Our Place Penrith Winter 2022

STRONGER TOGETHER – DISCOVER THE OUTREACH PROGRAMS CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

UNITED IN RECOVERY – 2022 FLOODS FOGO FACELIFT FOR LOCAL SPORTS FIELDS

Photo by Adam Wolsey

penrith.city/OurPlace

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL COMMUNITY NEWS ISSUE 10

WINTER 2022

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PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 2

WORDS FROM OUR MAYOR I’ve always been proud

Our feature story

On page 12, learn about

to be from Penrith. I

on page 4 explores

the new Penrith Heritage

believe our community

the many outreach

Walk interactive map and

is something special

programs helping our

see Penrith’s past in an

and rare in our changing

community interact,

exciting new way. If you’re

world. Reaching out

participate and

looking to connect with

and helping each other

thrive. Learn about

Penrith’s natural world,

comes naturally, but I

our seniors’ digital

see page 26 for a series of

have still marvelled at

literacy workshops,

Habitat Restoration events

how our residents have

our “Morning Makers”

coming up.

banded together to

at Penrith Regional

manage the pandemic

Gallery, and how

and floods. As we

our Toy Library is

emerge into “normal

spreading joy through

life” and start meeting

toys for children with

face-to-face at long

disabilities. We also

awaited events, I’m

celebrate 40 years of

struck by how

our Mobile Playvan

important it is for us to

and the role it has

find ways to reconnect

played in the lives of

as a community.

our local children.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

4

10

2022 FLOODS

16

LIBRARY NEWS

LOCAL EVENTS

18

REMEMBERING BALGAY CANNERY

28

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There is always so much happening in our City, and I encourage you all to seek out new ways of being involved and connected.

The variety of opportunities on offer really do make living in Penrith a wonderful experience.

Cr Tricia Hitchen

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

Bringing people together and strengthening our community connections

new outreach initiatives being explored and launched regularly, there’s

helps our City thrive. With

something for everyone!

S E N I O R S D I G I TA L LITERACY PROGRAMS A SERIES OF 10 “CLICK AND CONNECT” WORKSHOPS HELD THROUGHOUT 2022 WILL SUPPORT OUR SENIOR R E S I D E N T S W I T H T H E F U N D A M E N TA L S O F U S I N G A TA B L E T O R S M A R T P H O N E . E N A B L I N G T H E M T O A C C E S S I M P O R TA N T I N F O R M AT I O N A N D S E R V I C E S A N D C O N N E C T W I T H FA M I LY, F R I E N D S A N D L O V E D O N E S .

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 4

The idyllic Penrith Regional Gallery is welcoming seniors for social art making

The project has been partly funded by a grant for $40,000 awarded to Council under the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Reducing Social Isolation for Seniors Grant Program. The DCJ grant combined with contributions from Council and Leep will fund the purchase of technology and provision of digital literacy workshops across the City.

SOCIAL ART MAKING FOR SENIORS Penrith Performing and Visual Arts were also awarded a DCJ grant to help fund Penrith Regional Gallery’s “Morning Makers”.

On the last Saturday

of the month from April-November 2022, seniors from all over the Penrith area are invited to take part in social art making workshops at Penrith Regional Gallery, followed by morning tea in the beautiful Lewers Heritage Garden. Led by local artist, Naomi Oliver, the collaborative and engaging workshops are designed to build foundational skills in using smart phones and tablets and explore different ways of making art.

“I think the combination of technology and creativity make this a particularly unique and fun workshop,”

explained workshop facilitator and artist, Naomi Oliver.

Seniors taking part in the “Morning Makers” will not only learn about technology and art but may even find themselves making new friends.

Local resident, Sandra Nowiczewski took part in the first “Morning Makers” on Saturday 30 April 2022 and found the experience a rewarding one.

“Naomi was terrific and made us feel very comfortable no matter what level of experience with art or technology we had. Gathering for morning tea was a great way to get to know the other participants and why they had come along,” said Ms Nowiczewski.

Register your interest in “CLICK AND CONNECT” by phoning Leep on 1300 163 106 For more on “MORNING MAKERS” visit penrithregionalgallery.com.au

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Storytime with the Mobile Playvan

MOBILE PLAYVAN – 40 YEARS AND STILL GOING STRONG! Penrith City Council’s Mobile Playvan has been bringing children and their parents and carers together for 40 years. This important free service

provided by Council and the Department of Education has played a vital role in helping babies and young children learn through play and developing social skills.

