Westernnews 16december2016

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WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE WESTERN NEWS TEAM

MERRY CHRISTMAS WESTERN Sydney Local Health District welcomes Darcy, Amaira and Saketharaman to the NICU unit.

They’ll likely spend their first Christmas in hospital, but by the look of the bubba in the middle, there are some very mischievous things planned for when they get to go home!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from the Loxley Team

Ask about our 2017 Specials

Fight against flights continues

By Keegan Thomson

PRESSURE is being put on the federal government from the Blacktown City Council after the Badgerys Creek Airport was this week finally signed off on.

As President of WSROC, Mayor of Blacktown Stephen Bali spoke out against the airport saying there is a lack of information around the proposed curfew.

“Equity is a key concern for WSROC and unlike Kingsford Smith, Western Sydney Airport has no specific operating limitations, no noise abatement strategy, and no insulation or noise sharing programs,” Cr Bali said.

He said he wanted to see further plans for employment growth surrounding the airport in concrete.

“In addition to protections, WSROC wants to see the government’s plan for maximising the airport’s potential for employment, access to services, social inclusion, and regional connectivity.

“To do this we must have a plan for transport and a plan for jobs; not just promises.

“We need a transport network that gives businesses and residents easy access to the airport and its

Surviving Suicide

surrounding employment lands. A single link to the city won’t cut it,” said Cr Bali.

Federal politicians have also voiced their concerns over the lack of transparency around the area with federal MP for Chifley, Ed Husic reiterating his thoughts on the airport.

“Western Sydney residents are being treated as second class citizens by eastern suburbs politicians,” Mr Husic said.

“Eastern and northern suburbs residents are protected by government imposed hourly flight caps and night-time curfews. Yet the Turnbull government will not give the residents of Western Sydney the same protections, forcing 24 hour a day,

seven days a week Badgerys Creek Airport,” he said.

Western News understands there will be no curfew placed on the airport which would operate as a 24 hour airport.

According to the final Environmental Impact Statement there could be as many as 45 commercial aircraft flights flying over western Sydney homes between the hours of 10pm and 7am.

Across the region the Blue Mountains City Council has joined forces with Blacktown council on a number of issues surrounding the airport.

Early development on the site is due to be completed in 2018 with the airport set to open in the mid 2020s.

‘A safe and therapeutic support group for people whose lives have been impacted by suicide’ Fortnightly FREE Support group at Hawkesbury House partnering with Western Sydney Suicide Prevention and Support Network Time 9.30am to 11.30am Hawkesbury House www.hawkesburyhouse.com 6 Christie Street Windsor The groups will meet on the following dates: 31st January 14th February 28th February 14th March 28th March 4th April 18th April 2nd May 16th May 30th May 13th June 27th June RSVP is appreciated on 02 4577 6454.

Readers requiring support or information about suicide prevention can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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3 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

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4 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

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From the Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies JUST when I think I’ve heard it all and there’s nothing left to roll my eyes at, out trots the movement from “new age” style parents who believe allowing your child to believe that Santa Clause is real will traumatise them. Kids will be forever scarred by the conspiracy that you as a parent created and left them out of, they say.

What absolute garbage.

Personally, I find it traumatising that there are parents out there who want to drop the Santa bomb and spoil the magic of Christmas for their children.

And what’s more, these “informed” children will no doubt roll up to school and share their discovery with the children of those parents who were happy to allow their kids to enjoy a childhood full of imagination.

If you are raising a child that you think will be traumatised by the magical aspect to Christmas, then I’m sorry to say that I think you’re in for much bigger problems down the track. A child who is able to become a “victim” at a young age over a fairy tale that is filled with fun and excitement will not be very well-equipped when life doles out actual problems.

If a child feels traumatised by the eventual revelation as they head toward high school age, perhaps a good life lesson for them would be to take them to a cancer ward in a children’s hospital, or show them pictures of children who are starving in under-developed countries; and teach them what actual traumatic situations are, and what actual victims look like.

Western society is getting sillier and sillier by the day.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas that is filled with all the excitement and magic that goes with it, and here’s hoping Santa Clause brings you what you wish for for. See you next year!

Our first edition back in 2017 is January 20.

New police recruit

Home invasion – Tregear

MEMBER for Riverstone, Mr Kevin Conolly MP visited Riverstone Police Station this week to personally welcome Probationary Constable Vishal Verma to Quakers Hill Local Area Command and congratulate him for graduating from Goulburn Police Academy last week alongside 129 other NSW Police recruits from Class 329.

“On behalf of the community I thank our newest recruit Probationary Constable Vishal Verma for his commitment to combating crime and dedicating his career to tirelessly protecting our community,” Mr Conolly said.

Probationary Constable Verma has commenced onthe-job training and will continue distance learning before graduating with an Associate Diploma in Policing Practice.

“Policing can be a very challenging career that involves encountering the best and worst of humanity and I’m very proud our community will benefit from the enthusiasm of an officer starting his new job on the beat,” said Mr Conolly.

“I’m confident the training completed at the Police Academy together with the on-the-job training undertaken at Quakers Hill LAC under the command of Superintendent Julie Boon will ensure our newest recruit is well prepared for this important role of serving our community,” Mr Conolly said.

The men and women taking attestations today will join more than 3,759 officers who have become sworn officers in the NSW Police Force since 2011.

The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is committed to boosting the authorised strength of the NSW Police to 16,795 over this term of Government.

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding a home invasion in Tregear last week.

About 12:40am on Friday 9 December, emergency services were called to a house on Ellsworth Drive, Tregear following reports of a home invasion.

Police have been told that four men and a woman forced their way into the house before assaulting a male resident with a steel pole.

The group fled the location, leaving the scene in a white Mazda.

The victim was treated at the scene

by NSW Ambulance Paramedics for facial injuries before being taken to Nepean Hospital for further treatment.

Police from Mount Druitt Local Area Command were contacted and located the white Mazda on Forrester Road, Tregear.

Police stopped the vehicle and arrested a 34-year-old man, a 37-yearold woman, a 17-year-old male and two 16-year-old youths.

They were all taken to Mount Druitt Police Station where they are currently assisting police with their inquiries.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

xxxxxx

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Second chance Dropped out? Hate school? Can’t get a job?

Want to finish year 10 or get your HSC this 2017? Warakirri College has the right opportunities for you that includes no fees, no uniform, and all learning resources provided.

WARAKIRRI College accepts young people aged 15-22 who have disconnected from mainstream education or aren’t suited to a typical school setting and assists them within an innovative and tailored curriculum.

Principal Carolyn Blanden states “Warakirri is a great way for young people to complete their studies, and achieve their goals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere”.

The college has professional staff that work to support each individual student in order to assist them not only with their academics but also to overcome any social, emotional, or psychological challenges they may face.

A brand new Warakirri College campus is opening in Blacktown during January 2017. The new campus has been set up in a modern, well-

appointed building at 7 Sunnyholt Road Blacktown. Principal Carolyn Blanden says “students will really enjoy the adult learning environment and the modern, air-conditioned building of our new school”. The campus includes features such as a gym and a cafeteria, which students will also have access to.

The Blacktown campus is a much more convenient location serving young people from as far west as Penrith and Richmond, saving students a longer trip to the current Fairfield campus each day.

Warakirri College is an MTC Australia initiative registered with the NSW Board of Studies and is currently enrolling for Year 10, 11 and 12 for the 2017 school year. For any enquiries please contact 9914 3250.

Costco begins construction on new location at Sydney Business Park

By Kerrie Davies

SYDNEY Business Park is growing in leaps and bounds and now there’s confirmation that it will be a leading Sydney establishment with the international membership warehouse club Costco preparing to open its third location in Sydney and ninth nationwide at the site in July 2017.

“Costco is very excited to open our third warehouse in NSW and to be a part of this community,” said Managing Director, Patrick Noone.

“We feel it is the perfect location for us, offering convenience for our rapidly expanding membership in this area. We look forward to being an integral part of the growth in Sydney’s North West.”

To serve the needs of members at the 13,575 square metre location, 250 full and part-time employees will be hired.

Management said the new team members will receive highly competitive remuneration and benefits with potential for great career growth as the company continues to expand its operations in Australia.

“Costco provides its members with exclusive access to quality brandname merchandise at substantially lower prices than typically found at conventional wholesale or retail stores, with 100% satisfaction guaranteed,” Mr Noone said.

Thousands of brand-name products can be found in groceries, appliances, television and media, automotive supplies, tyres, toys, hardware, sporting goods, jewellery, watches,

cameras, books, housewares, apparel, health and beauty, furniture, office supplies and office equipment. The warehouse will also feature a variety of convenient specialty departments including a fresh bakery, fresh meat, fresh produce, deli, optical department, hearing aid centre, tyre centre and food court, and a petrol station, including high-flow diesel for truck use.

The site, as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, is located within the large format retail precinct at Sydney Business Park in Marsden Park.

Costco joins other retailers at Sydney Business Park including ALDI, Baby and Toddler Town, Beacon Lighting, Bunnings Warehouse, Carpet Call, Coles Express, Forty Winks, Home Hub Marsden Park, IKEA, JB Hi-Fi Home, Knotts Pine, Lindt Factory Outlet, Masters Home Improvement,

Reece, Repco, Shell, Snooze, The Good Guys, amongst others.

Sydney Business Park Project Manager Owen Walsh said that the shopper’s nirvana was great for the business park.

“Costco Wholesale Australia is a welcome addition to Sydney Business Park, which is fast becoming a major destination for the region,” he said.

The recent ground breaking ceremony was attended by Tony Bleasdale Deputy Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Ray Williams State Member and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for Western Sydney and Ed Husic Federal Member for Chifley.

The construction commencement is well timed, with the completion of the $135 million upgrade of Richmond Road that links Sydney Business Park to the M7 now completed.

Boosting pedestrian safety MEMBER for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the NSW Government is improving safety for children attending St Marks Catholic College in Stanhope Gardens and The Ponds High School in The Ponds with a boost to pedestrian safety infrastructure.

