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April 13 at 2pm.Penshurst RSL sub-Branch will be holding its ANZAC Sunday Commemorative march and service on Sunday
The march will start from the Connelly Street entrance to the Penshurst RSL Club and end at the Bridge Street War Memorial where the service will commence at 2pm
The service will honour the Australians and New Zealanders who fought and died in all wars
with a special focus on the 110 th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings
The short service will honour the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and remember all those who are currently deployed on operations
All members of the community are invited to attend
The Sub-Branch has been active for almost 100 years supporting veterans and their families
It is a member- based organisation and without members would not exist
If not already a member and you are a veteran or still serving, please consider joining. Applications can be made online atrslnsworg.au or contact the sub-Branch at subbranch@penshurstrsl.com.au
the sub-Branch has invited one of its affiliate members
While the local schools already are invited to participate in Anzac and Remembrance Day services
the Penshurst RSL Sub-Branch would like more involvement with the schools
Over the coming months Jennifer will be in contact with the school Principals to introduce herself
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Penshurst enters Saturday’s Mininera league grand final on the cusp of one heck of a 150th birthday party
Stories of family and connection fill its journey
helping hold back a tide that’s swept away many in country community sport
Like the tales of Josh Rentsch and Jacob Mibus
Jacob Mibus (left) booted the winning goal to get Penshurst into the grand final
Josh Rentsch was close to being drafted to the AFL.Credit: Tracey Kruger
Rentsch played 14 senior games for Sturt in the SANFL last season
having come close to being drafted to the AFL when he captained Greater Western Victoria Rebels
Jaws dropped when he came home to Penshurst this year
leaving behind the game’s upper echelons like an elevator in freefall
he splits his week between helping on the family farm and working at the Lutheran church in Hamilton with designs on becoming a pastor
he lost his left leg below the knee in a farm accident on Father’s Day 2016
His father Trevor remembers cradling his boy and being engulfed by a miserable thought: “There’s so much the poor little bugger’s never going to be able to do.”
A fortnight ago Jacob kicked the last goal of the one-point second semi-final win that sent Penshurst to the grand final – in shocking conditions
Jacob Mibus kicked Penshurst into the grand final - on a carbon-fibre leg.Credit: Tracey Kruger
a young bloke who last season played with and against footballers on AFL lists will run out alongside a teammate who is missing half a leg
sport’s capacity to astound is alive and well
Jayden Watson knows this club’s allure because he’s up to his neck in it
He grew up on a farm a few punt kicks from the footy ground; his father was a multiple league-leading goalkicker
After winning premierships with Koroit in the better-credentialled Hampden league
he came home in 2022 and is now Penshurst’s playing-coach
“It’s awesome for me to go into the clubrooms and see my dad up on the wall,” Watson says of the hat-trick of early 1990s premiership teams that contain many fathers of present-day players
“I just put it down to strong family connections and the strong heritage of the club.”
Many are descendants of the German Lutherans who travelled east from South Australia in the 1850s in search of prime land
and found Australian football as a means of connecting
A handful of Indigenous players perform on lands where Marn Grook pre-dated our national game
Anglo families whose names appear on early Penshurst team sheets flesh out the on-and-off-field numbers
“To be a standalone one-team town with no real changes in 150 years
it’s remarkable,” says president Tim Wilson
have pushed his career tally close to 300 (plus 30-odd in the seniors “when I was younger
a lot of clubs have merged with a neighbour and then the next neighbour
all of a sudden there’s five clubs merged into one
The only change was from the Red and Blacks to the Bombers.”
Watson’s 2024 senior team has featured a handful of local kids still too young to drive
and others in their early 20s who’ve circled back to their original club (no doubt buoyed by Josh Rentsch’s presence)
And several Indigenous players who found Penshurst through that constant of family and connection
Josh Rentsch (middle) with his cousins Edward and Duncan after an under-12s game when they were eight
Another Indigenous Penshurst player, Andrew Vella (connected through a mate who married a local), has been travelling from Geelong for several years. He asked Watson to join him in the annual Vascal tournament in Torquay last October (in which a couple of non-Indigenous footballers can play in each team). There he met Ian Milera and Elijah Satala, who had recently arrived from Adelaide and were staying with Geelong star Tyson Stengle.
They hadn’t found a footy club yet, but Penshurst soon changed that. “He makes someone look silly every week,” Wilson says of Milera, shaking his head at a highlight reel of baulks, blind turns and check-side goals.
Josh Rentsch’s father James was the fifth of now seven generations of German migrants on the family’s sheep and cattle farm, and the first to play football. He laughs that his grandfather “didn’t think there was time for footy – there was always too much to do on the farm”, so his own father wasn’t allowed to play. James’ four boys and three girls have all been Penshurst footballers and netballers. A niece, Jess, has just started her AFLW career with West Coast.
Josh coming home at 20 fired the bush footy rumour mill. Club officials say of course he’s getting paid – but only a fraction of what he could command elsewhere. James says Josh threw everything into his time in the SANFL and just wanted to be back among family and community – and to make some history of his own.
Jess Rentsch plays for West Coast.Credit: AFL Photos
Wilson says the club pays under the salary cap of $75,000. “There’s more important things in life than money.”
For Penshurst’s people, there is power in the intangible. As James Rentsch says, “There’s a lot more passion playing for Penshurst than there was playing for Sturt. Back here, anyone you speak to every day, it’s all about footy. He’s certainly enjoying it.”
Jacob Mibus knows all about passion. With a sliding of life’s doors he’d have been in Paris this month representing Australia at the Paralympics.
Dad Trevor recalls doctors at the Royal Children’s Hospital telling him and wife Kathy that Jacob wouldn’t be held back by a prosthetic leg, as he was so young that the mechanics of movement would come to him naturally. Athletically gifted before the accident, he won three Australian underage cross-country titles and broke the national 400-metre record at 17 before deciding individual pursuits weren’t for him.
Josh Rentsch (left) was an AFL draft prospect and represented Vic Country.Credit: Getty Images
“I just found team sport a lot more rewarding,” says Jacob, who helps his father run Glenara, a sheep stud that breeds superfine Merino rams and has been in the family since 1920. “It was great doing athletics and winning the awards that I did, but I get more satisfaction out of the whole team coming together and having some success.”
He especially loves Penshurst footy club because they’ve given him opportunities and treated him like anyone else. Trevor (who played in five Bombers’ premierships) was rapt when Jacob graduated from juniors to reserves, and happy just to see him having a kick with his mates. Then he was picked for the seniors, kicked a goal in his first game, and hasn’t looked back.
Jacob Mibus could have been a Paralympian, but found team sport more rewarding.Credit: Tracey Kruger
“He’s just one of the boys – he just happens to have a carbon-fibre leg,” says Wilson, noting that Jacob has occasionally limped off during games before reassuring worried onlookers, “It’s OK, I’ve just busted me leg.”
Trevor adds, “He’s broken lots of legs. But there’s usually a spare, and off we go again.”
In trying farming times, where the “green drought” – the land is green on top but rock-hard underneath – can’t mask how tough things are, Penshurst is leveraging its 150th anniversary with a drive to raise $150,000 – on top of the funds needed annually to keep a football netball club afloat. The money will go towards new social and change rooms; they’re well beyond the halfway mark.
Trevor Mibus reckons a flag on Saturday would top anything he’s been part of, not least because Jacob was dropped for the 2019 grand final after kicking three the previous week. Wilson says it would be “a crowning moment” for the club. Watson won’t get ahead of himself, “but that family connection I’ve got …”
Brendan Kelly is proud to have been part of his club for a third of its lifetime, playing in premierships, taking multiple turns as president and doing all the things volunteers do. He’s also been around long enough not to get misty-eyed.
“We have all the challenges every club has,” Kelly says. “While we’re very proud that we’re still standalone, in a community sense that’s a knife’s edge. You’d only need it to dry up a little bit with locals coming through and your volunteer base drops off, and you can be on the brink pretty quick.”
Little things can go a long way, like making sure those who run out each week know what’s gone before them, and the responsibility to their community.
After Penshurst’s last senior football premiership in 2012, Mad Monday didn’t happen until the cup had featured in “show and tell” at the Tarrington Lutheran School, and made an appearance at the local retirement home.
“To see someone take the cup to the nursing home and see grandmothers and grandfathers there just beaming,” says Kelly, “that’s when you see there’s more to it than just footy.”
Penshurst enters Saturday\\u2019s Mininera league grand final on the cusp of one heck of a 150th birthday party. Stories of family and connection fill its journey, helping hold back a tide that\\u2019s swept away many in country community sport.
Like the tales of Josh Rentsch and Jacob Mibus.
Rentsch played 14 senior games for Sturt in the SANFL last season, having come close to being drafted to the AFL when he captained Greater Western Victoria Rebels. Jaws dropped when he came home to Penshurst this year, leaving behind the game\\u2019s upper echelons like an elevator in freefall.
Penshurst\\u2019s captain and assistant coach, he splits his week between helping on the family farm and working at the Lutheran church in Hamilton with designs on becoming a pastor. He turns 21 on grand final day.
When Mibus was seven, he lost his left leg below the knee in a farm accident on Father\\u2019s Day 2016. His father Trevor remembers cradling his boy and being engulfed by a miserable thought: \\u201CThere\\u2019s so much the poor little bugger\\u2019s never going to be able to do.\\u201D
A fortnight ago Jacob kicked the last goal of the one-point second semi-final win that sent Penshurst to the grand final \\u2013 in shocking conditions, set shot, 40 out, as pure and sweet as Tony Lockett.
And so on Saturday, a young bloke who last season played with and against footballers on AFL lists will run out alongside a teammate who is missing half a leg. At Penshurst, sport\\u2019s capacity to astound is alive and well.
Jayden Watson knows this club\\u2019s allure because he\\u2019s up to his neck in it. He grew up on a farm a few punt kicks from the footy ground; his father was a multiple league-leading goalkicker, his grandpa a fleet-of-foot gun. After winning premierships with Koroit in the better-credentialled Hampden league, he came home in 2022 and is now Penshurst\\u2019s playing-coach.
\\u201CIt\\u2019s awesome for me to go into the clubrooms and see my dad up on the wall,\\u201D Watson says of the hat-trick of early 1990s premiership teams that contain many fathers of present-day players. \\u201CWe\\u2019ve got five Rentschs [all cousins], their dads are in those sides too.
\\u201CI just put it down to strong family connections and the strong heritage of the club.\\u201D
The current team mirrors Penshurst\\u2019s past. Many are descendants of the German Lutherans who travelled east from South Australia in the 1850s in search of prime land, and found Australian football as a means of connecting. A handful of Indigenous players perform on lands where Marn Grook pre-dated our national game. Anglo families whose names appear on early Penshurst team sheets flesh out the on-and-off-field numbers.