The Mobile Playvan began in 1982 by visiting every new

suburb that developed in the Penrith LGA. On average 250 children a year have attended Playvan sessions and countless mother’s groups, playgroups and friendships have been formed at the sessions over the years.

4 0 T H B I R T H D AY C E L E B R AT I O N S W I L L B E H A P P E N I N G AT P L AY VA N S E S S I O N S I N O C T O B E R 2 0 2 2 A S PA R T O F C H I L D R E N ’ S W E E K , S H A R I N G MEMORIES AND LOTS OF FUN ACTIVITIES. FOR I N F O R M AT I O N O N H O W T O TA K E PA R T P H O N E CHILDREN’S SERVICES ON 4732 7844.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 6

O N E O F T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T A S P E C T S O F T H E T O Y L I B R A R Y I S T H E AWA R D WINNING SPECIALIST OUTREACH SERVICE, PROVIDING TOYS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR ONGOING SUPPORT NEEDS. When it comes to serving Penrith’s children our Library Service offers so much, from storytime and holiday activities to author talks and hundreds of books to hook young minds on reading. However, some residents may not realise that the library runs an important service focused on learning through play — a Toy Library!

Library members can access a “Browse and Borrow” toy service at any library branch

during opening hours, seven days a week.

Giving families the chance to borrow rather than buy toys helps them reduce waste and save money.

The toy collection is aimed at children aged 0-8 years and offers quality toys including construction sets, puzzles, vehicles, and playsets featuring food or animals. Local resident, Isabelle Martiensen recently visited Penrith’s Toy Library for the first time with her eight-monthold son, Jamie and was

•7•

impressed with the collection.

“This is my last baby, and I don’t want to buy more new toys.

Puzzles with pieces Jamie can grip are hard to find, so finding pincer puzzles here is great,” said Isabelle.

MORE THAN BOOKS - PENRITH CITY TOY LIBRARY AND DISABILITY OUTREACH SERVICE

The toys on offer are switch adapted toys specially designed to help children’s motor and cognitive development and help improve language and social interaction skills.

Outreach Service user and local resident, Rowanne Dunbar says the cost of these specially adapted toys can run into the hundreds for each item and “there is no guarantee that your child will be able to engage with or enjoy the toy before you buy it.” The Toy Library Outreach Service solved this problem

for her family and their 3-year-old son Hudson, who is developmentally delayed and has a vision impairment.

“We really struggled to find mainstream toys that Hudson could play with. It felt like Christmas when we walked into the library’s toy room - I think I may have been more excited than Hudson,” Ms Dunbar explained.

As well as enabling individual children to borrow resources, Penrith City Library loan

resources to early childhood education centres, specialised schools and local area disability organisations. In this way the Toy Library Outreach Service can help as many local children as possible.

The Outreach Service collection is based at the St Marys library branch; however, clients are offered the option of collecting toys from the Penrith and St Clair branches.

The aim is to make it easy for local families to access this service.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 8

Hudson Ly (3) loves trying out new toys from the library

Through a referralbased service, parents and carers can gain access to a range of independent play resources.

H O W C A N I S TA R T U S I N G T H E T O Y LIBRARY OUTREACH SERVICE? »

Parent/caregiver completes an application form along with a medical referral for the child who will be accessing the service.

»

A Penrith City Library membership card will be issued which can be used to borrow toys.

»

Once a member, parents/caregivers need to contact Penrith City Library Children’s team to make an appointment time for toy selection and borrowing, or you can ask staff via phone or email to make selections for you and place toys aside for collection.

For more information email childrensteamlibrary@penrith.city or phone 4732 7891.

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OUR

In March, Penrith residents experienced a collective feeling of déjà vu as our City was once more battered by an extreme weather event, resulting in significant flash floods and flooding across the LGA. Coming almost a year to the day from when our City experienced the worst flood since 1961, it was a nervous wait for those impacted last year.

The prolonged intensity of the rain meant that the Nepean River peaked three times over seven weeks, with two of these peaks occurring only a week apart.

Although the Nepean River peaked lower than last year, many residents still faced evacuation and another clean-up and recovery.