Mr Conolly said the improvements are part of a $5 million investment across 135 schools in NSW to help make it safer for children walking near their school.

“Children attending St Marks Catholic College and The Ponds High School will be a little safer walking near their school thanks to the fact the Riverstone Electorate is sharing in this funding,” said Mr Conolly.

Pedestrian safety works to be carried out at these schools are: • St Marks Catholic College – Fencing • The Ponds High School - Pedestrian refuge “We all have a role to play when it comes to pedestrian safety, particularly when it comes to the safety around schools,” Mr Conolly said.

The NSW Government launched the Look Out Before You Step Out campaign earlier this year to raise awareness of the dangers faced by pedestrians.

GETTING TO KNOW....

Councillor

Peter Camilleri with Conner Lowe 1.

“School children are some of the most vulnerable people using the road, which is why we have targeted safety programs such as school zone flashing lights, pedestrian crossings and fencing to keep children safe going to and from school,” said Mr Conolly.

The number of pedestrian deaths in NSW so far this year stands at 61, which is 8 more than the same time last year.

“We can all play our part in helping move the road toll toward zero by sticking to school zone speed limits and constantly keeping an eye out for children who might run out onto the road unexpectedly,” Mr Conolly added.

The NSW Government is providing funding to local councils, which will be responsible for rolling out the projects over the next two financial years.

What was your first paid job? I was a service station pump attendant at a shell service station in Toongabbie. When there was someone to actually pump petrol in your car when you went to the service station.

2. What is your guilty pleasure? I love a sneaky soft serve.

3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why? That Blacktown gets lumped with the biggest rubbish incinerator in the world. The reason that I fear this is because it has the potential to have a terrible and lasting effect on this generation as well as many, many future generations of the area.

4. What is your worst habit? I definitely love to eat far too much.

5. Best advice you have ever been given? Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. It doesn’t matter what you want to do for a career, just always aim to be the best at what you do.

The world has many millionaire garbage collectors and many poor lawyers.

The difference is yours to make.

6. If you only had $50 left in the bank, how would you spend it? I would buy pizza, a soft serve and put the rest in petrol to go out for a drive.

7. Favourite holiday destination and why? Fiji. Swim up bar, food, sun and very kind and lovely people. Can it get any better?

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team? It would definitely have to be the Western Sydney Wanderers.

9. Name one reason that you love Western Sydney? It is very hard to put this down to one reason as there are many. However, if I was to nominate one it would be because Western Sydney is a beautiful place to bring up a family with schools, parks, and sporting fields a plenty.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday? Family, BBQ, Beverages

7 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Don’t end up looking like Santa this Christmas

By Keegan Thomson

OVER-INDULGING is maybe the best part of Christmas but we’re all being warned to watch what we eat this festive season.

December marked the start of the festive season when our traditionally healthy eating habits tend to go out the window in favour of alcohol, ham, prawns, party food, pavlova and too many mince pies.

Many people find it hard to stay on track with regular exercise and a healthy diet, swapping sweaty gym sessions for Christmas parties, family festivities and a whole bunch of relaxation.

But, according to Western Sydney Local Health District’s Centre for Population Health, people can enjoy the festive season without gaining too many extra kilos, by simply focusing on their kilojoule intake.

“Watch your snacking,” Ms Newman said. “Eat a small, healthy snack before you go out so you’re not tempted to snack at events. Always look to swap calorie-laden food for healthier options like a handful of cherries, instead of a handful of lollies and you’ll save 300 kilojoules.”

Some of the other tips she gave include drink more water, choose smaller portions, be active every day and choose fruit and veggies over snacks.

Ms Newman said it was also important for people to remember to eat and drink in moderation and ensure good food hygiene to prevent sickness.

“Some of the common festive season hazards include food poisoning, alcohol abuse, high stress

levels, falls, motor vehicle accidents and heat exhaustion,” she said.

“To help you have a stress-free holiday, think about eating in moderation and avoid excessive alcohol - choose water or a non-alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated.

Westmead Emergency Department director Dr Matthew Vukasovic has given out some warnings about the over consumption of grog during the silly season.

“Alcohol-related incidents are still one of the biggest reasons for people ending up in ED over the festive season,” Dr Vukasovic said.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Dr Vukasovic said middle aged people and older people are usually the ones to watch out for.

“Over-indulging can lead to injuries, particularly in middle-aged and elderly people.

“Surprisingly, it’s people in this age group who end up in hospital most frequently, usually due to alcohol-related car accidents, slips and falls.

“Make sure you stick to no more than three standard drinks on a single occasion to reduce the risk of alcohol-related injury,” he said.

Who knows, maybe if you follow the advice of the good doctors you’ll make it through the year without gaining any kilos?

Ed Husic MP Stands up for us

Federal Member for Chifley 6/15 Cleeve Close Mt Druitt phone 02 9625 4344 web www.edhusic.com facebook.com/ehusic twitter @edhusicMP

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

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Christmas lights shining bright

By Keegan Thomson

from

Sharon and Ebony Peach decorated their home with some 350,000 lights. Photo: Kennedi Geyer.

computer and she’ll whip up a poster for the lights or for our business,” Ms Peach said.

Each year the pair work to raise money for local children’s charity Rosie’s Place.

“Last year we raised $1,200 for Rosie’s Place but this year we’re on track to raise over $2,000,” she said.

On top of it all the mother and daughter pair also work together in the kitchen running Sharon’s Superb Slices, a small business which sells cakes and baked goods.

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“It is a crazy time of year and I reckon we get maybe five hours sleep a night at the moment,” Ms Peach said. “We’ve got Christmas lights running all night long and in the day we’re baking in the kitchen running Christmas orders and making cakes for our nightly cake stall.”

The lights at 12 Carpenter street, Colyton will be on each night leading up to Christmas. Sharon’s Superb Slices will be selling cakes and there will be a donation bucket with all donations going to Rosie’s Place. Lights will be on from around 8:00.

Prue Car MP “ Member for Londonderry

A Very Merry Christmas to you andd your family. All the best for 2017 and enjoy the holiday season!

“

WITH more than a quarter of a million christmas lights decorating the house at 12 Carpenter street, Colyton it is clear that Sharon Peach and her daughter Ebony have the brightest house in the west.

The pair started their annual Christmas light caper a few years ago after they decided they wouldn’t put in a half effort.

“We started with a few little lights and then I decided we needed to do better,” Ms Peach said.

“I can’t do it half heartedly, it’s either be the best around or don’t even bother at all,” she laughed.

Working for eight long weeks leading up to Christmas the pair worked together putting up the 350,000 odd Christmas lights. Sharon’s 15-yearold daughter Ebony said a lot of hard work and commitment goes into the display.

“We’re spending at least seven hours a day across an eight week period putting up these lights,” Ebony said. “It it a lot of hard work.”

With all the work and hours involved Ebony joked saying she, “doesn’t even like Christmas time that much” and admitted that her family doesn’t even put up their Christmas tree until Christmas Eve because they’re so busy.

But Ms Peach gave Ebony all the credit for the detailed design of the Christmas light installation and the increased public awareness of this year’s display.

“She’s the brains of it all. She’s a wiz on the

Ph: 9833 1122 | 12/82 Victoria St Werrington Mail: PO Box 4001 Werrington NSW 2747 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Bobby the Brave’s attacker gaoled

By Keegan Thomson

SITTING in the Darlinghurst Supreme Court last Friday, we heard the sentence handed down to the man who has been called a ‘monster’ who ‘breached the trust of a family’ and who left a defenceless sevenmonth-old baby boy from western Sydney with catastrophic life-long injuries.

Andrew Nolan, 34, was sentenced to eight and a half years in gaol after he bashed the then seven-month-old Bobby ‘the brave’ Webber within an inch of his little life in 2014.

On an evening in September, 2014, Bobby was left in the care of his non-biological uncle, Mr Nolan, who took it upon himself to inflict devastating and life threatening injuries to the seven-month-old boy. During his sentencing the court was told of the level of anger and physical harm which Mr Nolan inflicted upon the little boy.

Bobby’s mother, Elise Webber cried as District Court Judge Philip Ingram described the attack on her son. He said the attack left Bobby with an “extraordinary scope of injuries” which included broken ribs, skull fractures, fractured ankles, bruised genitals, carpet burns a bite mark and multiple forehead wounds.

Outside the courthouse the Webber family were physically shaken by the sentence, it was clear they had expected harsher sentencing. Fighting back her tears, Elise Webber said she was disappointed by the results.

he had changed Bobby’s nappy and then decided to put his foot on the infant’s back with force and rubbed him face first along the carpet.

Mr Nolan also said he had hit Bobby twice with an open hand and had thrown him into his cot though Judge Ingram could not accept this account given it did not explain the child’s fractured ankles.

As a result of the attack, Judge Ingram said Bobby has been left with “life long catastrophic injuries” which include seizures, blindness, cerebral palsy, he is a quadriplegic and will require the use of a wheel chair The Webber family with their supporters outside the Supreme Court. and round the clock care for the rest of his Photo: Keegan Thomson life.

Mr Nolan was given a max of 12 and a half “We were hoping he would be sentenced to the full extent of the law, like 25 years, but we were let years in protective custody after sources suggested Mr Nolan’s life might be in danger if he were put in down,” she said.

Barry Webber, Bobby’s father, was more than with the general prison population. The judge said it angry with the results. He questioned ‘the system’ was clear Mr Nolan was remorseful. Mr Nolan will saying “you’re supposed to have faith in it but when be available for parol in 2023.

Those present to support Bobby and his family you get a result like this you can’t help but feel like didn’t agree that he was remorseful. it is broken”.

After the sentence was handed down someone During the police investigation Mr Nolan gave four different accounts of the night Bobby called out across the court “f***ing dog”.

