Have a Happy Christmas & a Great New Year!

The staff at City Marketing and the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for reading and supporting our blogsite this year.
We're going on a short holiday over Christmas and the New Year but we'll be back on January 18, 2010 with all new stories and some exciting new stuff as well. Until then, Have a very Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year!
From Paul Page, Peter Lang, Susan Hamilton & Lesley Worthington.

Trained and Ready!

A team of 11 were successful in getting through the application and interview process to commence training as Penrith Valley Ambassadors.
Penrith Valley Ambassadors are volunteers who assist staff in the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre and also at events such as Australia Day and the Solar Boat challenge.
The first day of training was completed in November at local attraction Mamre Homestead, where they completed an Aussie Host course. Aussie Host is a nationally recognised customer service training program that focuses on interpersonal communications, customer relations and service. It builds personal, professional and community pride and inspires a greater commitment to providing better service.
Now armed with customer service qualifications, the ambassadors will soon begin their on the job training.
There are currently 12 ambassadors who volunteer the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre, and once fully trained this new intake will now expand the team to 23. Most volunteer on a monthly basis, some more frequently.
by Susan Hamilon, Acting Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council

Rock At The Weir - A huge success!

The Rock At The Weir community festival bought to you by Penrith City Council was held on a warm sunny day on November 15 and was an outstanding success with an estimated 4,000 people attending the event held from midday until 5pm. The majority of things at the festival were free including a wonderful stage program which featured such talented performers as Elvis impersonator David Cazalet and the judging of the Miss Penrith competition by the renowned June Dally-Watkins. There were also a smorgasbord of food on offer as well as free rides and children's activities. There were plenty of vintage vehicles on display and even a Traditional Japanese children's blessing. There can be no doubt judging my all the smiling faces that were at the event that a great time was had by all.

Thanks to everyone who made the day such a success!

Mamre celebrates Sydney International Food Festival in style

It was a star studded event when Mamre Homestead hosted its Inaugural 100 mile Dinner under the stars on Friday, October 16.
More than 160 guests attended the dinner as part of this years Sydney International Food Festival.
The concept of the dinner was to source all produce from within 100 miles (160km) radius. Therefore supporting local growers and producers while reducing our food miles and carbon food print.
Produce that had been grown on the property as part of Mamre’s African Employment Program was also showcased at the dinner.
The Hon Laurie Ferguson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affair and Settlement services, officially opened the dinner and Costa Georgiadis from Costa’s Garden Odyssey SBS was master of ceremonies for the evening. Costa has also agreed to become Mamre’s first Ambassador.
Vanessa Pilla, Festival Manager, Sydney International Food Festival and Penrith Mayor Kevin Crameri and Councilors were also among the guests.
The dinner brought together local food producers, wineries, TAFE colleges, musicians, astronomers and other local businesses.
The dinner started what was a successful fundraising weekend for the Mamre project with the annual Good Living Festival also held on Sunday, October 18.
All monies raised from these two events will go to supporting programs of the Mamre Project a sponsored work of the Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta.
Semco - Equipment Sales, St Marys very generously sponsored the Marquee for the dinner, with many other businesses also generously donating products or services.
Sponsors and major donors for 100 Mile Dinner were:
Semco- Equipment Sales- www.semcogroup.com.au
Sydney International Food Festival- www.siff.com.au
Pepes Ducks- www.pepesducks.com.au (duck for mail meal)
Shogun Wagyu- Ph. Anthony 0427 867 077 (beef for mail meal)
Simply Original- www.simplyoriginal.com.au (entrée platters)
Blue Mountains Honey- Ph. 4721 2840 (candles for centerpieces, condiments for mains and hamper for auction)
Morgans Coffee- www.morganscoffee.com (after dinner coffees)
Balloonatics (decorations)
The final component of the Penrith Valley contingent of the Sydney International Food Festival is Blue Mountains Honey’s Open Day and High Tea this Sunday 25th October. For bookings or more information contact Blue Mountains Honey on 4721 2840.
Story by Susan Hamilton, Acting Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council

