Nepean News 19 March 2020

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Thursday, 19 March 2020

ISSUE 273

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Stay safe

The world as we know it has changed dramatically over the last week, with the Australian Government introducing measures to address the spread of Coronavirus

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local news

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

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enrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM was joined by Blue Mountains City Council Deputy Mayor Chris Van der Kley yesterday as they thanked staff from Penrith Council for their assistance during the bushfire emergency.

At the beginning of the emergency Penrith Council reached out to Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury councils Blue Mountains City Council Deputy Mayor Chris Van der Kley, Penrith to provide assistance by diverting staff, Mayor Ross Folwer OAM and Penrith Council’s General Manager plant and other resources to the areas Warwick Winn say thank you to some of the 30 staff who provided to help. assistance during the bushfires.

Several Penrith arborists and a team Blue Mountains City Council Mayor Mark of 30 City Presentation staff stepped in to help in Greenhill OAM said: “We appreciate that Penrith the Blue Mountains. The arborists helped identify City Council, and other neighbouring councils, and mark dangerous trees for removal while assisted during our time in need recently.

City Presentation staff removed and transported “Penrith Council staff helped our community green waste out of communities and mowed and prepare for bush fires, by working long hours prepared reserves and parks. beside our officers to accept green waste at our Cr Fowler said the coordinated response by waste management facilities.

Council staff has been tremendous throughout the “They supported our arborists to assess bushfires. dangerous trees, after the bush fires, and they also “In times of need, it is reassuring to know helped our parks staff to keep on top of mowing. that we can all come together to play our part “Mayor Ross Fowler OAM, who was the Mayor and be united in providing essential services to of Penrith during the 2013 bush fires, helped us then residents and ensuring the safety of our own and and his Council also helped us this time around.” neighbouring communities,” Cr Fowler said.

Despite no active bush or grass fires being “Our staff were exemplary in the height of the reported in the state, the statutory Bush Fire Danger crisis and continue to honour our committment Period is in place until 31 March, but may vary due to the long haul to repair damage wrought by the to local conditions. fires.”

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Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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MELISSA McINTOSH MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAY Ground Floor, 331 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750 02 4722 0600 melissa.mcintosh.mp@aph.gov.au melissamcintosh.com.au MelissaMcIntoshforLindsay Authorised by Melissa McIntosh MP, Liberal Party of Australia, Ground Floor, 331 High Street, Penrith NSW 2750.

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

Staff commended for bushfire service

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From the Editor’s Desk

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In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) threat, the two usual services, the march (19th April) and the Dawn Service (25th April), will not be held this year.

For those who may still want to take a moment to pause and reflect, we will still be offering badges for sale at Bunnings Minchinbury on Saturday 18th and Monday 20th April, and at Bunnings Mulgoa (South Penrith) on Wednesday 22nd April and Bunnings, Castlereagh on Thursday 23rd April.

LEST WE FORGET

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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ell, the world has certainly changed dramatically since I last sat down to write my column.

I admit that it was not even two weeks ago that I was raising my eyebrows at the ‘doomsday preppers’ and making jokes that if we were going into lockdown, top of my shopping list was going to be wine not dunny paper. And I said it all not thinking for one minute that lockdown might be in any way probable.

Who predicted that things would escalate to this degree so quickly? Not I. And it’s hard to keep up with what’s happening, because this story changes by the hour.

It’s hard to not assume that all these measures are a build up to an eventual total lockdown.

Perhaps that would even be better than the limbo we face at the moment?

Part of me thinks Scomo should just call a lockdown with some sort of economy freeze (nobody gets paid, nobody gets billed and the government foots the essential costs for a couple of weeks). Have everyone stay in the home, get rid of the virus altogether and don’t open our borders until the other countries get their act together.

Might sound like fantasy but maybe a short-ish period of pain is worth it if we can just go back to normal afterwards?

How many businesses in this area can sustain months of limited or no trading?

I’d say not many - if even any.

It looks like school closures of some degree are are imminent, and if there’s no lockdown there will most certainly be many people working from home or confined to the home in self-isolation.

Perhaps it’s time to dust off the old board games or drag out that complete DVD series you bought years ago.

It can’t hurt to use this unpredictable position we find ourselves in to devote some quality time to those around you.

If you think it’s all hype and would prefer to go out, chances are wherever you were going has been cancelled or postponed anyway.

Stay safe everyone. I hope the news is more upbeat by the next time I write to you.

local news Parents will have information relating to their child’s school at their fingertips, with the NSW Government launching the first ever ‘School Updates app’.

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inister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the app will ensure parents receive immediate alerts if their child’s school is to be closed the following day.

“The past few months have been incredibly challenging both for school communities in bushfire and now flood impacted areas,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We have learnt you can never over-communicate in a crisis. This app provides an extra channel to inform parents if their children’s school is closed.

“During the fires last year and floods this year, schools worked incredibly hard to ensure everyone was informed. The app complements these efforts with an automated and personalised alert informing parents their school is closed and to seek additional NSW families can now get notified when their school becomes advice.” non-operational, wherever they are.

At the peak of the bushfire “It will be particularly helpful for parents with crisis, in November, there were up to 20,000 children at separate schools, as multiple schools people accessing school safety information on the can be registered on the app to provide local department’s website each minute - and a total of information,” Ms Mitchell said.

1.35 million visitors in the last four months.

The app is an opt-in service, and is available at The app will expand over time to provide more app stores for iOS and Android users. centralised information to parents and families.

Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

Phone: 4722 8660 Email: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Shop 23, Tattersalls Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith

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School alerts direct to your pocket

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epean Blue Mountains residents will benefit from 77 new nurses and midwives joining local hospitals this year as part of their annual new graduate intake.

The nurses and midwives will join Nepean, Blue Mountains and Lithgow hospitals as part of the NSW Government’s record $2.8 billion investment to boost frontline health workers by 8300 over four years.

Julie Williams, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NBMLHD, said the new graduates will work in all clinical areas including medical, surgical, aged and critical care, drugs and alcohol, women and children’s health and mental health.

“We welcome these nurses and midwives to our District and wish them all the best as they embark on their new careers. I’m certain they will find nursing to be an incredibly rewarding vocation,” Ms Williams said.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District graduate numbers: • Nepean Hospital - 53 registered nurses, 9 registered midwives; • Blue Mountains District ANZAC Memorial Hospital - 11 registered nurses; and • Lithgow Hospital - 4 registered nurses.

Graduate nurse, Rebecca Monaghan, explained that she is keen but nervous to begin her career and has so far enjoyed her first insights into nursing at Nepean Hospital.

“We’ve been reassured along this whole process that we’ve got lots of support at our fingertips and that’s

really important, we’re going to need a lot of guidance,” Ms Monaghan says.

NSW has boosted its nursing and midwifery graduate positions by 58 per cent since 2011, with about 2600 graduates to launch their careers at 130 public hospitals and health services this year.

The NSW Government has committed to the largest Australian healthcare workforce boost of an extra 5000 nurses and midwives across regional and metropolitan areas over four years.

For more information: https:// www.health.nsw.gov.au/nursing/ employment/Pages/default.aspx

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New graduate nurses and midwives welcomed

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local news Member for Lindsay urges community to follow government measures

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he Federal Member for Lindsay is urging people in the community to follow the latest advice from the Australian Government when it comes to slowing the spread of Coronavirus, which includes new measures announced by the Prime Minister and endorsed by National Cabinet.

“As of Monday March 16, people arriving from overseas into Australia will now have to self-isolate for 14 days. This means returning to and staying in your home or in your hotel and not going to public places including work, school, childcare, university or public gatherings,” said Ms McIntosh. “In addition, nonessential gatherings of more than 500 people should not occur, and cruise ships from foreign ports will not be allowed into Australian ports for an initial 30 days.

“The Prime Minister announced these measures following advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principals Committee (AHPPC),and endorsed by the National Cabinet which was established last Friday. The new National Cabinet is comprised of the Prime Minister, State Premiers and Territory Chief Ministers. The Cabinet universally agreed that there is no requirement for schools to close at this time.”

Melissa McIntosh MP also welcomed the Morrison Government’s

$17.6 billion stimulus package, saying that it will boost Western Sydney, Australia’s third largest economy.

“With nearly 15,000 small and medium sized businesses in Lindsay alone, the stimulus package announced by the Australian Government is going to be important for Western Sydney,” said Ms McIntosh. “These measures include boosting cash flow for small and medium businesses, extending the instant asset write-off, providing cash flow for employees and apprentices and helping our pensioners, families

and regional Australia.

“When I visited some of our local cafes last week, they were concerned that business was slow because of the impacts of the bushfires and coronavirus, so this boost from the Government including the instant asset write off will be well received by local businesses.”

The Government is investing $6.7 billion for eligible small and medium businesses with owners able to access payments of up to $25,000 each to get them through this financial year. There

are over 690,000 businesses employing over 7.8 million Australians. $700 million will expand the instant asset write off scheme. This will increase from $30,000 to $150,000.

The eligibility for businesses to apply for this has also been increased for businesses with turnovers from $50 million to $500 million.

“Our apprentices and employees play a very important role in Western Sydney and that’s why it is important that we are supporting them with $1.3 billion worth of payments for over 120,000 apprentices across Australia.

If a business can’t afford to keep an apprentice, these subsidies will still be available to the employer,” said Ms McIntosh.

“On top of this, we will be providing one off payments for some Australian households. This includes assistance for Newstart recipients, youth allowance recipients, disability support pensioners and 2.4 million aged pensioners. We have announced a new regional support fund for areas heavily affected by the impact of Coronavirus with over $1 billion being invested for tourism to assist businesses and support regional economies.