As he was lead out of the docks Mr Nolan replied, was attacked. In one account he said Bobby had sustained his injuries because he had dropped Mr “See you in 12 years.”

Members of Bobby’s family have set up a donation Nolan’s mobile phone on his head multiple times.

On another account he suggest an intruder came in page at https://www.gofundme.com/bobby-the-brave through the front door and bashed Bobby whilst Mr with all funds going to the ongoing rehabilitation and support for Bobby the Brave. As of December 9 the Nolan slept on a nearby couch.

Later on in the investigation Mr Nolan admitted page had raised $54,000.

Furious reaction on our facebook site POSTS on our facebook page revealing the sentence received by Bobby’s abuser sent our readers in a spin of disbelief and fury. The public reaction to this sentencing is loud and clear. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. So what injuries does one need to suffer from to have the offender receive the maximum sentence????? This is it! How can it get any worse.

I don’t think pleading guilty should lessen any sentence either. This really deserved the maximum sentence. The family should appeal. And the courts should make it easy to do so, not drag it on for another two years.

Donna Fleming OMG!!! This is a disgrace to human society, especially when this waste of air space gets to live while these babies/children are trying to deal with the injuries and mental scarring that they have been subjected to, No wonder people take the law into their own hands when our legal system lets them down in many cases. It’s about time we stand up for ourselves and those who can’t do it for themselves.

Suzie Meill Beb It’s ridiculous how our court system lets down the people that need the most protection. While the scum keep getting a slap on the wrist only to go and reoffend majority of the time.

Rudi Kalemusic I am so disillusioned with our justice system. When this low life gets out (hopefully prison justice will be more effective) all future earnings should go to Bobby for his life long care and medical expenses.

Bettina Lisson The sentence should be the expected lifespan of the victim. His life will never be as it should be.

Theresa Horne Words fail me. This is a disgusting sentence. In 8 years he will get his life back but this poor baby boy and his family won’t. And to get protection in jail? No way. He does not deserve it.

Alison Hammond He should never be allowed near decent people again. Out in 8 years it’s a travesty John Thain

Opinion: Our court system needs an overhaul - NOW

By Kerrie Davies

WHILE babysitting this innocent seven-month old baby, he inflicted upon him the most disgraceful injuries you could ever imagine - multiple skull and vertebrae fractures, broke his ankles, bit him and bruised his genitals.

And yet in just a few years this sickening mongrel could be living in your street.

Yes. That’s the reality when our courts persist in handing down lenient sentences for abhorrent crimes - in this case the judge decided to give Nolan just eight years of the 25 year maximum available to him.

It makes you sick to the stomach, doesn’t it?

Little Bobby, from western Sydney survived the unimaginable - against all odds. But he can’t walk. He is severely brain damaged. He has lost the quality of life he had before that monster got his hands on him.

Yet Nolan won’t be paying for it with his life. Not even close.

Perpetrators of the most horrific crimes can’t keep getting let back out in the streets so quickly. There are loads of murderers who had been previously convicted of other crimes yet were back out on the streets soon after, costing lives.

Could it be clearer that the system

does nothing to protect the innocent?

What kind of message does it send if a piece of garbage like Nolan can cause such horrendous injuries to this innocent little darling, ruin his life, and be back among the public before his victim even starts high school?

I’m ashamed our courts could let Bobby and his family down so badly.

Campaigns need to be started, petitions signed and politicians need to listen.

The system needs an overhaul NOW. We owe it to this little fella to protect him - and lock creatures like Nolan away from society for a very long time.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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Rosalind Stanley, My World, Highly Commended

Nerissa Lea, The Sane Ones, Highly Commended

FOR the first time, all prizes in the Blacktown City Art Prize have been won by women or predominantly female collectives.

“The Blacktown City Art Prize has once again shown itself to be the premier art prize in Western Sydney,” the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“Blacktown City Council is proud of its long history and we congratulate this year’s winners.”

Jane Giblin from Lutana in Tasmania won the $15,000 major prize for her watercolour and mixed-media painting, Lilu Stands to Izzie.

The judges were instantly drawn to “the skill, boldness of subject and emotional power” of the winning work.

Blacktown artist Melissa Chapman’s Irrational Logic was awarded the Local Artist Prize and was Highly Commended in the main category.

Melissa’s “compelling” 3D work “demonstrates artistic skill and flair”, said the judges.

The Aboriginal Artist Prize was awarded to the Bankstown Koori Elders Group for their ceramic work, Murris and Kooris.

“The material and composition of the piece was unexpected,” said the judges.

“Each element was uniquely resolved and worked together to form a compelling visual whole.”

Amala Groom’s Read Before Consuming, The Sane Ones by Nerissa Lea and Rosalind Stanley’s My World received the remaining Highly Commended awards.

The judging panel, comprised of internationally acclaimed artist Khadim Ali; leading Sydney gallerist and arts advocate Janet Clayton; and Indigenous writer, curator and academic Stephen Gilchrist said they faced a difficult task when selecting winning works from the pool of 400 entries.

“We were impressed with the overall standard of the entries which included nationally-recognised artists alongside emerging local artists,” the judging panel said in a statement.

“The diversity of work across cultural practice, art forms, genre, scale and intent required us to look beyond the form and materiality to the intrinsic qualities of each work.

“We were ultimately drawn to works of art that offered singular artistic statements and revelled in the exploration of their chosen media.”

For the first time this year’s artworks will be viewable by Instagram (@ blacktowncityartprize), and votes cast will nominate the People’s Choice Prize.

The 2016 Blacktown City Art Prize will be exhibited from Saturday, 3 December to Saturday, 28 January 2017 at Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd Blacktown.

Admission is free.

The 2016 Blacktown City Art Prize is proudly supported by Ford Land Company, Westlink M7, Blacktown

Bankstown Koori Elders Group, Murris and Kooris, Winner Aboriginal Artist Prize

Workers Club, Atura Hotel Blacktown and Blacktown City Council’s Sustainable Living program.

For further information, images and interviews contact Jodie Polutele at jodie.polutele@blacktown.nsw.gov.au or 9839 6245.

AWARDS SUMMARY Jane Giblin Winner – 2016 Blacktown City Art Prize Lutana, Tasmania Melissa Chapman Winner – Local Artist Prize and Highly Commended Blacktown, NSW Bankstown Koori Elders Group Winner – Aboriginal Artist Prize Bankstown, NSW Amala Groom Highly Commended Darlinghurst, NSW Nerissa Lea Highly Commended Wynyard, Tasmania Rosalind Stanley Highly Commended Blacktown, NSW

Parvovirus Warning BLACKTOWN City Council is warning dog owners to ensure their pets are protected from Canine Parvovirus - a highly contagious and life threatening viral disease.

“Parvovirus is extremely contagious and can be transmitted by any person, animal or object that comes in contact with an infected dog’s faeces,” said Blacktown Council’s Animal Education Officer, Jacqueline Benito.

“Highly resistant, the virus can live in the environment for months and may survive on inanimate objects such as food bowls, shoes, clothes, carpet and floors.

“Simply taking an unvaccinated dog can for a walk, especially in urban areas where there are many dogs, can be enough to cause infection,” she said.

The general symptoms of parvovirus are lethargy, depression, severe vomiting, loss of appetite and bloody, foul-smelling diarrhoea that can lead to life-threatening dehydration, she said.

“Puppies, adolescent dogs and canines who are not vaccinated are most susceptible to the virus,” Ms Benito said.

“Protect dogs from this potential killer by making sure vaccinations are up to date. “Parvovirus should be considered a core vaccine for all puppies and adult dogs.

“Speak with your local vet to ensure your dog is protected.”

Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Girls blitz local art competition

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It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Listen to our very own Keegan Thomson with News Hour - Monday mornings from 9am to 10am Also on WOW is Music Memories with Isobel Impell on Wednesday - Midday to 2pm

www.wowfm1007.com.au

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Legends of the West

By Garion Thain

HISTORIC Windsor has been showered with an ever-increasing flow of attention in recent years. Ostensibly just a rural suburb, the region has actually been experiencing a cultural renaissance, becoming a hub for artistic ventures in Sydney’s furthest reaches.

Not the least of these ventures is music, and with new musicians and underground performers sprouting up all over the country, it makes sense that some grass roots talent would feel at home playing in the Hawkesbury. The Sydney Blues n’ Roots festival is an event which has just been held successfully for its eighth year running in October.

It’s a means for blues talent, country rock, or even just classic rock to congregate in one place and play for hours on end. Such an event is usually the vision of more than one

visionary, as was the case with the Sydney Blues n’ Roots festival.

Today however, only one of the original three founders remains overseeing the festival, and that is Peter Fricker. Mr Fricker is someone who grew up in Sydney’s west and saw potential for bands to make themselves just as comfortable here as they are playing in Byron Bay or anywhere else up the coast.

The Blues n’ Roots festival is described on the official website as a “Must see annual event for lovers of great heritage and established blues and roots acts, as well as a plethora of up and coming artists,” saying in its eighth year it now acknowledged as one of the premier festivals of its kind in the state. It also enjoys the support of the Hawkesbury city council.

This growth wouldn’t have been possible without the likes of Mr Fricker, who has helped oversee it all this time.

With faith in his old stomping grounds at heart, Mr Fricker helped found the Blues n’ Roots festival in the late 00s’.

“I am one of the founding directors,” said Mr Fricker.

“As of now I’m the only one left of the original three,” he continued.

“My new partner is entrepreneur Dave Wilkins.”

Mr Fricker said he genuinely questioned why a music festival couldn’t be brought to Windsor after realising there wasn’t one of its kind in the region.

“We went down to the Narooma festival, and thought – Why can’t we do it in Windsor?

“It’s moved around a bit since we got it off the ground, although this year and last year it’s been at the Hawkesbury hotel,” he continued.

“We have to borrow four venues in order for the festival to take place. It’s not cheap to put on – costs around $500,000.”

