Western Weekender July 31 2025

Tweaks to centre as road upgrade rolls on

The Penrith Homemaker Centre has been given the green light to make a series of façade upgrades before going ahead with planned major changes.

Penrith City Council last week officially approved a series of exterior modifications to a previous Development Application (DA) for upgrades to the exterior of the Domayne Building within the Penrith Homemaker Centre.

The approved changes are primarily design related and will not alter the approved use or scope of the development.

The changes have been proposed in response to increased visibility of the building due to the ongoing Mulgoa Road upgrades that are occurring.

The key modifications

are updates to the building facades that face Mulgoa Road and parts of Wolseley Street, the removal of a previously approved corner tower, and the introduction of modern signage with associated landscaping.

“It is proposed to stage the development into logical components with the initial stage comprising the upgrades to the Mulgoa Rd façade (and part Wolseley Rd),” the Statement of

Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the Development Application said.

“The subsequent stage would then become the more substantial alterations and additions to the Domayne building, alterations to the car parking and realignment of Wolsley Rd.

“This reflects the immediate priorities of the project being the presentation of the Centre in response to the Mulgoa Road upgrades,

which has revealed aspects of the Centre previously screened by established plantings and makes the project more practical to act on.”

These modifications are largely cosmetic and aim to enhance the Centre’s presentation without impacting the approved expansion.

“In terms of the extent of modifications proposed, the nature and character of the development remains

the same as that originally approved by Council,” the SEE said.

“The proposed amendments do not amount to a change to a critical component of the approved development. Rather the scope of modifications principally relates to design and cosmetic matters associated with the Mulgoa Rd and Wolseley St facades only.”

The original Development Application was lodged by

Harvey Norman in 2018 to extend the existing building, which was approved by the Penrith Local Planning Panel (PLPP) in 2019.

It allows for the ground floor extension within the existing building undercroft, currently car parking, and eastern loading dock areas. The reconfiguration of existing car parking areas was also proposed, as is a new car parking deck over the existing stormwater detention basin.

It is expected that the realignment of Wolseley Road and roundabout will improve vehicular access and circulation, according to the original DA.

The proposed changes to the internal car parking layout are also designed to deter through-traffic from using the Homemaker Centre as a through-link between Pattys Place and Mulgoa Road.

Domayne at the Penrith Homemaker Centre.

A render of the upcoming changes.

the western weekender

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From The Editor’s Desk

Troy Dodds

Loss of a true local legend

They don’t make them like David anymore

There’s a funny story surrounding the much-loved St Marys local David Trist, who we sadly lost this week.

We’ve featured David in the paper many times over the years, whether it be reflecting on his World War II service, his work with Legacy or his pride in St Marys and determination to ensure it was not neglected.

Last year, he called to let us know of a major achievement: His 100th year.

Our newsroom took this to believe David had turned 100, and set about writing a major story to honour the occasion.

Only thing was, we quickly realised David had actually turned 99. Still a tremendous achievement, but not normally something we’d dedicate a story to.

So yes, his 100th year, but one short of the letter from King Charles.

We ran the story anyway, honouring David’s great contribution to St Marys, his war legacy, and his tremendous work within the community.

Upon hearing of his passing this week, just short of his 100th birthday, I’m so glad we ran that piece.

They don’t make them like David Trist anymore.

When he came into the Weekender office to record an episode of our ‘On The Record’ podcast with me in 2023, I was stunned by how vibrant, on-the-ball and active this 98-year-old was.

He spoke on the podcast about his fascinating life, meeting the woman who was by his side for some 75 years, his career in banking and of course his war service.

David was still deeply connected to the St Marys community that he loved dearly, and wanted to see it grow.

He wanted to see young people achieve and have opportunities that generations before them did not.

He was happy to impart his wisdom on others, but never one to declare the ‘good old days’ were better.

David Trist was a legend of this local community. You felt like he was going to live forever.

May he rest in peace, knowing that his

contribution to Australia more broadly and to Penrith and St Marys was far greater than most.

David’s passing comes after a string of losses in our community recently.

Death happens every day, we know that, but a few have hit particularly hard lately.

We lost the great journalist and local resident Terry Gallaway recently, and farewelled him at a beautiful funeral service last week.

We’ve written extensively about Weekender founder Greg Evans, who passed earlier this month. I know there was a gathering of his friends and associates last week to remember his contribution and friendship.

Dealer Principal at Sinclair Hyundai Toby Hughes also left this world recently, at just 50 years of age.

A worthy Citizen of the Year

I applaud Penrith City Council for its appointment of Tony Fryer as the Citizen of the Year for 2025 and happily hand over the baton.

I don’t consider myself a worthy recipient of the honour last year but it was something I certainly wear with pride given how much I love this city.

To be the Editor of its paper of record is a great honour, and I’ve loved working with so many community organisations over the years.

Tony Fryer’s efforts with the St Marys RSL Sub-branch, and his work around events like ANZAC Day and Vietnam Veterans Day, are second to none in the local community. His work also goes well beyond that, extending into schools, hospitals and so much more.

Well done Tony, a deserved honour and great recognition of someone who has contributed so much to St Marys and the wider Penrith community.

“They don’t make them like David Trist anymore”

We lost Bec Morris too, far too young and with such a long life ahead of her. Our thoughts are with her family and partner Brett.

And our thoughts are with the family of Ivor Jones, a journalist who in his later years created many Facebook groups to preserve memories both locally and across Sydney.

To his wife Marie, we pass on our deepest condolences.

The thing about people who make such tremendous contributions to our community is that we feel it so deeply when they are no longer with us.

It’s why making every second count really does matter, and why this thing we call life is so deeply precious.

Stadium column attracts attention

I appreciate all the feedback I’ve received on my piece last week on Penrith Stadium and ‘Panthers’ being a bad word.

Emails and calls were mixed, but one thing became clear: Venues NSW and the State Government have a lot of work to do to convince Penrith fans and the local community in general that this stadium is a winner. There is still a lot of apathy towards the project, and a lot of sadness around the loss of the old venue.

I can’t help but think that the State Government could have got away with a $100 million saving and put $200 million into a major refurbishment instead, and a reimagining of the western precinct and training paddock; while still maintaining the old venue’s heritage.

Labor greenlighted this project because it feared it would lose votes if it pulled the plug. We know that it has an aversion to putting any more cash into stadiums.

The ironic thing is that if they don’t deliver a stadium that pleases the punters, those votes may be lost anyway.

troy.dodds@westernweekender.com.au

@troydodds

CHARGES WITHDRAWN

Basketball player free to resume career after domestic violence accusations

ADELAIDE LANG, AAP

Former Cairns Taipans guard

Jackson Makoi is free to move on with his life and his basketball career after he was cleared of assaulting and choking a woman.

The NBL player, who is also known as Anyiarbany Makoi and lives in Oxley Park, had pleaded not guilty to one count of common assault and two counts of intentionally choking a person with recklessness.

He was due to fight the domestic violence charges in a contested hearing at Blacktown Local Court last Thursday, but the charges were dismissed after the complainant failed to show for a second time.

Makoi offered to agree to an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) without admission of guilt, which was accepted by the prosecutor.

The Order includes standard conditions that the basketball player not assault, threaten, or stalk the woman or anyone with whom she is in a relationship.

The charges were subsequently dismissed.

“Jackson’s had his date in court,” his lawyer Peter Agoth said.

“He was in the position to have everything dismissed including the AVO but he made a peace offering.” Agoth said the charges had been

a “huge impediment” to the basketballer’s life and he was relieved with the outcome.

“He did stick to what he said

from the start, which is ‘I didn’t do this’,” the lawyer said.

“He was very happy it’s finally behind him and he can finally move on with his life.”

The charges stemmed from an incident that was alleged to have occurred on November 11, 2023 in western Sydney while the basketballer was contracted to the Sydney Kings.

The Oxley Park resident was stood down by the Cairns Taipans after the accusations came to light and his contract has since expired.

He is not on the team roster for the upcoming season, but is understood to have a number of opportunities on the horizon.

Makoi played for South Sudan at the Paris Olympics and has averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 11 NBL games last season.

He received his first big break when he signed with the Kings as a development player in 2022.

Makoi played 15 games in the 202223 NBL season for the Kings during the club’s championship-winning campaign, but he ruptured the ACL in his right knee before the semi finals.

Jackson Makoi arrives at Blacktown Local Court earlier this year. Photo: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

LAW and ORDER

Police Snapshot Legal Matters

Penrith: Man smashes glass door after random attack

At 3pm on Thursday, July 24 a 23-year-old male was in his first-floor unit on Union Road in Penrith. The 23-year-old heard yelling and banging coming from downstairs on the ground floor of the unit block.

At 3.20pm when the noise had not stopped, the 23-year-old went part way downstairs where he saw a 39-year-old Penrith man behaving aggressively and acting erratic. The 23-year-old asked the 39-year-old if he was alright and the 39-year-old responded saying he was fine.

The 39-year-old was holding a small skateboard and asked the 23-year-old to come all the way down the stairs. The 39-year-old then pretended to throw the skateboard at the 23-year-old.

The 23-year-old walked back to his unit and closed the screen door. As he closed the screen door the 23-year-old saw the 39-yearold on his balcony. The 23-year-old shut the balcony door and moved away.

The 39-year-old then used the skateboard to bang on the glass door in excess of 50 times, ultimately smashing the glass. The 23-yearold called police.

When police arrived, they arrested the 39-year-old.

He was bail refused and appeared in Penrith Local Court yesterday.

St Marys: Driver leaves police station before leading officers on chase

At 5.20pm on Saturday, July 26 police saw a 50-year-old Waterloo man leave St Marys Police Station and enter the driver’s seat of a Volkswagen Amarok.

Police were aware the man was a disqualified driver.

Police activated their lights to pull the vehicle over, but the 50-year-old failed to stop. The man continued onto Mamre Road, performed a U-Turn and turned back onto Saddington Street where a pursuit was initiated.

The 50-year-old continued to drive through red lights, on the incorrect side of the road while speeding in 60km/h zones.

The pursuit continued back to the Great Western Highway, where at the intersection of Hewitt Street, the 50-year-old became stuck in traffic. A police officer got out of her car, ran to the driver’s side of the Volkswagen, turned the ignition off, removed the keys and attempted to remove the 50-year-old from the car. During this, the 50-year-old struck out multiple times, punching the female officer in the face. A second police officer

began assisting but the 50-year-old continued to strike out multiple times. The officers deployed capsicum spray and were able to removed the man from the car. The 50-yearold was handcuffed and placed in the rear of a caged police car.

While this was occurring, a female passenger ran from the Volkswagen.

The Volkswagen was searched during which police found a bag containing numerous small resealable plastic bags containing methamphetamines and cash. Also found in the car were car keys that did not belong to the Volkswagen, glass breaking tools, other drugs and prescription medication that was not in the 50-year-old’s name.

The man was bail refused and will appear in Penrith Local Court on Friday, August 15.

Cranebrook: Man caught high range drink driving

At 7.50pm on Sunday, July 27 police were patrolling Richmond Road in Penrith when they saw a car travelling in front of them not indicating when changing lanes.

Police stopped the car on The Northern Road in Cranebrook where they had a conversation with the driver, a 44-year-old Berkshire Park man.

While they were talking to the man, police could smell alcohol on his breath. The man was breath tested which returned a positive result.

The 44-year-old was arrested and taken to the RBT bus where he underwent a further breath analysis that returned a positive reading of 0.237.

The man’s licence was suspended on the spot, and he will appear in Penrith Local Court on Thursday, September 4.

Penrith: Woman with outstanding warrant found carrying drugs

At 2.10pm on Monday, July 28 police were patrolling a shopping centre on Station Street in Penrith. Police saw a 41-year-old Penrith female who was known to them and believed there was an outstanding warrant against her.

Police stopped and had a conversation with her. Police then searched the woman and the handbag she was carrying, finding two small resealable plastic bags containing cocaine.

Another small resealable plastic bag was found in the woman’s wallet, believed to be containing ice.

The woman was arrested and charged with possessing a prohibited drug. The 41-yearold was bail refused and appeared in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday, July 29.

EXPLAINER: LAWS FOR SOCIAL GROUPS

There are different ways that people can come together to achieve a common goal. Whether that is in business, for example the incorporation of a company or establishment of a partnership, or to pursue charitable interests, in the form of an ACNC registered unincorporated organisation/association or a unit trust or other type of trust.

In this column we look at unincorporated associations or organisations.

An unincorporated association is a group of people who have come together to further a common interest without forming a separate legally recognised entity or structure such as a company.

This means that an unincorporated association or organisation is not a legal entity unto itself, thus it cannot enter into contracts, cannot own assets or have liabilities in its own name, cannot sue or be sued and is essentially run by the members thereof and any managing committee in their individual capacities.

There is no requirement of law for an unincorporated association to have a charter or statement of objectives that sets out their main purpose or details basis rules about how the association will be run.

It is however recommended so that all members are on the same page and the group can pursue its purpose with clarity about how the association will be managed.

A charter or statement of objectives covers things like:

• The purpose of the association – for example the pursuit of education with respect to a particular vocation (for example knitting, gemology, orienteering).

• The definition of what constitutes a member of the group including any eligibility requirements and the method for accepting and removing members.

• The structure through which the association will be managed – is there a management committee or board of members who are appointed to make keys decisions of the group?

• How any funds, for example management fees or other monies, are managed.

• How often the group meets and if votes are required to determine certain matters, what the voting procedure is.

• Dispute resolution procedures.

You need to be careful with an unincorporated association when it comes to a charter or statement of objectives because unless it can be shown that each member agreed to be legally bound by the document, there can be some problems with enforceability.

This is usually not the case when the group is formed as it is best practice to have each member sign a copy of the charter or statement of objectives, but if new members come on board at a later date and there is some dispute that requires the charter or statement of objectives to be relied upon, a basic defence that might be raised against a person who is the object of some action based in the charter or statement of objectives is that they never agree to be legally bound by the document and therefore it does not apply to them.

An obvious way to guard against this is to make clear in the charter or statement of objectives that each person signs it and each member intends to be legally bound by it. New members should also be provided with a copy of the document and should agree in writing to follow the rules set out therein.

Unincorporated associations are great for groups who wish to come together for a common purpose but don’t do things like invest or derive a profit or enter into contractual relationships with other entities.

This is because there are no ongoing compliance costs like might be the case with respect to a company for example.

It also avoids the need to comply with the Corporations Act and subscribe with the strict rules set out in the Legislation for the operation of a company.

An unincorporated association structure is best suited to smaller, more informal groups that are somewhat social in nature.

CONCRETE TRUCK ROLLS, DRIVER FREED

A concrete truck rolled on approach to the M4 Motorway last week.

The incident happened just after 10am on Thursday, July 24 on the Kent Road on-ramp at Orchard Hills.

It’s understood the driver lost control as the

truck took the sweeping corner, causing it to roll.

The driver was trapped inside the cabin but released with assistance from members of the public before emergency services arrived. He was assessed by paramedics.

Contact Us News

Administration

Civic Centre, 601 High Street.

Queen Street Centre, 207-209 Queen Street.

8.30am-4pm. Mon-Fri. 4732 7777

PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 council@penrith.city

Council’s services are accessible via the online portal at

Services 4732 7777

Contact the EPA hotline on 131 555 and ask for the RID Squad (Regional Illegal Dumping Squad).

Freecall 1800 022 182

Meeting Dates

Monday 11 August – 7pm (Policy Review Committee Meeting)

Monday 25 August – 7pm (Ordinary Meeting)

Online via

penrith.city.council

penrithcouncil

penrithcitycouncil penrithcitycouncil

penrith.city visitpenrith.com.au

Council Briefs

● Council has placed the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the St Marys Central Park project on public exhibition. The REF outlines the works proposed for this project, likely environmental impacts, and any measures which will be implemented to mitigate these impacts.

The public exhibition period is open for 28 days from Thursday 24 July 2025 until 11.59pm on Wednesday 20 August 2025.

You can view the REF and share your feedback online at

Or it is also available to view in-person at the following locations:

• 207–209 Queen Street, St Marys

• 601 High Street, Penrith

This project is funded through the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program and Council.

● Council invites residents to have their say on the Draft Rickabys Creek Catchment Flood Study, which is now on public exhibition until Thursday 14 August 2025.

This study covers parts of Agnes Banks, Londonderry, Castlereagh, the western side of Berkshire Park, the northern side of Cranebrook and a small part of Llandilo.

across the catchment.

To view the draft study and share your feedback, visit the Your Say Penrith website

● Nominations are now open for the 2026 Local Celebration Awards! Do you know an incredible individual or group that goes the extra mile to make Penrith a better place? Whether they dedicate their time to community service or tirelessly work for a good cause, it’s time to recognise our unsung heroes!

Nominate them today in one of our four categories: Citizen of the Year (18+), Young Citizen of the Year (24 and under), Mayor’s Local Hero Award (all ages), Making a Difference –Community Service Award (all ages).

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate those making a difference!

Find out more and nominate at:

Development Application

Penrith City Council has received a Development Application in respect of the subject property:

• Fraser Property Group Pty Ltd

DA25/0505

Proposed Integrated Development – demolition, dam dewatering and tree removal works with construction of roads, stormwater

works, earthworks and retaining walls with construction of a

docks, parking, signage, stormwater and landscaping at 99–111 Aldington Road, Kemps Creek NSW 2178

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment – Water under Section 91 of the Water Management Act and Heritage NSW under Section 90 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974

In accordance with Section 2.12 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, the development application will be referred to the Sydney Western City Planning Panel (SWCPP) for determination.

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected at the locations listed below at any time 2025 to Sunday 31 August 2025.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, submission is to include Council’s reference number DA25/0505.

Nick McMaster on 4732 8578.

Integrated Development

Penrith City Council has received a Development Application in respect of the subject property. The consent authority for the Development Applications is Penrith City Council.

• Dream Drafting Sydney Pty Ltd

DA25/0536

Integrated Development Consisting of partial change of use of existing residential dwelling to an art studio and gallery, replacement of driveway crossover, construction of a timber bridge over existing dam and watercourse and installation of

The proposal is an Integrated Development. The application seeks approval from the Department of Environment – Water under Section 91 of the Water Management Act 2000

The Development Application referred to in this notice and supporting documentation accompanying the subject application may be inspected on Penrith City Council’s DA Tracker at , in the period from Monday 4 August 2025 to Sunday 17 August 2025.

Any person may, during the exhibition period, make a submission in writing to Penrith City Council, in relation to the Development Application. Where a submission is made by way of an objection, submission is to include Council’s reference number DA25/0536.

Pukar Pradhan on 4732 7726.

Part of Great River Walk closed since 2022 to be fixed

EMILY CHATE

Additional repairs to the lower path of the Great River Walk will go ahead after the Federal and State Governments agreed to $5 million in funding.

The major floods of March and June 2022 caused significant damage and movement of the lower river edge embankment and lower walking path along River Road, which have been closed since.

Penrith City Council has accepted $4,806,456 of grant funding from the State and Federal Governments and will contribute a further $242,692 to repair five sites along the river.

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, welcomed the additional funding, saying its closure was of major community concern.

“It’s great to see the hard work Penrith Council has done already, but these are big projects, and the addi-

tional funding will allow the repairs to continue further along the river walk,” Templeman said.

Penrith Mayor Todd Carney thanked the State and Federal Governments for the additional funding to restore access to the complete walk.

“Our community loves the bridge-to-bridge loop of the Great River Walk,” Carney said.

“We’re looking forward to working with the Australian and NSW Governments to reopen the lower pathway and continuing to create opportunities for our residents and visitors to experience and enjoy the Nepean River.”

Karen McKeown looks forward to seeing the lower pathway re-open.

to continue the good work they are doing on repairing and reopening additional sections of the Great River Walk,” she said.

Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman and State Member for Penrith Karen McKeown.

Send your jokes to news@westernweekender.com.au.

cupboard prize

‘The Life of Chuck’ is a life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

Written and directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Lauren LaVera, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Harvey Guillén, David Dastmalchian, Mia Sara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Q’orianka Kilcher and Jacob Tremblay.