Makings of a City History Exhibition

Until November 22 the Penrith City Council Civic Centre foyer will host the Makings Of A City History Exhibition as part of the Celebrate Penrith 09 festivities.
In the main entrance area there is a collection of historic memorabilia on display from 1959 onwards, featuring items from the 1950s and 1960s which have loaned for this very purpose by members of the public and Council staff. The exhibition continues inside the main building and into the horseshoe area, where displays follow Footsteps in Time through history from the original inhabitants of the area, arrival of the Colonists, the Municipal era, the First and Second World Wars and period up to 1950.
After November 22, the exhibition will then travel through all the original Councils, visiting St Marys from November 25 to December 2, Castlereagh from the December 5 to December 7 and Mulgoa on the weekend of December 11 - 12.
Penrith City Council Research Services staff would like to thank all those members of Council who have contributed time or treasured personal items to the exhibition – your assistance makes our job that much easier!
Please bring your friends and family to see the exhibition – sign the visitor’s book and enjoy the atmosphere.
by Lorraine Stacker, Alison Spencer & Vanessa Stockford

Enjoy the World Masters Games in Penrith Valley

by Paul Page
Acting City Marketing Manager
Penrith City Council

No doubt you have been hearing the publicity for this event in the general media.
Penrith is an important hub for the games and we have been liaising with the organising committee for the past three years to support the hosting of a number of important sports within the Games program in Penrith Valley.
Some events are at Council operated venues while others are at other venues in the City. The team from the Parks and Recreation Departments have done a great job of liaising between the regular user groups and the organising committee to have the venues in first class condition for the events.
The sports we are hosting are:-
Rowing – International Regatta Centre (IRC)
Canoe/ Kayak – Sprint (IRC), Polo (PWS Warm up lake), Slalom (PWS), Marathon (Nepean River – Weir and Tench Reserves)
Touch Football – Kingsway with finals at St Marys Leagues Club
Baseball – Samuel Marsden Orchard Hills (Finals in Blacktown)
Competitors receive free transport to venues. Penrith Station will be the arrival point with a bus transfer system in operation from the north side commuter car park to all of the venues.
Competition starts on Monday, October 12.
Many of us remember how warm, friendly and inviting Penrith was during the 2000 Olympics. This is an opportunity to repeat the experience and impress visitors from around the world.
While it is primarily a participation event the competition will be of a high standard and admission as a spectator is free.
The World Masters Web site also has further information
http://www.2009worldmasters.com/

Active Penrith month 2009

Active Penrith will get you active and enjoying taking part in physical activity, no matter what your ability.
Currently only half of the NSW population meets the recommended level of at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week”
Premier Council for Active Living NSW (PCAL)
Being active in every day life has social and environmental benefits for communities as well as individuals. Active communities are more likely to have greater community cohesion and participation.
All initiatives under Active Penrith focus on creating pathways for development, links and opportunities for people to access sports clubs and use their local leisure facilities. Sessions will be delivered by qualified and accredited coaches.
As part of the Active Penrith month a new blog and recreation page has been launched.
Check out: www.penrithcityrecreation.blogspot.com
A healthier lifestyle comes naturally with eating well and being physically ACTIVE!

Setting the 'Printing' Standard!

Since the Penrith Museum of Printing began in 2001, after receiving a Commonwealth Grant and a lot of hard work by our founder Mr Alan Connell, we have managed to go from strength to strength becoming an important local and State venue for showcasing the craft and art of letterpress printing to present and future generations.
The museum has now become a fully viable and self-supporting organisation and we are rightly proud of our achievements.
However we recognised that whilst we had a lot of collective printing knowledge, experience and history amongst our members, we were not necessarily skilled in the ways of museum management and conservation techniques.
At the end of 2008 we were approached by the Museums & Galleries New South Wales (M&G NSW) staff which asked whether we were interested in taking part in their successful State wide Museum's Standards Program.
The program is completely voluntary for museums and galleries interested in improving their museum's operation and practices in both an open and supporting way.
It was a unanimous decision by our members to take part in the program.
We took the opportunity to examine the many different aspects of our operation in areas such as sustainability, emergency preparedness, conservation and financial management.
The M&G NSW staff have been extremely helpful and suppotive in guideing us through the program so that we can ultimately have a museum that is not just successful now but one that can be successfull into the future.
The program was challenging - one of the requirements was to sit down and complete a 75 page questionnaire laden with questions on our management, operation and museum practices. Following this brain sapping, (but necessary) activity we hosted two M&G NSW staff who provided their input and suggestions on how best to proceed based on our questionnaire responses.
A further follow-up meeting is scheduled for early October to further explore how we can best continue on the journey to having the best working letterpress printing museum in NSW.
Blog entry by Stephen Brique
Penrith Museum of Printing

