WSBA - October 2022

WESTERN SYDNEY’S FUTURE?

The PM wants “experts” to decide

PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese will call on the experts to review and report on Western Sydney’s infrastructure programs in the future. Mr Albanese believes his new Expert Panel will “take the politics out of planning”. “It will review and report exclusively on the region’s infrastructure projects.” Mr Albanese was speaking at the Western Sydney Leadership Dia logue lunch attended by 700 senior government, business, industry, ac ademic and community leaders. The panel was a new initiative by PM but just what constituted an expert was not explained by Mr Albanese and he also failed to explain how it would be selected, who would make the selection and who the Panel would report to in the fu ture. More, page 2.

Blacktown Workers

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

terms of trade outlined by the publisher.

Riders go WYLDE

Western Sydney’s NEW BMX HUB

WESTERN Sydney will be home to the largest mountain bike and BMX hub in the country with the re-opening of the 86-hectare state-of-the-art Wylde facility this week end.

Minister for Cities, Infrastructure and Active Transport, Rob Stokes said the community will have access to 15 kilometres of bushland trails, a kids loop, a new BMX racetrack and the southern hemisphere’s biggest pump track.

“Whether you are young, young-atheart, a beginner or an advanced rider, there really is something for everyone to enjoy at this one-of-a-kind facility,” Mr Stokes said.

“This is a great way for people to get out on their bikes, experience the thrills of riding the trails and get their hearts pumping which is good for wellbeing, the environment and family budgets.

“The entire region will see the benefits of Wylde as it becomes a major biking hub and attract tens of thousands of avid riders from all over the country.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said Western Sydney Parklands, the home of the Wylde biking hub, is the green heart of the growing western Sydney region.

“Major recreational facilities like Wylde give people more active places to enjoy the outdoors. The people of west ern Sydney now have the benefit of this impressive facility, the largest of its kind

in Australia, right on their doorstep,” Ms Davies said.

Wylde Mountain Bike and BMX will officially open on Sunday 28 August.

The $13.5M facility was funded and delivered by the NSW Government’s M12 Motorway project with a $500,000 funding contribution by Liverpool City Council. It will also be the new home of the Western Sydney BMX Club.

Western Sydney Parklands spans 27 kilometres and offers more than 5,000 hectares of green space for both recre ation and biodiversity conservation, including more than 60 kilometres of tracks and trails.

Bivianos

The

Feeling right at home.

Growing with Google training.

Story of veiled rebellion.

Pump track opens in Liverpool

Promising a ‘wheelie’ good time

LIVERPOOL residents and visitors are in for a ‘wheelie’ good time with the opening of one of the biggest pump tracks in Australia, as part of a $2.2 million modernisation at Schoeffel Park, Horningsea Park.

“We’re excited to open Schoeffel Park to our community. The pump track will be a popular attraction and add another dimension to having a great day at the park,” said Mayor of Liverpool Ned Mannoun.

Pump tracks enable wheeled sports equipment like BMX and mountain bikes to be used without pedalling or pushing and are an innovative and inclusive amen ity in modern parks.

Building a pump track puts Liverpool in the forefront of providing the latest recreational amenities for residents of all

ages to enjoy.

Key elements in the redevelopment of Schoef fel Park includes:

• Family picnic areas with table settings and shelter.

• Imaginative children’s play area.

• Exercise fitness equip ment.

• Open space for com munity events.

“Liverpool continues to grow and evolve into a destination of leisure and recreation for not just those locally but across Sydney. I can already envisage all the BMX and mountain bike enthusiasts from all over Greater Sydney that will be

visiting to give these unbelievable new facilities a go,”

“Schoeffel Park has been transformed into a formal parkland aesthetic that will

cater to the diverse needs of the local community of Horningsea Park well into the future,” said Mayor Man noun.

The high-quality recre ational venue received $1.4 million in funding under the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Pro gram to fast-track its delivery.

The LRCI Program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

New system for demerit points

REGISTERED heavy vehicle opera tors can now access their drivers’ de merit points balance, allowing them to better manage driver behaviour and improve road safety.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Liberal and Nationals Government was committed

to making NSW roads the safest in the country and reducing the number of crashes involving heavy vehicles is critical to achieving this goal.

“Transport for NSW has worked closely with the heavy vehicle industry and listened to their calls for a clearer system to help both operators and drivers

carry out their work safely,” Mr Farraway said.

“Giving operators access to their driv ers’ demerit points record will allow them to identify and work with their drivers to address potential safety issues early.

An operator must receive driver consent before accessing their drivers’

demerit points record. Providing consent to the release of personal information is voluntary.

To find out more about HVOSIP, please visit https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/ business-industry/heavy-vehicles/schemesprograms/hvosip.html

Mayor Ned Mannoun and Deputy Mayor Karress Rhodes along with local community members cutting the ribbon at Schoeffel Park.

New SES campaign is six languages

ANEW public information campaign focused on diverse communities in flood-prone areas has been launched by the NSW State Emer gency Service (SES).

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recov ery Steph Cooke said the new messaging includes video content and covers social media, radio and multicultural communi ty newspapers.

“The campaign has been developed in the six languages of Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin and Punjabi to help culturally and linguistically diverse communities around the Hawkes bury-Nepean Valley understand what to do in the event of a flood,” Ms Cooke said.

“It’s important people in flood-prone areas understand SES advice so they’re aware of the dangers of severe weather events and are ready to respond when flooding does occur.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the campaign was another

example of the NSW Govern ment’s commitment to ensuring everyone has access to import ant information.

“As a multicultural society, it’s crucial we provide clear and concise information about what they should do in an emergency, which ultimately helps them become more resilient,” Mr Coure said.

The campaign’s key messages include:

• It’s not safe to stay at home when subject to an evacua tion order;

• It’s not safe to drive through floodwater;

• It’s important to listen to SES warnings and keep up to date with advice; and

• Know how to prepare an emergen cy ‘get ready to go’ kit.

SES Commissioner Carlene York said the campaign covers a variety of media

channels to keep people safe.

“This campaign is really important to target locals in the Hawkesbury-Ne pean Valley who speak languages other than English, and some of whom have experienced multiple floods in the past

18 months,” Commissioner York said.

“It’s great we now have tailored content in multiple languages so that it is as accessible and relevant as possible. This is just one of the steps we have taken to communicate how to prepare and keep safe during a flood.”

This campaign builds on previous public information campaigns delivered to communities in the Hawkes bury-Nepean Valley in 2019, 2020 and 2021, and is being delivered under the Hawkes bury-Nepean Valley Flood Risk Management Strategy coordinated by Infrastructure NSW.

