Western News 13 November 2020

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Friday, 13 November 2020

ISSUE 122

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Sensational Seniors

Runner-up Peter Lonard (NSW) pitches his ball onto the 18th green in front of a bumper audience at Richmond GC. See page 15 for full story.

Photo: Noel Rowsell

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

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Blacktown City’s 2020 Youth Ambassadors

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lacktown City Council is proud to announce that Demi Marie Spiteri from St John Paul II College, Schofields and Riley Rodewald from OLMC, Parramatta have been appointed Youth Ambassadors for 2020/21.

“I congratulate Demi Marie and Riley for being selected as Blacktown City’s 2020 Youth Ambassadors,” said Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM. “The Youth Ambassador program has been growing year by year and once again we had a record field of applicants and the quality of candidates was extremely high, presenting Council with a tough but exciting challenge.

“The applicants all had to go through quite an extensive interview and assessment process, made more difficult by the fact that COVID-19 saw the process being spread from April through to October.

“It’s wonderful to see so many young people wanting to be actively involved as leaders in their local community.”

Blacktown City Council’s Youth Ambassador Program has been running since 1982 and is a chance for young people to represent the youth of Blacktown City at civic receptions and ceremonies, as members of Council’s Youth Advisory Committee, attend Local Government conferences and take part in Council’s sister cities program.

(L-R) Demi Marie Spiteri, Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, and Riley Rodewald at the 2020 Blacktown City Youth Ambassador presentation dinner.

Riley Rodewald has just completed Year 11 and has represented her school at the highest level in debating, Tournament of the Minds and the STEM challenge. She also enjoys athletics and volleyball at school and soccer and touch football outside school.

Riley does volunteer work for the Child Bereavement Support Group and tutoring for refugee children.

“I want to promote the diverse voices of Blacktown’s youth to be considered in the programs that shape the future of the area,” said Riley.

“I would also love to see an app set up especially for young people to help them connect with the services provided by Council and other service providers.”

Demi Marie Spiteri has also just completed Year 11 and as an accomplished vocalist-pianist has performed at a number of Blacktown City Council events and has represented her school in public speaking and debating competitions.

Demi Marie takes part in volunteer programs among local schools and has attended conferences and

leadership seminars relating to issues within society. She is a recipient of the Leadership and Teamwork Long Tan Award from the Australian Defence Force and is a member of the Youth Sustainability Council.

“I want to help send a message of the great diversity, skill and talent of the youth of Blacktown City,” said Demi Marie.

“I want to use social media to set up a weekly ‘Humans of Blacktown’ post and an ‘Outstanding Young Person of the Month’ post to inspire and promote our young people.”

In announcing the 2020 Youth Ambassadors, Mayor Bleasdale paid tribute to the outgoing Youth ambassadors for 2019, Ebony O’Connor and Evan Ademovic.

“They have both done an extraordinary job in difficult times where Council asked them to extend the time in their roles due to the COVID restrictions. They both represented Council and the youth of our City here, overseas and online exceptionally well. Evan maintained his role while studying for his HSC under the most difficult circumstances.

“I am now looking forward to working with Demi Marie and Riley over the next 12-months as they represent our youth and, like their predecessors, make an active contribution to Council’s decisionmaking process,” said Mayor Bleasdale.

Blacktown City Garden Competition champion named

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Japanese garden, an orchid house, a fairy garden, a pond full of fish and frogs, and even a bee hotel are features of the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition’s ‘Champion Garden’.

The prestigious prize of overall City champion was awarded to Bruce Pederson for his gloriously green property on Christine Crescent in Lalor Park.

The Lalor Park resident was also awarded 1st place in both the ‘Best Front Garden’ and ‘Best Back Garden’ categories, and was named the winner of the Ward 2 category.

The garden areas of the property have been an ongoing project for Mr Pederson and his wife Lyn since the couple first moved there 17 years ago.

The gardens also feature a cubby house, a chicken house, a herb and vegetable garden, a bonsai section, a cottage garden, and 7 active bird nests, as well as plants such as rare tillandsias.

“Blacktown City is already such a beautiful place to live, work, and

of the people of Blacktown City.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of residents and community groups alike, and to show my appreciation for their contribution to beautifying our great City.”

114 people entered the Garden Competition in 2020, which is more than double the number of entrants in 2019.

Entries were assessed on design, construction, maintenance and sustainability.

Categories included best Australian native garden, best sustainable garden, and best themed or novel garden.

The Garden Competition also featured categories for our senior citizens and gardeners (L to R) Lyn Pederson and Bruce Pederson with Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, with a disability, as well as at the Pederson’s Lalor Park home which won the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition’s community and commercial ‘Champion Garden’ award. gardens, education facility visit, and the care and attention of our Lalor Park home and to see up close gardens and edible gardens.

For more information on the wonderful local green thumbs only add for myself the time, effort, and passion to the vibrancy of our community,” they have poured into their garden – winners of the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition visit Mayor Bleasdale said. the end result is truly spectacular.

“I congratulate Bruce and Lyn “The calibre of gardens in this year’s https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ Pederson for their exceptional garden competition is something all entrants Community/Awards-scholarshipsand a very well-deserved win. can all be proud of, and is a clear and-competitions/Blacktown-City“It was truly a delight to visit their testament to the passion and dedication Garden-Competition.