After saying the Blues N’ Roots festival must be a genuine passion project for him to commit to the immense effort year after year, Mr Fricker replied laughing, “No one really gets into something knowing they’ll do it for free, but you just end up doing it that way.”

Mr Fricker always has a lot of faith in his community, commenting that he has countless memories. The festival is an accommodating effort on purpose. Mr Fricker and other directors make it open for not only Blues music but as aforementioned rock and country talent of varying backgrounds as well.

The festival is a massive treat for the directors too, Mr Fricker being able to see the fruits of his labour poured out over a three day party.

“The Windsor launch party is on Wednesday night,” said Mr Fricker.

The event goes all night and continues until Friday.

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PETER FRICKER finished in October but was a success, with acts from established and upcoming performers alike.

With 2017 on the horizon, Mr Fricker and the extraordinary team it takes to cater such a festival will have to plan again for next year’s big party.

The Blues n’ Roots festival has taken place at the Hawkesbury Hotel in recent years. Peter Fricker (Right) has helped organise it at the hotel.

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

THE G SPOT

WELL here it is kidz the end of another glorious year (Where the hell did it go?). With Chrissy only next week (and no shopping done yet …holy crap!!!!) I must say that I have been extremely humbled, overwhelmed and at times having groups hugs from fans that that have dabbled in and followed my Gspot throughout the year.

I wish to thank you all for allowing me to share my experiences and pain with me. From drunken boneheads, to phlegm spitting/eating fans of the Gspot, car security, fully “ SICBRO” number plates, home security, flatulent cats, anxious overweight gold fish, 75 smelly family members in a caravan to save on accommodation cost and

an uncle that had bladder problems.

Yes folks, you have seen all and been there on the front line with me.

So …with New Year’s Eve just around the corner, I guess it is fair to say that the beloved boneheads will be grooming themselves for the drunken night of their lives. These folks are the clowns that create the most carnage in the shortest period of time and then end up asleep near a water fountain in their own vomit. (Great night…

Thumbs up, ya champion!).

Now …I know you are ALL sincerely hanging on the edge of your seat right now waiting on some amazing worldly advice on my take on New Year’s Eve ( Similar to the announcement of the winner is …

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

SYDNEY… same excitement right?)

Ummmm hmmmmmm ok let me think (Scratch scratch) - Just stay safe, drink responsibility (or don’t drink at all) don’t drink and drive, organise a designated driver (or take public transport) organise your night, stay home and have a BBQ, make sure your pets are safe and your yard is secure and don’t be a drunken or one-punch bonehead.

Also, if you have a home or business make sure you have security in place; alarms, deadlocks, back to base monitoring. If you are going away, get someone to stay at your house or organise security patrols for your business (Quick plug there).

It is also a time for celebration not

fights and arguments, Police don’t have time to attend stupid domestics over what colour the fireworks are, or your uncle’s cousin’s sister’s brother said something stupid like you’re fat and ugly. It is about a New Year, new slate, new canvas and a fresh start.

(Be happy).

So there you have it folks, the last Gspot for 2016 and as I hear the angels singing, the birds chirping and the possums ironing my work clothes, I wish you and all of your loved ones a very safe, happy and a boneheadfree zone for the festive season.

NOTE: No animals were harmed in the writing of this column. The goldfish went to weight watchers.

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Skin cancer warning for NSW WITH temperatures set to reach the mid to highthirties across NSW again next week and the UV index reaching extreme levels, the Cancer Institute NSW is urging people to be vigilant when protecting themselves from the sun.

Professor David Currow, the NSW Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institute NSW spoke about the extreme damage the sun can cause to the skin, even in minutes of exposure.

“In such extreme conditions, even when there is cloud cover damage to your skin can happen immediately. Even incidental sun exposure – walking from the house to your car, putting out washing or being outside on your lunch break, can result in irreversible sun damage, giving you a higher risk of skin cancer. Every minute in the sun matters,” he said.

“Light from the sun contains ultra violet (UV) radiation, which is the major cause of skin cancers.

UV radiation damages your DNA over time, which causes melanoma to develop. Exposure to UV radiation causes 95 per cent of all melanomas, so it is vital to protect your skin anytime you head outside.

“Most Australians know what to do. Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on your sunglasses. It is important that if you do need to spend time in the sun tomorrow, or any day in summer, you put this knowledge into action. It may save your life,” he continued.

Some Sydney suburbs such as Liverpool, Richmond, Camden and Penrith are set to reach a high of 38 degrees, while some regional suburbs such as Hay, Ivanhoe, Menindee and Bourke will

be higher at 39 degrees, and Wilcannia being the hottest at 40 degrees. However, UV levels will be extreme right across the State.

“When the UV level is at three or above, you’re at risk of developing skin cancer.

“For 11 months of the year we see UV levels this high, which is why it’s critical to make sun safety something you practice every day of the year,” said Professor Currow.

In 2021, it is expected that more than 6,000 people in NSW will be diagnosed with melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer, and more than 700

people will die. It is the most dangerous type of skin cancer as it can spread easily to other organs in the body. It is also one of the most preventable cancers by avoiding over-exposure to the sun and getting regular skin checks.

For more information on UV levels in your local area, visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/ towns.shtmlFor more information on skin cancer and prevention, visit: cancerinstitute.org.au For the NSW Health ‘Beat the heat’ website, visit: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/ beattheheat/pages/default.aspx

Santa pics for sensitive kids

SANTA is spreading his Christmas joy at Stanhope Village, providing a sensoryfriendly photo experience for children with disabilities.

Santa photos for sensitive kids provides children with special needs and disabilities and their families with the opportunity to meet Santa in a specially designed environment with pre-booking, no queuing and quiet settings. All Santa photo packages also come with a complimentary Santa photo and gift for each child.

Marketing Manager, Lisa Curtin, “We’re thrilled to be spreading the Christmas joy!

Meeting Santa, especially for the first time, is a scary and exciting time for both child and parent which is why making it as stress free as possible is important.”

“We’ll also have a few other Christmas activities going on throughout the season, from Christmas wrapping, carol singing, competitions, fresh food tastings and more. Stanhope Village is the perfect place for families to escape the summer heat and enjoy all that the festive holiday season has to offer,” said Ms Curtin

Stanhope Village will also be supporting their charity partner Mummy’s Wish, through the centre’s collaborative loyalty club Mums & Co, by donating $1 for every Santa photo package sold. Mummy’s Wish Founder, Bernadette Vella said, Mummy’s Wish Founder, Bernadette Vella commented, “A dollar mightn’t sound like a lot but for us it has a huge impact on the services we are able to provide for mother’s undergoing incredibly draining cancer treatments.

“In Australia, 13 mothers are diagnosed with cancer every day, turning theirs and their families lives upside down. Mummy’s Wish can help with cost of mum’s treatment; provide cleaning, driving, cooking and anything else to help ensure the families’ physical and emotional needs are meet,” said Ms Vella.

Santa photos for sensitive kids will be running on Tuesday 6 December, 2016 8am to 10am and Sunday 11 December 8am to 10am.

To book, email info@ stanhopevillage.com.au or contact Stanhope Village Centre Management on 02 8814 4100.

15 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Making spaces for artists to create WESTERN Sydney artists will soon have more opportunities to access local work spaces through a new NSW Government program.

The $350,000 Making Spaces program will provide the Western Sydney community with the opportunity to access grants of up to $60,000 each over two years to activate work spaces for artists.

Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the program has been established to assist local artists in accessing new facilities in their communities and encourage partnerships to develop new spaces including pop ups, studios and offices.

“I want Western Sydney artists to embrace this new opportunity and start thinking about new and old spaces that can be transformed into ideal and innovative work zones,” Mr Grant said.

“This funding can transform unused local council, art collective or community spaces such as shopping centres into a fantastic facility for local artists to use.

“This new program will support locally-driven artist-run initiatives and cement the suburbs of Western Sydney as a creative hub.”

Mr Grant said the NSW Government

Artist in Residence in one of Blacktown’s transformation spaces, Nazanin Marshian and NSW Arts Minister, Troy Grant.

is committed to working with the art and cultural community in Western Sydney to see it thrive.

“Western Sydney is a full of artistic talent and I want to see more local artists using their background and experiences to inspire their work,” Mr Grant said.

“We have boosted funding for Western Sydney arts and culture by $7.5 million over four years, which has provided the region’s artists and art organisations with an almost fifty per cent investment increase in the

first year of 2015.

“I’m proud that our investment in Western Sydney is allowing local art organisations to expand in ways they haven’t been able to previously.”

The President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and Blacktown City Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali congratulated the NSW Government on the initiative.

“For too long, the arts in Western Sydney has been overlooked by successive governments.

“Programs like this will complement the existing arts residencies programs currently being run by the local councils of Western Sydney.

“The Making Spaces program is a great idea and I look forward to watching the transformations take place.

Artist in Residence in one of Blacktown’s transformation spaces, Nazanin Marshian said it’s quite a lonely life as an artist being in a studio doing your work, so it’s great to be part of a community where people can just walk past your door for a chat.

“It’s important to not have the idea that everything is in the city, and if you’re not there, then you’re not part of the arts community,” Ms Marashian said.

Other initiatives established by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to expand arts and culture in Western Sydney include a $50,000 Western Sydney Arts Fellowship, the Live and Local music festival program and commitment to relocate the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

Further information including application guidelines will be made available in January 2017.

A day in the life of... Santa Claus

By Keegan Thomson

CHRISTMAS is known as the most wonderful time of the year thanks to all the gift giving, partying and the summer holidays but for one man Christmas is the business end of the year.

Santa Claus, also know as Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick or Kris Kringle, is one of the hardest working blokes around, and one of the hardest working people this reporter has ever interviewed. He has the mammoth task of single-handedly distributing some seven-billion odd presents across the globe between the late hours of Christmas Eve and the early hours of Christmas morning.

Speaking to us exclusively Mr Claus said the most important part of his job is the teamwork.

“Behind every present and gift for every girl and boy across the world there is a whole team of elves who help make sure the delivery will happen on time,” Mr Claus said. “It really is a big team effort.”