“As the Prime Minister said, we are focussed on protecting the health, wellbeing and livelihoods of Australians and our economy, and I want to reiterate to our community to only follow official health advice,” said Ms McIntosh.

But why toilet paper? Productive ways to manage COVID-19 anxiety

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oilet paper shelves are emptying across the country and according to Western Sydney Local Health District’s acting executive director of mental health Professor Bill Brakoulias, there is an evolutionary reason for it.

Prof Brakoulias says behaviours we are seeing in response to COVID-19 are categorised as ‘hoarding’.

“Hoarding behaviours are underpinned by a thought that we might need something in the future,” Prof Brakoulias said.

“Just like squirrels that gather acorns for winter, it is in our human nature to select things and keep them in case we need them for future use.

“When people get anxious they have what’s called ‘catastrophic cognitions’ – they think of the worst case scenario – and one way of controlling this anxiety is to collect things and keep things in order to feel safe.”

Prof Brakoulias said the toilet paper collection is likely to do with people simply wanting a product before it runs out.

“Toilet paper takes a lot more room in the shopping centre shelves, so it’s a lot more obvious when a whole aisle is missing compared to a can of baked beans for example,” Prof Brakoulias.

“This makes people want to get

Empty shelves of toilet paper are becoming a common sight in Australia.

Picture: ABC/Kelsie Iorio

their packet in case they completely run out.

“The desire for toilet paper is also linked to Freudian psychology – people are focusing on the needs of their bodily functions because they are anxious.”

Prof Brakoulias said there are more important things for the community to do, that don’t include toilet paper hoarding.

“Anxiety stems from an inability to control things. Luckily there are some things we can do to manage our response to COVID-19,” Professor Brakoulias said.

Here are the top suggestions: Wash your hands regularly, especially before meals Wipe surfaces with disinfectant including steering wheels, keyboards, smartphones Try to not make assumptions – look at balanced sources of information when seeking information about COVID-19, such as the NSW Health websiteContinue to monitor social media but remember to focus on information from verified accounts such as the NSW Health and Western Sydney Health social media accounts Exercise and eat healthy – this will

boost your immunity Explore stress management and relaxation management techniques “Anxiety occurs on a spectrum from normal to pathological,” Prof Brakoulias said.

“COVID-19 can exacerbate existing problems, so if you are struggling, please call a health professional or phone a help line.”

If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, please call triple-0 or the following organisations for support: Mental Health Hotline (Open 24 Hours) – 1800 011 511 Lifeline – 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36 Men’s Help – 1300 78 99 78

Professor Bill Brakoulias.

Picture: University of Sydney

local news

When Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced late last week that gatherings of 500 people or more were no longer an option whilst tackling the spread of Coronavirus, the reaction locally was swift and fast.

Within an hour, we received advice from half a dozen local events that they were cancelling.

Here’s some of the local events that have either been postponed or cancelled completely:

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager reported missing from Jordan Springs.

Jordan Osmond, aged 17, was last seen at his residence on Katandra Place, Jordan Springs, about 11.45pm Tuesday (10 March 2020).

Officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command have commenced an investigation and are appealing for public assistance to locate him.

Mr Osmond is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 183 cm tall, with a thin build, short brown hair, and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing black

Nike skate shoes, carrying a black backpack and men’s satchel bag.

His family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age and his need for regular medication.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call St Marys Police Station on (02) 9677 7499 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com. au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

• Penrith Festival • St Marys Easter Egg Hunt • The Wiggles at Panthers • Anzac Day March • Anzac Day Dawn Service • Penrith Working Truck Show • Penrith Men’s Walk n Talk birthday barbie The above are some of the big events, and many smaller events across the region have also been canned, with many more to come.

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Appeal No events for some time to locate missing teen

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St Marys Easter Egg Hunt has been cancelled

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Special state powers triggered to combat COVID-19

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SW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has made an order under Section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010 to force the immediate cancellation of public events with more than 500 people - and there’s speculation that number may be reduced in the coming days.

Mr Hazzard said under the planned changes, individuals who fail to comply could face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to $11,000 or both, plus additional penalties for each day the offence continues. Corporations face even harsher fines.

“I urge the community to do the right thing and obey the decisions and advice of the national and NSW chief medical officers,” Mr Hazzard said.

“But we will be tough if needed, to protect the wider community.”

Mr Hazzard said the order ensures the new requirements of the National Cabinet are operational

immediately after midnight 15 March, 2020.

The NSW Government COVID-19 ‘War Cabinet’ met by teleconference to endorse the chief health officer’s advice on keeping schools open.

NSW public schools will remain open but with enhanced safeguards including students not being required to attend assemblies and other measures to ensure a focus on increased physical separation.

All chief health officers of Australia believe that school closures should not be recommended at this stage in the pandemic. This decision will remain under constant review to ensure the best outcome for children and young people.

As agreed by the National Cabinet, all entrants to Australia, including returning residents and citizens, will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.

NSW will continue to support the Commonwealth Government in implementing this requirement.

If any individual fails to do so the NSW chief health officer may issue an order to forcibly require compliance. Any enforcement required would be in consultation with NSW Police.

“The spread here has been slowed significantly by the government’s actions on the advice of health experts, and we will use our legislative public health powers to best safeguard the community,” Mr Hazzard said.

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta COVID-19 Media Statement Executive Director Greg Whitby has called for urgent Government action on school closures.

As we continue to respond to COVID-19, local schools are working hard to prepare to support student learning should there be extensive school closures.

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta manages 80 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Greg Whitby is keen to point out that each of these school communities is very different and will need to be supported differently.

“Our local schools are expert in the different needs of each of their communities,” said Executive Director Greg Whitby. “As the likelihood of the closure of schools increases, schools are using everything they know about the needs of their families to prepare to help them continue their learning from home if needed.”

Key considerations include the needs of working

families, access to technology and internet services on an equity basis and the age and stage of students.

Some schools have a significant population of families from linguistic diverse backgrounds. There are also a range of different systems for online learning in use across different schools. For this reason, the support provided to schools has to be specific to each community.

Call for hand sanitiser in nsw schools

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SW Labor has urged the Government to increase coronavirus precautions in schools including the provision of hand sanitisers at all schools across the state.

The call follows a recommendation from World Health Organisation adviser Professor Mary Louise McLaws that schools are stocked with sanitiser and the closure of a fourth school in NSW. Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said “We’ve had over 30 cases of community transmission in NSW, it’s time for the Liberals and Nationals to act.

“We’ve seen hand sanitisers made available at Parliament, if it’s good enough for our politicians than its good enough for our public schools.

“Medical experts are saying this is necessary, so the Ministers for Health and Education need to have this in place when kids return to school on Monday.

Professor McLaws, an epidemiologist at the University of NSW and advisor to the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 advisory group has said Governments should be providing hand sanitiser to schools.

The Primary Principals’ Association has confirmed most public schools do not have hand sanitiser stations.

Shadow Minister for Education Prue Car added “A fourth school in NSW has now been closed due coronavirus concerns, we need to take every precaution across 2,200 our schools” “With weeks before school holidays are due to commence, we need to double down and take action.

“No effort can be spared in preventing the spread of coronavirus in our classrooms”.

Ms Car said soap should also be available in schools.

NSW Labor has called for the Berejiklian Government to ensure the provision of hand sanitiser across all public spaces including train stations, transport interchanges and schools.

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SW Labor has called for the Berejiklian Government to significantly ramp up its response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including ensuring parents know the criteria for closing schools, advising against all non-essential public gatherings, improving sanitisation and medical provisions and seeking to establish across-the-board workingfrom-home arrangements.

Labor Leader Jodi McKay and senior shadow cabinet members met on Sunday to assess current responses to the pandemic. They warned that with NSW at the epicentre of the virus, comprehensive, effective and transparent action is critical.

Labor believes that the Berejiklian Government must: • Release the State’s coronavirus response plan – Victoria has one, where is ours?

• Schools will close – define the criteria for a full school shutdown so parents can make advance preparations • Advise against holding all nonessential gatherings • Direct and support all nonfrontline public servants to work from home and urge all NSW employers to support their employees to work from home where practicable • Urge all employers to guarantee casual, temporary and non-permanent employees aren’t terminated and don’t lose pay and conditions during this crisis • Conduct large scale and frequent sanitisation of public transport and public spaces, including provision of hand sanitisers • Fix equipment shortages affecting hospitals, GP clinics, community health providers and frontline workers – including testing kits, ventilators, personal protection equipment, gloves and masks • Provide specialised support and information for frontline workers in the aged care, disability services and community sector who are in contact with vulnerable people

• Implement targeted measures to support the health and welfare of vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with disabilities • Present a state-based stimulus package to protect jobs and the economy “Based on the international evidence we know that what happens in the next two weeks will dramatically affect how we weather this storm, including whether our health services can withstand its march,” Ms McKay said.

“Transparency around the pandemic response and medical advice will restore community confidence, and the global experience shows that every day counts. The community needs to know what action they should be prepared for. We must not be looking for excuses not to address this problem head-on.”

Ms McKay said significant measures taken in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Japan and South Korea showed it was possible to turn the tide and save lives.

Other countries have already

closed schools, universities and kindergartens, major towns have been placed in lockdown, Singapore has banned gatherings of 250 or more people and the Netherlands has limited gatherings to just 100 people and asked people to work from home.

Italy has outlawed most domestic travel and closed most bars, restaurants and shops.

“We need an extensive, multimedia and multilingual public awareness campaign that can give people reliable and consistent information as we move into the next phase of dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak,” Ms McKay said.

