

“We have always said we will do whatever it takes to protect the people of NSW and keep our economy strong, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“While our health and medical staff are fighting COVID-19 on the frontline, this comprehensive support package is aimed at saving jobs and protecting businesses until the lockdown is over.”

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the Government was offering support in as many areas as possible, with payroll tax cuts for eligible businesses, up to $75 million in support for the performing arts sector and $26 million for the accommodation industry.

“We saw last year during the first lockdown the importance of protecting jobs and ensuring people remained connected with their workplace,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The value of our business grants package is now up to $2.1 billion with a 50 per cent increase, there is also a new grant for those smaller businesses turning over between $30,000 and $75,000, and payroll tax waivers for

eligible businesses with a payroll up to $10 million that suffer a 30 per cent reduction in turnover.

“This is a mighty package aimed at ensuring the NSW economy bends in the storm but doesn’t snap. We will come out the other side with a few scrapes but more determined than ever.”

Key components of the 2021 COVID-19 package include: • An extension to the previously announced business grants program.

This means eligible businesses with Australian wages below $10 million can claim grants between $7,500 and $15,000 to cover the first three-weeks of restrictions, and takes the potential size of the program to $2.1 billion; • Up to $2 billion committed to the scheme to provide cashflow support to businesses to help them retain staff, to be delivered together with the Commonwealth.

• Payroll tax waivers of 25 per cent for businesses with Australian wages of between $1.2 million and $10 million that have experienced a 30 per cent decline in turnover, as well as payroll tax deferrals and interest free repayment plans; • A new grants program for micro businesses with a turnover of between $30,000 and $75,000 which experience a decline in turnover of 30 per cent. The businesses will be eligible for a $1500

Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Covid-19 fighting fund to protect businesses, save jobs and support nsw through lockdown

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payment per fortnight of restrictions.

• A capped grant of up to $1,500 for residential landlords who are not liable to pay land tax who reduce rent for tenants estimated at $210 million; • Land tax relief equal to the value of rent reductions provided by commercial, retail and residential landlords to financially distressed tenants, up to 100 per cent of the 2021 land tax year liability; • Introduction of legislative amendments to ensure a short-term eviction moratorium for rental arrears where a residential tenant suffers loss of income of 25 per cent due to COVID-19 and meets a range of criteria.

• No recovery of security bonds, or lockouts or evictions of impacted retail and commercial tenants prior to mediation; • Deferral of gaming tax assessments for clubs until 21 December 2021 and hotels until 21 January 2021; • A $75 million support package for the performing arts sector to be administered by Create NSW; • A support package for the accommodation sector worth $26 million; • $12 million in additional funding for temporary accommodation for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and • $5.1 million in NSW funding to support mental health.

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Lockdown lifeline: Mental health support package for nsw

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eople in mandatory isolation will have access to around the clock wellbeing and mental health support and there will be increased access to services for parents, young people and multicultural communities who are struggling during the lockdown.

As part of a joint Commonwealth and NSW Government package worth $17.35 million, NSW will provide $5.1m for a range of mental health services across NSW. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said our top priority is keeping people safe during the pandemic, and not just from the current COVID-19 outbreak.

“We know this will be a very difficult period for many, the additional funding will provide more mental health support particularly for young people and families.”

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the COVID-19 investment will enable providers to immediately increase their support during this period.

“Looking after your mental wellbeing is vital during this time and with thousands of people and families in isolation, access to services 24 hours 7 days a week is hugely important,” Mrs Taylor said “We know this can be a stressful time for families, parents and children, and these new and existing services available now 24 hours 7 days a week, means there is an avenue for people to reach out for advice or help.”

The joint package includes: • $7 million for headspace outreach support to parents and young people across greater Sydney - jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth Government; • $3 million for Sonder to provide anyone subject to a mandatory 14-day isolation order with 24/7 health and wellbeing support, with an emphasis on early intervention, for the entire duration of their isolation period - jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth Government; • $3 million to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, with a focus on communities in South West and Western Sydney. The funding will go to Beyond Blue and the Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to ensure multicultural communities have access to services and appropriate language translation services; • $2 million for Primary Health networks across Sydney to increase their mental health services across all areas; • $1.5 million for Lifeline to boost crisis counselling services; • $150,000 for Gidget Foundation to provide counselling services for parents suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety.

