See back page for story.
Local hero Tim Hodge (Kings Langley) carried the Kings Baton in the Opening Ceremony at Glasgow, then won Gold in the Men’s S9 100m Backstroke.
Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Games Australia
Sporting standouts honoured with gold medal guest
AFIRST Nations boxing champion from Lethbridge Park has been crowned Sportsperson of the Year among a cast of winners at the Blacktown City Sports Awards.
Australian featherweight champion Tyrell Adams claimed the honour as the community toasted athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers earlier this month at West HQ, Rooty Hill.
Guest speaker and Olympic skiing gold medallist Alisa Camplin AM captivated the more than 300 guests in attendance with tales from her career.
She encouraged young athletes to chase their sporting dreams and overcome adversity.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting congratulated the winners and the local sporting community.
“We have many young athletes achieving great success and I am proud that Council provides this event so they receive the recognition they deserve,” he said.
“It’s also a great way to honour the volunteers and officials who are the beating heart of community sport. Without them, there would be no sport.”
More than 130 nominations were received for the awards across a range of categories.
It was the 43rd running of the event, which has outgrown smaller venues and become a favourite night in Western Sydney’s sporting calendar.
Nominations for the 2027 Blacktown City Sports Awards will open later this year on Council’s website.
Blacktown City Sports Awards – full list of honours
Administrator of the Year
Donna Dhu, Doonside Little Athletics
Finalists – Stephen Matley, Blacktown Little Athletics Centre
Harseen Sahota, Glenwood Athletics & Sports Club
Club of the Year
The Ponds Parkrun
Finalists – ATP Pickleball Club
Blacktown City Masters Swimming Club Coach of the Year
Greg Smith, Speedcity Athletics Club, Rooty Hill
Finalists – Matthew Rawlings, Tallawong Little Athletics and Blacktown Workers Soccer Football Club
Aayra Shipurkar, Blacktown Brewers, Blacktown Cricket Club, Blacktown District Cricket Club
Sportsperson of the Year – Disability (Junior)
Diesel Thompson (para swimming) Ripples St Marys
Finalists – Beau Matthews (para swimming), Byron Higgins (karate) Yaruki Martial Arts
Sportsperson of the Year – Disability (Senior)
Chloe Osborn (para swimming) Aquablitz Toongabbie and Blacktown
Finalists – Alex Tuckfield (para swimming)
Kieran Watts (powerchair hockey) Western
Sydney Heat, Australia Powerchair Hockey Association NSW
Female Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Jessica Middleton, Eagles Softball Club, Cumberland Nepean Softball Association
Finalists – Hannah Farag (soccer) West City Rangers
Tahlia Coulton, Australian Rhythmic Gymnastics and Australian Aesthetic Group Gymnastics Federation
Male Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Benjamin Spadaro, Prospect Little Athletics and Blacktown City FC
Finalists – Aditya Patil, Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre
Ethan McRae, Cruisers Softball Club, Cumberland Nepean Softball Association
Referee/Umpire of the Year
Elliana Henderson, Blacktown City Netball Association, Wenty Leagues Netball Club
Finalists – Lucas Kuehne, City of Blacktown Basketball Association
Amber McRae, Cruisers Softball Club, Cumberland Nepean Softball Association
Sportsperson of the Year
Tyrell Adams (boxing) Boxfit Windsor
Finalists – Ashton Kennedy, Blacktown Workers Baseball Club
Elisha Kumar, Trinity Boxing, Boxing NSW, Boxing Australia Team of the Year
Blacktown U/18s Female Brewer Shield Cricket Team
Finalists – Western Raptors (rugby union)
Cumberland Nepean Softball Association U/18 Girls Representative Team Volunteer of the Year
Cynthia Morrison, Didjurigur Netball Club
Finalists – Rio Lambino, The Ponds Parkrun
Matthew Leo, City of Blacktown Basketball Association
Blacktown City Councillors, guest speaker Alisa Camplin and winners.
Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin shared stories from her career.
The Ponds Parkrun team claimed Club of the Year
Sydney 000 Expo set to bring emergency services and community together for a major public safety showcase
THE Sydney 000 Expo is set to return on Sunday 13 September 2026, offering a free, familyfriendly day of interactive learning, emergency service demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes access to the agencies that help keep New South Wales safe.
Held at Castle Hill Showground, the event will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm and will bring together emergency services, support agencies, volunteer organisations, and specialist response teams from across the state.
Formerly known as Emergency Expo, the event has been rebranded as the Sydney 000 Expo to better reflect its focus on the “triple zero” services that respond to the community in times of need.