Penrith’s Mayor, Tricia Hitchen said that while the situation was deeply concerning, especially for those who had been impacted by flood twice in two years, the crisis once again brought to the surface Penrith’s strong sense of community.

“Through it all, and despite it all, our community’s trademark resilience and community spirit were on display. I was

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 10

Photo by Rebecca Klim

CITY FACING THE FLOODS

impressed but not surprised to see people coming together to help, prepare and support each other,” she said.

Council once again worked under the instruction of the SES to assist. During the emergency, Council Staff were on the ground to support SES sandbagging operations at Jamison Park and Londonderry Community Centre where an astounding 18,000 sandbags across nine days were dispatched. We helped with traffic control and road closures as flash flooding and road inundation isolated pockets of our City.

SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENTS’ RECOVERY As the flood emergency passed, the focus shifted towards our recovery.

Council provided support at Londonderry Neighbourhood Centre. Initially support services included food hampers and washing facilities, with Government and nonGovernment agencies coming together later to provide affected residents with access to financial assistance, clean-up help, insurance and legal support, along with mental health and wellbeing services.

Service NSW, Service Australia, Resilience NSW, Red Cross, Anglicare, WestCare, LikeMind Penrith, and Thrive Londonderry worked alongside Council at the centre to support and assist residents.

In the weeks after the emergency, Council’s Waste Team worked with affected residents arranging collections to remove flood damaged items and Council’s City Services team set to work repairing and restoring Penrith’s assets and infrastructure.

Find out more about support for flood-affected residents at penrith.city/ floodhelp Red Cross and Anglicare volunteers lend a hand to affected residents at Londonderry Neighbourhood Centre

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DISCOVER OUR OUR

PENRITH HERITAGE WALK The new Penrith Heritage Walk invites you to step into our City’s rich past and discover, at your own pace, the people, places and open

spaces that have helped shape Penrith.

Simply head to the Visit Penrith website to get the mobile-friendly interactive map – your guide to discovery!

Penrith Regional Gallery is just one of the stops on the Penrith Heritage Walk.

Image: Destination NSW

GO TO V I S I T P E N R I T H . C O M . A U / H E R I TA G E WA L K T O S TA R T T H E J O U R N E Y.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 12

Starting at the historic Penrith Train Station, the 11-kilometre trail leads you to 22 points of interest through Thornton and along the river, finishing at

The Penrith Heritage Walk is flexible. You can complete the whole walk in one day or break it into sections to suit your level of fitness and time available.

the state significant Emu Plains Train Station. At each stop, you’ll be provided with interesting information on the site, the people who lived or worked there and the influence they had on the growth of our City.

And there’s no need to rush! Explore attractions along the way, like the Museum of Fire, Arms of Australia Inn Museum and the Penrith Regional Gallery as well as cafés, including the heritage listed Red Cow Hotel, Henry’s Bar and Restaurant, Emu Hall and the river and parks – enjoying both our past and present.

The much-needed Penrith Rail Bridge was built between 1904 and 1907 (Photo from Penrith City Library)

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DID YOU KNOW… before Penrith Railway Underbridge was opened in 1907, road and rail traffic shared the Victoria Bridge? This was far from ideal, as road traffic at that time meant horses were regularly frightened by the trains. In 1883, after a series of accidents and near misses, a railway guard was posted on the bridge to warn of approaching trains and a fence was wisely erected between the road and train tracks.

One of the train drivers to regularly cross the old bridge was John Heron, known to everyone as “the Big Fish”. Heron drove the daily afternoon passenger steam train to Mt Victoria from 1866 to 1880. As his train came into Penrith Station a cry would go up, “Here comes the Big Fish!”.

His train became known as “the Fish” or “the Steamed Fish”. The next train on the timetable inevitably became known as “the Chips”.