More information is available at www.ses.nsw. gov.au/languages and www.ses.nsw.gov.au/ yourfloodplan.

Rate peg welcomed, methodology questioned

WESTERN Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has welcomed the announcement by the Indepen dent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) that it has set its 2023-24 coun cil rate peg at 3.7% — but is challenging IPART to re-examine the methodology it

employs to calculate the financial needs of councils.

WSROC is the peak body repre senting councils in the Greater Western Sydney region.

WSROC President, Councillor Barry Calvert, said: “With the current annual inflation rate now at nearly 7.0 per cent,

the 3.7 per cent cap represents a decrease in real spending power at precisely the time when Western Sydney councils are dealing with the aftermath of COVID, bushfires and the recent unprecedented floods crisis.

“While Western Sydney councils are determined to keep rates as low as

possible, we are also required to deliver services and infrastructure that our com munities expect and deserve.”

“The 3.7 per cent cap, announced on 29 September, while above the usual cap of about 2.28 per cent, comes immedi ately after an historically low 0.7 per cent increase for 2022-23.”

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LEE USSHER

About Lee Ussher

Lee has been a seasoned professional speaker, trainer & media commentator since 2008. In 2010 Lee cofounded a brand management agency Buzz Web Media, and recently a business communications hub software Focal.Contact, to support her consulting services.

With a desire to help others shine online, she has created networks & programs to support niche industries grow. As a female founder and advocate for women in business, she founded Women With Wit (2013), an online media platform supporting & socially connecting women content creators. As an ex teacher she founded SER4KIDS (2009), an online platform supporting teachers, professionals & parents within the education sector.

Lee’s passion to share her vast experience and knowledge is also very evident in her active roles as Grow with Google trainer, Mentor for Federal Govt’s Female Founders Initiative, Resident Expert for UNE’s Smart Regional Incubator, and Advisor to Industry Schools Partnership ‘Inspiring The Future’.

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Blacktown Workers Club Ballroom, Level 1.

Commencing at 11:15am sharp, concluding at 12 noon.

Celebrating Our Growth

PM wants an expert panel to determine West’s future

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

PRIME Minister Anthony Albanese will call on the ‘experts’ to review and report on Western Sydney’s infra structure programs in the future.

Mr Albanese believes his new Expert Panel will “take the politics out of plan ning”.

“It will review and report exclusively on the region’s infrastructure projects.” Mr Albanese was speaking at the West ern Sydney Leadership Dialogue lunch attended by 700 senior government, business, industry, academic and commu nity leaders.

The panel was a new initiative by PM but just what constituted an ‘expert’ was not explained by Mr Albanese and he also failed to explain how it would be selected, who would make the selection and who the Panel would report to in the future.

Western Sydney is Australia’s boom town and the introduction of a Panel with vision and the ability to progress the region is a good idea providing it is not compromised by those with personal agendas.

However, so often Government Panels become a quagmire of personal and political agendas and our advice is to select people who have no history of negativity. They also need to be Western Sydney residents with actual planning and business experience.

“We need to better plan our infra structure. We need to take flood and other extreme weather events into account when planning infrastructure investments,” Mr Albanese said.

“That’s why at the last election we committed to investing in planning and preparatory works for the Castlereagh Connection, a project I know the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has champi oned for a long time.”

SBS MOVING WEST

The Prime Minister also announced the Government was a step closer to relocating SBS to Western Sydney. The announcement was welcomed by Dia logue Chairman Christopher Brown who has long campaigned for the move.

“It’s time to move SBS from monocul tural Artarmon to multicultural Western Sydney to drive creative industry jobs,” Mr Brown said.

“This is a long overdue move that will help redress the cultural imbalance that exists between the east and west, and I congratulate the Government on progressing this significant investment in Western Sydney’s communities.”

Joined at the event by Federal Minis ter for Communications, Michelle Row land and Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, Mr Albanese announced the government had commissioned the long-awaited feasibility study to move the government-funded broadcaster.

“It certainly makes sense for such

a fast-growing, multicultural community to be the home of the broadcaster that celebrates and serves Australia’s diversity,” Mr Albanese said.

“It would be an important cultural investment in Western Sydney and a creator of construction jobs.

PASSION FOR THE AIRPORT

“The diversity of Western Sydney is a local treasure – and it is also a national asset. It enriches our cultural life – and it drives our economic growth.”

Mr Brown said it was an honor to host the Prime Minister in Western Sydney and hear his vision for the region’s future.

“Mr Albanese has a long and proud association with the West, and he knows the issues this region faces,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Albanese highlighted the work being carried out to complete the “trans

formational”

Western Sydney Airport, which he described as a per sonal long-stand ing passion.

“Of course, there’s no point building a new airport without making it easy for people to get there,”

Mr Albanese said.

“That’s why I’ve always been a big supporter of the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport rail line, which we’re delivering as part of the Western Sydney City Deal. I’m proud our Federal Govern ment is contributing $5.25B to the Metro.

ASPIRATIONAL WEST

“This will be a game-changer for the new Western Parkland City and the Aerotropolis surrounding the airport –connecting residents with jobs, education and training, services, goods and mar kets.”

Mr Albanese described Western Syd ney as young, talented and aspirational.

“It’s growing at an extraordinary rate – more people live here in the Greater Western Sydney area than in Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart and Darwin combined.

“We can and should celebrate this growth – but we also need to respond to it, to plan for it, to seize the economic opportunities it represents.”

“Good infrastructure is central to this. We invest in infrastructure because we know it powers productivity, it supports growing communities, it creates jobs, it rewards aspiration. It boosts access to services and it improves quality of life.”

UNI CHANCELLOR HONOR

Outgoing Western Sydney University (WSU) Chairman, Chancellor Peter Shergold was honored at the event for his highly respected career in academia and Australian public life spanning more than 30 years, including serving as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2003–2008.

Professor Shergold, who is also a Dialogue Patron, was appointed as WSU Chancellor in 2011, and will step down from the role later this year. He was pre sented with the Pemulwuy Prize, which was celebrated by the Prime Minister.

“I know Western Sydney is proud to be home to the largest urban popu lation of Aboriginal people, the latest generation of those who have cared for these lands and waters for 60,000 years, including Pemulwuy, who led a resis tance against British settlers during the Frontier Wars, including a significant confrontation in Parramatta,” Mr Alba nese said.

“It’s fitting you remember him today with the Pemulwuy Prize.”

DIALOGUE SUPPORT

At the event, the Prime Minister was presented with a letter pledging support from the Dialogue’s 70 influential part ners for the proposed referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Chris BrownAlthony Albenese

Artist impressions of Western Sydney Airport.