Organisers are working to secure more than 30 exhibitors for 2026, with plans to significantly expand aviation assets, live demonstrations, and handson public engagement opportunities.
The Expo will feature emergency vehicles, rescue equipment, interactive displays, and live demonstrations designed to educate visitors about how different agencies respond to emergencies such as storms, fires, medical incidents, and road
accidents. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak directly with frontline personnel and volunteers, gaining insight into the roles and responsibilities of each service.
A key focus of the event is community education and preparedness, helping visitors understand what to do in an emergency and which services are responsible for different types of incidents. The event also aims to build confidence in young people through positive engagement with emergency personnel and interactive learning experiences.
Career pathways will also be highlighted, with many agencies
Seven Hills / Toongabbie / Wentworthville RSL Sub-Branch
2026 VETERANS DAY SERVICE
On behalf of the Seven Hills Toongabbie Wentworthville RSL sub-Branch we would like to invite all Veterans to our Veteran’s Day Commemoration Service at the Seven Hills RSL, on Saturday 15th August 2026.
The Service will commence at 11am.
For more than 100 years Australia has, through its dedicated servicemen and women, stood in harm’s way to defend world freedom and peace. From the trenches of the Great War to the deserts of Afghanistan, these servicemen and women have continued to serve in defence of those who cannot defend themselves, both in war and in peacekeeping missions.
We honour and salute all of our veterans, our Sons and Daughters from those days who have been serving together without question, accepted gladly, and fully discharged their responsibilities making numerous personal sacrifices and enduring physical and emotional pain so that we can enjoy the freedom and liberty we have today. It is the day we pay tribute to our Veterans who are currently deployed around the world and say a heartfelt “thank you” for their service and sacrifice and we wish them a speedy return home.
Those who attend on the day is a testimonial value we have place on the Australia’s commitment of the past and presence.
Those who wish to lay a Wreath on behalf of their Love Ones, please contact Graham Larkham so that your name can be called out during the Service. At the conclusion of the Service those who attend the Service will be invited to attend the Club for a Luncheon.
Graham Larkham
Seven Hills Toongabbie Wentworthville RSL Sub-Branch Events Coordinator | Email: graham28@aussiebb.com.au
showcasing employment and volunteering opportunities across a wide range of disciplines including emergency response, aviation, engineering, logistics, communications, and healthcare.
Families are encouraged to take part in the popular Kids’ Stamp Rally, where they can download a game card (available September) from the expo website, and bring it to the expo where children can visit participating agencies, complete simple learning tasks, and collect stamps for a chance to win prizes. The activity is designed to make learning about emergency services both fun and memorable.
Aviation assets, including helicopters and specialist aerial support, are expected to be a major feature of the day, alongside demonstrations from fire, rescue, medical, police, and support agencies.
Free tickets are available through https://events.humanitix. com/000expo-com-au
As preparations continue, additional exhibitors and activities will be announced through the official Sydney 000 Expo Facebook page.
The Sydney 000 Expo promises to be an engaging, educational, and family-focused event that connects the community with the people and services dedicated to protecting it.
Sydney 000 Expo – Bringing our community and emergency services together.
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From the Editor’s Desk
BY KERRIE DAVIES
Honouring
those who answered the call
THERE are some words we throw around pretty easily these days. Hero. Brave. Courage. In my mind, there’s no group more deserving of those words than Aussie veterans. Especially our Vietnam Veterans.
On August 18 we mark Vietnam Veterans Day, and I hope everyone thinks about the sacrifice that generation of serving Australians made.
Can you imagine it?
Young Aussies, many barely out of school, packing a bag and heading off to a country they’d never seen, into a war they barely understood. Leaving behind Mum and Dad, sweethearts, a cold beer at the pub and all the little comforts of home that most of us take for granted.
Instead they found themselves in a jungle where every step could be their last. They lived with fear, exhaustion and uncertainty. They saw things no young person should ever have to see. Some came home with physical scars. Many came home carrying wounds no one could see.
And tragically, some never came home at all.
What’s even harder to accept is what happened when they did return.
Instead of a hero’s welcome, too many were met with abuse, ridicule and indifference. They wore the anger that belonged to a divided nation. Many were opposed to the war, which they were entitled to be. But somewhere along the way, many forgot that the young Australians sent to fight it didn’t make that decision. Most simply answered the call. Many had no choice, it wasn’t something you could just shrug off. They served because their country asked them to and indeed, expected them to.
Thankfully, Australia has grown up, at least on commemoration days. You can disagree with a war while still honouring the men and women who put on the uniform.
If you meet a Vietnam Veteran, I suggest shake their hand and thank them. For those who for so long never received the respect they deserved, it means more than you probably realise.
