Will Mahusay’s new Filipino restaurant, Mesa, is an exercise in creative budgeting. But, as you’d expect from the founder of Newtown’s now-closed Sydney Cebu Lechon the portions are generous and the food is comforting and your visit is affordable but I tried to make everything $19 for a main dish,” Mahusay tells Broadsheet you just have to create a menu that’s very streamlined You choose pillar produce items – capsicum You can be clever and make two to three dishes from those items and that helps with stock and inventory control.” Take to the weekend-only Rooty Hill dinner spot for pancit a vegetable-focused noodle dish made with rice or egg noodles The Filipino version of chop suey is made with vegetables sauteed in a veggie broth There are meatier dishes like beef nilaga soup and five-spice brisket beef pares plus juicy marinated barbeque pork skewers the three-hour roasted Cebu lechon Mahusay is known for travel spots and more – curated by those who know and sisig waves the offal flag with pork mask the cubed pork is wok-fried until crispy rather than served the traditional way on a hot plate Mahusay takes over the 38-seater with Mesa Mahusay, who also owns the Sydney Cebu Lechon catering business plus a karenderia (casual roadside eatery) in Blacktown acknowledges he’s opening a new business in tough times If a person is cornered in a high-pressure situation ‘how can we survive?’ That’s when the creative ideas start to form The key is to make changes before the hard times start ‘why should I wait until I’m uncomfortable?’ If I operate differently now I can make a new business work and save myself trouble in the future.” @mesa_syd Charcoal Chicken and Rosewater Desserts: A Local’s Guide to Merrylands Where Chefs Eat: Peter Gilmore Really Knows Crows Nest Ex-Tradies Grill Hard-to-Find Mexican Street Snacks First Look: Berta’s Deli Knows “Everyone Loves a Sandwich” This is probably not the page you’re looking for Sorry, this product is unavailable. Please choose a different combination. Logies host Sam Pang has roasted our own Mark Geyer and revealed some questionable antics during a comedy show in Western Sydney recently. MG and his wild bunch of mates went along to watch Sam & Mick Molloy’s ‘The Comedians’ tour and were welcomed backstage. Although Mick & Sam quickly regretted that decision when all of their food and drinks for a post-show party suddenly disappeared…thanks to MG & his mates! “I had a good time until afterwards when we get backstage and the gang of Underbelly are waiting for us… I was genuinely terrified for my life!” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Geyer (@markmggeyer) Download the free LiSTNR app to hear more of Mick & MG In The Morning! Get the latest updates direct to your inbox with the love of a refugeeA bowl of this traditional Afghan ice cream made in Sydney's west delivers deliciousness entertainment and a huge serving of hope.Traditional handmade ice cream at Afghan Cuisine in Sydney's Rooty Hill Afghan dumplings with beef sauce and garlic yoghurt (ashak) The Australian and NSW Governments are funding the proposed Richmond Road upgrade between M7 Motorway and Townson Road Marsden Park as part of North West Growth Centre Road Network Strategy to support development in the fast‑growing North West Growth Area The upgrade will see the widening of Richmond Road between Colebee and Marsden Park to ease congestion and improve safety the upgrade will add a new flyover bridge from the M7 Motorway/Rooty Hill Road North off-ramp to Richmond Road northbound to allow road users to bypass two sets of traffic lights These improvements will reduce congestion and queueing onto the motorway from Rooty Hill Road North allowing uninterrupted flow of traffic Transport for NSW is seeking feedback on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and supporting materials until Friday 20 December 2024 Find out more about the Richmond Road upgrade Have your say by 5pm Friday 20 December 2024.  Phone: 1300 367 561 See consultation methods We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Sydney without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Sydney he's heading to Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill At this event, Jamie Oliver: The Joy of Cooking he'll dive into the inspiration behind his new cookbook, Simply Jamie – which as the name suggests, is all about making cooking accessible and enjoyable especially for those of us who are time-poor He says that most of the recipes in this new book can be whipped up in under 20 minutes and require just a handful of ingredients “I profoundly believe that the power of food has a primal place in our homes it seems that time is our most valuable currency if you’re restricted on time then you need to be smart with how you approach mealtimes I hope that the recipes in this cookbook will inspire you to find ways to get into the kitchen He won't just talk about recipes – Jamie promises to take a deep-dive into his extensive career from his early days on TV and his life as a restaurateur to his passion to transform school lunches and his life as a dad which means he knows a thing or two about balancing work and family life This exclusive evening will also give you an opportunity to ask Jamie your burning foodie questions – your chance to meet the man himself Jamie Oliver: The Joy of Cooking is taking place on Saturday, November 9, 2024 (7.30pm). Check out ticket info over here – a pre-sale starts tomorrow (Wed, Aug 21) and you can sign up for it now Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us the Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Training Awards presentation was the Regional final of the NSW Training Awards the aim of the Awards is to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector The Awards honour and reward the achievements of students registered training organisations and employers Jewel received the prestigious Aurora Award in recognition of her remarkable aptitude and resilience in her training journey Watch the video to learn more about Jewel and her experience of vocational education who will be the new Principal of Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary Greystanes On 9 May 2024 an Independent Public Hearing into the reclassification of Lot 201 DP 592610 Rooty Hill was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Local Government Act 1993 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 The legislation requires a Public Hearing to be held when a Planning Proposal seeks to reclassify public land it is proposed to reclassify the land from ‘community’ to ‘operational’ land The Public Hearing provided the opportunity for the community to present their views on the Planning Proposal to an independent person The Hearing was independently chaired and conducted by Ms Monique Darcy who is neither an officer of Council nor a Councillor The Chairperson has prepared a report from the Public Hearing which will be presented to Council for its consideration before Council determines the Planning Proposal An electronic copy of the report is available through this link.(PDF, 746KB) A hard copy of the Public Hearing Report is also available to view at: Council’s Civic Centre Background information relating to the Independent Public Hearing Report The Planning Proposal for the reclassification of Lot 201 DP 592610 and public submissions were invited from 13 March – 15 April 2024 No written submissions were received from the community during the exhibition The period for submissions on the Planning Proposal has now concluded and no further public submissions will be accepted Council did not receive any written submissions to the planning proposal.  Given this Council officers will now review the Independent Public Hearing Report and present a report on the Planning Proposal to Council for its consideration Council will then consider this report before determining the Planning Proposal at a Council meeting If you require further information regarding this matter please contact Council’s Coordinator Strategic Planning , Rachel Agyare on 02 9839 5960 at council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au or rachel.agyare@blacktown.nsw.gov.au We acknowledge the Dharug people as the original custodians of the land on which Blacktown City is built We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge the Aboriginal people for their custodianship of this land We will work together for a united City that respects this land and values the contribution to our community and culture of all people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.  