Western News 24 July 2020

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Friday, 24 July 2020

ISSUE 114

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Bushfire Generosity Blacktown City Council acknowledged for bushfire support see page 3 for full story.

(L-R) Stephen Dunshea, Shoalhaven CEO; Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley, Suzanne Carter, Nowra CWA; Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths, Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Blacktown Carole Windley, Milton CWA; seated Julie Morris, Nowra CWA, and Jenny Coulston, Milton CWA.

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2020 Blacktown City garden competition

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lacktown City Council is calling on all green thumbed residents, in the search for the city’s best gardens.

Entries have now opened in the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “The annual competition is a showcase of the pride and gardening skills of many of our residents, schools and community groups.

“There is more than $3,000 in prize money as well as garden products, landscaping supplies and movie passes on offer across 14 categories.

“With the competition being one of the bestknown gardening contests in western Sydney, many gardeners are already well down the track in having their gardens ready for the judges.”

Keen gardeners have more than a month to bring their gardens into bloom before preliminary judging takes place between 31 August and 11 September.

Entries will be assessed on design, construction, maintenance and sustainability. The final round of judging by industry experts will be conducted in late September.

Categories include best front garden, best back garden, best native garden, overall champion garden and best sustainable garden.

There are also categories for our senior citizens and gardeners with a disability as well as community and commercial gardens, school gardens and edible gardens.

Last year, the Blacktown City Garden Competition attracted a total of 56 entries, with the Doonside home garden of Eddie and Margaretta Rutkowski crowned Champion Garden.

The 2019 Blacktown City Champion Garden, in the home of Eddie and Margaretta Rutkowski.

Dig into the details at Blacktown City Councils website; www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/ Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/Blacktown-City-Garden-Competition

Community calls for fast-track of high school in Marsden Park

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arsden Park is one of the fastest growing suburbs in NSW and is already home to thousands of families, with thousands more on the way.

The high school for Marsden Park was first announced in March 2019, but Prue Car MP says 16 months later the project is still unfunded by the NSW Government, no construction has begun and no completion date has been provided.

Prue Car, the Member for Londonderry and Shadow Minister for Education, convened a community meet-up with local families to call for the high school to be fast-tracked.

In addition to providing a much needed high school, the project will also create much needed jobs in Western Sydney to boost the local economy in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Prue Car has also written to the Education Minister asking for the project to be fast-tracked and will raise the issue in Parliament.

Ms Car said the high school site is ready to go, located on the corner of Elara Boulevard and Katula Avenue, Marsden Park, but the school site is sitting empty with a fence around it because the project hasn’t been funded by the NSW Government.

She added that this is cause of frustration in the community, as the project was announced a year and a half ago, and the community still

has no information on when the high school will be open.

At present, high school students are required to travel over to Riverstone High School, which currently only runs for years 7-10, and year 11 and 12 students need to travel even further to

Wyndham College in Quakers Hill.

“Families buy into these communities being promised that there will be a high school to send their kids too, yet the NSW Government makes this promise with no timeline or budget,” Prue Car said.

“The Government are fully aware of how many families will be moving into these areas because they have approved the developments – they need to build the high school that is needed for this community now.

“Families in Marden Park are standing together to show how important this high school is for the community. I urge the Berejiklian Government to listen to the community and build this high school,” Prue Car said.

“Almost 100 promised schools and school upgrade projects across NSW are currently stuck in planning limbo.

Labor has called for these schools to be fast-tracked to address school overcrowding and create jobs in the wake of COVID-19.”

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he NSW Office of Local Government has ranked Blacktown City Council as one of the most generous councils in helping fellow councils that were affected by the summer bushfires.

In all, 44 NSW councils offered help to bushfire affected councils with Blacktown City providing the second most assistance behind Sydney City Council.

Blacktown City Council’s assistance included building and maintenance, tree clearing, administration, communications, transport and construction equipment, and community services.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “Council committed in January to do whatever it could to assist the councils and communities that were devastated by the bushfires.

“Council committed up to $2 million for its bushfire response and recovery operations, including redeploying staff and resources to other NSW Councils that had been hard hit by the bushfires.”

Mayor Bleasdale and Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths recently visited Nowra and handed over donations totalling $40,000 to assist victims of the South Coast bushfires.

The funds came from the Blacktown City Bushfire Appeal that raised more than $80,000 in cash donations and facilitated the distribution of more than 25 tonnes of non-perishable food, essential supplies and clothing to bushfire ravaged communities.

Mayor Bleasdale presented a donation of $30,000 to the Shoalhaven Mayor’s Bushfire Relief Fund.

Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley said, “We are grateful to the people of Blacktown for their generosity in supporting our region as we work to emerge from this bushfire season and its impacts in

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Blacktown City Council’s bushfire generosity acknowledged

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Blacktown’s helping hand. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM presents the $30,000 cheque to Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley.

a better, stronger and more resilient position.”

The Shoalhaven Mayor’s Bushfire Relief Fund has distributed nearly $260,000 directly to bushfire affected residents in the Shoalhaven.

“We make sure the payments go to individuals and trades people who have been directly impacted and we are committed to providing residents with ongoing support for the long term,” Mayor Findley said.

Mayor Bleasdale also handed over $5,000 donations to the Milton and Nowra branches of the Country Women’s Association (CWA).

“Those funds will be used to provide direct assistance to families in the worst affected areas with

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more than 80% of the Shoalhaven region devastated by the bushfires.