To every Vietnam Veteran in our community, thank you. You did your duty. You stood by your mates. You carried burdens most of us will never fully understand. You’re bloody legends, and Australia is better for your service.
ADF and RFS answer the call
WHEN our international partners call for assistance, Australia stands ready to respond.
In support of the French Government’s request for assistance to combat devastating bushfires, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has rapidly mobilised personnel and critical airlift capability to help deliver specialist firefighting expertise where it is needed most.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III has transported NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters and essential equipment from RAAF Base Richmond, demonstrating the ADF’s strategic air mobility capability and its
ability to move people and resources across the globe at short notice.
Alongside this, a CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre aerial firefighting water tank, and a Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft have deployed alongside NSW RFS personnel to strengthen firefighting efforts on the ground.
This deployment showcases the ADF’s ability to respond quickly to emergencies, working seamlessly with government agencies to deliver timely assistance and strengthen international partnerships. Whether responding at home or abroad, the ADF’s highly capable people and air mobility assets ensure the right support reaches the right place at the right time.
Photo courtesy of SGT Dan Pinhorn (ADF).
STORY COURTESY OF THE ADF & RFS
CredPass launches for childcare sector
BY KERRIE DAVIES
AWESTERN
Sydney entrepreneur has launched what is believed to be Australia’s first credential management platform designed specifically for the early childhood education and care sector, as childcare providers prepare for major new compliance requirements.
CredPass was officially launched at The Lakehouse, Redbank, and is the creation of early childhood teacher, TAFE educator and counsellor Tiffany Shipard Bassett, who drew on decades of frontline experience to develop the platform.
The cloud-based system enables childcare centres, approved providers and educators to manage, verify and track professional credentials in a single location.
Its launch comes ahead of new obligations under the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) National Early Childhood Worker Register, which take effect in August 2026. The changes require credential updates within 14 days, with penalties of up to $34,200 per breach for non-compliance.
Tiffany Shipard Bassett said the platform was designed to reduce the administrative burden on childcare services while giving educators greater control over their professional records.
“Childcare directors are spending hours each week chasing paper certificates and spreadsheets,” she said.
“CredPass was built to fix that, giving educators a credential passport they own and carry across their career, while providing centres with the compliance confidence they need.”
CredPass organises credentials across four categories: compliance, certifications, qualifications, and training and continuing professional development. It also provides automated expiry alerts, verification tools and reporting dashboards for centre directors and approved providers.
The platform includes features to support nominated supervisor management and trainee progression tracking.
CredPass launched with pilot partner Caring 4 Kids Kindergarten in Western Sydney and is now available for commercial rollout. The platform is free for individual educators, with subscription options available for childcare centres and approved providers.
Australia’s early childhood
education and care sector employs more than 200,000 workers across more than 15,000 services operating under the National Quality Framework administered by ACECQA.
Despite the introduction of the National Early Childhood Worker Register, many services continue to rely on paper certificates, spreadsheets and email chains to manage workforce documentation.
A NSW Parliamentary Committee inquiry into the sector, released in May 2026, identified workforce documentation and regulatory compliance among the key challenges facing childcare providers.
Credential Systems Pty Ltd, the company behind CredPass, was incorporated in April 2026 and developed the platform in partnership with software development firm Zimalab.
Headquartered in Western Sydney, CredPass has been designed to serve childcare providers across Australia, with long-term plans to expand into the aged care, NDIS, construction and nursing sectors, as well as international markets including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore.
Hawkesbury Councillor Mike Creed with Tiffany Shipard Bassett.