OUR

NEW PLANS FOR THE CITY PENRITH 2036+

2022-26 DRAFT

Including 2022-23 Operational Plan

DRAFT

PENRITH 2036+

2022-32

DRAFT

Delivery

Community

Resourcing

Program

Strategic Plan

Strategy

penrith.city

Following extensive consultation with our community, Penrith City Council is about to launch our new suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents (IP&R). These plans show what our community wants and how we are delivering on this, to make Penrith the best place to live, work and visit.

penrith.city

Managing our assets, people, technology and finances to deliver on our commitments

penrith.city

The Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is the leading component of the IP&R Framework and identifies the shared vision, aspirations and values of our community and its desired outcomes to inform longterm planning and the strategies to achieve them.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 14

OUR COMMUNITY HAS IDENTIFIED FIVE OUTCOMES WHICH SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY’S VISION FOR PENRITH 2036:

»

Outcome 1 – We protect and enhance an ecologically sustainable environment

» » » »

Outcome 2 – We are welcoming, healthy, happy and connected Outcome 3 – We plan and shape our growing city Outcome 4 – We manage and improve our built environment Outcome 5 – We have open and collaborative leadership

Councils are required to demonstrate how they will deliver aspects of the CSP through a detailed four-year Delivery Program. Setting out the Principal Activities the Council will deliver and how performance will be measured during their term.

All plans, projects, activities, and funding allocations during the term are linked to this four-year program.

The Operational Plan is included as an appendix to the Delivery Program and outlines a detailed schedule of actions to be undertaken

over the coming year, to achieve the five outcomes.

To support these plans effectively, councils are also required to develop a 10-year Resourcing Strategy. The strategy ensures Council has the necessary people, budget, technology, and infrastructure in place to deliver against its commitments. Four medium to long-term components make up the strategy:

» » » »

Workforce Management Strategy Long Term Financial Plan Asset Management Plans Digital Strategy

• 15 •

These documents are set to be adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting on 27 June 2022 and will be available on our website, or in hard copy by request from 1 July 2022.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their thoughts, ideas, and feedback as we created our “collaborative road map” to Penrith 2036, setting us on the path to becoming Western Sydney’s most liveable city.

To stay informed and to have your say about other Council research, planning and engagement activities, register at yoursaypenrith.com.au

OUR

LIBRARY SERVICES

INTRODUCING EVIE! Penrith City Library is delighted to announce the arrival of their newest team member and Council’s second electric vehicle (EV) — Evie. As a 100% electric vehicle, Evie

has low running costs and low emissions. Evie is proving to be a perfect sustainable resource for PopUp Library events and the Home Library Service.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 16

WHAT IS A POP-UP LIBRARY? Library staff often attend community events in the Penrith LGA with a Pop-Up Library model. At the Pop-Up Library residents can apply for library memberships, renew their library cards, learn about library services, and get help to access online library services on their personal devices. Keep an eye out for Evie in your area and come and say hello to your friendly library team.

WHO CAN USE THE HOME LIBRARY SERVICE? Penrith City Library offer a free Home Library Service for members who may be less mobile or too unwell to get to the library. This service

includes a monthly delivery of library items such as books, DVDs, magazines, navigators, and iPads. The Home Library Team also provides support in the use of technology to access the library’s online collections to all registered Home Library members. The Home Library Service delivers items from 9am-12pm Tuesdays to Thursdays.

To find out more, contact 4732 7612 or email homelibrary@ penrith.city.

THE LATEST AT-HOME ENTERTAINMENT FROM THE LIBRARY Cold outside? There’s never been a better excuse to stay in with FREE access to movie streaming platform, Beamafilm and innovative new book platform, indyreads.

Penrith City Library members can access both online services using their library card.

Beamafilm is Australasia’s most innovative movie streaming platform, where any movie-lover can stream the best in ad-free, on-demand cinema for no charge, whilst supporting independent film. Library members can choose from over a thousand top local and international titles. Grab the popcorn and snuggle up on the couch, any night can be movie night.

Developed by the State Library of NSW, indyreads gives our library members 24/7 access to over 11,000 eBooks, including fiction titles by well-known and popular authors, poetry collections, cookbooks, educational books, local studies, resources and much more.

Visit library.penrith.city to sign up for your free Library Membership and access the links to Beamafilm and indyreads.

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WHAT’S

HAPPENING IN OUR CITY Y O U R L AT E S T D I A R Y D AT E S F O R A PENRITH WINTER TO REMEMBER! LUDDENHAM COUNTRY MARKET FORTNIGHTLY ON SUNDAYS (WEATHER PERMITTING) 10am-2pm Luddenham Showgrounds Support your local small businesses while having a fun, family day out. Event info on Facebook (@ luddenhamcountrymarket)

FERNHILL WALKING TRAIL SUNDAYS 10am-12:30pm and 1pm-4pm Fernhill Estate – Hayshed Gate – Mulgoa Road Enjoy historic Fernhill Estate’s beautiful surrounds with a 2.6km walking loop.