“Last month we presented a donation of $40,600 to the not-for-profit organisation GIVIT.” GIVIT is working in conjunction with the NSW Joint Recovery Task Force, linking requests for assistance for bushfire affected families and communities from trusted organisations, with the donations of money, goods and services.

“GIVIT has informed Council that the donation from the Blacktown City Bushfire Appeal has already bought 15 generators to provide electricity to properties still without permanent power supplies,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

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

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Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 General Manager: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sales: Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Sports Journalist: Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Graphic Design: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Letters to the Editor: nepeannews@aol.com Web: www.wsnewsgroup.com

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From the Editor’s Desk

By KeRRIE DAVIES

2020 has certainly been a roller coaster ride, and it is hard to imagine that we are not about to go hurtling towards restriction mode again.

Our “numbers” are still thankfully nothing like many other countries in the world, but it is disheartening when it seemed we all but had it contained and now here we are again.

We can blame Dan the Vic Man for dropping the ball on their hotel security, we can blame Gladys for those who scuttled across the border before it was shut and we can blame Scomo just because in some circles it has become trendy to do so. But none of the blaming will change anything.

That is up to us. Yes, US. The reality is a lot of us have dropped the ball too, and slackened off.

Social distancing is close to being non existent again in public places. When I did my shopping a few days ago, the trolley wipers were long gone, the sanitisers at the entrance were empty and people actually leaned across me to get something from the shelf I was standing in front of.

Pull up for petrol and the sanitiser at the bowser is also empty, with the paper towel roll hanging down to the ground with a gooey looking substance all over it.

When you look around, people are shaking hands, standing shoulder to shoulder and the cough into the elbow is a distant memory.

Yet, if everything goes south, all you’ll hear is “Damn you Dan. Grrrr Gladys.

Stupid Scomo.”

We need to take some responsibility here!

We do not want the virus.

We don’t want the inconvenience it brings.

We don’t want the job losses.

We don’t want to not be able to see our family and friends.

And we certainly don’t want people we love to die.

So let’s get back on track with preventing it!

Of course we need to hold our politicians to account, but as a community we really need to step up also, stop slackening off and do our bit to get this thing back under control.

It’s time to stop the finger pointing and unite as Team Australia.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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he $20 million redevelopment of the Emerton Village Shopping Centre is on track for completion by the end of this year.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM recently toured the construction site with the Member for Londonderry, Prue Car MP. “The redevelopment of Emerton Village will provide the community with a lively shopping centre designed for the everyday needs of its customers with a specific focus on convenience,”

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Emerton Village redevelopment on track

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Mayor Bleasdale said.

“The Centre will be a boost to local jobs and will provide increased car parking and a significantly better mix of shops for the community,” Ms Car said.

Emerton Village will boast a full line Woolworths supermarket which is due to open in September as well as 20 specialty retailers.

The fully revitalised Emerton Village Shopping Centre is set to open by the end of the year.

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Rouse Hill – Blacktown Seven Hills – Melbourne

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A Story of John*: The Power of Collaboration and Coordination

By THOMAS SOE - AT WORK AUSTRALIA

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ohn has been strolling and enjoying the scenery along the walkway for over an hour, wondering when was the last time he enjoyed walking like that.

He simply could not remember.

The afternoon heat wave of summer touched his skin, and he felt Australia’s Summer is ready to hand over all temperatures to Autumn.

There was a lovely smell and view of Agapanthus, Aster, Delphinium, Singapore Orchid, ready to be replaced by Delphinium, Singapore Orchids, Scabiosa everywhere, and John remembered his young daughter’s 5th birthday celebration, which they all celebrated at the local McDonald’s last Saturday evening.

The smell of coffee, which he drank that evening, still lingering in his nose and he felt the pure enjoyment of fatherhood.

Mixed feelings of regret and timeless love toward his four daughters make him reflect deeply.

He never forgets the day when his first daughter was born 17 years ago, also the first night he spent at the local police station, the beginning of his long journey.

John started testing drugs when he was in year 10 with some friends from school, at one of his friends’ birthday parties. That was 20 years ago, and his unforgettable and long journey has since occurred. He became the victim of his own enjoyment, without knowing himself for 20 years, spending many years behind bars in prison, across five different periods.

He tried to get back to his feet every single time he got out, but his old routine took over him as he could not seem to change his daily circle, and he did not know how.

Every time he got out, John stayed at home for a week or two, then went out and met with old friends, hung around here and there and with plenty of time on his hands, which he did not know how to pass, John went back to the drugs each time. He then tried to meet his needs by doing what he usually does, such as petty crime, break-in, theft, then John got caught and was sent again back behind the bars. On and on it went, the cycle.

Thomas Soe pictured here with Stuart Ayres MP

John always felt like he was under the water, he wanted and tried to float up to the surface but was drowning again, suffocating through this repetitive cycle. That was always the feeling he felt and was then diagnosed with severe Anxiety.

Two months ago, before John was released from his fifth time in prison, he arranged to meet with the Psychologist inside the Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre, which was organised by his Case Manager. Together with his Psychologist, John learnt about behaviour, thoughts and feelings, and how these can change an individual’s life. This therapy really impacted John, he knew at that point he needed to change his daily behaviour to influence his thoughts and feelings, once and for all, for his return to freedom. To be there for his family.

To have a good life.

He remembered people from one local Disability Employment Services provider came and attended the meeting at the centre a few months ago, explaining about the assistance and services they provide to all inmates. He got in touch with them via his Case Manager and they arranged to meet with the local Centrelink team and made some preparations before John was released from prison. His Case Manager was very understanding of his situation and John was always informed about the progress of the registration process with the Disability Employment Services (DES) provider.