\\u201CTo be a standalone one-team town with no real changes in 150 years, it\\u2019s remarkable,\\u201D says president Tim Wilson, whose games in the reserves this season, aged 38, have pushed his career tally close to 300 (plus 30-odd in the seniors \\u201Cwhen I was younger, or we needed someone to fill in\\u201D).
\\u201CWith the decline of rural populations, a lot of clubs have merged with a neighbour and then the next neighbour, all of a sudden there\\u2019s five clubs merged into one. But we\\u2019ve been the same \\u2013 same colours, same people. The only change was from the Red and Blacks to the Bombers.\\u201D
Watson\\u2019s 2024 senior team has featured a handful of local kids still too young to drive, and others in their early 20s who\\u2019ve circled back to their original club (no doubt buoyed by Josh Rentsch\\u2019s presence). And several Indigenous players who found Penshurst through that constant of family and connection.
Another Indigenous Penshurst player, Andrew Vella (connected through a mate who married a local), has been travelling from Geelong for several years. He asked Watson to join him in the annual Vascal tournament in Torquay last October (in which a couple of non-Indigenous footballers can play in each team). There he met Ian Milera and Elijah Satala, who had recently arrived from Adelaide and were staying with .
They hadn\\u2019t found a footy club yet, but Penshurst soon changed that. \\u201CHe makes someone look silly every week,\\u201D Wilson says of Milera, shaking his head at a highlight reel of baulks, blind turns and check-side goals.
Josh coming home at 20 fired the bush footy rumour mill. Club officials say of course he\\u2019s getting paid \\u2013 but only a fraction of what he could command elsewhere. James says Josh threw everything into his time in the SANFL and just wanted to be back among family and community \\u2013 and to make some history of his own.
Wilson says the club pays under the salary cap of $75,000. \\u201CThere\\u2019s more important things in life than money.\\u201D
For Penshurst\\u2019s people, there is power in the intangible. As James Rentsch says, \\u201CThere\\u2019s a lot more passion playing for Penshurst than there was playing for Sturt. Back here, anyone you speak to every day, it\\u2019s all about footy. He\\u2019s certainly enjoying it.\\u201D
Jacob Mibus knows all about passion. With a sliding of life\\u2019s doors he\\u2019d have been in Paris this month representing Australia at the Paralympics.
Dad Trevor recalls doctors at the Royal Children\\u2019s Hospital telling him and wife Kathy that Jacob wouldn\\u2019t be held back by a prosthetic leg, as he was so young that the mechanics of movement would come to him naturally. Athletically gifted before the accident, he won three Australian underage cross-country titles and broke the national 400-metre record at 17 before deciding individual pursuits weren\\u2019t for him.
\\u201CI just found team sport a lot more rewarding,\\u201D says Jacob, who helps his father run Glenara, a sheep stud that breeds superfine Merino rams and has been in the family since 1920. \\u201CIt was great doing athletics and winning the awards that I did, but I get more satisfaction out of the whole team coming together and having some success.\\u201D
He especially loves Penshurst footy club because they\\u2019ve given him opportunities and treated him like anyone else. Trevor (who played in five Bombers\\u2019 premierships) was rapt when Jacob graduated from juniors to reserves, and happy just to see him having a kick with his mates. Then he was picked for the seniors, kicked a goal in his first game, and hasn\\u2019t looked back.
\\u201CHe\\u2019s just one of the boys \\u2013 he just happens to have a carbon-fibre leg,\\u201D says Wilson, noting that Jacob has occasionally limped off during games before reassuring worried onlookers, \\u201CIt\\u2019s OK, I\\u2019ve just busted me leg.\\u201D
Trevor adds, \\u201CHe\\u2019s broken lots of legs. But there\\u2019s usually a spare, and off we go again.\\u201D
In trying farming times, where the \\u201Cgreen drought\\u201D \\u2013 the land is green on top but rock-hard underneath \\u2013 can\\u2019t mask how tough things are, Penshurst is leveraging its 150th anniversary with a drive to raise $150,000 \\u2013 on top of the funds needed annually to keep a football netball club afloat. The money will go towards new social and change rooms; they\\u2019re well beyond the halfway mark.
Trevor Mibus reckons a flag on Saturday would top anything he\\u2019s been part of, not least because Jacob was dropped for the 2019 grand final after kicking three the previous week. Wilson says it would be \\u201Ca crowning moment\\u201D for the club. Watson won\\u2019t get ahead of himself, \\u201Cbut that family connection I\\u2019ve got \\u2026\\u201D
Brendan Kelly is proud to have been part of his club for a third of its lifetime, playing in premierships, taking multiple turns as president and doing all the things volunteers do. He\\u2019s also been around long enough not to get misty-eyed.
\\u201CWe have all the challenges every club has,\\u201D Kelly says. \\u201CWhile we\\u2019re very proud that we\\u2019re still standalone, in a community sense that\\u2019s a knife\\u2019s edge. You\\u2019d only need it to dry up a little bit with locals coming through and your volunteer base drops off, and you can be on the brink pretty quick.\\u201D
Little things can go a long way, like making sure those who run out each week know what\\u2019s gone before them, and the responsibility to their community.
After Penshurst\\u2019s last senior football premiership in 2012, Mad Monday didn\\u2019t happen until the cup had featured in \\u201Cshow and tell\\u201D at the Tarrington Lutheran School, and made an appearance at the local retirement home.
\\u201CTo see someone take the cup to the nursing home and see grandmothers and grandfathers there just beaming,\\u201D says Kelly, \\u201Cthat\\u2019s when you see there\\u2019s more to it than just footy.\\u201D
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The path to co-education isn’t always straightforward, but it’s been embraced at Georges River College Penshurst. Glenn Cullen reports.
On the first open night for parents to discuss the logistics of the Georges River College Penshurst move into co-education, the penny dropped for Principal Noeline Ross: this is going to work.
First flagged in 2023 after extensive community consultation, Penshurst Girls and Hurstville Boys were both on track to open their doors to all students for the first time.
As with any major restructure, there were doubts, second-guessing and ongoing detail to be fleshed out but, when returning and potential new families got together to go through the nuts and bolts of the change, that all seemed to evaporate.
“It was at that point I realised our community was coming back to us,” said Ms Ross, an 11-year veteran in charge of the school.
“Families came with their daughters, but now also with their sons.
“Things weren’t going to change but the difference was instead of only serving half our community we could now serve all our community.”
While parents seemed to focus on the small things, like where toilets would go, Ms Ross and her team zeroed in on the bigger issues of culture, identity, and continuity of achievement.
“The school’s identity was as a girls’ school; its culture was as a girls’ school. Everybody had to adjust their ways of thinking,” she said.
“I have to say with great pride, that families and staff embraced it.”
Last year was certainly a tricky one in terms of balancing the needs of the current school and preparing for the most momentous change in its history.
But with the help of staff and the Director Educational Leadership, Joanna French, it was made as smooth as possible.
The result was a cohort of 69 boys joining the 103 girls for Year 7 this year. A small group of boys also started Year 8 with all the remaining years to rollout in 2026 to form a truly co-educational school.
And as far as Georges River College’s Penshurst Campus newest students are concerned, the proof is in the pudding.
“I had lots of good reasons to come here,” said Year 7 student Kobe Daniel, who came to the school from Penshurst West Public School.
“I live nearby and some of my friends are here, and I heard good things about it. It definitely hasn’t disappointed. The teachers here are fantastic and all the kids that were here and the new ones. Everyone has been so inviting and kind, it has been amazing.”
As his classmate Katie Gray points out, having come from Oatley West Public School, sharing their day with boys is what they are used to.
“It’s all been good and really smooth,” she said. “Everyone has been respectful and well-behaved, and the teachers are really nice and lovely. We don’t know any different.”
We recognise the Ongoing Custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live. We pay respect to Elders past and present as ongoing teachers of knowledge, songlines and stories. We strive to ensure every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learner in NSW achieves their potential through education.
They recorded a monumental 76 Distinguished Achievers and 137 Band 6 results
the highest number the College has ever recorded
Studenst excelled across the board particularly in Extension Courses
all students achieved marks above 80 per cent
31 out of 33 courses surpassed the State Mean
with five of those achieving results more than 10 per cent above the State Mean
MCCP Principal Connie Frino congratulated Year 12 on their fantastic efforts and achievements
"The College is incredibly proud of the exceptional results achieved by our students and teachers," she said
"It is clear that working in partnership with students to provide an environment of care and high expectations within our Marist culture of 'Love of Work' led to our HSC students achieving their best"
Ms Frino said the success reflected the strong partnership between staff and students
a focus on student wellbeing and high attendance
and academic support through additional tutorial classes and our Marist HSC Academy
has been pivotal in fostering academic care and student motivation
"Celebrating successes throughout the year and continued mentoring empowered students to set ambitious goals and achieve their personal best," she said
and exceptional attendance reflect their determination and character
and their achievements are a testament to hard work and perseverance."
Families are invited to discover the opportunities at Marist Catholic College Penshurst. Enrolment applications are now open for 2027 Year 7 students. Visit maristpenshurst.syd.catholic.edu.au for Open Days and enrolment information.
For those living outside a major city, attending university isn't always as easy as catching a short train ride.
In 2023, higher education student statistics released by the Australian government indicated a decrease in starting students from regional and remote areas.
The decline was attributed to the impact the rising cost of living has on students who relocate from home to study.
In response to this disparity, the Regional Education Support Network (RESN) aims to minimise the impact geography has on educational outcomes. The network offers regional and rural students free educational support through tutoring, mentoring, and access to resources.
RESN CEO Jonah Green says the biggest disadvantage is that students in regional areas don't have access to the same networks as those in larger cities.
"In some of the towns we work with, there's not the same expectations. Students don't have access to the same network of people to talk to, and therefore might not have an understanding that university is an option for them," Mr Green said.
"As part of the services we provide, we publish a lot of guides on university accommodation options, and we also fund students to attend open days. For them to know that there are affordable accommodation options, and to be given guidance as to how to apply to these, rather than just assuming they don't have a chance, is important.
"We tell them that they do have a chance and, on top of that, we provide information about scholarships, especially for regional and rural students."
The proof is in the pudding. Georgia, a former RESN student, moved from rural Victoria to study a Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine at Monash University in Melbourne.
Similarly, Stephanie left her hometown of Moruya on the NSW South Coast to study for a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) at the Australian National University in Canberra.
Both students benefited from university scholarships and Centrelink support.
West Australian student Almira Dall was working on a dairy farm within weeks of completing high school.
On Kerridge Farm, she discovered a love of practical, hands-on work and so enrolled in a traineeship and began a Certificate IV in Agriculture at South Regional TAFE. Now a champion for the sector, Almira has been recognised as a finalist for the 2024 Australian Trainee of the Year Award.