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o you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community of Blacktown City?

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Australia Day Awards, the most sought-after, prestigious and publicly recognised awards program in our city.

The annual Council awards recognise and pay tribute to local individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to community service, have attained remarkable achievement in education, sport, or the arts, or a community group that has organised a successful event in the community.

There 4 award categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Community Event of the Year, and Environmental Citizen of the Year.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, encouraged residents to take part in the award nominations.

“Blacktown City is filled with dedicated, talented, generous, and community-minded people,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Our Council’s Australia Day Awards are designed to highlighting these wonderful individuals and the contribution they have made to our area.

“Especially after what has been a difficult year for many, I’d love to see the achievements and positive input of local residents brought to the attention of the wider community.

“If you would like to nominate someone you know for an Australia Day award, or if you feel you deserve nomination, we’d love to hear from you.”

Contribution includes areas such as; education, health, fundraising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

Nominations open for Blacktown City’s Australia Day Awards

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(L to R) 2020 Australia Day Award winners – Salina Giovenco-Ellem, Rose Lewis, Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Andrew Scott, and Sue Huxtable Jones and Monique Manning (both from Disability Services Australia).

any other area that contributes to the advancement and wellbeing of the Blacktown community.

Applications will close at 5.30pm on Friday, 8 January 2021.

For the 2020 awards, Council received 51 nominations across the 4 categories.

Mayor Bleasdale presented the 4 Australia Day Awards to: • Citizen of the Year – Andrew Scott, CEO Carevan Blacktown

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

• Young Citizen of the Year – Rose Lewis, Western Sydney University • Community Event of the Year – International Day for People with Disability, Picnic in the Park • Environmental Citizen of the Year – Salina Giovenco-Ellem, WIRES For more information or to make a nomination visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/ Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/AustraliaDay-Awards

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Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Prue Car MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

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Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

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Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 General Manager: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sales: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sports Journalist: Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202 Graphic Design: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Letters to the Editor: nepeannews@aol.com Web: www.wsnewsgroup.com

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From the Editor’s Desk

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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f you can’t beat them, join them...unless of course your name is Trump... then just stand firm and declare that you actually have beaten them.

The United States President who made Fake News a wellknown turn of phrase is now practicing Fake it Til You Make It. I was never one to automatically bag out Trump on everything he did.

I thought some of his ideas, especially going in, were good ones to be honest. Americans are a different style of person to Australians on many levels, and so he seemed not a bad fit - at least for the average American conservative.

But Holy Moly it is hard to defend him now.

Surely even the staunchest of believers are wondering what on earth his next trick will be?

He’s firing off crazy tweets (nothing new there) firing the defence secretary and firing cannons at anybody who dares to disagree with him or agree with the result.

He’s even throwing grenades at the friendly folk at Fox now, because they’ve reported the polling results and, well, the election result. Shame on them!

It is always embarrassing to watch someone who can’t take a loss graciously.

Leaders are meant to lead by example and show the people how to act responsibly and be a good citizen.

In this case it is a great lesson on how NOT to act.

Perhaps it is another new phrase that will be used in the future. When you lose, don’t be a Trump.

Have another crack down the track if you choose, but for now take it on the chin - graciously.

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Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

Academy recognises two new life members

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t is with great pleasure that the Western Sydney Academy of Sport has awarded two of our dedicated volunteers with Life Membership of the Academy.

Digital Realty Netball Head Coach Heather Smith has been recognised for her outstanding commitment and dedication to the Academy and the Netball program over the past 15 years. Heather started as the program’s Manager in 2005 before becoming Assistant Coach in 2006 and moving on to become Head Coach in 2008, a role which she currently holds.

Aside from her dedication to the Academy, Heather works with Netball NSW as a State Team and Emerging Talent Squad selector and is the current GWS Fury Premier League Team High-Performance Manager. She is also a Life Member of both Quakers Hill Netball Club and Blacktown City Netball Association.

Past Academy Softball Program Head Coach Brett Kirk was also awarded Life Membership after

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holding the roles of Softball Assistant Coach from 2010 to 2014 and then Head Coach from 2015 until the conclusion of the 2019/20 program.

Brett is also a current Assistant Coach with Softball NSW for the NSW U18 Ladies’ squad and was previously the Assistant Coach for NSW U19 Ladies’ squad from 2016 to 2019. In 2018, Brett was named the Blacktown City Council Coach of the Year.

Academy CEO Martin Bullock commented “Both of these very worthy recipients of Life Membership have epitomised the role of a dedicated and high-quality coach. They are two outstanding individuals who deserve this wonderful recognition.”

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Entries open for Blacktown City Christmas Lights Competition

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t’s time to let your Christmas spirit shine as entries are now open for the 2020 Blacktown City Christmas Lights Competition.

The annual competition encourages residents of Blacktown City to decorate their home, townhouse or villa, or to nominate a neighbour’s property.

There are 7 prize categories – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Overall, Best Overall Townhouse/Villa, Ward Winners, Encouragement Award, Champion of Champions, Nominators Prize, and Best Street – with more than $4,000 in cash and prizes to be won.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said the Christmas Lights Competition was a wonderful way to kick Alicia Le Roux won 1st Place Overall in the 2019 Blacktown City Christmas Lights Competition off the festive season and show for her display at 39 Alice Street in Rooty Hill. community pride. family and friends.