Where to Find Australia’s Best Inner-City Bakeries By Katya Wachtel By Katya Wachtel By Matheus Melbourne-born gelato house Kariton Sorbetes is named after ice-cream carts in the Philippines, and has made a huge impact on the country’s dessert scene with its artisanal Filipino and Southeast Asian-inspired scoops. This is the brand’s second Sydney shop There are ten core flavours to choose from with fortnightly rotating specials – expanding its references beyond the Philippines to Japan Bestsellers include the signature ube halaya – a fudgy purple-yam gelato with blackberry jam and caramelised coconut – and the buko pandan a green dream of coconut and pandan sorbet with pandan jelly and the crunch of shredded young coconut and toasted rice flakes Website: karitonsorbetes.com We do not seek or accept payment from the cafes bars and shops listed in the Directory – inclusion is at our discretion Venue profiles are written by independent freelancers paid by Broadsheet Rooty Hill has officially been idol-ised, with a new campaign for The Sydney Coliseum Theatre by West HQ celebrating the role it has played in bringing rich and diverse entertainment to Western Sydney In a cheeky TV, digital and out-of-home advertising campaign, which gives a nod to the current season of Australian Idol’s live shows being filmed at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill, West HQ emphasises the unique live performance experience on offer in Western Sydney. West HQ CEO Richard Errington said the campaign not only celebrated the Sydney Coliseum Theatre as a world-class facility but also West HQ’s 60-year heritage of bringing entertainment to Western Sydney. “For the past sixty years, delivering diverse entertainment has been a core commitment of ours, with the who’s who of Australian entertainment performing in our Rooty Hill venue,” Errington said. “This has included Australian music royalty through to some of our most loved entertainers, such as the late Barry Humphries, who came to Rooty Hill to do his first performance as Sir Les Patterson”. “With the opening of our 2,000-seat world-class Sydney Coliseum Theatre at Rooty Hill four years ago, this has not only given us more opportunity to attract and present diverse entertainment but has also helped Rooty Hill become officially idolised”. “We also saw it feature as a key location for the STAN series Prosper, which sees great Australian actors Rebecca Gibney and Richard Roxburgh tell the story of an Australian family who founded a megachurch”. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Police allege former husband also breached his bail and an AVO after Christine Formosa Rakic’s body was found in Western Sydney home A Sydney man allegedly breached his bail before killing his ex-wife leaving her family in tremendous pain and disbelief Christine Formosa Rakic was found dead in a Rooty Hill home on Tuesday night in the latest of a spate of alleged domestic violence-related deaths across Sydney in recent weeks attended local court via video link from his hospital bed on Friday on charges of murder breaching bail and contravening an apprehended violence order He did not apply for bail and previous release conditions were revoked The 50-year-old had been in an induced coma after suffering critical wounds to his throat and arms after allegedly attacking Christine Rakic on Tuesday Police previously said there had been “some interactions” between officers and Dusan Rakic Christine Rakic’s death was something her family never thought it would have to experience “Our family is currently going through a tremendous amount of pain shock and disbelief,” she said on Thursday “Christine was a caring and humorous person spending time around her family and the light of her life were her children and grandson.” She made the comments on an online fundraiser for the 53-year-old’s funeral Donations had reached 60% of the $15,000 goal by late on Friday morning “We want to thank everyone who has reached out to the family to share their condolences and extended love,” Jacinta said Dusan Rakic remains under police guard in hospital and will move into a prison upon discharge from Westmead hospital The matter is listed for bail review on 21 July In Australia, the national family violence counselling service can be contacted on 1800 737 732 For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Station upgrades have been completed at Rooty Hill Station now has four new lifts to make each platform accessible Family accessible toilets have also been installed on each platform “The upgrade also includes a new pedestrian footbridge with new stairs to each platform larger platform canopies for better weather protection and upgrades to CCTV and lighting to improve customer safety and security,” said the spokesperson Power for the vehicle charging ports will be locally sourced “The power requirements for these facilities are supplemented by sustainable features built into the car park design including a rooftop solar system with 1140 solar panels These also efficiently operate the car park lights and lift,’ said the TfNSW spokesperson Included in the upgrades are artworks produced by the local Aboriginal community and pavers have been installed with the handprints of 450 school children from the local area The station’s heritage as the original terminus of the Western line’s extension to Blacktown and its subsequent role in Sydney and NSW’s rail heritage is acknowledged in the station’s footbridge The upgrades to Rooty Hill station are part of TfNSW’s wider Transport Access Program which is making stations more accessible around the state As Melbourne braces for a population of 9 million by 2050 Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) crews have discovered an "abundance of hidden treasures and trinkets" beneath the surface in Melbourne’s east.. Transport for New South Wales’ Wollongong Station Masterplan has been released for public consultation All content published on this site is the property of Prime Creative Media has proposed renaming the area “Bluestown” in honour of the four local NSW Blues players set to play in this year’s State of Origin rugby league series Jarome Luai and Brian To’o all grew up in Mount Druitt and will represent the state in Wednesday’s opener at Olympic Park Leniu and Luai attended Patrician Brothers’ College which has a fine tradition of producing rugby league talent; while To’o attended Rooty Hill High School a lifelong Mount Druitt resident and avid footy follower was keen to celebrate the players reaching the pinnacle of their field “Blacktown City is rugby league heartland and has produced a large part of this talented NSW Blues’ squad,” he said “I’m prepared to rename the City ‘Bluestown’ for a limited time to recognise this fantastic achievement as we cheer on the Blues to victory.” Mayor Bunting says he will seek feedback from Councillors and the community before considering whether to move a Mayoral Minute at a council meeting He said many people were proud of the players’ achievements “It’s fantastic to see four blokes who grew up here and have worked hard representing the great state of NSW,” he said “I hope it shows young people in our suburbs that commitment and determination can take you a long way.” Information and Events for Seniors throughout Australia Contact us: newsdesk@australianseniorsnews.com.au Today we head to Sydney's Rooty Hill to try some incredible Filipino food There's the Legendary Kamayan restaurant that has been in business for 29 years to sweet Puto Flan and Pandesal to soft Yema cake to the crispiest You can easily eat and shop your way around Rooty Hill Over the last couple of years Filipino food is gaining prominence in Australia with more restaurants opening and proud Filipino's showcasing their cuisine. A friend @ktruscott78 described it as "Filipino food to me is like a perfect mix of different cultures It’s adapting food from all parts of the world and putting the Filipino spin on it They also do a lot of grilled and some dishes are very