Many school leavers can pursue a career, develop their skills, and remain close to home through training and apprenticeships.
The Fee-Free TAFE Skills Agreement, which addresses the skills shortages particularly persistent in regional areas, supports students by delivering funding for over 500,000 TAFE and vocational education training (VET) places from 2023 to 2026.
From January to May 2023, there were around 48,000 enrollments from regional and rural areas, representing approximately 33 per cent of the total Fee-Free TAFE enrolments nationwide.
"Fee-Free TAFE and VET across the country has seen a strong take-up in regional areas, which will help develop the pipeline of workers needed," Brendan O'Connor, then Minister for Skills and Training, said.
Of the applicable industries, agriculture is considered a national priority, along with care, construction, defence, hospitality and tourism, among others.
Whatever career you choose to pursue, there are pathways to achieve it.
The IB is traditionally at home in Sydney's elite
however 2022 changed this landscape as St Ursula's welcomed its first senior group to the IB Diploma Programme which is recognised by universities all over the world
College Principal Vivienne Awad said their 2024 results were outstanding and that she was incredibly proud of all the students
"These results are a testament to the work that the teachers and students put into their learning each day."
St Ursula's College ranked 92nd in the state
maintaining its position as one of the top 100 schools in NSW with 56 per cent of students receiving an ATAR above 80
Annabelle Johnson achieved the highest IB ATAR of 96.8 and an IB Certificate of Distinction
Annabelle said she was happy with the outcome and experience "The IB has opened my mind up to a new way of thinking which allows me to conduct my learning with a global perspective," she said
These results are a testament to the work that the teachers and students put into their learning each day
170 Distinguished Achievements were earned by 85 of St Ursula's HSC students
which means these students were awarded a mark over 90 in one or more subjects
is to be congratulated for achieving the top ATAR in her HSC cohort
Other notable achievements include 16 students who were nominated for HSC showcases: ENCORE
with three of these students having been selected
Jessie-Marie Rifkin and Jennifer LoGiudice had their HSC Bodies of Work selected for the ARTEXPRESS exhibition
while Mikaela Vassilimis has been selected to exhibit her Design and Technology Body of Work at SHAPE exhibition
Mikaela said it was a great outcome having also been ranked fourth in NSW for Design and Technology
"I am excited to see my work on exhibition and I am grateful for my supportive teachers who encouraged me to pursue my passions," she said
2025 promises ongoing success for the staff and students at St Ursula's College and Ms Awad said they were looking forward to continuing to offer the IB Diploma Programme
"In 2025 the IB program will offer psychology and the broad curriculum and co-curricular program continues to offer students a wide range of opportunities to develop in them a love of learning to take into their future careers," she said
To find out more about St Ursula's, visit stursulakingsgrove.syd.catholic.edu.au.
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Bombers, in their 150th season
recorded a come-from-behind 8.5 (53) to 7.6 (48) victory against minor premier Wickliffe-Lake Bolac to clinch their first premiership since 2012
The side's coach Jayden Watson kicked the winning goal in the fourth term and to top it all off, favourite son Josh Rentsch, who returned home to the Bombers this season after two years with SANFL club Sturt
was one of the best-on-ground medal winners
Oh and it was also Rentsch's 21st birthday
the game was on a knife's edge there for a good last 10 minutes so big credit to the boys
they dug in deep and got the result that we wanted," Watson told The Standard
Proud of the club and how they've made the role so easy for me
"So much support but everything's worth it
all the hard training sessions we did early on
their fitness it was going to come to show and I couldn't be prouder of them."
Penshurst captain and best-on-ground medallist Josh Rentsch holds the trophy aloft with playing-coach Jayden Watson
Picture by Tracey KrugerThe match-winning goalThe Magpies led 21-6 at the first change
33-32 at halftime and 47-32 at the final break
Watson - who returned to his home club three seasons ago after winning three premierships in four years with Hampden league outfit Koroit - held his nerve to convert a set shot from in front about 45 metres out
The goal gave the Bombers a 50-47 lead and was the final goal of the match
"I didn't know whether I had the journey in me but snuck it through," he said
"It might be one that I won't forget for a while."
Bombers defender Sam Weston was awarded the other best-on-ground medal for his display
Ian Milera kicked three goal for the victors while Watson and Archie Page bagged two
kicked one major to take his season tally to 93
Watson said it was a full-team performance but gave special mention to Rentsch - the side's captain and assistant coach - and Weston
we knew it wasn't going to be pretty," he said
It wasn't sort of going too well up forward for him but he got into the ruck (and was influential)
"Shorty Weston out of the backline took a few brave risks with some kicks and got some play going but other than that when there was a time to go
everyone dug in and it was a team effort."
Matt is a sports journalist at The Standard.
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File picture3Bridges is hosting its annual '1 in every 3 seconds' session for dementia patients and community members
The information forum on May 13 will focus on what people with dementia can do and their positive effects on communities
as well as professionals in aged care and disability
are invited to attend the free interactive half-day forum
Guest speakers include the Director of Southcare
3Bridges Social and Dementia Support Program Manager Rhonda Brown
and a representative from the Aboriginal Health and Ageing Program
RSVP
St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering education, health and general community news. Email: ekolimar@theleader.com.au
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Penshurst is one win away from its first senior premiership since 2012 after defeating Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in a one-point thriller in a Mininera and District Football League qualifying final
The Bombers trailed at three-quarter time but
with the aid of a stiff breeze in the last term
scrapped their way to a 9.15 (69) to 10.8 (68) win over the minor premiers
kicking the ball off the ground from more than 30 metres out for a behind to break a 68-all deadlock 30 minutes into the final quarter
The Bombers will have a week off before the grand final
while Wickliffe-Lake Bolac will play Lismore-Derrinallum in this weekend’s preliminary final after the Demons beat Hawkesdale-Macarthur 11.9 (75) to 9.9 (63) on Sunday
The entire September 4, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
Horsham Saints stun premier Horsham Demons
National success for Little Aths Georgia and Jett
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closed its doors last week after more than five decades of dedicated service to the local community
Masis Electronics has helped generations of St George customers needing electronics repairs for their home appliances
from shavers and heaters to toasters and hair dryers
The store's closure marks the retirement of its long-time owner
built a store that was more than just a business but a community staple
it is time for me to step back and enjoy retirement," Mr Mazloumian said
"I want to thank every customer who has supported us over the years-you've made this journey truly special
"Penshurst has been my work for over 50 years
and I have been blessed to serve so many wonderful customers
seeing familiar faces come back year after year has been the most rewarding part of running this business
the relationships we built with our customers have remained the most important part of this business." he said
Local Member Mark Coure MP said Masis Electronics' closure is not just the end of a shop; it is the end of a legacy
"Masis Electronics has been a cornerstone of the Penshurst community for over 50 years
Matthew's dedication to quality service and his commitment to helping local families with their electronic repairs is something truly special
Small businesses like his are the backbone of our community
"His store was more than just a business-it was a place where customers were treated like family
His story is a reminder of why we must continue to support and champion our local small businesses," Mr Coure said
"Matthew has certainly earned his retirement
I want to personally thank him for his dedication
which have made Masis Electronics a trusted name in Penshurst
We wish him nothing but happiness in this next chapter of his life
"The community wishes Matthew a happy and fulfilling retirement
knowing that his impact on Penshurst will never be forgotten."
Covering Georges River Council, Bayside Council and general news. For news tips contact me at jgainsford@theleader.com.au
John Hoban cuts the ribbon to the first stage of the club renovations with (left to right) Club Director Garry Johnson and CEO Chris Hendley
Picture supplied.The first stage of Penshurst RSL Club $2.5 million renovations were officially opened on Friday
August 8 by the club's President John Hoban
Opened today was the new sports lounge and outdoor smoking area
Mr Hoban described the new sports lounge as "having all the bells and whistles - everything the sportsman would want."
The planned stage two of the million-dollar renovations is now underway include doubling the size of the dining room and enlarging the parking area for patrons with up to 30 extra car spaces
"We are getting more and more patrons coming through the doors," Mr Hoban said
The renovations are expected to be completed by November
The club is able to continue operations during the renovations with little or no inconvenience to patrons
Penshurst RSL Club is the largest employer in the Penshurst district with over 6,000 patrons who regularly visit the club
The club has served the local Penshurst community for nearly 100 years and began as a Returned Soldiers and Sailors Club house in the early 1920's
"These major renovations and updates will ensure that the Penshurst RSL Club will continue to be a valuable community asset into the future," Mr Hoban said
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is the 2025 Local Woman of the Year for the Oatley electorate
The award was presented by Member for Oatley
Fr Josh Whicker in front of a congregation made up of family
Mr Coure said that Nellie has been the driving force behind St Declan's Ministry for the sick and elderly
leading a dedicated team of over 130 volunteers who provide vital support to more than 300 seniors
the parish has introduced a range of initiatives to connect and care for senior members of the community
Tech Savvy Seniors - pairing students from Marist Catholic College Penshurst with seniors to assist with digital literacy
Nursing Home Outreach - where primary school students create personalised gifts for elderly residents at Easter and Christmas
Fall Prevention Programs - encouraging physical activity and friendships among the elderly
Funeral Support Services - assisting grieving families through compassion and care
Tele-support Calls - providing regular check-ins and a friendly voice for the housebound and isolated
Nellie was also awarded the Westfield Hurstville Local Hero
a recognition that brought a $20,000 grant to St Declan's
The funding was being used for a 'Life Stories' project
helping seniors share and record their personal histories through digital storytelling
"Nellie is the heart and soul of St Declan's outreach to the community
and tireless commitment are what makes our community stronger." Mr Coure said
"The compassion and love Nellie has for the community is a true representation of what it means to be a volunteer
she does it because she cares about what happens to those around her and she believes that when we work together
we can achieve great things and help those most in need in our community," he said
"It's people like Nellie who remind us that community service is built on compassion
improving the lives of so many across the community
"This award is about shining a light on those quiet achievers who don't seek recognition but absolutely deserve it
Her work with seniors is not just about meeting needs
The Local Woman of the Year Award is part of the NSW Women of the Year Awards
which honour inspiring women across the state for their leadership
Nellie was also recently awarded a St George Community Award for her service to the community
A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with details of his condition yet to be released
News | London
A 16-year-old boy was rushed to hospital following a shooting in a residential street inTottenham
Officers were called to the incident in Penshurst Road at 4pm on Tuesday
The boy was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service
He remains in hospital and his condition is neither life-threatening and non-life-changing the Metropolitan Police said
A police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to a suspected shooting in Penshurst Road
“A 16-year-old boy was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound by the London Ambulance Service
He was later taken to hospital where he remains
His condition is non-life-threatening and non-life-changing
Penshurst Road is closed while initial investigations take place.”