The film is in cinemas on August 14.

Five winners will receive a special prize pack, incorporating:

* In-season pass to ‘The Life Of Chuck’ – valued at $50 each.

* A gift voucher for a Private one-hour dance class at Excite Dance for you and up to four friends valued at $200. You can choose from jazz, tap, hip hop and cheer.

Find out more about the movie at https://thelifeofchuckmovie.com.au or Excite Dance at www.excitedance. com.au.

The Weekender has five prize packs to give away. For your chance to win one, send an email to competitions@ westernweekender.com.au with ‘Chuck’ in the subject line. Don’t forget to include your contact details. Entries close Friday, August 8 and the winners will be notified by email. Terms and conditions are available at www. westernweekender.com.au or Weekender reception.

paceway winners lucky

Members of the Penrith Paceway in Penrith have the chance to win great prizes thanks to a special promotion involving the club and your favourite newspaper, The Western Weekender Club members can pick up a free specially numbered

bumper sticker from the Paceway or the Weekender office, and our spotters will be out and about in the community.

Three spotted bumper sticker numbers will be printed each week, with winners needing to report to the Pace-

way to verify their bumper sticker number and collect their prize. Look out for new winners on this page every single week!

This week’s lucky winners are: 0687, 0547, 0987.

Tell us exactly where this week’s featured I Spy image is located in Penrith and you could win! Email competitions@ westernweekender.com.au with your answer for your chance to win two movie tickets. Our winner will be notified by email. Entries close each Wednesday at 5pm.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER

The cartoon image of the teenage girl kicking back, listening to music while drinking a coffee is located along Mulgoa Road in Penrith.

We’re not sure the decision to include YouTube in the social media ban for under 16s is the right idea. Has the government really thought this one through?

Hospitality businesses are doing it tough at the moment but there’s no shortage of people willing to give it a go. We hear there’s a couple of new restaurants on the way to Penrith.

“Green heart” of future St Marys

The St Marys Central Park project has reached a major milestone with the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) being officially placed on Public Exhibition.

The new Central Park has been described as the future “green heart of St Marys” that will attract residents and visitors into the Town Centre and connect Queen Street to local shopping precincts, facilities and infrastructure.

The REF outlines the works proposed for the completion of the project, likely environmental impacts and any measures which will be implemented to mitigate any impacts from the project.

Mayor Todd Carney said it was exciting to see Penrith Council taking another positive step towards creating a vibrant and modern Town centre for St Marys.

“This park is going to become a community hub with lots of green space, an entertainment canopy for events, children’s play space with water play, amenities and a whole lot more,” Carney explained.

“Following endorsement of this review, the park design will be finalised, and a construction tender will be issued.”

The public exhibition period will be open for 28 days. It runs through to 11.59pm on Wednesday, August 20.

To view the REF and provide feedback visit yoursaypenrith.com.au/stmaryscentralpark.

Hard copies of the REF are also available to view at St Marys Library and Penrith City Council Civic Centre during the public exhibition period. Tell us what you think: Email news@ westernweekender.com.au.

People across NSW are reminded to register for organ and tissue donation and discuss their decision with their loved ones this DonateLife Week.

There has been an 11 per cent drop in donor registrations in the past year, and with approximately 1,800 people currently on the organ transplant waitlist in Australia, donors are urgently needed to help save lives.

“It only takes one minute to go online and register yourself as a donor, but it’s also so important to have these heartfelt conversations with your loved ones about your decision,” said Health Minister Ryan Park.

Register as a donor today at www.donatelife. gov.au or through the ServiceNSW app, available on Apple and Android devices.

MASSIVE PRICE FOR ADJOINING HOMES

Two neighbouring properties in St Marys have sold for a whopping $3.515 million at auction.

The adjoining properties on Canberra Street were sold last weekend, marking a significant moment for a family whose ties to the land spanned nearly a century.

“This is the first time these homes have ever been sold,” said agent Peter Diamantidis from Ray White United Group.

“The land was originally purchased in the 1940s when the family migrated from Lithuania. They were built in 1949 and it has stayed in the family ever since.”

A developer purchased the properties.

Artist render of fenced play space with a variety of equipment, water play and shaded picnic tables.

DEAR WEEKENDER

Forum puts community safety issues in the spotlight

Penrith has hosted a community safety forum to discuss a range of law and order issues in the community.

The forum provided an opportunity for the community to raise concerns, ask questions, and hear directly from key leaders working to improve safety across the Penrith community.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley as well as Penrith MP Karen McKeown and Nepean Police Area Command Superintendent Trent King attended the forum.

The forum included a range of community organisations and stakeholders, including Inspector Aitken from the Nepean Police Area Command, Mayor Todd Carney and Penrith City councillors who are all working towards a safer and more inclusive Penrith.

“It was fantastic to welcome Minister Catley to Penrith for such an important conversation.

Community safety is a shared responsibility, and forums like this ensure our residents have a voice in shaping local solutions,”

Off the rails

McKeown said.

“I’m proud to see Penrith leading the way in community-led discussions around safety. Open, honest dialogue between government, police, and residents is key to building trust and delivering real outcomes.”

Catley claimed Labor was “rebuilding” the NSW Police Force after “years of neglect”, and hearing from the community was a key component of this.

“I want to thank Superintendent King, Inspector Aitken and the Nepean Police Area Command for

their tireless work. From tackling serious violent crime and trail bike issues to supporting victims of domestic violence, their dedication to keeping Penrith safe is second to none,” she said.

“Community safety is a shared effort. We’re backing our police with the resources, training and wellbeing support they need, but we’re also investing in prevention, from youth engagement programs to tougher penalties for those who try to bring harm to our neighbourhoods.”

Thank you Emily Chate for highlighting the poor performance of train timetables (Slow going as trains stay off target, Weekender July 24). I am astounded the government saw fit to increase fares on July 14 in the face of this very poor performance. It was an insult to offer a couple of days free travel when many passengers have already hit the weekly cap by then, apart from Friday supposedly being a concessional fare day anyway. The fares are excessive compared with overseas countries such as Singapore which actually deliver reliable and timely public transport. I can’t believe the workers fought so bitterly for excessive pay rises in the light of this performance. Apart from the many catastrophic failures which brought the system to a halt and the wave of industrial action, the public have been inconvenienced by constant weekend track work with no improvement to reliability. And let’s not get started on the overcrowding. Just consider the Central – Springwood service at 3:41pm is just four carriages and barely standing room only. I will believe the promised improvements when I see them – but I am not holding my breath.

PAUL JELLEYMAN, PENRITH

Facility taking too long

It is concerning to see that elite and semielite netball representatives are finding themselves in the position of needing to seek out training facilities in neighboring council areas, and sometimes even further afield (The long game, Weekender July 24). This not only presents a significant challenge for our local athletes but also creates an uneven playing

field, giving franchises and teams from other districts an advantage. Furthermore, it is worth noting the considerable investment of tens of thousands of ratepayer dollars in previous years aimed at assessing the potential upgrade of Jamison Park to include indoor facilities. This situation calls for a thoughtful and community-focused approach to support our local athletes and ensure equitable access to facilities.

LYNN DEUIS, VIA FACEBOOK

Penrith Stadium concerns ...it’s a farce of a plan made by government that doesn’t actually address the issues that the existing stadium had, such as capacity and weather cover (Editor’s Desk, Weekender July 24). The stadium will be under the Venues NSW banner, so there wont be any naming or nods given to the Panthers. The government also bricked the original redevelopment plan and diminished the funding in place for it, so the end product is largely no great improvement on a stadium that is about half a century old, with no greater benefit to the community, sports playing there or any invested parties. The bottom line is, they aren’t even making it a proper enclosed stadium for the obscene amount of money being spent.

AARON BROWN, VIA FACEBOOK

Dreamland concerts

Can someone tell us exactly what concerts will be held there? What concerts were held at the “old” stadium with essentially the same configuration over decades? Zero. They are dreaming.

CLARK STONE, VIA FACEBOOK

The Western Weekender reserves the right to edit letters for the sake of accuracy and space. For more information, see our public notices section.

Police and politics came together at the community safety forum.

BIG WASTE FINE

St Marys company hit with penalty after covert operation

ASt Marys waste company has been ordered to pay nearly $300,000 after being prosecuted by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for 18 waste offences.

Cobra Group Pty Ltd were charged and prosecuted for failing to record vehicles in the weighbridge software system and providing false and misleading information about the amount of waste entering and leaving the site through its Waste Contribution Monthly Report at its St Marys site.

In June 2023, the EPA used covert security cameras to capture more than 100 truck movements in and out of the premises over the course of a week, many of which were carrying waste.

None of these trips were recorded in the weighbridge system nor were the quantities of waste reported to the EPA.

NSW EPA Executive Director Regulatory Practice & Services

Steve Beaman said the failure to

record accurate data is a major risk to the environment.

“Failing to record that data and therefore providing misleading information to the EPA can put the environment at risk and result in waste levy avoidance,”

Beaman said.

“If we don’t have accurate and

transparent records, a facility could be understating their waste levy liability and operating beyond its limits.

“This also increases the chance that appropriate environmental controls aren’t in place for the volume of waste being handled, which creates a pollution risk.

“This judgement is a great result and a reminder to everyone in the waste industry that it pays to follow the rules.”

The Cobra Group has been fined $258,400 in Parramatta Local Court for 18 waste breaches and must also pay $30,000 towards the EPA’s legal costs.

Free travel on trains this week

The 48-hour fare-free period on train and metro services is being extended so people can also get home free after midnight on Friday.

With an estimated 2.2 million set to travel free on Thursday and Friday, business groups have joined the State Government in urging people to get out and take advantage of cost-free trains while supporting businesses, including food and hospitality venues hit hard by months of disruption.

Opal gates and readers at Opal enabled train and metro stations will remain open or turned off from 12.01am Thursday, July 31 to 6am on Saturday, August 2.

“This is acknowledgement to the travelling public that months of disruption took its toll, but it is also an invitation to support those businesses who had some lean days,” said Transport Minister John Graham.

ROADWORKS IN EMU PLAINS

Road users are advised of changed traffic conditions around the intersection of Great Western Highway, Pyramid Street and Cary Street, Emu Plains.

Crews will be working at and around the intersection of Great Western Highway, Pyramid Street and Cary Street for up to three night shifts between Monday, August 4 to Friday, August 15, weather permitting. There will be temporary traffic changes while we complete this work, including reduced speed limits.

A truck driving over the weighbridge which is not recording.

TRINITY CATHOLIC PRIMARY

Expert teachers, spacious grounds and a caring communitysee what makes Trinity the perfect place to learn and grow!

St Clare’s Catholic High School

St Joseph’s Primary

More than just the basics - weekly music lessons, the latest technology and before and after school care. St Joseph’s has so much to offer!

We invite you to attend our Open Day: 6 August 2:00pm-3:00pm

LEP changes not opposed

Penrith City Councillors have unanimously voted to proceed with updates to the Penrith Local Environmental Plan 2010 (LEP 2010) to reflect the findings of a review of employment lands.

A report was brought before Council at the last Ordinary Meeting to present the outcomes of the public exhibition from the Council-initiated Planning Proposal – Employment Zones Review which is aiming to amend the LEP 2010 to align with the findings of Council’s strategic review of employment lands across Penrith Local Government Area (LGA).

The Planning Proposal was placed on public exhibition across May and June and despite three public enquiries, no formal submissions were made in response.

The Planning Proposal originally included changes including removing clause 7.12 which restricts maximum gross floor space for commercial premises, introducing building height controls for properties in E1 Local Centre Zones in Leonay and Lemongrove, rezoning

Council-owned land in Kingswood for RE1 Public Recreation, allowing service stations in E4 General Industrial Zones, correcting outdated mapping and property descriptions

for E4 General Industrial zoned land in Cranebrook, permitting vehicle sales or hire premises on certain E4 zoned land in Penrith and removing certain land uses from Clause 38

under State Environmental Planning Policies.

Following the public exhibition, Council is now proposing to retain Clause 7.12 but limits its application

to land in the Caddens and Kingswood areas, excluding land zoned R3 Medium Density residential.

This adjustment responds to recent rezoning and development proposals in the area such as the Planning Proposal for the Western Sydney University Werrington Precinct and an upcoming State Significant Development Application for Caddens Corner.

“This post-exhibition change will allow further strategic work to be undertaken to determine how this area is placed within the hierarchy of centres and to assess the appropriateness of this control in an area that is subject to change,” a report to Council said.

“The reason for excluding R3 zoned land is because commercial premises are not the core use for R3 zoned land and this land has already received approval for a residential subdivision.”

With no community objections and only one post exhibition amendment, the proposal is ready to proceed through the final stages.

Now that Council has voted to endorse the revised Planning Proposal it will be forwarded to the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.

Kids count the days of Kindergarten

ALLY HALL

100 is a very big number from the perspective of a kindergarten student, so to reach 100 days of schooling is a huge achievement for the little tackers.

Holy Trinity Primary Kemps Creek marked the special occasion with a ‘100 Days of Kindy’ celebration.

“Hitting 100 days is a nice milestone for our students and for us as teachers,” said teacher Fiona Kristaly.

“It gives us a chance to stop and have a look at how much learning and growth has happened since the beginning of the year.

“For our kindy students, it’s a fun and exciting way to explore numbers and counting in a real-life context.”

For the special day, students and teachers dressed up as 100-yearolds.

“We dressed up and did lots of fun activities that involved the

number 100,” Kristaly stated.

“We’ve been on a countdown since the beginning of the year and the kids were really excited to hit 50 days, so the excitement had been building continually.”

Many students used the school holidays to prepare their outfits for the big day – purchasing grey wigs, costume jewellery and assorted props.

“Some of them stayed in character for the day. They held their sore hip,” said Principal Cathy Hey with a laugh.

“They walked like little old ladies using their walking sticks with their backs bent over,” continued Kristaly.

The principal noted that it’s a very meaningful day in the school calendar.

“It’s a way for us to acknowledge that they’ve been part of our Trinity community for 100 days and that they’re part of us now and there’s so much more to look forward to in the next 100 days and beyond. It’s a real community celebration event,” Hey said.

Other schools across the Penrith region held similar celebrations this week.

�������� Monday- Wednesday: 9:00am to 5:00pm Thursday: 9:00am to 3:00pm Friday: 8:00am to 4:00pm

Students dress up as 100-year-olds.

Students and teachers at Holy Trinity Primary. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Students celebrate 100 Days of Kindy. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Students celebrate their Kindergarten journey so far. Photo: Melinda Jane.

The most special bond

How mothers at Nepean Private Hospital are getting more involved in birth process

ALLY HALL

It’s all about connection and control for expecting mothers who opt for a maternal assisted caesarean section at Nepean Private Hospital.

One such person was Megan Lazzaro, who chose to scrub in and join obstetrician Dr Sarah Pixton to bring her son into the world in 2023.

She said it was a unique but rewarding experience.

“I got scrubbed up next to Dr Pixton as if I was going in to perform surgery, then everything was explained to me before walking into the theatre where they put sterile gloves on me and a sterile gown,” Lazzaro recounted.

“I had my spinal needle done and I hopped up onto the bed.

“They kept my hands and my arms sterile and started the procedure, and once my son’s head was out and I was able to reach down and put my hands under his shoulders, they guided me down and I lifted him up and straight on to my chest.”

On the day, doctors provided plenty of reassurance and reminders that if the local mother began feeling unsure, they could

“I’ve had a vaginal delivery and two elective caesareans that were very positive, but very clinical,” she explained, regarding the births of her daughters Annabel, Emilia and Chloe.

“Then with Harvey’s birth, it was much more involved, and I had no screen up during the procedure, so I could see the surgeons while they were starting the caesarean, and I felt very connected to what was happening.”

Lazzaro was able to lift her son straight to her chest and cut the umbilical cord herself.

“It’s an experience where you can create a sense of control and involvement in your birth,” Lazzaro stated.

“I think a lot of women feel a disconnect in the clinical environment, whereas I didn’t feel like it was a clinical environment because I had my baby straight to me and that’s all I cared about.”

This experience matches the feedback Dr Pixton has heard from other patients.

“They’re the first person to hold their baby. No one else has handed their baby to them,” Pixton described.

“I think that is really special and the look on their faces when that happens is pure delight.”

Penrith gets health check

Shadow Health Minister takes temperature of local area’s issues during visit

NSW Shadow Minister for Health, Kellie Sloane, was in Penrith this week, touring parts of the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment and engaging in a roundtable with medical professionals.

Sloane toured the Penrith Health Precinct in Kingswood including Nepean Hospital and the nearby Matilda Nepean.

“I came here to listen to the community and to find out what their health needs are, where the concerns are amongst the medical community and really to have a tour of this extraordinary medical facility that is Nepean Hospital, the Coalition Government invested $1 billion into it,” Sloane said.

Sloane also sat down for a health roundtable with a cross section of medical professionals including senior clinicians, doctors and nurses from Nepean Hospital as well as local GPs, representatives from the Primary Health Network, community health stakeholders and local charities.

“The resounding theme was, we need more investment in preven-

tion, that times are really tough and the cost-of-living is really crunching and hitting people’s wallets,” Sloane explained.

“What I am also hearing is, there was a broad expectation during the Federal Election, that Labor had

Penrith for granted, that they came into power with promises and have delivered pretty much nothing so far.

“I am really proud of the $1 billion investment that the former Coalition government injected

promised free Medicare and free GP visits and that hasn’t eventuated. So, we’re hearing a lot of anger in the community that they were sold short on a promise, that they were expecting more and were delivered less… I feel that Labor’s taken

into this community, but I think there’s so much more that needs to be done. This is a population that’s increasing and it’s a population I think is missing out on parts of the healthcare investment we’re seeing in other parts of Sydney now. We’ve

got a great, beautiful, big hospital and that’s wonderful but what’s next?”

Prior to joining the NSW Government, Sloane was the CEO of Life Education Australia, the Colyton based charity that produces programs including Healthy Harold.

Sloane is currently working on introducing a bill into Parliament that will give authorities the power to shut down dodgy tobacconists for a month and will give landlords the power to terminate leases if they discover their tenant has faced a closure order, it will also introduce some of the toughest penalties in the country.

“I know that people in Penrith are seeing on their street corners, on the main streets, this proliferation of tobacconists that really weren’t here a couple of years ago,” Sloane said.

“We know that across NSW there are now almost 20,000 registered tobacconists and that’s growing at a rate of 1,000 a year. This is a problem not just for increased tobacco usage but they’re targeting kids, setting up near schools….

“We’re hearing from people in Penrith and beyond that they don’t

Mayor’s News

The weekly views of Penrith’s Mayor

On path to active living

You may have seen that work is underway on the highly anticipated Factory Road shared path at Regentville. I visited the site last week and am excited to share that construction is progressing quickly –and it looks great.

Once complete, there will be a new concrete pathway three metres wide and 1.2 kilometres long, along Factory Road, starting near the M4 at Mulgoa Road, and connecting to Tench Reserve along the Nepean River. Along with new paths being poured in surrounding streets, this builds on an existing network which leads to this important local asset.

Penrith City Council is delivering this significant project in response to community feedback. As the City has grown, needs change and residents have asked for improved access to the river.

There has only been a road joining these points, until now. During the design phase we surveyed residents, who told us pedestrians and cyclists required a safer way to get to this popular spot.

Penrith is an active community and it’s satisfying to see people swap the car for

want tobacconists on every street corner, they don’t want them near schools, they don’t want it bringing crimes into the streets and they don’t want their kids targeted.”

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman, Deputy Leader Natalie Ward and now Sloane have been seen in and around Penrith this year and heading into the 2027 State Election. It’s something residents should get used to.

“I love Penrith so much! It’s an incredible community; it’s got great get up and go,” Sloane said.

“Everyone I’ve met today thinks about everyone else before they think about themselves and I just love that. I’m going to be back in Penrith… Stuart Ayres, the former member, was the world’s biggest champion for Penrith and I think Penrith misses Stuart.

“You will continue to see a really strong Liberal presence here in Penrith, A because we love it and B because we want to work hard for a community that deserves our support and attention.