much similar to Spanish food like lengua There are a lot of Filipino foods that are similar to other cultures eg Katherine also gave me some advice on her favourite eating spots in Rooty Hill Monica and I pull up on Rooty Hill Road and look around there are no high rises and there's a chilled out vibe on this overcast Thursday The first stop is actually our favourite stop of our little tour Kamayan is a legendary eatery in Rooty Hill The outfitting is simple and unpretentious It's the sort of place that you may not find getting a glossy write up but locals and Filipino foodies know This is the real deal where a bain marie displays delicious Filipino dishes like Adobo It is run by the Bernal Family with dad Nestor busy cooking son Leonard behind the counter and his brother Paul at the front Reggae music plays in the background and Paul sits at the front chatting to us and shooting the breeze He tells us they are in the midst of redecorating It started off as a grocery store with one dish and now the grocery store is gone and now it's a takeaway and eat-in restaurant The word Kamayan has a couple of meanings: the most obvious might be that it describes the traditional way of eating Filipino style with your hands It also references the way that people used to move houses with a community group of people lifting a house with their hands We ask for a sample of what they do best including their Dinuguan aka "Bloody Mary" that Katherine loves Paul explains that Dinuguan is sometimes made with offal meat other times "outside meat" and that is the case with this Dinuguan made with soft pork belly the flavour of the blood giving the sauce a richness without being metallic and there is vinegar to offset this intensity nicely too We also try the Fish sinigang tamarind soup which is like a hot and sour soup with milk fish fillets in it The milk fish tastes like chicken so it has that comforting chicken soup taste with a sourness to it from tamarind The Beef Caldereta is rich with tomato and very moreish with plenty of soft In fact what we like is that everything tastes quite different from each other My favourite because I happen to love pork is the sweet and sticky BBQ Pork soft bones If you eat the white bone they are delicious but if you don't you may not find there's enough meat on these Vegetables include the Pakbet or snake beans with large chunks of pumpkin in coconut milk prawn and eggs which is slightly bitter but perfect with the sweet pork rib white bones As we leave Paul tells us to come back on a Saturday That's what Manny Pacquiao eats when he is training!" he says A few doors down from Kamayan is Mama Lor a slicker they're polite and friendly but visiting Kamayan was like visiting family friends who are eager to talk to you about their food whereas this is more a business transaction Katherine had directed me towards the sweets here the purple yam that is very popular in Filipino cuisine Here they have ube cake and ube panna cotta a vanilla panna cotta sprinkled with ube powder It's creamy and nice and more a European style of cake We also order some Puto Flan on Katherine's recommendation which is a custard top steamed cake that has a surprising yet delicious flavour and texture It's nothing that you'd expect yet it really works and I adore this These are small flakey pastries filled with either ube or spring onions and pork fat The latter is the pick of the two although the ube is also delicious The pork version has a wonderful sweet salty flavour to it and it's very addictive soft and sweet milk rolls as well as Spanish bread rolls with a sweet butter filling A few shops away from Mama Lor is Melchrishel Bakery The look of the window is a sight to behold Monica spots a cake with her name on it and poses next to it Here meringues come in technicolour shades a Filipino chiffon cake with yema custard inside (like a dulce de leche filling made of milk and egg yolks cooked down until caramelly) On top is grated cheese sort of like a cross between an unaged cheddar and Kraft singles The Yema cake is super light and sweet with a savoury finish from the cheese and it like the bakery is pure whimsy and fantasy Right opposite Kamayan is a supermarket and both of us love visiting supermarkets to see what is on offer There's a large fruit and vegetable section and a butchery offering up all sorts of cuts of pork Whenever I go to a Filipino store I always stock up on Graham crackers for cheesecakes and American recipes. There's also a range of ice creams like cheese flavour, pandan and avocado and lots of fun snacks Fresh Food Market Rooty Hill: 6 Rooty Hill Rd N Cucina de Manila is the only place that isn't on Rooty Hill Road and is 400 metres away We decide to drive there instead of walking because time is slipping away We hop in my car and follow as the GPS takes us the long then turn left and drive 650 metres" the robotic voice tells us "But it should just be 400 metres away!" says Monica By the time we get there around 10 minutes later we are both laughing so hard at the circuitous route "Are they open?" I ask Monica when we arrive "Let me jump out and take a look," she says and peers into the window before giving me a thumbs up Although it's 3:30pm on a Thursday they're open and we are the only customers although more come in over the next hour or so for an after school meal Nothing is hurried here and the food takes a while to be made which we have no issue with as it means that it is freshly cooked The kare kare arrives and it is a peanut based stew with plenty of eggplant melting beef and ox tripe and is noticeably sweet and creamy On the side is a pungent and sweet shrimp paste to season it a large pork knuckle deep fried and pulled apart It comes with a side of soy vinegar with chopped white onion Even though we have eaten a lot I can't help but go back for more of this "Crispy Pata is the only thing standing between me and abs." Blacktown is a modern bustling city of 54 residential suburbs making it the largest city by population in NSW.  Click here for a new map of Blacktown City.(JPG, 6MB) Acacia Gardens 2763. Formerly a part of Quakers Hill the name was chosen to reflect the rural quality of the suburb It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996. (Source: Pictorial History Angus 2765.  Named after a former Shire President of Blacktown Shire Council Arndell Park 2148. Named after Thomas Arndell who was appointed Assistant Surgeon to the settlement in NSW and arrived with the First Fleet He later joined Captain Tench in 1789 in the journey of exploration from Prospect Hill to the Nepean River. (Source: Pictorial History Blacktown 2148. Blacktown is closely bound to the original inhabitants of Australia The Aboriginal settlement and the Colebee/ Nurragingy land grant beside Richmond Road gave birth to the name Black Town when the railway line reached Black Town Road shows the railway station simply as Blacktown. (Source: The Seven Hills Bungarribee 2767. A residential suburb on the site of the Bungarribee property The property was resumed by the Commonwealth Government during World War II and served as an overshoot airfield It was used by the Overseas Telecommunications Commission from 1949 to the early 1990s. (Source: Doonside Residential Parcel Western Sydney Parklands: conservation management plan Colebee 2761. Colebee was the first Aboriginal person in Australia to be given a land grant by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1819 The grant was promised to two significant Aboriginal figures however only Colebee's name appeared on the grant The Colebee Centre at Nurragingy Reserve is also named after him. (Source: Where the country became the city Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)  Dean Park 2761. Named after the Dean family William Dean (1776 or 1778/79-1847) was granted 200 acres (81 ha) beside Eastern Creek and the family owned the Bush Inn on the Western Highway. (Source: Eastern Creek - The Early Days Margaret Lovely and George Nicolaidis)   Dharruk 2770. The Aboriginal people of the Western Cumberland Plain refer to themselves as the Darug (also spelt Dharug The three clans of the Blacktown area include: Gomerigal - South Creek; Wawarawarry - Eastern Creek; and Warmuli - Prospect The impact of white settlement meant that there was competition for land and