Two people have been arrested after a separate shooting in east London on Tuesday afternoon
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called at about 2.40pm to Upton Lane
London Ambulance Service treated a man at the scene for a gunshot wound
The man was taken to hospital where his condition is not believed to be life-threatening
Chief Inspector Daryl Jones from North East Command said:“We are aware that this shooting on a residential street this afternoon would have had an enormous impact on the local community
“We are pleased we've been able to make two arrests and recover a firearm within hours of the incident
or to your local neighbourhood policing teams.”
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Their urgent request has been spurred on by several recent near misses and accidents
one which saw a car overturn on the approach to the railway bridge
TJ's Penshurst cafe and is often crowded with patrons drinking coffee outdoors within close proximity to speeding traffic
bollards placed at the corner by the council have been damaged by passing buses
Project Penshurst 2222 spokesman Joe Bianco addressed the June 24 council meeting seeking for an amendment to the Georges River Council 2024/25 budget to include funding for a traffic guardrail at the intersection
Councillor Christina Jamieson moved an amendment to the budget to include construction of a guardrail and supported by the council
Councillor Jamieson said that Project Penshurst 2222 has been outstanding in advocating for local safety and was thrilled to have helped ensure that the cost of the guardrail is in the 2024/2025 budget
especially after the recent serious car accident in Penshurst
But Mr Bianco said a clear timetable for construction of the guardrail is needed following the recent near misses at the corner
"The intersection outside the coffee shop has become more congested with motor vehicles and pedestrian foot traffic," he said
"People often sit outside these premises and enjoy the outdoor seating
especially in the summer evenings when the coffee house becomes a wine bar
"Over a number of years it has become evident to me that this intersection is not safe
The current intersection configuration directs traffic towards seated patrons
"I often see cars speeding down from the railway station towards the coffee shop
it would not be unreasonable to assume an inexperienced driver
could lose control of their vehicle and mount the footpath where patrons are sitting outside the coffee shop
safety rails or fencing to prevent a driver who has lost control of a vehicle crashing into customers."
Mr Bianco said one traffic bollard outside the cafe has been knocked over four times that he knew of
"It was repaired on June 18 due to it being hit by a bus a few days earlier and also knocked over on June 22 and July 9," he said
A veteran of 35 years with the Police Force and attending thousands of accidents
Mr Bianco said he is quite familiar with the consequences
trauma and negative impact motor collisions have on drivers
He urged the council to act urgently and install a guardrail or barrier fence to be erected on the footpath on the corner of Penshurst and Bridge Streets
TJ's Penshurst owner Trent Fasch is also asking that the council erect a safety barrier on the corner as a matter of urgency
"We can have up to 12 to 14 people sitting outside on the weekend," he said
"It's a four-way intersection and there's a lot of traffic
The sheer weight of numbers makes it dangerous
We support prevention rather that waiting for a mishap
"All we are asking for is a fence to be put in to protect the community as there was on Railway Parade
Kogarah after a fatal accident several years ago."
Project Penshurst 2222 member Nicky Parras said a barrier also needed on the other side of Bridge Street from the old bus shelter to the Checkpoint Charlie coffee shop
This was where a car overturned last March
who helped pull a child from the overturned car
said a median strip barrier is also needed down the middle of road as cars often cut the corner on the approach to the railway bridge
"It's just a matter of time before someone is hit," he said
is one of the new paramedic interns who have been welcomed by NSW Ambulance this month
Picture suppliedHarry Karakatsanis of Penshurst is one of 23 new paramedic interns and 21 trainee emergency medical call takers welcomed by NSW Ambulance
He was recently inducted into the service at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre
and has started working at Bankstown Ambulance Station
The career move was a natural step for Mr Karakatsanis
and a few of his brothers were doctors as well," he said
"I have a family member close to me who has a disability so I guess the notion of health just runs in the family
I wanted something where I'm on my feet and I can help people
I'm looking forward to the variety - the people you get to meet
The paramedic interns will be posted across NSW to complete the on-road portion of their 12-month internships before taking permanent positions
The emergency medical call takers will be posted to the Sydney
Northern and Western Triple Zero (000) control centres
They join 495 paramedics and 117 emergency medical call-takers who have begun roles with NSW Ambulance this year so far
These new recruits will further boost frontline health services across the state
The Minns Labor Government states it is committed to supporting the paramedic workforce
investing in a record pay increase for paramedics in December making them among the highest paid in the country and rolling out of 500 additional paramedics in regional
"These graduates will be joining a cohort of paramedics and emergency call-takers who serve as a lifeline for many in their moments of need," Minister for Health
"They will bring dedication and skill to their work
providing vital support and care to the people of NSW when they need it most."
Another Indigenous Penshurst player, Andrew Vella (connected through a mate who married a local), has been travelling from Geelong for several years. He asked Watson to join him in the annual Vascal tournament in Torquay last October (in which a couple of non-Indigenous footballers can play in each team). There he met Ian Milera and Elijah Satala, who had recently arrived from Adelaide and were staying with Geelong star Tyson Stengle
“He makes someone look silly every week,” Wilson says of Milera
shaking his head at a highlight reel of baulks
Josh Rentsch’s father James was the fifth of now seven generations of German migrants on the family’s sheep and cattle farm
He laughs that his grandfather “didn’t think there was time for footy – there was always too much to do on the farm”
James’ four boys and three girls have all been Penshurst footballers and netballers
has just started her AFLW career with West Coast
Josh coming home at 20 fired the bush footy rumour mill
Club officials say of course he’s getting paid – but only a fraction of what he could command elsewhere
James says Josh threw everything into his time in the SANFL and just wanted to be back among family and community – and to make some history of his own
Wilson says the club pays under the salary cap of $75,000
“There’s more important things in life than money.”
“There’s a lot more passion playing for Penshurst than there was playing for Sturt
With a sliding of life’s doors he’d have been in Paris this month representing Australia at the Paralympics
Dad Trevor recalls doctors at the Royal Children’s Hospital telling him and wife Kathy that Jacob wouldn’t be held back by a prosthetic leg
as he was so young that the mechanics of movement would come to him naturally
he won three Australian underage cross-country titles and broke the national 400-metre record at 17 before deciding individual pursuits weren’t for him
“I just found team sport a lot more rewarding,” says Jacob
a sheep stud that breeds superfine Merino rams and has been in the family since 1920
“It was great doing athletics and winning the awards that I did
but I get more satisfaction out of the whole team coming together and having some success.”
He especially loves Penshurst footy club because they’ve given him opportunities and treated him like anyone else
Trevor (who played in five Bombers’ premierships) was rapt when Jacob graduated from juniors to reserves
and happy just to see him having a kick with his mates
but found team sport more rewarding.Credit: Tracey Kruger
“He’s just one of the boys – he just happens to have a carbon-fibre leg,” says Wilson
noting that Jacob has occasionally limped off during games before reassuring worried onlookers
where the “green drought” – the land is green on top but rock-hard underneath – can’t mask how tough things are
Penshurst is leveraging its 150th anniversary with a drive to raise $150,000 – on top of the funds needed annually to keep a football netball club afloat
The money will go towards new social and change rooms; they’re well beyond the halfway mark
Trevor Mibus reckons a flag on Saturday would top anything he’s been part of
not least because Jacob was dropped for the 2019 grand final after kicking three the previous week
Wilson says it would be “a crowning moment” for the club
Brendan Kelly is proud to have been part of his club for a third of its lifetime
taking multiple turns as president and doing all the things volunteers do
He’s also been around long enough not to get misty-eyed
“We have all the challenges every club has,” Kelly says
“While we’re very proud that we’re still standalone
in a community sense that’s a knife’s edge
You’d only need it to dry up a little bit with locals coming through and your volunteer base drops off
and you can be on the brink pretty quick.”
like making sure those who run out each week know what’s gone before them
After Penshurst’s last senior football premiership in 2012
Mad Monday didn’t happen until the cup had featured in “show and tell” at the Tarrington Lutheran School
and made an appearance at the local retirement home
“To see someone take the cup to the nursing home and see grandmothers and grandfathers there just beaming,” says Kelly
“that’s when you see there’s more to it than just footy.”