Lights Competition is proudly “Amid what has been a “I can’t wait to see the beautiful and sponsored by Hoyts, Commercial tumultuous and often difficult year, what better way to spread some joy festive displays around Blacktown City Christmas, and Goodluck Plaza.

Alicia Le Roux won 1st Place than to take part in our Christmas Light this year.”

Nominations for the competition Overall in the 2019 Blacktown City Competition?” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Christmas Lights Competition for her “It always makes me smile to see our close at 5pm on Tuesday, 1 December.

Preliminary judging will take place display at 39 Alice Street in Rooty Hill. great City lit up and to witness the spirit between 8.30pm and 11pm from Prize Categories of community in action.

• 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Overall “There is something about Christmas Thursday, 3 December to Thursday, Best displays, selected from all lights that makes us stop and really 10 December. Final judging will take entrants. Overall winners are selected think about the significance of the place on Saturday, 12 December.

The 2020 Blacktown City Christmas from Ward Winners. festive season, and the importance of

• Best Overall Townhouse / Villa • Ward Winners The Blacktown Local Government Area is divided into 5 wards. All entrants are eligible for winning their ward prize.

• Encouragement Award Those properties who have not won a major award are eligible for this category.

• Champion of Champions Selected from previous 1st Place Overall competition winners. If entrant obtains 1st Place Overall they are no longer eligible to win any of the prizes.

• Nominators Prize All individuals who nominate a property are eligible for this prize.

Only one entry per person applies.

• Best Street This year we will recognise the City’s ‘Best Street’. The Best Street title acknowledges neighbours who come together in the spirit of Christmas to create a festive atmosphere in the street they each call home.

To be eligible for the title of ‘Best Street’, you must have a minimum of 3 decorated properties submit an entry form from the same street.

For more information, including information on COVID-19 restrictions and related considerations, visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au/christmaslights.

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he footprint for 700 additional car parking spaces within walking distance of Schofields station has been identified and planning is being finalised, with construction of those additional spaces expected to commence in early 2021.

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said that construction of the first 60 additional commuter parking spaces, located on Railway Terrace, is now underway through a NSW Government grant to Blacktown City Council as part of the Commuter Car Park Program.

“I know it has taken longer to secure the site for this project than we had hoped, but I can assure the community that Transport for NSW is committed to getting it done as quickly as possible,” Mr Constance said.

Mr Constance acknowledged Mr Conolly’s tireless work in fighting for the infrastructure his community needs.

“I want to thank the community for their patience on this project – it has taken longer than Transport for NSW expected to ensure its alignment with future transport plans, but 60 additional spaces will be delivered by the start of next year and a further 700 commuter car parking spaces are on the way,” Mr Constance said.

“The community can be assured

that Transport for NSW is working tirelessly with stakeholders to finalise plans for the additional 700 spaces, which will be within walking distance to the station. The ground level car park would include CCTV, lighting, Transport Park & Ride and footpath upgrades,” said Mr Constance.

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the revised plan involves an at-grade car park, rather than a multi-deck approach as earlier envisaged.

“Constructing a ground level car park is much quicker than delivering a multi-storey car park, and this means that we will see parking delivered to our community sooner.”

Delivering infrastructure like the commuter car park requires the State Government, local councils, landowners and residents to work together to achieve the best outcomes for the community.

The 60 initial car spaces accessed from Railway Terrace are due

to be complete by the start of next year. Subject to planning approval, construction of the additional 700-space commuter car park is scheduled to start in early 2021.

Since 2011, the NSW Government has delivered more than 10,000 commuter car spaces across Sydney, with another 8,000 on the way.

More information is available at www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ commuter-car-park-program

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

Commuter car parking at Schofields Station one step closer

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Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

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Cartagena: Hips don’t lie

Walls around Colombia

Cartagena streetscape

By BEN CRANNEY

It took us 46 hours to get to Cartagena, Colombia, from Australia. 46 hours of little sleep and no showers. I felt sorry for the taxi driver.

All we wanted was sleep, but we dropped our bags to go exploring, three zombies trying to navigate a foreign port. My poor girl, the only Spanish speaker, could barely string an English sentence together, let alone something in Spanish. But walking in to the Cartagena old town was enough to wake anyone up. Like something from Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a pirate port of cobbled streets, forts and defensive walls, and multi-coloured buildings, covered in flowering vines.

Sometimes, jet lag is best dealt with by staying up late, so we tried our

best to salsa. White suited trumpeters, guitar strummers, double bass players and singers struck a high tempo and we had a go. I thought I was doing well, but the Peruvian girl teaching me kept telling me to put my hips in to it. I blamed it on being stiff from the plane rides.

We continued the dancing on New Year’s Eve, when the whole town becomes a party zone, drinking and dancing spilling out across the streets.

Take a rum drinking tour on an open air bus, dance under the giant Fortress of St Philip or just get lost in the crowd.