• Free access for 8,000 new parents to the Tresillian SleepWell baby app, through a funding injection of $100,000.

Kids Helpline will also be able to extend online wellbeing sessions to secondary schools with a funding boost of $300,000 and the Butterfly Foundation will also receive $300,000 to provide additional support for young people with or at risk of an eating disorder and their carers.

“In the past year we have seen a rise in self harm, we want to make sure the feeling of isolation doesn’t add to this, so this funding ensures the services can cope with increased demand for mental health support.”

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Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Overcoming language barriers in health care

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he Multicultural Health Service and the Telehealth team, have successfully carried out the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) first video interpreting for spoken languages at Nepean Hospital.

Using new video conferencing carts, clinicians from social work, occupational therapy and aged care, worked with a patient and their family to ensure they were able to receive information relevant to their care in Croatian.

Multicultural Health Services Manager, Gordana Kostadinovska, says that video interpreting is a good model to support our culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients.

“With the anticipated population growth of CALD patients in the coming years, we are looking for a more accessible and sustainable model for interpreter services,” says Gordana.

“When interpreting is conducted over video, patients are able to see facial expressions and body language to help them understand the meaning of what is being conveyed,” says Gordana.

With an effective 18 month pilot of video interpreting for Auslan at the Nepean Centre for Oral Health already conducted, video interpreting for community languages has been a natural progression.

“Telehealth had already been used successfully by our services to ensure they were able to maintain contact with patients during COVID-19,” says Tanya Baldacchino, Manager District Telehealth Program.

“Using it for other services such as video interpreting is just a natural progression for what is fast becoming a commonplace way of providing care,” says Tanya.

Video interpreting is an innovative alternative to onsite interpreting and particularly useful in areas where face to face interpreters are not readily available. This may be in rural sites, where particular language interpreters are limited or in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on the video interpreting pilot, please contact our Multicultural Health Services team on (02) 4734 1600 or NBMLHDMulticulturalHealth@health.nsw.gov.au.

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Easing bill shock for retirement village residents

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he next stage of the NSW Government’s comprehensive retirement village reforms came into effect on 1 July 2021 reducing ‘bill shock’ for residents by requiring village operators to be upfront with the costs of managing assets.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies MP, welcomed the reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 1999, which were introduced to increase accountability and transparency in the retirement village sector by seeking to reduce costs and uncertainty for residents.

“We have a large proportion of people in Mulgoa living in retirement villages which is why the NSW Government has embarked on these revolutionary new reforms to make life easier and fairer for them,” Tanya said.

“These new reforms will protect residents in retirement villages, with retirement village operators being accountable for the costs of managing assets, including fixtures and fittings, so there will be no hidden surprises for residents.”

From 1 July 2021, village operators are required to: • prepare and keep up-to-date a 10-year asset management plan for the village’s major items of capital (including items shared with other villages or aged care businesses), • record certain information in the asset management plan,

• prepare a three-year report for the maintenance of major items of capital (extracted from the asset management plan), and include it in the annual budget process, and • make the asset management plan available for all current and prospective residents at reasonable times.

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said these reforms are in addition to the changes introduced earlier this year, including improving access to exit entitlements,

creating a new mechanism to support residents moving to aged care, and placing a 42-day cap on the payment of recurrent charges for general services.

“Under our reforms, for the first time ever, every retirement village resident can apply for the operator to buy back their unit if it remains unsold for six months after they move out,” Mr Anderson said.

“In addition, every resident who moves into aged care is entitled to have their costs paid by the operator as soon

as they leave their village regardless of if their unit remains unsold.

“We committed to make retirement village fees fairer, and these reforms will put residents first, making sure the sector is offering safe and affordable options for our parents and grandparents,” Mr Anderson said.

For more information on retirement village reforms visit the NSW Fair Trading website here: Changes to retirement village laws | NSW Fair Trading

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ere we go again: Carpark consulting, skype consultations and drive through pet pickups. Within 24 hours we have again implemented our COVID safety consulting plan.