Making you feel Right at Home

RIGHT at Home Sydney Parramatta is your local, quality, in-home aged care, and disability support provider, providing care and support that al lows their clients to remain safe and inde pendent in their own homes.

Right at Home Sydney Parramatta is the newest of Right at Home’s 12 offices in Sydney and one of Right at Home’s 41 offices nationally.

Right at Home Sydney Parramatta serves clients from Parramatta, Gray stanes, Constitution Hill, May’s Hill, Pemulway, Pendle Hill, Wentworthville and Westmead to Merrylands, Smithfield, Wetherill Park, Woodpark, Bossley Park, Abbotsbury, Greenfield Park, St John’s Park, Wakeley, Prairiewood and Bonny rigg to name a few.

The office is locally owned and run

by Asha Patel who is an experienced assistant nurse and business manager aiming to provide her community with the best in-home care services, when and where they need them.

Asha explains the care difference clients experience with Right at Home: “Right at Home’s mission is ‘to im prove the quality of life for those we serve’TM. At Right at Home, our cli ents, their families, and our caregivers are at the centre of everything we do.”

At Right at Home Sydney Parramat ta, you can expect exceptional, 24/7 customer service, 365-days a year.

Right at Home offers free in-home consultations and care planning as well as free support navigating the govern ment-funded Home Care Packages.

Right at Home is an Approved

Home Care Package Provider for levels 1 to 4 and can offer plan and self-man aged support to NDIS participants, as well as care and support for private pay clients.

Right at Home do not charge ad ministration fees for government fund ed clients and do not charge subscrip tion or exit fees, which means Right at Home clients get more care hours for their budget.

Asha understands that care deci sions for you and your loved ones are important. “We believe in the RightAp proachTM, so we carefully match our carers and support workers to our cli

ents and participants as per availability.

A personal introduction to your carer or support worker helps to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable prior to the start of your service. Our caregiv ers are highly trained, screened and in sured prior to entering a client’s home.

Planning and organising the right home care services for your loved ones can be a daunting task, so why not let the Right at Home Sydney Parramatta team of highly trained staff guide you during this time of inevitable change.

Right at Home Sydney Parramatta – 02 8613 3022 or email at care.sp@rightathome.com.au

COMMUNITY Migrant Resource Centre’s CEO Melissa Monteiro is Chairperson of SCOA (Settlement Council of Australia).

In late August she chaired a National Roundtable in Canberra with the incom ing Federal Minister for Immigration, Andrew Giles.

Over a hundred settlement delegates from around the country discussed robust and responsive immigration pathways and post-arrival support in the wake of expanding humanitarian crisis’ across Ukraine and Afghanistan.

The settlement sector awaits decisions on future investment across the country, with a skilled workforce across organiza tions operating for over 40 years and keen to remain at the frontline serving those ar riving here post conflict and persecution.

Minister Giles talked of Labour being a “Government for all Australia, no matter where you live.” He acknowledged the challenges in regional Australia and ad mitted Government “could do better.”

Upon arriving at Parliament House after a long period, it is easy to downplay how intimidating the building is.

Back in August, no one would have guessed that the Head of State, Queen Elizabeth the Second, was soon to pass and pull down the curtain on a reign of

In

Story of VEILED REBELLION

such magnitude.

As we usher in a monarchy with a King in the seat of power, it is interesting to see that one of the countries that did not receive an invitation to the Queen’s funeral has again found itself in the spot light in its human rights record when it comes to women’s rights - Iran.

A young Kurdish girl called Mahsa Amini was visiting Tehran with her broth er on September 13, when she has been detained and died three days later.

Protests have broken out on the streets of Iran, and across the Iranian diaspora in Australia, USA, Canada and the UK.

One of CMRC’s frontline staff is Para stoo Khosronejad, who has helped shed light on what has happened.

“The Komitehi which means the Mo rality Police in Farsi, started within two years after the revolution of 1978. The Shah of Iran was removed and the Islamic Republic began. Before our country was a kingdom and women had freedoms the same as any other woman around the world. “

It appears Mahsa was stopped by the Morality Police as her headscarf was loose on her head and some of her hair was exposed. For that, she was detained.

How can this happen?

Her brother was later told his 22-yearold sister had died from a heart attack. So how can a woman who was veiled, still be guilty of a crime.

“This why so many people left the country they love. The Morality Police monitor everything. Veils must be tightly wrapped around the head. We are only al lowed to wear three colours- black, brown or navy. Men and women must travel separately. Only a man can divorce his wife, not the other way around. If there is divorce, only men are allowed custody of their children. Homosexuality is illegal.

“And women are not allowed to ever sing or dance in public, only at home with female company.“

Iran is a police state where people disappear without a trial or judicial

processes. An Australian Professor was released last year after two years detention without trial.

Parastoo left Iran in 1999 with her parents. Her mother was a teacher and was harassed daily. “One year she tried to teach the students the song Jingle Bells and was warned never to do that and the religious police took over the class. On the radio and TV, you hardly heard the voice of a woman.”

Iranians are a sizeable community across metropolitan Sydney. Many are closely linked with Syrian and Armenians communities. Their language is Persian / Farsi.

It will not take you long to discover the number of Iranians running restau rants across Western Sydney, Chatswood and Ryde.

Since the revolution, the numbers migrating have increased tenfold. “Many newly arrived Iranians are here through the formal Humanitarian Program. Most are of the Baahi faith and others have been granted refugee visas as they are homosexual.

But there are thousands escaping

Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC)

is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation established in 1996 CMRC is a leader in the provision of specialised support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants.

CMRC works within a community capacity building framework to encourage individuals and multicultural communities to identify and address their own issues. It works in collaborative partnerships with a great number of agencies to provide services which have both an immediate and long term benefit for the community.

employs over 60 full time, part-time and casual multi-lingual

Paramatta

Monday

Community Hub

and many have arrived around the year 2013 as they fled by boat from Turkey or Malaysia. Others tried to borrow $20, 000 so they can secure student visas to come here.”

The diaspora here are organizing a number of candle lit vigils as a sign of solidarity with their sisters overseas.

Rallies have been held across Sydney and in Canberra on 27 September over a thousand people protested on the lawn outside Parliament House. Some were cutting their hair, others burning their veils.

Most are seeking a response from the Australian Federal Government. A rally ing cry for a country where basic human rights are denied all women.

Yet another reason why the democrat ic processes in this country, have led us to support a humanitarian migration pro gram which allows those to escape a life of oppression or even a death sentence.

Priscella Mabor is Inclusion Strategy & Innovations Manager at the Community Migrant Resource Centre. Visit: www. cmrc.com.au

A woman cuts her hair during a demonstration in front of the Iranian embassy in Brussels, Belgium following the death of Mahsa Amini.