Registration essential.

Visit planning.nsw.gov.au/ fernhillestate

Above: Fernhill Estate.

Photo by Raon Lee

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 18

OPEN FRIDAYS AT THE JOAN

NEPEAN BELLE PSYCHIC CRUISE

NEVER ENDING 80s RETRO PARTY

EVERY FRIDAY from 5pm The Borland Lounge

30 JULY AND 27 AUGUST 4-7pm Tench Reserve, Jamisontown Psychic readings and delicious Devonshire tea aboard Penrith’s iconic paddlewheeler. Book at nepeanbelle.com.au

30 JULY Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre

8:30-10pm St Marys Band Club Dance and sing along to all your favourite 80s hits with Australia’s number one retro band the Never Ending 80s. Book at stmarysbandclub. com.au

A GIRL LIKE YOU Exhibition ON NOW! ENDS 14 AUGUST Penrith Regional Gallery A Girl Like You is a survey exhibition of recent works by Western Sydney artist, Linda Brescia. Working within an expanded idea of portraiture, Linda has created an exhibition that touches on the complexities of what it means to live as a woman in our contemporary moment, whilst also drawing on the rich history of resilience that exists within the lineage of women artists and authors.

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Start your weekend off right with entertainment that has an emphasis on fun. Best of all, it’s usually FREE! Add tapas and it’s Friday night magic.

Expect a new calendar of events every month – with a few surprises!

Check out what’s coming at thejoan.com.au

OUR

CREATIVE COMMUNITY THE NEPEAN ART SOCIETY When you’re looking for things to do in your local area, don’t forget that Penrith is home to a variety of interest groups

offering you the chance to take your hobby to the next level, start something new or just meet people who share

your passions. Penrith’s amateur and professional artists have been doing just that since 1967 when the Nepean Art Society was officially formed.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 20

Run by its enthusiastic and dedicated members, The Nepean Art Society offers a friendly environment for local artists to meet, learn, practise and exhibit their work. They also work to promote local art within the Penrith, St Marys and Lower Blue Mountains area.

The Society offers a variety of teachers, classes, workshops and demonstrations.

Adults and children can learn to paint in oils, acrylics and watercolour and there is even a pleinair (outdoor) painting group for those

who love to capture nature in their work.

Exhibitions are held twice a year to showcase and sell members’ work.

the area. Its friendly members were extremely supportive over the years and have in turn become close friends,” said Mr Cartwright.

Long-term member Joe Cartwright says his involvement with The Nepean Art Society has had a huge impact

Photo courtesy of Paul Ryan

Current President of the Society, Jeff Eyles says the Society is here to “mentor,

on his life.

“The Art Society was critical to helping me establish myself as an artist and art tutor in

educate, inspire and motivate the community about the art culture in Penrith”.

NEW MEMBERS A LWAY S W E L C O M E .

Find out more at nepeanartsociety.wildapricot.org

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OUR

CHANGING CITY

Penrith’s proposed new industrial employment hub is one step closer,

with the Development Application (DA) formally submitted for assessment in April 2022.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 22

Penrith City Council purchased the 16.29 hectares of industrial land at 158-164 Old Bathurst Road, Emu Plains, in June 2021.

The DA for the site seeks to deliver a centre for growth and innovation by subdividing the land into 40 small-to-medium sized industrial lots, allowing businesses to locate close to home and boosting local employment opportunities.

A landscaping plan has been developed to support the subdivision of the precinct and ensure extensive greenery will be delivered, consistent with

Council’s Cooling the City strategy.

Council will enhance the wetlands on site as an important ecological feature.

You can view the DA proposal by searching DA22/0318 at datracker.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au Find out more about 158-164 Old Bathurst Road at penrith.city/oldbathurstroad

Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen said this project demonstrates Council’s commitment to revitalising our city.

“Once complete, it is anticipated that the new precinct will help us to achieve our employment targets by generating around 300-350 ongoing jobs in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, e-commerce and construction. It will also inject an estimated $36.4 million into our local economy,” Cr Hitchen said.

COMING SOON – THE JOAN’S NEW CAFÉ!