A Veteran’s Tears
BY TOMAS HAMILTON
I recall the day I met him, when I went to read my poem
About the Anzac spirit, at the district veterans home
He was sitting in the corner, medals on his chest
But from his haunting memories. He would never rest
He beckoned me to join him and I sat beside his chair
In tones he spoke so softly, his eyes a vacant stare
He said “I’m grateful for your visit and the way you make words rhyme
Having listened to your story, it’s time to tell you mine
I was barely nineteen years of age, when I donned my jungle greens
I never had a second thought, it was all part of my genes
Pop served on the Western Front, Dad Kokoda Track
I had no inhibitions, ‘cause they all made it back
I found myself at Nui Dat, boarding choppers at first light
If I practiced all I’d learned, I thought that I’d be right
But all the courses I had done, didn’t seem to count
Trudging through the paddy fields and the casualties began to mount
After twelve months they sent me home and I saw how life had changed
As if everything I valued, had all been rearranged
Friends had turned against me, for going to that war
So I embarked on the Vung Tau Ferry and went off for a second tour
Tet should have seen a ceasefire, but that was just a con
In villages and cities the firefights still dragged on
We were from many units, fulfilling our own role
We wore different coloured lanyards, but we only had one goal
The enemy fell upon us and all that I can say
These were no peasant farmers, they were regular NVA
They nearly over ran us, at Coral and Balmoral
And when we finally drove them off, there was no victors’ laurel
I came home in the dead of night and they sent me on my way
I wished I had of joined my mates, laying buried in the clay
I drifted as a homeless drunk, no one shed a tear
Until the Salvos dried me out and I found myself in here”
A nurse observed this tortured soul as he began to cry
And said “I think that he has had enough, it is time to say goodbye
So thank you for your visit and for listening to what he said”
And she wheeled him quietly sobbing, to the sanctuary of his bed
VETERANS DAY
Lance Corporal Jack Jewry
THIS year marks the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and as such it is a major milestone of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Jack Jewry was born on 28th March 1945, in London England, and came to Australia when he was five years old. Jack was a pupil of St Marys High School where he won the Western Districts Schoolboy Swimming championship.
Jack was called up in the first intake of Australia’s National Servicemen and commenced his recruit training at Kapooka NSW on the 30th June, 1965. After completing recruit training, he was allocated to the Infantry Corps. On the 8th September, 1965 he became a member of the newly formed 6Th Battalion RAR and was posted to 11 Platoon, D Company.
On the 14th May, 1966 Jack married his long-time sweetheart, Susanne May, at St Marys Magdalene Church in St Marys. Following a brief honeymoon, Jack was sent to Canungra QLD for intensive training in jungle-type warfare, and on the 8th June, 1966, Jack left Australia by plane from Amberley Air Base and landed in Saigon Vietnam.
The first priority of the new arrivals was to clear and establish a task force operational area at Nui Dat in the Phuoc Tuy Province and on the 20th June 1966, Jack was appointed Lance Corporal, second
in command of a section of ten men.
On the 17th August 1966, the enemy mortared the task force base at Nui Dat in the Phuoc Tuy Province, on the morning of the 18th August 1966, D Company of 6RAR consisting of 108 soldiers was
dispatched to a rubber plantation at Long Tan, to search for the Viet Cong mortar crews. Later that afternoon, the advancing battalion of the Viet Cong 275th Regiment ran into D Company in teeming monsoon rain in the rubber plantation and a ferocious battle began. Over the next several hours, D Company with just 108 diggers, held off the best efforts of over 1,500 Viet Cong soldiers who were trying to wipe them out.
During the Battle, Lance Corporal Jack Jewry was fatally wounded, along with 17 other soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. Jack Jewry was 21 years of age and had served in Vietnam for 71 days at the time of his death.
The outstanding performance of D Company in the Battle of Long Tan was recognised by the Americans by the Presidential Unit Citation, the emblem of which is still worn by any soldier serving in D Company, 6 RAR.
Jack lies in rest at Pinegrove Memorial Park Minchinbury NSW.
On the 24th August 1996, in the presence of his widow, Susanne and many family and friends, including his sister Rita Thomas, the park at the corner of Acacia Avenue and Merinda Avenue St Marys NSW, was dedicated “Jack Jewry Reserve” by Penrith Council in Jack’s memory.
Lest We Forget.
BY HON. SECRETARY SAM VECCIO
271 Major drainage upgrade completed to reduce flooding in Bidwill
BLACKTOWN City Council has completed a major stormwater drainage upgrade in Bidwill to reduce flooding risk, improve local safety and help the area cope better during heavy rain.
The Ree Place Bidwill drainage amplification project received $505,574 in funding through the Albanese Government’s Disaster Ready Fund, with Blacktown City Council contributing over $1.4 million to deliver the upgrade.
The project has improved stormwater infrastructure between Gomebeeree Park and Popondetta Road, helping move stormwater more safely away from nearby homes and roads.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government is committed to supporting projects that better support communities when disasters hit.
“Investing in disaster resilience helps communities better withstand the impacts of severe weather and recover more quickly when events occur.
“This project is a practical example of how targeted funding can reduce flood risk, improve community safety and strengthen local infrastructure.
“By improving the way stormwater is managed during heavy rainfall, the upgraded drainage network will deliver lasting benefits for local residents, motorists and the broader community.
“Partnerships between different levels of government are important in delivering infrastructure that addresses local risks and supports long-term community resilience.”
Federal Member for Chifley, Ed Husic said families around Bidwill deserve to feel safe in their own homes when heavy rain comes, and this upgrade means there are better safety measures now in place to keep stormwater away from people’s properties.
