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

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

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

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

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

I’VE only been in this job for about three months now but I’ve almost learnt more on the job in these last three months than in the last three years of uni. Now I’m not saying uni was a waste and I didn’t learn anything but what I am saying is being on the ground, shuffling through the journos at press conferences, working on sources and building relationships within the community is a powerful learning experience. Taking stock of the last three months I’ve spoken to politici

RARELY do I come across things that make my blood boil, but boil it did last week when I read about Cecil the lion from Zimbabwe. A dentist from Minnesota, USA has been named and shamed for paying to have the collared lion lured out of his enclosure, and subsequently hunted down and hit with a bow and arrow. Some 40 hours after Cecil was wounded, this despicable creature shot, skinned and beheaded him and posed for his "trophy" photos. He has been bombarded by animal activis