“A sleigh is only as fast as those pulling it and without my great team of reindeers I wouldn’t be able to make it all the way around the world in time for Christmas morning,” he said.

Basing himself out of the North Pole, Santa Claus is not only the chief-

Santa Claus took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us.

deliverer of Christmas presents worldwide but he is also the head-honcho of the North Pole toy workshop.

“Toys are my hobby but gifting them to good boys and girls across the world on Christmas day is my passion,” he said. “Not everyone gets to work in a job that is their passion so I guess I’m very lucky.”

Across the year Mr Claus will spend most of his time on the North Pole overlooking the toy production and making preparations for Christmas but he said there are a number of other jobs which need to be done on the lead up to December 25.

“Something that takes up a lot of my time is the naughty and nice list,” he

said. “It can take a lot of time to check it twice so that I can make sure I’m able to gift all the good children of the world the right presents.”

Other things Santa Claus does across a year will include reindeer grooming, baking Christmas treats, visiting children across the world and a lot of letter reading.

“Throughout the year I might receive maybe two to three million letters from all corners of the world in hundreds of different languages,” Mr Claus said. “I need to read them all so I can get some idea as to what presents children are wishing for come Christmas time.”

Mr Claus said one of the best parts of his job is all the travelling he does.

“Not many people can say they get to visit every country in the world at least once a year,” he chuckled. “It is a real blessing to be able to say that I’ve met children from all side of the globe.”

Out of all the children he’s met, Mr Claus said some of the best behaved and well manned children come from western Sydney.

“For me there is always a special place in my heart for the children of western Sydney,” he said with a rosy grin on his face. “They’re always first in my good list and they always leave the best treats and biscuits out for me.”

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Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Christmas decisions and dilemmas! with TP SO it’s that time of year again Christmas. A bloody marvellous time of year you’d have to agree. Well maybe not. You do have to spend time with family which may not be the usual people you like mixing with.

I’m lucky, but I know a number of people who limit visits with folk who share the same DNA to only once a year. I can’t quite understand what drives them do this as it rarely ends well and usually with the realisation of why it’s only an annual thing.

Then there are the family traditions which cover all kinds of things from where one will be eating food and unwrapping of the gifts. How often have you travelled from one end of the state spreading yourself thinner than a young Kate Moss in order to keep the peace to spend parts of Christmas Day with every known family member? Other families organise themselves in a more democratic way and make agreements which either alternate which in-laws they will see each year so that this crazy amount of travel is not required of a few poor young families each year. Others will share one day each and chose either Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Boxing Day - makes great sense if you are

geographically close.

On to the food. To have a Christmas Eve dinner or not to have a Christmas Eve dinner - apparently that can be a question. Well not for me as we always had a fabulous cooked dinner which sets up a lovely anticipation for the festive days ahead.

Some families are quite strict on their breakfast comprising of ham and eggs whilst other families do fruit platters and croissants. This may not seem like a big deal until you find yourself confronted with Christmas morning without eggs and ham when this is what you have enjoyed for years. Then

it becomes a very serious situation indeed. Add to this the debate of whether gift opening should be before or after breakfast. In my house it was always Santa before breakfast and then family gifts after breakfast but in other families it seems to be a free for all where anything goes.

While some family traditions are special and long held it is possible for others to view them as being cringeworthy. Apparently not everyone likes sitting around watching wide eyed as people open gifts in age order. They panic “what if I don’t like it?” “They will know by the grimace on my face!” Well I’d say play a better poker face and graciously say thank you. The alternative isn’t pretty. It’s like a shark attack in the lounge room.

I’m not into the frenzied rip tearing of paper with the expensive gift being speedily cast aside to be followed by the opening of the next gift. But hey, as I said I like my family and enjoy watching everyone open gifts with the cursory thank you that goes along with that, but just don’t mess with my ham and eggs!

Have a bloody great Christmas wherever you are.

Opinion: Teachers should stop being activist minions and teach

By Bart Bassett

WELL my intention for my last column of the year was to be full of Christmas wishes, good cheer and bright yuletide thoughts but the NSW Teachers Federation put paid to that!

I thought the objective of being a teacher was to teach our children the academic basics which our students are lagging in compared with many other countries. Is it any wonder that our students scholastic results are poor when you have a Teachers Federation in NSW more interested in social engineering and political advocacy of our children on matters aimed toward supporting the socialist left including Labor and Greens policies.

Last week the story broke that the NSW Teachers Federation was encouraging and supporting teachers to wear t-shirts to school messaging a campaign for the shutting of the detention centers which house illegal arrivals. For the record the government is in the process of completing the process of relocating the illegal arrivals now that the procession of boat arrivals has stopped so that the detention centers can be shut - something that was never achieved under the Labor government.

First of all school is not the place for teachers to push their own or their unions political message! It is a place where children should be taught the basics at the highest standard. But secondly where were these political activist when the Labor Party were in government federally? That’s right, they were silent while illegal arrivals were turning up on our shores in leaking boats on a daily basis which meant the detention centers were full of men, women and children. Where were they during the Labor years when approx 1500 (that we know about) men, women and children lost their lives at sea trying to arrive illegally to our country facilitated by people smugglers making huge amounts of money with no regard for the safety of individuals? Also let’s not

forget that under Labor 100s of children were in Australian mainland detention centers but since the Liberal Govt has been in power all children have been removed from Australian mainland detention centers.

Yes that’s right as usual when it comes to the activists who are left leaning Labor/Greens minions the facts don’t matter and hypocrisy knows no bounds. Imagine the high pitched screams from the Teachers Federation if some teachers, not of the left thinking variety, wore t-shirts to school promoting the benefits of capitalism or economic growth created by property developers!!

When these activist teachers and their supporting union come back in 2017 how about focusing on teaching our children so we as a nation can be proud of the academic results achieved by our education system as compared to other countries around the world. Leave other social and political discussions to take place where it should at home with parents.

On that note I wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas, be safe and have a festive time with family and friends. I look forward to writing this column again in 2017.

Merry Christmas :)

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20 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

E N T E R T A I N M E N T Del Rio Riverside Resort Webbs Creek THIS place is perfect for families and large groups who are in search for a quick getaway in Sydney.

The resort is also ideal for conferences because of its marvellous mountainous backdrop.

Choose from their wide range of accommodation including Water view Villas, Riverside Villas, Waterfront Cabins, and Lodges. They also offer appointed houses as well as powered and unpowered camping sites. Guests can take advantage of Del Rio’s firstclass facilities such as swimming pool, 9-hole/put putt golf courses, netball/basketball court, tennis courts, volleyball court, and BBQ area.

A great attraction for the kids and big kids (parents) who want to have fun is the jumping pillows. There is a small pillow for the little kids then the big kids can jump on the big pillow and show off their amazing acrobatics! More recently a water park facility was added to the pool area which is a first class play area for all ages.

You can arrive by car or arrive by boat and pull up to the adjacent wharf, Del Rio is a great place for all to let their hair down and unwind in a very relaxed and modern facility. Why not take a trip to Del Rio during the Christmas Holidays it has a lot to offer for individuals and families.

Del Rio wishes all Western News readers a Merry Christmas and they look forward to welcoming you to their beautiful resort beside the magnificent grand Hawkesbury River.

Contact Del Rio for details on 02 4566 4330 or email them on visit@delrioresort.com.au or check out all facilities on the website delrioresort.com.au Del Rio Riverside Resort is situated along Chaseling Road, Webbs Creek at Wisemans Ferry.

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

The other side of travel Vanuatu: Before the fall

Cartagena Streets

By Ben Cranney

BAD travel experiences are a good problem to have, because it means you’re travelling. No amount of planning or luck will eliminate them, although you might think I didn’t have any because my column describes everything as ‘incredible’. They can also make for good stories, and here are a few of mine.

After a thunderstorm soaked and destroyed my passport, I take a dry bag everywhere. They are very versatile: keeping liquid out or keeping liquid in. Case in point, my dry bag became a ‘protect-the-car-from-vomit’ bag.

And it worked remarkably well. It even kept most of the smell in. And after a wash, it was good to protect my

Greek sunrise

passport again.

Another story started after a morning of scrambling up uneven, overgrown paths and avoiding clouds of sulphur gas rising from the earth to get to the top of a volcano in Vanuatu. My wife rolled her ankle at the top. She tells the story as me being her knight in shining amour, carrying her safely back down.

I’ll claim that, but she only went up in the first place to humour me.

Sometimes, bad things are a blessing in disguise. I watched the most amazing sunrise in the Greek Islands because my stomach woke me up.

But gastro doesn’t always hit at good times, like in the Cu Chi tunnels of Vietnam. I now carry gastro-stop and hydralite whenever I travel.

Another blessing was when we

became homeless in Seville, Spain, because we had the gall to question our host why everyone was smoking when she advertised a smoke free stay.

She was mid puff when she kicked us out. We found ourselves on a bus to an ‘incredible’ mountain village built around a crumbling fortress, a testament to the once poor relationship between Portugal and Spain.

Other poor international relationships were more contemporary, like in Serbia, when we had knives pulled on us because we tried to argue the price with the taxi driver. Or in Cartagena, Colombia, when the fellow taking us on a pub crawl threatened to kill me because I was Australian.

Turns out he was joking, but he left me sweating for 10 minutes in a place

Into the Cu Chi tunnels Photos: @exploringtheworldscranneys

that was, until recently, the murder capital of the world. Or when my wife called from US detention, in hysterics, because US border control thought she was sneaking in from Mexico.

So be prepared, but welcome the bad experiences, as they make the trip that much more valuable.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas I WENT to a wonderful party on Saturday, delicious food, endless wine and really good friends. I was at the point of feeling absolutely no pain when one of the guests said to me that he had read my column. “Did you enjoy it?” I asked, expecting paeons of praise. “You don’t really believe all that stuff , do you?” came the rather unexpected reply.