“These projects matter because they help safeguard the things people work hardest for: their home and their peace of mind. You might not see new pipes and stormwater pits day to day, but local families will feel the difference every time the rain comes down.
“I’m proud the Albanese Government backed this work through the Disaster Ready Fund. That fund exists to help communities get ahead of disasters before they hit, and this is exactly the kind of practical local project it was designed to deliver.”
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said the completed upgrade was a reminder that some of Council’s most important work happens beneath the surface.
“This is the kind of work people may not notice every day, but it matters when the rain comes,” Mayor Bunting said.
“Stormwater infrastructure is not always visible once a project is finished, but it plays an important role in protecting homes, keeping roads safer and giving residents more confidence during heavy rain.
“For people around Ree Place, Manifold Road and Popondetta Road, flooding has been a real concern, and this project will help move stormwater through the area more safely.
“Council has also carried out work in Gomebeeree Park to slow floodwater and give the drainage system more time to do its job.
“This upgrade is part of our wider work to prepare Blacktown City for more severe weather, not just through the big visible projects, but through the essential infrastructure our communities rely on every day.
“I thank the Australian Government for supporting this project through
the Disaster Ready Fund, and I thank local residents for their patience while this important work was delivered.”
The Council built new drainage pipes and large stormwater pits to capture and move more water during heavy rain. The project also included work in Gomebeeree Park to slow floodwater, giving the drainage system more time to do its job.
The project is expected to make a real difference for residents around Ree Place and Manifold Road, where heavy rain has previously sent more stormwater into the area than the drainage system could handle.
Council’s flood modelling indicates the upgrade will significantly improve flood resilience in the area, helping protect around 18 properties from inundation during a major flood event and lowering flood levels along Popondetta Road and Manifold Road.
The works were completed over an eight-month period, from August 2025 to April 2026.
“Is this serious? This isn’t a stitch up?”
ABIDWILL family battling one of life’s toughest challenges has received an incredible boost after winning a $350,000 Play For Purpose First Prize Pack.
The $350,000 First Prize Pack from Play For Purpose Raffle 32, drawn last Monday included a shiny new Land Rover Defender 110 worth $191,986.24, $150,000 in Gold Bullion and an EG Ampol fuel gift voucher worth $8,013.76.
The western Sydney family purchased their winning ticket in support of LIVIN, a cause close to their hearts given the importance of mental health within their large family of children and grandchildren.
The winning dad, who was preparing to attend a medical appointment for cancer treatment, struggled to believe the winning news and couldn’t stop shaking.
“Is this serious? This isn’t a stitch up?” he laughed.
“I’m just going to cry. Our luck has been down lately. I recently have been diagnosed with cancer.
“Honestly, my hands are trembling, and my head is spinning like a washing machine.
“I was getting ready to go to the doctor’s regarding treatment and I thought I’ll just answer this call quickly. I had no idea it was going to be this.
“I’ll put my wife on. She’s the one that got us the ticket.”
“This is the first time we’ve ever
won something!” the winning wife said.
“I randomly bought a ticket because it’s a nice way to give back and help charities like LIVIN.
“We have a large family of children and grandchildren, so mental health matters a lot to us.”
Still processing the life-changing win, the couple said the prize would
make a significant difference to both their immediate and extended family.
“I’m just in awe. You have no idea how much this win will help us,” the winning husband added.
“Not just us, but our family. It’ll set them up as well and help their future.
“We’re real battlers so it’s very much appreciated. I think we’ll definitely have to go out to lunch to celebrate. Thank you so much!”
They purchased their winning entry in support of LIVIN at thelott.com/ play-for-purpose/play.
LIVIN Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Casey Lyons shared he was thrilled to hear the winning news.
“We’re incredibly excited to see a LIVIN supporter take home the First Prize Pack in Raffle 32!” he said.
“Every ticket purchased helps us continue our mission to break the stigma around mental health and create conversations that save lives.