At Greencross Vets Coreen Ave our priority is to continue to provide high standards of care for our pets and their parents. We are STILL OPEN and have re-introduced minimal contact consultation options including telemedicine consultations and a dropoff and collect consultations.

It is well known that reducing face to face contact (social distancing) will slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, so we’re taking additional measures to ensure your health and safety and that of our team by offering minimal human contact options for our consultations.

When making your appointment please let us know if any of the following applies to you: • You are unwell (fever, cough, shortness of breath) • You have been into a hotspot region in the last 14 days • You are in isolation or have come into contact with a person that has

tested positive for Covid-19 We will discuss options with you to ensure that your pet receives the care they need. This may include a telemedicine consultation depending on your pet’s condition or a no-contact consultation.

Pet care options with minimal human contact: To ensure your health and safety and that of our team, minimal human contact procedures are now in place, ensuring we adhere to social distancing regulations. This means we will collect your pet from your car, to reduce contact with our team in the waiting room area.

If you would like to arrange a consultation: • Phone and book an available appointment time • Phone us when you arrive for your appointment (note the numbered parking bay you are in) • One of our team members will come out to your car to collect your pet • Please ensure you are wearing a mask • We will take your pet into the consult room while you remain in your

car and will keep you informed over the phone • Once your pet has been examined, our vet will update you on your pet’s condition and any treatment plans • Payment can be taken via credit card over the phone • We can then return your pet to your car • We can also arrange for your pet to be admitted to the hospital for a consultation and collected at a later time.

During these unprecedented times, we will continue to provide quality veterinary services to pet parents and their pet companions at Greencross Vets Coreen Ave. It is important to make sure that you have adequate supplies of medications for your pet.

Please phone ahead a week in advance and we can fill your order and have it ready for you to pick up.

If you are self-isolating and your pet needs to be seen by a vet, please ring the clinic ahead of your appointment.

We advise that you do not attend the clinic but ask someone else to bring your pet to our clinics, however, ensure you can be contacted by phone so that

our vets can keep you informed during the consult Our vets may be able to do a telemedicine consultation with you and your pet. This will depend on your pet’s condition as well as other factors so please call our team to discuss this option.

This is a situation that may change daily and we will provide updates to you as more information is available.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as our staff continues to provide the highest standards of care for you and your pet.

Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

CARPARK CONSULTING – The new normal

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ENTERTAINMENT

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ne of the longest running tourism businesses in Australia’s first tourist destination, the internationally recognised Blue Mountain Explorer Bus fleet, is the latest business victim of Covid-19 and has been parked indefinitely.

A red double-decker hop-on/hopoff sightseeing bus has already been sold, with another five on the market.

The fleet is not sustainable without international visitors, and domestic tour and coach company Fantastic Aussie Tours (FAT) which owns them, cannot afford to maintain the fleet without government help.

FAT managing director Jason Cronshaw said the indefinite closure of Blue Mountains Explorer Bus followed several closures during the Covid-19 pandemic and the 2019-20 bushfires before that.

Mr Cronshaw, who also owned international tour company Christian Fellowship Tours, said the fleet had become untenable.

“While of course we’re thankful for the recent NSW Government rescue package, it won’t save us.

“Without international tourists it’s just not viable.

“We’re running a 77-seater bus with one or two people. It costs us $3.50 per kilometre on a 26km circuit and tickets are $49 for an allday pass. The maths just doesn’t add up.’’

FAT has operated the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus fleet around Katoomba and Leura since 1986 and conducted sightseeing tours and charters around Australia for two generations since 1974.

It was forced to close its Blue Mountains Explorer Bus sightseeing

run for 27 days over December 2019 – January 2020 because of the bushfires and reported a 60 per cent drop in passengers between that December and February `20.

During the weekend of March 14-15, 2020, numbers plummeted another 50 per cent almost overnight because of coronavirus.

Four days later [on March 19], Explorer Bus services were slashed from 15 a day to seven, with 2.5 drivers a day to one.

Recently, the double-decker fleet has run only on weekends and holidays, and the average weekly driver roster of 350 hours had dropped to 78.

Meanwhile parent company FAT suffered an 85 per cent drop in charter work and forward cancellations from schools and corporates and other group travel until October. Work had picked up recently but came to an abrupt halt with the latest lockdown order.

