#WesternSydney

Keegan Thomson

Jan 13, 2017
2 min

From the assistant editor's desk

IF you ask me what is one of the main characteristics and ethics that define what is Australia I’d have to say it would be hard work. From the get go all our northern hemisphere convict ancestors were told to go and dig this and build that and plant this and it was all in the heat of summer. It must have been a bit of a shock to the system coming from Mother England where a hot Summer day’s temperature would be around a balmy 26 degrees, but they got on with the job. In the

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Keegan Thomson

Nov 22, 2016
2 min

Penrith: Sydney’s trendiest destination

TRENDY is not a word you would have used to describe Penrith ten years ago, but with the rising population and the access to affordable housing the CBD is moving with the times and a lot of people are saying the swing is back in Penrith. Across the last 18 months Penrith has been reinvigorated by a number of trendy, city-style cafes, restaurants and bars setting up shop around High and Henry streets in the CBD. Gai Hawthorn, CEO of Penrith CBD Corporation, said it has been a

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Keegan Thomson

Nov 22, 2016
2 min

Firebugs: why on earth do they do this?

ALTHOUGH we’re only on the cusp of Summer, there has already been a series of emergency-level bushfires in the local region, with at least one of them being deliberately lit by an arsonist. A few weeks ago a 16 year old boy was arrested in connection with a large bushfire in Llandilo that damaged a number of properties and threatened livestock. This last fire in Llandilo is part of an increasing trend in which young people, mainly boys, have been allegedly caught deliberately

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Keegan Thomson

Nov 21, 2016
2 min

The politicians are not happy

SYDNEY’s second airport at Badgerys Creek has been given the green light from the Turnbull government but there are plenty of politicians across western Sydney who’re expressing their concerns over the handling of the process. Speaking on behalf of the Blacktown city council, mayor Stephen Bali said the federal government has the same ethics as a shonky developer. “Approving an airport environmental impact statement without flight paths is like approving a house without a roo

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Keegan Thomson

Oct 7, 2016
2 min

Real Festival: Put it in your calendar

THE banks of the Nepean River will transform into a hive of activity when the inaugural River, environment, Art and Lifestyle (Real) launches. Real Festival will be a two-day celebration of tasty and exciting food, live music, art and mindful living. This two-day festival is one one of the biggest multi-day events to grace the shores of the Nepean River. Penrith’s new Mayor Councillor John Thain said it will be a delight to see the Nepean River come alive in this way. “Our co

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Keegan Thomson

Oct 4, 2016
2 min

Snakes slither into spring

WITH the warm start to Spring, snakes are waking up early for their winter hibernations and we’re all being warned to be on the look out. Freya Cade, from Australian Snake Catchers, says we’re now at peak snake time. “We’re now at the start of snake season, Spring is their breeding season, so you can expect to see a few more snakes about,” Ms Kade said. “The weather has been helping, with all the rain followed by drier weather making the snakes more active,” she said. Ms Kade

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Western Sydney schools at breaking point

Keegan Thomson

Sep 28, 2016
2 min

Western Sydney schools at breaking point

THE Baird Government is failing to provide the classrooms needed for western Sydney’s population growth according to the State Opposition. New data obtained by the NSW Opposition under a freedom of information request revealed a third of NSW classrooms have either reached or are well above capacity. In Blacktown the most overcrowded schools are Coreen Public School at Blacktown (110 per cent capacity), William Rose School (107 per cent capacity) at Seven Hills and Blacktown S

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Cancer Council warn of invisible dangers

Keegan Thomson

Sep 26, 2016
2 min

Cancer Council warn of invisible dangers

SPRING has arrived and western Sydney residents are being reminded to be sun smart after the Cancer Council released a survey that showed more than a third of NSW adults are still confused about what causes sunburn. The survey found 35 per cent of adults do not realise UV radiation is the only cause of sunburn, mistakenly claiming temperature, cloud cover, wind or humidity as useful measures of sunburn risk. Cancer Council’s Greater Western Sydney Community Engagement Manager

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Family business of 40 years shattered by greyhound ban

Keegan Thomson

Sep 13, 2016
2 min

Family business of 40 years shattered by greyhound ban

A LOCAL family-owned business of 40 years will likely be forced to close after Premier Mike Baird passed a bill to shut down the New South Wales greyhound racing industry. Brett Chambers, who has owned Farra Pet Foods in Penrith, says all his work has gone to waste because of the government’s decision. “All the hard work, all the blood and sweat that goes along with working for a family business for the last 40 years is now gone,” Mr Chambers said. “If the business closed bec

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Keegan Thomson

Sep 12, 2016
3 min

A day in the life of... a zookeeper

IMAGINE if your job involved the management of around 100 full time workers and the care of more than 1700 full time animals, well that is what zookeeper Chad Staples, the Director of Life Sciences, does at Featherdale wildlife Park. Zookeeper Chad is the head zookeeper at Featherdale and oversees the round the clock care of all the animals housed, born, cared for and bred at the wildlife park in western Sydney. with so much action going on he said, “this job is with you 24 h

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Get ready for bushfire season this weekend