“Penrith represents so much of what Sydney and Australia is about. It’s a great mix of ambitious people who care for their community.”

a walk or bike ride, taking in the natural beauty of our City. By enhancing liveability, Council is nurturing active lifestyles while improving safety and amenity.

The Factory Road shared path was identified as a priority project in the Penrith Green Grid Strategy, which aims to deliver cooler, greener links to key destinations across the Local Government Area.

The project is funded by a $4.46 million grant through the NSW Government’s 2024-2025 Get NSW Active Program, in partnership with Council.

The project includes street lighting upgrades, new raised crossings, and more trees to provide natural shade.

Construction has started on the pedestrian crossings along Spencer Street, at the intersections of Gibbes and Loftus streets.

The project is on course for completion in late 2025. I can’t wait to see more of our community out and about, making the most of this fantastic new link.

Find out more at yoursaypenrith.com. au/factoryroad

CR TODD CARNEY

Mayor of Penrith

PLEDGE TO SUPPORT LOCAL NEWS

Find out how you can support your paper at www.westernweekender.com.au/pledge.

Kellie Sloane at Nepean Hospital. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Campus to courtroom

Jess is the latest product of Western Sydney University’s milestone law program

EMILY CHATE

Arecent Western Sydney University (WSU) law graduate has taken the next step on her path from campus to courtroom as the WSU Law program celebrates 30 years of excellence.

25-year-old Penrith resident, Jess Oehm, graduated from the WSU law program in June with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) double degree and has recently started a new graduate program within Legal Aid NSW in the Judge Bob Bellear Graduate Program.

A proud Ngunawal woman, Oehm was the 2024 recipient of the Outstanding Indigenous Student Award at the WSU annual NAIDOC Awards and throughout her time at WSU was involved with the Pathways to Dreaming program,

engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Year 8 to Year 12 in higher education opportunities and connecting them with student mentors.

“I came on as a Student Ambassador after being involved in the Pathways to Dreaming program as a student in high school. I was a Student Ambassador in the program

for seven years and I loved giving back to the program that helped me succeed,” Oehm said.

“Take every opportunity that you are given and never doubt yourself.”

In addition to her ambassadorship, Oehm has also been a tutor with WSU’s Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education since 2023.

During her studies, Oehm completed a cadetship working as a paralegal and research assistant at Gilbert + Tobin and also undertook the New South Wales Bar Association’s First Nations Clerkship, which she described as a highlight of her WSU career.

“I was honoured to be able to undertake the First Nations Bar Association Clerkship, it was an amazing opportunity that gave me clarity in what I wanted to be able to do, as well as seeing some amazing advocates in practice,” Oehm said.

Reflecting on her time at WSU, Oehm says her law lecturers and the Pathways to Dreaming program helped her to make her career ambitions a reality.

“I was in a law workshop with School of Law senior lecturer, Francine Feld. We were in the Moot Court at Campbelltown, and I was allowed to be the judge for the session,” Oehm explained.

“I loved being there and listening to Francine speak about the law and how justice was achieved. From that moment on, I wanted to be a lawyer.

“I am most passionate about the impact I can have on Community, and my degree has given me the knowledge to be able to advocate fiercely for those in need.”

WSU’s School of Law marked three decades of delivering high class education last week as students, alumni and staff came together.

Owen’s ready for his biggest stage yet

Alocal boy is going from strength to strength in the performing arts world, dominating local stages and now preparing to perform at the Sydney Opera House.

Owen McDonagh will be one of 12 members of the children’s chorus for the Opera Australia production of ‘La Boheme’, a four-part opera.

“I feel scared and excited at the same time,” Owen explained.

“We went and visited the Opera House on the weekend, and we saw a room where a bunch of people went in, and it looked like the theatre!”

The 10-year-old will also be on television sets soon with two projects that are being kept under wraps.

“Owen is currently working on a television project that is airing next year. He filmed three episodes during the school holidays,” explained Owen’s mum, Rosy McDonagh, before Owen added to his on-camera experience.

“Last year, I was cast in an upcoming Australian thriller horror feature film called ‘Black Prince’ which is being made by Caught Jester Films. The film is in post-production and I’m looking forward to its release.”

Across local stages, Owen has played the role of Pugsley in ‘The Addams Family Junior’, Flounder in ‘The Little Mermaid Junior’, understudy Young Simba in ‘The Lion King’, Bruce Bogtrotter in ‘Matilda Junior’, and many more.

Out of all these characters, Owen took a shining to Pugsley because of his comedic characteristics.

“The plot of the musical is that Wednesday – being his best friend – finds a boy and decides to get married and Pugsley feels really sad about it, so he sings a song called, ‘What If?’ which asks questions like, ‘What if she doesn’t torture me anymore?’” Rosy explained before Owen began a rendition of the song, giving the Weekender a special preview of his talent.

The young star also made it into the finals of Burwood’s Got Talent this year, competing against adults.

“There was a competition at Burwood RSL and it’s mostly singers that enter. They sing with a live band, and it doubles as entertainment at the club,” Rosy recounted.

“We entered knowing he’d be up against adults and thinking that it would be for fun, but he came third in the first heat, and he made it through to the semifinals.

“When he performed at the semifinals, he made it through to the Grand Final. He performed as one of nine finalists out of 48.”

These experiences are adding to Owen’s big dreams.

“I want to be an actor, a singer, or maybe even a comedian,” the ten-year-old stated.

So, coming soon to a stage or screen near you: Owen McDonagh.

‘La Boheme’ opens at the Sydney Opera House on August 23, playing until September 20.

WSU Graduate Jess Oehm.

Owen as Pugsley in Wild Heart Creatives’ ‘The Addams Family Junior’. Photo: Sammie Quaver Media.

Owen as Flounder in Wild Heart Creatives’ ‘The Little Mermaid Junior’. Photo: Sammie Quaver Media.

ALLY HALL

Mega aged care facility cleared for construction

Construction is set to move into the next phase at the over $32 million residential aged care facility in Jordan Springs with Penrith City Council approving modifications to the existing Development Application (DA).

The approval means that a Construction Certificate will now be issued. It is a required element before the start of any construction and means that all plans comply with the Building Code of Australia.

The original DA was approved by the NSW Land and Environment Court in 2020 and will provide a five-storey facility offering 144 beds on Jordan Springs Boulevard, Jordan Springs costing a whopping $32,708,304.

The facility will also have an undercroft car park for 33 cars, reception area, chapel,

café, physiotherapy and consulting rooms, activity rooms, hairdressing salon as well as a commercial kitchen and laundry.

Now, Opal HeathCare, the operator of the future facility, have applied for and been approved modifications to the original DA to be issued a Construction Certificate so they can begin site establishment and early works.

To streamline the construction timeline, the modification proposed two construction stages including Stage 1 – Site Preparation and Substructure and Stage 2 – Building and Fit-out works.

“The intent of the application is to enable efficient approval, construction and operation of the site in accordance with Opal HealthCare’s programmed sequence of works,” the Modification Report attached to the DA said.

“Opal HealthCare intend

to commence site establishment and early works in January 2026.”

Opal says the aged care facility is expected to have

a positive impact on the surrounding community.

“The proposal continues to be in the public interest as the modification will continue to facilitate the delivery of a 5-storey nursing home at Jordan Springs,” the Modification Report said.

“…it can be concluded that

the proposed development is entirely in the public interest.” Work is expected to begin early next year.

A render of the facility at Jordan Springs.

EMILY CHATE

Just a phone call away

How the Australian Man Cave Support Group is helping blokes most in need

ALLY HALL

Mateship is at the heart of the Australian Man Cave Support Group, which is made up of volunteers who dedicate their spare time to suicide prevention and awareness.

The Weekender took a moment this week to talk to one of the group’s founding fathers, Lou Greco, who explained there’s more to the group than meets the eye.

“We’re not just mental health focused; we deal with all men’s issues – you name it, we deal with it,” Greco said.

“We have had gentlemen going through issues like drug addiction, substance addiction, and sexual abuse.

“We also don’t discriminate; even though we’re the Australian Man Cave, we help women as well.”

Greco mans the phone around the clock to ensure anyone in need of help can reach out on 1800 979 794, even if it’s at 2am.

His commitment, alongside his fellow volunteers, comes down to one simple goal.

“We just want to save lives,” Greco stated.

“All it takes is for people to care and offer the most precious thing that we all have to give – our own time.”

The support group has monthly catch-ups to spread their message.

“We try to do the same events each year on the same month,” Greco explained.

“For example, every March we do a family homemade pasta day; on the last Sunday of every June, we

have a massive Texas cookout with anywhere from 60 to 100 guys; and on the last Sunday of every July, we have a family homemade sausage and meatball day.

“We get the message out there and we show children what their dad does when he comes to the Australian Man Cave. I tell them, ‘I want you to look at your dad, and I want you to know that when he comes to the Australian Man Cave meeting,

we’re trying to save lives’.”

The Australian Man Cave also has 10 scholarships to give away each year through Westbourne College.

“The only prerequisite is that you’ve been touched by the loss of someone to suicide or you are going through some mental health struggles yourself,” Greco said.

“We just ask that you’re over 16 and

the course that you pick is suitable for you. If you don’t have a laptop, we’ll loan you one.”

Take this as your reminder that it’s not weak to speak. You can reach out to the group for help or to join the ranks of life savers via their phone number, Facebook pages, or website at https://theaustralianmancave. com.

Homemade Pasta Day.

Lucas Rotundo, Charles Tees, Lou Greco, Chris Smith, Mauro Rotundo, Josh Rotundo.

Exhibition brings two eras together

ALLY HALL

Two worlds unexpectedly collide in the newest exhibition coming to Penrith Regional Gallery.

‘Hibiscus: Angela Tiatia & Philip Juster’ will open on August 2 and run until October 26, featuring the works of two artists who would appear to have nothing in common – until you look a bit closer.

Gallery Curator Joanna Gilmour gave the Weekender insight into the upcoming exhibition, starting with the work of Philip Juster.

“Philip Juster died in 2004. He was a prolific and obsessively creative artist, but he’s not someone who history has paid a lot of attention to – his work is still relatively unstudied,” Gilmour stated.

“In 2011, Penrith Regional Gallery

was given a significant donation of his works. We got about 60 paintings and collages from the executor of his estate.

“We’ve only ever exhibited them once before, but one of the things Philip Juster was really interested in was looking at issues of colonialism and the exploitation and commodification of parts of the Pacific.”

Juster was well travelled and spent time in Asia, the Pacific, and New Guinea.

“He was really fascinated with those cultures and wanted to bring to the fore the way those cultures had been affected by the influence of the west in his work. He used collage to great effect to do that,” Gilmour explained.

“He was very influenced by artists like Andy Warhol for example – by pop art, by punk, by psychodelia,

and by left wing politics.”

A selection of his work has been paired with the digital genius of Angela Tiatia.

“Angela is a leading artist and filmmaker. She works mostly in photography and film. She lives in Sydney now, but she was born in Auckland and has Samoan heritage,” Gilmour described.

“Almost all of Angela’s work is involved in looking at the same sort of issues – particularly looking at the way Pasifika women and Samoan women are represented in visual art and culture and making work that shifts our thinking in that regard.”

The curator is convinced all gallery-goers can engage with the exhibition.

“Even if you’re someone who doesn’t know a lot about art history, you’ll be completely blown away

by Angela’s work. It’s going to be projected, taking up half of the gallery on a massive screen, and it’s totally immersive, absorbing, moving, beautiful and uplifting,” Gilmour exclaimed.

“Then of course you’ve got Philip Juster’s works which are vivid and colourful and playful, but also very witty. So, you can come to the exhibition and be blown away by the beauty of Angela’s work and then you can spend time looking at all

the hidden detail in Philip Juster’s collages.

“Either way, you’ll end up with a good sense of two artists who lived in two different eras and never met each other and work in very different mediums to say the same sorts of things.”

Witness the synergies and find the meaning in each piece at Penrith Regional Gallery from August 2 to October 26. The Grand Opening will be on August 9.

Joanna Gilmour. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Δ New cereal with superstar support: MILO Cereals has announced a berry delicious new addition to Aussie’s brekkie routines with MILO Strawberry Flavoured Cereal, created in partnership with football superstar and MILO ambassador, Mackenzie Arnold (pictured). Combining the beloved taste of MILO’s iconic choc malt breakfast cereal with delicious strawberry flavoured pieces, MILO Strawberry Flavoured Cereal is set to energise Aussie breakfast tables with nourishing energy. It’s available now at Woolworths, and Coles from September.

Δ Choc tops at home: Hoyts Cinemas has teamed up with Bulla Dairy Foods to bring a taste of the movies to your home with the launch of Bulla Hoyts Choc Tops. The Choc Tops will be available exclusively at select Coles locations until Tuesday, September 30, with two delicious flavours on offer – classic Vanilla and indulgent Salted Caramel. The snack-sized four-pack is perfect for sharing... or keeping all to yourself. Each pack of Bulla Hoyts Choc Tops also includes a voucher for a $12 movie ticket purchase, valid until July 30, 2026.

Δ Cutise for the win: A few of us here at the Weekender have been trying out cosmetics from CUTISE, an Australian brand. Developed by a compounding pharmacist with over a decade of clinical experience, the range is designed to combat the root causes of premature ageing – supporting skin function, structure, and long-term resilience. From the Omnigel Cleanser to the Brightcare Day Serum and Assence Night Cream, we’ve found all of the products to offer a feel of luxury, and certainly delivering a clean, smooth feel. Check out CUTISE for yourself at https:// www.cutise.com.au.

Δ New Lindt flavour: Lindt recently announced the launch of the latest creation from its Master Chocolatiers: Lindor Tiramisu. This new flavour reimagines the beloved Italian dessert, offering a sophisticated indulgent experience for chocolate lovers. The new

Lindor Tiramisu captures the classic dessert’s essence. Each truffle’s milk chocolate shell is enhanced with crisp biscuit pieces, providing a delightful textural contrast. The smooth, melting filling is a creamy and rich blend of mascarpone and subtle coffee notes, delivering the authentic flavour of tiramisu in every bite. Available in major retailers now.

Δ Valley delight: The Weekender team last week enjoyed a breakfast out of the office at The Valley Junction at Glenmore Village. All of the food was delicious, and the service top notch. Make sure you give it a try if you’re in the area (or even if you’re not – it’s worth the trip!).

This photograph shows students at Emu Plains Public School in 1933.

We ponder what lives these children ended up living – and how many of them stayed in the local area.

And there’s the possibility some would still be alive today – though they’d be around 100-years-old.

These students attended the old Emu Plains Public School, which was built in 1877 on the Great Western Road.

The school closed when a new school opened on Emerald Street in 1967.

City Library)

(Photo thanks to Penrith

How schools help ignite potential EducationWEEK

NSW public schools will celebrate Public Education Week 2025 from August 4-8 with the theme of ‘Ignite Your Potential’.

The week encourages families and local communities to celebrate and recognise the achievements of public schools, staff, and students from across NSW.

Public school alumni will also be in the spotlight again this year with the NSW Department of Education and the National Rugby League celebrating players from the public system and initiatives linking league clubs with their local schools.

Secretary Murat Dizdar said Public Education Week served as a platform for families to celebrate their child’s accomplishments and recognise the vital role public schools play in nurturing all potential.

“In NSW public schools, we’re committed to fostering an environment where students thrive as critical thinkers and well-rounded citizens,” Dizdar said.

“This is a week to come together to ignite the potential within every learner and celebrate the vital role of public education in shaping a brighter future for our students and communities.”

Schools will celebrate the week with activities including open days, workshops and community forums, showcasing student success and promoting the value of

public education. Check with your school for details.

A highlight of Public Education Week will be the Public Education Awards, which honour the outstanding contributions of schools, students, teachers, support staff, parents and volunteers throughout NSW.

The awards celebrate everyday excellence, innovation and commitment that drive

public education forward.

The 2025 awards ceremony will take place on Monday, August 4 at Sydney Town Hall and will be livestreamed.

The Secretary’s Award for Living Our Values will also be presented, recognising education support staff who exemplify the department’s values and contribute to delivering the Plan for Public Education.

LADY OF THE ROSARY KINDER – YEAR 6 PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our Lady of the Rosary has a rich history with St Marys, the school was started in 1880 by St Mary of the Cross Mackillop. We are a proud multi-cultural community

EducationWEEK

From

Education Minister, Prue Car

This Public Education Week, we celebrate the excellence at the heart of our NSW public schools. This year’s theme Ignite Your Potential captures what public education offers every child – the opportunity to thrive.

Our public schools champion high expectations of every student, challenging them to meet their full

potential. In our area, we are investing in new and upgraded schools to provide high-quality learning environments. This includes upgrades to facilities at Kingswood Public School, Cambridge Gardens Public School and Cranebrook High School, as well as a new high school in Jordan Springs.

This week we also acknowledge our dedicated teachers who shape young minds every day. In western Sydney and beyond, public schools continue to deliver excellence. Thank you to all our public schools for the role you play in our communities and your extraordinary potential to ignite the potential in every

Who you entrust with your child’s early development is one of the most important decisions you will make.

We are proud of our strong reputation as the most nurturing and vibrant childcare centre in the Emu Plains community, locally owned for over 25 years!

Book in a tour to see our purpose-built outdoor environments that span over vast areas, creating limitless opportunities for exploration and play.

Contact the team at Mud Puddles Cottage or visit our website 4735 7733 | www.mudpuddlescottage.com.au 53-59 Great

DIGITAL NEWSPAPER READ OUR Released every

week

Start strong in Kindergarten at Mountain View Adventist College

Choosing a school for your child’s first year can feel overwhelming – but at Mountain View Adventist College, they make that decision easier by offering a nurturing, values-based start that sets the foundation for lifelong The Kindergarten program is designed to support children academically, emotionally, and spiritually. With small class sizes, caring staff, and a strong focus on

Bright Minds Academy child care centres are dedicated to providing exceptional care and education for children in the early years. Our mission is to empower your child with the best possible foundation, fostering a love for learning through engaging play in a secure and nurturing setting. Visit one of our centres today!

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early literacy and numeracy, students are guided to grow in confidence and curiosity from the very beginning.

Mountain View Adventist College is a Prep to Year 12 Christian school in Doonside that welcomes families of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. They provide a safe, inclusive environment where children feel known, supported, and part of a broader school community from the very beginning.

Parents of future Kindergarten students are invited to the upcoming Open Day on Thursday, August 21, from 4.30pm to 6pm. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet the team, and ask questions during a Q&A with school leaders. Kindergarten 2026 may feel far away – but for many families, the journey starts now.

Register to attend: https:// mvac.adventist.edu.au/ open-day.

Waterside 4730 2284

Mon-Fri 6.30am – 6.30pm 21 Renshaw St, Cranebrook waterside@brightmindsacademy.com.au

Building Character to Serve Christ

DISCOVER WHAT MAKES OUR COLLEGE A PL ACE OF PURPOSEFUL LEARNING AND L ASTING VALUES.

Join us for a Discovery Tour to explore our campus, experience the new Exhibition Centre, and see how we prepare students for life, leadership, and service.

Set on 48 acres in Orchard Hills, overlooking the beautiful Penrith Valley, Penrith Anglican College offers high-quality, affordable Christian education from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12.

Our experienced and nurturing staff partner with families to grow students academically, spiritually, and personally—shaping character and preparing them to serve Christ and their communities with

www.penrith.nsw.edu.au/enrol/visit 02 4736 8100 registrar@pac.nsw.edu.au BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY

Penrith Anglican College is in an exciting season of growth, guided by a long-term Master Plan to support innovative learning and strong community. A key milestone is the new Exhibition Centre, opening in September, which will offer flexible spaces for performances, showcase exhibitions, incursions, and collaborative learning.

“We are building not just for today, but for the future of every student,” said Penrith Anglican College Principal, Felicity Grima.

“These spaces will help them think deeply, lead confidently, and serve faithfully.”

Set on 48 acres in Orchard Hills, the College provides a peaceful and spacious environment where children are nurtured from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 12.

As one of the top independent non-selective schools in the Penrith region, the College

is known for academic excellence rooted in Christian values.