Until the lockdown, Mr Cronshaw himself drove a morning and afternoon bus run for a local private school to feed his own family. He is actively job hunting for additional employment.

• Blue Mountains Explorer Bus offered an internationally-ready, 365day a year sightseeing bus service around one of the most recognised

circuits Australia offers to the world • A second-generation tourism business, FAT has operated in the Blue Mountains since 1974.

• The first Explorer Bus pulled out of Katoomba station in April 1986 carrying just one passenger • Until the 2019-20 bushfires, Explorer Bus transported 65,000 passengers a year • One of the longest established tourist vehicle operators in NSW • The first tourism operator in Australia to be certified under the Australian Government’s Carbon Neutral Program as 100 per cent carbon neutral and the first to operate a carbon neutral bus and coach fleet

The bookmobile

In 1963, a bus carrying 1,500 books began a regular route around Penrith City. The ‘bookmobile’ had all the functions of a regular library – a collection that members could borrow

from, librarians on board – but it was on wheels, and came to you.

In 1975, the bookmobile was upgraded to a new bus, which had windows, shelving down the middle

and room for 4,000 books. Pictured is this model. With its door-to-door delivery and ‘hail the driver’ service, it helped bring the joy and knowledge of reading to residents in outlying

suburbs and those who found it difficult to visit the library in person.

To find out more about the 150 yearlong history of Penrith City Council, visit penrith.city/150years

Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Blue Mountains tourism icon shuttered

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Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

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NEPEAN HISTORY

The De Salis Family of “Fleurs”

T

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

his family and “Fleurs” begins with the 4th Count Jerome Fane De Salis and his third wife Henrietta Foster whose ancestral home is in the valley of Bregaglia, Switzerland. Jerome was a Count of the Germanic Empire who died in 1836 and is buried in the Harlington Church of St Peter & St Paul in Middlesex, England. His monument flanks the altar near the wall of the sanctuary in a niche where his tomb is erected with a recumbent carved effigy of him lying supported on a turned over thin mattress forming a pillow. His head featured a high domed forehead and thin hair at the back, has closed eyes, a fine Roman nose and thin lips. His wife the Honourable Countess Henrietta Fane De Salis was the daughter of William Foster and Catherine Leslie. Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1790 she died in 1856 at Pawley Court, County Middlesex and is also buried in that church with her monument being the overall design similar to that of her husband but the pose of the figure of the Countess has her back and neck raised far higher, her legs crossed, hands asymmetrically disposed, and head turned outwards as if she was in restless sleep and about to wake up. Jerome was Count of the Holy Roman Empire and had been an Ambassador in England. The family members who remained in England were permitted to keep their title and even in Australia their 4th son Hon. Leopold Fane De Salis, born in 1816 in Firenze, Toscana, Italy was often referred to as “Count”. Educated at Eton he studied sheep farming in Scotland. He arrived in Sydney in November 1840 on the “Royal George” from London. Leopold married Charlotte MacDonald in 1844 in the Church of England at Gundaroo, Gunning, Yass, the daughter of Captain George Macdonald, Morar of the 68th Regiment.

In 1845 he acquired a property “Darbalara” near Gundagai and later the Junee station. In 1855 the Junee station and part of the Gundagai property was sold, and they purchased “Cuppacumbalong” (Aboriginal word meaning the ‘meeting of the waters) situated at the meeting of the Murrumbidgee and Gudgenby rivers. Further properties were bought in the Upper Murrumbidgee and Queensland but after 1889 the fall of wool prices and the collapse of banks led to the loss of these properties. They continued to live at “Cuppacumbalong” until “Lambrigg” was built in 1894 in Tharwa in the Queanbeyan district where they introduced irrigation and pioneered the use of dams. Their son Leopold William Jerome Fane De Salis, M.L.A. for Queanbeyan was born in 1845. He helped to manage his father’s Queensland stations until they were lost in the 1892 crisis. He married Jeanette Armstrong in 1895 in Queensland and they moved to “Fleurs” at St Marys after the marriage. Their three children all born at “Fleurs” were Leopold William Jerome De Salis born in 1896, another son John Peter Fabius Fane De Salis born in 1897 and a daughter Jeanette De Salis born in 1901. The family then moved back to the family holding “Cuppacumbalong” but in 1910 the family moved to England where Leopold died in 1930 at Staines Middlesex, England.