Labor Shadow Health Minister Ryan Park said there must be much greater transparency around COVID-19 testing in NSW. “We need to know how many test kits are available, how many are they getting through every day and what are the plans to significantly increase going forward, as well as where there may be clusters around geographical locations – as mapping the virus is

necessary to contain it,” Mr Park said.

“We call for publication of the Chief Medical Officer’s daily advice on recommended isolation periods and testing arrangements, and for the Government to advise against holding all non-essential gatherings.”

Labor noted that a range of health experts have already called for urgent action, including: • Professor Bill Bowtell (Kirby Institute), who has warned that every hour counts, called for more stringent social distancing and asked that the Chief Medical Officer’s advice be released; • Nigel McMillan (Griffith University) has said NSW should be acting sooner and immediately activating social isolation measures; • Dan Suan (Westmead Hospital and Garvan Institute) has said social isolation and interpersonal social distancing will be critical over the next two weeks; • Dr Kerryn Phelps has said social gatherings should be cancelled and working from home where possible should be standard policy.

COVID-19 scam messages targeting Australians A message from Nepean Police Area Command

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SD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is aware of a COVID-19 themed scam being distributed via text message.

We understand the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)’s Scamwatch has received multiple reports of COVID-19 themed scam texts being sent to members of the public.

The text messages appear to come from ‘GOV’ as the sender and they include a link to find out when to ‘get tested in your geographical area’ for

COVID-19.

The link in these text messages is not legitimate, and if clicked on, may install malicious software on your device, designed to steal your banking details.

How do I stay safe?

If you receive one of these messages, delete the message and do not click the link.

Messages that pretend to be

government and other trusted organisations are known as phishing scams. They often contain a link to a fake website, where you are encouraged to enter confidential details.

To protect yourself from phishing: • Don’t click on links in emails or messages, or open attachments, from people or organisations you don’t know.

• Before you click a link, hover over that link to see the actual web address it will take you to (usually shown at the bottom of the browser window).

If you do not recognise or trust the address, try searching for relevant key terms in a web browser. This way you can find the article, video or

webpage without directly clicking on the suspicious link.

• If you’re not sure, talk through the suspicious message with a friend or family member, or check its legitimacy by contacting the relevant business or organisation (using contact details sourced from the official company website).

If you’ve received one of these messages and you’ve clicked on the link, or you’re concerned your personal details have been compromised, contact your financial institution immediately.

If you’ve suffered financial loss from cybercrime, report it to ReportCyber at www.cyber.gov.au/ report

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Covid-19 response must be comprehensive and transparent

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local news

Penrith local Woman of the Year

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tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced Heike Forth as the 2020 Penrith Local Woman of the Year.

The Local Woman of the Year Award provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the outstanding contribution women across NSW make to their local communities.

Stuart Ayres said he was delighted to name Heike as the 2020 Penrith Local Woman of the Year.

“Heike is encouraging and inspirational across the Penrith Valley community with her contributions to sport through being a mum, mentor, volunteer and competitor.”

Heike has made an enormous contribution to the Penrith District across numerous sports. Currently Heike is Head Teacher PDHPE at Cranebrook High School where she has been a teacher for the past 30 years. Heike is the Werrington Zone School Sport Association President and is the Sydney West School Sport Convenor for NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association. Heike is also a Life Member of Sydney West School Sport Association for her contribution to sport within the region for over 10 years. The value of Heike’s contribution across Cranebrook

United Football Club, Cambridge Park Netball Club, Nepean Little Athletics Club and Nepean Amateur Athletics Club for more than 30 years and in one case now 46 years is invaluable.

She has been a NSW Representative and an Australian representative with highlights including the World Masters Games in Sydney in 2009 where she finished the championships with 5 gold medals and 1 bronze medal in Javelin, Discus, Shot Put, Hammer Throw and Weight Throw.

Ms Forth said I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me over

the years and in particular my dad who always saw equality in males and females, he encouraged the girls in our family to do whatever they wanted to do and succeed in whatever they wished.

In addition Ms Forth expressed her thanks to Stuart Ayres, the International Women’s Day Committee and her family.

Mr Craig Dunne, Principal of Cranebrook High School said Heike has made an immense contribution to the Cranebrook Community and the wider Penrith area over a significant

period of time.

“Her commitment, contribution and leadership of community groups, particularly in the area of sport, has ensured that young people in particular have the opportunities to participate in sporting activities in their local community. Heike’s commitment to public education and her promotion and support of sport within the education community is outstanding. The local community holds Heike in extremely high regard and is grateful for her work, contribution and the way in which she supports and encourages young people to be involved in sport. Heike is an excellent choice for Penrith Woman of the Year.”

Ms Joy Gillett OAM, President of Penrith District Netball Association said Heike was an inaugural member of Penrith District Netball Association and a much valued member of Cambridge Park Netball Club. We congratulate Heike and thank her for her service to Netball in Penrith over a long period of time.

“Heike’s energy and commitment to serving our community is to be commended and it was my privilege to acknowledge her with this award,” added Stuart Ayres.

Mulgoa women of the year announced

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andy Golder and Stephanie Wicks, founders and owners of Thrive Tribe and Co. have been announced as the 2019 Mulgoa Local Women of the Year.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies, joined Sandy Golder and Stephanie Wicks, to award them the Local Women of the Year Award at the Thrive Tribe and Co. Family Picnic Day. Sandy and Stephanie are the founders and owners of Thrive Tribe and Co., an organisation created to increase conversation about the need for support of special needs parents and carers.

“Sandy and Stephanie are exceptional leaders in our local community. They are passionate about helping mothers of children with a disability, parents who have neglected their own wellbeing, and have recently developed programs to encourage those women in finding

community and coping with stressful situations,” Mrs Davies said.

“Both Sandy and Stephanie are worthy recipients of the Local Woman of the Year Award, which celebrates outstanding contributions to the

community as a business woman, role model, volunteer, leader and mentor,” Mrs Davies said.

Thrive Tribe and Co. is a solution based community that looks to support parents in creating positive physical,

mental and emotional habits, but also encourages them when experiencing hardship in their parenting journey.

Thrive Tribe and Co. also houses an online Facebook group that encourages discussion of practical ideas and thoughts around caring for special needs children. Through this great work, Sandy and Stephanie are given an online platform to share from their own journeys as mothers of children with a disability.

The organisation highlights the importance of parents looking after themselves and making their health a priority. Sandy and Stephanie are firm believers that a mother with positive health and wellbeing is critical to providing the best life for her children.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.thrivetribeandco. com/

Londonderry local woman of the year Londonderry MP, Prue Car has announced that Nadia Lobova of Marsden Park is the Londonderry Woman of the Year for 2020.

Nadia has been instrumental in working to get the R2 Residents Association up and running in Marsden Park and the surrounding estates, helping to advocate for the residents living along the Richmond Road corridor.

This advocacy includes working to improve public transport options in Elara estate, as well as advocating for improved local road infrastructure.

“Nadia is so passionate about her community.

This award is a testament to selfless attitude in helping others in our community,” Member for Londonderry, Prue Car said.

local news

L

ifeblood is calling on eligible Australians to become blood donors and for existing donors to make and honour their appointments to prevent a potential shortage of blood supplies.

Some 14,000 donors are needed to make an appointment over the next few weeks, including the Easter long weekend, to bolster supplies. The Easter period is a time when many regular donors take a break, but the need for blood never stops.

Lifeblood Chief Executive Shelly Park said the organisation was also preparing for the annual cold and flu season, and said the emergence of the novel coronavirus could put the nation’s blood supply under pressure should existing donors become unavailable and regular donations become disrupted. Temporary fasttracking of elective surgeries could also increase the demand on blood supplies.

“At the start of 2020, we saw a phenomenal response from donors, who came forward and rolled up their sleeves as a way to help with the nation’s bushfire response.

“However, those generous donors now have to wait 12 weeks before they are able to donate again. This means there are now fewer people able to

donate over the coming weeks. Last minute cancellations are also putting a dent in blood stocks at a time when donors are in urgent need. As we all know, there is no substitute for blood.

It is a critical resource, and right now, we need more people booking appointments to donate.

“Blood is needed every day by Australian patients including road trauma patients, surgical patients, medical and orthopaedic patients, pregnant mums and cancer patients.”

Lifeblood wants to reassure donors

and the community that there is no evidence coronavirus is transmittable by blood transfusion.

Ms Park said: “The organisation has robust processes in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply and our donors, and we don’t allow people who are unwell to donate blood. Our donor centres are safe places to visit and we will take all necessary steps to ensure that stays the case.

“To ensure there is a sufficient blood supply, we are appealing to donors to keep their appointments if well and

healthy and are inviting new donors or those who haven’t donated for a while to come forward to help us.”

There are currently 500,000 Australians who donate blood, but millions more who may be eligible to donate.

Ms Park said: “Every week across Australia, we need to collect around 29,000 blood and plasma donations.

“Right now, we have 14,000 appointments that need to be filled over the next few weeks as we work to continue providing life-saving blood and blood products to Australian patients as we head into the busy Easter period. It only takes an hour to give blood, but could be the life-changing gift to help someone celebrate next Easter at home with their loved-ones.

“If you are a donor and haven’t made your next appointment, you can help us be prepared by booking one in the next few weeks as we approach the Easter period. And if you have never donated before, now is a great time to become a donor and help us maintain the nation’s blood supplies. This is your opportunity to give the gift of life to another,” Ms Park added.