The DES provider also assisted in booking the appointment with local Centrelink and met with an

Assessor; the Assessor stated that he spoke with the DES provider prior to John’s assessment and he precisely understood John’s individual barriers and needs. John was grateful to hear that someone from a Government organisation like Centrelink understood and had knowledge about his challenging issues; that made him believe that there are people out there who are genuinely helpful to other human beings, on top of their job and duty. John started to trust the process.

John was nervous to attend his DES provider’s office, knowing there would be a number of people in the office persuading him to avoid his normal coping behaviour mechanism, drugs. Luckily enough he got the phone call from the provider on that morning checking whether he will be OK to come and meet with her for the first time in the office. John felt a bit relieved to explain his feeling of Anxiety and she agreed to come down to meet him from the street level entrance, to bring him up to the office.

After a few times meeting with his contact at the DES provider, John was supported in finding other coping mechanisms other than drugs. He also reflected on useful information from one on one sessions and group sessions at Odyssey House, a local Alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services. John started to feel like he was gaining control and power over his life.

John also started to realise that he wants all his four daughters to be proud of him and he knows he needs to change his behaviour, thoughts and feelings to become the ‘new John’.

Around this time, the lady at his local

DES provider informed him about a job opportunity to work at a local meat processing facility. The cloud of COVID-19 was starting to appear in all media and people were starting to talk about the issue.

He decided to try it out, and with the support of his DES provider, John felt supported in every aspect he could think of, from giving some petrol money for his partner’s car, buying John some work-related clothes, to SMSing each other at 4:30 in the morning to get there on time. John was also overwhelmed to learn the support the DES provider was offering clients, hearing that one of his colleagues was offered support to get to work, with an UBER picking him up from his house at 4:00 am.

John was nervous about his new job but knowing all the support around him and feeling like his DES provider genuinely believed in him, John starting to build his daily routine and started to feel like he is in control of his life. Knowing there is another payday coming, meaning he can support himself and his family, makes John smile every day.

John finally feels like he is the breadwinner of the family, and he heard about the word which the Prime Minister used the other day saying people who are working through this difficult time are considered as working an “Essential Job”.

That made John proud to be related to the word “Essential”; he is an essential worker after all. How far John feels he has come.

Many thanks go to: Department of Social Services; Disability Employment Services Program NSW Department of Justice; Corrective Services NSW | Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre Services Australia (formerly known as Department of Human Services); Assessment Team Local SME The New South Wales Ministry of Health Odyssey House NSW Department of Education, Skills and Employment *Name changed for privacy reasons.

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Western News

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rastically reduced planning assessment times, less red tape, and user friendly e-planning tools will help turbo-charge the economic recovery, through an $83 million NSW Planning Reform Action Plan revealed today.

Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) event, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the plan would build on momentum created by the NSW Government’s efforts to use the planning system to keep people in jobs and keep the economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The planning system has proved an incredibly powerful tool in our fight against the economic impacts of the pandemic,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This plan takes us into the next phase of reform, creating a system that is efficient, rigorous, supports our economy and our environment, is accessible online and is easy for anyone to use.”

The changes will slash times as follows; • Rezoning decisions cut by 191 days (33% time savings) • Decisions on Development Applications (DAs) for larger, regionally significant projects cut by 91 days (25% time savings)

• Decisions on major projects of significance to the State cut by 20 days (17% time savings).

The Government has also invested almost $10 million to enhance its ePlanning platform and ensure all councils can get online to process DAs more quickly and transparently slash DA processing times by more than half.

“Homeowners can now lodge DAs online from the comfort of their home, making renovating quicker, easier and hassle-free,” Ms Berejiklian said.

All councils will have to adopt the online system by 1 July 2021.

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Planning Reform Action Plan builds on the momentum underway to create a more timely, certain and transparent planning system.

“In the past 10 weeks alone, we’ve

approved projects worth more than $1 billion a week, unlocking the potential to create more than 30,000 jobs, 2 million sqm of open space and more than 8,000 new homes,” Mr Stokes said.

“This plan will cut unnecessary duplication of processes and boost resources in our assessment team, so that we can keep as many people in jobs and keep our State moving both now and in the months and years ahead.

“NSW Government agencies are also on notice as part of this plan both to reduce the number of unnecessary concurrences and referrals cases, and reduce those that are outside statutory timeframes, with support from the newly established Planning Delivery Unit that is unblocking projects that are stuck in the system.”

The NSW Planning Reform Action

Plan also includes: • Implementing the next phase of the ePlanning Program to make it easier to interact with the planning system; • A reduction in applications requiring agency concurrences and referrals, and new benchmark timeframes on key assessment and planning functions; • Complying development reforms to support emerging industries and fast track government projects; and • Boost the role and resourcing of the Land and Environment Court by establishing a new class of appeals for rezonings to help unblock the planning system and appoint an additional two commissioners to enable more cases to be heard each year.

For more information on the Planning Reform Action Plan visit www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Planningreforms

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Reforms for a world class planning system

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local COLUMNISTS Western News

Travel: Not built in a day

By BEN CRANNEY

R

ome sometimes feels like a city of squatters, like a group of people moved in to an ancient, abandoned city and tried to make it theirs. Don’t get me wrong, the people there now are just as enterprising and ingenious as those of Romulus’ day (just look at the fashion houses), but they are beholden to their forebears. Whenever someone tries to build something new, like a new metro line, they uncover the ruins of monuments from a time long past which puts a halt to the work while the archeologists move in. It’s as if there’s an entire city under the ground, maybe multiple cities.