Melissa Monteiro.

Biviano’s makes three charities happy

First charity event in two years

BIVIANO’S at Dural raised more than $30,000 for three charities at its first gala fund-raising event in two years.

The event, held in August at the premier fine dining restaurant, was at tended by community leaders, volunteers and supporters.

It was the first time since Covid restrictions hit two years ago that Bivia no’shas been able to hold its gala event, which this year raised funds for Foster Care Angels, Riding for the Disabled NSW (Tall Timbers Centre) and The Grace Centre for Intensive Care at West mead Children’s Hospital.

Special guests included Julian Leeser MP, Federal Member for Berowra; Hills Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi; Michael Edger Hills GM; Hills Police Commander Supt Darrin Batchelor; newly elected President of the NSW Liberal Party Maria Kovacic, Hornsby Mayor Philip Ruddock; former Hills Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne and the Presidents of both the Sydney Hills Busi ness Chamber and the Dural Business Chamber.

Speakers on the night urged diners to dig deep for the three charities which had been unable to fundraise during COVID.

Owner Raj Kumar said the event was about connecting the community with the work of charities which it has done since 2016.

“The reasons this charity event is unique is due to the strong advertising and promotion campaigns for six months, before and after the event, plus connect ing these charities with our VIP and distinguished guests plus fundraising on the night. It is about having lots of fun,” he said.

This year 225 VIP guests enjoyed a 4-course silver-service dining experience plus special live entertainment with opera singer Marianna Poghosyan and Robert Kubiak and dancing late into the night.

Since the first gala dinner in 2016, Biviano’s has raised nearly $300,000 and has also worked to raise the profile of all the charities it has supported.

Kelly Doyle from Foster Care Angels said: “We are so grateful to Bivianos for supporting us once again. Much needed funds were raised and we were able to share our work and make connections

with the Hills community. We also received interest and support for our Annual Christmas Drive, supporting chil dren living in hotels which was a bonus... we can’t thank Mag, Raj and the team enough.”

Nicole King from Riding for Disabled said: “It costs $1200 a year to run the pro gram for one rider and on top of that we have the cost of feeding each horse and maintaining the facilities. The gala event was a great opportunity to showcase to the community how we make a difference to our participants and we are so grateful

for the money raised which will enable us to continue providing our programs.”

Jeena Joyan, Westmead Children’s Hospital fundraising manager, said it was a “wonderful” fundraising effort by the Biviano’s team.

Images from the charity gala event.

Road to Resilience

WEXPO has a range of workshops and special presentations to enable success in life and business AND, best of all, they are FREE. Come along to Blacktown Workers Club on October 24 from 9am. More than 70 stalls to visit and engage with.

FREE Workshops

9am - Wattle Room

Digital Ecosystems Era: Protecting your business assets

Katherine Hawes

Principal Solicitor – Digital Age Lawyers

9am - Waratah Room

Sport Builds A City’s Identity

Bob Turner

Chairman, Squadnet Executive Chairman, Blacktown City FC

9.45am - Wattle Room

The Perfect Pitch

Sarah Bauling Perfect Pitch Guru Professional Speaking Coach

10.30am - Wattle Room

ACU Blacktown opportunities for collaboration

Paul Campbell Deputy COO & Director, ACU

10.30am - Waratah Room

Mastering the Ten Success Pillars of Starting your new business

Emmanuel Martin BREED Australia

11am - Waratah Room

Can your business benefit from the Research & Development Tax Incentive

Cristina Lee

General Manager - TechAbstract

1.30pm - Waratah Room

How to find $50,000 in 45 minutes or less in any business

Charles Barnard

CEO – The Growth Engineer

2.15pm - Wattle Room

The world of work has changed. So have the expectations of workers.

Simone Rennocks

CEO – My Skills Australia

3pm - Waratah Room

7 Steps to Small Business Marketing Success

Stacy Farrell

Founder & Visual Enthusiast – Content Box

3.45pm - Waratah Room

How to Transform Your Business to Survive and Thrive

Eric Tjoeng

CEO, Business Growth & Exit Specialists Pty Ltd

4.30pm - Wattle Room

How PR dictates the news cycle, Marketing Basics

Josie Gagliano

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4.30pm - Waratah Room Marketing Basics

Bob Croft

EZMARKETING

Billy’s authentic taste of Greece

THE authentic taste of Greece with the feel of sitting in the Greek islands lapping up the laid-back atmosphere of that unique area, are just two of the delights to be enjoyed at Billy the Greek’s famous restaurant in Dural.

Local and visiting food lovers are crazy about the great food handcrafted by Billy and his team.

Located at 2/506 Old Northern Rd, the restaurant could just as easily be located on the daunting heights of Santorini or a quiet village on Mykonos such as Chora on Ano Mera.

For more than 20 years now, Billy Diacos has been serving up extraordinarily flavorsome Greek specialities to locals and visitors from further afield.

Billy’s offers lunch, dinner and banquet style dining as well as a takeaway menu. The dinner menu is a real treat for Billy’s guests.

After gliding through tasty Starters and Entrees created by Billy, the delights of the main courses produce challenging deci sions for the dining guest.

“Should I choose the ocean for my choice and savior the taste of Billy’s unique Seafood Hotpot or prawns served in a variety of styles?”

“Or should I go for the Farm produce and enjoy Lamb, Beef or Chicken served in

a variety of Greek styles?”

Whatever your choice, no traditional Grecian feast is complete without the won derful desserts which complete this Greek gourmet journey.

Baklava or the soft textures of Galakto boureko are just two of the Menu high lights.

Billy’s Lunch Menu holds similar delights for the guest, with a wide choice of traditional Greek styles in seafood, lamb, poultry and beef.

The restaurant is open six days per week and is closed on Mondays.

“We look forward to welcoming you for some delicious Mediterranean food, whether it’s with friends, family or that special someone. We can’t wait to show you just how delicious Greek food can be –swing by and see us soon,” Billy said.

Details: www.billythegreek.org

Phone: 0296513933

show

how

Greek food can be!

BILLY

BILLY

Living up to being

HONEST Indian provides fresh food of the highest quality from its Bella Vis ta base, living up to the name ‘Honest’.

Since humble beginnings as a family-run-street cart in 1975, the 'Honest' brand finally opened it's door in Sydney on March 28, 2021.

“We offer fresh food by us ing high quality vegetables and spices,” Owner Vikram said.

“All preparations are made from scratch daily, no frozen items are used in our Kitchen and we make sure no food colors and artificial flavorings are used in our recipes.”