Well, obviously I do, and I think maybe this gentleman may have been teasing a bit as well as doubting. But over the years I have come across some very intense reactions. When my book was first published, a local newspaper did an article about me, not so much about my work but rather about local resident embarking on a new career at such an advanced age.

Some of the letters on the website were absolutely vicious saying that I was a charlatan, conning people out of money and, most hurtful of all, preying on people’s sadness.

I have never been an evangelical clairvoyant and I firmly believe that one must come to one’s own decision about the existence of the spirit world.

However, there was one occasion when I felt I had to stand my corner.

My husband David is a pretty handy tennis player and back in the day played the junior circuit, so, naturally,

when we moved to the country in the UK the first thing he did was join the local tennis club. One evening he came home from the club and said, “Darling, do say no.” Now that does give a tiny hint that you are going to be asked to do something that a) you don’t want to do and b) you can’t get out of it without being a total toad so I ended up as club secretary . All the committee were lovely with one teeny exception.

We were planning a fund raising BBQ and discussing raffle prizes. I

offered to give a reading as a prize which seemed very popular at the time. A few days later, the teeny exception who was called Liz called me to say that she had to talk to me about something very important to do with the committee. As soon as she got in to the house she started haranguing me about calling up evil forces. I had no idea what she was talking about as I think I am quite harmless, but she thought that if one meddled with the spirit world the Four Horsemen of the Apocolypse

would arrive. I listened patiently for about half an hour to her telling me that Jesus had thrown the soothsayers out of the Temple and I was heading straight for Hell, then I got fed up.

“Actually, what do you think the Prophets were doing?” I asked. Well, the effect was amazing. She shot to her feet. “Oh God! I had never thought of that. What does it mean?

What am I going to do now?” and the poor woman had a crisis of faith in my sitting room. I did feel a bit guilty and so disguised the reading as a prize of an hour’s French conversation which totally threw the poor tennis coach who won it until we managed to explain things.

One the things I feel most strongly about is that everyone should be allowed to believe whatever they want to believe without vilification as long as it does not harm anyone, so dear reader, no matter what your creed or faith, please join me in saying a little prayer for peace in our world as we celebrate the birth of that little child in Bethlehem. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy 2017.

The Unintentional Medium is available online and at all good bookstores.

Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

21

Join in on the jolly at Carols in the Domain

By Brooke Boyce

THIS Sunday, join in on the jolly, and come along for some Christmas cheer at Woolworths Carols in the Domain, Australia’s largest Christmas concert.

The free concert starts at 8.30pm, but you can head down to the Domain from 12pm for festive food, drinks and activities. At 3.00pm, the stage will feature some family friendly pre-show entertainment.

The concert’s theme this year is Christmas Traditions.

And Christmas traditions are certainly what comes to mind when reading about what to bring to the concert.

Think quintessential Australian summer: bring picnic rugs, hats and sunscreen (because we all need to slip, slop, slap!). You can also bring low concert chairs, and free-standing shade structures – but no tents or beach umbrellas.

As we fast approach the holiday season, it’s important to also turn our minds to how we can help those less fortunate. The carols raise funds for The Salvation Army, their official charity and, at the concert, you can buy a Candle Bag for $20. Every dollar will go to the Salvation Army, and you take home products valued at over $100.

The Domain is in the heart of Sydney, between Art Gallery Road and Hospital Road, and adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens. Public transport is by far the best way to travel to the concert. Take the train to St James or Martin Place, then walk through to the Domain.

If you do want to drive, there is limited parking in the Domain Car Park for $30 on the day, or you can pre-book online for $35. For more details, visit www. domaincarpark.com.au.

Keegan’s Kitchen Garlic bread and prawn salad For me the flavour of Christmas is prawns. Fresh, barbecued, grilled, cocktailed, prawns in a salad, prawns with some sauce, prawns on a bread roll or even prawns with a splash of lemon, it doesn’t matter how you do it they’re going to taste perfect.

I found this recipe and thought it sounded like a great starter for Christmas lunch. Don’t be put off by the garlic bread because it will add some extra crunch to the dish. If you’re not a fan of prawns you can always substitute for some fresh feta cheese.

INGREDIENTS: 250 grams of cherry tomatoes Olive oil Big rustic baguette 160 grams of melted butter 1 bunch of chives, chopped 2 gem lettuce 1 large avocado, sliced 2 sticks of celery, sliced thinly diagonally 1/2 cup green olives 1.2 kilos of cooked tiger prawns, peeled Juice of 1 lime 1/4 teaspoon of Tabasco sauce 1/3 cup of butter milk (milk can do) 1/4 cup of sour cream 2 tablespoons of tomato paste 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

23 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

METHOD: 1. Preheat your oven to 200°c. Place your fresh tomatoes onto tray lined baking paper and sprinkle with oil. Season to your taste and bake until soft.

2. Cut 1cm thick slices into the baguette but do not to cut right through the loaf. Mix the butter, chives, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl then spread mixture into the slices of the loaf. Wrap in foil and bake until butter is melted and bread is crusty.

3. Separate and wash the lettuce leaves on to a plate and arrange with tomatoes, avocado, celery, olives and prawns.

4. For the dressing you want to hand whisk the buttermilk, sour cream, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, lime juice, and tabasco in a jug. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve with thin slices of garlic bread on the side.

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T Eight best school

24 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

up a family day out with a little serve of history and a walk down memory lane. The sprawling parklands is filled with traditional heritage buildings, a miniature railway, a working blacksmith and horse and carriages.

A full day family entry will only set you back $15 so this timeless holiday activity won’t break the bank. They have special school holiday activities on January 10, 11, 17 and 18.

Australiana Pioneer Village

By Keegan Thomson

SCHOOL holidays are here and with it comes the nagging tones of bored and bothered children. To make the summer holidays a little more relaxed we’ve done the research for you and we’ve found the best school holiday activities around the west. In our list we’ve got a bit of fishing, some local culture, football and history as well.

celebration of brilliant art and festive culture. Follow the path of stencilled art from the station through the Blacktown CBD all the way to Colo Lane. Enjoy the lights and festivities in the warm summer nights. Relax with friends and family in the Village Green at the popup garden cafe or sit back and enjoy the live music. The Blacktown Arts Centre will be open for special after hours visits as well.

Summer Streets - January 11 to January 22 The streets of Blacktown will be come alive this summer with a colourful

Australiana Pioneer Village Who said school holidays can’t be educational? Opening in 1970 the Australiana Pioneer Village offers

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Junior Firefighters Training Area Fire Safety Activities Fire Engine Rides Computer Games Puzzles

Cnr Museum Drive and Castlereagh Road, Penrith

Ph (02) 4731 3000 Fax (02) 4731 2983 Email: mail@museumoffire.com.au

www.museumoffire.com.au

Wanderers Coaching Clinic January 17 Join some of your favourite Western Sydney Wanderers at the free WSW Football Clinic. Learn to pass, shoot, dribble as well as practice ball control with some of the greatest players in the A-League. Teens aged between 15 and 17 are encouraged to give it a red hot go with prizes being awarded to the player of day. The clinic is free but bookings are a must. The event will be hosted at the Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope Stadium in Stanhope Gardens.

Take a dip in the water There are so many natural water holes and swimming spots around the west so why not go and check some of them out on a hot summer day?

Drive to the Nepean River or head up stream to Yarramundi and have a BBQ picnic on the edge of the water. Lake Parramatta hosts a safe and secluded swimming area and there is even a cafe and boat hire to boot. Don’t forget the sunscreen and to slip, slop, slap.

Skateboard Clinic - January 19 Join pro-skater Adam Luxford for a day of intensive classes on skateboard safety, fundamentals, tips and tricks.

This free event takes place at the Lalor Park state park on the corner of Freeman street. Adam Luxford isn’t

are required with very few tickets available. All proceeds from the breakky will be donated to a nominated charity by Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Skateboard Clinic

simply a professional skater he is also a certified skate teacher and trainer.

Kicking off from 11 there will be hour long lessons for beginners all the way up to pros.

Breakfast with the wildlife January 26 Head along to Featherdale on Australia Day morning for a breakfast experience you and your kids won’t forget. Have a sausage sizzle breakfast with all the cute and cuddly furry friends of Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Tickets are $3 per person and bookings

Australia Day fireworks and concert - January 26 Celebrate Australia Day 2017 at the Blacktown Australia Day Concert on The Rooty Hill. Event kicks off from 3:30 in the afternoon and includes a bucket load of free attractions. There will be amusement rides, a Ute Muster, Dave McKenna Yamaha Stunt Rider, Freestyle Now BMX shows and to top it all off a fireworks spectacular to close the event. For the big kids there will be rocking performances by Choirboys, Boom Crash Opera and Amber Lawrence. The Rooty Hill is a 10 minute walk from Rooty Hill train station or can be accessed by car via Eastern Road, Rooty Hill. Limited free parking is available.

Carp fish-out - January 28 Bring your rod, tackle and bait along to Lake Woodcroft for a special one off fishing extravaganza. To bring down the carp population of Lake Woodcroft the Blacktown council is hosting a free fishing event with the aim of catching as many carp as possible. This is a special

25 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

E N T E R T A I N M E N T holiday activities

Breakfast with the wildlife

event because usually Lake Woodcroft is off limits to fisherman. The fish-out starts at 1 PM with bookings being a

must and can be made through the council. All participants are required to have a recreational fishing licence.

Australia Day fireworks and concert

The Australiana Pioneer Village in Rose Street Wilberforce - Last day for 2016 is Sunday 18th December we then open on Sunday 8th January and the Sunday’s after this as well as the 10th and 11th and the 17th and 18th of January for our beach party themed days.

Be prepared to get wet so bring a towel. These days are all 10am-4pm.

We are also opened on Australia Day Thursday 26th January 2017.

We are open from 9am-5pm.We have many displays, demonstrations, games, live entertainment and activities throughout the day.