resources While numbers declined there has always been an aboriginal presence in Blacktown and today this is reflected in the name of the City and its suburbs Dharruk Marayong and Toongabbie and the fact that Blacktown has one of the largest Aboriginal populations in NSW. (Source: Pictorial History Doonside 2767. Early settler Robert Crawford (1799—1848) named his 2,000 acre (approx 810 ha) grant after his home town in Scotland. (Source: Pictorial History Eastern Creek 2766. The eastern branch of South Creek became known as Eastern Creek The village that grew where the road crossed the creek became known as Eastern Creek. (Source: Pictorial History Emerton 2770. Named after William Frederick Emert In 1861 he became a storekeeper and postmaster in Mount Druitt Glendenning 2761. Named after William Glendenning a butcher who Plumpton and who slaughtered stock in Lamb Street near Owen Street. (Source: Pictorial History Glenwood 2768. Named for an historic property in the area - Glenwood Park House but previously known as Norfolk Vale (1846 — 1882) Grantham Farm 2765. Grantham Farm was named after the Grantham Farm Estate which was a subdivision of the original land of ‘Riverstone’ in 1810 It contained a 6 bedroom cottage and other outbuildings as well as vineyards Hassall Grove 2761. Named after Mr Rowland Hassall (1768-1820) who was associated with the area as a missionary preacher He also acted as agent for the estates of Phillip Parker King and managed Samuel Marsden's properties in his absence (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section and Hassall Family History Association Hebersham 2770. In 1829 the Trustees of the Clergy and Schools Lands in New South Wales planned to establish a village named Hebersham on the Western Highway but the name was used for this present day suburb Hebersham was coined to honour Bishop Heber of Calcutta whose diocese included New South Wales. (Source: Pictorial History Huntingwood 2148. This composite name was chosen because the first English-style hunting is said to have taken place here and the "Woods Estate" owned by the Woods family for nearly a century is located within the suburb. (Source: Pictorial History Kellyville Ridge 2155. Kellyville Ridge was originally part of Kellyville (named after land owner Hugh Kelly in 1884 who operated a coach-stop inn on Windsor Road) and was named after a geographical ridge that runs through the suburb. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Kings Langley 2147. Early settler Matthew Pearce (1762—1831) called his 130 acre (53 ha) grant after King's Langley Manor House in Hertfordshire Pearce's grant was situated on the opposite side of the Windsor Road to the present day suburb of Kings Langley which was officially named a 'neighbourhood' in 1976. (Source: Where the country became the city Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996)   Kings Park 2148. Originally this suburb formed part of Marayong but with increased residential development and the developer's estate name was adopted in 1987. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Lalor Park 2147. Named after the Lalor family Two members of the family (George and Robert) were Councillors on Blacktown Shire Council George serving as Shire President on two occasions 1921-1923 and 1928.The land was resumed for public housing and George's daughter Miss Louise Lalor in 1957 suggested the area be called Lalor Park. (Source: The Seven Hills Lethbridge Park 2770. Named after the Lethbridge family Robert Copeland Lethbridge settled at Werrington on a land grant made on 1 January 1806. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Marayong 2148. Name adopted by the Railway Department in 1922 Marsden Park 2765. Named for Samuel Marsden (1764—1838) Church of England Minister and landowner in the area. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Melonba 2765. Darug name for a type of wattle found in the area Minchinbury 2770. Minchinbury is named after Captain William Minchin who was granted land (1,000 acres) west of Rooty Hill in 1819 and named it Minchinbury After Minchin's death the Estate was sold and later bought by Dr Charles Mackay who introduced grape vines for winemaking. (Source: Where the country became the city Mount Druitt 2770. Major George Druitt (1775—1842) was granted 2,000 acres (810 ha) in the area by Governor Macquarie He named his grant Mount Druitt. (Source: A History of the Manse and Mount Druitt Estate Nirimba Fields 2763. Nirimba is the Darug word for “Pelican” The area was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 1953 and named HMAS Nirimba The site was redeveloped and the Nirimba Education Precinct was named in 1995 Oakhurst 2761. This suburb was developed by Landcom in 1981 when zoning changed from rural to residential Landcom named the development the Oakhurst Estate and the estate name was adopted as the suburb name It is believed that the "Oaks" house provided part of the name with 'hurst' (meaning hillock or wooded eminence) being added. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Parklea 2768.  Parklea dates back to the early 1900s and is believed to be named by subdividers at the time. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Plumpton 2761.  The area was initially known as Woodstock but when a Post Office was established in 1889 there was confusion over this Woodstock and a railway station on the Blayney-Harden line Walter Lamb (1825—1906) established a fruit preserving works and a coursing (type of greyhound race) track on his property "Woodstock" Coursing in England was conducted at Plumpton so that name replaced Woodstock. (Source: Pictorial History Prospect 2148. Prospect Hill was discovered by Captain Arthur Phillip in April 1788 on one of his first explorations in the colony later anglicized to Prospect Hill and then shortened to Prospect. (Source: Where the country became the city Quakers Hill 2763. The railway siding in this area was known as Douglas' Siding When subdivision of large properties was undertaken in the early 1900s the developers named the suburb Quakers Hill a name that had been associated with the hill since 1806. (Source: Where the country became the city Blacktown and District Historical Society 1996) Named after Benjamin Richards who established the Riverstone Meatworks in 1878 Riverstone 2765.  Lieutenant-Colonel Maurice Charles O'Connell was granted 2,500 acres (1010 ha) by Governor Macquarie in this area He named his grant "Riverston" after his birthplace in Ireland an "e" was added to the name. (Source: Riverstone - Schofields Rooty Hill 2766.  Rooty Hill was the centre of the government administration for the area and has been known as Rooty Hill since 1810 There are varying suggestions about the name's origin including the amount of tree roots that were cleared to create a road in the area There is also a suggestion it was named after Rooty Hill Road on Norfolk Island where Governor King spent time in 1788. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section) Ropes Crossing 2760.  Named after Anthony Rope a convict who arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 Rope learned bricklaying whilst working at Brickfields near Sydney and later moved to the Nepean District the Ropes were renting 48 acres on the Nepean and by 1820 had been granted 20 acres in the district Anthony Rope died at Castlereagh in 1843. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Rouse Hill 2155. Rouse Hill is thought to be named after Richard Rouse who received a land grant in 1813 and built a house in the area. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Schofields 2762.  