Taking the Solar Boat Challenge

Hundreds of school students are primed to take part in Australia's State and National Solar Boat Challenge Finals taking place at the International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes on Friday, September 25.
The event, which runs from 9am to 2pm, is the culmination of months of racing challenges around the country including in Victoria and Queensland, which both held State finals.

Penrith City Council's Sustainability Unit will be at the finals with their fun environmental game, 'Eco-Pursuit'.
In a nutshell, Australia's International Solar Boat Challenge is a solar boat race for wire-guided model boats, remote control model and piloted boats.
The aim of the challenge is to increase awareness and encourage competitors to acquire knowledge and expertise in sustainability, climate change and alternative energies in an interactive way.
Run by the non-profit organisation, SEES Ltd, it is supported by government funding, local councils including Penrith City Council who is a major sponsor and numerous local schools and corporate sponsorship.

Good luck to all the students taking part in this worthwhile event!

Would you like to win a modelling course?

THE SEARCH IS ON!
June Dally-Watkins Modelling Competition at
Rock at the Weir Sunday, November 15

Categories:
Junior Miss Penrith 10-12 years (4 days 9am-3pm Modelling Course)
Miss Penrith 13-20 years (5 Day Professional Modelling course)
Mr Penrith 16-25 years (5 Day Personal Development Course)

Criteria: * Must be available for grand final round on Sunday 15 November * Must be a Penrith LGA resident *(Must be available to attend June Dally-Watkins course at Clarence St, Sydney during school holidays should you be successful).

To register please tell us:
Your age and your height, Contact details, Why should we choose you?

Registrations must be in by: Friday October 2, 2009

For more information and to register please call Vanessa Christ- City Marketing on 4732 7647
Or send her an email at: vchrist@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Food Glorious Food!

It all begins on Saturday, October 3rd, the Penrith Valley Food Festival at the Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Market and continues for an entire month of culinary treats and mouth watering delights.
This blog entry is going to sound like one big 'ad' so you'll have to excuse me but there's just so much to tell, that it seems like the only way to get the message across.
Ok, let's get back into it.
The next event on the menu or...should I say....on the list...is the Hubertus Oktoberfest from October 2-5th. After that it's the main course, Mamre 100 Mile Dinner on October 16th followed by some nice desert in the form of the Good Living Festival: "Wine Food & the Good Life" and if you're still hungry, finish the meal with Queen Bee High tea and Honey Open Day on Sunday, October 25th.
WOW....so where are all these wonderful events taking place and what are their phone numbers, I hear you ask?
Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Market: Civic Centre Precinct. Ph: 0406 237 877
Hubertus Oktoberfest: Hubertus Country Club, 205 Adams Road, Luddenham. Ph: 4773 4444
Mamre 100 Mile Dinner and Good Living Festival: Lot 1 Mamre Road, St Marys. Ph: 9670 5321
Queen Bee High Tea and Honey Open Day: Blue Mountains Honey, Peachtree Rd, Penrith. Ph: 4721 2840
Now while you're around Penrith Valley attending one of these great events why not also take a look around on the Food and Wine Trail, wander the Great River Walk or take a leisurely cruise on the Nepean Belle.
To pick up your copy of the Penrith Valley Food Festival brochure pop into the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre, Panthers Carpark, Mulgoa Rd, Penrith or call 1 300 736 836.
You'll be glad you did....and so will your stomach!
Blog entry by Peter Lang, Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council.