His uncle, French Consul William Fane De Salis born in Middlesex in 1812 went to Oxford University and became a businessman and barrister. He arrived from Plymouth in 1842 on the ship “Kelso”. He was living at Fort Street North when he entered into a partnership with

Michelle Latham

michelle@heavenlycelebrations.com.au

PH: 9623 6656 | MOBILE: 0418 250 242 186 Queen Street, St. Marys (Star Arcade)

John Thacker and Mashfield Mason under the business firm of M D Hunter & Co, but by 1844 he was selling by auction his library containing his valuable law books, superior household furniture and choice wines and left for London on the “General Hewett” and in that year his brother Leopold Fane De Salis moved to Tharwa. In 1845 William returned on the same ship and by the late 1840’s the brothers had two runs, both in the vicinity of Gundagai. Together the total holdings were 56,000 acres with 200 cattle and 10,000 sheep that Leopold ran in partnership with William Kempton Smith. In 1853 William Fane De Salis was the Director of the Peninsular and Oriental Company (late Director of the Union Bank of Australia, Sydney). He had travelled widely in China and was also the Chairman of the London Chartered Bank of Australia that later became part of the ANZ. In 1897 while also living at “Fleurs” he became a Magistrate of the colony. Brother Leopold Fane De Salis leased runs in the Murrumbidgee area, but they were all sold in 1855 because he had intended returning to England, but for some reason he changed his mind.

He was a Politician and for many years a strong supporter of Sir Henry Parkes and he represented Queanbeyan in the Legislative Assembly in 1868–69 and was a Member of the Legislative Council from 1874 until his death. His last illness was of short duration, and he died in 1898 at “Lambrigg” in his 83rd year. He was known as courteous, refined and affable in his deportment to everyone. He was scholarly, well-read and possessed a wide range of information the result of practical observation and studious habits. Leopold’s daughter Nina married William Farrer and they settled down in 1886 at “Lambrigg” near Queanbeyan. This was the ultimate home for William Farrer with a small acreage that was found insufficient for any profitable purpose. But William built his home, a roomy, comfortable, sensible cottage with plenty of veranda space. It was a comfortable home but with spartan simplicity. On a few acres in front of his house he started his experiments with wheat, 20 years before he became officially recognised by the Department of Agriculture for his prescience of mind to see it would be the staple agricultural crop of the inland districts of Australia. A number of the Fane De Salis family members are buried in a small cemetery at “Cuppacumbalong”. Leopold Fane De Salis’ daughter Nina erected a cairn in memory of her father at their “Lambrigg” property that was part of the original “Cuppacumbalong” holding. Photo of some of the “Fleurs” De Salis family at “Cuppacumbalong” (1890) courtesy of the National Library of Australia.

Sources: Monuments in Harlington Church, St Peter & St Paul, South Hillingdon, Middlesex, The Australian, Coolamine homestead Kosciuszko national park conservation management plan prepared for NSW Government environment plan, Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser, F De Salis-The De Salis Family English Branch 1934, London Times, Sydney Mail and NSW Advertiser, SMH, NSW Government Gazette, S.A Immigrants Ship Papers database, FamilySearch, Ancestry, NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages, Trove, National Library of Australia hold some of the De Salis family collection.

Contact Michelle for Pre-Planning & Pre-Paid Funerals 1300 HEVNLY (1300 438 659)

SPORT

By Noel Rowsell

T

he Eric Apperly Shield Pennant competition (for female and male golfers who are 21 years of age and under) is named after one of NSW Golf’s pioneering greats and is considered the State’s premier inter-club competition for elite junior golfers.

The competition had been due to commence on 25th July but the latest lockdown advice from the NSW Government and NSW Health will require another re-think by Golf NSW. Due to run from 25th July to 22nd August, the local clubs competing this season are Penrith GC, Richmond GC and Stonecutters Ridge GC in Sydney’s west.