At the heart of Penrith Anglican College is a desire to see students flourish intellectually, spiritually, and personally. With passionate Christian educators, a broad and engaging curriculum, and a commitment to pastoral care, the College partners with families to grow young people of character who know Christ and serve others.

“We are committed to graduating students who are academically prepared and who also possess the strength of character to make a difference in their communities,” said Mrs Grima.

Limited places remain for 2026. Enrolments are now open for 2027 across all grades.

Book your Discovery Tour at www.penrith. nsw.edu.au/enrol/visit.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Wills and estates made simple and stress-free

Specialising in Wills, Estates and Elder Law, KM Legal supports individuals and families across western Sydney with everything from future planning to navigating the legal complexities following the loss of a loved one.

The firm offers a full suite of estate-related legal services, including estate planning, probate and estate administration, estate litigation, and elder law.

From simple wills to complex family arrangements, KM Legal provides practical, tailored advice, explained in plain English so clients feel informed and supported every step of the way.

What sets KM Legal apart is its warm, clientfirst approach. The team is approachable, responsive, and committed to building strong relationships with clients.

Fixed fees are offered wherever possible, and transparency around costs is a core part of their service.

For clients who are unable to travel, the team regularly arranges visits to homes and care facilities, ensuring accessibility and comfort are never compromised.

KM Legal was founded in 2025 by solicitor Kyle McCabe, who brought with him over a decade of experience in private practice throughout Penrith and the wider western Sydney region.

Kyle’s vision was to create a firm that offered specialised, community-focused legal services in an area he knows and cares deeply about.

That local connection continues to shape the firm’s values.

Proudly rooted in the Penrith community, KM Legal has grown steadily through word of mouth and personal referrals. Clients value the firm’s down-to-earth advice, professionalism, and genuine care during what can often be emotionally difficult times.

Looking ahead, KM Legal is continuing to grow its reach while staying true to its core values – offering compassionate, expert legal guidance to families across western Sydney. With a strong local presence and a commitment to making Wills and Estates law more accessible, KM Legal is a trusted choice for anyone seeking personal, straightforward legal support in Penrith and beyond.

The team at KM Legal are dedicated to making wills and estates stress free, and will be by your side every step of the way. Led by Kyle McCabe, an experienced Wills and Estates solicitor, KM Legal focuses exclusively on helping individuals and families plan for the future, manage deceased estates and resolve estate disputes.

OLD SCHOOL STILL WORKS! BUSINESS

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but as an ‘old marketer’ navigating this wild digital age, I’m here to tell you some tricks are timeless. And chief among them? The absolute, undeniable, non-negotiable importance of consistency in your marketing and advertising efforts.

Back in my day – and yes, I’m going to say that – we lived by the mantra: ‘Repetition builds reputation’. For big name brands who wanted their jingle stuck in people’s heads? You played it, and played it, and played it again on TV and radio. You wanted your local business to be top-of-mind in your local community?

You advertised in the local newspapers over and over and over again

Now, some of the younger, more digital savvy marketers might say, ‘But Mr Old School Marketer, we have algorithms and targeted ads now!’ And they’re right, to a point. Online platforms

offer incredible precision. You can reach exactly who you want, when you want. But that precision doesn’t negate the need for persistence. In fact, it amplifies it.

Think about it. The digital landscape is an endless field of information. Every business, every influencer, every cat video is vying for attention. If your message is a one-off, a fleeting whisper in the digital storm, it’s going to be drowned out.

Consistency isn’t just about hammering the same message. It’s about maintaining a consistent brand voice, visual identity, and message across all your touchpoints. Whether it’s a social media post, an email newsletter, or a local newspaper ad (yes, they

still work!), your audience should instantly recognise it’s you.

That steady drumbeat of your brand, showing up reliably, delivering value, and reinforcing your core message, builds trust. It establishes familiarity. It moves you from being ‘that business I saw once’ to ‘the business I know and trust’. So, while the tools have evolved beyond my wildest dreams, the fundamental truth remains, repetition, in all its consistent glory, is the bedrock of building a lasting reputation. Don’t let the shiny new toys distract you from this golden rule of marketing and advertising.

ADVICE & TRAINING

BUSINESS

We know that as a small busines you just want to be productive and not have to worry about all that “business stuff”.

But that “business stuff” is so important to your success. That’s where the Western Sydney Business Centre can help. We have been helping small businesses for years with things like Business Planning and Marketing, Pricing and Sales, Business Resilience and more. Choose a One on One advisory sessions with a professional, independent business advisor who will come to you. Or sit in on one of our many tailored webinars or workshops.

Get started today, call 4721 5011.

Western Sydney Business Centre has been delivering business advice as a not for profit organisation for over 36 years winning multiple national business advice awards as both a Centre and as individual advisors. We are consistently being placed in the top 3 business advice centres in NSW. We complete over 6,500 hours of business advice every year.

BUSINESS ADVICE

The Western Sydney Business Centre has The Western Sydney Business Centre has been delivering business advice as a not for profit organisation for over 35 years, winning multiple national business advice The

wsbusiness.com.au

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Aboriginal Stakeholder Consultation

Residential Development Lot B DP379496 63 Rickard Road, Leppington, NSW (North Western Surveys, PO Box 1045, Blacktown , NSW 2148)

North Western Surveys, on behalf of Kalwanu Constructions Pty Ltd, is seeking to identify Aboriginal persons or organisations who wish to be consulted in relation to an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) application being prepared by AECOM for a proposed residential development at 63 Rickard Road, Leppington, NSW

The purpose of community consultation with Aboriginal people is to assist in the preparation of AHIP application, as well as to assist Heritage NSW in its consideration and determination of the application.

Aboriginal persons or stakeholders who hold cultural

Aboriginal object(s) and/or place(s) in the development area, and who wish to participate in the community consultation process for the project, are invited to register their interest in writing to:

Geordie Oakes

c/- AECOM Australia Pty Ltd

Sydney, NSW 1230

Ph: +0410513509

Email: Geordie.Oakes@aecom.com

Please be advised that if you register an interest in consultation, your details will be forwarded to Heritage NSW and the Local Aboriginal Land Council, unless you specify that you do not want your details released. The closing date for registration is 15/08/2025

SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS HAS PANTHERS FANS…

Graphic by Zoe Merrick.

Ythe finalword

ou could call this a danger game for Penrith, but let’s be honest – who would you be fooling?

After seven wins in a row and dominant performance against the lowly Wests Tigers last Saturday, Penrith take on a Gold Coast side locked in a battle for the wooden spoon and with little to play for at the business end of the season.

Penrith should win this by plenty. It should be a cake-walk.

But it is often when things are supposed to go one way that they turn and go the other – especially in rugby league.

Gold Coast showed against the Warriors last Saturday that they still have a little bit of fight in them, and they really turned it on for Des Hasler’s 500th game as an NRL coach.

And while the Warriors were disappointing, you can’t fault the Titans’ 90 per cent completion rate, five line breaks and willingness to

offload the footy in an effort to create something.

But any confidence they got out of that impressive win across the Tasman is likely to be zapped by a near full-strength Penrith this weekend.

Hasler will do his best to keep the confidence sky high, to use that victory as a starting point for a back-up performance against the fourtime Premiers.

But his words will likely mean nothing once the Panthers start to strangle their opposition this Saturday.

The Tigers tried their best to go with Penrith and play their style of game last weekend, but it lasted all of 20 minutes. They tried it again in the second half and got the same result. Trying to match Penrith, trying to beat them at their own game, just doesn’t work – the Panthers are way too smart for that.

The only thing working against Penrith this

weekend is the old adage that with every win you are closer to a loss. The Panthers have seven of them now on the trot, but they would likely feel they had their fair share of losses to start the season – so they are well and truly out of the system.

Complacency is rarely a problem for Ivan Cleary’s side, though it could be said they probably took a few teams a little too easily earlier in the year. Or for want of a better term, just expected things would happen.

The Panthers would be using all of the lessons learned from the first half of the season in this run towards the Finals, and a possible top four berth if things go their way.

Penrith is sitting right where you want them to be at this stage of the season. Perhaps not when it comes to the ladder, but certainly when it comes to form and the trajectory from here. While other sides in the top eight start to fade, and those outside of it start to get calculators

out for mathematical equations, the Panthers sit in control of their own destiny and with four years of Premiership success behind them. They know how to time their run, they know everything that is going to get thrown at them, and they know how to handle both big game occasions and then battles against lower teams like the Titans.

But here’s the most important thing of all: Penrith have got their defensive mojo back. It’s the biggest worry for any other team in the competition.

In the past few seasons Penrith rarely conceded more than two tries in a game. That blew out at the start of the year, but has quietly corrected itself over the last month. In fact, not since Round 16 have Penrith conceded more than two tries in a game.

Penrith will win this by plenty. And I’ll throw a Brian To’o hat-trick in for good measure.

Tip: Panthers by 40.

panther rumblings

CULLEN FINISHES UP FOOTY GIG

! Cullen bids farewell: Former Channel Nine broadcaster Alex Cullen, who was cut by the network earlier this year after a much-publicised controversy, has finished up his role with the Panthers. Cullen has hosted the Chairman’s Lounge and the Director’s Club at Penrith home games for several years, and has been the first choice as MC for many corporate functions hosted by the club. Cullen has recently moved to Melbourne, where he has joined Channel Seven and picked up a breakfast radio gig, meaning an end to his work at Penrith. His last game was against the Tigers last weekend. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for the club to look within Penrith and select someone local to host its corporate happenings from now on.

! There’s something about Mary: Matildas superstar Mary Fowler is back in Australia, and she was at CommBank Stadium last Saturday night to watch boyfriend Nathan Cleary produce a five-star performance against the Tigers. Her appearance also helped put to bed some silly rumours about a break-up, which that bastion of journalism The Daily Mail in particular had been lapping up.

! Spotted: Legendary Penrith brothers Tony and Frank Puletua both desperately scrolling through their phones outside CommBank Stadium on Saturday, trying to find their tickets to get inside.

! Old mates: The May brothers as well as former Panthers Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva caught up with good mates Moses Leota, Izack Tago and Brian To’o for a happy snap in the minutes after Penrith’s win over the Tigers last Saturday. You’d love to talk up the rivalry between all these former Panthers players and the existing crop, but there’s just no story

there. They’re all great mates.

! Spotted: Former Panthers flyer Robbie Beckett stopping for a selfie with a Panther-

ette during the Old Boys Day lap of honour at CommBank Stadium last Saturday night.

! Bunker chaos: It wasn’t as obvious on the TV broadcast but there was farcical scenes in the wake of the Izack Tago ‘try’ against the Tigers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night. While referee Peter Gough awarded the try on the field, it appeared from the first replay that Tago hadn’t grounded the ball. So convinced were Penrith that it would be over-turned, that Nathan Cleary didn’t even want to set up the conversion. He had to be asked multiple times by Gough to start going through the process. The Tigers were bewildered when the decision wasn’t referred upstairs, and the try was confirmed. The Panthers themselves were baffled by the call to let the try stand.

! Benji all class: Talking of that try, well done to Tigers coach Benji Marshall who refused to blow up about the decision in the post-match press conference. “I didn’t think

it was a try,” he said. “But it wasn’t going to change the result, we were well beaten by then.”

! Old boys show up: It was great to see a good turn out of former players for Penrith’s old boys day last Saturday. If only there was a way to announce the players as they traverse

the stadium – it’d be great to properly acknowledge the individuals and their contributions. Here’s a great shot of 1991/2 Panthers prop Paul Dunn with Jim Jones last Saturday.

! Rumours shut down: It would appear the Panthers have shut down suggestions of signing Tyrell Sloan from the Dragons or Adam Doueihi from the Tigers. The Doueihi rumour was always a little bizarre and didn’t seem to have any strength behind it. The Sloan story certainly had more punch, but it either was off the mark to begin with or Penrith have gone cold.

! Stadium upgrade: Fresh designs have been revealed showing the new-look Penrith Stadium. Below is the Eastern Grandstand design, with the red outline representing the old stand and the black showing the new look.

The stadium continues to be a huge talking point amongst fans. Nobody seems convinced about the new venue and there’s no doubt all involved have plenty of work to win over members and fans.

Alex Cullen.

EDWARDS PRAISES YOUNG STARS

He’s the fullback for his state, country and of course the four-time premiership-winning Panthers, but Dylan Edwards admits he’s still learning on a weekly basis.

Since returning from another gruelling State of Origin campaign, the 29-year-old has been on fire over the past fortnight – scoring three tries, kicking five goals, and running an average 313m per game.

As one of Penrith’s leaders, Edwards is proving an inspiration to his teammates, in particular the young brigade who are in the midst of their first full season in the NRL.

Speaking with Extra Time this week, Edwards says he’s been impressed with how the likes of Thomas Jenkins, Casey McLean and Blaize Talagi have been performing over the past two months.

“I’ve been really impressed with the performances they’ve been putting in consistently at the moment. It’s really impressive for a young group of guys,” he said.

“They are working really hard on the training paddock, and they have been for months, so I’m happy that they are building their season and are playing really well at the moment.”

But it wasn’t that long ago that things weren’t going so well for the Panthers. Not only did the team drop five on the trot earlier this year, but they were also languishing at the bottom of the table following a thrashing to the Knights

Edwards said despite his extensive resume that includes a Clive Churchill Medal, he’s still “I’m definitely still learning,” he admitted. “As long as you play this game, you’re finding little lessons here and there. Rugby league is the ultimate leveller… as soon as you think you’ve got it figured out; it can quickly bring you back down to earth. As long as I’m playing the game,

Now sitting in fifth position, the Panthers will look to further cement their place in the top eight when they battle the Titans on the Gold

Edwards said Des Hasler’s men are probably better than the position they currently find

“They weren’t far off beating the Tigers the week before either – they just got pipped there. And they beat a top four side last week over in New Zealand, which is really impressive, and you expect them to be even better at home,” he said.

“They are playing some good footy, they play a dangerous brand of footy, and we’ll have to play our best if we want to beat them.” The game is live on Kayo and Fox Sports.

Dylan Edwards before Panthers training on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

NATHAN TAYLOR

HONESTY SPARKED PANTHERS REVIVAL

Rising Panthers centre Casey McLean said a passionate speech from threetime Premiership-winning dummy half Mitch Kenny was one of the catalysts for Penrith’s mid-season turnaround.

With the club’s big stars on rep duty with the Blues, it was stand-in skipper Kenny who helped the Panthers pick up the pieces from a disastrous performance in Bathurst and go on to win seven consecutive games.

“Ivan made his point after that game [in Bathurst], but the turnaround has been player driven from there on,” McLean revealed on Tuesday.

“Without the Origin boys there, Mitch Kenny set the tone for us all. He’s the one that said, ‘we are a lot better, and we need to lift our standards’ and ever since then our intensity at training and even just around the change room has gone through the

McLean has also turned a corner over the past month. Struggling with second-year syndrome earlier in the year, the 19-year-old has enjoyed a fabulous month of footy which has seen him score a handful of spectacular tries as well as hold his own against one of the best in the business, Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton.

“I knew it was going to be a tough challenge going up against Critta – he sets the standard to all centres around the league,” McLean said.

“Critta’s in the position he’s in for a reason, so I just wanted to live up to that expectation and hold my own against him, which I think I did, but honestly there’s still a lot more to grow in my game and overall.”

Playing both wing and centre, McLean has crossed the line nine times for the Panthers this year and is hoping to add even more to his try scoring tally as the NRL Finals draw closer.

McLean said he’s loving the combination he’s formed with his left edge, which includes Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi, Luke Garner and Scott Sorensen.

“If we’re all defending well together, all attacking well together, it bonds us and everyone’s confidence starts to feed off one another.”

McLean said “trust” between his teammates has also resulted in that left edge becoming so lethal in both attack and defence.

“Our trust for one another has come a long way,” he said.

“Understanding each other’s movements has gotten a lot better. It’s been a handful of games now that we’ve started to gel and started to play good together, but honestly, it’s been cool playing with them. They are good ‘bros’ to have around.”

McLean and the Panthers will be looking to inflict some more damage on the competition when they face-off with the struggling Gold Coast Titans this Saturday afternoon in Robina.

The Titans are coming off a shock win over the Warriors in Auckland last weekend, a victory

that certainly caught the eye of the defending Premiers.

“You just have to respect every opponent the same. They just won last week against a top four team,” McLean said of the Titans’ standing on the NRL ladder.

“We have to respect what their strengths are; stick to our own game plan; and not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Casey McLean chatting with journalist Nathan Taylor on Tuesday. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Casey McLean is loving life.

Casey McLean getting the better of Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton. Photo: NRL Images.

Tries: L Smith, C McLean, I Tago, D Edwards, L Martin, T Jenkins Goals: N Cleary 6/6

Tries: Goals: A Doueihi 1/1

Tries: R Vaega 2, J Sykes, T Talau, H Hart, S Kioa, A Schoupp Goals: B Wakeham 6/7

Tries: A Kepaoa 2, D Laurie, Z Lipowicz, D Fale, L Sommerton, T Toelau Goals: J Cole 3/7

Tries: J Patea, M Lear, B Constable Goals: T Handcock 2/3

Tries: C Bush Goals: C Bush 1/1

panther memories

Royce Simmons’ final game in first grade is etched in every Penrith fan’s memory given it was a famous Grand Final.

We all know Simmons scored two tries in what was a classic Penrith victory at the Sydney Football Stadium on a special September day.

But often forgotten is Simmons’ other big farewell – his final game at his beloved Penrith Park.

The game was against Balmain on Sunday, August 18 in 1991.

Before a huge crowd of 18,827 the Panthers ran riot – winning 41-12 and leaving Balmain shellshocked.

Simmons didn’t get over the line, but he did get the opportunity to kick a goal towards the end of the game – landing the conversion. It would be the only goal of his first grade career.

Simmons was cheered off the field by not only his teammates, but former Panthers who were there on the day celebrating the club’s 25th anniversary.

THE KEYS TO PENRITH’S SUCCESS

lang on league

With six rounds remaining in the regular 2025 NRL season, the Panthers are on the cusp of a remarkable run which has them on the edge of a top four finish.

Whether they finish fourth or not the club has five people who will have a significant say in whether the team can win a fifth straight premiership title.

They are head coach Ivan Cleary, assistant coaches Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner, Lead Physiotherapist Pete Green and on-field trainer Shane Elford.

Of course, there are dozens more behind-the-scenes staff who help the ‘fabulous five’ listed above but it’s impractical to list them all.

Now it goes without saying that how the players perform in each game will ultimately determine how many victories the side can amass but the ‘fabulous five’ are the ones who prepare the team and make sure the players are healthy enough to compete in every game.

Let’s start at the top and that’s head coach Ivan Cleary. He creates the culture, game plan, runs the training sessions and basically is the leader of the pack.

What he says, goes, Cleary decides how the side will defend, attack, who plays where and who plays first grade each week, it’s all on his shoulders.

He also comes up with weekly game plans and sets up the systems which decide how the club will play from Harold Matthews all the way up to first grade.

However, with a resume which includes coaching over 450 first grade games, guiding teams to six grand final appearances and four consecutive premierships,

prepared each week. To this end, his right-and-left hand men are Peter Wallace and Ben Gardiner.

Peter Wallace has been in the role since 2023 and prior to this, Wallace coached the Panthers’ NSW Cup team to premiership

He was also a handy player and

it’s safe to say the club is in good hands.

In Ivan we trust.

As a leader Cleary likes to delegate and doesn’t believe in being a micro-manager. It’s well known that he gives his assistant coaches plenty of say in how the team is

helps with the team’s attack. Ben Gardiner is the other assistant coach who took over from Andrew Webster in 2023. Gardiner works on the team’s defence amongst other things. Unfortunately for Penrith he is so highly regarded that he will

leave the Panthers at the end of the season to take up a coaching position with the Perth Bears.

The Penrith Panthers also have a team of physiotherapists who provide injury management and rehabilitation for its players.

Peter Green is the lead physiotherapist and it’s his primary role to consult with High Performance Manager Tom Lovell and together with the other physios, work out injury management and rehabilitation programs for the players.

Over the years they have done a remarkable job with Nathan Cleary’s shoulder and hamstring injuries.