Penshurst enters Saturday\\u2019s Mininera league grand final on the cusp of one heck of a 150th birthday party
helping hold back a tide that\\u2019s swept away many in country community sport
leaving behind the game\\u2019s upper echelons like an elevator in freefall
Penshurst\\u2019s captain and assistant coach
he lost his left leg below the knee in a farm accident on Father\\u2019s Day 2016
His father Trevor remembers cradling his boy and being engulfed by a miserable thought: \\u201CThere\\u2019s so much the poor little bugger\\u2019s never going to be able to do.\\u201D
A fortnight ago Jacob kicked the last goal of the one-point second semi-final win that sent Penshurst to the grand final \\u2013 in shocking conditions
sport\\u2019s capacity to astound is alive and well
Jayden Watson knows this club\\u2019s allure because he\\u2019s up to his neck in it
he came home in 2022 and is now Penshurst\\u2019s playing-coach
\\u201CIt\\u2019s awesome for me to go into the clubrooms and see my dad up on the wall,\\u201D Watson says of the hat-trick of early 1990s premiership teams that contain many fathers of present-day players
\\u201CWe\\u2019ve got five Rentschs [all cousins]
The current team mirrors Penshurst\\u2019s past
\\u201CTo be a standalone one-team town with no real changes in 150 years
it\\u2019s remarkable,\\u201D says president Tim Wilson
have pushed his career tally close to 300 (plus 30-odd in the seniors \\u201Cwhen I was younger
\\u201CWith the decline of rural populations
all of a sudden there\\u2019s five clubs merged into one
But we\\u2019ve been the same \\u2013 same colours
The only change was from the Red and Blacks to the Bombers.\\u201D
Watson\\u2019s 2024 senior team has featured a handful of local kids still too young to drive
and others in their early 20s who\\u2019ve circled back to their original club (no doubt buoyed by Josh Rentsch\\u2019s presence)
Andrew Vella (connected through a mate who married a local)
has been travelling from Geelong for several years
He asked Watson to join him in the annual Vascal tournament in Torquay last October (in which a couple of non-Indigenous footballers can play in each team)
who had recently arrived from Adelaide and were staying with
\\u201CHe makes someone look silly every week,\\u201D Wilson says of Milera
Josh Rentsch\\u2019s father James was the fifth of now seven generations of German migrants on the family\\u2019s sheep and cattle farm
He laughs that his grandfather \\u201Cdidn\\u2019t think there was time for footy \\u2013 there was always too much to do on the farm\\u201D
so his own father wasn\\u2019t allowed to play
James\\u2019 four boys and three girls have all been Penshurst footballers and netballers
Club officials say of course he\\u2019s getting paid \\u2013 but only a fraction of what he could command elsewhere
James says Josh threw everything into his time in the SANFL and just wanted to be back among family and community \\u2013 and to make some history of his own
\\u201CThere\\u2019s more important things in life than money.\\u201D
\\u201CThere\\u2019s a lot more passion playing for Penshurst than there was playing for Sturt
With a sliding of life\\u2019s doors he\\u2019d have been in Paris this month representing Australia at the Paralympics
Dad Trevor recalls doctors at the Royal Children\\u2019s Hospital telling him and wife Kathy that Jacob wouldn\\u2019t be held back by a prosthetic leg
he won three Australian underage cross-country titles and broke the national 400-metre record at 17 before deciding individual pursuits weren\\u2019t for him
\\u201CI just found team sport a lot more rewarding,\\u201D says Jacob
\\u201CIt was great doing athletics and winning the awards that I did
but I get more satisfaction out of the whole team coming together and having some success.\\u201D
He especially loves Penshurst footy club because they\\u2019ve given him opportunities and treated him like anyone else
Trevor (who played in five Bombers\\u2019 premierships) was rapt when Jacob graduated from juniors to reserves
\\u201CHe\\u2019s just one of the boys \\u2013 he just happens to have a carbon-fibre leg,\\u201D says Wilson
where the \\u201Cgreen drought\\u201D \\u2013 the land is green on top but rock-hard underneath \\u2013 can\\u2019t mask how tough things are
Penshurst is leveraging its 150th anniversary with a drive to raise $150,000 \\u2013 on top of the funds needed annually to keep a football netball club afloat
The money will go towards new social and change rooms; they\\u2019re well beyond the halfway mark
Trevor Mibus reckons a flag on Saturday would top anything he\\u2019s been part of
Wilson says it would be \\u201Ca crowning moment\\u201D for the club
\\u201Cbut that family connection I\\u2019ve got \\u2026\\u201D
He\\u2019s also been around long enough not to get misty-eyed
\\u201CWe have all the challenges every club has,\\u201D Kelly says
\\u201CWhile we\\u2019re very proud that we\\u2019re still standalone
in a community sense that\\u2019s a knife\\u2019s edge
You\\u2019d only need it to dry up a little bit with locals coming through and your volunteer base drops off
and you can be on the brink pretty quick.\\u201D
like making sure those who run out each week know what\\u2019s gone before them
After Penshurst\\u2019s last senior football premiership in 2012
Mad Monday didn\\u2019t happen until the cup had featured in \\u201Cshow and tell\\u201D at the Tarrington Lutheran School
\\u201CTo see someone take the cup to the nursing home and see grandmothers and grandfathers there just beaming,\\u201D says Kelly
\\u201Cthat\\u2019s when you see there\\u2019s more to it than just footy.\\u201D
A registered child sex offender lured a 14-year-old girl to a park toilet block in Sydney’s south before giving her drugs and forcing her to perform sexual acts which he then filmed
The Herald can reveal that William “Billy” Henry Smith
has pleaded guilty to the horrifying incident involving the teenager in Pole Depot Park in Penshurst in August 2023
where the 14-year-old was sexually assaulted.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“Got to be careful ppl dnt see [sic],” Smith messaged his victim before the meeting
first messaged the teenager on the encrypted chat application Telegram
according to the agreed facts obtained from the NSW District Court last week
Smith “engaged in several fantasy conversations” with the girl about sexual acts and incited her to send him explicit photographs of herself
as he “groomed and procured” her for unlawful sexual activity
Smith sent the girl videos including pornography and bestiality
He asked if they could meet so she could “try on outfits” for him to see
and “suggested a park … where no one goes”
Billy Henry Smith was arrested on the same day as the incident.Credit: NSW Police
“I promise you I won’t hurt you in any way
the victim made excuses in an attempt to “dodge” meeting up with Smith
The girl replied “What” and indicated she could meet him the next day
he would have performed a sexual act on the girl
before adding: “Obviously u dnt want anything like that from m3 That’s ok ..I won’t touch u”
One of the “fantasies” he detailed was that he would “climb in her window at night”
When the girl said her window was nailed shut
Smith “instructed her to leave her back door open
As the pair met in a public place the next day
Smith saw a police car and told the girl: “If the cops ask
Billy Henry Smith filmed his crimes inside the toilet block with his mobile phone.Credit: Wolter Peeters
Smith asked the victim if she wanted to “smoke something”
“I don’t really know?” She agreed after he told her: “It’s not going to hurt you
more awake or relaxed.” The facts state methylamphetamine was later found in her system
Smith filmed himself as he forced the teenager to perform sexual acts before she said she needed to leave
The victim later asked for the video that Smith had taken
friends and a teacher but “provided little detail as she was finding it difficult to speak”
She went to the police that day with her mother
When officers went to Smith’s home to arrest him that afternoon
he “jumped up from the bed wearing no pants” and a phone fell on the ground playing a pornographic video
“The offender quickly stomped his heel onto the screen of the mobile phone that had fallen to the floor
causing the phone’s screen to crack,” the facts state
It was the phone he had used to message his victim
Police seized methylamphetamine and multiple devices from Smith’s home
including phones that contained almost 100 videos of child abuse material
Smith had been on the Child Protection Register after being convicted and sentenced in 2022 over three counts of possessing child abuse material
Smith has pleaded guilty to two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 14 and 16
procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity
and failing to comply with reporting obligations for the register by not disclosing his Telegram username to police
When Smith’s matter returns to court for sentencing in May
the judge will also take into account offences of possessing a prohibited drug
and producing and disseminating child abuse material
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see lifeline.org.au)
the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
A registered child sex offender lured a 14-year-old girl to a park toilet block in Sydney\\u2019s south before giving her drugs and forcing her to perform sexual acts which he then filmed.
The Herald can reveal that William \\u201CBilly\\u201D Henry Smith, 47, has pleaded guilty to the horrifying incident involving the teenager in Pole Depot Park in Penshurst in August 2023.
\\u201CGot to be careful ppl dnt see [sic],\\u201D Smith messaged his victim before the meeting. \\u201CIl [sic] go to jail.\\u201D
Smith, using the account name \\u201CBit Inya\\u201D, first messaged the teenager on the encrypted chat application Telegram. He asked \\u201C16?\\u201D to which she replied, \\u201Ca little younger\\u201D, before Smith correctly guessed \\u201C14\\u201D, according to the agreed facts obtained from the NSW District Court last week.
Over four days, Smith \\u201Cengaged in several fantasy conversations\\u201D with the girl about sexual acts and incited her to send him explicit photographs of herself, as he \\u201Cgroomed and procured\\u201D her for unlawful sexual activity.
Smith sent the girl videos including pornography and bestiality. He asked if they could meet so she could \\u201Ctry on outfits\\u201D for him to see, and \\u201Csuggested a park \\u2026 where no one goes\\u201D.
\\u201CI promise you I won\\u2019t hurt you in any way. U can trust me,\\u201D Smith messaged the girl. \\u201CI want u to enjoy urself.\\u201D
The teenager replied: \\u201CI do trust you!\\u201D
But throughout the conversation, the victim made excuses in an attempt to \\u201Cdodge\\u201D meeting up with Smith, the facts state.
After she did not reply to one suggestion, Smith said: \\u201COk sweet as. Il delete ur number k. Sorry man..bye\\u201D.
The girl replied \\u201CWhat\\u201D and indicated she could meet him the next day.
Smith messaged that if they had met, he would have performed a sexual act on the girl, before adding: \\u201CObviously u dnt want anything like that from m3 That\\u2019s ok ..I won\\u2019t touch u\\u201D.
One of the \\u201Cfantasies\\u201D he detailed was that he would \\u201Cclimb in her window at night\\u201D, perform a sexual act and leave, according to the court documents. When the girl said her window was nailed shut, Smith \\u201Cinstructed her to leave her back door open, and he would meet her in the backyard\\u201D.
As the pair met in a public place the next day, Smith saw a police car and told the girl: \\u201CIf the cops ask, I\\u2019m your neighbour, OK.\\u201D
After walking into the toilet block, Smith asked the victim if she wanted to \\u201Csmoke something\\u201D, to which she replied, \\u201CI don\\u2019t really know?\\u201D She agreed after he told her: \\u201CIt\\u2019s not going to hurt you, it will just make you, like, more awake or relaxed.\\u201D The facts state methylamphetamine was later found in her system.
Smith filmed himself as he forced the teenager to perform sexual acts before she said she needed to leave. The victim later asked for the video that Smith had taken, which he said he would send on Telegram.
The girl told her mother, friends and a teacher but \\u201Cprovided little detail as she was finding it difficult to speak\\u201D, the facts state. She went to the police that day with her mother.
When officers went to Smith\\u2019s home to arrest him that afternoon, he \\u201Cjumped up from the bed wearing no pants\\u201D and a phone fell on the ground playing a pornographic video.
\\u201CThe offender quickly stomped his heel onto the screen of the mobile phone that had fallen to the floor, causing the phone\\u2019s screen to crack,\\u201D the facts state. It was the phone he had used to message his victim.
Police seized methylamphetamine and multiple devices from Smith\\u2019s home, including phones that contained almost 100 videos of child abuse material, some involving children as young as three.
Smith had been on the Child Protection Register after being convicted and sentenced in 2022 over three counts of possessing child abuse material.
Regarding the Penshurst attack, Smith has pleaded guilty to two counts of having sexual intercourse with a child aged between 14 and 16, procuring a child for unlawful sexual activity, possessing child abuse material, and failing to comply with reporting obligations for the register by not disclosing his Telegram username to police.
When Smith\\u2019s matter returns to court for sentencing in May, the judge will also take into account offences of possessing a prohibited drug, and producing and disseminating child abuse material. Smith remains in custody.
If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (and see ), 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. .
Picture by Tracey Kruger IT'S not unusual for Jayden Watson to hang around the club rooms long after the footballs have been packed away
All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Warrnambool-based coach still has the 50-minute drive home ahead of him but relishes the chance to connect with the people who make the Penshurst Football Netball Club his second home
Sometimes I get stuck at the club rooms until like nine o'clock just talking to the good locals," he said
"It's just a good environment to be around."
returned to Penshurst three seasons ago after winning three premierships in four years with Hampden league powerhouse Koroit
He started at the Bombers as an assistant coach
has his side on the cusp of a Mininera and District league senior flag
The Bombers will play Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the grand final at Tatyoon Recreation Reserve on Saturday
Josh Rentsch won the Mininera and District league best and fairest on Monday
Picture by Tracey Kruger They scored a one-point win against the Magpies in the second semi-final
"I am excited to potentially lead my home club to a premiership," Watson said
"I am not too nervous myself but I feel like a few of the boys potentially will be
I am just ready to be a bit of a leader for them on the day
"It's exciting for the club, being its 150th year as well."