Named for early settler John Schofield Schofield's Siding was built on this land in 1870. (Source: Pictorial History Seven Hills 2147. The name Seven Hills was first recorded in the annals of Australian history in July 1800 Governor Lachlan Macquarie commented that he had journeyed over seven hills on his way to Windsor The seven hills are situated along the old road between Westmead and where Norwest Blvd crosses Old Windsor Rd The name was transferred to the railway station in 1860 and this cemented the name to the growing village. (Source: The Seven Hills Shalvey 2770. Shalvey was named by the Housing Commission of New South Wales after wholesale and retail butcher; Patrick Shalvey who acquired several properties for grazing purposes including an area between Mount Druitt and St Marys in 1906 There are also suggestions Shalvey is named after the main road in the area which was originally owned by the Crown. (Source: Patrick Joseph Shalvey Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Shanes Park 2760. John Harris (1754 -1838) came to Australia on the Second Fleet in 1790 and was appointed Chief Surgeon of the colony The suburb of Harris Park is named for him Among his many landholdings included a property on South Creek known as Shane's Park Estate The suburb takes its name from his property. (Source: Pictorial History Stanhope Gardens 2768. John Hillas (1768-1837) arrived in Australia in 1801 and received two land grants on the Windsor Road with the Peel family calling their dairy farm "Stanhope Park" The suburb name reflects these early properties St Marys (part of) 2760. Initially known as South Creek it takes its name from the church St Mary Magdalene on the Great Western Highway the names South Creek and St Marys were used interchangeably - the St Marys Post Office opened in 1840 but it was not until 1885 that the railway station became St Marys (Source: Dharug and Dungaree: the history of Penrith and St Marys to 1860 Tallawong 2762. Tallawong is named after the metro station located within the new suburb boundary Tallawong is also the Darug word for Apple Gum Tree The Ponds 2769. This suburb in Blacktown between Kellyville Ridge and Stanhope Gardens has been named after the waterways flowing through the area The name was proposed in 2006 and gazetted in January 2007 The first lots sold in the area in July 2007. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)  Toongabbie (part of) 2146. Named by Governor Arthur Phillip from the Dharruk word meaning "meeting of the waters" A Government Farm was established here in 1791 and continued for thirteen years The land was used for grazing cattle and then was granted to various people In the late 1890s many orchards were located here A separate railway line ran from Toongabbie station to the quarries at Prospect from 1902 to 1945. (Source: The Toongabbie story Tregear 2770. John King Lethbridge bought land in the area and built a fine homestead which he called "Tregeare" in 1871 after his great uncle's property in England - now known as Tregear. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section) Vineyard (part of) 2765. Was originally part of Windsor's winegrowing district and takes its name from the surrounding vineyards.  (Source: Pictorial History who was granted 300 acres (122 ha) at Mount Druitt in 1831. (Source: Pictorial History Willmot 2770. Named after Thomas Willmot (1851—1938) who was elected the first President of the Blacktown Shire Council 1906—1910 and 1912 — 1913. (Source: Blacktown City Libraries Local History Section)   Woodcroft 2767. This suburb is based on the development by L J Hooker of the former State Brickworks residential construction commenced in 1992 It was formally recognized as a suburb in 1996.  (Source: Pictorial History Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Hospitality veteran Bruce Solomon’s Solotel group has made its first foray into Sydney’s north-west growth corridor after snapping up the Carousal Inn from the Stanford family for around $64 million It is the second large-scale pub to the sold by the Stanford family after the Vineyard hotel went to a private investor for a record $70 million the Pub @ Rivo in Riverstone in Sydney’s north-west has now been put on the market by the family as it looks to move to new areas of interest The sales reflect the high demand for pubs that agents in the sector say is showing no signs of easing more than $1.5 billion of assets have changed hands in the year to date The Carousel Inn occupies a large 1.17 hectare corner site in Rooty Hill.Credit: “We’re thrilled that the venue can be passed onto another family-owned hospitality operator,” Elliot Solomon “We look forward to engaging with the community to better understand how we can take the venue into the future This purchase is an important first step into the north-west – a key growth corridor for Sydney – as we look to continue to expand our diverse portfolio of pubs who advised on the sale said AAA grade large format hospitality opportunities such as the Carousel Inn are increasingly scarce in Metropolitan Sydney and the “price and yield achieved bears testimony to this fact” The 7338 square metre Riverstone pub is adjacent to the Riverstone railway station and the proposed Riverstone Town Centre HTL Property managing director Andrew Jolliffe has been appointed to the sale and said the single-level hotel enjoys multiple street frontages gaming and wagering patronage; and is particularly well known for its expansive beer garden He said with further sales of pubs in the wings between now and the end of the year he was confident in the outlook for a “continued and deep financial interest in the sector” The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning Hospitality veteran Bruce Solomon\\u2019s Solotel group has made its first foray into Sydney\\u2019s north-west growth corridor after snapping up the Carousal Inn the Pub @ Rivo in Riverstone in Sydney\\u2019s north-west has now been put on the market by the family as it looks to move to new areas of interest which own and operate venues such as The Golden Sheaf in Double Bay The Clock in Surry Hills and Opera Bar at the Sydney Opera House plan to upgrade the 21,000 square metre pub which sits on 1.17 hectares in Rooty Hill It is the group\\u2019s first deal since last year when they sold the to St Vincent\\u2019s Hospital \\u201CWe\\u2019re thrilled that the venue can be passed onto another family-owned hospitality operator,\\u201D Elliot Solomon \\u201CWe look forward to engaging with the community to better understand how we can take the venue into the future This purchase is an important first step into the north-west \\u2013 a key growth corridor for Sydney \\u2013 as we look to continue to expand our diverse portfolio of pubs bars and restaurants across Sydney.\\u201D and the \\u201Cprice and yield achieved bears testimony to this fact\\u201D he was confident in the outlook for a \\u201Ccontinued and deep financial interest in the sector\\u201D The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories Rebranding is never an easy feat. But how do you turn an RSL club into an all-encompassing destination? The transformation of West HQ from Rooty Hill RSL is nothing short of a marketing success story. B&T chatted with West HQ CEO Richard Errington to find out just how West HQ did it Can you tell us a bit about the transformation of West HQ in recent years Our transformation really started back in 2005 There was a perception that we were ‘your local club’ – our customer base was only within a 5km radius Gaming machines were the dominate revenue stream and we had an ageing customer profile and product the industry began to feel the impact from the increase in taxation on gaming machines and the new non-smoking laws that were being introduced It was evident the stigma of being a ‘club’ equalled gaming machines which equalled your brand or your business It was at this time we decided in order to future proof the business we needed to make a strategic shift we are now the leading landmark destination for entertainment and accommodation in the Greater Western Sydney region The diversification of the business has meant the reliance on gaming has dissipated and our strategic plan will continue to see us going down this path What was the motive behind the decision to rebrand from Rooty Hill RSL to West HQ The name Rooty Hill RSL was representative of a previous generation We needed a name that was representative of the future commissioning them to explore potential new business names They did some amazing work and ultimately we landed with West HQ Many destinations call themselves ‘entertainment quarters’ West HQ is dominant in all these areas; entertainment so it felt right to call ourselves the headquarters for the region The Rooty Hill name has been around since 1964, it is a brand that is ingrained in generations of culture. It was a risk to change something with such a legacy. But where we are today as has proved that the risk was