It’s his job to get an injured player back to full fitness and back on the field as soon as possible.

Finally, there’s Shane Elford who wears two important hats, one as the General Manager of Rugby League and the other as an on-field trainer.

As an on-field trainer, Elford’s main role is to ensure player safety by providing first aid and managing injuries. He also provides water to players during breaks and relays messages between the coaching staff and players during stoppages in play.

So, at the end of the day, it’s simple, without the ‘fabulous five’ there is no possibility of five-peat Premiership success.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.

with Peter Lang

STORM

SHARKS

SHARKS

STORM WARRIORS

STORM DOLPHINS

STORM DOLPHINS

PANTHERS RAIDERS SEA EAGLES

BULLDOGS SHARKS

BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM WARRIORS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS

SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS

BRONCOS PANTHERS DRAGONS ROOSTERS

BULLDOGS SHARKS

EELS DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM WARRIORS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS SEA EAGLES BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM WARRIORS

STORM DOLPHINS

PANTHERS

PANTHERS

SHARKS

SHARKS

ROOSTERS BULLDOGS COWBOYS

STORM DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS COWBOYS

STORM WARRIORS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS

STORM WARRIORS

RABBITOHS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS COWBOYS

PANTHERS

EAGLES

SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS COWBOYS

EELS DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS

ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM WARRIORS

BRONCOS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS

BULLDOGS SHARKS

STORM DOLPHINS RABBITOHS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS BULLDOGS COWBOYS

STORM DOLPHINS

RABBITOHS PANTHERS RAIDERS ROOSTERS

BULLDOGS COWBOYS

MOUNT DRUITT ST MARYS LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

This year’s Mount Druitt St Marys Local Business Awards was a sensational spectacular that provided a fitting finale to the annual event.

This year’s winners exchanged hugs while cheers filled the room as they made their way to the stage on Tuesday, July 22.

Awards founder and Precedent Productions Managing Director Steve Loe said the evening was an exciting culmination to a successful awards program.

“The Local Business Awards recognise the vital role business people play in the lives of their communities,” he said.

“The presentation evening not only sees the announce- ment of the

category winners but is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all the finalists.

“We had a sell-out crowd that included our finalists, their families and staff, as well as our partners and local dignitaries who helped to present awards to the winners.”

Excitement filled the room as the finalists in each category were announced, complete with images on the big screen, followed by applause as the winners’ names were read out and they took to the stage to claim their trophies.

“The winners’ speeches are always heartfelt and emotional,” Loe said.

“This year was no exception.”

As official media partner for the Mount Druitt St Marys Local Business Awards, The Western Weekender today publishes a winners’ feature, that commends all category winners from the presentation evening.

“Of course, the awards are only possible with the ongoing support of our Major Partners: Blacktown City Council and NOVA Employment and Support Partners: Nepean Regional Security, St Clair Shopping Centre, St Marys Village, and White Key Marketing. Their involvement proves their commitment to their community and the businesses that thrive there,” Loe said.

Loe also thanked Rooty Hill RSL for the high quality food and service it provided.

“Thanks to them it was a five-star occasion,” he said.

“I would also like to acknowledge the remarkable talent who provided entertainment on the evening and our excellent Chris Ninni who kept the evening flowing smoothly.”

Businesses can register for the 2026 Local Business Awards at www.thebusinessawards.com.au.

MOUNT DRUITT / ST MAR YS WINNERS

THE SHED C AFE

W e ar e delight ed that T he Shed Caf é St Clair has w the 2025 Mount Druitt St Mar ys L ocal Business Aw ar ds in the Caf é cat egor y.

T he Shed Caf é is y our spot t o visit t o enjo y a delicious meal with f amily and friends or the perf ect place t o gr ab a cof f ee on the go

T he friendly t eam ar e passionat e about cof f ee, gr eat f ood, and cust omer ser vice.

T he Shed Caf é is no w also open f or dinner Thursday Friday and Satur day nights Dine in or r elax and sav our y our meal in their outdoor ar ea.

T hank y ou t o all the l oy al cust omers y our suppor t is ve r y m uch appr eciat ed.

A: SHOP 34 ST CLAIR SHOPPING CENTRE, 155 BENNETT RO AD ST CLAIR P: 02 8883 5997 | IG: THESHEDSTCLAIR

NEWS EXTRA

2025 WINNER

NEWSA GENCY

W e ar e so pr oud that News Extr a St Clair (also kno as St Clair Newsagent) has w on the 2025 Mount Druitt St Mar ys L ocal Business Aw ar ds in the Newsagenc y cat egor y.

T hank y ou t o the l oy al cust omers who v ot ed f or them and f or y our ongoing suppor t.

T he friendly and dedicat ed t eam hav e been ser ving the comm unity f or ov er 15 y ears and look f orw ar d t o man y mor e. Congr atulations t o all the f inalists and winners

A: SHOP 23, ST CLAIR SHOPPING CENTRE, 155 BENNETT RO AD , ST CLAIR

P: 9670 1979

DO VES JEWELLERS

2025 WINNER JEWELLER Y ST ORE

W e wish t o thank all of our cust omers , man y of whom hav e become good friends f or their contin ued suppor t of our business culminating in winning this y ears’ small business aw ar ds in the jew eller y shop cat egor y.

W e l ov e what w e do and contin ually striv e t o help our comm unity

T hanks once again f or y our friendship and suppor t in these challenging times and look f orw ar d t o thanking y ou personally ....

T he D ov es Team

A: SHOP 29 THE VILLA GE SHOPPING CENTRE, CHARLES HA CKETT DRIVE, ST MAR YS

P: 9623 1655 | W: DO VESJEWELLERS .COM.A U

SKYE’S THE LIMIT FOR HAIR

2025 WINNER HAIRDRESSER

W inning this aw ar d means the w orld t o us

S ky es the Limit f or Hair w as built on passion, r esilience, and comm unity Values that began with S kye , our original f ounder whose legacy still inspir es us e ve ry day We ’r e so pr oud t o contin ue what she st ar te d and bey ond gr at eful f or the l ov e and suppor t w e’ ve r eceiv ed fr om our clients and the St Mar ys comm unity

T his win r ef lects the dedication of our incr edible t eam and the l oy alty of those who trust us with their hair T hank y ou f or being par t of our journe y.

T he Sk y is truly the limit.

A 2025 A: 149 QUEEN STREET, ST MAR YS P: 9673 0090 | W: SKYESTHELIMITFORHAIR.COM.A U

FLEEK CUTS HAIR & BEA UTY

2025 WINNER

B ARBER SHOP

To be honour ed with the Outst anding Barbershop Aw ar d f or T he Fleeks Cuts is a deeply emotional milest one.

Fr om modest beginnings t o becoming a r ecognised name, this journey r ef lects r esilience, discipline, and the p ow er of comm unity I ow e this t o e ve r y client who w alk ed thr ough our doors , y our trust built this dr eam.

T his aw ar d is not just a win, it’ s a r eminder that gr eatness is born fr om passion and perse ve r ance . To m y comm unity , thank y ou f or lifting us . W e w ear this honour with pride, and w e pr omise t o k eep r aising the st andar d because the best is y et t o come.

WINNER SER VICE & TRADE

Honour ed and Gr at eful I w as shock ed when m y name w as called f or the Ser vice and Tr ade cat egor y at the r ecent aw ar ds W ith so man y amazing businesses acr oss St Mar ys and Mt Druitt, this r ecognition truly means a lot.

Aft er 11 y ears in business , aw ar ds w er e nev er m y goal

— m y mission has alw ays been t o help others f eel suppor t ed and r emind people they ar e not alone . T his ackno wledgment sho ws that Di Bella Cleaning Ser vices is making a dif fe r ence.

T hank y ou t o e ve ry one who has suppor t ed me on this journe y.

— Lisa Br o wnlie

W: DIBELLA CLEANINGSER VICES .COM.A U

P: 0412 589 935

CENTRE S TAG E AC ADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS

2025 WINNER

PERFORMING ARTS

Centr e St age is so gr at eful t o hav e w on “Outst anding

P erf orming Ar ts Studio”

W e of f er unique acting classes Of f ering theatr e acting and pr of essional mini f ilms W e hav e w on se ve r al f ilm aw ar ds against pr of essional f ilm mak ers int ernationally Including USA, ITALY, UK, NZ last y ear and this y ear just t o name a f ew

Ranking us 3r d in A ustr alia and 21 w orldwide.

W e also of f er dance, acr obatics and singing. Cr eating oppor tunities f or our students including m usic video clips f ilms f estiv als and mor e!

W e belie ve “Ev er ybody deser v es t o be Centr e St age”

T his aw ar d r ef lects our w onderful st af f and comm unity suppor ting our dr eam.

A: ROPES CROSSING & ERSKINE PARK

P: 0433 250 643 | W: CENTRESTA GEA C ADEMY OPA.COM.A U

MO VE 2 THRIVE CLINIC

HEAL TH IMPRO VEMENT SER VICES

e incr edibly honour ed t o r eceiv e the 2025 anding Health Impr ov ement Ser vices Aw ar d. ecognition fr om our local comm unity means the orld t o our t eam.

ov e 2 T hriv e Clinic, w e’r e committ ed t o helping people m ov e bett er and liv e str onger whether that’s at our Minchinbur y gym location or thr ough home visits oss Gr eat er Sydne y.

his aw ar d r ef lects the trust and suppor t of e ve r y client, amily and pr of essional who’s been par t of our journe y

hank y ou f or believing in what w e do he best is y et t o come.

A: L O T 28/40 STERLING RO AD , MINCHINB UR Y

P: 0405 210 225 | W: MO VE2THRIVE.COM.A U

Western

Sydney Apprenticeship / Traineeship & Jobs Expo

The perfect opportunity for students, parents & job seekers to speak with potential employers & training providers with opportunities available now. Scan the QR Code below to save a copy of the date.

FREE PUBLIC ENTRY - YOUR DREAM JOB AWAITS YOU

Tuesday 5 August 2025 3pm to 7pm Wenty Leagues 50 Smith Street

Wentworthville

PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY

MAJOR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Further information: brettcarterevents com au Interested in exhibiting email: brett@brettcarterevents com au

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES, TELEVISION, MUSIC AND MORE – PENRITH’S LEADING ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

YOUNG, FUN AND 21

TBut it’s a wonderful milestone and it’s worth celebrating, and who doesn’t like an excuse for a party?”

ing, and plenty of surprises.

he diva from Deutschland is coming to Penrith! Berlin-born cabaret superstar Hans will grace the Panthers stage for a very special occasion.

“Well, honey, look, what can I say? I’m turning 21, which is obviously very exciting,” Hans exclaimed.

“I’m Germany’s proudest export. I’m an international superstar, sex symbol, accordionist, homewrecker – what more do you want?”

Amazingly, some people don’t believe the glamorous German is 21.

“I can hardly believe it myself,” Hans stated to the Weekender

“Obviously, people think I’m much younger.

And what better party music is there than the sound of a piano accordion?

“In Australia, people learn the recorder when they’re at school, but in Germany, we’re all handed a piano accordion,” Hans said of his imagined heritage.

“It’s interesting because it’s probably just as irritating as the recorder; but it’s something that I’ve been playing for a very long time.

“I think people have an idea of what kind of music an accordion would play but expect the unexpected with me. Let’s just say, I don’t think you’ve heard Pussycat Dolls on the piano accordion until now.”

This birthday extravaganza will include electrifying performances, sensational storytell-

“I’ve got two dancing boys this time, who, let’s just say – and I’m not about objectifying people – but they’re pretty hot. And the girls are hot as well if that’s your thing,” Hans described.

“We’re travelling all around with a grand piano, a few oversized props (wink, wink), and there’s a little more going on this time.

“It’s pretty much the Taylor Swift Era’s Tour for people who watch ‘Sunrise’,” Hans added, noting his extensive guest appearances on the morning television program.

The sassy superstar will wow audiences with his talent and sex appeal, but also with his sequins.

“Just like Beyonce, my mother makes my outfits. She’s like Tina Knowles of Deutschland,” Hans said.

“And I think we can all agree it’s a look only a mother can love, you know? I think we’ve got six costume changes this time, so the crowd is getting their money’s worth!”

Also included in the show is the mysterious reason the cabaret icon headed to Australia in the first place.

“I can’t give too much away, but questions will be answered finally because, you know, at the end of the day, there’s a lot of rumours, there’s a lot of innuendo, there’s a lot of suspicion out there, and after 21 years I think it’s time some of those things were cleared up,” Hans finalised.

See Hans’ ‘Young, Fun and 21’ national tour at Penrith Panthers on September 14. Tickets are $60.35 and can be purchased online at https://penrith.panthers.com.au/ event/hans-young-fun-and-21.

ALLY HALL

THINGS TO DO

Spectacular theatre for kids at The Joan

Be spellbound as the Australian bush springs to life on stage in ‘Beetle’ by Legs On The Wall. It will be playing for a limited season of three performances on August 8 and 9 at The Joan during National Science Week. This enchanting production will spark wonder in kids aged six to 14. Purchase a ticket online at https://www.thejoan.com.au.

BARGAIN BUYS

Op Shop at Kingswood

Thursdays and Fridays, 9am to 3.30pm. Kingswood Anglican Church, corner of Bringelly Road and Second Avenue, Kingswood. Morning tea every Friday morning.

BUSINESS

Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce

For more information about membership and upcoming events, visit www.penrithchamber.org.au.

Penrith CBD Corporation

Regular meetings and networking for Penrith CBD businesses. Visit www. penrithcbdcorp.com.au.

CLASSES AND FUN

Free weekly Tai Chi & Qiqong

Saturdays 4.30pm, WSU Kingswood Campus. Outside the Food Hub. Guan 0422 120 738.

COMMUNITY GROUPS

Jordan Springs Probus Club

Fourth Tuesday of the month at 10am, Jordan Springs Hub. (02) 9713 9038.

Nepean Riverlands Probus Club

Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at Nepean Rowing Club

Thought-provoking exhibition

‘Edge of the C’ is a solo exhibition of works by Shireen Taweel that traces a poetic and critical trajectory between culture and the cosmos. ‘Edge of the C’ draws upon histories of Islamic science, ritual and architecture, asking whether diverse spiritual practices and identities will be considered in our designs for life beyond Earth. See it at Penrith Regional Gallery.

from 10am. New members are always welcome.

Kingswood-Caddens Probus Club

Meets on the fourth Monday of the month at Kingswood Sports Club at 10.30am. All new members welcome.

Probus Club of Nepean

First Wednesday of the month at Emu Sports Club, Leonay from 10.30am. Visitors and new members welcome. Contact Faye on 0417 267 866.

Ropes Crossing Probus Club

Meets every third Monday of the month at Ropes Crossing Community Hub from 10am. Email ropescrossingprobusclub@gmail.com for more information.

Penrith Lions Club

Second and fourth Monday of the month. Penrith Bowling Club. 4736 1546 for more information.

Penrith Hospital Auxiliary

Craft stall at Nepean Hospital on the first Tuesday of each month from 9am2pm. Volunteers needed. Call Trish on 0421 414 012.

Red Cross Penrith

Meetings held the second Thursday

A Voice in the Dark: A Salem Story

Abigail Hobbs, a shy, yet kind 15-year-old, lives a modest, happy life; but things are changing in Salem. Healthy girls are becoming ill and whisperings of the devil are in the air. Two women have been hung as witches, and a third accused is missing still. See this play at John Lees Centre from August 2 to 17. Book online at https://www.rubyproductions.com.au.

of the month for lunch. Members and volunteers knit teddies for trauma victims. Call 0438 244 414.

Penrith NASHOS

Monthly meeting on the third Sunday of the month at Penrith RSL from 10am. Call 0448 983 399 for details.

Nepean Evening VIEW Club

Meets the third Monday of the month at Panthers from 7pm, with dinner and interesting speakers. Call 0411 306 150.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Nepean Food Services

Delivered meals available to purchase for those over 65 or with a disability. Call 4733 7200 for details or visit www.nepeanfoodservices.org.au.

Free food shop

9am-11am every Tuesday at 51 Henry Street, Penrith.

JP service

Located in Western Weekender office at 2/42-44 Abel St, Jamisontown. Mon-Wed 9am-5pm, Thu 9am-3pm, Fri 8am-4pm.

MUSEUMS

Penrith Museum of Printing

Sundays from 10am. Penrith Paceway. 0415 625 573 for more information.

Nepean Naval Museum Open Sundays 11am-3pm. 40-42 Bruce Neale Drive. 0411 138 700.

Arms of Australia Inn Monday and Wednesday 10am-1pm, 4735 4394. 127 Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Penrith Stroke Recovery Group Third Thursday of the month at 10am, Panthers. 1300 650 594.

Penrith Carer Support Group First Thursday of the month. Headspace. 8880 8160.

Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk Thursdays from 5.30pm. Meet at Coffee Club Nepean River.

Penrith Women’s Health Centre Domestic violence support services. 4721 2499.

Prostate Cancer Support Group Meets third Monday of the month at Emu Sports Club from 6.30pm. Call 1300 13 38 78 for more information.

I have to preface this review by saying I am not a superhero movie kind of person. Big fight scenes and loud explosions have never personally appealed to me, although they do to so many others. Despite this, I have fond memories of the original films, so I checked this out to see how it compared in the world of reboots we now live in. I’m pleased to say it exceeded my expectations. Dare I say it was Fantastic!

Having seen the early 2000s films, I somewhat knew what to expect. The story follows a similar framework which is explained

briefly in the beginning of the film. Four astronauts ascend into space to face the final frontier and return to Earth with superpowers. They then use these newfound powers to defend the Earth from various threats, including the Mole Man and the Red Ghost and his Super Apes. The Fantastic Four (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing) reside in the Baxter Building in a city reminiscent of 1950s New York, with some futuristic updates. In this iteration, we meet the

Fantastic Four as they prepare to enter a new stage of life. This is disrupted however, when the survival of humanity is threatened by a ravenous space-god known as Galactus, and his chromecoloured herald, the Silver Surfer. The Fantastic Four must figure out a way to save the planet, while weighing impossible options against intensely stacked odds. By far my favourite thing about

this film was the casting. Each member of the awesome-foursome was cast spectacularly. Pedro Pascal’s portrayal of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic rivals Ioan Gruffudd’s original, and Joseph Quinn does an amazing job replacing Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. Each character has heart and charm, winning over the audience from the first scene.

Despite my aversion to 20-minute long fight sequences, I was on the edge of my seat in the third act of this film. Every scene was engaging and captivating and held my attention right to the very end. I laughed, I gasped, and I cheered, something I don’t think I’ve ever done in a movie theatre before. I can’t recommend ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ enough. – Madeline Dantier

www.hoyts.com.au

COUNTRY CORNER

Musgraves back in Australia

Kacey Musgraves has announced she is coming back to Australia this November.

The Texan-born singer-songwriter’s first Australian tour in six years will see her perform two shows at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on November 19 and 20, as well as dates in Brisbane and Melbourne.

“I cannot wait to come back to Australia... it’s been way too long. I’m so excited to see my lovely Australian fans,” she said.

Musgraves’ hit album ‘Deeper Well’ marked Musgraves biggest debut sales week, landing at #1 on the Top Album Sales, her fifth #1 debut on the US Top Country Albums chart and a top five debut on the ARIA Country Album Charts. She launched the ‘Deeper Well World Tour’ with sold-out shows around the globe and the album’s single, ‘The Architect’, won the award for Best Country Song at the Grammys.

Musgraves has been touring ‘Deeper Well’

since 2024, captivating audiences around

Her Australian tour goes on sale today.

Combs drops new track

Global country music superstar

Luke Combs has dropped a new song.

‘Back in the Saddle’ was released last Friday.

“It’s about just me getting back to what I did when I first started doing music, saddling up, hitting the road, getting after it, just kinda getting back to it,” Combs said.

The new track comes as Combs hits the festival circuit extensively in the US, and off the back of his sold out Australian tour earlier this year.

The song is available on all the usual streaming services.

An accompanying video has also been released.