A trip to Islas del Rosarios should be amazing, with pure white sand and oil painting seas, but the new year tourists were out in force and the beach was shoulder to shoulder. The most memorable bit was lunch, when our

View from the walls

group of ten sat down and our meals didn’t come. Our solution? Three of us went to the kitchen to help. Seemed clever until we got out there and saw them cooking shirtless, shoeless, dropping food on the floor and plating it up with a dust off. I decided not to say anything to anyone at the table.

And it was actually the best fish I’ve ever eaten.

A novelty is the mud ‘volcano’, a pit

of lukewarm mud bubbling up from the earth. Climb down into the crater, get a mud massage and then wash off in the nearby river where mid-aged local ladies cackle away while they try and steal your clothes under the pretext of washing the mud out.

So if you do go, prepare for jet-lag, don’t worry about food hygiene, and maybe take a salsa lesson before you leave, so your hips are ready to go.

Landmark research project to study COVID-19 impact on 4 Western Sydney council areas

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he future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on council areas in Sydney’s west and northwest will be examined in a landmark research project being undertaken by Western Sydney University.

The ‘Future Directions’ project focusses on the socio-economic impact on the local government areas that make up Sydney’s Central City District, namely Blacktown City Council, Cumberland City Council, The Hills Shire Council, and City of Parramatta Council.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said councils are the keystones of local communities, and have been hit hard by COVID-19.

“As the world grapples with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus, there is strong evidence that damage caused by the pandemic will ripple through the national and state economies and have its greatest impact at the local level,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“In Blacktown, we estimate the pandemic will cost Council more than $24 million in the 18 months to October 2021. The councils in Sydney’s Central City district need research-based planning to steer their communities through a postCOVID-19 environment.”

Western Sydney University has been engaged as the research team, with sponsorship by Westpac. WSU has been selected to undertake this

(L to R Central City district Mayors – City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer, The Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, and Cumberland City Mayor Steve Christou.

study based on the institutions’ detailed research knowledge and extensive understanding of Western Sydney.

The Australian Catholic University, as Blacktown City Council’s strategic partner, will provide peer review and research oversight of the project.

The ‘Future directions’ research project reflects the strong and collaborative relationship between the partner councils of the Central City district, and demonstrates the collective and unified direction of future planning for the sub-region.

Cumberland City Mayor, Steve Christou, said: “I am proud of this collaboration and look forward to implementing the research so that we are best equipped to deliver programs which will benefit the businesses and

residents of the area.”

“The Central City district is very important economically to NSW and we’ll be the fastest growing district over the next 20 years. We will respond decisively and innovatively together to achieve the desired socioeconomic outcomes for our region.”

The Hills Shire Mayor, Dr Michelle Byrne, said: “The Hills Shire Council is proud to support this landmark research project.”

“We don’t know the true impact of COVID-19 on our region and Greater Sydney, but this project will shed some insight into the challenges and opportunities residents, businesses, and our communities face, and how we can support them through these challenging times.”

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor, Bob Dwyer, said Council has supported the community through the pandemic with a wide range of initiatives, grants and programs, including a $3 million COVID-19 Community Resilience and Economic Relief Package.

“While the impact of COVID-19 has hit us hard, City of Parramatta Council remains committed to helping our great City, and the rest of the Central City district, emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever,” Cr Dwyer said.

The study will examine 8 socioeconomic ‘influencers’ of the district’s economy over the next decade.

These include the likely future policy and regulatory direction of NSW and Australian governments, future levels of immigration, household and business debt levels, employment impacts and patterns, housing demand affordability, people movement, visitors to the region, and remote working and the demand for commercial office space.

The research will also consider significant international trends and seek input from a range of stakeholders from the public sector, peak bodies and business.

Research work is already underway and it is expected that the final report will be delivered by February 2021.

The ‘Future directions’ research study will be made public once finalised.

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rom the indigenous words for local flora and fauna to military and local government history, the naming of 6 new suburbs commemorates the heritage and culture of the north west area of Blacktown City.

The NSW Minister for Customer Service, Victor Dominello MP, approved 6 new suburbs and the realignment of 7 existing suburb boundaries in the North West Growth Area, within Blacktown City.

The new suburbs of Angus, Grantham Farm, Melonba, Nirimba Fields, Richards and Tallawong officially came into effect on 6 November 2020.

Suburb boundaries have been realigned in Marsden Park, Quakers Hill, Riverstone, Rouse Hill, Schofields, Shanes Park and Vineyard.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, OAM said the suburbs of the North West Growth area such as Marsden Park, Quakers Hill, Schofields and Rouse Hill are experiencing enormous growth.

“We estimate that our City’s suburbs in the North West Growth Area could eventually provide 85,000 homes and have a population of 250,000 people.

“A process began in 2014 to create new suburbs of a more manageable size for the existing and incoming residents given the significant growth

in population. Extensive public consultation has been held in the intervening years with residents invited to submit suggested suburb names.

“A large number of suggestions from both Council and residents were put forward and they were judged by Geographical Names Board against a number of criteria. Some were rejected and then we went back for more public consultation.

“The process continued until the Geographical Names Board decided on the final 6 names that met with majority approval.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

The new suburb names are based on the themes of geography, history and botany. The suburb boundaries are based on natural and built features, such us creeks, railway lines and major roads.

