Love is in the air: check out Penrith Library

If you love a good romance novel, you’ll swoon at the opportunity to hear best selling author Paula Roe at the Penrith City Library.
Titled A Day in the Life of a Romance Writer, the talk will include an account of Paula’s own journey to become a published author and tips on what makes a great romance novel.
She is a local award-winning author and her talk will also cover a typical day for a writer.
Appropriately, Paula will visit Penrith on the most romantic day of the year – Valentine’s Day, Monday 14 February at 10.30am. The talk will be held again on Friday 18 February at 6.30pm.
Bookings are essential. Call 4732 7891 to reserve your seat.
For more information about the author, visit the website www.paularoe.com.

Aussie pride celebrated in style at the Lakes

Penrith City Council’s annual Australia Day celebrations at the Lakes were a resounding success, concluding spectacularly with a visual extravaganza of fireworks and artistic water performances on the main lake.
The revised schedule saw activities start at 2pm, which meant spectators were more comfortably able to experience the majority of events and performances.
The water activities proved particularly popular due to the hot day and spectators were very keen to take part in the accompanied jet ski rides and enjoy the aquativities area, including walking on water, or having a splash at the beach area.
“I spoke to many people who were really happy to enjoy this important Australian celebration in their own backyard, at the beautiful Penrith Lakes,” Penrith City Mayor Kevin Crameri OAM said.
“Many told me the condensed program meant that they didn’t have to pick and choose which performances they could see – they could enjoy it all and it wasn’t too long a day for them, particularly families with young children,” Cr Crameri said.
“A new addition to the program, the Twilight Ceremony Water Parade, was a huge success. The parade inspired immense national pride, celebrating some of our local heroes.
“The Australia Day Spectacular fireworks and musical performance was world class, our unique setting was a perfect backdrop and I am sure this will be an ongoing part of the program in coming years,” he said.
“As always, I’m thankful that celebrating Australia Day in Penrith is a free event, which is made possible by many generous sponsors and I thank them all sincerely for their support,” Cr Crameri said.
Penrith City Council’s ‘Australia Day at the lakes’ was sponsored by Integral Energy, Sport and Recreation - a division of Communities NSW, Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, Woolworths, Penrith Press, Vintage FM, Panthers World of Entertainment, Blue Mountains Bus Company, Delfin Lend Lease, Mulgoa Quarries, O-I, SITA Environmental Solutions, Channel Nine, Penrith City Star, Hix Group Pty Ltd, Fusion FM, Westfield Penrith, the Western Weekender, and Sinclair Ford.

Penrith City welcomes its newest citizens this Australia Day

Penrith City Council will celebrate its newest citizens in an Australia Day citizenship ceremony at the Civic Centre, joining communities throughout Australia in honouring this tradition.
Around 60 people from more than 20 countries will become Australian citizens in a special ceremony at the Civic Centre on January 26.
“Whether we are Australian born or have become citizens by choice, Australian citizenship is something we should value,” Penrith City Mayor Kevin Crameri OAM said.
“Australia Day is a fantastic opportunity to join in public celebrations like those at Penrith Lakes and share what our country means for us.”
“In particular, this January the 26th is a day to remember for those who choose to become Australian citizens, as they pledge their loyalty to the Australian people and join us to face a common national destiny.
“Penrith City’s citizenship ceremony starts at 10am at the Civic Centre. It will be followed by the great Australian tradition of a barbeque lunch,” he said.
The ceremony will be one of more than 320 across every state and territory tomorrow, with some 13,000 people scheduled to become citizens around the nation.
“Penrith City embraces its newest citizens and bids them well as they take this significant step to officially join our Australian family,” Councillor Crameri said.