Nathan

Ê Channel Seven has announced a new renovation competition, to be hosted by Dr Chris Brown. ‘My Reno Rules’ will see four teams of renovators going head-to-head on two neighbouring rundown houses in Melbourne, competing for the chance to win life-changing prize money. The series marks a return to the renovation genre for Seven following the long-running ‘House Rules’ and the single season of ‘Dream Home’, also hosted by Brown. A live Grand Final will see two lucky Aussies winning fully furnished, renovated and landscaped new homes. The live prize draw will be managed by principal program sponsor, Adrian Portelli. ‘My Reno Rules’ will premiere in 2026.

Ê Jonathan LaPaglia’s final season of ‘Australian Survivor’ will premiere on 10 on Sunday, August 17 at 7pm. ‘Australian Survivor: Australia v The World’ sees 14 players battle it out in Samoa over just 16 days to be crowned Sole Survivor and win $250,000. Returning Australian contestants include David Genat, George Mladenov, Luke Toki and Janine Allis competing with players from Survivor US, Québec, South Africa, New Zealand and Finland.

SEPTEMBER 9 ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, DISNEY+

Ê Award-winning Disney+ series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ returns for a fifth season on Tuesday, September 9. After their beloved doorman, Lester, dies under suspicious circumstances, Charles, Oliver and Mabel refuse to believe it was an accident. Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond – where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters and the mysterious residents of the Arconia. Some of the guest stars in season five will include Renée Zellweger, Meryl Streep and Téa Leoni.

Ê Hit Netflix series ‘Wednesday’, a spinoff of the well-known ‘Addams Family’ franchise, has been renewed for a third season. Meanwhile, the long-awaited second season of ‘Wednesday’ will premiere on Wednesday, August 6.

16 with all 10 episodes. In the new season, Bender is rampaging out of control! A volcano is about to explode! Fry confronts a rival for Leela’s love! And Dr Zoidberg is rising up to heaven?! The show was previously renewed through until 2026.

Ê New series ‘Limitless: Live Better Now’, a follow up to ‘Limitless with Chris Hemsworth’, will drop on Disney+ on Monday, August 15. In this three-part series, Hemsworth pushes himself further than ever – both physically and mentally – as he confronts some of life’s most universal challenges: pain, fear and cognitive decline.

Animation favourite ‘Futurama’ is returning to Disney+ on Tuesday, September

Ê Finally, I just want to pay my respects to two of the biggest stars in wrestling and music, who passed away last week. Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne were mega talents in their respective fields and will be sorely missed by all who loved them. Both had a huge impact on the television world also

TV Guide: August 1 – 7

Your guide to the week’s television viewing

4:00 New Idea Test Kitchen 4:30 Movie: “Isle Of Dogs” (PG) (’18) Stars: Bryan Cranston 6:40 Movie: “Hotel Transylvania 2” (PG) (’15) Stars: Adam Sandler 8:30 Movie: “Where The Crawdads Sing” (M s,v) (’22) Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones

3:35 A Bite To Eat With Alice 4:05 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 4:40 MythBusters (PG) 5:30 Car S.O.S (PG) 6:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 7:05 Claire Hooper’s House Of

3:00 NITV News: Nula 3:30 Grace Beside Me 4:00 Garma Festival 2025 Opening Ceremony 5:30 NITV News: Nula 6:00 Bamay 6:40 Great Blue Wild 7:30 Movie: “Shorts” (PG) (’09) Stars: Elizabeth Avellán 9:10 Movie: “Norbit” (M) (’07)

6:00 Home Shopping 8:00 Pooches At Play 8:30 Tough Tested (PG) 9:30 Numb3rs (PG) 10:30 JAG (PG) 12:30 Numb3rs (PG) 1:30 Fire Country (PG) 2:30 JAG (PG) 4:30 Numb3rs (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 10:20 Fire Country (PG)

Come Dine With Me: UK 10:00 Legends Of The Fork 4:35 France 24 International News 5:05 PBS News Hour 6:05 If You Are The One (PG) (In Mandarin) 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s) 8:30 Love And Sex In South Korea

(M v) 9:50 Bay Of Fires (M l,v) 10:40 Miss Austen (M) 6:00 NBC Today 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend 12:00 Seven’s Horse Racing: Flemington/ Rosehill/ Eagle Farm *Live* 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Border Security - Australia’s Front Line (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 The Great Outdoors (PG) 7:30 Mysteries Of The Pyramids (M) 8:30 Movie: “Angels & Demons” (M v) (’09) Stars: Tom Hanks 11:15 Movie: “Gunpowder Milkshake” (MA15+) (’21) Stars: Karen Gillan 6:00 Getaway (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Today Extra - Saturday 11:30 NRLW Wrap (PG) 12:15 NRL Women’s: Titans v Bulldogs *Live* 2:15 NRL Women’s: Tigers v Roosters *Live* 4:15 NRL Women’s: Broncos v Sharks *Live* 6:00 NINE News Saturday 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 Rugby Union: Wallabies v British & Irish Lions *Live* 10:00 Rugby Union: Post-Match 10:15 Movie: “Dunkirk” (PG) (’17)

Midsomer

3:30 Harry’s Practice 4:00 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 5:00 Slow Train Through Africa With Griff Rhys Jones 5:30 The Zoo 6:00 Every Bite Takes You Home (PG) 6:30 The Yorkshire Vet (PG) 8:30 Escape To The Country

(M

1:30 Teeing Off With Daisy Thomas (PG) 2:00 Rides Down Under (PG) 3:00 NDRC Top Doorslammer 4:00 AFL: Round 21: Sydney v Essendon *Live* 7:00 Storage Wars (PG) 7:30 Pawn Stars (PG) 9:30 American Pickers (PG) 11:40 The Big Adventure 1:00 Wife Swap Australia (PG) 2:20 Starstruck 3:40 America’s Got Talent (PG) 5:35 Movie: “Turbo” (G) (’13) Stars: Ryan Reynolds 7:30 Movie: “Maid In Manhattan” (PG) (’02) Stars: Jennifer Lopez

3:30 NITV News: Nula 4:00 Thanks For All The Fish 4:30 Chatham Islanders (PG) 5:30 Amplify (PG) 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 The Other Side (PG) 7:30 Big Backyard Quiz 8:30 Movie: “The Shining” (MA15+) (’80) Stars: Jack Nicholson

3:30 The Neighborhood (PG) 4:00 Everyday Gourmet With Justine Schofield 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Friends (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Jack Reacher” (M l,v) (’12) Stars: Tom Cruise 10:00 Becker (PG)

The Nanny (PG) 3:30 Seinfeld (PG) 4:30 The Addams Family 5:00 Bewitched 5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Movie: “Never Say Never Again” (M s,v) (’83) Stars: Sean Connery 2:20 Are You Being Served? (PG) 3:00 Antiques

Calman 8:20

6:00 Home Shopping 9:00 Navigating The World 10:00 JAG (PG) 12:00 So Help Me Todd (PG) 1:00 A Million Little Things (PG) 3:00 JAG (PG) 5:00 Reel Action 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 10:20 FBI International (M v) 12:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 2:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 3:00 Frasier (PG) 4:00 Friends (PG) 6:30 The Big Bang Theory (PG) 10:00 Frasier (PG) 11:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 12:00 South Park (PG) 2:30

Penn And Teller: Fool Us (PG) 4:40 MythBusters (PG) 5:30 Car S.O.S (PG) 6:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 7:05 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games 7:35 QI (PG) 5:30 Marcus In The Med: Mallorca 6:00 Island Echoes With Nornie Bero 6:30 Jamie’s Kitchen 7:30 Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour: South Africa 8:30 Rick Stein’s Cornwall 9:35 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 10:30 Mind Of A Chef 4:05 BBC News At Ten 4:35 France 24 International News 5:05 PBS News Hour 6:05 Mastermind 6:35 The Frontiere (PG) 7:30 Impossible Engineering (PG) 8:30 James May: Our Man In Italy (PG) 10:30 Cracking The Code (PG)

1:05 Formula E 2025 Highlights 3:20 Movie: “The Pink Panther Strikes Again” (PG) (’76) Stars: Peter Sellers 5:30 Movie: “Freaky Friday” (M d,l,v) (’03) Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis 7:30 Movie: “Octopussy” (PG) (’83) Stars: Roger Moore

2:30 Customs (PG) 3:00 Rugby Union: Shute Shield: Warringah v Eastwood *Live* 5:00 Movie: “The Thomas Crown Affair” (PG) (’68) Stars: Pierce Brosnan 7:00 Movie: “Monster-In-Law” (M s) (’05) Stars: Jennifer Lopez

9:00 ABC News 10:00 Four Corners 11:00 Antiques Roadshow 12:00 ABC News 12:30 National Press Club Address 1:40 Media Watch 1:55 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 2:25 Back Roads (PG) 2:55 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (PG) 3:40 Fake Or Fortune? 4:40 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:25 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00 Hard Quiz (PG) 8:30 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (PG) 6:00 NBC Today 7:00 Weekend Sunrise 10:00 The Morning Show - Weekend (PG) 12:00 Sunday Footy Feast 2:30 Dancing With The Stars (PG) 4:00 Better Homes And Gardens 5:00 Seven News At 5 5:30 Sydney Weekender 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Logies Red Carpet *Live* (PG) 7:30 The 65th TV Week Logie Awards *Live* From The Star, Sydney (M) 11:15 An Evening With Dua Lipa (PG) 12:45 Jamestown (MA15+) 2:00 Home Shopping 6:00 Hello SA (PG) 6:30 A Current Affair (PG) 7:00 Weekend Today 10:00 Wide World Of Sports (PG) 11:00 Sunday Footy Show (PG) 11:45 NRL Women’s: Cowboys v Warriors *Live* 1:45 NRL Women’s: Knights v Raiders *Live* 3:30 NRL: Sharks v Cowboys *Live* 6:00 NINE News Sunday 7:00 The Block (PG) 8:40 60 Minutes (PG) 9:40 Swimming: World Aquatics Championships: Day 8 *Live* 11:20 The First 48 (M) 12:20 Embarrassing Bodies (M) 8:30 Pat Callinan’s 4x4 Adventures (PG) 9:30 Buy To Build 10:00 Australia By Design - Innovations 10:30 10 Minute Kitchen 11:00 MasterChef Australia (PG) 1:20 Location, Location, Location Australia (PG) 2:30 House Hunters Australia (PG) 3:00 Wheel Of Fortune 4:00 Lingo (PG) 5:00 10 News 6:00 10 News

7:00

“Apollo 13” (PG) (’95) 11:10 America’s Got Talent (PG) 1:20 Home And Away (PG) 4:00 Dancing With The Stars (PG) 5:30 Gold Coast Ocean Rescue (PG) 6:30 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (PG) 7:30 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (M v) 4:00 Garma Bunggul 2025 5:00 Reconciliation Memoirs: Pat Dodson 6:30 NITV News Update 6:40 Africa’s Underwater Wonders 7:30 Larapinta 8:30 Movie: “One Mind, One Heart” (PG) (’24) Stars: Yananymul Mununggurr 6:00 Home Shopping 8:00 All 4 Adventure (PG) 9:00 JAG (PG) 11:00 Fire Country (PG) 12:00 A Million Little Things (PG) 2:00 JAG (PG) 4:00 Pooches At Play 4:30 Bondi Rescue (PG) 5:00 I Fish 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M v) 11:00 The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (PG) 2:00 Ridiculousness (PG) 3:00 Frasier Liar! (PG) 3:55 Friends

-

Front Line (PG) 8:30

4:05 Would I Lie To You? (PG) 4:40 MythBusters (PG) 5:30 Car S.O.S (PG) 6:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent 7:05 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games (PG) 7:35 QI (PG) 5:30 Inside Iceland: A Budget Supermarket 6:30 James Martin’s French Adventure 7:30 Memory Bites With Matt Moran 8:00 Chris Cooks Cymru 8:30 Rick Stein: From Venice To Istanbul 9:40 Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown 10:30 Mind Of A Chef 4:30 PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic 4:55 Kars & Stars (PG) 5:45 Alone Sweden (PG) (In Swedish) 6:40 Engineering Reborn (PG) 7:35 Abandoned Engineering (PG) 8:30 Petrol Vs Electric Cars: Which Is Better

3:00 Cards And Collectables Australia 3:30 Movie: “She’s The Man” (PG) (’06) Stars: Amanda Bynes 5:30 Movie: “Cheaper By The Dozen 2” (PG) (’05) Stars: Steve Martin 7:30 Movie: “A View To A Kill” (PG) (’85) Stars: Roger Moore

Classifications: (G) General, (PG) Parental Guidance, (M) Mature Audiences, (MA15+) Mature Audience Over 15 Years Consumer Advice: (d) drug references, (s) sexual references or sex scenes (h) horror, (l) language, (mp) medical procedures, (n) nudity, (v) violence

2:30 The Baron (PG) 3:30 NRL Women’s: Eels v Dragons *Live* 5:30 Getaway (PG) 6:00 Dad’s Army 6:30 M*A*S*H (PG) 8:30 Keeping Up Appearances (PG) 9:00 Swimming: World Aquatics Championships: Day 8 *Live*

Get Macca’s® delivered.

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Call The Midwife (M) 2:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 2:30 Back Roads (PG) 3:00 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (PG) 3:45 Fake Or Fortune? 4:45 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00

12:00

5:00 Peppa Pig 5:35 Peter Rabbit 6:00 Octonauts 6:30 The Adventures Of Paddington 7:05 Piripenguins 7:30 Do Not Watch This Show

3:00 ABC News Afternoons 4:00

6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 8:30 Movie: “The Living Daylights” (PG) (’87) 3:50 Movie: “Suspect” (PG) (’60) Stars: Tony Britton 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 Death In Paradise (M v)

(PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 The Block (PG) 8:45 Clarkson’s Farm

7:30 7:30 4:40 MythBusters (PG) 5:30 Car S.O.S (PG) 6:15 Phil Spencer: Secret Agent Specials 7:05 Claire Hooper’s House Of Games (PG) 7:35 QI (PG)

1:30 Fire Country (PG) 2:30 JAG (PG) 4:30 Numb3rs (PG) 5:30 JAG (PG) 7:30 NCIS (M) 10:30 The Weekly Kick-Off 4:30 The King Of Queens (PG) 5:00 Becker (PG) 5:30 Frasier (PG) 6:30 Neighbours (PG) 7:00 Friends (PG) 8:00 The Big Bang Theory (PG)

6:00 Food Safari 6:30 Nigella Feasts 7:00 The Cook Up With Adam Liaw 7:30 Nadiya’s Everyday Baking 8:00 Rachael Ray In Tuscany 5:45 The Fast History Of (PG) 6:10 The Ride Life With Sung Kang 7:05 Jeopardy! 7:30 NITV News Update 7:35 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (M l,s)

5:30 I Dream Of Jeannie 6:00 The Golden Girls (PG) 6:30 The Nanny (PG) 7:30 Seinfeld (PG) 8:30 Movie: “GoldenEye” (PG) (’95)

12:00 ABC News 1:00 Silent Witness (PG) 2:00 Anh’s Brush With Fame (PG) 2:30 Back Roads (PG) 2:55 Guy Montgomery’s Guy Mont Spelling Bee (PG) 3:45 Fake Or Fortune? 4:45 Long Lost Family (PG) 5:30 Antiques Roadshow 6:30 Hard Quiz (PG) 7:00 ABC News 7:30 7.30 (PG) 8:00 Back Roads (PG) 12:00 Seven Noon News 1:00 Movie: “Secrets On Campus” (M v) (’22) Stars: Jalina Brown 3:00 The Chase UK (PG) 4:00 Seven News At 4 5:00 The Chase Australia (PG) 6:00 Seven News 7:00 Home And Away (PG) 8:30 Clarkson’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire UK (PG) 9:30 Air Crash Investigations (PG) 12:00 The Block (PG) 1:15 Find My Country House Australia 1:45 The Garden Gurus Moments 2:00 Pointless (PG) 3:00 Tipping Point (PG) 4:00 NINE News Afternoon 5:00 Tipping Point Australia (PG) 6:00 NINE News 7:00 A Current Affair (PG) 7:30 NRL: Storm v Broncos *Live* 9:45 NRL: Knock Off (M) 10:30 NINE News Late 12:00 Everyday Gourmet 12:30 Family Feud (PG) 1:00 10 News: Lunchtime 2:00

3:30 Movie: “The Duke Wore Jeans” (G) (’58) Stars: Tommy Steele 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 New Tricks (M l,s,v) 8:40 TBA

5:00 Chateau DIY 6:00 House Hunters International 6:30 House Hunters USA 7:30

3:30 Movie: “Carry On Jack” (PG) (’63) Stars: Kenneth Williams 5:30 Yorkshire Auction House 6:30 Antiques Roadshow 7:30 As Time Goes By (PG)

TO LISTEN TO THE

Last weekend, Triple J played their Top 100 Aussie songs of all time. And yes, it’s a different radio station to mine, but I thought it would be a good time to celebrate the 80s songs that made a very jam-packed list.

There was lots of bitching online about results, but at the end of the day, when you ask people for their all-time favourites, some are going to be left disappointed. I think the results were pretty solid and a great cross section of Oz music.

There were three 80s tracks in the top 10.

WAYNE’S W RLD

with Wayne Tunks

Even better, the number one Aussie song of all time was an 80s anthem, ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ by INXS. Crowded House had the next highest 80s entry, with their brilliant, ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’. Cold Chisel made the top 10 twice, but only once for an 80s tune, my favourite of theirs, ‘Flame Trees’.

Many online were upset that John Farnham’s anthem, ‘You’re the Voice’ was only in 15. After all, it did top our Top 88 Aussie Songs of the 80s countdown, but I get it, it wasn’t the most Triple J of songs. Still great it made the Top 20, as did the anthem, ‘Beds Are Burning’ by Midnight Oil at 18.

Men at Work’s, ‘Down Under’ was at 21, Paul Kelly’s ‘To Her Door’ was 22, Hunters and Collectors’ ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ was at 25 and The Church’s ‘Under the Milky Way’ was at 29.

Here’s the rest of the 80s tunes to make the list: ‘Great Southern Land’ – Icehouse (35), ‘Better Be Home Soon’ –Crowded House (38), ‘Reckless’ – Australian Crawl (39), ‘Solid Rock’ – Goanna (47), ‘Working Class Man’ – Jimmy Barnes (56), ‘Need You Tonight’ – INXS (59), ‘I Was Only 19 ‘– Redgum (63), ‘Power & the Passion’ – Midnight Oil (66), ‘The Unguarded Moment’ – The Church (75), ‘Streets of Your Town’ – The Go-Betweens (84) and ‘Electric ‘Blue –Icehouse (92). A solid group of 80s anthems.

WARM UP THIS WINTER

WINDOWS PLAY A ROLE

IN WARMING YOUR HOME

As the cooler months settle in, turning your home into a warm and welcoming haven becomes top of mind.

While we often reach for throws and rugs to cosy up our spaces, one of the most effective and elegant ways to boost comfort, and style, is through layered window treatments.

According to Delena Pitman, Interior Designer & Window Covering Specialist with Andersens, the key to successful layering lies in balancing beauty with function for yearround practicality and aesthetics.

“Window treatments shouldn’t be an afterthought, they’re one of the most powerful tools for transforming a room,” she explained.

“Layering allows you to tailor your space to the seasons while introducing softness and sophistication.”

In Australia’s diverse climates, the right window covering can also make a noticeable difference to energy efficiency.

“During winter, windows are one of the biggest culprits for heat loss,” she said.

“Adding a second layer, like a blind beneath curtains, acts as a thermal barrier. It helps

trap warmth inside and reduces the need for artificial heating.”

This technique is particularly useful in openplan homes, where expansive windows and glass doors are common. Layering helps zone open-plan spaces, making large areas feel more intimate and finished. Sheer curtains soften harsh light and add movement, while blockout blinds or heavier curtains offer insulation and light control when you need it most, especially in the evenings or on chilly mornings.

By layering sheer curtains with thermal drapes, or teaming blinds with curtains, you’re not just adding texture and depth to a space, the layered window dressings help to retain warmth, enhance privacy, and offer greater control over light throughout the day. It’s a clever styling move that serves both form and function.