As this issue goes to print, construction is underway for a cafe at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. This exciting addition to the creative heart of Penrith, is due to be complete after June 2022 and delivers something our community has been asking for - a place for theatregoers to eat, drink, meet and relax. For the latest café news visit penrith.city/thejoancafe • 23 •

MAKING

THE MOST OF OUR WASTE Have you ever wondered what happens to the scraps you put in your green-lidded FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin? Or why

it matters so much where you put your waste? It’s all about the circular economy preserving the value of resources for as long

as possible. In a perfect example of this approach, Penrith City Council is utilising compost from FOGO waste to resurface our local sporting fields.

Compost being applied to the sports field at Caddens Oval, Claremont Meadows.

Before

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 24

After For more on your FOGO bin and waste choices go to penrith.city/binoptions

Penrith’s FOGO waste stream is commercially composted by Australian Native Landscapes (ANL), that’s why organic items like meat and bones that naturally break down can go into the FOGO bin. For the project featured in the photographs, the compost takes the form of a “nitro top dressing”, which is then used by Council’s City Presentation Team across selected

sporting fields within the LGA, as part of the spring/summer sports field renovation program. Caddens Oval, Mulgoa Rise Oval (Southern and Northern fields) and Cook Park Soccer have been completed and there’s a noticeable improvement in the surface condition.

Nitro top dressing has numerous benefits such as improving soil condition, structure and microbe activity and promoting

• 25 •

healthier turf growth.

It also helps soil retain moisture which allows us to reduce water usage when irrigating our fields, particularly during Penrith’s hot summer months.

The field renovation program will recommence in spring 2022, with Jordan Springs Village Oval, Leonay Oval and Ched Towns Reserve (Northern fields) next in line to be resurfaced with the community’s FOGO compost.

HELP

PROTECT OUR BUSHLAND involved and help restore habitat across eight Penrith bushland reserves.

An extensive Habitat Restoration event

program is underway for 2022 with the goal of rehabilitating and improving our local bushland.

Photos to the right

by Mark Fuller

Council’s Bushland Management team and Conservation Volunteers Australia are calling on residents to get

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 26

NEED TO KNOW INFO FOR VOLUNTEERS »

On-site training, tools, and light refreshments will be provided

Photo by Mark Fuller

The educational and hands-on event series is open to everyone with and without bushcare experience.

Activities include planting trees, guided walks, weed blitzes, and special events such as “Breakfast

with the Birds” and nocturnal safaris.

These events are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our bushland and the local animals and plants that call it home.

COMING SOON: B R E A K FA S T W I T H T H E B I R D S AT M O U N TA I N V I E W RESERVE, 25 JUNE 2022

»

Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and closed sturdy shoes

»

Bring a hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water

The event program is running throughout the year at various locations, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to join in.

The Habitat Restoration event program is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.

Registrations are essential!

To view the event program and register, visit penrith.city/events

• 27 •

OUR

PLACE IN HISTORY The Balgay Cannery was located on Roper Road in Colyton and was one of our local area’s success stories operating from 1901 until 1976. The trading name “Balgay” commemorated the former home of founder, Peter Methven, who

moved his family to Australia in 1886 from Balgay Hill, near Dundee, Scotland. By 1889 Peter Methven had started an orchard in Colyton with 50 acres of peaches, pears, and apricots. In 1901 he established “P.Methven & Sons” a fruit preserving business.

Caption: The first photo taken of work at Balgay factory, courtesy of the Mt Druitt Historical Society

When Peter Methven died in 1913, three of his four sons (James, Peter and Robert) carried on the family business.

Easter of 1919 saw the factory experience a setback when it was destroyed by fire. The sound of exploding fruit tins heard even in St Marys (Nepean Times, 26 April 1919). In the aftermath of the fire, James Methven’s son, Jack left school aged 13 to help with rebuilding.

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 28

“THE QUALITY OF THE M A N U FA C T U R E D A R T I C L E IS THE HIGHEST AND A S P L E N D I D A C H I E V E M E N T. ” (NEPEAN TIMES 21 AUGUST 1934) By 1923 the Methvens were experiencing great success, selling fruit interstate and to NZ and even shipping a large consignment to the British Empire Exhibition.

Many of you may remember buying Balgay jam in tins with iconic, bright illustrated labels. Jammaking was added to the factory in 1933, eventually producing 30 different varieties.

World War Two saw the cannery experience a huge period of growth as it was well-placed to meet the demands of the fighting services for canned goods.