Fire up for Australia Day with free Museum entry

Make the most of your commute to Australia Day at the Lakes with a free pass to the Museum of Fire.
The Museum houses Australia's leading collection of fire collectibles and displays. The curators are intimate with their subject matter, many being fire-fighters themselves.
Visitors will delight in the history of fire-fighting, tracing the evolution of the fire engine or even enjoying a ride in one.
The Museum of Fire will be open free of charge on Australia Day from 9am to 5pm. Free parking for the Australia Day event will also be available at the Museum of Fire from 1.30pm to 10pm. A free shuttle bus service will operate from 1pm to 10pm between the northern side of Penrith Station via the Museum of Fire to the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
For more details and to preview the museum’s collection, visit www.museumoffire.com.au
For details on the Australia Day event at the Sydney International Regatta Centre contact 1300 736 836 or visit www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay

All eyes on our Australia Day Ambassadors

The Australia Day duo of Rugby League legend Mario Fenech and long-time Governing and Artistic Director of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates OAM will add gloss to the festivities at Penrith City on 26 January. The 2011 ambassadors will share in the Australia Day excitement, expected to attract 30,000 plus crowds to the Sydney International Regatta Centre for the free celebrations provided by Penrith City Council.
Penrith City Mayor Kevin Crameri OAM said he looked forward to Mr Fenech and Ms Bates fulfilling the ambassador roles.
“This year’s Australia Day ambassadors represent the spheres of sport and the arts, which is highly appropriate since these are two great Australian passions,” he said.
“The ambassadors’ successes and absolute dedication to their chosen fields are hallmarks of Australian achievement.”
Maltese-born and Aussie-bred Mario Fenech inspired a nation with his 15 season career playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the North Sydney Bears and the South Queensland Crushers. In his younger years he struggled as an “outsider” at school but soon silenced his schoolyard critics with his rugby league skills. Introduced to the game at age four when handed a pair of shorts, socks and his first league jersey, Mario developed his sporting prowess to earn a spot in South Sydney Rabbitohs’ first grade side in 1981. He became a well-known face on the Channel Nine Footy Show where he entertained Australian television audiences and was admired by a dedicated fan base.
Fellow ambassador Sandra Bates is an acclaimed theatre director with more than 100 productions under her belt. Since 1986 she has held the highly esteemed role of Governing and Artistic Director at Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre. Directing credits include Rain Man, which toured to Penrith and Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks, which played throughout Australia and received the 2006 Glugs Award for Best Production and the 2007 Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production. Other career highlights include Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, which played at the Sydney Opera House and took out the Glugs Award for Best Production of 1997, and directing the David Williamson plays Charitable Intent, A Conversation, Face to Face, the Sydney Premiere of Birthrights and the World Premiere of Operator.
Sandra has received numerous awards for her commitment to theatre including the Variety Club Heart Award in 2002, the SBW Foundation Achievement Award in 2005 and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sydney Theatre Critics in 2007.
The presence of the ambassadors is just one of the highlights of an action-packed Australia Day with more than seven hours of entertainment starting at 2pm, featuring a free open air cinema screening Aussie family films, the largest fireworks and water show outside of Sydney CBD (the ‘Australia Day Spectacular’), live entertainment, water-based amusements, rides, sports displays, a koala retreat and a colourful range of market stalls.
Attendees are advised that ‘Australia Day at the lakes’ is a pet-free and non BYO alcohol event, prohibiting alcohol, glass and unsealed or open bottles. Alcohol sales and consumption will be restricted to a licensed bar at the event.
2011 Australia Day at the Lakes is presented by Penrith City Council and sponsored by Integral Energy, Sport and Recreation - a division of Communities NSW, Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, Woolworths, Penrith Press, Vintage FM, Panthers World of Entertainment, Blue Mountains Bus Company, Delfin Lend Lease, Mulgoa Quarries, O-I, SITA Environmental Solutions, Channel Nine, Penrith City Star, Hix Group Pty Ltd, Fusion FM, Westfield Penrith, the Western Weekender, and Sinclair Ford.
Transport to the event
Complimentary shuttles from Penrith Station will transfer attendees to the venue from 1pm. Those arriving by car can access parking close to the event from 1.30pm before gates open at 2pm. Activities conclude at 9.30pm. For further details and to plan your day visit http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/AustraliaDay/home.html or call 1300 736 836.
Pic - Former League legend Mario Fenech