The history, and the built environment that goes with it, is so complex, it creates constant interactions across time.

A perfect example is the recently discovered shrine to Romulus that was buried in the Roman Forum. It’s actually the second time it’s been discovered, having been excavated in 1899 before being built over in the 1930s. This time, it should stay open, with plans to allow tourists through to pay their respects to a man who, as the founder of Rome, is one of the most influential people to ever live.

Another is just about underneath the Trevi Fountain. When the nearby cinema was built, they found ruins from the Imperial Age. These ruins are already open to the public, so you can walk where the Romans who lived just after Caesar’s time walked.

Of course, you don’t need to go below the ground to be transported back in time. There are enough grand monuments on the surface to do that. Two of the grandest, the Colosseum and the Pantheon, will remind you that Rome was the centre of the world.

Any number of cavernous cathedrals conducting

Cities under cities

The Pantheon

What’s under the Trevi Fountain

Fountain at the bottom of the Spanish Steps

services in Latin will remind you that it’s still one of the centers of the religious world. And if that doesn’t do it, a visit to the city within the city, the Vatican, surely will.

They aren’t squatters. Far from it. They are custodians, the keepers of a past world, sharing it with the rest of us. And thanks to their work, you can connect with that world when in Rome.

Murder mystery M

In the Deep

itch walked into the bar and scanned the room. He noticed the back of the solid framed middle-aged man, went over and gave him a light-hearted jab into the ribs.

Unflinching, the man turned to Mitch giving him a look that would make blood curdle before a warm and rueful smile replaced the serious glare.

“How’s it going Mitch?” he asked as he got up to give Mitch a bear hug, patting him hard on the back several times.

Robbo had always been a big unit. Mitch was incredibly strong for a wiry physique, but Robbo was all heft and bulk. “I’m great mate, enjoying a bit of time off.”

Robbo looked at him with some puzzlement before stating, “Time off? Are you sick or something?”

To which Mitch just smiled and said, “What do you have to do around here to get a drink?”

Robbo patted Rusty as he called Tess over, “Get Mitch here a Peroni and I’ll have a Carlton black on tap”. Mitch noticed the gap in Tess’s top teeth as she smiled at the two men before going to get their drinks.

Robbo motioned for Mitch to follow him to the seats away from the rest of the crowd. Rusty followed and sat under the table.

By Tiffany Pascoe

Series 2 Episode 3

“My uncle rode into this pub on his motor bike once and ordered a drink at the bar. It was considered harmless fun back then. You can’t do that stuff anymore can you, I mean the world takes itself so seriously now.”

Mitch thought about the world that they moved in. It was pretty damned serious, but he knew what Robo meant and nodded his agreement as they sat down.

Mitch looked Robbo square in the eye and asked, “So to what do I owe the pleasure of this invitation?”

Robbo replied, “It’s happening. The chatter is very strong and reliable.”

Mitch asked, “Domestic or International?”

Robbo reluctantly replied, “Domestic.”

Mitch shook his head. “I don’t like to make a mess where I sleep Robbo, you know that.”

Robbo looked away and said, “Bugger you Mitch, this is huge. How about I give you some detail and then you decide?” Mitch shook his head and drained the remaining beer from his bottle. “I’m getting another, you want one. And you can think of something else to talk about while I’m gone.”

He walked over towards Tess smiling at her as he approached the bar.

When Mitch returned it was like Robbo hadn’t mentioned a thing. “The new property is going to

be a bit of a ripper; the agent made a great choice for me. Although there was a bit of a sad story surrounding the previous owners. They died in car crash about a year ago and the property has been vacant since.”

Mitch asked, “What was their name do you know?”

Robbo shook his head. “I’ve only stayed a few nights as it only settled last week. I intend to do a bit of a walk around tomorrow if you’re keen to check it out?”

Mitch said, “We can do our morning jog, couldn’t we Rusty?” Robbo rolled his eyes, he wasn’t a runner, he was more comfortable lifting on a bench press. “I think I’ll follow you in the truck.” Mitch laughed.

Robbo said, “Come on, probably should head off before we need the courtesy bus.”

Mitch replied, “Since when did they have a courtesy bus?” Robbo said, “They don’t.”

Both men broke into a fit of laughter, finished their drinks and headed for their cars. Rusty jumped into the front seat and Mitch attached the harness to the anchor point.

Robbo called across the car park “I’ve made a half decent curry, I have beers at home and you still owe me that game of cards.”

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ight new recruits are ready to ‘paw-trol’ the community as the NSW Police Force welcomes its new police puppies.

The newest canine members of the force – four males and four females – form the ‘B’ litter and were born on Saturday 9 May 2020.

The boys have been named Bluey, Bonus, Bruno and Bane and the girls have been called Bailey, Bounty, Bindi and Bibi.

The Dog Unit, formed in 1932, is the largest police dog unit in Australia with more than 100 police officers, nine civilian staff and more than 100 police dogs.

The names for the puppies were chosen from within the Dog and Mounted Police Command as it is the first litter to be born since the unit merged with the Mounted Unit on Monday 24 February 2020.

Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said the puppies, in time, would be deployed to assist police officers carry out their duties, including pursuits, and searches to locate weapons.

“These ‘B’ litter German Shepherd puppies, when fully trained, will be out on the beat standing side-byside with police as they keep the community safe,” Mr Elliott said.