The club is ingrained in the Watson family and a premiership under one of their own's reign would be extra satisfying
Jayden Watson has risen up the leadership ranks at Penshurst
Picture by Tracey Kruger His parents Ron and Kellie still live across the road from the Penshurst Recreation Reserve
"Dad is a selector and youngest sister (Karley) has started playing under 13s netball this year too," Watson
Leadership is something which sits comfortably with the electrician who "hasn't struggled for any off-field support" from the Penshurst hierarchy
Jayden Watson won four Hampden league premierships with Koroit. He is pictured with the 2017 cup. File picture His time at Koroit - he won flags in 2016, '17 and '19 after missing the bulk of the 2018 season with a toe fusion injury - elevated his understanding of the game and people management
"I felt like when I came back I had a fair bit of knowledge to impart on the group and being such a young group
you could really see they were absorbing everything you'd say," Watson said
"I have always liked to help people and I am pretty much helping out young boys develop their footy
I really enjoy that aspect of it for sure."
Penshurst footballer Craig Jackson was runner-up in the MDFL reserves best and fairest. Picture by Tracey Kruger Watson, who plays in the Bombers' midfield, was grateful when the club lured SANFL-calibre key forward Josh Rentsch back from Sturt for the 2024 season
He leads the Mininera and District goal-kicking with 92 and won the league best and fairest on Monday
"His size has been really hard to match up," Watson said of Rentsch
his natural leadership around the group has flowed through
just through his preparation and anything he says is always spot on
"He's a perfectly mannered young man too."
The Mininera and District league grand final will start at 2.30pm
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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but fortunately no life-threatening injuries
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIt's believed two vehicles were involved in the accident in a 100kmh zone just before 11.30am Thursday
Port Fairy police Sergeant David Walkley said a sedan was travelling north on the Koroit-Penshurst Road at Kirkstall when it appeared the driver suffered a medical episode
"He's veered into the path of a southbound truck and collided with the trailer," he said
"The driver has been mechanically trapped due to the damage to the vehicle
"He was required to be cut out by State Emergency Service volunteers."
Sergeant Walkley said the driver was transported by ambulance to the Warrnambool Base Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries
waiting for tow trucks and heavy haulage to arrive at they collision scene
Sergeant Walkley said the damage to the truck's trailer was "quite substantial"
Country Fire Authority and State Emergency Services vehicles have all attended the accident scene
A Country Fire Authority spokesperson said four CFA units along with Fire Rescue Victoria officers and State Emergency Service volunteers responded to reports of a collision near Kirkstall at 11.18am Thursday
Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were on scene," they said
"Crews discovered a single vehicle incident and worked to safely extricate the occupant
The incident was deemed under control at 11.40am and safe at 11.56am."
who was arrested at Sutherland and two men who were arrested at Penshurst
are among 14 people charged with 65 offences following investigations into antisemitic incidents across Sydney's east
Strike Force Pearl was established in December 2024 by officers attached to the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command - with support provided by Central Metropolitan Region
State Crime Command and State Intelligence Command - to investigate religious motivated arson attacks and offensive graffiti across the Eastern Suburbs between October 2024 and February 2025
Strike Force Pearl investigators executed 11 simultaneous search warrants and three firearm prohibition orders - with assistance at five premises from the Australian Federal Police - across Sydney yesterday (Monday 10 March 2025)
The 14 arrested have now been charged as follows
* A 31-year-old man was arrested at a Camperdown unit and taken to Newtown Police Station where he was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group
five counts of accessory before the fact to malicious damage in company
two counts of destroy property in company use fire and break and enter in company destroy property
Police will allege in court the man was involved in the preparation and staging of motor vehicles and provisioning them with equipment necessary for the commission of the offences
He appeared at Newtown Local Court the same day where he was formally refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 3 April 2025
* Two men were arrested on the Central Coast - an 18-year-old from San Remo and a 20-year from Canton Beach - and taken to Wyong Police Station where they were charged with participate criminal group - contribute criminal activity
The younger man was also charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit
Police will allege in court the two men were involved in providing vehicles which were used during the arson attack on a childcare centre on Storey Street at Maroubra on 21 January 2025
Damage worth an estimated $3.4m was sustained
Both men appeared in Wyong Local Court the same day where they were granted conditional bail to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 26 March 2025
* A 33-year-old man was arrested at a Wentworthville unit and taken to Granville Police Station where he was charged with two counts of intentionally damage property in company
He was also charged with contravene ADVO and an outstanding warrant for traffic offences was executed
Police will allege in court that the man attended King Lane
and spray-painted graffiti on motor vehicles and properties
He appeared at Parramatta Local Court the same day where he was formally refused bail to appear at the same court on Thursday (13 March 2025)
* A 25-year-old man was arrested at a Box Hill home and taken to Riverstone Police Station where he was charged with participate criminal group
damage property intend criminal activity of group and being carried in conveyance
Police will allege in court that the man attended Henry Street
He appeared in Blacktown Local Court the same day where he was formally refused bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday 25 March 2025
were arrested at a Penshurst home and taken to Kogarah Police Station
The older man was charged with drive motor vehicle during disqualification period
take and drive conveyance without consent of owner
participate criminal group contribute criminal
fail to comply digital evidence access order direction
give false etc info re digital evidence access order
and hinder or resist police officer in the execution of duty
Police will allege in court that the man attended a home and a school at Maroubra
and a home at Eastlakes and spray-painted graffiti on the properties
He appeared at Sutherland Local Court the same day where he was formally refused bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 24 March 2025
The younger man was charged with possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and possess prohibited drug
Police will allege in court that an electronic stun device and steroids were seized during the warrant at the Penshurst property
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday 1 April 2025
* A 26-year-old man was arrested at Wentworth Point and taken to Auburn Police Station where he was charged with possess prohibited drug
possess DECCD to commit etc serious criminal activity and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction
Police will allege that two mobile phones and cash were seized during a warrant at the Wentworth property
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 17 April 2025
were arrested at Riverstone Police Station after being transferred from a correctional facility
The younger man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
destroy/damage property intend criminal activity of group drive conveyance taken w/o consent of owner
supply prohibited drug - indictable and possess prohibited drug
He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court today (Tuesday 11 March 2025)
The older man was charged with additional offences of accessory before the fact to damaging property by means of fire or explosion - over his involvement in the arson attack on a childcare centre at Maroubra - and possess unregistered firearm
Police will allege in court that a firearm was seized during a warrant at a storage facility in January 2025
He was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 3 April
were arrested at Burwood Police Station after being transferred from a correctional facility
The younger man was charged with knowingly direct activities of criminal group
accessory before the fact to destroy property in company use fire
and accessory before the fact to damage property by fire/explosion
Police will allege in court that the man directed the commission of the arson attacks at Bondi Beach
He was remanded in custody to appear at Waverley Local Court today (Tuesday 11 March)
The older man was charged with an additional offence of destroy/ damage property intend criminal activity of group
Police will allege in court that the man attended the Curlewis Street business on Sunday 20 October 2024 and broke into the premises before setting it alight
He was remanded in custody to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 27 March
* A 26-year-old woman was arrested at Sutherland and taken to Sutherland Police Station where she was charged with participate in criminal group
supply prohibited drug - indictable quantity
four counts of possess prescribed restricted substance
and five counts of possess prohibited drug
Police will allege in court that methylamphetamine and prescription medications were seized during the search of a vehicle at Sutherland and a warrant at a Campbelltown property
She was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court today (Tuesday)
* A 27-year-old woman was arrested at an Eastlakes unit and taken to Mascot Police Station where she was charged with three counts of possess prohibited drugs
prescription medication and an electronic stun device was seized during the warrant at the Eastlakes property
She was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 10 April
Strike Force Pearl detectives have now arrested 29 people and laid a total of 143 charges
Investigations under Strike Force Pearl continue
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Picture by Eddie Guerrero JACOB Mibus is your quintessential country footballer in every way bar one
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Penshurst full-forward has represented the club since childhood
replicating dad Trevor's feat of playing Mininera and District league seniors
He works on a merino sheep farm near Dunkeld and enjoys driving to the Bombers' home ground on Tuesday and Thursday nights for training and banter with his mates
But Mibus, now 23 and on the cusp of his first senior grand final
plays with a prosthetic foot and leg brace
Mibus was just seven when a serious lawn mower accident on Father's Day 2008 forced his parents to make a gut-wrenching call
Penshurst footballer Jacob Mibus enjoys working on his family farm near Dunkeld
Picture by Eddie Guerrero "It severed my heel bone and because there is no other bone in your body like your heel bone
they couldn't replace it," he told The Standard
"I would've had to have surgery for the rest of my life or could get it amputated
"Mum and Dad made the decision (to get my left foot amputated) which I think they definitely went the right way about it."
The setback didn't slow Mibus down and he jumped into sporting pursuits
basketball and football as well as setting national records in his class in track and field
who will celebrate his 100th senior game on grand final day
said he adapted to his new way of life easily because of his young age
Jacob Mibus in action for Penshurst during the Mininera and District league second semi-final
Picture by Tracey Kruger "By Christmas that year I was running around again
so it didn't really stop me for too long," he said
"It is such a bad thing to happen to someone but because it happened when I was so young I would grow up and learn to do everything with it
"It is no different for me than someone else learning to do something new
He played in an under 16 premiership for Penshurst and then eyed a spot in the senior side
Jacob Mibus loves football and wants to win a Mininera and District league senior flag with Penshurst
Picture by Eddie Guerrero "Through primary school and stuff it was a bit tricky because I was young and everyone would always look at me and stare at me and it was something I didn't really like but as you get older it bothered me less and less," Mibus said of being an amputee
"Now everyone knows and no one treats me any differently which is really good."
Mibus will tick off a life-long goal when he runs out for Penshurst against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac in the 2024 senior grand final at Tatyoon on Saturday
Jacob Mibus will play his 100th senior game for Penshurst on Mininera and District league grand final day
Picture by Eddie Guerrero It comes five years after he was overlooked for the Bombers' 2019 grand final side
it's a bit of relief and I am more excited than anything," Mibus
who has kicked 28 goals from 15 games this season
"I think I have definitely come a lot further with my footy since then
I have filled out into my body a bit more and just worked a bit harder and got a bit better mindset now too."
who was working in tandem with league best and fairest Josh Rentsch in the Bombers' forward line
The farm and football are passions for Penshurst forward Jacob Mibus
Picture by Eddie Guerrero "From the outside
if someone came and saw that they'd go 'wow
what an incredible feat' but with us all knowing Jacob and his character
"He plays an important role at full-forward for us
a very good kick and his pressure is getting better and better."