“A huge thank you to everyone who supported LIVIN through Play For Purpose – your generosity is helping make a real difference”
Sad Death of a Young Man
By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
CHARLES William Cunningham was born at Emu Plains in March 1876 to parents Thomas Alexander & Martha Cunningham (Lucas). Thomas married Martha in Penrith in 1873. Charles’s grandparents Edward & Elizabeth Cunningham (Henning/Edgar) came as assisted immigrants on the “Elizabeth” in August 1841 with baby daughter Jane Elizabeth born in 1840. Edward was aged 26 and a labourer and Roman Catholic, Elizabeth aged 20 and a servant and a Protestant. Both could read and write. They moved to the Goulburn district where they held a freehold at Tarlo River and a leasehold at Reedy Creek. It was on Saturday the 29th of August in 1896 that their grandson Charles died peacefully at Hawkesbury Agricultural College Hospital after a brief illness. His parents were both present at the time of his death. He was a student at the Agricultural college for around 20 months and one of the best footballers and all-round athletes in the colony. A first-class musician, Charles was ever ready to use his talent in connection with religious, charitable and social functions and a general favourite everywhere, happy to use his clear bass voice in singing with the church choir as well as being their organist. He was also President of the Christian Union at the Hawkesbury College, Secretary of the Wesleyan Sunday School at Camdenville in the Newtown circuit as well as their organist. Great gloom came over the Hawkesbury Agricultural College by the death of Charles. He was taken sick from work and the Doctor sent for. On the Doctor’s arrival and after a careful diagnosis, the cause of the trouble was inflammation of the lungs that continued for some time and pleurisy set in. Both these illnesses were fought bravely by Charles and by Dr’s Helsham and Gibson, but after these were bought under control, Charles’s heart failed and proved too much for medical skill. Both Doctors were in constant attendance but the end came Sunday morning about 8 o’clock. Charlie (as he was known to all) was a general favourite all through the College and town, especially among his fellow students. The faces of the students at different stages of his sickness was reported to show in what esteem Charles was held. When the result was considered serious, the whole place was plunged into grief, but when it was reported, as it was on several occasions, that Charles was better, there was a cheerful aspect everywhere. On Friday morning he was very low and everyone appeared to be discussing his case in a sorrowful manner, but on Friday evening a change, apparently for the better, so most of his friends had good hopes until Saturday evening when he took ill again and never rallied. Charlie was looked upon as one of the strongest among the whole of the students and was foremost in almost every movement. His kind genial manner won friends everywhere. He was the best athlete in the College, if not the district, and would be missed in all sports and gatherings. Much sympathy was expressed towards
his parents in their sad bereavement. They were constantly by his side and the shock was a terrible one to them. Charlie was educated at Newington College and was one of the first students at the Agricultural college. He was considered a very clever young man and had just completed his term and had entered on the last session for his diploma with the feeling that he would have carried it off with honour. He had just passed his twentieth birthday. The funeral took place on the Monday. The Principal of the college was greatly moved by the death of’ such a prominent student. All the students, staff and other friends assembled at the College Hospital and a short service was held by Mr Glasson. Reverend Dr Cameron also delivered a touching and appropriate address to those around. At about noon a start was made for Emu Plains Cemetery, the College students in the charge of Mr Brooks and Mr Musson marched four deep in front of the hearse with about 85 vehicles following. When the procession reached the Wesleyan Cemetery at Londonderry there was another crowd and the students opened out and the hearse passed between them then Reverend J Tarn conducted the service according to the rites of the Wesleyan Church. A number of the town friends then turned homewards and among those remaining were the relatives of Charles, the Principal and college students. Then on the road towards Penrith several other friends and relatives of the family joined in until there were about 40 vehicles and the funeral carried on to St Paul’s Emu Plains Church of England cemetery. On turning the corner opposite, Mr Lucas, Charlie’s uncle from Emu Plains and another party on foot joined in, including two cadet students from Newington college along with some relatives and friends. Messrs A&N Price of Richmond and Penrith had charge of the funeral arrangements. Charles’s body was enclosed in a polished cedar coffin with silver mountings. Charlie’s parents were deeply affected as were a large number of the students and the Principal Mr Thompson. Among the large number of lovely wreaths sent in, was one from the Principal, students at the College, the Hawksbury football club, the science master, English master as well as one from Newington College and Penrith, St Marys, Richmond and Sydney friends. Charles’s father Thomas died in 1927 at Marrickville aged 82. His occupation was that of a retired grazier. His mother Martha died in 1943 and both are buried in the Methodist section of the Emu Plains cemetery. Photo of the grave of Charles and his little brother Arthur Charles who died aged 4 in August 1878, courtesy of Find a Grave website.
Sources: Nepean Times, New South Wales, Cemetery, Military, and Church Record Transcripts, 1816-1982, Ancestry website, Family Search (Mormon website), New South Wales Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists 1828-1896, Electoral Roll 1842-1864.
IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL…
Photo of the grave of Charles and his little brother Arthur Charles who died aged 4 in August 1878, courtesy of Find a Grave website.
INavigating the Squeeze: What’s Really Going On?
N the past few weeks, I’ve been asked the same question in different ways — what do you think is really going on with Sydney property prices, rents, and sales? It’s a fair question. We’re seeing strong population growth at a time when housing supply is struggling to keep up — and the natural result of more people chasing fewer properties is pressure on both rents and prices.