Keegan Thomson

Sep 8, 2016
2 min

Get ready for bushfire season this weekend

BUSH FIRE season is upon us and western Sydney residents are being urged to prepare now before it is too late. “All residents across NSW need to be prepared for the bush fire season,” NSW Rural Fire service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Western News. To help with preparation and to remind people what they can do to protect their homes the RFS is holding a special Get Ready weekend, with Commissioner Fitzsimmons saying bush fire preparation is easier than you might think

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M4 Toll to cost users thousands of dollars a year

Keegan Thomson

Sep 8, 2016
2 min

M4 Toll to cost users thousands of dollars a year

MEMBER for Blacktown, John Robertson says western Sydney commuters could be slogged an extra $45 a week when the tolls on the M4 and WestConnex are switched on early next year. “Families travelling from Blacktown can’t afford an extra $45 a week in tolls,” Mr Robertson said. “The people of Blacktown shouldn’t be forced to pay to drive on roads that have already been paid for over a decade ago,” the former Opposition Leader said. A toll at $45 a week could cost a household an

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Kerrie Davies

Sep 8, 2016
2 min

From the Editor's desk

EVERY now and then you come across someone who is so truly inspirational that they touch your heart in a way that makes you feel proud to be part of the human race. Ann Willmington, wife of Wayne Willmington, mother of Clare (25) and Jack (16) from Vintage FM is one such person. Ann was diagnosed with a brain tumour eight years ago that very nearly claimed her life. Given just a ten per cent chance of survival, Ann underwent a six-hour operation to have it removed - and defie

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Tricia Hitchen vows to continue her fight

Keegan Thomson

Sep 6, 2016
1 min

Tricia Hitchen vows to continue her fight

LIBERAL Candidate for East Ward, Cr Tricia Hitchen promised the over- development of Oxley Park would be on her agenda if she’s reelected into the Penrith City Council. “My main concern is the over- development of Oxley Park and particularly the the lack of car parking and the influx of rubbish in the area,” Cr Hitchen said. “When I’ve been out letterbox dropping and door-knocking and the biggest response I get from residents is about the plans for the Oxley Park area,” she s

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Keegan Thomson

Aug 31, 2016
3 min

Penrith Council roundup

Park designed by children gets green light A TEAM of school students have planned out and designed a new playground at Chapman Gardens in Kingswood which will be revitalised with new equipment, seats, pathways and handball courts. Twenty students aged 9 to 11 from Kingswood Public School were involved in the council backed initiative, which involved five workshops through which they shared their individual thoughts and hopes for the playground. Councillor Greg Davies offered

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Keegan Thomson

Aug 31, 2016
2 min

More commuter woes for Penrith

COMMUTERS at Penrith train station now have another struggle to add to the rush hour commute after Transport for NSW changed a long standing 15 minute pick up point into a taxi zone. The drop off and pick up zone out the front of Penrith station on Jane Street, used by commuters and parents picking up and dropping off children, has been changed from a 15 minute parking zone to a taxi zone. The changes have angered Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown. “We made other suggestions to Tra

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Keegan Thomson

Aug 22, 2016
2 min

From the assistant editor's desk

THIS last week, whilst Kerrie was sipping cocktails in Bali, I was sitting at the Assistant Editor’s desk. The Assistant Editor’s desk really isn’t anything different, in fact it is the same desk that i normally sit at, but that is besides the point. I feel very lucky to be working as part of a team who trusts me in this role - even though i’ve only been in the job since April. Working for an independent paper I realise how important independent media is in Australia, a count

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Driving for a cause, Convoy for kids celebrates 25 years

Jarrod McGrouther

Aug 17, 2016
3 min

Driving for a cause, Convoy for kids celebrates 25 years

Photo Credit: convoyforkids.com.au One of the most precious commodities in life are our children. Interesting, funny, rewarding, at times irritating, children bring so much joy but also pose many challenges to parents, often times in ways that the brochures didn’t explain. When our children fall ill, it can be one of the most critical times to get things done right, and with the help of organisations like ‘Convoy for Kids,’ Australian children continue to remain in good hands

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Keegan Thomson

Jul 15, 2016
2 min

Funding boost for Muru Mittigar

THE state government has announced a much needed funding injection for the Muru Mittigar Aboriginal cultural centre. Announced by NSW state government, Muru Mittigar will receive a $25,000 funding boost to help create equality in the workforce. Peter Chia, the CEO of Muru Mittigar said the funding was very good news. “This means good things. We will take this money and use it to help empower women in the workplace, particularly Aboriginal women,” he said. According to Mr Chia

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Kerrie Davies

Jul 8, 2016
3 min

C’mon let’s go for Broke!

OKAY listen up peeps, as I have a story here that should interest every movie-goer that has any ounce of Penrith pride running through their veins, and your help is needed! One of our own Penrith lads, Heath Davis, has made a movie that will take the world by storm. I’ve seen it and it is an absolute cracker of a film. The movie, titled Broke, played at the Glenbrook Cinema last month and I can tell you that it caught myself and the packed audience by surprise that a local fe

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