To make an appointment to give blood, visit lifeblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

More blood donors needed

13

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

14

local COLUMNIST

I

The G Spot

do not profess to be a rocket scientist, neurosurgeon or an intelligent person in any scope, way or form. Matter of fact if you placed a pulse machine on each side of my temple, the power would not kick-start a light bulb.

However, I have this evil curse that is technically known as “common sense.” It’s a dreaded curse that makes you question people’s intelligence level numerous times a day. Voices in your own head asking questions such as, “how does that person tie their own shoelaces?” It’s like the bonehead brigade is out in force some days and they are multiplying by the minute.

Yes my avid fans, the curse of common sense is a curse that I do not wish upon anyone. It can hit you at any time: walking, sleeping, jogging or riding a bike. The question is, should I be vaccinated for it? Can vaccination stop this beast?

But, once common sense hits you like a rash on a baby’s bum, a lightning

bolt out of the blue just appears there for no reason and its with you for life.

Almost like a step-sibling, its there and you may not want it to be. I am sure you now get the drift by now.

With all this crap above I have probably placed you into a coma by now and the nods are setting in, but alas my G spotters, this is where it may get good, so hang in there. Grab a coffee, place your feet up and keep reading.

One sunny afternoon I was heading home from work, which is an office that is fully marked SECURITY, has SECURITY cars and SECURITY people all around. Besides throwing in fireworks and dancing girls you couldn’t get more of an understanding that it is a SECURITY office.

So anyway, in total disbelief we watched as two boneheads jumped a fence across the road of a factory that was still fully staffed and operational, allegedly to go to the site lunchroom and take phones and wallets and anything else not tied down.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

Let me reiterate again, so you get the setting in your mind right, this is a fully operational and staffed factory and it is daylight.

Then the bonehead brigade jump back over the fence across from a SECURITY company and think the coast is clear. Like hello!

That’s like ringing the cops and alerting them that a bust is about to happen in and giving the location and day.

So anyway, the bonehead brigade notices our security personnel and starts running with all the crap in their bags – throw in the word allegedly.

Because they are innocent until proven guilty. Don’t get me started on the justice system or this story will get ugly. Sigh.

So bonehead One jumps in the lake at Waterside and swims across it, where he was expecting to go we don’t know. Bonehead Two keeps running up the street. The factory workers hear all the commotion going on and realise that the lunchroom is

allegedly missing their stuff and run out screaming like banshees with an ingrown toenail.

Security is on the tail of the bonehead brigade up and down the road. Police get involved and the rest as they say is, history.

So as I ponder my navel and pick out a few fluff pieces here and there and twist my hair strands a few times, I guess this highlights the dreaded curse of common sense and lack thereof. One has to question why would you break into a place across the road from a security company?

Oops hang on, allegedly. How do two boneheads walk a site without anyone noticing, go to a lunch room (allegedly) take stuff (allegedly) and then jump a fence with bags full of crap (allegedly).

So there you have it, the story of the dreaded curse of common sense.

I believe that medical practitioners may be testing for it in not the not so distant future and it should be covered

by Medicare very soon?

KEEPING BUSINESS LOCAL

6 months free

back to base monitoring* ML No. 405714685

www.nepeanregionalsecurity.com.au

* new connections

Coronavirus COVID-19 and Pets

W

e know that pet lovers around Australia and the world are asking questions about Coronavirus/COVID-19. We’re here to help you better care for your pet, ensuring you have all the essential information on COVID-19, and what this means for you and your pet.

There is currently no known reason to believe that any animals, including pets in Australia, can spread COVID-19. To date, the Australian Veterinary Association has not received any reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19.

Can the Coronavirus/COVID-19 virus infect dogs and cats?

The good news is that this dog is not contagious to people or to pets and there is absolutely no evidence that pets are involved in the spread of COVID-19.

Can pets spread the disease and if a pet has been in contact with someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19, can the pet spread the disease to other people or pets?’

No, there is no evidence that pet dogs or cats can be a source of infection to other animals or to humans. This epidemic is being spread from humans to humans and there is no evidence that pets are involved.

Recently in Hong Kong there were

precautionary measures to quarantine the pets of people who were diagnosed with COVID-19. In February one of these pets, a healthy dog, had a small amount of viral genetic material that was detected in the dog’s mouth and nose. The dog did not get sick and did not have COVID-19 illness or sickness, but this single case sparked discussion across the globe. There have been no further cases reported.

There is a lot of information online about dogs, cats and coronavirus.

Why is this?

The term ‘coronavirus’ defines a broad family (type) of viruses which have been around for a long time, some of which only affect dogs and cats. Dog and cat coronaviruses are different to

COVID-19 and cannot infect people.

Unfortunately, due to the similar name, these terms may appear in historical articles or online forums and this can cause unnecessary confusion, panic or concern. Pets are not involved in the spread of COVID-19, you do not need to be alarmed.

How can pet parents protect themselves and their pets?

Remember, the way you can catch COVID-19 is from exposure to an infected person. Therefore, practice standard precautionary hygiene measures as recommended by the relevant Health Departments in your state or territory.

We recommend following good hygiene whenever interacting with your pets, this advice has not changed.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any animal.

Avoid sharing food with your pets or letting your pets kiss or lick your face or mouth.

If you are concerned about your pet’s health please contact the team at Greencross Vets Coreen Ave on 0247313055.

Greencross Vets | Phone 47 313 055 Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

YOUR 3-BIN SYSTEM We’re excited that rural properties in Penrith City have joined the 55,000 households using the 3-bin waste service in July 2019. The 3-bin service reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill and improves recycling rates while maintaining low domestic waste charges (the fees you pay).

What does this mean?

On the 3-bin system you have a weekly green-lid bin for all your food and garden organics.

That means you need to sort your waste with all food and garden waste going in the green-lid bin significantly reducing the amount of waste going into your red-lid bin, and into landfill.

The green-lid bin goes out every week while the yellow-lid recycling bin and red-lid residual garbage bin go out on alternate weeks.

Choosing the right bins

There are a range of service options you can choose to make sure you have the right size bins for your needs.

If you are leasing your property, please consider your tenants’ needs when selecting.

We recommend the Sustainable service - this is the cheapest option and should provide ample capacity once you’re using the green-lid bin.

Why is this good for me?

Penrith is a recognised leader in sustainable waste management, particularly in household organic waste recycling. Council is committed to actively supporting our community to reduce waste sent to landfill through reducing, reusing, recycling and generally disposing of waste responsibly.

The 3-bin Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) system is one of the best ways we can reach those goals.

It’s good for the environment and also helps keep the waste cost in your rates down.

If you have any questions, please contact Council’s Waste Services team on 4732 7777 and our friendly staff will help you with your request.

COUNCIL SUPPLIED GREEN COMPOSTABLE BAGS What are the bags for?

The green compostable bags are supplied by Penrith Council for the Green-lid organics bin. They are specially designed and have been tested to break down during the six week composting process.

how do i use them?

Food and other organic waste can be collected in the bag, tied off and put into the green-lid organics bin. Council’s kitchen tidy bin can assist with food scrap collection. If you would like a kitchen tidy bin, they are available for purchase from Council offices in Penrith or St Marys at a cost of $11*.

Alternatively, you can use the bags to line a container of your own choosing.

how often are they delivered?

Green compostable bags are delivered free of charge to every household with the 3-Bin Waste Service four times a year.

how do i get more?

If you need more bags, you can collect extras from the Penrith or St Marys Office, or at the Council Libraries, located at Penrith, St Marys and St Clair.

Alternatively, bulkier or excess food waste can be wrapped in newspaper, or placed loosely in the green lid organics bin.

can i use other bags?

No. Please do not use other bags, even if they are advertised as biodegradable or compostable as they may not meet the standards required by our composting facility. The use of any other types of bags will be treated as contamination and will be disposed of in landfill.

do the bags expire?

These bags will last at least 12 months if stored correctly. Please store the bags in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent bags from breaking down prematurely.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT BINS Council offers a number of services and bin options to suit every household.

We recommend the Sustainable service - this is the cheapest option and should provide ample capacity once you’re using the green-lid bin.

Choosing is easy Call us on 4732 7777 and one of our Waste Services team will help you.

local news

N

epean Hospital patients will be among the first in Australia to access two next-generation MRI machines under a $6.5 million NSW Government project to improve imaging services.

Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard, joined by Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres, last week unveiled the state-of-the-art Ingenia Ambition 1.5T and even more powerful Ingenia EIition 3T magnetic resonance imaging machines.

Mr Hazzard said the two worldclass MRI machines are 50 per cent faster, and together will enable clinicians to scan on average 10 more patients each day.

“These state-of-the-art MRI machines also provide images with up to 60 per cent higher resolution than previous models, which means more accurate diagnostics contributing to better outcomes for patients,” Mr Hazzard said.

“The new MRI machines not only directly benefit patients but will also be used by Nepean Hospital researchers to conduct clinical trials as part of their research projects.”

Mr Ayres said patients across the Nepean Blue Mountains region will reap the benefits of the NSW

Government’s $6.5 million investment to expand medical imaging at Nepean, one of the state’s busiest hospitals.

“Providing first-class, accessible medical services close to home is a top priority for the NSW Government, which is exactly what we are delivering today to this community,” Mr Ayres said.

Patients have a more comfortable experience inside the machines, which are quieter and have wirefree and contactless monitoring. Fast positioning technology also makes it easier for technicians to align patients in the machines.

The NSW Government has invested $10 billion to deliver more

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

State-of-the art mris open at Nepean Hospital

19

than 130 new and enhanced health facilities statewide since 2011, including the $1 billion Nepean Hospital redevelopment. The NSW Government is also investing $10.1 billion more over the next four years, including more than $900 million for rural and regional areas in 2019-20.