Angus is named after John Angus, President of Blacktown Shire Council (1917-1920). His father James Angus was a foundation member of Blacktown Shire Council.

Grantham Farm Estate was a subdivision of the original 1,000 hectare land grant of ‘Riverstone’ made to Lieutenant-colonel

O’Connell by Governor Macquarie.

Melonba is the name given by the Darug people for a type of wattle found in the area.

Nirimba Fields represents the former RAAF site that was commissioned by the RAN as HMAS Nirimba in 1953. Nirimba is the Darug word for ‘Pelican’.

Richards is named after Benjamin Richards, who established the Riverstone Meatworks in 1878.

Tallawong, the Darug word for the Apple Gum Tree, shares the name of the Metro station located within its boundaries.

Blacktown City Council has embarked on extensive ‘mail out’ and social media campaigns to residents and businesses in the new and realigned suburbs explaining the changes and how they will affect such things as deliveries, postcodes, development applications and sign posting.

The process of creating new suburbs is managed by the Geographical Names Board (GNB). The NSW Minister for Customer Service, not Council, has the final say on the suburb names and boundaries.

Full information can be found at: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/NewsMedia/New-and-modified-suburbsin-Blacktown-City

Fa-la-la-la-launch of Blacktown City’s festive season with annual Christmas concerts

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arm up your singing voices and dust off your Santa hats as Blacktown City’s annual Christmas concerts herald the arrival of the festive season for 2020.

Locals and visitors alike can enjoy the Mount Druitt Christmas Concert at Dawson Mall in Mount Druitt on Thursday, 19 November, and the Blacktown Christmas Concert at the Civic Plaza in Blacktown on Thursday, 26 November.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, activities for the 2020 concert series are limited, however the free events will still feature an abundance of entertainment for the whole family.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, encouraged locals to embrace the spirit of Christmas.

“2020 has been a difficult year for many, and as it draws to a close it is so important that we reflect on the importance of family, friends, and community,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“We have so much to be thankful for here in Australia, and, especially here in Blacktown City, so much to be proud of.

“As the Mayor of Blacktown City, it has given me great joy to see people coming together to support and care for one another amid this tumultuous time.

“I am so pleased we can host our annual Christmas concerts in a COVID-safe way, so we can gather to celebrate the strength, resilience, and optimism of the Blacktown City community.”

The Mount Druitt Christmas Concert will feature live stage performances by Rossella Fanelli, the Graduate Choir, the Blacktown Community Band and VTribe, as well as Christmas carols, a visit from Santa, and a photo opportunity.

The Blacktown Christmas Concert will feature live stage performances by DT Performing Arts, Cassidy Rae, the Blacktown Community Band, and Lorenzo Rositano, as well as Christmas carols,

a visit from Santa, and a photo opportunity.

Both events will also include the lighting of the Christmas trees and the launch of the Mayoress Christmas Gift Appeal.

Blacktown City Mayoress, Mrs Nina Bleasdale, is encouraging locals to donate gifts for children aged between 0 and 16 years, which will be donated to local charities including Alice’s support services, Better foundation, STARTSS, Yenu Allowah and grace’s place.

For details on the appeal visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov. au/About-Council/What-we-do/ Mayoress-Christmas-Gift-Appeal.

Christmas Concert details • Mount Druitt Christmas Concert When: Thursday, 19 November 2020, 6pm to 9pm, with the Christmas tree lit at 8.45pm Where: Dawson Mall, Cleve Close, Mount Druitt For more information visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov. au/Events-and-activities/MountDruitt-Christmas-Concert.

• Blacktown Christmas Concert When: Thursday, 26 November 2020, 6pm to 9pm, with the Christmas tree lit at 8.45pm Where: Civic Plaza, Flushcombe Road, Blacktown For more information visit https://www. blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/ Blacktown-Christmas-Concert.

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

New suburbs officially named F

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Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

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WESTERN HISTORY

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Into the West

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

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ntil 1856, travellers wanting to cross the Nepean River were required to use the Emu Ford crossing or a punt located south of the present-day Victoria Bridge on Punt Road.

This meant that in times of flood, travellers were often delayed at Penrith for days or even weeks waiting to cross the river. With the discovery of gold further to the west the flow of people, produce and animals through Penrith and across the river increased dramatically and it was no coincidence that attempts were made to build a permanent structure across the river that resulted in the construction of two timber road bridges near to where our Victoria Bridge is now located. In the 1860’s the Great Western road was the bane of all those who travelled on it. Even then in its best and smoothest condition, the road (now known as the Great Western Highway) was said to be by no means a pleasant thoroughfare to travel on. Most travellers at that time thought that the most primitive bush track would be a favourable comparison with some portions of it, even though large sums of money had literally been thrown “into the mud” the road exhibited some of the very worst specimens of missadministration. The road over Lapstone Hill was the only portion between Penrith and Bathurst that was easily passable where elsewhere the track was more like a ravine, torn up by furious mountain torrents.