“They are an incredibly important law enforcement tool and will certainly be a loyal best friend to

I

NSW Police officers especially as the state continues to face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Dog and Mounted Police Commander, Superintendent Peter McErlain, said the German Shepherd puppies will undergo rigorous training before they are put to work in the community.

“Our puppies train, not just for

general purposes policing, but also for drug and explosives detection, urban search and rescue as well as locating cadavers,” Supt McErlain said.

“While they are very cute now, in due course they will be a vital part of policing in assisting officers to target, disrupt and tackle crime across the state.”

Patron of the Dog Unit, Andrea

Balance At Work

S your business or your career spinning out of control? Are you going downhill quickly without any brakes? You might be on the dreaded cycle of doom!

This ‘cycle of doom’ is a phenomenon I’ve observed that is exacerbated by the current business environment. Read on to see if it applies to you...

If you are good at what you do and work hard, you hope to be recognised and rewarded.

But what happens when, at some point, you come to a grinding halt even though you’re more technically competent and working harder than ever before? Unfortunately, it’s a familiar pattern for many young professionals and business owners.

When you fall into the cycle of doom you may feel trapped, you become discouraged, your work output can slow and it might even lead to you getting fired. Business owners and founders are not immune to these effects. They should also be aware that team members on this cycle will have negative impacts on workplace culture and productivity.

Outcomes of this mindset: 1. You take on more and more work to prove that you can handle it Alternative: Take on more and more responsibility but make sure you have others around you sharing the load.

2. You neglect the obvious Alternative: Take the time to really

Fuller, said the puppies are a welcome addition to the NSW Police Force.

“It’s always great to see another litter of police puppies who are so full of life and on their way to becoming such a valuable asset to the NSW Police Force,” Mrs Fuller said.

“I know we all in the community wish these eight puppies all the best for their upcoming training.”

With Susan Rochester

listen and observe what’s happening around you, so you’re across what’s really going on.

3. You lose the connection Alternative: Learn about your team and take an interest in them as people. If they know you care about them, they’ll be more inclined to help you when you need it.

How do you get off the ‘cycle of doom’?

If you keep going this way, there is no way out.

As you work longer hours to get more done, all your energy is focused on doing the workplace administration and there’s no energy left for strategic thinking. On top of that, there’s no time or space allowed for reflection and growth.

With no time to reflect, you’ll stay stuck in your hard-working comfort zone.

That doesn’t sound (or feel) like a comfort zone, but it is! You are doing more of what you know instead of risking doing something different.

Are you ready to take a risk and try a different way? Your career trajectory can only go up and out of the doom – so do it before you burn out!

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or email susanr@balanceatwork.com.au www.balanceatwork.com.au

Western News 24 July 2020 Issue 114

NSW Police Force welcomes eight new police puppies

11

WESTERN HISTORY

Western News

Nasho’s emerge from isolation

Western News 24 July 2020 Issue 114

12

I

n 1951, and because of the Korean War, the Australian Government identified the need to increase the size of Australia’s military. It did this by making it compulsory for all eighteen year old men to undertake 176 days of military training as part of a National Service Scheme. Those who chose to do their time in the Navy or Air Force did 6 months full time training. Army National Servicemen did three months full time and the balance in the Citizens Military Forces (CMF) for further training, plus being placed “ On Reserve” for five years just in case. There were 227,000 men called up in 52 intakes before the scheme was abolished in 1959.

Again in 1965 a fresh National Service Scheme was invoked and this time the call up was for men aged 20 to be conscripted into the Army only for two years full time service due to a confrontation in Borneo and the Vietnam War. Only a small number eligible for call up were selected in a birthday ballot. Of the 63,735 National Servicemen conscripted from 1965 until 1972, 15,381 saw

active duty in Vietnam where 210 made the ultimate sacrifice and 1,279 were wounded. Another two were killed in Borneo.

In subsequent years these National Servicemen became known as “Nasho’s”.

On 5th July 2020, Cumberland National Servicemen’s Association gathered in the Memorial Gardens at the Blacktown Pool to celebrate the 10th Anniversary since a Memorial there was dedicated to the memory of National Servicemen. Usually the event is attended by 80-100 people but Covid 19 restrictions this year limited attendance to only 20 of the Associations 70 members.

The ceremony incorporated all aspects of previous full scale commemorations and gave those present the occasion to reflect on the unique nature of the service and to pay homage to all National Servicemen but particularly to those who died on active service as well as mates who have died since.

The Memorial Service was one of two very important milestones in the history of the Cumberland Nasho’s during 2020. The Memorial Service was a 10th Anniversary and in March 2020 the 20th Anniversary of the Granting of the Cumberland Charter was celebrated at the Blacktown RSL with 76 Club members and dignitaries enjoying a very successful luncheon.

Any National Servicemen who may be interested in contacting the Cumberland Nasho’s please email Cumberland@fisher.id.au or ring 9671 3491.

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ENTERTAINMENT

13

A

street mural painted by

school children, intimate

musical performances, a play confronting domestic violence, creative art sessions for disadvantaged people with a disability and Bollywood dance workshops, are just some of the projects to benefit from $52,000 in grants from the Blacktown City Council 2020 Creative Arts Fund.

In announcing the 23 grants of up to $3,000 to local artists and community groups, Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “The Creative Arts Fund is a wonderful, inclusive local initiative that supports opportunities for artists and creatives in our City.