Our Services: • Surgical Specialities • Inpatient Rehabilitation • Day Rehabilitation • Hydrotherapy Pool • Wellness Classes • NDIS Minchinbury Community Hospital Phone 9625 2222 Cnr Great Western Highway & Rupertswood Rd, Rooty Hill www.mhsminchinbury.com.au

Cnr Glebe Place & Richmond Road Kingswood NSW Ph: (02) 4722 8180 www.penrithgaels.com.au

Kick Inxs

SATURDAY 21 MARCH 8.30pm FREE ENTRY!

SATURDAY 18 APRIL 8.30pm FREE ENTRY! Shamrock Grill SPECIALS

LUNCH 12 - 2.30pm - LUNCH SPECIALS from $10

Entertainment 8pm Urban Stone

MONDAY Barramundi Night $15 TUESDAY Steak & Ale Night $15 WEDNESDAY Bangers & Mash Night $15 THURSDAY Parmy Night $15

COURTESY BUS

from 1pm

2UP

12pm-5pm

LEST WE FORGET

Between 5 & 8pm (Conditions apply) SUNDAY - Sunday Roast $17.50 Members $18.50 Non Members

FREE ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY 20 MARCH - 8PM Skyz The Limit

SATURDAY 21 MARCH - 8PM INXS Tribute Band

FRIDAY 27 MARCH - 8PM Urban Stone

SATURDAY 28 MARCH - 8PM Us Too

SUNDAY 29 MARCH - 5PM Blackwater

ENTERTAINMENT

21

P

enrith Gaels Club held their 12th Annual St Patrick’s Day Charity Golf Day at Dunheved Golf Course last Friday, 13th March.

This event is held each year on the Friday before St Patrick’s Day to raise money for a local charity.

After the morning’s golf, players return to the club for lunch and an afternoon of prize presentations, raffles and games.

Over the past 12 years they have donated $72,800 to various local organisations. This year the recipient of

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

Teeing off to raise funds for local charities

the funds raised will be the Nepean Hospital Neo-Natal Unit’s Family Room.

This will be the sixth time they have supported the Family Room through our Golf Day. Other charities they have supported in the past include Nepean District Disabilities Organisation, Nepean Youth Accommodation Services and Karelle Life Enrichment Services.

Penrith Gaels Club wishes to send a big thank you to all their sponsors, prize donors and players, without whom they say the day would not happen.

Thank you to all those who generously supported this day, with a special thanks to our Major Sponsors:

And Major Prize Donors: Norwest Building Services | York Jewellers | CFI | Lion Nathan

Available whenever major sports events are on

Seniors Menu (Mon-Fri 11.30 am - 3pm only) served with complimentary seniors cake *must show seniors card to receive offer*

starts on Friday 13th March

Sunday is Kids Funday

Chicken Schnitzel with chips, salad & gravy $12 Beer Battered Flathead with chips & salad $12 Cottage Beef Pie with onion gravy, mash & peas $12 Homemade Beef Rissoles with onion gravy, mash & peas $12 Rump Steak with vegetables or chips & salad $13.50 Ceasar Salad with parmesan & croutons $12

Kids Eat FREE Kids playground, Craft Table & Face Painting

Cnr Mamre Rd & Banks Dr St Clair NSW 2759 | (02) 9670 3050 www.bluecattledoghotel.com.au

Present this coupon to receive a FREE Garlic Bread *Conditions apply

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

22

ENTERTAINMENT SUDOKU: EASY

The Basement: ultra modern new sports bar at Panthers

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill the grid so that every column, every row & every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates SOLUTIONS: 6 February

EASY

EASY

P

anthers Penrith has a new bar that is sure to delight sports lovers from Penrith and beyond.

“The Basement Sports Bar is not only the home of Panthers, it is your place to watch all the biggest sporting events ‘Live and Loud’ said Brian Fletcher “With a huge 8 metre LED Megawall, quality sound throughout and over 50 TVs, the Basement Sports Bar offers a great place for you and your mates so you don’t miss a game.

“We will show every NRL game live and loud alongside

UFC, EPL, AFL and A-League. The new Americana eatery ‘Grub’ features a range of burgers, hot dogs, wings and loaded fries to compliment your NBA, NFL and MLB action.

“Our dedicated VIP seats in The Poolroom support the ultimate viewing experience, featuring recliner leather lounges, tailored food and drinks packages and a dedicated host.

“Serious punters will love The Basement with our dedicated TAB area and a new outdoor area providing the perfect breakout zone,” he said.

C T N EVE

D E L L ANCE

NEPEAN HISTORY

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

J

ames Tobias Ryan was born at Birds Eye Corner, Castlereagh in 1818.

His father John Michael Tobin Ryan was convicted at Middlesex in July 1814 and transported for life to Australia on the “Indefatigable 2”. He married Mary Rope at Castlereagh in 1816. Mary who was baptised in July 1791 was a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth Rope (Nee: Pulley) who came as convicts in the First Fleet. They were also my 4th Great Grandparents from Mary’s sister Susannah Bradley (Nee: Rope). Toby was a pupil of Reverend Fulton’s school at Castlereagh. At the age of 20 Toby married Mary Ann Dempsey born at Windsor in 1817.

Her father John came as a convict on the “Atlas”, her mother Ann came free on the “Experiment”. In 1840 Toby was working as a Sussex Street auctioneer and a carcass butcher with his own business. He was one of the first in this endeavour and he was also one of the earliest pastoralists, owning several stations on the Lachlan River. In 1852 he built his home “Emu Hall” at Emu Plains on the west bank of the Nepean River. At that time there was a punt over the river from the eastern side to the western side, but Toby and others decided that a bridge needed to be built so in 1855 the first bridge was built but was washed away in a flood. They persevered, and another bridge was built that was also washed away but finally paid off when the iron Victoria Bridge we have today was built in 1862. Toby’s home Emu Hall is still standing. In 1857 he was initiated into the Freemasonry Lodge in Sydney and later became the first Worshipful Master of the newly founded Queen’s Lodge 982 in Penrith.

In January 1860, a pigeon match was held at Wascoe’s Inn at Lapstone Hill. (This inn was originally called the “Pilgrim Inn” that continued to operate as an Inn until 1852 and the last licence was held by John Outrim Wascoe who bought the Inn in 1857 and changed the name, and by 1869 the Inn was advertised for sale again.) The pigeon match arrangement was for a small stake with the lunch to be paid by the losers. Despite the bad road the attendance was a numerous one. Toby and his opponent Henry Matthews tossed for choice of sides and Toby won the toss and picked Mr G Sharp and John Ryan. Henry Matthews picked Thomas Jamison and Dr Haylock. Nine pigeons each was arranged for the shoot with a thirty-yard rise. Toby led off missing his first bird and Henry Matthews followed and killed his bird, The score showed the result of Henry Matthews’ side winning by two birds. The shooting was very good considering the long rise and particularly Thomas Jamison, and it was said that Toby is not so good in general matches, but man-to-man he has never been beaten. The lunch provided by John Wascoe was excellent and enjoyed by all. In December 1860 until February 1872, Toby became a Member for Nepean in the NSW Legislative Assembly Parliament. But not all the public thought kindly of him when a letter from a Mr J SMITH at Congewoi Point on the Lower Hawkesbury appeared in the Sydney Mail newspaper in 1862 who wrote - “I was over at Penrith the other day and got yarning with several of the Penrith chaps and says I to one of ‘em, Ain’t you everlastingly ashamed of that Toby Ryan as you’ve sent into the Parliament House to be your member?” ‘I’ll tell you Smith,” he says We know him just as well as you and we know he couldn’t escape as we’re bound to have free selection and Bob Jamieson wouldn’t knuckle down and so there we were, and that’s the way they’re gone and got on.

Any chap had only to get up and say, “Here I am, I’m for free selection!” and that made him fit for our member. I only wish some of these precious electors would go and have a week in the Assembly so they wouldn’t be ashamed of themselves for what they’d been and done, they wouldn’t be ashamed at nothing”. Just look at Cunneen! (James Augustine Cunneen) Why, when he gets up to speak and before he says a word you can see

Michelle Latham 1300 HEVNLY ( 1300 438 659 ) michelle@heavenlycelebrations.com.au

PH: 9623 6656 | MOBILE: 0418 250 242

196 Queen Street, ST MARYS (Directly Opposite Library)

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

They Called Him “Toby”

23

that he’s not a wise man. Then there’s Toby Ryan he’s about the very opposite to Cunneen. He does talks in the Parliament exactly the same as he talks everywhere else and a precious queer lot of stuff it is, and he don’t make use of no big words for a good reason that he doesn’t know none.

One thing in his favour is that he doesn’t trouble ‘em often, and when he does do it, he doesn’t keep long at it. It’s only when his love of fair play or as he calls it “common fairity,” draws him out as he ventures to have a go in. He ain’t brilliant by no means and says some of the rummest things as ever you heard and goes on hammering away at ‘em no matter how much the other chaps may laugh. He ain’t useful to anybody but Cowper and Co. (Charles Cowper Jnr) for he always votes on their side and Toby ain’t ornamental neither for he’s no beauty by no means with his snub nose, round pudding face, high cheek bones, low forehead and heavy overhanging brows. He’s a fine stout well-built chap just one of the main strengths and stupidness sort as I spoke about before and is just a slashing bullock-driver spoilt by being shoved into Parliament and made a legislator. He’d a driven a team of bullocks first rate and might ha’ been a useful member of society in that berth but sitting in the State coach he’s only a twentieth rater and won’t never be anything but a useless member of Parliament and only keeps a better man out of the seat. But I’ve said more about him than he’s worth. To tell you the truth I didn’t mean to say anything at all about him only that I run off my track a bit”. Toby became a great racehorse enthusiast and owned some of the best. One called “Traveller” was an excellent winner for Toby, winning 21 races out of 23. Another called “Vanguard” won a race where Toby was paid in nuggets of gold. In 1864 Mary died at the age of 46 and Toby later married Sarah Hadley aged 28 years old. In 1879 he became the licensee of the Crown Hotel in George Street, Sydney but by 1885 he was declared bankrupt. He died of pleurisy at his home at Woolloomooloo Street on the 17th October, 1899 and his body was brought back to Emu Plains by the 11.30 train to be buried in the family vault at St Pauls Church Cemetery where he was an officer and member. Mrs John Price & Son had charge of the funeral. Photo of Toby with one of his racehorse’s courtesy of Ben Hobby.