Penrith has been drawn in Section 1, alongside Lynwood CC, St Michaels GC (Gold), Pymble GC, Concord GC and Ryde-Parramatta GC. Stonecutters Ridge has been drawn in Section 2, alongside Killara GC, New South Wales GC, Cumberland CC, The Australian GC (Red) and Lakeside Camden and Richmond is in Section 3, alongside Bonnie Doon GC, Manly GC, St Michaels GC (Silver), Oatlands GC and The Australian GC (Blue).

Action between St Michaels GC and New South Wales GC at Glenmore Heritage Valley GC in the 2020 semi-finals of the Eric Apperly Shield. Photos by Noel Rowsell

The Elimination Final will feature the 4th ranked Sydney team against the leading Country club on 29th August (TBC), followed by the Semi-Finals on 12th September (TBC) and the Final on 19th September (TBC), to be played at Twin Creeks CGC. Venues for both the Elimination Round and the Semi-Final are still to be determined.

Full squads are: Penrith GC - Josh Gadd, Blade Gadd, Blake Murray, Michael Organ, Patrick Edenborough, Connor Hamilton, Lachlan Baker,

manager Anthony Gomez.

Richmond GC - Josh Beardmore, Mason Gounder, Ti Fox, Reggie Papps, Fred Peters, Charlton Carter, Ben Izzard, Patrick Murphy, Archie Peters, manager Declan Murphy.

Stonecutters Ridge GC - Harrison Wilde, Kade Webber, William Blomley, Ryan Cadle, Maddy Hagerty, Darcy Mackay, Raymond Costello, Cooper Ison, manager Ray Clapham.

In an interesting side note, three local juniors will also be playing for clubs outside of western Sydney, including

Coby Carruthers (Jordan Springs) and Tyler Nesci (Leonay) with Concord GC and Blake Hodges (Dunheved) with New South Wales GC. The Super Senior (over 65’s), T.L. Warren (B Grade) and W. Gibson (C Grade) Pennant competitions were also scheduled to begin this month but Golf NSW will now need to advise of any revised dates / cancellation in due course.

Both the Warren & Gibson competitions were cancelled in 2020 due to Covid.

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Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Eric Apperly Shield Pennant competition still on track

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Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

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SPORT

Kenny re-signs with Panthers

P

enrith Panthers is delighted to announce Mitch Kenny has signed a one-year contract extension with the

club.

The 23-year-old hooker has committed to Panthers until at least the end of 2022 season.

“I’m really stoked to be spending another year here at Panthers,” Kenny said.

“I think it’s clear this club is the best place for me to keep developing as a person and a footballer.

“I had to consider all my options but ultimately I couldn’t leave a club that is going to help me get the best out of myself.”

Nepean News

A local junior who progressed through the club’s development pathways, Kenny has played 27 NRL games for Panthers since making his first grade debut in 2019.

“We’re thrilled to have Mitch commit to our club for next year,” Panthers General Manager Rugby League Matt Cameron said.

“He’s always made the most of his opportunities in first grade and we’re delighted he agrees Panthers is the best place to continue to develop his game.

“This season in particular Mitch has demonstrated his utility value, which is a considerable asset for our NRL squad moving forward.”

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SPORT

By Dan Walsh, NRL.com Reporter

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welve NRL clubs will relocate to south-east Queensland for a month to keep the 2021 competition alive, with CEO Andrew Abdo indicating they may remain there for the rest of the season.

After an exhaustive day of meetings in response to the surging COVID-19 outbreak in greater Sydney, club CEOs were informed on Sunday night that the nine Sydney-based outfits, the Warriors, Raiders and Knights will shift to the Sunshine State by Wednesday.

Several clubs have already prepared players and staff to be ready for such a move, with the NRL requiring Apollo bubble lists of 30 players and 11 staff members to be submitted to head office.

The NRL remains in ongoing negotiations with the Queensland government around the plans, which will be reviewed on a weekly basis.

Canberra and Newcastle will join the nine Sydney sides and Central Coast-based Warriors in relocating to dedicated hubs that provide appropriate training and living facilities for players and staff.

Melbourne and North Queensland at this stage will remain in the Victorian capital and Townsville respectively and play out of their home bases accordingly.