“Blacktown City Council has a proud history of investing in the development of the arts in our city that celebrate our rich cultural heritage.

“The applications this year were of extremely high calibre, and the projects range from celebrating diversity to addressing prominent social issues,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Joy Adan from Colebee, will use the funding to design and publish a picture book that features brushlettered words from diverse cultural backgrounds, that can’t easily be translated.

Baptist Care will co-ordinate Willmot residents, students and artists, in creating a wall mural to revitalise Willmot Shopping Village.

“Many of the projects discuss

Felicity Burke, Emma Louise and Wayne Tunks in the theatre production of Bitch 2017.

The cast will be returning for the film adaption of Bitch. Photograph by Robert Miniter.

and engage with prominent issues confronting our community,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

The Indian Crisis and Support Agency will produce a script for a short play confronting domestic and family violence.

Blacktown City’s 2019 Woman of the Year, Maryam Zahid, will work alongside Afghan women and young girls to produce a short film capturing a journey of mental health.

“Blacktown is a hub for many multicultural artists and it is important we celebrate our multinational identity,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

George Tillianakis from Blacktown will develop his skills in producing electronic music by being mentored by industry leader Don Bartley and Mount Druitt’s Street University will support a series of acoustic music

performances.

“It is a fantastic way for artists to gain professional development and to work collaboratively with other local community organisations,” said Mayor Bleasdale.

“Culture and the arts have a profound role in spotlighting social issues and strengthening community outreach.

“I am proud that this is the fifth year that Council has run the Creative Arts Fund program and I congratulate the 23 organisations and individuals on their awards and look forward to enjoying the many projects that will be created”.

Manager Arts and Cultural Development, Alicia Talbot said, “Blacktown City is an amazing place, full of inspiration. The Creative Arts Fund is one of the many programs

that Council delivers to champion our artists, cultural workers and creative communities. Blacktown Arts is thrilled to support creativity throughout the city with these grants’ programs”.

Grants of up to $3,000 have been awarded to these community organisations: • Baptist Care (Mt Druitt/Willmot) • Bollywood (Central Blacktown) • Indian Crisis and Support Agency (Glendenning) • Street University Mount Druitt (Mount Druitt) • The Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) (Minchinbury) • Women’s Justice Network (Blacktown) Grants of up to $2,000 have been awarded to individuals and artist groups: • Abdullah Syed (Mount Druitt) • Casey Sessions (Acacia Gardens) • Clarissa Mei (Plumpton) • Dulce Aguilar (Kellyville Ridge) • Elisa Cristallo (Seven Hills) • Fozia Zahid (Blacktown) • George Tillianakis (Blacktown) • Herbert Leota (Seven Hills) • Joy Adan (Colebee) • Kathryn Yuen (Kings Park) • Matthew Moriarty (Kings Park) • Maryam Zahid (Blacktown) • Mike Moore (Blacktown) • Sabina Giado (Blacktown) • Sam K / Sam Absurd (Seven Hills) • Wayne Tunks (Blacktown) • Zahid Ahmed (Blacktown)

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 An ornamental poisonous shrub (8) 5 Concurs (6) 9 Worldly (8) 10 A chemical in salt (6) 12 Roaming (9) 13 Make improvements to (5) 14 Chancy (4) 16 Query (7) 19 Cussed (7) 21 Mid-month days (4) 24 Farewell (5) 25 Disrobes (9) 27 A hospital for the poor (archaic) (6) 28 Estrange (8) 29 Gave a gesture of assent (6) 30 Run-down (8) down 1 Capital of Canada (6) 2 Shorttail weasel (6) 3 Hangman’s knot (5)

solution 10/7/20

4 6 7 8 11 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 26

Extreme gluttony (7) Monstrous (9) Disease outbreak (8) Occasionally (8) Tangelo (4) Lucky (9) Killer (8) Corroborated (8) Smear (4) Enjoy to excess (7) A protective embankment (6) A distinct feature or element (6) Chieftain (5)

Western News 24 July 2020 Issue 114

Blacktown City Creative Arts fund awards

Western News 24 July 2020 Issue 114

14

REAL ESTATE

Alex Soncini

W

Western News

How to buy property without a 20% deposit

ith Australian house prices at record highs, when you consider that a small flat in Sydney could set you back $600,000 at the moment, saving a 20% deposit to buy that flat – $120,000 – can seem an insurmountable task. However, having little or no deposit doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a home loan to buy a home.

There are low deposit home loan options where you can buy a house with as little as 5% of the purchase price. That means, if you’re buying a home worth $600,000, a lender will expect you to contribute at least $30,000 towards the cost of the purchase price. You will also need to pay for any stamp duty and other upfront costs that may apply, as well as for the cost of lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), which usually applies to loans of more than 80% of a property’s value. If you don’t have the 5% of the value saved, you may some options available.

Low deposit home loans may be an option worth considering for some home buyers, but there are potential pitfalls to be aware of and due to the corona virus pandemic, it may be more difficult for some buyers to get a low deposit home loan.

Read on to find out what options there might be, and which one may suit you best.

Lenders mortgage insurance.

Lenders mortgage insurance (LMI) may be an added expense, but it offers buyers the opportunity to dive into the property market earlier, without saving up an entire 20 per cent of the property’s purchase price as a deposit.

LMI protects the bank or lender, should a home loan go into default, guaranteeing that the lender will get its money back if the property needs to be sold and there is a shortfall in repaying the loan.

While a 20% deposit generally provides a good buffer against any drops in property value over the life of a loan, LMI can also provide the same protection, meaning borrowers can purchase property with a smaller deposit.