worth the reward. Our rebrand has allowed us to build the Sydney Coliseum Theatre – a 2,200 seat lyric theatre – and secure the talents of Keith Urban This has also seen us partner with Ticketek to create the West HQ Box Office We’ve recently announced our partnership with NEC to provide a ‘best in class’ customer experience for our patrons from menus through to a frictionless facial recognition access system and market-leading solutions for CCTV security This partnership will position West HQ as a venue for technical innovation We’ve also lured some of the country’s best chefs and restaurateurs to our destination the likes of the godfather of Italian pizza in Australia PizzAperta Manfredi; Sean Connolly (The Morrison Bar & Oyster Room) by Sean Connolly; and Steve Anastasiou (China Doll and China Lane) this isn’t the first time you’ve led the helm of an Australian landmark You were previously the CEO of the MCG and Stadium Australia for the Sydney Olympics Who did you look to when creating a team to bring the West HQ brand to life We’ve utilised the skills of advertising agencies as well as partnering with amazing professionals in their fields such as Blue by Name for the interior design of our Eat Street we’ve reached into the adland/media world appointing Nigel McCallum as brand manager for West HQ We’ve also recruited Ti-Ahna Firth as communications and partnership manager (previously Outdoor Media Association); Alex Wong as digital marketing manager (previously Universal McCann); and Benita Chantharath in customer marketing (previously Val Morgan) you’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with This is just a small example of some of the growing talent we have at West HQ Did the decision to rebrand involve consultation with customers/members and asked questions of the people who live to understand their needs and aspirations for the future of the space and the region we have become more sophisticated and analytical with our data sets We know how customers move around the estate; what they do The best destinations are contemporary reflections of their customers and the most successful ones achieve this by creating places and spaces that inspire and attract new customers whilst satisfying long term and loyal patrons Placemaking is all about listening to and observing customer behaviour we believe we have created an iconic destination that caters to every aspect of fitness and health How have you shaped the brand to represent Greater Western Sydney West HQ was designed with people in mind; we have focused on the social and cultural importance of building a lively regional epicentre around inviting public spaces We encourage our customers to take ownership of their neighbourhood we’ve also created an abundance of employment opportunities for people in the Greater Western Sydney region across our four business genres we employ 650 staff with that number set to increase to 700 by the end of the year How has your brand strategy had to adapt in the past few years How important is it to take an agile approach to brand strategy to be Sydney’s leading landmark destination in the Greater Western Sydney region 3.0 million Australians will call Western Sydney call home coupled with Badgerys Creek (Nancy Bird Walton Airport) and other development in the area puts us in a very enviable space for new opportunity and growth We will need to be agile to ensure we maximise these opportunities and that West HQ continues to be leaders in this area But we also need to ensure that we don’t lose sight of our customer *Chu Restaurant will be opening late November 2019 Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has opened a new drive through COVID-19 clinic at Blacktown International Sportspark that will operate late into the night to provide more testing options for local residents The latest drive-through clinic will be open from 8am to 10pm The clinic is accessed via Gate C at the sporting complex on Eastern Road Anyone arriving for testing is advised to stay inside their vehicle at all times Health staff follow strict infection control protocols for the safety of themselves and others The latest testing site follows the opening of three new clinics in WSLHD last week: Operating hours have also been extended across many western Sydney sites WSLHD acting chief executive Dr Emma McCahon said the district is committed to providing safe easy and convenient access to testing for all who need it “We are rapidly opening new testing clinics wherever they are needed across western Sydney in response to the latest cases.” Dr McCahon thanked staff for their fast work and Blacktown City Council and other partners for their assistance in opening the new testing clinics There are now 31 testing clinics across WSLHD – find your nearest one here. If the nearest testing clinic is busy, where possible, go to another clinic in the area to get tested sooner. Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 news at the NSW Health website it is important you self-isolate and arrange to get tested Symptoms of COVID-19 include a sore throat high temperature and/or unexplained tiredness Face masks are now mandatory in indoor settings such as shopping (retail supermarkets and shopping centres); public/shared transport; indoor entertainment (including cinemas and theatres); places of worship Western Sydney Local Health District is committed to delivering world class healthcare to support the health and wellbeing of our community We aim to work together to make our community the healthiest in NSW Photos must be high resolution and include correctly spelled captions with names from left to right Read the Disclaimers, Privacy and Copyright notice (L-R): St Agnes Catholic High School Assistant Principal Geoffrey Kemmis School Captain Abhishek Maharaj and Assistant Principal Gavin Hilder “I’d prefer to talk about the school the students and our great teachers rather than me front and centre I want to celebrate the things that we all do,” Jeanette said St Agnes Catholic High School is a proudly culturally diverse co-educational Years 7 to 12 school St Agnes Catholic High School has grown from a school of just 27 girls to a vibrant community of 865 students With a strong focus on sharing their Franciscan charism through all they do others in need and seeks to make a genuine difference Leading this community requires the type of leader who not only has a deep understanding of learning and teaching but who values the importance of building relationships to bring people together for a common purpose “It is not just about me,” Jeanette said whether it is in the classroom or in the staffroom so it starts with getting to know each other as people,” she said “It’s all about caring about others working things through and being present to the students you need someone who walks the talk.” Careers Advisor and teacher Nashwa Karafotias who leads many of the school’s outstanding programs to support students from culturally diverse backgrounds said this approach instills a positive culture of mutual respect at St Agnes “Jeanette treats staff and students on an equal playing field bringing consistency and a new perspective to all that she does,” said Nashwa “She is the true definition of a servant leader leading at the ground level.” Jeanette previously served as Assistant Principal and Acting Principal of Marian College Kenthurst and most recently worked within the Learning team at Catholic Education but said she was drawn to St Agnes because of the community “I thought I could make a difference here and the students are lovely so respectful and grateful,” Jeanette said we have to be very aware of cultural context and communication because of the diversity We offer pathways leadership opportunities looking at the students holistically guiding them to achieve their goals.” Being an advocate for students and building their confidence to achieve is a top priority “Self-efficacy is really important and we really look at how we can help to build that up in the students so they can look at themselves as learners and know that they can do anything – work hard overcome obstacles and achieve,” she said Jeanette also comes to supporting teachers with this same view who just won the Australian Schools Plus Early Career Teacher Award in the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards says Jeanette is the best boss she’s ever had “Jeanette is a truly inspiring leader Jeanette has taken the time to get to know each and every one of her staff learning their professional interests and strengths and providing opportunities for us to explore those interests welcoming and appreciating our input into decisions What’s in the best interest of the students underpins everything that she does.” As Jeanette herself reflected: “Leadership isn’t about being centre stage it is about putting other people forward and giving them a voice and an opportunity to lead working with and assisting them in their leadership.” “I guess you could call that being a servant leader.” A woman who had taken an apprehended violence order out against her ex-husband has been killed in Sydney’s west while he was on bail charged over a previous alleged attack on her Police were called to the home on Alice Street in Rooty Hill about 8.15pm on Tuesday by a family member and arrived to find Christine Rakic Christine Rakic was found dead in her Rooty Hill home on Tuesday night.Credit: Facebook Police also found her ex-husband Dusan Rakic He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition where he remains under police guard Court documents reveal that police had charged him with domestic violence-related common assault earlier in the year He pleaded not guilty to the charge with the hearing date set for January 12 An apprehended domestic violence order had also been taken out against Dusan on Christine’s behalf NSW Police Superintendent Steve Egginton said the incident was being treated as a domestic-violence-related homicide Egginton confirmed Dusan was known previously to police and said he had undergone surgery and was now in an induced coma He described the incident as a “tragic set of circumstances” “I’ve been policing for 35 years and domestic violence has been a dominant feature of my career “What we’re seeing is that more people are more encouraged to come forward and report domestic violence to us “AVOs are in place to provide protection for victims in domestic violence situations and we’re very mindful of providing that protection wherever we possibly can.” Christine’s social media profiles reveal she was a grandmother with a wide circle of family and friends Neighbours also said they heard screaming and yelling in the lead up to the incident “I’ve never seen this happen around here,” he said Support is available from the National Sexual Assault Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here. A woman who had taken an apprehended violence order out against her ex-husband has been killed in Sydney\\u2019s west while he was on bail charged over a previous alleged attack on her. Police were called to the home on Alice Street in Rooty Hill about 8.15pm on Tuesday by a family member and arrived to find Christine Rakic, in her 50s, dead. Police also found her ex-husband Dusan Rakic, 50, with injuries to his throat and arms, believed to be self-inflicted. He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition where he remains under police guard. Court documents reveal that police had charged him with domestic violence-related common assault earlier in the year. He pleaded not guilty to the charge with the hearing date set for January 12, 2024. An apprehended domestic violence order had also been taken out against Dusan on Christine\\u2019s behalf. Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, NSW Police Superintendent Steve Egginton said the incident was being treated as a domestic-violence-related homicide. Egginton confirmed Dusan was known previously to police, and said he had undergone surgery and was now in an induced coma. He described the incident as a \\u201Ctragic set of circumstances\\u201D. \\u201CI\\u2019ve been policing for 35 years and domestic violence has been a dominant feature of my career, almost my entire career. It still remains that way,\\u201D he said. \\u201CWhat we\\u2019re seeing is that more people are more encouraged to come forward and report domestic violence to us, which is really reassuring. \\u201CAVOs are in place to provide protection for victims in domestic violence situations. That\\u2019s their main aim, and we\\u2019re very mindful of providing that protection wherever we possibly can.\\u201D Christine\\u2019s social media profiles reveal she was a grandmother with a wide circle of family and friends. Neighbours also said they heard screaming and yelling in the lead up to the incident. One, who had lived in the area for 40 years, said he was shocked by the incident. \\u201CI\\u2019ve never seen this happen around here,\\u201D he said. Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. . ABC News News HomeThe battle of Rooty HillShare analysis Events worked against Prime Minister Julia Gillard from the start Link copiedShareShare articleWestern Sydney It's the Bermuda Triangle of political postcodes it can destroy in a single electoral cycle if you'd been waiting for a train for 16 years despite all of the well-publicised scheduling difficulties which both prime ministerial aspirants have invoked at one point or other to avoid meeting face-to-face both Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott turned up Julia Gillard was so anxious to make a good impression that she arrived with several billion dollars pledged to complete the Parramatta to Epping rail link (Sydneysiders received this promise with customary hostility there's only one kind of politician who is more suspicious than one who doesn't promise to build train lines Events worked against the Prime Minister from the start Walking on to the stage at the Rooty Hill RSL's Waratah Room lovingly stocked with 200 voters handpicked by the Galaxy research firm she was perched on a bar stool high above the crowd in the tone of a school teacher confident of earning one of the re-elected Gillard Government's performance bonuses "And hands up if you could keep doing that Do Western Sydney residents really need a show of hands to remind them that it's a better idea to have a job with the complicated origami of her hand movements the Prime Minister looked uncomfortable from the start who wanted an assurance that the PM wouldn't reward any of the plotters who helped to bring down Kevin Rudd Louise was anxious that Bill Shorten should not prosper nor a character called "Mark Obeid" The casual confusion of federal minister Mark Arbib with the infamous NSW kingmaker Eddie Obeid is pretty much the worst thing any federal Labor operative could possibly hear at a gathering like this Gillard declared calmly that there was "no-one who organised this no-one who's going to be rewarded for it" But the audible snigger with which those words were received by the crowd conveyed much about the serial lessons in treachery and reward that are entrenched in the New South Wales Labor political syllabus How can I be confident my grandchildren will go to university What responsibility do you bear for the failure of the insulation and emissions trading schemes When are you going to step up and legalise gay marriage Ms Gillard answered carefully: Good news on increased funding for universities I'll take my share of responsibility for the failures of the Rudd government How can we trust you not to break these promises Aren't you the one who really killed off the emissions trading scheme How do you know you won't be knocked over just like Kevin was By the time the PM had politely deflected these questions it was time for her to clamber down off the bar stool gather her staff and head for the airport and ultimately Hobart Perhaps the crowd had expended its hostility on Julia Gillard as the urgent suggestion of the Twittersphere had it But everything seemed to go right for Tony Abbott the Opposition Leader opted to roam around in front of the stage with a microphone: "So I can be on the level" Mark wanted to know how an emissions trading scheme would force up the cost of living; Mr Abbott was happy to oblige Desiree was next; she didn't like Work Choices but she didn't like the way Kevin Rudd had been skittled by his own confreres either arrived at the microphone to announce that he had neither family nor mortgage the Twittersphere took about 45 seconds to identify Joel as a one-time Big Brother housemate and the son