Clubs will return to Sydney as soon as the Commission believes risk to the competition in NSW has subsided, with Abdo telling Fox League the hubs could be kept until the end of the regular season if needed.

“We’re locking in some certainty for the next four rounds and that buys us some time to figure out how the situation unfolds in NSW,” he said.

“If we need to extend to the end of the season we will.

“We know that we have the capacity to absorb that and we’re going to make this as comfortable as we can for the clubs and players and the families.

www.penrith.panthers.com.au

“We’re going to commit to taking 40-odd officials and players up for the 12 teams and we’re also going to support getting their immediate family members there as well. That will be for a four-week period but if we need to extend until the end of the season then we will.”

The mass relocation comes after NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian’s forecast that she “will be shocked” if Sydney records less than 100 active COVID-19 cases on Monday.

A third week of Greater Sydney’s lockdown started on Sunday with news of 77 locally acquired cases.

Wednesday’s Ampol State of Origin series finale had already been moved on Saturday night from Newcastle to the Gold Coast to ensure fans could attend the match.

Players will remain under the same COVID-19 restrictions that limit movements to training, games and essential shopping for at least 14 days.

Significantly, family members will be allowed to join them as part of a staged relocation process, though they too will have to undergo two weeks of quarantine as well.

Players involved in Origin III from the 12 relocated teams will remain in Queensland after the game and reunite with family members and their clubs at their respective temporary hubs.

ARL chairman Peter V’landys said the latest sacrifices being undertaken by players and clubs would keep the 2021 NRL season afloat.

“These are very difficult decisions,” V’landys said.

“I feel for the players who have to leave their homes for a period. We will not keep players in Queensland any longer than they need to be.

“We hope it is only for a month, but if it needs to be longer, it will be. We’re doing this to protect their livelihoods.

“This will also have a commercial impact on clubs. I have assured all clubs that the NRL will ensure they remain financially strong during this period.

“The NRL has found extensive efficiencies and commercial revenue over the last year which ensured the game is financially stronger than it otherwise would have been.”

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast to host the majority of games over the next month, while Sunshine Coast Stadium will also be used in a revised schedule that will be decided “in the next 24 hours” according to Abdo.

As it stands the Storm are scheduled to host Newcastle at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

The Victorian government’s hard border to all of NSW and the ACT means travel exemptions will be required for the Knights to make a flyin-fly-out game-day trip to Melbourne, who are also due to host 2020 grand finalists in round 20.

“We will finalise the exact locations that teams will be based and the updated schedule in the next 24 hours,” Abdo said.

“South-east Queensland has multiple stadiums, high quality venues to train, first-class hotel infrastructure and a low risk of COVID-19 infection.

“We will continue to work closely with our biosecurity experts to track the data and consider the risk in NSW. We will also work closely with our clubs to ensure they have every assistance they require.”

Veteran forward Felisa Kaufusi said on Sunday in Maroons camp he was prepared for further upheaval.

“To be honest, it feels old being from Melbourne. I am starting to get used to it to be honest,” he said.

“I think I have spent six months of the last 18 months back home, it was nice to get back home and sleep in my own bed before coming back into camp. We will see what happens but we have to roll with whatever they decide.”

Breaches of the NRL’s strict levelfour Apollo protocols by Dragons players and Queensland star Jai Arrow in the past week have put the NRL’s travel exemptions at risk, with 12 St George Illawarra players still yet to return to training ahead of Friday’s clash with Manly.

Negotiations continue between the NRL and St George Illawarra players regarding sworn statements that would ensure no one other than players were at Paul Vaughan’s party in breach of lockdown laws last weekend.

Abdo has confirmed 10 of the 12 players involved in the breach have signed the statements and is confident of the matter being resolved

by Monday.

Greater Sydney’s worsening COVID-19 situation has also made the Warriors’ long-awaited return to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium – scheduled for August 15 in round 22 – unlikely given the travel exemptions required, though Abdo said the fate of that fixture would be decided in conjunction with the club.

Meanwhile, pre-season training for each of the six NRLW teams in the expanded competition had also been due to start on Monday, but Project Apollo has now pushed that date back a week with contingencies for the competition to be worked out this week.

Nepean News 16 July 2021 Issue 307OWDIG

Panthers relocating to Queensland

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