The “metal” used in the formation of this admirable highway was a soft kind of sandstone that was pulverised by traffic and tends to increase the evil that it is meant to remedy. The hollows and deep ruts were filled with this rubbish and soon crushed into dust, and with the first rain the holes filled up into treacherous quagmires. The constant succession of “ups and downs” that the adventurous traveller experienced while journeying along this fine “artery of commerce’’ one could call it both fatiguing to one’s body and exacerbating to one’s temper. It is believed that the most soft hearted philanthropist would have the milk of human kindness almost entirely churned out of him by a trip along this thoroughfare, and the most resigned and easy tempered of mortals would feel inclined to murmur at his unhappy lot should he be placed in a similar position. So rough and sloppy and ill-made and boggy and water-worn and neglected that one is at a loss to say what it may once have been. How teams can travel at all in wet weather is a mystery!

Cobb’s coaches must have been made of some magically strong material or they could never stand the racketing, let alone the poor people in the coach. No description could exaggerate an important thoroughfare as this, remaining in such a deplorable condition. It is a disgrace to the colony!. Moreover, the opening of the railway beyond Penrith seems likely to be delayed for some little time longer. The officials said repairs to the line would take a few weeks, but to extend the time it would take at least a fortnight to repair the bridge and, if the train begins to run to the Weatherboard (Wentworth Falls) within the next month, people may think themselves lucky. The injury to the Nepean Bridge is foremost in the list of casualties and that injury will soon be remedied. The damage to the western approach was caused by the washing away of the

riverbank with the earth around the piles removed by the flood. Three rows of piles had been carried away and it is said that John Whitton intends to dispense with them altogether, throwing a single arch across from the stone pier to that portion of the approach that still remains sound. The authorities say this work will be completed in a week but as it has not yet begun, people are rather sceptical upon this point. It was said that the quantity of driftwood which accumulated against the western approach of the bridge was immense. The workmen were busily engaged in clearing it away and they removed tons upon tons of light studs and thick timber. No doubt the late heavy rains and floods had made things worse on the road though it seems that no amount of rain could have made it very much worse than it already was. It seems the makers of the road are more to blame than the floods that have only spoiled it in patches, while the makers have bungle the whole thing from beginning to end. The floods damaged the western approach to the Nepean Bridge as to render it impassable and with the punts swept away the mail had to be carried over on foot and placed in the mail coach on the Emu Plains side. In many places the road was quite bare, the scouring of the water had swept away the earth and left the large stones that were used in forming the basis. The passage over these boulders may be better imagined than described and indeed it would be very hard by mere words to convey anything like a true idea of the obstructions that impedes the flow of traffic through this “artery of commerce.” The railway embankments that are for the most part seen from the road seem to be uninjured, although in some places heaps of loose soil had been swept down onto the line where it runs through cuttings. Engineer John Whitton was born in Yorkshire, England. For seven years he worked with a relative of his mother where he received engineering and architectural experience by preparing plans and tenders for railway construction and waterworks. In 1854 he was elected a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers in London and two years later he was appointed engineer-in-chief with a salary of £1,500 to lay out and supervise the construction of railways in NSW. With his wife he arrived in Sydney. The wrought iron girder Victoria Bridge over the Nepean River was completed in 1867. The bridge was designed to carry two railway tracks as it was intended that the road on the bridge would only be a temporary arrangement. The 1870 select committee on railway extension recommended the construction of cheap narrow-gauge railways with the necessity to a break of gauge within the colony as well as at the border and estimates were prepared.

John was determined to sabotage the committee’s recommendation and suspended all surveys and new work. With the help of others, he overcame the engineering problems partly caused by the government’s love of keeping things as cheap as possible and built the Blue Mountains line, including two great zigzags that opened in April 1876. John died of cardiac disease in February 1898 at Mittagong and was buried in St Thomas’s Church of England cemetery in North Sydney. His estate was valued for probate at £10,396.

Photo of John Whitton courtesy of the Blue Mountains Gazette. Source: Sydney Morning Herald’s Special Correspondent, Australian Dictionary of Biography, BDM online.

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Western News

local news

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lacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, OAM is calling on residents and organisations to get involved and ‘have your say’ on the latest proposal to build an energy-from-waste plant at Eastern Creek.

The waste management company Cleanaway is currently proposing to construct an energy-from-waste facility on a site on Wallgrove Road at Eastern Creek.

Plans for the Cleanaway Western Sydney Energy & Resource Recovery Centre, including the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), are on public exhibition on the NSW Government’s ‘planningportal’ website until 16 November.

“This project has been deemed ‘State Significant’ by the NSW Government and as such the Government, not Blacktown City Council, has the final say in the approval process,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Members of the public, organisations, interest groups, councils and Government and nonGovernment agencies are all invited to make submissions and we are urging them to do so.

“Blacktown City Council has commissioned an

independent review of the EIS and we will lodge a submission on the proposal based on this review and the ‘scientific evidence’ from here and overseas surrounding energy-from-waste.

“Council will ensure that the best interests of the health and well-being of our residents will be uppermost in Council’s considerations and actions.”

“I urge people and organisations from all walks of life to make yourself aware of the project and

make submissions by the closing date, not to Council, but to the NSW Government on the ‘planningportal’ website.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

The NSW Opposition, including the Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali MP, is urging the Government to call a moratorium on all energy-from-waste proposals while a thorough scientific investigation is carried out on the wasteto-energy process under the NSW Chief Scientist.