He said the Honest brand had moved from generation to generation with just the ideol ogy to understand the demand of the customer and relatively alter the products for a better customer satisfaction.

“We welcome all in our community to try our Vegetarian delicacies which include our signature dish Bhaji Paav and

Tawa Pulav which Honest is famous for,” Vikram said.

‘Honest Restaurant is all about sim

plicity, honesty, transparency, trust, faith and loyalty. We are dedicated to serving real, fresh, quality and Healthy food which is free from adulteration,” Vikram said.

“We hold our values to high standards

for you to serve you and your loved ones healthy, quality, fresh food with good taste,” he said.

123/14 Lexington Dr, Bella Vista. Phone: 0478 617 498

The great cuisine of Honest Indian.

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D r Va le nt ine Mukur i a Pa r tn ers h ip towa rds inn ovati ve soci a l e nt rep reneurshi p o pp o r t unities in Black town .

An ove r v i e w of ACU Black tow n ’ s campu s lo c at i o n s, p ro grams a n d exp a nsio n aspir a t io ns will be p resen te d.

A CU Bla c k to w n seeks st r on ger pa r tnersh i p w i th i ndust r y t o establ i sh and del i v e r m o r e in n o v at i v e (so c i a l) ent rep reneu r shi p m o dels t h at will c h a r t a pat h t o eco n omi c pe r fo r ma n ce and s o cial p ro g ress i n Bl a ck to w n o v er the n e x t decad e

L ee U ssher - Q & A S essi o n M axi m ising d i g ital m edia an d G oogle f o r s m a r t er busines s .

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Living

Why Choose MKG Events?Why Choose MKG Events?

Reindeer Package

Santa Package

Around the Grounds

The Academy's pre elite athlete development programs have all gone through an assessment and planning process that will enable us to renew all programs, and also consider additional programs for the 2022 23 cycle

Nominations for a number of our programs have been taken during September Any aspiring athletes that have an interest in nominating for Academy programs should maintain a watch on the Academy's website (www wsas com au)

2022 23 will see the Academy deliver development programs in partnership with the relevant State Sporting Organisations for the sports of BMX, Cycling, Golf, Netball, Netball Umpire, Triathlon, Softball, Rowing, Rugby Union, Volleyball and a Lone Star individual program

The Academy is also endeavoring to plan and implement a new Basketball Program that will underpin the current Basketball NSW talented athlete pathway programs

Sydney West Sports Medicine Puts Athletes to the Test

Academy Partners Sydney West Sports Medicine has been putting our athletes through their paces! Most recently, it was the BMX and Rowing Squads chance when the staff at Sydney West Sports Medicine (SWSM) completed athlete functional assessments before moving onto sport specific testing.

SWSM is passionate about supporting local sporting clubs and communities, which is why they are offering all Western Sydney Academy of Sport athletes, coaches and support staff a 15% VIP discount across all services.

This discount can also be used for the SWSM Yong Athlete Program The Young Athlete Program Framework implements the latest research by ensuring participants are tested, measured and follow the fundamental competencies that athletes must demonstrate at specific ages and stages of their sporting career To find out more information contact the SWSM reception on 9851 5959

UAA Indigenous Talent ID Day a Success!

On Wednesday the 14 September the Academy held their inaugural UAA Indigenous Talent Identification Day at Western Sydney University’s Kingswood Campus

Over 40 Indigenous athletes from Western Sydney region were put through their paces in Rugby Union, Volleyball, Rowing and Cycling Athletes also participated in functional movement tests and learnt about the opportunities for Indigenous athletes from GWS Giants Senior Exercise Physiologist John Quinn

Academy CEO Martin Bullock commented “The Academy of Sport would like to acknowledge Underwriting Agencies of Australia (UAA) for their support and extend the thanks to Western Sydney University and the GWS Giants for their support on the day This is an important first step for Indigenous athletes in our region ”

A huge thank you to the staff and students from the Western Sydney University Sport Science department for their assistance on the day!

Athletes who showed their athletic ability will be contacted in the coming weeks and information regarding the 6 week education program will be sent out to all attendees soon

MAGAZINE

Converting trash to treasure

$8B success of Return and Earn

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

IN what could be called a pleasing mile stone for the state, a whopping eight billion bottles, cans and drink cartons have now been returned through the ‘NSW Return and Earn’ network. The state touched the high figure in mid-Sep tember.

Western Sydney had a significant role to play in helping NSW reach its record numbers. Blacktown City Council resi dents have returned over 455.3 million containers through their 29 local return points since the commencement of this program in 2017, thereby claiming the top spot in the state.

City of Parramatta Council residents have returned over 64.7 million contain ers through their 12 local return points in the same period of time.

Significantly, Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned a mas sive 2.4 billion containers so far.

In overall second spot is Central Coast Council, who have recycled 387.2 million containers through their 27 local return points.

Essentially, the Return and Earn pro gram has fundamentally shifted people’s behavior and become an integral part of people’s life in NSW. As many as 78% of adults have participated in it so far and

two-thirds do so at least once in a month.

Lauding the effort, Minister for En vironment James Griffin has praised the community for transforming the recycle process.

“Return and Earn is a highly success ful NSW Government initiative that has well and truly changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning trash into treasure,” said Mr Griffin. The Min ister believes that what was once seen as waste has now been able to be converted

into a valuable resource for the recycling industry, bringing in huge refunds to the community.

“Since it began in 2017, eight billion containers have now been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52%, certainly a huge win for our environ ment,” added Mr Griffin.

As a result of this effective recycling, all returned plastic containers and glass bottles are being able to be given a new life, turned back into new food and drink containers and stocked back at the supermarket shelves within a span of few weeks.

Return and Earn has contributed more than $35 million to community groups and charities since 2017.

Significantly, Vinnies has seven Re turn and Earn depots across NSW where around 30 people have been successfully able to process 95 million containers in the last financial year.

At a glance

• Blacktown City Council locals have claimed top spot in NSW re turning 455.3 million containers.

• In second place is Central Coast Council where residents have re turned 387.2 million containers.

• City of Canterbury Bankstown residents are at the third spot in NSW having returned 328.7 mil lion containers.

• Greater Western Sydney resi dents together have returned 2.4 billion containers.

• There are over 620 return points located across the state, from self-service machines to staffed automated depots for bulk re turns.

• The current state-wide dona tion partner of the Return and Earn program is Animal Welfare League, NSW. They have already raised more than $75,000 since April 2022.

coming to Blacktown Workers

Blacktown is a standout in the Return and Earn scheme.

During Mental Health Month Reach out

Mental health refers to our state of wellbeing and enables us to learn and work well, contribute to our communities, cope with stress, and realise our abilities.