Sources - Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer, Sydney Mail, Goulburn Herald, Family Search (Mormon Website), Nepean Times & Reminiscences of Australia by “Toby” James T Ryan .

Contact Michelle for Pre-Planning & Pre-Paid Funerals

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

24

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

How the Coronavirus may affect you and our economy With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

T

he media is saturated with news and information about this nasty virus. But heres’ my take on how this “pandemic” may affect our economy and the average person living in the suburbs.

Most overseas and business travel will stop The negatives are to anyone owning airline shares. They will fall out of the sky perhaps. People employed in the airline industry and travel agents will suffer as well.

The positive is that people should then travel within the country or have local holidays. This will help the hotels and tourism industry stay afloat hopefully. You will see local hotels and resorts offering great deals to attract you to stay with them.

Money that is not spent overseas but is then spent within the country will have a positive multiplying effect. This effect also applies to online shopping when buying overseas. If you purchase a local product or service you will help keep our economy stronger than sending your money overseas, where no tax is paid to Australia etc.

People will work from home where possible This will affect many businesses that rely on workers buying their essential daily coffee, lunches and other shopping while traveling to work. Many casual employees will have reduced hours of work.

Hopefully the government subsidies can assist employer’s payments to their casual workers.

Dramatic share and superannuation balances falls People will see great declines in the value of their paper assets. This will greatly affect people who are close to retirement. Many will elect to stay in the workforce to try and recoup their losses. However, history shows in can take around 10 years for the share market (and superannuation funds) to recover back to the pre-crash highs.

Overall Confidence will be reduced Due to the declining paper asset values stated above, declining household incomes (lost overtime and lower casual hours etc), people will want to keep their cash saved and not spend it in the economy.

Money will stagnate and generate less GST and tax revenue for the government.

People will try to reduce their expenses Everyone with a home loan can easily reduce their repayments. Most lenders have reduced their variable and fixed interest rates dramatically over the last week. A few lenders are also offering rebates of between $2,000 and $4,000 to refinance to them.

So, you can win with an immediate cash bonus plus lower ongoing repayments and interest.

You can now get owner occupier interest fixed rates as low as 2.49 percent and variable rates as low as 2.73 percent. Investors can also get great interest only fixed rates of under 3 percent as well.

SELECT MORTGAGE FINANCE

The Reserve Bank will surely reduce the cash rate again soon to try to sustain some confidence in the economy. This makes variable rates currently very attractive.

Highly paid sport people might have to take a pay cut Now I love my footy and sports as much as anyone, but if the government (which means us tax payers) were to give the NRL millions of our dollars so they can pay the elite sports stars their $300,000 plus per season salaries, it would equate to political suicide.

The government has given the pensioners and those on Newstart allowances a small once off payment of $750. It is acknowledged by wider society that Aussies on the lowest incomes and those with disabilities need the most help. I don’t think Nathan Cleary will struggle to pay his rent or home loan for a while yet!

For many years the Federal government has refused to increase the Newstart allowance and accessing the NDIS is difficult for our disabled people. If the government gave the NRL a taxpayer handout, well that will be a very sad day for the battlers in our society.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com. au if you what to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any Home Finance questions that I can assist you with.

Phone: 4739 4500 Mobile: 0403 166 207 Email: beards@selectgrp.com.au Award winning mortgage broker

CROSSWORD ACROSS 8 A connecting point (4) 9 Goddess of the sea

(Sumerian mythology) (5) 10 A tributary of the Rhine

River (4) 11 Gaelic (6) 12 Neither cold nor hot (8) 13 Impartial (8) 15 Partners (6) 17 Excavating (7) 19 Incapable (7) 22 Large North American

deer (6) 24 Benevolence (8) 26 Breed of sheepdog (8) 28 Pilots a car (6) 30 Symbol (4) 31 French pancake (5) 32 Celt (4)

solution 5/3/20

DOWN 1 Part portrayed (4) 2 Taking up residence (8) 3 Knick-______ (6) 4 Burst inward (7) 5 Beaver-like rodents (8) 6 Embroidery yarn (6) 7 Blacken (4) 14 Nigerian monetary unit (5) 16 S S S S (5) 18 Bother (8) 20 Yearnings (8) 21 Slid (7) 23 Have in mind (6) 25 Prodded (6) 27 Bumpkin (4) 29 Former spouses (4)

SPORT @TheRiffMarn

Smith says complacency, lack of consistency and application proved costly A new first grade premier will be confirmed in the weeks ahead following Penrith’s loss to Parramatta last Saturday week, with where the defending premiers were dismissed for 237 in response to Parramatta’s 9/293 declared.

The competition’s leading run scorer, Ryan Gibson and his NSW squad team mate Ryan Hackney both failed with the bat and as so often been the case in season 2019-20, the rest of the top order failed to pick up the pieces, with only Cameron Weir (79) providing any real resistance, with the game all but over at 5/85.

Smith says the batting performance highlighted once again that the team was too complacent at times during the 2019-20, with too much reliance placed on Gibson and Hackney.

“It was an example of where complacency has crept into the team in that some of the guys think that someone else is going to get the win for them,” Smith told Nepean News.

“The Two Ryans have really had a good season. Gibbo finished the season as leading run-scorer in Sydney Grade Cricket, while Hackers also scored quite a few runs this season.

“But we relied too much on them to score the bulk of the runs whereas last season, everyone gelled and we all got into the work that was required to win games regularly.”

On reflection, the Panthers skipper, who confirmed he was interested in keeping the role for the 2020-21 season, says lack of consistency in most facets of their game also proved costly as the Black Cats slid out of the top six mid-way through the season to finish in twelfth position with just one post-Christmas win.

“I think lack of consistency with both bat and ball and even in the field, we weren’t switched on enough, not ready for the challenges that go with defending a title,” Smith declared.

“We thought more often than not that things would just happen for us again this season because everything sort of fell into place last year.

“Obviously we had high expectations this season considering we won it last year but unfortunately, we weren’t able to live up to those expectations.

“It’s fairly disappointing our season has come to an early end and I know all the guys are feeling the same with the performances of the season.”

Smith also indicated that his side’s lack of application when it came to game preparation, may have also played its part in Penrith’s failed title defence and indicated that there could be some major

or six of our games have been a draw or no result for us, which was extremely frustrating.”

Henry Railz made a handy 39 last Saturday against Western Suburbs. Credit: Barry Clarence.

changes at the foot of the mountains in 2020-21.

“A few fractures started to appear during the second half of the season, which doesn’t really surprise when you are not winning games,” Smith revealed.

“From a club perspective the first grade team and squad didn’t train as well as previous years and the club will be implementing some ways of making sure everyone is working hard, working together for the club, not just for themselves.

“This is particularly important that this is addressed as there are plenty of young cricketers in the lower grades of this club that look up to the first graders and I don’t think we did them any justice by the way we put in at times, particularly at training.

“So I think there will be a few changes to way we do things leading into games next season.”

The Black Cats’ season officially came to an end last Saturday at Howell Oval with yet another rain-induced draw, this time at the hands of Western Suburbs.

Only 48 overs were played before the heavens opened, but not before Penrith amassed 8/230 in tricky conditions, with plenty of batsmen getting starts without really being able to go on with the job, including Ryan Gibson (49), Henry Railz (39), Brent Atherton (36) and Tyran Liddiard (34).

Smith says it was yet another disappointing result for a side that hasn’t taken a trick since Christmas.

“It was overcast, the ball was moving around and I think we did pretty well to get 8/230 on the scoreboard and I was pretty confident we would have been able to bowl them out,” Smith conceded.

“But it was the rain among other things, that denied us which has been one of the tales of the season where five

Nonetheless, Penrith will have two of its’ five grade teams playing in the quarter finals this Saturday after results over the last remaining two rounds of the regular season.

Both fourth and fifth grade earned to right to host quarter finals matches this Saturday and Sunday, but while fourth grade will take on Eastern Suburbs at Bill Ball Park, fifth grade will travel to take on Hawkesbury at Bensons Lane (Oval 2), partly because of the Penrith Lady Cats hosting a semi-final on the Sunday at Howell Oval.

R14 / 15 lower grade results and final ladder positions as follows: Second Grade (16th) R14 – Penrith 146 def. by Parramatta 160 (B Tracey 3/27) & 2/70 R15 – Penrith 137 def. by Western Suburbs 4/80 Third Grade (8th) R14 – Penrith 145 def. by Parramatta 9/147 (J Singh 4/29) R15 – Penrith drew with Western Suburbs 9/207 (B Balgowan 3/38) Fourth Grade (3rd) R14 – Penrith 157 (B Atherton 71) def. Parramatta 112 (P Gregersen 6/27, M Becker 3/40) & 9/90 (P Gregersen 5/33) R15 – Penrith drew with Western Suburbs 147 (C Withers 3/17) Fifth Grade – (2nd) R14 – Penrith 9/211 (D Dent 74, R Freeman 57*) def. Parramatta 210 (B Vella 3/30) R15 – Penrith drew with Western Suburbs 115 (T Finemore 4/28) Meanwhile Penrith’s Lady Cats will finally feature in the Women’s Premier League Finals following last Sunday’s six wicket win over St George Sutherland at Howell Oval.