Welcome Home Londonderry Playgroup

By Melissa Draskovic
Secretary ~ Public Domain Amenity & Safety
Penrith City Council

Parents and children of the Londonderry Playgroup were excited to return to their local neighbourhood centre following recent upgrades.
Funded by the Castlereagh Community Fund program (NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change) and the Regional Partnership program (Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government) the newly renovated Londonderry Neighbourhood Centre and Amenities Building were officially reopened on Sunday, 26 July 2009 by Mr David Bradbury, Member for Lindsay, Mr Allan Shearan, Member for Londonderry and Councillor Jim Aitken, Mayor OAM, Penrith City Council.
During the celebration Council also name the hall within the Neighbourhood Centre the John Murphy and Alan Mills Hall. Both Mr Murphy and Mr Mills were very strong environmental advocates and instrumental in the establishment of the Castlereagh Community Grants Fund.
The Londonderry Playgroup has called the Londonderry Neighbourhood Centre home for many years and the children had missed being outside with their bikes and sandpit over the past 12 months while renovations were undertaken.
If you would like to join the Londonderry Playgroup and meet other parents and children in the local area, please contact the Coordinator, Kara Wilkinson, on 4572 0705 or 0414 184 268.
The group meets every Thursday from 10.00 am to 12.00 noon for fun, playtime, craft and morning tea.

Tourism online - e-kit the latest download!

by Susan Hamilton
Acting Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council

I get a little confused at times with all the technical opportunities we have at our fingertips these days…and I know (or at least hope) I’m not the only one. I mean if you asked me to check out your blog a year or two ago I would have politely excused myself and fled. And really Facebook, My space, Twitter… where will it end! Unfortunately for those that hoped they were all just another craze, online marketing is here to stay.
Those that don’t embrace this technology may just get left behind. Who was it the publicly said “the internet will never take off”? I’d guess they have moved to a community that still has no electricity, and wake up every night in a sweat screaming http://www.what/?.
The Tourism E kit may make it a little easier for you (and I) to understand and embrace the world of online marketing. It was created by Tourism NSW, in partnership with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) and all the Australian State and Territory Tourism Office. Its intention was to help you, as a tourism operator, understand and get involved in online marketing. You might find it useful for just a few topics, or want to download each tutorial.
The e-Kit tutorials are FREE (yes free!) and are intended to provide tourism operators access to a range of information about how to maximise online marketing opportunities.
The tutorials cover a range of topics including website and emails, search engine optimisation, e-marketing (including social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter), analysis and statistics.
You can access the e-kit at the following link: http://corporate.tourism.nsw.gov.au/Tourism_e-kit_p3313.aspx
Photo courtesy of Western Weekender newspaper.

Penrith is throwing a party and you're invited!

by Peter Lang

Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council

In November Penrith is throwing a 50th Birthday Party and like the hading suggests, you're all invited to it.

Over the next few months, this blogspot will be updated time and time again letting you know just how you can get involved in these wonderful celebrations.

One of the things I'm going to tell you about this week is a free concert starting at 8pm on Friday, November 13 at the Q Theatre called Beat Magic Concert, it's a night of drums, percussion, rhythm and a whole lot more! Tickets available from JSPAC Box Office from October 12 but remember there are only 380 seats available so to avoid disappointment, make sure you get in early.
Another free concert, which will be on the next day, is called Drums n Dance, it's in keeping with the theme of 'Beat Magic' except with some dance performance thrown in!
The venue 'Drums n Dance' is Memorial Hall, Penrith Valley Cultural Precinct, Mamre Road, St Marys 10 am.
Doors open at 9.30am, there are no tickets but only limited seating so it's first in, first served!