October is Mental Health Month. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of if we have experienced mental illness or not. It gives us the chance to understand the importance of good mental health and encourages people to reach out for help when needed. Research shows that positive mental health is associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more positive relationships, and improved physical health and life expectancy.

Over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.1

Last year, 16,989 people in Western Sydney were diagnosed with a mental health condition.2

Over 3,000 people die by suicide in Australia each year, which is an average of nine lives lost per day. 3

Mental Health in Western Sydney

Building strong social and personal relationships and feeling part of a community are crucial to preserving good mental health and contributing to people’s recovery. However, if you are experiencing a mental health condition, it’s important to remember that there are additional support services available. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you’ll start to feel better.

Western Sydney is one of the most diverse communities in Australia, so WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, works with partners across the region to provide culturally appropriate, timely and affordable services.

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Western Sydney

Take your time heading north

Forget Byron Bay or Bust

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

RATHER than charging up the M1 to Byron Bay or Queensland next time you go on holidays, take your time and do it over a week.

There are treasures to found along the Coast if you dare to get off the beaten track.

I recommend you slow down and embrace the opportunity to savor the journey on a road trip from Sydney up to the buzzing and busy beach town of Byron Bay on the far North Coast. Leave the Pacific Hwy behind to explore picturesque coastal towns on the 800km journey, including these key stops.

Ease into holiday mode on the Central Coast

Feel enlivened by the power of the waves crashing against the golden sandstone cliffs of Bouddi National Park as you take an invigorating coastal walk on the Central Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Sydney.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be pleased to find a smorgasbord of new foodie treats to try on the first leg of your journey. Take your taste buds on a detour to Latin America at Chica Chica in Ettalong or Tango on The Entrance waterfront, or indulge in a long, mod ern Australian meal by the sea at Swells Terrigal.

Slip between the sheets at a romantic getaway like Kim’s Beachside Retreat at Toowoon Bay, and dive into the ocean for a refreshing morning swim before you hit the road again.

Pair nature with fine food in Port Stephens

Immersing yourself in nature is easy in Port Stephens, two-and-a half hours’ drive north from Sydney, whether you find joy in watching wild dolphins frolic in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on a cruise with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises or lap up the dramatic coastal views on the 2.2km-return Tomaree Head Summit walk in Tomaree National Park.

Toast to a day well spent with a craft brew at Murray’s Brewing Company at Bobs Farm, or get a gourmet taste of local produce at Restaurant William, the brewery’s recently opened fine-dining restaurant.

Unleash your appetite for freshly caught seafood at Nelson Bay’s Little Beach Boathouse before retiring for

the night in luxury at The Anchorage in Corlette or Bannisters Port Stephens in Soldiers Point, both of which have fine-dining restaurants showcasing local produce and seafood that may tempt you to stay longer.

Kick back with koalas in Port Macquarie

Soak up the superb coastal scenery on the drive through the Great Lakes region to riverside Port Macquarie, four hours’ north of Sydney, via The Lakes Way. This is koala country, and here you can support the incredible work of wild life carers while cooing over furry icons at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which rehabilitates sick and injured koalas for release back into the wild.

You may also be lucky enough to experience the visceral thrill of spotting a koala in the wild along the 1.3km rain forest boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park.

You’ll soon discover more great reasons to pause in Port Macquarie, from the simple pleasure of slurping down freshly shucked local oysters at the likes of Bills Fishhouse and Bar to the fun of sipping local wines at Cassegrain Wines

and Bago Maze and Wine, which is home to one of the world’s largest hedge mazes.

Or feel emotion wash over you as you spot kangaroos and wallabies while relax ing in the outdoor tub of a studio cottage at Telegraph Retreat, just 15 minutes north of town.

Have fun in the sun on the Coffs Coast

Surrender to the laidback beach holiday vibe of the Coffs Coast, fiveand-a-half hours’ drive (or 530km) north of Sydney, where the azure Pacific Ocean meets the banana plantations and national parks dotting the region’s lush hinterland.

Marvel at the majesty of humpback whales up close during a life-changing swimming encounter with Jetty Dive during the winter months. Or come in summer to feel the sun warm your face as you laze on the region’s gorgeous beaches.

Feel revived by the mix of salty sea air and coastal scenery as you stretch your legs on part of the 60km Solitary Islands coastal walk or take an Indigenous-guided stand-up paddle boarding tour on a coast al creek with Wajaana Yaam Gumbayn ggirr Adventure Tours, which will leave

you with a whole new perspective on this sublime corner of the North Coast.

Then relax and recharge in the tropical gardens at Sensom Luxury Bed and Breakfast, 15 minutes north of central Coffs Harbour, the perfect adults-only escape for the night.

Breeze into Byron Bay

Slowly become aware the landscape whizzing past your window is taking on a new level of lushness as you continue from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay, 2.5 hours’ drive (or 230km) further north. Harness the restorative benefits of co cooning yourself in nature during a night’s camping at the seaside towns such as Angourie and Evans Head on the way, or farewell the Pacific Highway at Ballina to enjoy a wholesome lunch perched above the beach at Shelly Beach Cafe.

Or, if you had a late start, you might enjoy a signature cocktail and an oyster mushroom bao at Hey Lady, one of Bal lina’s more recently opened bars, before blazing a trail to Byron Bay. Here awaits a slew of new places to eat and drink – an other adventure perhaps best begun with a glass of natural wine at cosy watering hole Dusty’s bar. Cheers!

Importance of protein for results

Recovery and muscle building

„ FITNESS | ADAM SIMPSON

PROTEIN is required for the growth and repair of muscle tissue. It’s going to be key in helping you recover from training sessions and build lean muscle tissue. Why is this so important?

Building muscle will help you increase the amount of energy you’re burning as well as improve your overall health. Protein also plays other roles in the body and higher protein diets have been found to yield better results when trying to burn body fat.

That’s why including a por tion of a high protein food with most meals and snacks is a great way to improve your nutrition.

Foods that are high in pro tein include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, some beans as well as protein powders. A portion of protein is around a palm size portion of a high protein food or a 30gram scoop of protein powder.

How much protein you should be having really depends on your age, train ing schedule and goals. But as a general

guide line eating between 1 to 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is a great start. EG a 100kg male would need between 100 to 250 grams of pro tein per day.

If you aren’t eating enough protein your body can take protein from skeletal

muscles to preserve the more important tissues and body functions.

Therefor a lack of protein can lead to muscle wasting over time and will greatly inhibit your results. If you are looking to build a lean, strong and toned body. You will want to make sure you are eating

adequate protein.