Naomi Stalenberg once again stood out, compiling 68 from just 54 balls in helping Penrith (4/153) chase down the visitors’ total of 150 in less than 27 overs.

The result saw Penrith finish the regular season in second position and now host Universities in this Sunday’s semi-final at Howell Oval, with the winner to take on the winner of the other semi-final between Sydney and Northern District, the following Sunday, for the right to be crowned first grade premiers for 2019-20. #LTC

Local clubs advance to playoffs in Major Pennants Golf

By Noel Rowsell

T

hree golf clubs from the Western Sydney region have qualified for the playoff stage in the 2020 Major Pennant competition, which completed the preliminary rounds on Sunday.

Penrith GC have finished 1st in Division 2, Section 1; Twin Creeks CC 1st in Division 2, Section 2 and Springwood CC 1st in Division 3, Section 4.

Leonay GC made a bold final round bid for top spot in Division 4, Section 4, defeating frontrunners Randwick on Sunday but ultimately falling 0.5 points behind in a countback on the season’s full results.

The draw for the playoffs will be published later this week and all 3 local clubs will be hoping to at least reach the Final (if not win) in their division, in

Penrith GC Major Pennant Squad: Back Row (L-R) Ian Gallagher (manager), Chris Lawler, Alex Platts, Wil Arnold, Peter Morris, Craig Montgomery. Front Row (L-R): Michael Organ, Blake Murray, David Bishop, Dale Hughes (c).

Missing from photo - Jeff Gadd

order to move up one division in 2021.

Full results from the final round are: Penrith GC down 2.5-4.5 to Cromer GC, Springwood CC 4-3 over Dunheved GC, Twin Creeks 5.5-1.5 over Killara GC, Leonay GC 4.5-2.5 over Randwick GC, Windsor CC 4-3 over Warringah GC, Fox Hills GC 4-3 over The Lakes GC, Glenmore Heritage Valley GC drew 3.5-3.5 with Oatlands GC, Richmond GC down 4.52.5 to Cabramatta GC, Stonecutters Ridge GC down 4-3 to North Ryde, Wallacia CC down 1.5-5.5 to Cammeray GC. Major Pennant Semi-Final draw just released.

Division 2: Twin Creeks CC play North Ryde GC at 10:12am and Penrith GC play Oatlands GC at 11.08am - both games held at Riverside Oaks GC. Division 3: Springwood CC play Cumberland GC at 1:00pm, also at Riverside Oaks CC. Division 4: Wallacia CC play an elimination match against Palm Beach GC at 11:36am at Rosnay GC for relegation to Division 5.

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

BEHIND THE STUMPS

with Stew Moses

25

Celebrity ROUND 2

ROUND 3

BUL STG BRI NZW SYD CRO WES GCT CAN MAN SOU CRO MEL NQC WES GCT NQC PAN SOU CAN MAN MEL NEW PAR STG NZW SYD NEW PAN PAR BUL BRI March 19 March 20 March 20 March 21 March 21 March 21 March 22 March 22 March 26 March 27 March 27 March 28 March 28 March 28 March 29 March 29 8.05pm 6.00pm 8.05pm 3.00pm 5.30pm 7.35pm 4.05pm 6.15pm 8.05pm 6.00pm 8.05pm 3.00pm 5.30pm 7.35pm 4.05pm 6.15pm

SCORE

Terry ‘Mad Dog” Corbett - St Clair Comets

10 Natalie Ballard - Novus Law Group - 0404 474 084

12 John Veitch - Parramatta Motor Group - 9912 2000

14 Captain Chris - Nepean Belle - 4733 1274

12 Armchair Champions Podcast - www.armchairchampions.com.au

12 Bec Passlow - Pioneer Tavern - 4736 4647

14 John Kibbey - Raine & Horne Commercial - 0417 228 538

8 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

10 Ross Franklyn-Smith - Club President, St Marys Diggers & Band Club - 9623 1211

10 Derry - O’Donovans Pty Ltd - 4736 1400 Councillor Benard Bratusa

14 Daniel Galea--@print Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091 Aaron Tyres

12

Come join the family

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TIPSTERS ROUND 2

ROUND 3

BUL STG BRI NZW SYD CRO WES GCT CAN MAN SOU CRO MEL NQC WES GCT NQC PAN SOU CAN MAN MEL NEW PAR STG NZW SYD NEW PAN PAR BUL BRI March 19 March 20 March 20 March 21 March 21 March 21 March 22 March 22 March 26 March 27 March 27 March 28 March 28 March 28 March 29 March 29 8.05pm 6.00pm 8.05pm 3.00pm 5.30pm 7.35pm 4.05pm 6.15pm 8.05pm 6.00pm 8.05pm 3.00pm 5.30pm 7.35pm 4.05pm 6.15pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News Columnist and Owner of MG Activ

12 Prue Car - Member for Londonderry - 9833 1122

14 Toby Hughes - Sinclair Hyundai - 4720 1111

10 Alex McKenzie - Future Financial Services - 0414 330 651

10 Scott Moore - Electra Cables - 0439 021 368

12 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

8 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055

BONUS 2 POINTS FOR PERFECT ROUND IN ROUND 1

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18 Brock Shepperd - Wests Harold Matthews Coach

12 Bradley George - Bespoke Realty Group - 4737 9977

12 Will Wise - East West Building & Kitchens - 9673 2621

10 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

10

“Where you can be you”

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Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

28

SPORT

Tex’s tales with Dale ‘Tex’ Walker An outstanding second half display saw the Oak Panthers get their season off to a perfect start downing reigning Premiers Sydney Roosters 20 - 14 at Panthers Stadium last Saturday night.

A crowd of more than ten thousand people watched James Tamou and his team lift from the canvass after a poor opening twenty minutes that allowed The Roosters to grab a 12-0 lead.

The Panthers defense was exposed by The Roosters who continuously made cheap metres through the middle of the park.

“It wasn’t ideal so I had to make some changes,” said coach Ivan Cleary.

From that moment on the Panthers found their rhythm with some great

signs for the rest of the season.

Jerome Luai was not only outstanding in defense, but his confidence in sharing the attack with Nathan Cleary was notable. Luai showed great vision in the first half with a kick behind the line that saw Brent Naden score the Panthers opening try.

Villiame Kikau overcame a ‘stinger’ to the shoulder in the first half to crash over with 11 minutes remaining to put his team in front for the first time in the game.

“It felt like I had a proper shoulder injury, I’ve never had a stinger before,” said Kikau.

“I went back into the sheds and surprisingly was able to get my range back.”

Utility Stephen Crichton is destined for stardom. The youngster played his fifth NRL game on Saturday night and impressed with his calmness which saw him score with his first touch of the game 18 minutes from time.

Ivan Cleary has a great problem on his hands, Crichton’s junior footy at St Pat’s Blacktown was as a dynamic and threatening fullback, hence piling on the pressure to Dylan Edwards and Caleb Aikens.

I was fortunate enough to be able to watch Crichton at St Pat’s under coach Greg Beacroft and will be very surprised if he is not playing State of Origin football in a few years time.

Every time Crichton touches the football you sense something special is about to unfold.

Meanwhile Jack Hetherington will be sidelined for two weeks with his late hit on James Tedesco in the 50th minute.

On the subject of Dylan Edwards, great news for Panthers fans with the fullback commiting for a further two seasons.

“I’m really grateful to be a part of the Panthers, ‘’ said Edwards.

“They gave me my first opportunity and I feel at home here. I want to be a part of a successful organisation and I see some great times ahead.”

Edwards suffered an ankle injury at training last month and is on his way to full recovery.

Physio Peter Green said Edwards is speeding through rehab.

“He has responded really well and should be back on the park in around two to three weeks,” On the subject of injuries, Kurt Capewell has aggravated a quad injury and is off the scene indefinitely.

Spencer Leniu suffered a knee injury in a trial and is set to return to light training next week. He is hopeful to be playing in 6 weeks.

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Onwards and Upwards for Zane Tetevano

L

ife has been somewhat erratic for Panther Zane Tetevano, but it’s now full steam ahead for the Kiwi international.

Tetevano has a troubled past and prides himself on turning his life around..

“Make no mistake I’ve done some pretty ordinary things in my life that I am not proud of,” said Tetevano.

“But that’s all behind me now and I am a much better person.”

Tetevano thought he had it all.

“My ego was massive and out of control, I thought playing NRL was a given and I took things for granted, how wrong I was.”

“I was given a huge wake up call and I took it.”

Tetevano is a Newcastle Knights Junior and played NYC from 2009-2010 before making his NRL debut under coach Rick Stone against the Sharks in 2011.

“This is most memorable for me for a different reason, said Tetevano.

“I actually tore my hamstring at the Captain’s run a day before the game. There was no way I was going to miss out so I strapped my hammy as best I could.

“I got through the game and played ok and to this day no one knows that story. I certainly could not get away with it now.”

A turning point in Tetevano’s life came when his father passed away with heart issues in 2015 at just 41 years of age.

“My dad lived the high life and his heart troubles started in his early thirties,” he said.

“We didn’t have the greatest of relationships as he wasn’t around much.”