Family Fun Day a success!

by Peter Lang, Marketing Officer, Penrith City Council.
Well I enjoyed myself and so did an estimated 3,000 other people who turned up, 'snuck a peek' and had some serious fun at the recent Penrith City Council Family Fun Day On August 8.
It was a beautiful, clear and brisk winter Saturday morning which greeted myself and dozens of other Council employees as we set up our displays and awaited for the public to sample all the things we had on offer.
There was a stage which featured some of the areas most promising young talent. Tree shrubs were given out by the thousand and hundreds of children got their chance to sit inside and experience some of the 'big trucks' their local Council uses to help keep the city clean.
There were rides and slides and even snakes....yeah...I kept away from that guy plus giveaways galore.
It was one of those days where you were entertained but also learned something as well. I, for one, enjoyed talking to all the people who stopped by the 'Information Stand', picked up a Penrith Valley Experience magazine and then went on their way with a big smile on their dial.
I look forward to doing it all again next year! I'll certainly be back, will you?

Nepean River Holiday Village wins Award

Congratulations must go to the Nepean River Holiday Village (NRHV) in Emu Plains which last week was awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence for the Best South Coast Holiday Park (31/2 – 4 Stars) at the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW (CCIA) Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner.
However the good news didn’t stop there with two of the NRHV’s trainees, Rebecca and Melissa Smith, also receiving Awards of Excellence in the Trainee of the Year Park category.
The Awards of Excellence recognise caravan and holiday parks, manufactured home villages and estates, caravan and RV manufacturers, their range of accommodation and friendly, helpful staff. Congratulations again to owner Mark Lindsay, the management team of Phil & Paula Ward and all the staff on such a fine award and excellent achievement.
by Peter Lang
Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

Photo caption; (Staff from NRHV celebrate on the night with their Award)

Parachute4Penrith

by Debbie O'Connor

from White River Design

In October last year I committed to raise $1500 for one of our Penrith charities called Westcare Community Services. The craziest thing about this fundraiser is that I jumped out of a plane at 14,000 feet for this great cause.

It was so exciting and the atmosphere on the day was brilliant with many of us never having skydived before.

Parachute4Penrith is now an annual event with the next Family Day set for October 31, 2009. This year they are involving a kids fundraising event which includes a skip-a-thon and a bike-a-thon.

This is such a great event which raised $35,000 last year. I would encourage EVERYONE to give it a try. Why not show your support and see if you can help Westcare surpass last years target.

For more information log onto http://www.parachute4penrith.com.au/

Want to keep up with all the latest news and events happening in-and-around Penrith Valley. Then follow us on 'Twitter' - simply click on the link below and you'll never miss a 'tweet'!

http://twitter.com/penrith_valley

Tourism Toolkit launched at the VIC

by Peter Lang
Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

The Minister for Tourism Jodi McKay stopped by the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre recently to announce the release of a new marketing toolkit to help Penrith City Council and local tourism businesses promote their tourist attractions.
The Tourism Precinct Toolkit, developed by Tourism NSW, is part of the $2.7 million Greater Sydney Tourism Partnership Funding Program.
The toolkit will help local businesses increase awareness of their destinations by helping them create a successful tourism strategy. The program includes two streams of funding support – for destination marketing campaigns and for event promotion.
The toolkit includes information on funding opportunities and budgeting, evaluating tourist experiences and information on how to form integrated partnerships with local business and larger tourism bodies.
Each year, for the next three years, $400,000 will be available to support co-operative destination marketing campaigns. A further $100,000 will be allocated for grants to assist local precincts promote events. These events must have the potential to attract overnight visitors from outside of Sydney.
Penrith Valley has so many great natural assets and wonderful tourism experiences to offer that I wouldn’t be surprised to see many new funding program applications pour in from entrepreneurial local tourism and business operators.
For more information, simply click onto the link below:-
http://corporate.tourism.nsw.gov.au/Greater_Sydney_Tourism_Partnership_Funding_Program_p3724.aspx

(Photo L-R - Cr Ross Fowler (Deputy Mayor), MP for Penrith Karyn Paluzzano, Mayor of Penrith Cr Jim Aitken OAM, CEO of Panthers Group Glenn Matthews and Minister for Tourism, Hon. Jodi McKay MP).

Rock with the Mayor!