Mibus understands the impact a senior flag would have on the Penshurst faithful, particularly in a season where the club is celebrating 150 years of existence
"All the people who have helped me through the journey and helped me along the way
missing out there and we lost that grand final by four points," he said
Jacob Mibus has helped Penshurst climb the ladder in 2024
Picture by Eddie Guerrero "There's a few people in the team now who played in that grand final so I think it would definitely mean a lot (to win one)
"Dad played a lot of footy at Penshurst and he said 'it's such a rare thing to be in and you're in such a good position and anything can happen'."
Picture by Jim Gainsford,This is the Christmas party that almost didn't happen
Since 1962 the volunteers of the Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club have been training generations of children how to swim at the Peakhurst West Public School pool
But that almost came to an end on Thursday
December 5 when the Department of Education closed the pool with one day's warning
This prompted a community outcry with the Peakhurst Amateur Swimming Club and Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club scrambling to find other venues at the height of the swimming season
David Coleman called on the department to immediately reverse its decision and reopen the pool
State Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the decision was unacceptable
Both started petitions which gathered several thousand signatures in several days
By December 9 the department had reversed its decision
allowing the pool to reopen this morning (Saturday
president of the Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club
"If we weren't able to find another pool there was a danger our club would have closed."
The club celebrated the reopening of the pool this morning with a free sausage sizzle
a visit by Santa and gifts for the children
The Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club has 71 members aged from four-years to 25 years and 20 instructors and holds learn-to-swim classes and squad training every Saturday morning
the younger swimmers who we teach freestyle and backstroke
They then graduate to the Seahorse group where they start to do breaststroke
improve their freestyle and backstroke and learn to do diving
Then there is the Sharks group where they do all forms of swimming strokes while learning to do butterfly
"After this they are qualified to go into the squads and are ready to compete with all the other RSL swim squads
This year we had 19 entries over three carnivals and tonight we are competing in the RSL zone championships at Botany pool
"We also help our older swimmers to qualify as swimming teachers by teaching them CPR and first-aid
"Our role is to help the young ones to learn their water skills and safety so parents can feel confident that their kids are safe around water
"As far as we are concerned we are here to help the community."
a life member of the club said when the Peakhurst West pool was built it was originally a 15-metre pool
"When they wanted to convert it to 25-metres there were Sunday doorknocks between Riverwood and the pool in Peakhurst West to raise the money," Peter said
"It shows the effort the community has invested in the pool
This can be seen in David Coleman's petition gathering 1,500 signatures in a matter of days," he said
Mark Coure described the reversal of the decision to reopen the pool as "a victory for our local community and a testament to what we can achieve when we come together
"The closure of this pool was unacceptable
and thanks to the incredible advocacy of local residents
the government has been forced to listen," he said
The department made the decision to temporarily close the pool until a suitable operator is appointed to run the facility
however to ensure the continued safety of the public
a suitable operator is required to provide qualified supervision and conduct maintenance and increased water quality inspections," a department spokesperson said
But Mr Coleman said the closure could be permanent
"The Government stated that the pool will be closed until an Expression of Interest process to run the pool concludes," Mr Coleman said
if the Expression of Interest process does not find a suitable operator 'there is a chance that the pool will no longer be viable and will be closed permanently.' "
Mark Coure said the campaign also highlighted the need for long-term investment in the pool to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming space for future generations
"Now we need to ensure the government commits to upgrading and maintaining this pool for the long term."
But for the moment it was business as usual at the Peakhurst West pool
"I'm happy we are still operating and are able to finish the year seeing the kids with big smiles on their faces."
and Councillors Christina Jamieson and Peter Mahoney
Picture: Chris LaneThe beautification of the Penshurst shopping centre has taken a step closer with Georges River Council to look at prioritising much-needed upgrades and safety measures for the area
tired of what they see is the neglect of their suburb
have rallied to tell the council to undertake the upgrade
Earlier this year residents formed the Project Penshurst action group to get the urgent upgrade of their shopping centre on the council agenda
They voiced their concerns at the May 27 council meeting in support of a Notice of Motion by Councillor Christina Jamieson calling for the council to take a number of actions to improve the appearance and safety aspects of the Penshurst shopping centre
co-founder of the Project Penshurst action group told the council meeting
which is higher than neighbouring suburbs like Mortdale and Oatley
and cluttered with unauthorized shopkeeper goods on the footpaths
making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate
especially near the train station," she said
"Our small patch of greenery beside the Bridge Street railway bridge has been decimated
grey shelter in the middle of the town centre
The entire intersection between Bridge Street and Penshurst Street is hazardous
with faded crossings and cafes on precarious corners lacking guardrails
Guardrails are needed on both sides of Bridge Street to ensure the safety of residents and the many commuters who use the station," she said
"We are not asking for anything extravagant-just safe streets and roads
The basics that will help restore our community's pride and well-being," Ms Parras said
owner of Stems with Style florist in Penshurst street said
"Penshurst town centre has a vast and broad heritage yet it looks daggy and downhearted
"With two high schools and two primary schools part of the town centre
bollards and plantings will all help with this as will the proposed traffic study
"Perhaps when all of this is achieved Penshurst will be a dag no longer."
Michael Tomalaris called on the council to install a rail guard or bollards for the protection of patrons and to avoid a potential disaster which could injure
My main concern is of the vehicles that swing off the railway bridge
over the pedestrian lines and past the seating and tables
I've personally seen vehicles come within centimetres of scraping the edge of the footpath," he said
Councillors voted unanimously to support Cr Jamieson's motion calling for the council to prepare a Public Domain Plan for streetscape and public safety enhancements for the Penshurst Town Centre that includes:
Cr Jamieson thanked Project Penshurst for their continued dedication to their community
"I am so pleased that the council will be addressing some of Penshurst';s pressing needs within this financial year
As Project Penshurst 2222 puts it "We're giving back Penshurst's mojo," she said
I will be pushing for council to prioritise funding for essential safety improvements in Penshurst
such as the guard rail on Bridge Street (both sides) and enhanced lighting for the walkways at the Connolly Street parking area
more vibrant place for everyone and a 'dag' no longer."
Picture suppliedMarist College Penshurst Year 11 student Keira Blackmore has won the inaugural Australian International Multicultural Association (AIM) talent awards
The AIM Talent Awards is an annual talent contest designed to celebrate and promote multicultural talent from around Australia
This event seeks to uncover and showcase the diverse skills and creativity of performers from various cultural backgrounds
offering them a platform to gain exposure and public opportunities
The contest is open to individuals and groups 16 years of age or over
presenting a wide array of talents including singing
and other acts that highlight cultural heritage
Participants go through several rounds of auditions
with the most exceptional talents advancing to the final stages of the competition
composed of industry professionals and cultural icons
evaluates the performances based on criteria such as originality
with opportunities to vote for their favourite acts
Winners receive not only prestigious trophies and recognition but also significant opportunities to perform at high-profile events
The contest aims to empower multicultural talents
fostering a sense of pride and unity through the celebration of diverse cultural expressions
She was won many eisteddfods including the Sydney Eisteddfod in musical theatre
and was recently rewarded 'cultural leader' of her school
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter
A registered child sex offender lured a 14-year-old girl to a park toilet block in Sydney\\u2019s south before giving her drugs and forcing her to perform sexual acts which he then filmed
The Herald can reveal that William \\u201CBilly\\u201D Henry Smith
\\u201CGot to be careful ppl dnt see [sic],\\u201D Smith messaged his victim before the meeting
using the account name \\u201CBit Inya\\u201D
He asked \\u201C16?\\u201D to which she replied
before Smith correctly guessed \\u201C14\\u201D
Smith \\u201Cengaged in several fantasy conversations\\u201D with the girl about sexual acts and incited her to send him explicit photographs of herself
as he \\u201Cgroomed and procured\\u201D her for unlawful sexual activity
He asked if they could meet so she could \\u201Ctry on outfits\\u201D for him to see
and \\u201Csuggested a park \\u2026 where no one goes\\u201D
\\u201CI promise you I won\\u2019t hurt you in any way
U can trust me,\\u201D Smith messaged the girl
the victim made excuses in an attempt to \\u201Cdodge\\u201D meeting up with Smith
The girl replied \\u201CWhat\\u201D and indicated she could meet him the next day
before adding: \\u201CObviously u dnt want anything like that from m3 That\\u2019s ok ..I won\\u2019t touch u\\u201D
One of the \\u201Cfantasies\\u201D he detailed was that he would \\u201Cclimb in her window at night\\u201D
Smith \\u201Cinstructed her to leave her back door open
and he would meet her in the backyard\\u201D
Smith saw a police car and told the girl: \\u201CIf the cops ask
Smith asked the victim if she wanted to \\u201Csmoke something\\u201D
\\u201CI don\\u2019t really know?\\u201D She agreed after he told her: \\u201CIt\\u2019s not going to hurt you
more awake or relaxed.\\u201D The facts state methylamphetamine was later found in her system
friends and a teacher but \\u201Cprovided little detail as she was finding it difficult to speak\\u201D
When officers went to Smith\\u2019s home to arrest him that afternoon
he \\u201Cjumped up from the bed wearing no pants\\u201D and a phone fell on the ground playing a pornographic video
\\u201CThe offender quickly stomped his heel onto the screen of the mobile phone that had fallen to the floor
causing the phone\\u2019s screen to crack,\\u201D the facts state
Police seized methylamphetamine and multiple devices from Smith\\u2019s home
When Smith\\u2019s matter returns to court for sentencing in May
Start the day with a summary of the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories
NSW Police responded to reports of an armed man at a children's park in Sydney's southwest on Tuesday.
Officers from the St George Police Area Command were called to Penshurst Park
Law enforcement had received multiple reports of a man with a firearm.
witnesses claimed the alleged offender was driving a red ute
Police immediately began to search the area.
Highway Patrol stopped the red ute on King Georges Road about 10 minutes later
Officers located and confiscated a prohibited firearm during the search
and three men were subsequently arrested.