Layered window treatments are especially practical in high-traffic areas or multi-functional rooms. Think living rooms that double as home offices, media rooms, or guest bedrooms that need to adapt to different uses.

The flexibility to control light and temperature throughout the day means these spaces remain functional, comfortable, and stylish.

One of Pitman’s favourite combinations is blockout roller blinds paired with linen sheer curtains. Perfect for bedrooms, nurseries or media rooms, this pairing offers privacy and light control by day and full darkness and insulation by night. Andersens’ blockout roller blinds in soft neutrals like Chalk, Pebble, or Charcoal provide a clean, minimal base, while sheer linen-look curtains in whites or oatmeal introduce a relaxed, coastal-inspired elegance.

“LAYERING

ALLOWS YOU TO TAILOR YOUR SPACE TO THE SEASONS”

Wooden shutters are an excellent option in both the cooler and warmer months, as they provide thermal insulation against the cold and heat, as well as controlling light, air flow and privacy. When used in conjunction with drapes in luxe fabrics, shutters are a sophisticated choice for more formal living and dining areas.

For a more traditional or Hamptons-style interior, Pitman recommends pairing Roman blinds with floor-length curtains. Roman blinds bring a structured and timeless element, particularly in textured weaves or subtle stripes, while full-length curtains in complementary tones, like white Romans with navy or soft grey curtains, introduce softness and elegance.

In kitchens, bathrooms or smaller spaces where a more compact solution is needed, double roller blinds are ideal. These combine a sheer with a blockout fabric in one neat system, offering both light filtering and full privacy when needed. Choosing a tonal palette in soft greys or warm beiges keeps the look clean and modern while delivering all the functional benefits.

For inspiration and to explore Andersens’

Western Property

CONTACT AGENT FOR PRICE

Upcoming releases in Marian’s Mana, Oran Park

CONTACT:

Oran Park Sales Office

Trevor Homes • 7043 7500

BUY OF THE WEEK

OPEN YOUR EYES TO BEAUTIFUL ORAN PARK

What is so great about this property?

Marian’s Mana is a prestigious master-planned community offering architecturally designed residences in one of south-west Sydney’s fastest-growing neighbourhoods.

Nestled between the Oran Park Town Centre and its many amenities and the proposed Lake Pondicherry precinct, with its

foreshores, boardwalks, cafés and activity spaces, this family-friendly neighbourhood brings the best of both worlds to your every day.

With easy access to Brooking Park, Whiteman Park, DawsonDamer Park and the proposed 10-hectare lake, you’ll always find the perfect spot for a walk, picnic or quiet reading spot, moments from your front door.

77 Kirsh Street

Werrington NSW 2747

Unlock the potential of this vacant block, perfectly positioned in a growing and well-connected neighbourhood. Set on approximately 254.3sqm, this clear and level parcel offering an approximate 9-metre frontage and 28.25-metre depth, a superb blank canvas to bring your vision to life.

Enjoy close access to Western Sydney University, local schools, shopping centres including Penrith Westfield, and the renowned Nepean Hospital. Commute with ease thanks to nearby public transport options such as Werrington Train Station, and major roads including the Great Western Highway and M4 Motor way. Surrounding parks and green spaces add to the appeal for families and nature lovers.

Who does this property suit?

Anyone who’s wanting a more relaxed lifestyle, up-market living without many of the chores that comes with premium homes.

Tell us about the suburb this property is in?

Oran Park Town is a master planned development, designed and being built for a thriving community.

Greenfields Development Company began Oran Park in 2010 and its projected to complete the Town in the early 2040s. The Oran Park Town Centre is at the heart of the master-planned development offering residential, commercial and retail offerings as well as substantial civic and community amenities for residents and daily workers. Visit today!

Discover exclusive townhome

living in Oran Pa rk .

Inviting you to enjoy the best of both worlds, Oran Park townhomes combine the space of a house with a back yard and the low-maintenance qualities of apar tment living

You can choose from an exceptional selection of architecturally designed townhomes located near all the town’s popular amenities and most loved at tractions.

Ideal for growing families, downsizers and couples, these distinctive residences of fer excellent value-for-money.

• Spacious, designer interiors

• Landscaped grounds

• Two to five-bedroom layouts

• Private porches and cour tyards

• Family-friendly living areas

• Premium finishes and inclusions

• Tranquil locations

Ready for you to move in, these elegant townhomes are curated for comfor t and practicality. A beautiful lifest yle in one of Au stralia’s fastest growing suburbs awaits.

Arena - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

The Circuit - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

Civic Collection - Typical example of Oran Park townhomesB anksia - Typical example of Oran Park townhomes

The ResidencesTypical example of Oran Park townhomes

PROPERTY LAUNCH

EXERCISE AND CHRONIC PAIN

Living with chronic pain can be frustrating, exhausting, and isolating. Whether it’s from arthritis, fibromyalgia, back pain, or another longterm condition, chronic pain can affect every aspect of daily life – from your ability to work to your mood and sleep.

Exercise, although it may seem counterintuitive, is one of the most effective tools to manage chronic pain.

Why exercise helps

When you’re in pain, movement might be the last thing that is on your mind.

However staying inactive can actually make pain worse over time, leading to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, poor circulation and a greater sensitivity to pain.

Targeted, gentle exercise helps by:

• Reducing inflammation

• Releasing endorphins

• Strengthening muscles that support painful areas

• Improving blood flow to

muscles and joints

• Boosting energy, mood, and sleep

Research shows that people who do regular physical activity often experience less pain, improved mobility and better overall function – even if their condition doesn’t go away.

What kind of exercise is best?

Not all movement is created equal when it comes to chronic pain. The best approach is a low-impact, gradual program which includes:

• Strength training to increase muscle strength and support joint health

• Aerobic activity like cycling, swimming or walking to boost energy and circulation

• Flexibility exercises to

BEN TUCKER

OnePointHealth 4732 5188

reduce stiffness

Start safe and stay consistent

The key is starting small and staying consistent. A few minutes a day is better than nothing, and over time, these small steps add up.

This is where an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) can help. AEPs specialise in designing safe, personalised program for people living with chronic conditionsincluding persistent pain.

Let’s get you moving You don’t have to push through pain or do it alone. If you’re ready to take control of your pain and start moving again, our team at OnePointHealth is here to support you every step of the way.

THE INTERNET ARCHIVE

Before Gene Roddenberry became famous for ‘Star Trek’, he had three failed TV show pilots. A friend mentioned that they had recently watched one, so I decided to see where I could stream it. This led me to the Internet Archive, a non-profit digital library dedicated to preserving and providing free access to a vast collection of digital content, including websites, books, audio recordings, videos, software and images. The Archive gained recognition as a catalogue of historical websites through its Wayback Machine. Let’s take a closer look at the major sections

1. Wayback Machine

Arguably the most famous feature of the Internet Archive, the Wayback Machine allows users to view older versions of websites dating back to the late 1990s. With over 800 billion web pages saved, it’s interesting to see how websites have evolved.

2. Texts

The Archive’s text collection includes millions of books, magazines, academic papers, and other written materials. From classic novels to technical manuals, the amount and diversity of the content are amazing; it’s quite easy to end up down a rabbit hole and discover you have lost hours of your day. Project Gutenberg and Open Library are integrated, offering access to public domain and out-of-print books.

3. Video

The video section features documentaries, vintage TV broadcasts, educational programs, and user-uploaded footage. This is where I found the TV show pilots mentioned earlier. If you’re interested, search for PAX Trilogy.

4. Audio

5. Software

This section preserves old software, games, and operating systems – many of which are playable directly in your browser thanks to emulation technology. ‘Prince of Persia’ is one of my favourites, which you can play via emulation straight from the site.

From radio shows to live music, the audio section includes podcasts, audiobooks, and even entire music albums. Notable collections include LibriVox, a free public domain audiobook project read by volunteers, and the Grateful Dead Archive, which features thousands of live concert recordings and 78 RPMs and cylinder recordings digitised for preservation.

DAVID NORRIS

PEDICURE FOR YOUR POOCH?

Are your dog’s nails constantly tap-tap-tapping across your floorboards like a tiny parade of high heels on tiles? While it might sound amusing, long nails can be more than just a noisy inconvenience – they can lead to pain, injury, and long-term health issues for your furry friend.

Trimming your dog’s nails isn’t just about aesthetics or neatness – it’s an essential part of their health and wellbeing. Overgrown nails can cause a range of problems, from uncomfortable walking to serious injuries. When left too long, nails grow in a curved shape, eventually pressing into the paw pad and causing pain or even infection. They can affect your dog’s posture, leading to joint issues, and they’re more likely to catch on carpets or furniture, risking torn nails – a painful and messy injury.

So, how often should you clip your dog’s nails? The answer varies depending on your dog’s breed, age, lifestyle, and how quickly their nails grow. As a general guide, if you can hear their nails clicking on the floor when they walk, it’s time for a trim. For most dogs, this means every 4–6 weeks. Regular clipping not only keeps nails at a safe length but also helps prevent the sensitive quick – the blood vessel inside the nail – from growing too long. This makes future trims easier and safer.

How to clip your dog’s nails

Start by gently holding your dog’s toe between your fingers. Use sharp, pet-specific nail clippers and trim just the tip of the nail. Never cut beyond the curve, as this risks cutting into the quick, which is painful and will bleed. If your dog has clear or white nails, the quick is usually visible as a pink line. For dogs with darker nails, look for a chalky white ring on the cross-section of the nail after each snip – that’s your sign to stop.

And don’t forget the dewclaws – the extra nail on the inner side of the paw. These don’t touch the ground, so they won’t wear down naturally and can easily curl inward if not trimmed.

Top tips to make nail clipping easier

• Start early: Introducing your puppy to nail trims while they’re young sets them up for success later. Regularly handle their paws, even when you’re not trimming, and always reward calm behaviour. This helps build positive associations that last a lifetime.

• Make it positive: Use treats, praise, and patience. A lick mat smeared with dog-safe peanut butter can be a brilliant distraction. Some owners even turn nail trimming into a bonding session with lots of pats and cuddles.

• Stay calm and confident: Dogs can pick up on your anxiety. If you’re nervous, they’ll be nervous too. Keep sessions short and positive – don’t try to tackle all four paws in one go if it’s overwhelming.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for help: If nail trimming feels too stressful for you or your dog, speak to your veterinary team or a professional groomer. They can show you the right technique, trim the nails for you, or discuss sedation or twilight anaesthesia if needed for particularly anxious dogs.

• Be consistent: The more regularly you trim your dog’s nails, the easier it becomes for everyone. an waiting until the nails are overgrown. With patience, practice, and a few tasty treats, you can turn nail trimming into a positive experience that supports your dog’s long-term health.

Relax & Unwind

JOANNE

MADELINE MOORE

Boho Astro

@JoMadelineMoore

© Joanne Madeline Moore 2025

AQUARIUS

JANUARY 21 TO FEBRUARY 19

This week there’s a Mars/Uranus trine, a Full Moon in Aquarius, and Mercury’s reversing through your relationship zone. So you’ll be reliably unpredictable and consistently inconsistent! One half of you wants to snuggle up close with someone special – while the other half longs to be footloose and fancy-free. Try to find the sweet spot between cosy companionship and invigorating independence and resist the urge to be deliberately controversial.

TAURUS

APRIL 21 TO MAY 21

This week the Full Moon’s stirring up your career zone and Mercury’s reversing through your domestic zone, so the work/life balance will be an extra tricky juggle. Your partner, family members or housemates will certainly let you know if you’re not pulling your weight at home! Be patient with a frustrating loved one. Draw inspiration from fellow Taurean, Audrey Hepburn, “People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed.”

LEO

PISCES

FEBRUARY 20 TO MARCH 20

Mercury is reversing through your daily routine zone, the Full Moon lights up your mystery/secrets zone and Neptune opposes Mars. So many Fish are set for a frustrating and confusing week. Some possible scenarios? Important phone calls may be missed, diets could be broken, or paperwork go missing. The best way to handle the ensuing chaos? Slow down … relax … imagine … daydream … meditate … contemplate … ruminate … and escape!

GEMINI

22 TO JUNE 21

Many Geminis have a wandering gypsy gene. This week your travel zones are activated by the Full Moon and retrograde Mercury, so a trip could be delayed or disrupted in some way. Communicating with others (in person plus via texting and social media) could also prove to be confusing and frustrating. Things should start to settle down next week, after Mercury moves forward on August 11. Until then, try to be extra patient and double-check everything.

VIRGO

HOROSCOPES

ARIES

MARCH 21 TO APRIL 20

Are you procrastinating about which project to pursue? A bored and unengaged Ram is a recipe for trouble. With Saturday’s Full Moon activating your hopes and wishes zone, you want to act ASAP, with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. However – with Mercury reversing through your creativity zone – you’ll feel hamstrung in some way. This week is good for reviewing and rehearsing, before you spring into action after August 11, when Mercury finally moves forward.

CANCER

22 TO JULY 22

Venus (the love planet) and Jupiter (the confidence planet) are visiting your sign. So – even though Mercury’s reversing through your self-esteem zone – it’s time to be your authentic self! If you don’t accept yourself (warts and all) then why should anyone else? If you don’t develop your talents and follow your dreams, then others won’t do it for you. As actress/producer (and birthday great) Lucille Ball said, “Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.”

JULY 23 TO AUGUST 23 LIBRA

With the Sun (your ruler) and retrograde Mercury both visiting your sign, you’ll go to extremes as the planets press your ‘Let’s overdo everything’ button. So your motto for the moment is from music icon Mick Jagger (who has four planets in Leo), “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” But resist the temptation to be a right royal bossy-boots – especially when you don’t get your way. Rather than being pushy, try being charmingly persuasive instead!

SCORPIO

OCTOBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 22

Expect professional problems or domestic dramas, as the Full Moon and retro Mercury stir up old grievances. Use your diplomatic talents to help find solutions. However, if you just sit back and let others make decisions, you’ll feel powerless. So strive to be more self-sufficient, especially at home and work. Getting the ratio right between your public and

AUGUST 24 TO SEPTEMBER 23

Many practical, sensible Virgos are set for a chaotic and challenging week. Mercury is reversing through your solitary zone until August 11 (hey – where did all my friends go?) while Mars, Saturn and Neptune complicate financial matters (hey – where did my savings go?). Clever Virgos will slow down, reevaluate and reboot. Maximum tolerance will get you a lot further than constant criticising and stressed-out angst. Sunday favours relaxation and rejuvenation.

SAGITTARIUS

NOVEMBER 23 TO DECEMBER 21

Many Archers are restless for adventure. You’re keen to head off on an overseas trip, an interstate holiday, or a weekend getaway. But with Mercury still reversing through your travel zone (until August 11), be careful your fiery, impatient nature doesn’t land you in hot water! Smart Sagittarians will slow down and aim to get the balance right between

S EPTEMBER 24 TO OCTOBER 23

This week Mars (in your sign) opposes Saturn and Neptune (in your partnership zone). If you’re attached, the two of you will be under increased stress due to doubt, illness, money problems or career pressures. Don’t panic! Work on the relationship in a patient and compassionate way. If you are single, don’t expect much from the dating scene this week. If you do connect with someone special, there’ll be plenty of roadblocks before the romance takes off.

CAPRICORN

DECEMBER 22 TO JANUARY 20

Retrograde Mercury and the Full Moon highlight financial matters, and Saturn (your ruling planet) opposes Mars (in your career zone). Which could push your predilection for criticism and perfectionism to the max, especially at work. Plus a payment could be delayed or a project postponed. It’s a passing phase so calm down Capricorn – and don’t take

40. Shoreline

41. Skeleton photographs (1-4)

42. Occasion

43. Overthrow, coup ... (1’4)

44. Haughty

47. Nauseous in flight

51. Stupid (behaviour)

52. Santa’s laugh (2,2,2)

53. Fleet of warships

54. Indian curry style

58. Acknowledge 59. Gender

61. Sports ground

63. Music genre

64. Snuggle

65. Left behind

66. Motionless

68. Sacrificial

71. Pale

72. Fingertip covering 74. Dedicatory

76. Maladies

78. Members’ organisation

80. Kind

83. Expected landing time (1,1,1)

and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org

you

THEME:

ACCESS

ACQUISITIONS

ARCHITECTURE

BODLEIAN CARDS

CIRCULATION

READING

RESOURCES

SCHOLARS

STACKS

TECHNICAL

THEOLOGICAL

. These need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how

ON THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL HARBOUR

C addens

C addens News (C addens Corner)

Woolworths

C ambridge Gardens

Coles

McDonald's

Overlander Hotel

C ambridge Park

C ambridge Park Newsagency

Cellarbations

Friendly Grocer

C astlereagh

Ampol Ser vice Station

Claremont Meadows

Iga Claremont Meadows

Coly ton

Coly ton Centre Pharmacy

Coly ton Friendly Grocer

Coly ton Hotel

Coly ton Newsagency

Dan Murphy's

Hewitt Street Takeaway

Cranebrook

Aldi Cranebrook

Cranebrook Community Health

Cranebrook Village

McDonald's

Mother Earth Nurser y Plus Pharmacy

Woolworths Cranebrook

Emu Plains

Chambers Cellars

Lennox Centre Newsagency

McDonald's

Penrith Regional Galler y Woolworths Lennox Village

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Gre at Western Highway)

7/ 11 Emu Plains (Old Bathurst Rd)

Emu Height s

Super Save Compounding Chemis t

Erskine Park

Ashcroft’s Iga

Erskine Park Ctc

G lenmore Park

Coles

Mags News

McDonald's

Medi Advice Pharmacy

Woolworths

J amisontown

Abcoe

Atmosphere Fitness Signature Gym

B att Street Take Away

Grey Gums Hotel

Har vey Norman

New On York Takeaway

Parrabey Gourmet Kitchen

(Penrith Homemaker)

Patt y’s Place

S alt C afé (Penrith Homemaker)

S hell Ser vice Station

The Coffee Club Nepean River

Three Sugars C afé

We stern Weekender

York Takeaway

Zoo Fitness

7/ 11 Jamisontow n

Jordan Springs

Brooks Tavern

Jordan Springs Newsagency

Woolworths

Kemps Creek

C altex Ser vice Station

Kemps Creek Bowling Club

Kingswood

B arista Bar Coff ee Shop

(Nepean Private Hospital)

Countr y Brewer

Hallani’s

Kingswood Hotel

Kingswood Newsagency

Kingswood Sports Club

Penrith Gaels Club

Volunteers Desk Nepean Hospital

7/ 11 Kingswood

Leonay

Emu Sports Club

Grow C afé (formerly Willow Tree C afé)

Llandilo IGA

Londonderr y Londonderr y Liquor Store

S hell X Roads

Luddenham

Au stralia Pos t IGA Luddenham

Minchinbur y McDonald's

Minchinbur y Fruit Market

Mulgoa

Glenmore Heritage Golf Club

Mulgoa Newsagency

Mulgoa Pharmacy

Nor th St Mar ys

Boronia House (Retirement Community)

Little Bottler

MFC Food Stores

Old Mt Druitt

RM Newsagency

Orchard Hills

Flower Power

Oxley Park

Morris C are & Advice Pharmacy

Penrith

Aldi

Ampol Coreen Avenue

Astina

Atmosphere Gym

Au stralian Arms

Brisket Boys

Ca fé Fre d

Coles Penrith (Nepean Village)

Coles ( We stfield Penrith)

Crescent Mini Mar t

High Street Pies

Hogs Bre ath C afe

Hoyt s Westfield

Joan Sutherland Arts Centre

Liquor Stax Pe achtree

McDonald's High Street

McDonald's Panthers Le agues

McDonald's Pe achtree

Mercure Hotel

Museum Of Fire

Nepean Aquatic Centre

Nepean Motor Group C afé

Nepean Rowing Club

Nepean Village Coffee Club

Nepean Village Newsagency

Nextra Westfield

O ffice of Karen McKeown MP

One Point Health

Panthers Le agues Club

Pe achtree Hotel

Penrith Bowling Club

Penrith CBD Corporation

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Librar y

Penrith Golf Club

Penrith Hotel

Penrith Paceway

Penrith RSL

Penrith Senior Citizens’ Centre

Pioneer Tavern

RE/MAX

Sittano s Restaurant

Ta s tify

Tattersalls Hotel

The Heritage Terrace C afé

The Log C abin

We stfield

World Gym

7/ 11 Henr y Street

Regentville

7/ 11 Regentville

Ropes Crossing

Coles

Ropes Crossing Newsagency

Silverdale

CHOICE Pharmacy

Mobil Ser vice Station

S outh Penrith

Budget Ser vice Station

Fish Fish

Friendly Grocer

Grose’s Pharmacy

Southlands Newsagency

Borec Road Takeaway (Valley C afé)

Lemongrove Community Health Centre

South Penrith Neighbourhood Centre

Woolworths

St Clair Blue C attle Dog Hotel

Foodworks

St Clair Librar y

St Clair Shopping Centre

7/ 11 St Clair

St Mar ys All Good Newsagency

Andrew s Corner Store

Ampol Foodar y Astley Pharmacy

C assand ra’s On Queen

Cr ystal C afé

Guido s Hair C are

Jayam Supermarket

Monfar ville Corner Store

Queen St Newsagency

St Mar ys Band Club

St . Mar ys

McDonald's St Mar ys South

MOTORING WITH GARY WORRALL

Toyota Prado goes hybrid in latest update

Love them or hate them, hybrid powertrains are part of our motoring future, with manufacturers incorporating them into vehicle fleets to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency.

