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!