We have many displays, demonstrations, games, live entertainment and activities throughout the day.

We will also have the following at a small charge of $5.00 each: Miniature Train Rides, Carriage Rides, Hay Wagon Rides, Pony Rides, We will also be having an Animal Nursery We will be having the Dunny Race as well and this year we will supply the materials for you to make your own. So come prepared for a fun family day out.

ENTRY: $15 family of 4 $5 per adult & $3 school aged child

PHONE 4575 1777 ROSE STREET, WILBERFORCE NSW www.theapv.org.au

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

WORD SEARCH

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

26

CHRISTMAS

SOLUTION: 2nd December

INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates

ANGEL BELLS BETHLEHEM CANDLES CANDY CANE CAROLS DECORATIONS EGGNOG FAMILY FRANKINCENSE FRIENDS

FRUITCAKE GABRIEL GIFTS GOLD GREETING CARDS HOLLY ICICLES JESUS JOSEPH LIGHTS

MANGER MARY MISTLETOE MYRRH ORNAMENTS POINSETTIA SANTA SHEPHERDS SKATES SLEIGH

SNOWFLAKES SNOWMAN STABLE STAR STOCKING THREE WISE MEN TOBOGGAN TOYS TREE WREATH

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Church building (9) 6 Islamic jurist (5) 9 Quip (7) 10 Baseboard (7) 11 City in Tennessee (7) 12 A military unit (7) 13 Imposed loss due to one’s beliefs (9) 15 Dance bar (5) 16 Wordless performers (5) 19 Breeziness (9) 22 Colliding (7) 23 Ails (7) 25 Kerchief (7) 26 Relating to marriage (7) 27 Long period of time (5) 28 Provide details (9)

solution 2/12/16

DOWN 1 Whipping, clotted or ice (5) 2 Leaner (7) 3 Not heavenly (7) 4 Inclines (5) 5 Timber workers (9) 6 Covered with a layer of leaves or wet straw (7) 7 Idiosyncrasies (7) 8 Clever (9) 13 Notable (9) 14 Drop down in level or rank (9) 17 Souvenir (7) 18 What Popeye eats (7) 20 Conflagration (7) 21 A daughter of Agamemnon (Greek mythology) (7) 23 A group of south Pacific islands (5) 24 Figure out (5)

An exciting new Real Estate concept has arrived in Western Sydney!

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Whatever property-related needs you have, the Bennett Western Sydney Team are ready, willing and able to assist. We offer our clients all of the traditional Real Estate services such as selling and leasing properties but, in a first for Greater Western Sydney, we also specialise in project marketing for land subdivisions, apartment and

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We are proud of our Leadership Team, which is headed up by Matthew Bennett and features four of Western Sydney’s most experienced property professionals and a number of enthusiastic up and coming agents.

Matthew has over 20 years property and development experience and,

combined, our team boasts decades of experience working within multinational development companies, regional Real Estate groups and both State and Local Government Authorities, we provide an unrivalled and unique property service. Unlike many Real Estate Agents, who specialise in specific suburbs, our superstar team have an intimate knowledge of the Hills, Hawkesbury, Blacktown and Nepean Regions as well as a passion for the many facets of the Property Industry and for ‘thinking

outside the box’.

The ability to think outside the box and an awareness, as mentioned in my previous column, that many negotiations are undertaken in cafes, means that our Head Office, which is conveniently located in the heart of the Western Sydney Growth Sector of Schofields, features a funky, full service coffee house which is now open for breakfast from 5am, seven days a week (excluding Public Holidays) and will, eventually, be open for dinner as well. Like our Bennett Western Sydney Team, the Schofields Ugly Mug Coffee House team include passionate and enthusiastic individuals who pride themselves on having exceptional barista and hospitality skills.

Our brand new office, at 111 Railway Terrace, Schofields, will officially open on 9 January 2017 when you’ll be able to grab a coffee and enjoy a delicious meal whilst talking to us about your property needs – big or small. In the meantime, the Bennett Western Sydney Team wish you Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you next year!

TOP MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR THIS CHRISTMAS December is a time when shoppers are tempted to stack purchases on the credit card with the pressure to buy that special gift for loved ones as Australians will spend over $40 billion dollars in retail stores this Christmas.

The festive season could be less of a financial burden if you plan and follow some simple rules prior to the feared credit card bill arriving in January so your Christmas was a merry one.

Here are tips to save this Christmas* Plan Plan what gifts you are giving to avoid the “late dash” when you visit the shops. Start early with your shopping to avoid the last minute rush as this generally means you will be paying more at the counter than what you had planned as you are under pressure to buy whatever you can get your hands on.

The Xmas Card Why not use technology and save money on Christmas cards and make a Christmas Video. Smart phones similar devices allow for easy videoing that can be sent via instant messaging or

email to friends and family at no cost.

Shop online You don’t have to visit the shops as many major retail stores have online presence and stores. This will save you time and purchasing gifts you didn’t really want.

Shop Around Compare items and products on the internet and/or in catalogues. You can use google by entering the name of what you are buying following by the word “buy, price”. This will give you a list of retailers with price comparisons to hook yourself a bargain.

End of Year Sale time Spend less before Christmas Day and give a small gift and buy better gifts in the new-year sales. Alternatively give a gift card as this allows buying gifts after Christmas when the sales are on where you can get more value for your dollars.

Secret Santa Everybody loves a secret Santa and it’s a great way to save money on gifts as it means one quality gift as opposed to many gifts for the family.

Give an experience Everyone has someone in the family who has everything and doesn’t need anything. Why not organise something different, a picnic, a day the beach and invite family and friends for them. A present doesn’t always need money to make it valuable Cook Even if you’re not the next Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson, you could cook a great gift! A Christmas pudding or treats are not only a Christmas favourite but will help the recipient when it comes to filling the table.

You will save you money with a little investment of your time.

Cash is King It may be tough if you have planned your gifts in advance or buying online but there is no reason why you can’t leave your credit card at home and just take cash. A little bit of discipline may avoid the credit card shock in January.

Share the load If Christmas is at your place this year, ask family members to bring a plate to help reduce the load and cost

@wealthwiz

unc or dinner. Ask of Christmas lunch everyone to bring a plate to create a buffet style meal.

Christmas brings family and friends together and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful festive season to create some special memories.

Speak to a Wealthwiz Wealth Management who can help you understand your financial needs and options. Contact Alex Soncini on 0419 600 177 or alex.soncini@welathwiz. com.au. *Wealthwiz advice is general in nature and readers should seek their own professional advice before making any financial decisions.

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WealthWiz Wealth Management | Suite 3, 47-51 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Call 8004 6655 | www.wealthwiz.com.au

27 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

realestate real

westernhistory western

28 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

Seven Hills Shopping Centre: one stop shopping Continued from last issue.....

Woolworths was founded in Australia in 1924 when it opened its first variety store in the basement of the old Imperial Arcade.8 At that time, Woolworths sold items like china, glassware, kitchen sundries, stationery, toys, dolls, underwear, perfume and soaps. 9 The founders of the business were Ernest Robert Williams, Harold Percival Christmas, Stanley Chatterton, Cecil Scott Waine and George Creed. One of the first investors, Preston Lanchester Gowing, was a one-time chair of the Gowings menswear chain. 10 ‘The name on the draft prospectus drawn up by Cecil Scott Waine was “Wallworths Bazaar” – a play on the F.W. Woolworth name (the owner of the Woolworth’s chain in the United States and United Kingdom). However, according to Ernest Robert Williams, Percy Christmas dared him to register the name Woolworths instead, which he succeeded in doing after finding out the name was available for use in New South Wales. However, Woolworths Ltd. Australia has no connection with the F.W. Woolworth Company in the United States, nor the Woolworths Group in the UK. 11

W

Similar to the Seven Hills rocket

OOLWORTHS began experimenting in the 1950s with the inclusion of a small goods section in stores at Burwood, Campsie, Dee Why and Punchbowl. The first Woolworths supermarket, opened at Warrawong NSW in May 1960, was such a success that others were opened at St Ives, Berala, Fairfield Heights and Seven Hills.12 Given its share of the retail market today it is hard to believe that the grocery side of Woolworths is barely fifty-five years old.

Arranged parking spaces were integral in the design of these cluster shopping precincts to cater to the growing car owning population.

However, these new centres became much more than a place for the sale of consumer goods. Public space was incorporated into the designs and, at Seven Hills, included an open courtyard/amphitheatre complete with a metal spaceship in the children’s play area. The rocket reflected the influence of the space-race between Russia and the United States, which began with the Soviet Union launching Sputnik into space in 1957.

During that era, space exploration had a profound effect on the design of domestic products, architecture, motor cars and even playground equipment. These new concepts, which added to the shopping experience, meant that children could be entertained while parents purchased a card, newspaper or, attended to the weekly shopping. The rocket was removed during renovations some years later and today would be considered dangerous.

The aerial view of the completed centre shows the hotel (closest to the railway line) and the original footprint of the centre as it existed in 1960. The two storey Woolworths Variety store sat at the end of the boomerang shaped building to the left of the hotel while the supermarket was a separate affair above the three prongs (covered arcades) on the opposite side.

A newsagent was located at the front of the centre. Other shops included a cake shop, Fays Shoe shop, Mabs Ladies Wear (re-located

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from the row of shops opposite the station), a milk bar, a Chinese food shop and Marcell Ladies Hairdressing Salon.

The Centre quickly became the central focus of social occasions like an event in December 1960 when a newspaper advertisement stated that Seven Hills Regional Centre ‘will literally go up with a bang.’13 On the night the festivities included a firework display valued at £500, as well as guest appearances by Ray Price and his Port Jackson Jazz Band, and rock and roll singer, Lonnie Lee. Other musical and carnival attractions were set to appear at the gala event which started at 8pm.14 Similarly, Nino Cullotta (one of the many pen names adopted by John Patrick O’Grady who was author of books like They’re a Weird Mob) was said to be collaborating with Santa Claus to produce a new version of the Christmas story. Santa was set to appear and present the Christmas Story from a special house erected in his honour. The event was expected to draw crowds from all over the western districts.15 In hindsight, while these events were community focused, there is no getting away from the fact the performances were subtle forms of promotion to attract new patrons to the centre.