Here are some tips to ensure you are getting enough protein in your diet.

Make sure each meal that you eat includes a high-quality source of protein.

Eat the protein portion of your meal first.

Have a protein shake after you exercise.

Include things like High Protein Yoghurts, Cottage Cheese or Beef Jerky to your snacks.

Cook up some eggs to go with your breakfast cereal or change to Eggs on Toast.

Eat quality leaner cuts of red meat frequently.

Pack yourself some canned fish to add to your lunches or eat fish regularly.

If you are unsure on how much protein your body needs to get the results you are after. Email adam@repetitionspt. com.au and I will be happy to help you out.

Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training.

Visit: www.repetitionspt.com.au

Born in Western Sydney

Assisting settlement in Australia

SYDWEST Multicultural Services was born in the heart of Blacktown in 1985 and has since supported thousands of diverse refugee and migrant communities across the Greater Western Sydney region, assisting their settlement in Aus tralia.

Our vision is all about Connecting Cultures, Building Community. This embodies much more than connecting peo ple to matching cultural groups to help those we serve build social connections to community for a holistic transition to learn and embrace the Australian way of life. SydWest Multicultural Services also con tributes to building the social capacity of new and emerging cultural communities through a partnership model.

With NSW reportedly the most culturally diverse state in Australia, 25% of the population speak a language other than English at home.

Diversity is significantly higher in Blacktown City with 53.2% of house holds speaking a non-english language at home, and 43% in some parts of Western Sydney.

That’s 1 in 2 people amongst our friends and social networks, who come from multicultural backgrounds and have

either migrated to, settled, or been born and raised in Western Sydney.

When English is not your first language, it can be difficult to under stand how the support systems work in Australia and be informed of community support services that one can access.

Whether by choice or circumstance, starting life afresh in a new country is ex citing and brings new opportunities, but inevitably presents challenges of its own.

Culture shock, trauma, adjusting to a different work and social life, language barriers, financial difficulties associated with employment, and building a new social network to support community engagement are some key factors that

need to be addressed to ensure positive bicultural integration.

At SydWest, we recognise that culture and language play a key role behind the philosophy of person-centred care.

Because people are at the centre of ev erything we do, we endeavour to serve the whole person across multiple aspects of their key needs (physiological, safety, love and belonging) to facilitate long lasting change and create a sense of belonging for everyone.

The Blacktown LGA alone comprises of more than 188 languages and cultures. Despite how multicultural we are as a city, state and nation, there is still a profound lack of cultural awareness and under standing amongst us in some areas.

We saw the impacts of COVID-19 and this evident gap was felt evermore than before, with Blacktown being one of 12 LGAs that had been hit with stricter restrictions at the height of the lockdowns

last year.

SydWest Multicultural Services have made key rec ommendations to government to assist communication and planning with multicultural organisations and community leaders by involving them at the decision-making table alongside local authorities such as NSW Health and local police.

Communicating to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) commu nities requires a nuanced understanding of how people receive and understand information in their own language.

SydWest is actively advocating for provision of culturally responsive care to be embedded within funding models to address the gap and awareness of sup port services, particularly in the areas of domestic violence, mental health services, better elder care for seniors and home lessness amongst those over the age of 55 years in Blacktown and Western Sydney.

From our youth and family services, including domestic violence support, settlement and housing support services, employment and training, to our home care and disability services, there is a program or service for every member of the family.

Visit: www.sydwestms.org.au

AUTO

Just 75 examples of Land Rover’s Defender 75th Limited Edition headed to Australia

„ PETER BARNWELL

LAND ROVER is marking the 75th anniversary of the company with spe cially equipped Defender 75th Lim ited Editions priced from $152,077 plus on-road costs for the short wheelbase 90 P400, and $156,157 plus on-road costs for the long wheelbase 110 P400.

Just 75 examples will be available in Australia, 25 of which will be the 90 and the remaining 50 to be the 110, with deliveries expected in April 2023.

Both variants have an exclusive exte rior design theme with specific detailing and, in a nod to the very first Land Rover vehicle, are finished in iconic Grasmere Green paint with complementing wheels and interior finishes.

Land Rover came about after severe labour shortages and the general need for a utilitarian vehicle in the UK just after World War II.

British car-maker Rover embarked on creating a simple-to-manufacture, multi-purpose vehicle with four-wheel drive capability that could fulfil a number of roles in post-war Britain.

It led to the formation of the Land-Rover company in 1948 when the Series I vehicle was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show.

The design for the original ‘Landy’ was started in 1947 by Maurice Wilks who was then chief designer at Rover. He saw the need for a utility 4x4 while working at his farm in Newborough, Anglesey, devel oping the vehicle in conjunction with his brother Spencer who was the managing director of Rover.

Said to have been inspired by WWII Jeep vehicles and the prototype, later nicknamed ’Centre Steer’, was built on a Jeep chassis and axles.

The hues of green colour on early models was dictated by military surplus supplies of aircraft cockpit paint, so those early vehicles only came in various shades of light green. Land-Rover became Land Rover Limited in 1978, losing the hyphen.

Grasmere Green is introduced to the Defender line-up for the first time on the 75th Limited Edition and is, for now, exclusive to this commemorative model.

Also in Grasmere Green are its 20inch alloy wheels with matching centre caps. Further ensuring recognition are specially designed 75 Years graphics, Ce res Silver bumpers and privacy glass.

Similar treatment has been applied to the interior, with the dashboard beam

finished in brushed Grasmere Green powder coat and laser-etched detailing on its end caps.

The seats are in a colour called Resist Ebony, with the ‘hockey stick’ on the cen tre console featuring Robustec material –said to be the toughest fabric available on a Defender.

Defender lifecycle chief engineer Stuart Frith said: “Since revealing the new Defender, customers around the globe have fallen in love with it and demand remains extremely strong. This new Lim ited Edition captures the spirit of the past 75 years, with its colour and detailing, and fuses it with innovative, configurable terrain response, software over the air up dates and unrivalled all-terrain capability.”

The Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with comprehen sive standard equipment.

Technology fitted includes a 3D surround camera, configurable terrain re sponse, Meridian premium sound system, Matrix LED front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, head-up display and wireless device charger.

All 75th Limited Edition models fea ture a sliding panoramic roof, 14-way driv er and passenger electric memory seats with heating, a heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control. The vehicle is also equipped as standard with a tow bar.

All Australian delivered 75th Limited Edition Defenders use the straight six cylinder P400 3.0L straight-six 294kW

Ingenium mild-hybrid petrol engine.

Land Rover says: “The uniqueness of the Limited Edition ensures its place as a highly collectible Defender, it is revealed alongside a new range of Land Rover lifestyle goods celebrating this historic moment.”