The Opposition is also demanding that all safeguards and regulations relating to the energy-from-waste process be reviewed and updated.

The Cleanaway EFW plant’s stated aim is to generate power for more than 79,000 homes and reduce landfill by burning up to half a million tonnes of residential, commercial and industrial residual ‘red bin’ waste per year.

The project is on exhibition at: www.planningportal. nsw.gov.au/major-projects/project/25896 Cleanaway’s information site is at: https:// energyandresourcecentre.com.au/

New school named in Sydney’s north west Around 1,000 students in Sydney’s North West will attend the newly named Northbourne Public School from 2021 with the new school welcoming students at its temporary facilities early next year.

Located in the Elara estate on Northbourne Drive in Marsden Park, Northbourne Public School will cater for 1,000 students from year K-6.

It will provide innovative learning environments including flexible learning spaces, a hall, a library and a covered outdoor learning area as well as staff and administration facilities.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said she was thrilled to be able to give the highly anticipated new school a name.

“Northbourne Public School will offer brand new modern facilities to improve educational outcomes

and help students develop skills and knowledge in an exciting new and sophisticated environment,” Ms Mitchell said.

“The innovative learning spaces at Northbourne Public School will be flexible. This means teachers will be able to design a wide range of tailored activities and lessons, allowing students to learn in the way most suited to their needs,” Ms Mitchell said.

CROSSWORD

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said he was delighted to welcome a new school to the region.

“The arrival of a new school is an exciting time for the residents of Marsden Park,” Mr Conolly said.

“Parents in that part of Marsden Park will be able to send their children to a brand new school in their local area. I am looking forward to day 1 next year when Northbourne Public School is ready to welcome students.”

Northbourne Public School will open as a temporary facility in early 2021. The permanent facilities are forecast to be completed later in 2021.

Site plans and early designs are available online at: www.schoolinfrastructure.nsw.gov.au/projects/m/ marsden-park-new-primary-school.html

ACROSS 9 Boorish (7) 10 One who roams on foot (7) 11 Porpoise (7) 12 The Society of Friends (7) 13 Rot (9) 15 Tartan (5) 16 Lawman (7) 19 Pills (7) 20 Long periods of geologic time (5) 21 Corner by a fireplace (9) 25 A passage from a larger work (7) 26 Skin pigment (7) 28 Nazi secret police (7) 29 A daughter of Agamemnon (Greek

mythology) (7) down 1 Having a flat piece with a sharp edge (6) 2 Not private (6) 3 Friends (4)

solution 16/10/20

4 5 6 7 8 14 16 17 18 22 23 24 27

A native religion of Japan (6) Often (8) Intangible (10) Estrange (8) Holy wars (8) Prevailing thought (10) Salvage (8) A freeing from evil spirits (8) Rubbing (8) Chewed without teeth (6) Elaborate (6) Mid-western state (6) Place (4)

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

Energy-from-Waste – have your say

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Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

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REAL ESTATE

Western News

If Your Mortgage Rate Does not Start With a 2, You’re Overpaying Alex Soncini

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nother month, another rate cut. If the interest rate on your home loan does not start with a two (2), you are probably being overcharged. The RBA last Tuesday, Melbourne Cup Day cut the cash rate by 0.15 per cent from 0.25 per cent, it lowered it to a level not seen in 30 years of documented history.

Governor Philip Lowe, the head of the RBA said the 0.10 per cent cash rate is as low as it will go. The RBA had indicated previously the current low cash rate may not be increased for at least three years.

Australia’s largest banks have refused to pass on the Reserve Bank’s emergency cash rate cut, denying thousands of borrowers the relief of lower mortgage repayments, according to a report by The Australian.

Many of the Non-bank lenders have already announced they will pass on the full on the full cut to their borrowers. Governor Lowe said he would

“expect and hope” for the cash rate reduction to be passed on to all borrowers. However, he also advised borrowers that they should be more active in negotiating with their lenders – or, if that does not work, take their business elsewhere.

Refinance for a better rate.

Many Australians are paying too much for their home loans, even though a lower interest rate is available. We are seeing some of the lowest home loan rates on record, so now is the perfect time to know your numbers and consider refinancing.

Most people are under the misconception that it costs too much to refinance, but that is not the case.

The costs associated with refinancing have reduced significantly over the past couple of years. Many borrowers believe the process is complicated and there is a great deal of paperwork involved and put the notion of refinancing in the too hard basket.

Choosing a home loan is a big deal, so it’s really

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important that you find the right loan that suits your individual needs. There is no reason to pay a high interest rate on your home loan and managing it closely could save you thousands of dollars a year.

Being loyal to your lender is not a good reason to pay a higher rate or simply being lazy and timepoor, can also be offences punishable by a higher debt in the world of finance so now is the perfect time to know your numbers and make sure your home loan is competitive.

Refinancing is certainly not as difficult as it used to be and Wealthwiz can guide you through the entire loan process. We do all the work for you and here to save you money while providing you with the important details on each lender, so you can be confident in your selection.

To get a better understanding contact Alex at Wealthwiz for a free home loan review on 0419 600 177 or email at alex.soncini@wealthwiz.com.au.