The Seven Hills shopping centre has experienced several changes and rebranding and enclosed, as it is today, the centre bears little resemblance to Zipfinger’s open cluster shopping precinct of the 1960s. Woolworths remains as the only original tenant, however, it is interesting to reflect that a shop - of some type - has existed on that same spot in Seven Hills for almost 100 years.

Supplied by Pamela Smith from Blacktown & District Historical Society 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15

Woolworths Limited, How We Were Founded, http://www.woolworthsgroup.com.au/, accessed 1.10.2015.

Sydney Morning Herald, 2.12.1924, p. 2.

Woolworths Limited.

Kiamahistoryweblog, Christmas Came from Kiama and Started Woolworths, https://kiamalocalhistory, accessed 26.10.2016.

Perishable Pundits, Food and Self Service, http://www.perishablepundit.com.docs., accessed 2.10.2015.

Cumberland Argus, 14.12.1960, p. 13.

Ibid.

Cumberland Argus, 14.12.1960, p. 4.

Would you like to read about the history of the Nepean?

Now you can purchase a LIMITED EDITION book featuring our history pages and more for just $10 plus postage and handling.

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Blue Sox look to build momentum THE CompassMarkets.com Sydney Blue Sox have been cementing their position as a championship contender for the 2016/17 Australian Baseball League (ABL) title. Due to consistency and determination, the Blue Sox currently sit second on the ABL standings and continue to make supporters throughout Australia proud to wear the Blue Sox colours.

The crack of bats echo throughout Blacktown International Sportspark as the team’s home run leader, Canadian born Malik Collymore continues to establish himself in his first season with the Sydney Blue Sox. Just as effective are the Blue Sox pitchers, whereby veterans such as Craig Anderson and latest recruit Trevor Foss continue to deceive opposing batters. Anderson, who comes into the series with three wins and an Earned Run Average (ERA) of 1.62 will be looking to build on what has been a great season while Foss, who leads the team in strikeouts (14) will continue to dominate at the mound.

Furthermore, the return of Blacktown’s prodigal son, starting pitcher Chris Oxspring who has spent time in the Major League Baseball (MLB), Nippon Professional Baseball

“I’ve been so impressed at the shape all the boys are in and their performances so far have been great,” Pospishil stated.

With success at home against ABL heavyweights Adelaide Bite and Perth Heat, the Blue Sox remain confident that this streak can continue on the New Year’s long weekend when they face the Melbourne Aces in a thrilling four game series at Blacktown International Sportspark. Currently ranked first, the Aces will be looking to continue their excellent away record (5-3) at Blacktown as they too battle for their first title in the ABL.

(NPB) in Japan and the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) will complete the already strong starting rotation of pitchers and make for a very exciting spectacle as the season unfolds.

Consistency is a major focus of the Blue Sox and they want to maintain their form, not only for the duration of 2016, but to

remain dominant in 2017. Since the inception of the League, the Blue Sox have been successful in making finals appearances five out of six times, yet have not placed their hands on the winner’s trophy.

Blue Sox manager Jason Pospishil has been pleased with the team’s preparation and performances so far.

29 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

sport

Round 4 Series: Melbourne Aces at Sydney Blue Sox, Blacktown International Sportspark Game One: Thursday 29th December @7.30pm Game Two: Friday 30th December @ 7.30pm Game Three: Saturday 31st December @ 6.30pm Game Four: Sunday 1st January @1pm More information and tickets can be found at www.sydneybluesox. com.au Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram: @SydneyBlueSox

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30 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER

ALL ABOARD FOR THE SILLY SEASON!

Grill Team

IT’S been a busy couple of weeks since we last chatted. Let’s start with the Grill Team’s last day for the year. For those not aware I work on breakfast radio on Triple M from 6am- 9am weekdays and our show is called the Grill Team.

When your alarm frightens you every morning around 3.30am, the last show of the year, followed by six weeks of relaxation is more than welcoming.

But this years last show was even sweeter.

We had an outside broadcast at Freshwater. At the winner of a 4 million dollar beach side mansion that was won in a RSL lottery draw. The winner and his family just happened to be Grill Team listeners and invited us to their ‘house’ for our last show. Yes please. What a great way to say goodbye to a great year. We’re back on deck on the 23rd of January, and I can guarantee you all, there will not be one alarm clock going off between now and then!!

Something else.....

Last week my wife Meagan and I along with a couple of friends, Kaz and Bobby, were invited along to the Kingswood Smash Repair Christmas

Fernhill

party at Fernhill. It was my first time there for a function, wow! A big thank you to Kristi and Rod from KSR for the invite, I didn’t know something like this existed in our little nest out West here.

I’d heard lots about it but until you go there and experience the history and beauty associated with the place you don’t get any real perspective on just how good a venue it is. We’d also like to thank Tommy our favourite South African, for entertaining us into the wee hours with his musical abilities.

And another thing....

On October 30 we (my wife and I) celebrated 24 years together as a married couple. But, because I was in Melbourne with the Grill Team for the Cup we didn’t really acknowledge the day.

Yeah I know ladies, my bad.

So to atone I booked us into Sebel Resort and Spa at Hawkesbury Valley for a day of pampering. Men, do yourselves a favour, if you want to spend a day with the love of your life that’s a bit out of your comfort zone then this is for you.

My birthday

We arrived at 8.30am, jumped into our robes then spent an hour laying side by side getting the best therapeutic massage I’ve ever gotten. Then, the facial.

Now I consider myself a bit of a man’s man and to be honest a facial has never been on the bucket list. How wrong I was. The hour spent receiving the facial felt like I’d slept for a week once finished.

I’d recommend it to everyone. Especially men who have never contemplated it. With my birthday recently falling on the 7th of December the night at the Sebel, with the unbelievable service of GM Dave Ross and his team, served as a double celebration.

And yes, I paid full fare! It was just an experience I had to tell you about such was the total and utterly high levels of de-stressing. Do yourselves a favour as Molly Meldrum would say.

See ya soon for the Nepean News Christmas special edition out next week on December 22.

MG (random Westie) OAM

Australian U19 men’s team out of world championships

By Noel Rowsell

THE Australian Under 19 Men’s Basketball team (Emus) has suffered a shock 57-52 loss to New Zealand in the final game of the 2016 FIBA Under 18 Oceania Basketball Championships.

That loss qualifies the Kiwis to advance to the 2017 FIBA Under 19 World Championships, which will be held in Cairo, Egypt from July 1-9.

The Oceania Championships are remarkably one-sided events for both the Australian and New Zealander teams, with crushing victories over Fiji, Tahiti, Guam, New Caledonia and Samoa doing little to prepare either team for their eventual gold medal match-up on the last day of competition.

The Emus trailed for most of the final but New Zealand hit crucial shots at the death to grab the 5-point win.

Poor shooting cost the Emus dearly and the margin never ballooned out of total control, thanks to some hard work on the boards by the Australian big men.

Australia were however still

Blacktown Storm Division One Youth League representative Makuach Maluach in action during the 2016 season.

Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

dominated on the boards, adding further to Australia’s woes.

Blacktown Storm forward Makuach Maluach was a member of the Emus team and finished the tournament with personal stats of 36 points (7.2 points per game), 25 rebounds (5), 5 assists

(1), 6 steals (1.2) and 2 blocks (0.4).

In what seemed an unusual situation, the Australian Men’s team was only announced immediately prior to it’s departure for Fiji, whereas the final make-up of the Australian Women’s team (Gems) had been

known for some weeks prior to the Oceania tournament.

It’s now history the Emus have missed out on the World Championships, whilst the Gems have powered through each of their opponents to wrap up a spot.

31 Western News 16 December 2016 Issue 25

sport

Western NEWS

sport

Friday, 16 December 2016

Wanderers launch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship

By Conner Lowe

WESTERN Sydney Wanderers and naming rights and major partner NRMA Insurance have teamed up with Western Sydney University to create the inaugural NRMA Insurance and Western Sydney Wanderers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scholarship.

The scholarship is available now to current or commencing students to help them excel in their tertiary studies at Western Sydney University.

The scholarship will be awarded annually to the value of $12,650 and will also include a paid internship at NRMA Insurance or Western Sydney Wanderers.

To be eligible, applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and have a connection to football in Western Sydney.

Anthony Justice, Chief Executive for NRMA Insurance said the scholarship is a part of the organisation’s Reconciliation Action Plan which seeks to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, businesses and communities.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers share our passion for helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their dreams, whether that be through sport or studies,” he said.

“We are proud to have created a scholarship program which will give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the foundation for future success through supporting their studies at Western Sydney University.

“The scholarship participant will also work in our business as a paid intern to get practical, on the job experience with Australia’s largest general insurer,” he continued.

John Tsatsimas, the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers CEO said the program is a great opportunity to recognise and reward a student from the large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Western Sydney.

“Whether you are commencing or starting your Western Sydney University course this is a unique and rewarding opportunity to not only get financial support during your studies but also an opportunity at one of Australia’s most prominent businesses with an NRMA Insurance internship,” he said.

“Our region has a rich cultural history and being able to support a student who also has a passion for football is an exciting opportunity in support of our region and our people,” he continued.

Whether you’re a registered player in Western Sydney, a volunteer for a Western Sydney grassroots football club, participate in a school football team through playing, volunteering or refereeing or an existing Western Sydney Wanderers Member, this is an opportunity to receive tuition support for the length of your undergraduate degree.

Applications are now open and close on 17 March, 2017.

For all scholarship details visit: NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship.

RICHMOND CLUB 6 East Market Street Richmond, NSW 2753 Tel (02) 4578 1144

www.richmondclub.com.au