When Toyota, with a long history of hybrid and EVs, revealed the updated Prado, with a diesel-electric powertrain, brand followers wailed about the future of the off-road wagon.

“WITH

After a couple of weeks driving the VX and GXL versions, the Prado’s

minimal overhangs.

The cabin is comfortable, two of us north of 183cm had plenty of head and shoulder room, and found the seats broad and deep enough with plenty of hip and legroom, aided by the height and reach adjustable steering column, power-operated in the VX.

As expected for wagons starting at $80,000, there are lots of gadgets, but everything feels practical and useful, from the power driver’s seat and auto-dimming mirror to the VX’ 12.3” central display.

Even the GXL gets a 10-speaker audio system, 14 speaker JBL in the VX, with Apple and Android, multiple USB-C chargers and a wireless charger, Bluetooth connectivity, with synthetic leather upholstery and carpeted floors.

Even the cabin ergonomics, not always a Toyota specialty, worked well, while it took some acclimatisation I could navigate the main steering wheel and console buttons

felt a bit flimsy it created a flat floor with the third row stowed.

The big question was how the new driveline would perform, and it worked well, not just the drivability, but the smoothness of the 2.8-litre four cylinder turbodiesel and 8-speed auto gearbox, aided by the ‘launch assist’ hybrid drive.

Producing 150kW and 500Nm, driving was effortless, prod the accelerator and the big Toyota was away smoothly, with no clunkiness through the gears, progress was linear, the more you push, the more you go.

Pulling our trailer was like it wasn’t there, even on steep climbs out of slow corners, the transmission dropped back smoothly, with barely a blip of the engine revs.

Unlike other Toyota hybrids there was no ‘one pedal’ option, it was accelerate to go, brake to stop, the only engine shutdown was when you stopped, there was a slight jolt, not enough to disturb the quiet of

main engine does not shut down while driving, only when you come to a complete stop.

Ensuring restarts on demand, the electric motor, rather than the starter motor, spins the crankshaft, reducing strain on the starter motor.

The long wheelbase and compliant suspension absorbed the bumps and corrugations effortlessly, we didn’t test the full articulation, but long wheel travel

allowed the Prado to climb over obstacles at low speed without upsetting the passengers.

The electric power steering was direct, with a slight lag, hard cornering needed pre-planning, with a 2.5-tonne kerb weight it wasn’t too be thrown into corners, it is top heavy, so expect body roll, but not uncomfortable levels.

If you are chasing a big family wagon, with go-anywhere ability capable of towing a big trailer, then the Prado is definitely

HYBRID DRIVE, THE PRADO’S FUTURE IS BRIGHT”

The Prado offers plenty of room and a suite of gadgets.

The Prado was a pleasure to drive.

Toyota pauses GXL auto wagon orders Benz continues hybrid growth

In a surprise move, Toyota has paused orders for automatic 70 Series LandCruiser GXL wagons, with orders outstripping supply, allowing time for the factory to catch up with demand.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, said Toyota learned from COVID-related supply shortages, going public with news of delays, to avoid customer frustration.

“We know in the past,

particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic and during the global semi-conductor supply shortage, vehicle supply challenges caused a degree of frustration with our customers with wait times for delivery of new vehicles being extended significantly,” Hanley said recently.

“We never want to be the cause of that frustration again so together with our dealer network, we are committed to carefully managing any supply issues to provide complete trans-

parency for customers when issues outside our control arise.”

No other 70 Series models are impacted, Hanley said, with delivery times ranging from immediate to four months, depending on specific customer requirements.

“We continue to work with our parent company in Japan to optimise production and supply levels of all Toyota vehicles to ensure we can deliver and satisfy Australian customer demands,” Hanley said.

The newly-released Mercedes-Benz GLA250 e continues the growth of plug-in hybrid drive vehicles in Australia, as manufacturers work to meet Federal Government standards for increased fuel efficiency and reduced exhaust emissions.

While not the first hybrid from the three-pointed star, the GLA is an example of high efficiency small capacity engines coupled with electric motors likely to be the mainstay of vehicle fleets into the future.

In the case of the baby Benz, the driveline is a 1.3-litre petrol turbo engine mated to an electric motor to produce 160kW and 450Nm peak power, while an 11.5 kW/h battery provides up to 65 kilometres of electric-only driving.

Other brands, including Mazda and Mitsubishi, are using the plug-in hybrid system to provide zero-emission travel, especially in urban environments where

stop-start traffic driving allow the system to regenerate on the move, as well as charging from domestic and public stations.

While longer, higher-speed drives will deplete the battery faster, the system can generate smaller amounts of power while driving, allowing the electric motor to operate as a booster, including during overtaking.

Other systems, such as Nissan’s e-power which uses an onboard generator to power the electric motor,

offer alternate approaches to reduce ‘range anxiety’, while public access infrastructure works to catch up with growing demand for charging stations.

Despite Australian urban driving habits changing to more frequent shorter journeys, inter-city journeys place greater demands on battery range, and hybrid options are currently the best option for long journeys while still offering zero emissions when required.

Toyota has paused orders for the 70 Series GXL LandCruiser automatic wagons.

The Mercedes-Benz GLA250 e.

Finding joy on the water

NATHAN TAYLOR

Growing up, Sophia Whitelaw wasn’t a very sporty person. She gave netball a go, scored some tries in touch footy, but it wasn’t until rowing came along that she found her true passion for sport.

It was five years ago, during the height of the pandemic, that the then 11-year-old decided to make use of that huge river down the road from her home in Glenbrook.

“I started rowing a double with my best mate Viti. We started during COVID for something to do and we both really loved it,” Sophia told the Weekender

“I did netball and touch for a while, but nothing really stuck. I wasn’t really that into sports but then I came across rowing and I just got really into it.

“Viti and I love being out on the water. We love rowing together… it’s so good!”

Rowing has been the gift that keeps on giving for the Blaxland High School student.

Not only does it get her out of the house and has amazing fitness and health benefits, but she’s also made loads of lifelong friends from it.

“I think the friendship side of it has been a really big part for me,”

Sophia said.

“I love all my crews and teammates that I row with.

“You get to meet a lot of people through rowing – it’s a really good community.”

As a popular member of the Nepean Rowing Club, the 16-yearold enjoyed a very successful 2024/25 season – making her debut at the Australian Rowing Championships.

Competing down in beautiful Tasmania, Sophia participated in the U17 double and coxed quad scull events.

“I went to Nationals in Tassie earlier this year with my doubles partner Ellie Taylor. We were the fastest double in NSW, which we were proud of because a lot of work went into that,” Sophia said.

“We made it to the semis but missed out on the final by one

second. That was my first experience at a national level, and it was the best week of rowing I’ve ever had.

“There was so much pressure in the lead up. It was the hardest two months of my life. But once we were there, I just loved it.”

As for what’s next, the latest recipient of the Penrith Valley Sports Foundation Junior Sports Star Award said she’s looking forward to competing again on the big stage and rising up the ranks.

“My next goal is to go back to Nationals in Tasmania again and to make it to the next high performance level,” Sophia said.

Sophia Whitelaw’s PVSF Junior Sports Star Award is all thanks to sponsor St Marys Leagues Club.

PVSF Junior Sports Star of the Month winners take home a cool $350 each for their efforts.

If you know someone who has achieved in their chosen sport, send in your nomination to Penrith Valley Sports Foundation. Nomination forms are available at www.pvsf.org.au.

Sophia Whitelaw is passionate about rowing. Photo: Melinda Jane.

Best of the best ready to take flight

The 2025 Australian Indoor Skydiving Championships will make its triumphant return to iFLY Downunder in Penrith next week.

Now in its ninth year, the event has grown into the nation’s leading showcase of bodyflight performance, community spirit and inclusive sport.

Over 150 athletes across more than 100 teams will compete across five competitive disciplines: Formation Skydiving, Vertical Formation, Freestyle, Dynamic and the inclusive All Abilities category.

This year also brings the largest prize pool in event history – $20,000 in cash – made possible through support from Platinum Sponsor Public Safety Training and Response Group.

Two locals who are eager to show off their talent inside the largest and most powerful indoor wind tunnel in the southern hemisphere is Orchard Hills brother and sister duo Lachlan and Carissa Azzopardi.

The pair have been doing indoor skydiving ever since the facility opened at the Panthers complex a decade ago.

“We came here for mum’s birthday. Dad got us a voucher to come here for a family flight,”

GIANTS LOCK IN LEADERS

Story continued from » p.88

“It’s fantastic to see Tarni, Alyce and Katherine voted into the leadership group once again which is a great recognition of not only them as individuals who embody our values of Fearless, Competitor and All In, but also of the consistency and stability of the group,” Zell said.

15-year-old Carissa said.

“The instructor said to our parents, ‘your kids are pretty good… would they want to join the Kids Club?’. So, we decided to join and once you get to a certain level, you go beyond the Kids Club and you start getting private coaching and advance from there.”

This won’t be the first Australian Indoor

Skydiving Championships for the pair, with Lachlan and Carissa competing in several over the years.

“We’ve competed in every single Nationals held in Sydney since it started,” 20-year-old Lachlan said.

“This will be our first time competing together as a team. I’m just doing the one discipline but Carissa will also be doing Freestyle as well and competing across multiple days.”

Lachlan and Carissa said living just down the road from iFLY is a huge advantage, while some other competitors have to travel 90 minutes to two hours just to train.

“It’s definitely very convenient for us and a real advantage as well,” Carissa said.

“The Australian Indoor Skydiving Championships is always a tough competition and more often than not the judging comes down to very fine margins,” Lachlan added.

“It’s the best of the best from around the country and sometimes around the world. It really is a very competitive and fun event!”

Spectators are invited to attend the August 8-10 event free of charge, with the Championships also streamed globally to an estimated 500,000 viewers.

To catch the livestream, visit ifly.com.au/ aoisc, or pop down and watch it in person.

“It’s also great recognition of Cambridge as a young leader within our group and we’ll give her a great opportunity to hone her leadership skills and work closely with the leadership group across the season.”

Despite Beeson’s strong form it was an unhappy year as a whole for the Giants, finishing in 16th position with just one win to their name.

GWS are promising plenty of improvement this season, with their opening fixture set down for Saturday, August 16 against Essendon in Canberra.

NATHAN TAYLOR

Lachlan and Carissa Azzopardi.

Photo: Melinda Jane.

AFLW skipper Bec Beeson.

Photo: Ryan Jones/GWS Giants.

Historic clash beckons

Western Sydney showdown: Panthers within reach of Under 23s netball title

Awestern Sydney battle of the ages will take place at Ken Rosewall Arena this Sunday afternoon when Panthers Netball take on GWS Fury in the Netball NSW U23 Premier League Grand Final.

The two sides, who finished first and second on the ladder after the 18-round regular season, will go head-to-head for the second time in two weeks after the Fury pipped the Minor Premiership-winning Panthers by a point in the Qualifying Final.

The shock result saw the Panthers fight for their lives last Saturday when they played and ultimately beat the UTS Randwick Sparks to earn themselves a place in this weekend’s decider.

Speaking with the Weekender, U23 Panthers Netball coach Jenny Barsby said the agonising loss to the Fury in week one of the playoffs spurred the side to victory in last Saturday night’s must-win Preliminary Final.

“The loss on Wednesday against the Fury definitely fuelled the girls,” she said.

“That game on Saturday night against the Sparks was the best game they’ve played in a month. They just really ripped in; there was no way they were letting that game

go. The determination the girls had… they knew what was on the line… they knew they had to get it done and they just did it.”

It’s been a dominant 2025 for the

Panthers U23s, who finished Minor Premiers following a spectacular 15 win, one draw and two loss season.

Despite a shaky finish to the regular season, where they dropped two

games back-to-back, the Panthers were virtually unstoppable for much of the year.

“After working extremely hard all season, we lost two games in a row due to a bit of fatigue and sickness,” Barsby said.

“They ended up being very close games but we just couldn’t put them away.

“To come back like they have is a testament to the team they are at the moment, it’s definitely a very special group.”

The Panthers will go into this Sunday’s Grand Final at the home of the Swifts and Giants as slight favourites, with Barsby declaring her side have unfinished business against the Fury.

“They don’t want to lose to them again,” she said.

“If they go into this game the way they went into last Saturday’s Prelim, there’s no way they are going to lose it. If they can bring that same energy and determination, Fury better watch out!”

If the Panthers do manage to get past the Fury this weekend, it will be the franchise’s first Premier League title since the inaugural season back in 2016.

The Panthers U23s netball team are Grand Final-bound.

NATHAN TAYLOR

SPORTS SHORTS

WITH NATHAN TAYLOR

Cricket season just around the bend

CRICKET: The warmer months are right around the corner, with pre-season at Penrith Cricket Club officially underway at Howell Oval. Last Saturday, players in attendance were joined by current Australian Women’s Assistant Coach, Gavan Twining, who passed on his knowledge to the group on all things fielding. It’s great to see Penrith’s talented male and female cricketers soaking up Twining’s incredible knowledge and expertise. The upcoming cricket season gets underway in September.

RUGBY LEAGUE: Round 17 of NSWRL Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competitions took place last weekend. In the Ron Massey Cup, St Marys thrashed the Canterbury Bulldogs 57-4, while Penrith Brothers won a tight one over the Inner West Bulls 32-26. In the Sydney Shield, St Marys belted the Moorebank Rams 64-18, while Penrith Brothers defeated the Inner West Bulls 17-10.

RUGBY LEAGUE: The Penrith Panthers have lost back-to-back games, going down to the Illawarra Steelers 16-6 in Round 4 of the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership. The Panthers will take on the Parramatta Eels in the Battle of the West at Kellyville Park on Sunday afternoon.

EVENT: Locals are invited to attend Penrith Vallam Kali 2025, a vibrant cultural and sporting event that showcases Kerala’s traditional boat racing heritage in western Sydney. It will be held this Saturday, August 2 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. The event features traditional snake boat races, known as Vallam Kali, which symbolise teamwork, tradition and pride, rooted in Kerala’s backwater racing culture. Organised by the Penrith Malayali Koottayma, it includes cultural performances like Chenda Mellam and Theyyam, along with music shows, attracting a diverse audience. In 2024, the event saw eight teams with 160 rowers and over 800 spectators, reflecting its growing popularity. This year 11 teams are participating, including three women’s teams, with all participants being of

Indian origin. The event is aimed at bringing the spirit and excitement of Kerala’s traditional Vallam Kali (boat race) to Australian waters. On top of the racing, there will be a Tug of War competition, live Indian music and fireworks. Entry is $3 per person or $10 for a family. To book, visit www.eventbookings.com/b/event/ penrith-vallam-kali-vadam-vali-2025.

RUGBY UNION: The Penrith Emus have racked up five straight victories, too good for the Sydney Harbour Oysters 27-14 in Round 12 of the Meldrum Cup. The win puts the Emus in the coveted top four for the first time this season. Due to the Wallabies vs Lions Test in Sydney this Saturday, Penrith will enjoy this weekend off before returning to the field on Saturday, August 9 to play North Cronulla.

AFL: The GWS Giants have awoken from a sluggish start to blow away the Sydney Swans on the way to a 44-point triumph in Round 20 of the AFL competition. The Giants’ top four dream was fading as they were again slow out of the blocks on home turf and the Swans looked like the side chasing a double chance, before the hosts unleashed an incredible 11-goal blitz to clinch a 102-58 victory last Friday night at ENGIE Stadium. The only sour note out of the game was Giants skipper Toby Greene copping at one-match suspension for striking. He’ll be available to return following Thursday’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

NETBALL: Paige Hadley and the NSW Swifts have been eliminated from the Super Netball

Finals. The Swifts’ bid to reach a 14th Grand Final in 29 years fell short by the slimmest of margins after the Melbourne Vixens pulled off a stunning comeback to secure a one-goal victory in the Super Netball Preliminary Final. Despite trailing by 10 goals late in the third quarter, the Vixens held their nerve and mounted a spirited fightback, sealing a dramatic 61–60 win in a thriller at Qudos Bank Arena and book a date with West Coast Fever in the decider. Hadley’s return provided a welcome boost for the home side, offering much-needed leadership, but NSW struggled to convert attacking opportunities. It means the Swifts’ wait for an eighth Premiership will have to wait for another season at least.

AFL: The Penrith Rams have won three on the trot, smashing the North Shore Bombers 89-32 in Round 14 of the AFL Sydney Men’s Division 2 competition. Played at Greygums Oval, scores were level at the end of the first quarter before the Rams stamped their authority on the match. Mitch Stevens booted 10 goals in the blowout victory. The Rams will go up against Sydney University this Saturday afternoon at Greygums Oval. Meanwhile, the Penrith Ramettes defeated the Manly Warringah Wolves 33-10 in Round 14 of the AFL Sydney Women’s Division 2 competition. The Ramettes will take on Macquarie University this Saturday morning at Greygums Oval.

NETBALL: Sports Shorts sends its condolences to the family of popular Cambridge Park Netball Club player Nicole Noal, who passed away last weekend from a serious illness. In April, the local club held the ‘Netball For Nicole’ event, a 24-hour netball marathon which raised funds to assist Nicole and her family with the financial burden of medical treatments and other expenses. Thousands of dollars were raised with more than 100 people taking part. May she rest in peace.

GET IN TOUCH: To make a submission to ‘Sports Shorts’, email Nathan@westernweekender.com.au. You can also direct message the Weekender on Facebook or @wwpenrith on X.

Gavan Twining working with players from the Penrith Cricket Club last weekend.

Snake boat races will happen in Penrith.

Paige Hadley (left) all smiles before defeat.

Netballer Nicole Noal has passed away.

READY TO LEAD

Following her impressive first year as the team’s skipper, 2024 Gabrielle Trainor Medallist Bec Beeson will once again lead the GWS Giants’ AFLW team this upcoming season.

Beeson thrived in her role as captain, with the midfielder’s ninth season in the

competition her best-to-date, also taking out the Jacinda Barclay Fearless Award, voted by her teammates for her courage and selflessness.

“We’re ecstatic to once again have Bec leading our W side this season and congratulate her on her appointment as captain,” Executive GM of AFLW & Football Operations, Alison Zell said.

“It’s a testament of her leadership and character on and off the field to have Bec almost unanimously voted in again by her teammates and staff within the program and we look forward to watching her build on the incredible season she delivered in her role in 2025.”

The Giants’ leadership is unchanged in 2025, with Beeson accompanied by Tarni

Evans, Alyce Parker and Katherine Smith as her vice-captains.

Cambridge McCormick has also been recognised as an emerging leader and will take on added leadership responsibility, working closely with the official leadership group across the season.

Story continues on » p. 85

NATHAN TAYLOR