of former South Australian Liberal MP Joe Scalzi Joel's Big Brother profile records that he is "an elite athlete He has been known to dress as a priest to impress girls" The parallels with Mr Abbott's own life Joel's period at the dispatch box concluded with the airy invitation for Mr Abbott to "come round to my place to watch The Notebook Thank goodness Mr Abbott's popular culture reference points are few and far between The prospect of an evening of romantic drama with a neat freak in monastic garb - however sympathetic - is the sort of thing that could really throw the Opposition Leader off his game Mr Abbott's questions were certainly friendlier than those earlier fielded by his adversary His broken promise on the Medicare safety net was "the worst moment of my political life" How could he guarantee that there would be no more broken promises He had been forced by colleagues into breaking that promise I don't get overridden by Cabinet colleagues." he later revised this claim to concede that prime ministers sometimes needed to defer to their colleagues arrived with the questions about the modern world was not convinced by the Coalition's alternative to the national broadband network and wasn't buying Mr Abbott's analogy about not buying expensive fast cars just because they sounded like fun "But if your car is just going to break down in a year anyway why don't you just spend the money?" she persisted he confided that he had just upgraded his "modem" a word which he pronounced with the emphasis on the second syllable asked him about the classifications system for video games Mr Abbott first declared that his mission was to "protect people from filth" before his curiosity got the better of him What sort of stuff do you get?" he asked Vito before adding hurriedly: "Don't show me pictures!" assembled by hosts The Daily Telegraph courtesy of research firm Galaxy preferred Mr Abbott 74 per cent to 26 per cent who did not fail to clock the young Liberal were quick to claim the audience was weighted against Ms Gillard And it is certainly true that genuinely undecided voters are difficult to track down at election time; one participant confided during the half-time break that he was not perhaps an entirely "swinging" voter but had participated in numerous focus groups for Galaxy - including the Channel Nine audience for the election debate - simply because he enjoyed the work Annabel Crabb is ABC Online's chief political writer. A businesswoman has been found dead at her investment property while her ex-husband has been taken to hospital under police guard following a suspected domestic violence incident Emergency services were called to a home in Alice Street Rooty Hill in Sydney's west at 8.15pm on Tuesday where they found Christine Rakic's lifeless body Neighbours told Daily Mail Australia they heard two loud screams about that time - and that police were banging on their door minutes later Detectives were called by a relative over concerns for Ms Rakic's welfare Officers rushed to the scene but the woman had already died from 'significant injuries' He was taken to Westmead Hospital under police guard He is expected to undergo surgery on Wednesday An application for an apprehended violence order on Ms Rakic's behalf was filed in June this year 'A crime scene has been established and investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding the incident,' a NSW Police statement read Forensic police spent the night scouring the scene for evidence as detectives scramble to determine what happened Neighbours said they heard two loud screams from the house and then silence 'My brother heard two big loud screams from the house next door around 8.15 last night,' said local Kirita Lopa 'Then we had the police banging on our door minutes later I knew the guy very well - he called me 'sister' 'He was always talking about God and how great God was but his teenage daughter and her younger brother were round there regularly.' Another neighbour said Rakic had only just moved back into the property - which he and his wife bought in 1998 for $100,000 - after renting it out for years 'I think he had split up with his wife a couple of years ago,' added Shannon Brennan who lives opposite the home 'He kept himself to himself - his kids came round and occasionally his wife but she didn't stay long 'I think they were in the process of getting a divorce and selling the home I know he had spoken to one of our other neighbours who is in real estate about selling it.'  a 26-year-old silver Toyota Corolla was roped off by police tape with a child seat in the back and a wooden butterfly hanging from the rear view mirror was also taped off Mr Brennan said he never saw anyone visiting the home aside from Rakic's children and the rare visits from his ex-wife 'He had a bloke come and work on the house from time to time to time but other than that he was just there on his own,' he said Alice Street is very quiet and lined with neatly detached bungalows and well-trimmed nature strips The home where Ms Rakic's body was found had a dog trailer in the driveway and half a dozen freshly-planted saplings All the vertical blinds are drawn on the windows at the front of the blond-brick property Ms Rakic recently signed up for an Australian Business Number Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:.. 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Kevin Rudd paid homage to the fact that 10% of Australia's population lives in the area while Tony Abbott reminded voters of his year living in Emu Plains But most of those in the audience who Guardian Australia spoke to after the debate didn't buy it "It was the standard 'we love you all' line," said John from Croydon "Tony Abbott opened strongly but then was unable to answer questions properly that's when Rudd started carrying the debate – Rudd pipped it at the end." who lives in the inner west and grew up a devoted Labor follower was also finding it difficult to vote for either party after the night's performance "The Labor heartland I grew up with is still with me but neither of these politicians has a heart," she said from the Sutherland shire in Sydney's south said: "The leaders were a bit disconnected as to where the people had actually come from many people here were not from western Sydney." Brian had been expecting at least one question on asylum policy – given that it's supposed to be a hot topic in western Sydney – but none came So he approached Abbott after the debate to ask how he planned to turn asylum seeker boats back to Indonesia "I'd hate people to vote for a party because they had a good one line Shelly Toll is from Penrith and describes herself as a "local girl" She asked the question during the debate that got the most laughs: "What would the leaders like to ask each other?" She said their responses had been a "bit comical" and resorted to "mudslinging" For her it was all about Abbott's closing remarks It was less about the mudslinging and that's been a huge issue with campaigns previously; it's been a little much too much pointing the finger at each other and less about saying what they'll do differently." This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page A man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing his ex-wife in Sydney’s west on Tuesday night Police were called to a home on Alice Street in Rooty Hill about 8.15pm on Tuesday by a family member and arrived to find 53-year-old Christine Rakic dead with injuries to his throat and arms – believed to be self-inflicted He was taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition under police guard He has since been charged with domestic-violence-related murder He was refused bail and will appear before Mt Druitt Local Court via audio-visual link on Friday Dusan Rakic has been charged with the murder of his ex-partner Egginton confirmed Dusan was known previously to police and said he had undergone surgery since being taken into custody A man has been charged with murder after allegedly killing his ex-wife in Sydney\\u2019s west on Tuesday night with injuries to his throat and arms \\u2013 believed to be self-inflicted He described the incident as a \\u201Ctragic set of circumstances\\u201D Christine\\u2019s social media profiles reveal she was a grandmother with a wide circle of family and friends