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Western News

SPORT

By Noel Rowsell

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ndre Stolz (NSW) has wound back the clock with a win in his first major PGA Legends Tour event (the 2020 Australian PGA Seniors Championship) in his first year in the Seniors ranks Playing alongside fellow Australian Legends Peter Lonard and Peter O’Malley, the 50-year-old Stolz claimed victory with a 3-round total of 9-under par 201, 4 strokes ahead of Lonard in second place at 5-under par.

A spectacular second round of 6-under par 64 on Friday set up a smooth run home for Stolz in the final round but the victory did not come without both challenges and excitement.

The PGA Tour winner pulled out all the stops to make up for two double bogeys made on holes 9 and 15, with birdies at 2, 4, 13 and 18 to close out the final round of even par and maintain his 4-shot margin.

“It was great playing with O’Malley and Lonard, they are old buddies of mine and you know they’re not going to hand it to you so it was nice being able to get on top of them,” said Stolz.

“I have been playing some great golf, despite the unlucky break on 9 and maybe a wrong club on 15 but I always felt like I was in control, which was good enough to keep them at bay.”

“It’s been a long time,” said Stolz.

“It’s interesting - normally when I play pretty good and get myself in contention like that, I can sort of get

Action from Day 3 of the 2020 Australian PGA Seniors Championship.

Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Runner-up Peter Lonard (NSW) & Champion Andre Stolz (NSW)

the job done and I’ve done it a lot in the past but it’s been so long since I’ve won anything.”

Stolz joins West Australian and 2018 champion Michael Long as one of a list of players to have claimed the coveted Australian PGA Seniors Championship trophy in their first year playing on the PGA Legends Tour.

2020 Champion Andre Stolz (NSW) with the winners trophy

Runner-up Peter Lonard (NSW) plays his final fairway shot to the 18th green

After aggravating an ongoing back injury a week out from the PGA Legends Tour tournament, Peter Lonard looked in fine form around the Richmond Golf Club layout where he recorded rounds of 67, 68 and an evenpar 70 to finish in outright second place at 5-under total of 205.

Queenslander Simon Tooman took third place after closing the tournament with a 2-under par 68 for a final total of 4-under par score of 204.

Former champion Peter Fowler and fellow NSW professional Peter O’Malley rounded out the top five with a tie for 4th place at 3-under the card.

Brother around the globe B

rother USA and NZ have been supporting their local Relay For Life events for twenty years, and nine years ago Brother Australia started partnering with Blacktown Relay For Life. The support for this event is across 23 Brother Group companies globally.

Participation in Relay For Life means that almost every month employees of the Brother Group somewhere in the U.S., Japan, and other Asia & Oceania countries are participating in this event. In one year, a line connecting the facilities which participated in the relay would form a single beautiful ring around the globe. Thus, this activity was named the Golden Ring Project.

Brother Australia CSR and Compliance Manager, Alex Rodriguez said “The support of Relay For Life all started when the former President of Brother USA participated in Relay in America back in 2000.” This memorable experience stayed with Mr Koike until he returned to Japan where he asked that Brother offices in all countries participate in the event, no matter where in the world they were located.

Since 2011, Brother Australia has donated over $60,000 to Blacktown Relay and put forward a sewing machine or printer each year for the major raffle prize. This year Brother has donated $10,000 and paid on behalf of their 41 voluntary registered employees across Australia this year. They are also

matching staff donations to the Cancer Council.

“They have been such an inspirational and valued partner for us, leading by example of what organisations can do, and how Relay can be used as a team building experience that encourages healthy lifestyle for their employees” said Cancer Council Community Relations Coordinator, Danielle

Sammut.

If other organisations are inspired to get involved in supporting the Cancer Council, please contact Danielle on 9354 2029 or danielle.sammut@nswcc. org.au Be a part of Blacktown Relay next year: cancercouncil.org.au/blacktownrelay

Western News 13 November 2020 Issue 122

Stolz Powers to Victory in 2020 Australian PGA Seniors Championship

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Western News Friday, 13 November 2020

SPORT

Blacktown netball star named Athlete of the Year

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lacktown City Council and the Western Sydney Academy of Sport have recognised a young local Netball athlete as the Academy’s Digital Realty Netball Athlete of the Year.

Ana Kailahi is a talented sportsperson who attends Westfields Sports High and has been an avid netball player since the age of six.

Ana has benefitted from three years involvement in the Academy’s benchmark netball program, and in 2020 was successful in obtaining a contract with the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association Hawks U23 Premier League Team as one of the youngest players in the League.

Ana was also a member of the Netball NSW 2020 U17 Development squad and is a Tonga International squad member in the postponed 2021 Netball World Youth Cup. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, OAM presented Ana with her award at Council Chambers on Friday 23rd October, congratulating her on her achievements.

“Blacktown City, Westfields Sports High and the Western Sydney Academy continue to produce

champion sportspeople,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Ana is a testimony to hard work, dedication and to the support of her family and the Academy.

“Council is pleased to assist Ana and the many fine sportspeople, clubs and associations in Blacktown City.”

CEO of the Western Sydney Academy of Sport Martin Bullock

commented “Blacktown Council is a wonderful supporter of sport and in particular local athletes, and their support of our Academy programs is greatly appreciated”.