What’s happening in property doesn’t exist in isolation either — it’s connected to everything else shifting around us. Costs are up, uncertainty is high, and ongoing global conflicts continue to push energy and supply chain costs higher, feeding the inflation we’re all living with.
Decisions being made right now in Canberra, the RBA boardroom, and the boardrooms of global tech giants will land on your doorstep whether you’re paying attention or not.
I know Australians are aspirational — we work hard, save, and build. Right now, it feels like the rules are changing mid-game.
The Rate Question
As I write this, the RBA board is meeting — and by the time you read this, you’ll know the verdict. Just a few weeks ago, a rate hike was considered unlikely by most economists. How
quickly things change. The market is now pricing in a 0.25% rise, with some pushing for 0.50% to tackle the inflation spike that crept back up through late 2025.
Either way, when the RBA pulls that lever, it’s not the banks or big corporations who feel it first — it’s families with mortgages, renters, and small business owners carrying variable-rate debt.
AI and Big Tech Is Clever. But at Whose Expense?
In just the past fortnight, WiseTech announced 2,000 Australian job cuts, CBA confirmed 300 redundancies, Atlassian cut 500 local roles, and Telstra and NAB added to the tally. Remember when these same companies stood on stages a few years ago and assured us AI would create more jobs than it replaced? That didn’t age well. And Atlassian — worth billions on paper — hasn’t posted a profit since 2015.
These aren’t low-income roles being cut; they’re well-paid professionals with mortgages, who built careers assuming their skills would carry them. Retrain into what, at what cost, at what age? That pressure is real and largely being ignored.
Meanwhile, these companies post record valuations, pay minimal tax
CROSSWORD
here, and play by different rules to local businesses — ask the cab operators in Manly and Cooma. We see local icons like Manly Cabs or Cooma Cabs closing their doors because they cannot compete with big-tech giants that often operate under different regulatory rules and costs. We even see this in our daily lives; you don’t even “own” your music anymore. See what happens when you stop paying that monthly subscription.
And those same tech giants quietly shelving their green energy pledges to climate change as AI and Data Centres power demands skyrocket for any energy? Worth noting.
The CGT Conversation that keeps on coming back CGT changes and super tax adjustments are back on the agenda, a move many see as a tax grab that penalises working Australians. Simply put: those gains were built with money already taxed once. Super isn’t a loophole — contributions and earnings tax has been paid throughout. Tightening the screws again isn’t reform; it’s a double dip on the savings of everyday Australians who simply followed the rules.
Governments That Spend Like Tomorrow Never Comes
Governments can’t keep spending beyond their means and expect someone else to pay for it indefinitely — households certainly can’t. Small business owners are drowning in compliance while public expenditure keeps growing. And here’s a thread worth watching: as AI becomes embedded in public services, governments are accumulating extraordinary amounts of data about how we live, spend, and move. The same technology displacing private sector jobs is also handing authorities new tools for surveillance and control. That’s a conversation we’re not having loudly enough.
We’ve Been here Before
The pressures are real, but so are your options — if you move while you still have them. At Wealthwiz, we believe the smartest move is a human connection. Technology is a tool; it should never replace the personal service that empowers you. Call Alex today — MFAA accredited finance broker — on 0419 600 177.
Disclaimer: The data, information and commentary provided in this publication is of a general nature. Opinions expressed are those of the author and should not be construed as specific financial or tax advice. The information is believed to be reliable at time of distribution, but Wealthwiz does not warrant its completeness or accuracy. Please seek appropriate professional advice for your individual circumstances.
Nicolas Diaz Ballas wins national gymnastics crowns
BY NOEL ROWSELL
JUST one day after returning to Australia from a demanding international competition tour in Europe, trampoline athlete Nicolas Diaz Ballas (Kellyville Ridge) delivered a championship-winning performance to claim the Men’s Open Senior National Title at the Australian Gymnastics Championships at Sydney’s Quay centre in Homebush last week.
The victory marked the culmination of an extraordinary run of elite competitions that saw Nicolas compete in two World Cup events overseas, before a 30-hour journey home and stepping straight into Australia’s premier gymnastics event. Despite battling fatigue from weeks of international travel and competition, Nicolas rose to the
occasion. He qualified in first place and held that position through the final to secure the national crown.
His Australian Championship success came on the back of a breakthrough European campaign that began at the Arosa World Cup in Switzerland, better known as the Nissen Cup, named after George Nissen, the inventor of the modern trampoline.