The ‘Lifestyle Collection’ shares the Grasmere Green colour theme of the ve hicle and features a comprehensive range of goods including a minimalist watch featuring two straps, a functional back pack and clothing with 75 Years graphics and detail.

The latest Defender has won more than 50 global awards since introduction two years ago, scoring a five star ANCAP safety rating along the way.

Ticket to Paradise review - 2 Stars

ticket to Paradise is extremely light-hearted fare, buoyed by the presence of Julia Roberts and George Clooney.

„ JACOB RICHARDSON

WHEN their daughter Lily (Kait lyn Dever) goes to Bali after graduation, she meets a young man named Gede (Maxime Bouttier) who she decides to marry; cast ing off her plans of taking up law in New York to instead farm seaweed with him in Bali.

Two people who aren’t having that are her divorced parents, David (George Clooney) and Georgia (Julia Roberts).

While they passionately despise one another, they find themselves in Bali, needing to put their differences aside as they team up to try and convince their daughter, and their future son in law, that this is a bad idea.

Ticket to Paradise, from a story perspective, is just confounding. It makes no sense from a filmmaking perspective either.

The whole movie is full of mind-bog gling creative decisions, story threads that go nowhere and a general sense that there was something to be had here, but it has been violently missed.

The saving grace of the film is un doubtedly Clooney and Roberts. Their natural chemistry shines on screen, and

while 90-100% of the ‘jokes’ in this movie don’t land, every moment between them has a certain buzz that keeps you smiling.

Alas, ultimately, while Ticket to Para

Don’t worry darling - 3 Stars

„ JACOB RICHARDSON

ALICE (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles) move to the town of Victory when Jack gets a job with charismatic leader Frank (Chris Pine).

But while Jack, Frank and the rest of the men go off to work every day, on some mysterious project in the surround ing desert, the women are left to shop, prepare meals, and tend to children.

Over time, something starts nagging at Alice, and she begins to have what she understands to be hallucinations. After a trek out into the desert, past where she has been ‘allowed’, she starts to suspect that not all is as it seems with the town of Victory.

Directed by Olivia Wilde, who also acts in the piece, Don’t Worry Darling is often visually impressive.

Beautifully choreographed block ing and dancing, stunning pastels and a mid-century vibe that feels like the movie was shot in a West Elm store combine to create a movie that sucks you in with the stunning on screen image.

It also sucks you in with the first two thirds of the story. As we try and work out just what is going on, the film is incredibly

engaging; on the edge of your seat stuff. A lot of this is down to Florence Pugh and Chris Pine, who both respectively excel in their roles.

Pugh in particular is fantastic, and holds the piece together, but the best scenes are those when Pine and Pugh face off across the kitchen, or the dinner table,

or a crowded ballroom. Their hero-villain dynamic is palpable, tense and unmissa ble.

And despite the maligned commen tary in some reviews, Harry Styles isn’t so bad. His performance is perfectly fine - if not excellent - and while it might be tempting to imagine what an actor like Shia LaBeouf may have done with this role, and indeed how that might have played given his real life drama, in the end Styles serviceably supports Pugh’s powerhouse work.

The issues really stem from the ulti mate reveal. Coming at the end of the sec ond act and blowing all of the good will out of the movie, it feels like the cheapest, most manipulative and hamfisted possible ending to a film that until then had prom ised nuance.

The piece becomes so on the nose, that it almost entirely derails the film; the only benefit being that such an ending is so immediately forgettable that even a day after the screening, you can barely re member the final third and instead recall the first two fondly.

dise is inoffensive and enjoyable enough, it is a disappointingly simplistic, ambling and structurally disparate take on material that could have been more.

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Reviews by Jacob Richardson

Director

Film

don’t Worry Darling isn’t the trainwreck the dramatic press tour would have you imagine, but it is a film that starts incredibly strong, and decidedly unwinds with the third act twist that is frankly cheap, cliche and a bit gross.

Some days are diamonds, some days are, well…..whatever you make them

MINDSET | MARCUS WHEAN

THE Neil Diamond song, like many in pop culture, ring true for many of us. Art representing life. These cliches become cliches because they are re latable and stable across time.

The truth is absolutely that life is at times hard and challenging, and others beautiful and amazing, and everything in between.

While we may relate to cliches and songs like Neil Diamond’s; the experi ence of life is always subjective and no ‘truths’ are exactly alike. You and I might experience the same event but process and experience it differently. This is basic psychology 101.

It’s great to have great days; and when things are going well in our life we often think and wish they would day that way. It can often be really saddening and even depressing when life hits us in a negative way.

Maybe a relationship breakdown, job loss, grief or loss. Life can be going well and we are happy and our subjective experience of life is going well and then something happens and it can often throw us off the deep end.

And depending how we experience and process these events will predict how we are able to deal with it. Good days are great and well but how do you deal with stony or bad days? This is more important than always being happy. How do you create, maintain or deal with bad days and in turn your mental health?

This is about mental fitness not men tal health. Like physical health, in most cases, mental health is predicted by men tal fitness. That is; how well can someone deal with and respond to stress?

And, what does someone do to main tain and look after their mental fitness much like their physical health? Being physically fit helps to prevent disease and so too mental fitness helps to prevent mental health issues.

Like physical health there are some foundational activities you can do to build your mental fitness. I call them mental fitness staples. My suggested staples are 1. Daily meditation 2. Exercise

and 3. Journaling.

Meditation helps to train your mind to be mindful, present and observant of thoughts and emotions. This helps you stay ahead of unhelpful reactions and deal with problems in a more responsive way.

Exercise is important for cognitive function and to release pent up cortisol associated with stress. Journaling is a great way to download your thoughts and emotions and to also use it for daily plans and goals and to reflect on progress.

I’ve written before about the power of goals. Having goals and something to focus is really positive way to stave off

unnecessary stress because it gives you reason to think ahead and be positive about the future.

All in all, these three staples are something to focus on daily. I have learned that when I lapse with my staples routine I am more susceptible to stress and sometimes have even been a culprit for making mountains out of a molehills because I have been more stressed than usual because I haven’t been caring for my mental fitness and working my staples as part of my routine.

So, try my staples or decide on your own but practices and commit to them

for the sake of your mental fitness and health.

Some days will be diamonds and some days stone but the way we deal with greyer and stonier days is a positive predictor of mental health and serves to enhance the diamond days and overall, our experience and quality of life in all aeras.

Marcus Whelan is a Registered Psychologist and Mental Fitness Coachwith 10+ years’ experience in private practice. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in psychology and education. Visit: www.marcuswhelanpsychology. com.au