By Cameron Hepburn
Events Officer
Penrith City Council

It’s time to Rock and Roll with the annual Mayoral Charity Ball on November 13 at the St Marys Band Club.
This year we’ll be taking people back to 1959 to an era of Rockabilly and Jive, so get your 50’s threads on and get pumped up for what’s going to be an amazing night of entertainment, provided by the acclaimed Elvis impersonator, David Cazalet. There will also be a tribute to Aussie rock icon, Johnny O’Keefe.
There’ll also be a sumptuous three course meal and drinks provided. The St Mary’s Band Club is the venue and it’ll be ‘decked out’ to suit the 1959 rockabilly theme, so we encourage everyone to come dressed up in style!
Every year a number of charities are chosen to receive all proceeds raised from the night.
This year Little by Little Inc and the Thorndale Foundation, both very worthwhile local charities have been picked.
The ball is an amazing opportunity for people to dance the night away, while supporting these two fabulous organisations that do such a great job for the local Penrith community.
Tickets for the evening are $110 per person or $1000 for a table of 10, which is just awesome value.
Can’t wait to see you there!

Family Fun Day is coming soon!

By Stacey Rossetto
Services Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

Penrith City Council Family Fun Day is only a month away! It's on Saturday, August 8 between 11am-3pm and it's open for the whole community to experience.
Family Fun Day is the newly refreshed and revitalised Penrith City Council Open Day. A new name and a slight change in format makes for a great FREE event with something for everyone - a mix of rides, games, displays, information, machinery and prizes, plus a showcase of local performers!
The fun takes place in the green area between Penrith City Library and The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.
There will be a collection of Council displays with interactive games, giveaways, as well as intriguing facts you probably didn’t know about your local area.
Family Fun Day is a great opportunity to ask all the questions you wanted of your Council and local area – in the one place at the one time! You can also pick up a free native shrub.
The littlies (and the 'big littlies') can get up close with snakes and a crocodile as part of the reptile show that’s in store! There will also be lots of laughs with P.Jamas the Clown roving around the event and her very own show at 2pm in the Penrith City Library Theatrette.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrate with us!

Blog entry by

Peter Lang

Marketing Officer

Penrith City Council

Penrith Valley is good at putting on free community festivals and events. Over the years Penrith City Council’s Australia Day celebrations have proved enormously popular while other community events like the Penrith City Festival and even the Penrith Show have attracted huge crowds.
Well, this year Penrith City Council is putting on some more big community events under the banner of ‘Penrith City Celebrates 2009’. There are many features to this great week of celebrations and one of them, which I’m personally involved in helping to organise, is the ‘Rock at the Weir Festival’ which will take place at Penrith Weir on Sunday, November 15 from midday to 5pm.
The milestone to be celebrated at ‘Rock at the Weir’ is the 100th anniversary of the Weir itself as well as the 50th birthday of Penrith as a ‘city’.
‘Rock at the Weir’ will have a real 1959 theme to it with rock and roll bands performing on stage, street performers amongst the crowd, milk bars, hula hoops Barbie dolls and much more including a live outside broadcast by Penrith’s local radio station VINTAGE 87.6FM.
There’s lots more to the event and the week itself and I’ll be sure to keep everyone up to date over the next few months.
Also, if any of our tourism or business operators want to become involved in the ‘Rock at the Weir’ event either via sponsorship or any other way, please don’t hesitate to contact me by phone; 47327 466 or email; plang@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

I’d love to hear from you.

Fine Food Market is on again!

Blog entry written by Susan Hamilton

Acting Marketing Officer

Penrith City Council

After the success of the first Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Market on May 2nd, "foodies" are looking forward to the next on Saturday, June 6. The May market was well visited, some stalls even sold out, the June market hopes to repeat its success.
The June 6th market promises more fresh and tasty local and regional produce and fine foods , fresh vegies, fruit, honey, cakes and much more.
It is also a great place to find breakfast, or brunch for those who are a little later to rise. Coffee, egg and bacon rolls, pastries and other tasty delights are available.
The market is held on the first Saturday held first Saturday of the month 8am-1pm in the civic precinct adjacent to the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, High Street. Penrith.
To find out more about the market, and the Farm Gate Trail contact the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre on 1300 736 836, or click on the Farm Gate Trail link in the “visit” section of http://www.penrithvalley.com.au/ .