Competing against a field featuring Olympians and some of the world’s best trampoline athletes, Nicolas produced a personal best score and achieved one of the most significant results of his career, progressing to the World Cup semi-final for the first time in the Men’s Open division. He went on to finish an impressive 12th overall.
For an Australian athlete, the achievement was particularly noteworthy. Unlike many international competitors from full-
time programs, Australian trampoline athletes often balance international competition commitments with work and study whilst funding much of their own training and travel.
From Switzerland, the Australian team travelled to Coimbra, Portugal, for the second World Cup event of the tour. Athletes were challenged by scorching temperatures, reaching 40 degrees Celsius, adding another layer of difficulty to an already intense competition schedule. Nicolas again performed strongly but narrowly missed progressing to the semi-finals by just one position.
His success at the Australian Championships was not limited to individual competition. In the Mixed Synchronised Trampoline event, Nicolas teamed up with Nicola Roupell, with whom he had not trained before the championships.
Despite the lack of preparation time together, the pair produced a polished performance to claim the bronze medal.
Adding to his demanding schedule, Nicolas also helped secure gold in the Men’s Trampoline Team event, further demonstrating his ability to perform across multiple disciplines despite the physical and mental toll of recent weeks. Gymnastics Australia also presented Nicolas with the ‘Athlete Award of Distinction’ and ‘Athlete Roll of Honour” at the championships for his success at World Championships.
His attention now turns to the National Clubs Championships on the Gold Coast in September, before beginning preparations for the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Nanjing, China, in November.
St George MCC hosts NSW Road Race Championship
BY
THE St George MCC hosted Round One of the 2026 NSW Road Race Championships and Sprint Support Races at Sydney Motorsport Park over 1-2 August, featuring 300/400 cc Championship; the 600cc Championship; Unlimited Championship; Formula St George & Bears F3; Unlimited Club A & B; 600cc Club A & B, Next GEN; Bears F1 / F2 & Open Senior F1 / Unlimited.
All results can be found at: http:// racing.natsoft.com.au/results/#2
NOEL ROWSELL
#84 Zac Russo, #23 Matthew Ritter, #37 Alexander Codey. #1 Jake Farnsworth, #28 Josh Soderland. Photos by Noel Rowsell
Nicolas Diaz Ballas. Photos supplied courtesy of Argyro Ballas and Graham Dodd
Nicola Roupell & Nicolas Diaz Ballas.
Friday, 7 August 2026
A record Australian medal haul at Commonwealth Games
BY NOEL ROWSELL
A256-STRONG Australian Team at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games competed in ten sports on the Games program. Nine athletes from our catchment area won selection to the Australian Team, including Desleigh Owusu (Blacktown) Triple Jump – Athletics, Ritam Malik (Kellyville), Tru Hagens (Kellyville) and Benjamin Foster (Greystanes) Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Isaac Beacroft (Quakers Hill) 10,000m Walk – Athletics, Tim Hodge (Kings Langley) 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke - Para Swimming, Hannah Dodd (Arcadia) Women’s 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Julie Charlton (Dural) Shot Put – Para Athletics, Gordon Allan (Blacktown) - Para Cycling.
Tim Hodge (Kings Langley) had the honour of carrying the King’s Baton in the Opening Ceremony and later claimed gold in the Men’s S9 100m Backstroke, successfully defending his title from Birmingham 2022. Tim also won a bronze medal in the Men’s S9 100m Breaststroke.
Isaac Beacroft (Quakers Hill) won gold in the Men’s 10,000m Walk. He had previously smashed the under-20 world record last December and is eyeing the Junior World title in the United States next week, ahead of planned tilts at the Senior World Championships and 2028 Olympic Games.
Gordon Allan (Blacktown) won a silver medal in the Men’s C1-C3 1,000m Time Trial and finished fourth in the C1-C3 Individual Pursuit. Ritam Malik (Kellyville), Tru Hagens (Kellyville) and Benjamin Foster (Greystanes) have teamed with Jesse Moore and James Hardy to win the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics bronze medal. Their success ends a 16-year wait for a Commonwealth Games medal, since Australia won
gold at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Hannah Dodd (Arcadia) won a bronze medal with the Australian Women’s 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball team, which defeated Canada 19-17 in the playoff for third / fourth positions. Desleigh Owusu (Blacktown) finished fourth in the Women’s Triple Jump.
Julie Charlton (Dural) finished seventh in the F57 Shot Put.
Women’s 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball - Bronze. Photos courtesy of Commonwealth Games Australia and Michael Thomas / Athletics Australia
Gordon Allan (Silver).
Nina Kennedy (flag) and Tim Hodge (Kings Baton).
Tim Hodge (Gold).
Isaac Beacroft (Gold).