For the borrower, it may seem LMI it is just another expense to cover. But insurance can mean that some buyers will be able to enter the property market with, for example, only a five per cent deposit saved. In the example above, a $600,000 property, this brings the deposit down from $120,000 to just $30,000.

The insurance premium is generally a one-off payment, but you may be able to roll it into the loan amount so that you are paying for it month-by-month along with your mortgage.

How A Guarantor Can Help.

If you don’t have a substantial deposit for a home loan, there are still a number of ways to obtain credit.

These are known as family pledges and there are two types available to borrowers: service guarantees and security guarantees.

Service guarantees are less common that security guarantees, and they involve a family member guaranteeing all of the repayments on a loan, as well as being named on the property title. A drawback of this approach is that it usually means first home buyers are not entitled to any government grants.

Security guarantee is a more popular option.

Borrowers who have a limited deposit often use this approach. In this situation, a relative or friend (usually a borrower’s parent or parents) is prepared to use the equity in his or her own home to guarantee the deposit of the borrower.

For example, for a total loan amount of $600,000, in a security guarantor situation the borrower/s would take on the debt of 80 per cent of the value of their loan, which would be $480,000, in their own name/s.

The loan for the balance, $120,000, is then guaranteed in the names of the guarantor/s and borrower/s, limiting the guarantor’s liability while providing security for the lender, meaning that lender’s mortgage insurance is not necessary. It works well when borrowers don’t have a substantial deposit, but their parents own their own home. It’s a great option as long as the parents are comfortable with their child’s ability to pay back the loan.”

First Home Owners Grant (FHOG).

To encourage home ownership, State and Territory governments provide first home owner schemes that provide first home buyers with incentives to get onto the property ladder.

For instance, in NSW the State government will provide first home buyers who buy a newly built home worth $750,000 or less with $10,000 towards the purchase price, as well as generous stamp duty concessions. In Victoria, first home buyers buying newly built homes valued up to $750,000 are eligible for a $10,000 grant and this increases to $20,000 for new homes built in regional Victoria.

Many lenders will be happy to count these government payments towards any deposit. Having a reduced amount of stamp duty to pay means you should also need less money up front.

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme is designed

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to help some first home buyers get a loan with a deposit as low as 5%, without needing to pay for LMI. The government essentially acts as a guarantor and secures the remaining deposit to bring the home buyer up to 20%. The guarantee is limited to 10,000 first home buyers a year and there is an income cap of up to $125,000 per year (or $200,000 per year for couples) for applicants.

Which lenders and eligibility who can still offer home loans under the scheme need to be reviewed.

A financial gift.

The high cost of property today means many parents and other close relatives are happy to help their children enter the property market through a one-off financial gift. Many first home buyers now have help from their parents when it comes to saving for a deposit with more than 30% getting help this way.

Many lenders will count the cost of this gift towards your deposit amount, although they may also want to see that you also have a history of regular savings.

Using the equity in your own home.

Not all buyers looking to buy with no deposit are first home buyers. You may already own your own home and now you’re looking to buy an investment property. In this instance, a lender may give you the option of using the equity in your home to cover the deposit of the place you’re purchasing.

To take advantage of this, you’ll usually need to have enough equity in your home to cover a 20% deposit on both places, unless you also take out lenders mortgage insurance.

Applying for a loan.

When applying for a home loan, it’s always worth remembering that your deposit is only one aspect of your finances that a lender will consider. They will also want to be sure that you have a good chance of being able to service the loan through its term.

That means your credit history, credit score, salary, employment details and ongoing income and expenses are just as important as ever, no matter how you secure your loan. Some lenders providing low deposit home loans may charge higher interest rates and fees. The loan application process can be lengthy and difficult with the need for additional finance and credit information.

Speak to Alex from Wealthwiz who is an MFAA-accredited finance broker and can help you investigate your options and working out whether to buy now or save extra deposit is a decision that meets your financial needs and options.

#wealthwizau

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

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Western News

HEALTH

D

octors have been given another weapon in the fight against skin cancer thanks to the work of Westmead Hospital plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Alex Varey.

A team led by Dr Varey and Associate Professor Serigne Lo from Melanoma Institute Australia has developed an online calculator to predict the risk that a patient’s primary melanoma has spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that affects about one in 17 Australians. To find out if it has spread, clinicians will examine the first lymph node (known as the “sentinel” node) to see if melanoma cells are present, which indicates it has spread and affects the patient’s treatment plan.

The team’s research, funded by Sydney Health Partners and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, found the calculator has the potential to better identify melanoma patients who are most likely to benefit from a sentinel node biopsy, as well as those least likely to benefit.

“One of the big questions was, can we better predict which patients will be at significant risk of having their cancer spread to their lymph nodes?”

Dr Varey said. “That’s what this calculator aims to do.

“The calculator takes into account five pieces of basic information about the melanoma and the patient’s age to determine their individual risk of the cancer having spread to their lymph nodes.

“This means that patients deemed at low risk of disease spread can potentially avoid having a sentinel node biopsy, which sometimes has complications and usually requires a general anaesthetic.”

The research team used established international calculators as a starting point, tailoring them to

The tool calculates risk based on a range of factors entered by the treating doctor.

Australian demographics using patient data from Melanoma Institute Australia’s extensive database built up over a 50-year period.

Their research showed it provided considerably more accurate predictions than were previously available.