Penrith Valley now on Twitter!

Blog entry
by
Peter Lang
Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council


City Marketing has entered the world of 'Twitter' and are now online as 'Penrith_Valley' - for those of you who don't know, Twitter is a free social networking service which enables people to send and read other users' updates known as 'tweets'.
Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them (known as followers).
You can join the official 'Penrith Valley' tweets by joining http://www.twitter.com/and then typing 'Penrith_Valley' into your search bar.
I'll be doing regular updates on the many things happening in-and-around the Penrith Valley area. So if you're not a member of Twitter yet.....join up today and get the latest updates from your favourite City Marketing department.

Fine Food Market a success!

Blog entry by
Susan Hamilton
Acting Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

There was a frenzy of activity on the grassed area next to the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, May 2 as the Civic Precinct hosted Penrith’s first Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Market.
The market was a hive of activity on this sunny autumn morning. As promised there was a wide range of fresh local and regional produce on offer as well as an assortment of fine and tasty foods, plants and even some beautiful flowers on sale.
The highlight of my many purchases was the crispiest, yummiest 'Pink Lady' apples, unfortunately they were all eaten by the end of the weekend. If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, then what does two or three do?
There were also plenty of options for a tasty breakfast or brunch. I could not go past a spinach and cheese gozleme before I headed home.
The market is held on the first Saturday of each month. The next market will be on Saturday 6th June from 8am until 1pm. See you there…
To find out more about the market you can click on the Farm Gate Trail link in the “visit” section of www.penrithvalley.com.au.

by Peter Lang

Marketing Officer

Penrith City Council

Welcome to the new Penrith Valley blogspot.Well, it's not really that 'new', there's been a bit of a 'face-lift' design wise and over the coming months some new features will also be added.Apart from that the blog still represents the thoughts and insights of the staff and the things we do here in City Marketing at Penrith City Council.I guess the major change is to the domain name. Previously to access this blog you needed to type in 'www.penrithvalleyviewsinteractive.blogspot.com' - which frankly, was quite a mouthful. It was also a lot more difficult to remember and harder to find on search engines.Now, it's nice and simple - 'penrithvalley.blogspot.com'. Easier to remember, harder to forget.As for the old blogspot, it will cease to exist as of midnight, May 1st 2009. Now we here at City Marketing still want your honest feedback. Tell us your thoughts and suggestions - send them to me now!Either by email to plang@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or even SMS if it's a short message. SMS your opinion or view to 0409 822240....or simply leave a comment at the end of every story you read by clicking onto the 'comments' button.We look forward to hearing from you soon.

More than a market!

Blog entry by Susan Hamilton
Acting Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

I thought I would jump in and write one of the first blog entries on the new and improved Penrith Valley blog , well here goes…
I have a pretty full on weekend just around the corner, one thing that I’m looking forward to is the very thing that has “rescued” me from my Saturday morning sleep in….This Saturday (May 2nd) will be Penrith’s first Hawkesbury Harvest Farmers and Fine Food Market.
The market starts at 8am but for all those who do stay under the doona a little longer on a Saturday the market will still be there until around 1pm.
Unless of course the stall holders sell out earlier (which I have been told happens at the other market locations!) So brave the cool autumn weather and get in early for the freshest finest produce and fine foods.
The market will be held on the first Saturday of each month on the grassed next to the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and Penrith Council and Library (hmmm, better return that overdue book while I’m there…but that’s an entirely different story!).
Market stalls will be selling fresh local and regional produce including bread, lamb, duck, eggs, olives, sauces, vegetables, apples, honey, jams, plants, condiments wine, cupcakes, brownies, and pastries. There will even be some hot foods making it a great place to rustle up some breakfast or brunch.
We all know the benefits of buying local but the benefit straightaway to you the market shopper is a fresher, less handled and therefore far superior product that your buy directly from the producer.
To find out more about the market you can contact the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre on 1300 736 836, or click on the Farm Gate Trail link in the visit section of http://www.penrithvalley.com.au/ .
See you there!