The 19-year-old driver and his two passengers
were arrested and taken to Kogarah Police Station
Police confirm the investigation is ongoing and all three men are currently assisting police with their inquiries
Buoyed by a rental shortage and rising replacement costs caused by
investors outlaid a bullish $12 million on two medium density residential assets
four older style apartments and two brand new townhouses at 313 Bronte Road
acquired the four flats in stages until 2003 from Ena Harper
his landlord when he moved into one as a tenant in the 1980s
one (5/313 Bronte Rd) which has just rented for $1200 a week
Six offers came in for the investment following an expressions of interest campaign closing on April 16
It traded three days later – the result reflecting a c3.7 per cent market yield
the asset is seven kilometres east of Sydney’s CBD
“The property offered a compelling investment opportunity with an estimated total income of more than $340,000 per year…and future development potential with approval in place for a storage room at the rear,” Knight Frank’s Demi Carigliano
who represented Mr Caretti with James Masselos and Sotheby’s International’s Clint Ballard
“It’s not often a property like this comes to the market in a sought after location such as Waverley….and this one hadn’t been officially offered since 1958,” he added
double storey units completed in 1973 at 40 Victoria Rd traded for $2.55m – a low 3.5pc gross yield (story continues below)
Each of the dwellings has a lock up garage
the property was marketed for its development upside
Three groups contested seeing a sale ahead of a scheduled May 28 auction
The asset previously traded for $1.225m in September
2007 – the month of a Global Financial Crisis led downturn
was represented by Knight Frank’s Adam Droubi
The rental crisis and high replacement costs drove demand for the Waverley and Penshurst assets
“Many vendors are taking their unit blocks to the market to capitalise on the current strong demand,” he added
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A former property analyst and print journalist
Marc is the publisher of realestatesource.com.au
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Picture by Tracey KrugerA south-west football netball club with an esteemed history will celebrate a milestone on Saturday
Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueMininera District league club Penshurst will celebrate its 150th anniversary in the round four clash against Hawkesdale-Macarthur with the Bombers to host a special evening at the town hall afterwards
The evening will pay tribute to past and present players, members, supporters and sponsors and revel in the rich history of the club which has won 18 senior premierships, nine reserve premierships alongside numerous junior football and netball success.
Bombers president Tim Wilson said the club meant a lot to so many people and was excited to reflect on the success and impact it had on the community
one-town club with no major change to its make-up in 150 years," he said
"We've been an integral part of Penshurst's fabric
from the early days of townie domination to our current status as a diverse mix of locals and players from surrounding areas."
Despite plenty of change across its 150 years
the club - which has been part of 12 different leagues - has remained in the Mininera and District league since 1970
but beyond that the majority of folk within the town and district show an interest in how the club performs
and if the club is up and about the town buzzes
who has been involved with the club for more than two decades
said it had plenty to be proud of in recent years
"We've seen senior premierships in 2009 and 2012
as well as notable accomplishments in netball
including a four-peat in A grade from 2010-2013 and a three-peat in B grade from 2010-2012," he said
"Out of the last 22 junior grand finals we have been in 16 and won 11
we are now seeing the majority of our senior and reserves teams are players that have progressed from junior to senior football
our proudest moments include saving a player's life during a cardiac arrest incident at training
and fostering a sense of community that transcends wins and losses."
Wilson said part of what made the club a special place was its ability to welcome people from all walks of life and foster deep community connections
"It's certainly been the case for our club that it is the role of each generation to pass the baton to the next to continue living the club values," he said
"Our goal is to continue offering a pathway for players from juniors to seniors while also enhancing our facilities to benefit not just the sporting club
He said without the support of its supporters and sponsors it would not be possible to reach the historic milestone
"Supporters are the lifeblood of any sporting club," he said
"Without their generosity we would struggle to fund the day-to-day running of the club; sports administration has become very in-depth and costly
"They'll be honoured guests at our anniversary celebrations and integral partners in our future endeavours
"Surviving and thriving for 150 years is no small feat
It's a testament to the dedication and resilience of everyone involved."
an England of cricket on the green and William Blake
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There is an England I sometimes dream of, of cricket on the green and sausages for breakfast, of gin and tonics come noon and organ music drifting in from far away. It is an England of Nelson and William Blake
It is an England that probably never existed, but it can still be visited, in a way, at the Leicester Arms. It is impossibly pretty, with its pink umbrellas and rambling greenery framing the windows. Inside, refurbished last year, it is all soft cream and wooden beams, of heavy leather chairs to dose in, fireplaces, a fine array of beer and very good food
There are rooms upstairs; accept their invitation
and to an England that never really existed
High Street, Penshurst, Tonbridge TN11 8BT, theleicesterarmspenshurst.co.uk
If you have any queries about this error, try emailing feedback@mirror.co.uk and we'll do what we can to help you
Paul Brand is Leading Britain's Conversation
Officers attended the scene in Penshurst Road
minutes from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
was treated for a gunshot wound by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service
Read more: Multiple arrests after man shot inside home in east London
A police spokesperson said: “Officers were called to a suspected shooting in Penshurst Road
“A 16-year-old boy was treated at the scene for a gunshot wound by the London Ambulance Service
This incident came after two arrests were made following an east London shooting that left three people injured
Police were called to a property on Upton Lane in Forest Gate just before 3pm on Tuesday following reports of gunshots in the area
They discovered one man with a gunshot wound who was then taken to a major trauma centre with injuries not believed to be life-threatening
Two others were also treated for head injuries by the London Ambulance Service
Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting and the Met said the firearm has been recovered
Chief Inspector Daryl Jones from North East Command said: "We are aware that this shooting on a residential street this afternoon would have had an enormous impact on the local community
"We are pleased we've been able to make two arrests and recover a firearm within hours of the incident
or to your local neighbourhood policing teams
A spokesperson for London Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 2.51pm today (29 April) to reports of a shooting on Upton Lane
a paramedic from our tactical response unit and an incident response officer
"We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance
"We took one person to a major trauma centre by road as a priority and the other two patients to hospital.”
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(Pro tip: Nab a milk crate on the footpath for the genuine street-side dining experience.)
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There is a lot of wit inside a visit to Bsp’eria
Bsp’eria is not a cross between a 1977 Italian supernatural horror film and an Italian word for dough-based flatbread from rustic street vendor carts in 1700s Naples
this four-month-old dark-honey-brick pizzeria
as wide as a garage and backing onto train tracks in southern Sydney
sits on a road snaking up from Penshurst’s main shopping street and over a railway bridge
street window and red cloth awning frame silhouettes of staff and chefs feverishly making pizza in a small industrial kitchen edged by waiting customers and passing cars wondering what all the fuss is about
Margherita pizza.Janie BarrettBsp’eria is spinningly popular
I say it to a cheery man who answers Bsp’eria’s phone five minutes after opening and 45 re-rings reaching an engaged tone
ranging from a margherita to the Funguy (truffle cream
hot pepperoni (with hot maple and pecorino)
stracciatella cheese and tomato) and the good old vegana (roasted potato)
which melds Nutella with poached pear; antipasti including olives
whipped ricotta dip and stracciatella with grape tomato
anchovy and basil; and a rocket salad with grana cheese and pear
Michael Sgourdas, who opened Bsp’eria with business partner Mick Abboud in late March, says he consulted good friend Stefano de Caro, co-owner of Surry Hills restaurant Cicerone Cucina Romana, on the menu, process, staff and recipes.
“We’re doing a Neapolitan-style, which is like a woodfire-style, but we use a sourdough pizza base,” he says. “It’s got a really nice crunch, a lovely doughy feel to it.
“It’s a small menu so we can control the quality.”
Vegana pizza.Janie BarrettAdvertisementEverything outside of supplied cheeses and meats is made inside the shop, including the dough. There are plans to introduce specials, and an online ordering system, but for now, it’s a matter of repeat-calling to get through.
“Friday, Saturday, it’s quite intense,” Sgourdas says. “It doesn’t stop. The phone goes up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, for a solid two hours.
“It’s a lot of talking, a lot of stress, a lot of trying to find gaps so people can get the pizzas. We do our best to accommodate everyone.”
Calling at 5.05pm on a Friday night means a 7.15pm pick-up, such is demand. On arrival, our order for margherita, vegana and gamberi pizzas, along with rocket salad, whipped ricotta dip and stracciatella, grape tomato, anchovy and basil salad, is running five minutes late.
We could eat-in using Bsp’eria’s collection of 10 stools and milk crates resting in a footpath alcove to the left. There are toilets, a public block, next door and parking is fine, particularly if you use the station walkover bridge to neighbouring streets.
Whipped ricotta dip.Janie BarrettCars honk, people get off the train to collect their pizza and we stand beside Bsp’eria’s open window chatting to staff, some moulding dough with tattooed arms, others with wide grins, olive skin and dark ponytailed hair arranging basil leaves and mozzarella cheese on plates of dough.
It’s like we’re all in an episode of Chicago sandwich shop comedy drama The Bear, except everyone working is cheerful and laughing despite the unrelenting speed of their job.
The pizzas, walked out to us on the footpath in yellow red letter-stamped boxes, do not even make it home.
Driving in the car, two of our party in pyjamas eat the silky, bowing slices of beautifully chewy, char-speckled pizza, laden with good oozing cheese, fat prawns, fresh basil, rosemary flecks, golden roasted potato and fragrantly herby sauce.
Everyone says vegana loudly with the windows down. No regrets.
Vibe: Tiny pizzeria beside suburban railway station serving good Neapolitan-style pizza with break-neck pep and casual footpath seating.
Go-to dish: Vegana pizza with roasted potato, garlic, rosemary, balsamic and onion, with whipped ricotta and hot maple dip for the crusts
10 of Sydney’s best pizza joints (and the nicest slice at each)Continue this series
Pizza by the slice heats up in Sydney as Merivale and Michelin-starred chef open two new spotsTotti’s chef Mike Eggert will soon open Oti in Merivale’s Ivy precinct, while Ta Ta Ta Pizza opens in a backstreet in Bondi Junction.
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Picture by The Examiner AN ALL-Australian footballer who played 281 AFL games across three clubs will be a special guest at a Mininera and District league match
It is part of the Bombers' second Indigenous Round. The club will have nine Indigenous footballers play across the reserves and seniors matches. One Indigenous player is injured and will help on the day too
The teams will wear special guernseys and there will be a welcome to country and smoking ceremony as they celebrate Indigenous culture
Penshurst life member Trevor Mibus said Ryder would answer a Q&A at the post-match function
"We have a connection with Paddy through Andrew Vella at Geelong
Andrew's one of (our club's) longest returning Indigenous guys
I think he's been with us for four or five years," he told The Standard
"Paddy is living in Adelaide now and he's going to come over and be mingling in the crowd and then we'll do a little interview with him after the game along with our other Indigenous guys from Geelong."
Mibus said having a player of Ryder's experience around the club was an opportunity for Penshurst players to learn and build on an already promising start to 2024
Penshurst pair Josh and Nathan Rentsch in the Bombers' Indigenous guernsey
Picture by Tracey Kruger "On the field we're going fantastic
(Coach) Jayden Watson is doing a fantastic job with the coaching and the things he's brought into the club are a lot of (Hampden league) Koroit-type things (from his time there)," he said
"We've had (former North Warrnambool Eagles coach) Adam Dowie up and he spoke to the boys and did a little presentation pre-round one and just simple things he brought up that night players have been able to implement and we went to a training camp in Anglesea and we had a personal trainer and motivational guy speak to the boys
"All of these are little bonding things and they're a really tight-knit group and it's showing on the field
They play some really good football when they get going."