Tetevano doesn’t know his mother and with a distant relationship with his father you can come to understand his waywardness as a youth.

“Yes, I had a big chip on my shoulder and didn’t have any direction,” he said.

“Around the time dad was sick I was fairly angry, and after he passed I began to mend my ways. I stopped drinking and smoking and put more energy into my training and mixed with the right people.

“My grandparents raised me and are a very special part of my life. The talks I had with them would help me get through.

“My partner MIkayla keeps me grounded and I have two beautiful girls aged one and three and another is due in August.

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SPORT

with Dale ‘Tex’ Walker

Son of a Gun

At the time of writing, round 2 of the NRL will go ahead behind closed doors, and the same for the Women’s AFL and Round 1 of the AFL this week.

It seems inevitable at some stage these competitions will be suspended which will then flow on to grass roots and local sports.

The Panthers travel to Jubilee Stadium tomorrow night to take on the Dragons who will be ready to make up for lost opportunities against the Tigers in Round 1.

GWS kick off their season against the Geelong Cats on Saturday night at Giants Stadium whilst the GWS women (who sit 2nd on the ladder) also take on the Cats prior to the Men’s game.

Braith Alexander, son of Brandy, has played himself back into the Panthers SG Ball Team.

Alexander had an interrupted 2019 season through injury and spent most of his time on the sideline.

“It was a tough one for him last year, said Brandy.

“Any player will tell you being out of the game through injury for a sustained amount of time can really get to you.

“It’s early days this year but he’s developing well and continues to improve.”

Like his father, Braith is a half back/five eight and has been playing a dummy half role for SG Ball.

The Panthers look set to give the competition a shake as they are yet to taste defeat after six rounds.’

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

Tex’s tales

29

Tex’s Top 3 Photo: Penrith Panthers

I also have two children in NZ I cherish as well.”

Tetevano was given a lifeline by The Roosters after a reserve grade season at The Wyong Roos, which then led to him being influential in the 2018 and 2019 Premiership victories.

“They were a great three years and now I’m looking forward to the next three at the Panthers,” said Tetevano.

“I love it out here and big Kik (Villiame Kikau) and I have formed a strong friendship. We both live in Jordan Springs so I pick him up on the way to training.”

Tetevano has his eyes set on nothing short of a top four finish for The Panthers in 2020 and loves coming up against Jarred Waeara Hargreaves.

“He’s the best front rower in the competition, I always want to compete with the best.”

Whilst he is not at home playing and having fun with his family you might be able to see him in Downtown Brooklyn Burgers in High Street.

“Don’t tell Ivan and the team, but man you’ve got to have yourself a Big Poppa Burger but you’ll need someone to help you it’s that big - only after a game of course.”

1. Whether you were in favour of the NRL Tina Turner promotion or not I find it staggering that a broadcast holder in Fox Sports produced a similar campaign with Jimmy Barnes.

For the record I find the Tina Tuner promo outside the square and concentrates on messages nothing to do with the game. I am a massive supporter of all cultures but the NRL is not a platform to voice your stance.

I’m my opinion The National Anthem should be played at all major games, just like it has been for decades. If you decide not to participate that is your right and it is highly respected.The debate creates an uncomfortable and uneasy feeling in the Rugby League community.

People just want to cheer their team and watch football. Football is their escape from confrontation, issues and creates freedom from reality for a very small time.

So why would Fox Sports and the NRL produce similar promotion campaigns? I’m not sure if there is a method in madness but it potentially causes friction inside the same brand. I’m sure rival codes are having a nice giggle at the expense of Rugby League.

2.How amazing was Katy Perry and the Australian Women’s cricket team on stage following the World Cup Final? It opens up the festivity for TV and live audiences to celebrate with them. The AFL have gone down this path previously with the most memorable being The Killers and Richmond’s Jack Reiwoldt belting out Mr Brightside. So in respect to the 2020 NRL Grand Final and based on the respective promotions will we see Tina Turner and Jimmy Barnes reunited on centre stage???? Maybe that’s the method in the madness I was speaking of.

3. Today we go about our day not knowing what damage the Corona Virus will create in our wonderful country. Unfortunately the fear has brought the worst out in people through panic buying and charging in herds to top up their necessities. It’s tough we cannot attend our favorite sporting venues but at some stage will return back to normal - it’s just a case of when.

I’ve taken the view to be aware of hygiene, cleanliness and limit time in public places. Yes, you may just have to spend a bit more time at home with your family. In retrospect we can rekindle our relationships and spend quality time with each other. I wish you well.

Have you spotted a celeb in the local area or wish to submit a comment or have a tale to tell?

Send an email to infotexfit@gmail.com or follow twitter @texy71.

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Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

30

SPORT

Coach’s Corner I

An approach to coaching junior sport

n order to create effective environments for junior athletes to develop we first need to understand the needs of the athletes within our program and how they would be affected by the model and design of the program we are trying to implement. The program design should always be focused on what is best for the athletes in order to ensure they are consistently challenged physically and intellectually.

Too often junior sport programs and training sessions are developed and created for what is best and comfortable for the coach, sometimes to appease parents or onlookers who are consistently telling the coach how sessions should be run and what they would do if they were in charge and more commonly they are designed by coaches who do not have the relevant experience or qualifications in coaching that specific sport, because they are parents or volunteers who have taken the position to allow the children to participate.

Consider that 70% of children drop out of organised sports by the age of 13. What contributes to this data?

Other interests, education taking precedence, sport becoming more serious and a lack of engagement in the sport, parental pressure or maybe the sport is no longer fun to the athletes… because as coaches we have taken that enjoyment away to service our own goals and interests.

We take away the ownership players have within

the sport. How? Block skills, lines, instruction, repetition, blocked and unengaging drills. We talk about results and make them our total focus.

Children spend hours and hours on video games and I believe a huge part of this is because they control the experience. The modern approach to education is to empower children to take ownership of their learning experience. This has not yet filtered through to youth sports. Our best teachers are allowing students to navigate their own learning experience by giving them ownership and control. As coaches we would not like or appreciate someone standing over our shoulder critiquing our every move, so why do we do it to our athletes?

Youth athletes are also victims of a lack of playing time or having been placed in positions on the field where they are unable to develop or become involved in the game. Players should be getting equal time on the field, they should be playing a variety of positions within their chosen sport. The skills and position an athlete plays at age 8 will be very different to the skills and position they play at age 14. Our programs and sessions need to cater for this and allow athletes to develop holistically. If you pick them… play them. Children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench on a winning team.

We create an environment where players fear making mistakes. Learning occurs through making mistakes. Training sessions are meant to look messy

Brock Shepperd Wests Tigers SG Ball Coach Fifth and Last NRL Podcast b.shepperd@hotmail.com

and chaotic. This is where learning happens, so instead of inserting yourself in an attempt to fix errors or disorganisation, let it be, watch and allow the players to solve the problems. Allow them to struggle as it builds resilience and in game intelligence. If they are looking to the sideline for an answer we have the environment totally wrong. Let them struggle to find the answer or solution.

A coach’s approach is the most important element in making our athletes feel like they belong and that they are able to express themselves on the field.

Our youth are emotionally connected and aware, so we need to be mindful of this and ensure we are behaving and reacting in a way that puts learning and development at the forefront of the coach’s behaviour, not the results the team achieves. This is also vitally important for parents to remember when they are debriefing with their children post training or game when your child may have made some errors or struggled in some areas. Be positive with your feedback, be honest about their performance while giving solutions and a path to improvement in their next game or training session.

We need to understand that a state of proficiency within a sport is not a state in which our athletes begin. It is our job to guide them towards proficiency.

In my next column we will look at games and how effective they are in developing athletes when compared to blocked drills and activities.

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Crichton: A star is born  “A star is born” Stephen Crichton after last weeks 15 second try

W

hile the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic it’s hard to really think or talk about anything else, such is the magnitude of the situation, but alas I will.

There was a round of rugby league last weekend and it produced some amazing feats of skill and effort that has been left in the shadows.

Let’s go through the round in case you missed any of the NRL action. The Eels and Dogs played out a dour 8 points to 2 victory to the Eels a week ago.

The Eels attack was clunky but their defence stiff, and while the Bulldogs’ off field dramas obviously affected them, they still managed to put up a good showing.

Last Friday night’s games saw the Raiders overcome the Titans 24-6 with Jack Wighton starring. The Cowboys and Broncos played at the brand new stadium in Townsville with the Broncos, on the back of a thundering 70 metre solo try to Dave Fifita winning 28-21.

The Knights blew away the hapless Warriors also last Saturday 20-0, the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks 22-18 with Latrell Mitchell only playing 55 mins due to a planned substitution by coach Wayne Bennett.

Panthers upset last year’s premiers the Roosters 20-14. Down 12-0 after 21 mins, the Panthers shock weapon off the bench Billy Kikau came on and changed everything, scoring the winning try.

But it was a new recruit and a rookie that most were taking about post game.

Api Koroisau was man of the match while young sensation Stephen Crichton scored within 15 secs of taking the field ensuing a league super star was born.

Last Sunday there were two games. The Storm beat their new arch rivals Manly 18-4, while the Tigers beat the Dragons 24-14, with Benji ‘the magician’ turning back the clock at 35 years young and starring for the Tigers with a try, 2 try assists, and 4 goals to claim man of the round honours.

Who knows what round 2 has in store for us all but whatever happens make sure you and your loved ones are safe, you all practice healthy cleanliness and you make sure you self isolate if you’re not feeling 100%.

I’ll see you at the game (eventually) x

MG (random Westie) OAM

Nepean News 19 March 2020 Issue 273

on the

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