The calculator has been trialled at sites including Royal Prince Alfred, Royal North Shore and Westmead Hospitals with enthusiastic responses from clinicians and their patients.

“The calculator enables clinicians to have better informed discussions with their patients based on each individual’s percentage risk, rather than a few

Westmead Hospital plastic surgeon Alex Varey.

Picture: Sydney Health Partners

simplistic criteria that only approximate the risk of disease spread to the lymph nodes,” Melanoma Institute Australia co-medical director Professor Richard Scolyer said.

“The main benefit of the calculator is likely to be for those deemed to be at low risk of disease spread, who can safely forgo a sentinel node biopsy. This is of benefit particularly to older patients who are less likely to have melanoma spread to their lymph nodes, but who are at increased risk of complications from extra surgery and general anaesthesia.”

Avoiding unnecessary procedures is good for patients, clinicians and health services.

Dancing through National Diabetes Week

W

e all know how important it is to have healthy bodies and healthy minds. But have you ever wondered how the two can be connected?

Healthy bodies and healthy minds are linked in this year’s theme for National Diabetes Week, ‘Heads Up’.

The Heads Up campaign shines a light on how living with diabetes can affect a person’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as their physical health.

When someone has diabetes, their body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood.

Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. High levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.

Diabetes NSW reports that someone living with diabetes may make up to 180 extra decisions a day compared to the average person.

These decisions can relate to food, medicines, checking insulin, physical activity, and many other health areas that are important for people living with diabetes.

This can be stressful and as a result, one third of all people who live with diabetes will experience anxiety, depression or stress related to their chronic disease.

National Diabetes Week 2020 aimed to remind us that living with diabetes can affect many areas of a person’s

health – mental and physical.

This year’s theme was also a reminder that there are many people living with diabetes who are not just managing their disease, but thriving.

Western Sydney Local Health District Multicultural Health Worker Dipti Zachariah, found a way to not only reduce the effects of her diabetes, but also improve her physical and mental health.

For Dipti, the answer was dancing.

Dipti says she simply “feels better” when she is dancing.

“My doctor gave me three months to reduce my blood glucose by making a lifestyle change,” she said.

“I had to be creative in my approach to managing diabetes – dancing is fun, free and fulfilling – it’s been a year and I’ve been waltzing.”

Dancing after meals not only made

Dipti feel good, but it helped her to lose weight.

Although regular exercise is an important part of diabetes management, lots of people find it hard to maintain.

For Dipti, the reasons she is able to stick with dancing are simple: she enjoys it; she doesn’t need special equipment; and it doesn’t take long, so it’s easy for Dipti to fit into her day.

“I don’t want physical activity to be daunting,” she said.

“At work, managing a portfolio that focuses on empowering women from refugee and migrant backgrounds to own their health, motivated me to literally ‘dance the talk’.”

Director of Western Sydney Diabetes, Professor Glen Maberly, said Western Sydney is a diabetes “hotspot” with rates well over the state average.

“Diabetes is a serious condition that needs ongoing support,” Professor Maberly said.

“Early diagnosis and treatment is the very best approach to minimising the effect that this disease can have on a patient’s long term health.

“It’s important that the patient builds a relationship with their GP who can help with their diabetes and link them with other health care providers to benefit from all the support a team of experts can provide.”

Professor Maberly is a great supporter of getting all his patients more active.

“We find that our patients who exercise regularly have better control of their diabetes and also tend to be generally healthier and happier,” he said.

“I always say that you should choose an exercise you’re going to enjoy and any exercise at all is better than nothing. The important thing is – just get moving.”

Picking an exercise you enjoy and making small changes to your routine will help over the longer term, advised Rachael Graham from the Centre for Population Health’s Healthy Eating Active Living team.

“You don’t need to run a marathon once a week. Dipti reminded us all that just a few extra minutes of activity a day can make a difference,” Rachael said.

Western News 24 July 2020 Issue 114

Westmead Hospital plastic surgeon develops new tool to fight deadly melanoma

15

Western News Friday, 24 July 2020

SPORT

Pennant players poised on the tee

By Noel Rowsell

G

olf NSW has approved the return to Pennant Golf and the Super Seniors (over 65’s) is set to begin, with the first round scheduled for the 4th August.

A total of 59 NSW Clubs will participate in Super Seniors in 2020, with 33 from the Sydney Metropolitan / Wollongong regions, along with 26 from the north (ranging from the Central Coast to the mid-North Coast inclusive).

The Western Sydney Region (WSR) is well represented, with 6 local clubs competing in the Super Seniors competition.

Wallacia CC and Richmond GC are both playing in Division 3, whilst Penrith GC, Dunheved GC, Twin Creeks CC and Stonecutters Ridge GC will all compete in Division 4.

Dunheved GC are a new entrant in Super Seniors in 2020 and will be hoping for

Dunheved GC’s 2020 Super Senior Pennant squad - photo by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au). Back Row: Bruce Beechey, Bill Tonks, Doug Tillinghast, Robert Delany, Keith Patterson. Front Row: Keith Harden, Greg Williams, Robert Ayre and Anthony Nocom.

a competitive season against some of the best senior players in the state.

The T.L. Warren (B Grade) and W. Gibson (C Grade) competitions

also both tee off on 26th July, with 6 Western Sydney Region (WSR) Clubs competing in this event.

The respective Clubs are

Stonecutters Ridge GC (Div 3), Penrith GC (Div 10), Leonay GC & Twin Creeks CC (Div 11) and Wallacia CC & Richmond GC (Div 12).