Balgay supplied Australian, English and US forces, adding on to their

factory buildings to enable an increase in production.

By the time it celebrated its jubilee in 1951 Balgay Cannery, which began as a small, family factory with minimal equipment and 10 employees, housed the most modern preserving and canning equipment and employed 160 men and women.

The golden era for Balgay had come to an end by the 1970s, as it became too costly to transport fruit from Western NSW. Balgay officially closed its factory in June 1976, having seen involvement by five generations of the Methven family since 1901.

• 29 •

A Balgay jam cook stirring jam in steam cooking pans, photo courtesy of Mt Druitt Historical Society Balgay factory workers in the 1930s, photo courtesy of the Mt Druitt Historical Society

Some locals report that the abandoned buildings became home to the St Marys Pigeon Racing Club for a time, possibly during the 1980s, however we have been unable to confirm this. If you have further information, we’d love to hear from you! Email ourplace@penrith.city

CT E IL N C N N CO OU C H WIT Read the latest news and events from our departments Our Place Fortnightly News Snapshot penrith.city/OurPlace

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Find available parking ParkPenrith The library at your fingertips Penrith City Library Local waste and recycling information Penrith Waste Champion

ONLINE SERVICES Manage bins, report potholes and book bulky waste collections online MY.PENRITH.CITY

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL • COMMUNITY NEWS WINTER 2022 • 30

SOUTH WARD

EAST WARD

COUNCILLOR MARK DAVIES

COUNCILLOR TRICIA HITCHEN

E mark.davies@penrith.city P 0416 085 597

E tricia.hitchen@penrith.city P 0417 365 313

COUNCILLOR KAREN MCKEOWN OAM

COUNCILLOR TODD CARNEY

E karen.mckeown@penrith.city P 0401 995 945

E todd.carney@penrith.city P 0417 762 219

COUNCILLOR SUE DAY

COUNCILLOR ROBIN COOK

E sue.day@penrith.city P 0407 224 228

E robin.cook@penrith.city P 0428 056 619

COUNCILLOR MARK RUSEV

COUNCILLOR BERNARD BRATUSA

E mark.rusev@penrith.city P 0466 897 210

E bernard.bratusa@penrith.city P 0420 581 225

COUNCILLOR JIM AITKEN OAM

COUNCILLOR MARLENE SHIPLEY

E jim@jimaitken.com.au P 0418 288 488

E marlene.shipley@penrith.city P 0407 290 537

COUNCILLOR AND IMPORTANT COUNCIL CONTACTS

NORTH WARD

Photos courtesy of Penrith City Council Bushcare.

OUR MAYOR

OUR DEPUTY MAYOR COUNCILLOR JOHN THAIN

PENRITH CIVIC CENTRE

E john.thain@penrith.city P 0411 427 812

601 High Street, Penrith Opening hours at penrith.city

COUNCILLOR ROSS FOWLER OAM

ST MARYS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE

E ross.fowler@penrith.city P 0419 738 484

207-209 Queen Street, St Marys Opening hours at penrith.city

COUNCILLOR JONATHAN PULLEN

4732 7777

E jonathan.pullen@penrith.city P 0407 212 670

council@penrith.city penrith.city penrith.city.council

COUNCILLOR KEVIN CRAMERI OAM

penrithcouncil

E kevin.crameri@penrith.city P 0401 995 825

penrith-city-council Interpreting assistance is available at Council or by phone.

COUNCILLOR GLENN GARDINER

Want to know which ward your suburb falls into? Visit Penrith.city/wards

E glenn.gardiner@penrith.city P 0407 214 719 • 31 •

PENRITH CITY COUNCIL PENRITH CITY COUNCIL NATURE HUNT WALK NATURE WALK Get outdoors and have fun

Tick offoff thethe items below ticking items below as you find them: as you find them:

Butterfly

Tree

Green grass

Spider web

Something blue

Bird

Can you find these trickier items?

Dog or cat

Bird’s nest

Pink flower

Eucalyptus tree

Green leaf

Caterpillar

Brown leaf

Mushroom

Bee or bug

Feather

Smooth rock

Clover

F I N D M O R E G R E AT A C T I V I T I E S F O R Y O U N G N AT U R E L O V E R S AT P E N R I T H . C I T Y / B U S H Apenrith.city CTIVITIES