Western Weekender

Kevin Crameri moved to Llandilo in 1952, and has been in the Penrith region ever since. He speaks about the changing face of Penrith, his involvement with the NSW Rural Fire Service and how his life changed in the 1970s when he was first elected to Penrith City Council. Kevin has a fascinating story to tell about Penrith, its politics and its people.

Born in Queensland, Prue Car grew up in Emu Plains and always had an interest in politics. She's now the State Member for Londonderry and Deputy Leader of the NSW Labor Party. Prue speaks about growing up in Emu Plains, her schooling and how she fell in love with Labor.

Director of WestCare Andrew Paech takes us through his extraordinary journey to Penrith and becoming one of the best-known charity advocates in the region. Andrew speaks about his career in the corporate world, how WestCare entered his life and how he escaped a 'misspent' youth to ultimately do so much for others.

On The Record presents Penrith's stories, told by the people who made them. On this episode, Wayne Willmington speaks about his passion for Luddenham, his many business ventures, his time in the highly competitive fuel industry and how he landed in radio. Currently the owner of MY88 in Penrith, Wayne has such an interesting story to tell.

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series in 2018. Premiership winner. Test and Origin representative. Coach. Champion bloke. Royce Simmons has done it all with the Penrith Panthers. Royce sits down with Troy Dodds to discuss his rugby league career. He talks about winning the Grand Final in 1991 and how he very nearly missed the famous match, his regrets over coaching the Panthers in the mid-1990s and the moment he describes as the toughest of his career.

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series from 2018. Lovable Penrith character Ross Hutchison talks about his life as a dancer, entertainer, teacher, radio presenter, harness racing driver and fundraiser. He tells us how dancing essentially saved his life, takes us through the heartbreak of losing his sister in the Granville Train Disaster and explains why he gives so much of himself to others. Ross also reveals whether he’s still got a desire to enter politics.

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series from 2018. From the Dungowan Theatre to Scott’s Auto One, John Scott and his family have an incredible history in Penrith. John joins us to talk business, family and all things Penrith in the latest edition of the On The Record podcast.

Ahead of the return of the On The Record podcast, we revisit our first series from 2018. The guest in this episode is Ben Feszczuk, former Local Area Commander in Penrith. Ben talks about being born in Germany and how his family eventually settled in Penrith. He discusses some of his career highlights as well as a number of dark days – including being part of the Anita Cobby murder investigation and how the death of Jim Affleck still haunts him.

Ahead of the return of the On The Record podcast, we revisit our series from 2018. Former Penrith Mayor John Thain reflects on his early life in Scotland, his school days and the twist of fate that led him to meet his wife Annette. He also reflects on the death of former Londonderry MP Jim Anderson – and why it was one of the toughest days of his life. John also talks about what the future holds for the ever-growing Penrith.

The Western Weekender presents the On The Record podcast, featuring interviews with key people who have shaped Penrith as the city as it is today.

Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor talk all the news and views surrounding the 2021 NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Troy Dodds hosts Weekender Wireless as we look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on break. A breakdown of local case numbers and locations, plus we hear from a Nepean Hospital ICU Doctor.

Western Weekender Editor Troy Dodds provides the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic in Penrith.

The Western Weekender presents a local look at the latest COVID-19 and lockdown situation in Penrith.

Simon Williams is a High-Performance Mindset coach at Motivation & Performance Partners (M&PP), a business he founded to help aspiring athletes achieve success at the top-level. The ingrained desire to help others succeed has long been the driving force behind Simon’s work and has played a large part in shaping where he is today.

Bec Slack is the owner of local business, Cleverstuff Educational Toys, a venture she took over in 2015. It was a leap into the unknown for Bec – who revolutionised the business – shifting their products to digital platforms to make them more accessible and reinforcing the importance of education through experience. The importance of education, however, is not a new concept for Bec. Having attended Penrith High School, academics have often been a focus for her and have shaped her passion to promote learning at a young age.

Sam Arnold has represented Australia across three sporting codes and this summer was a part of the Sydney Thunder WBBL|06 championship squad. A late call up to the team – that was housed in “hub” at Sydney Olympic Park – Sam immersed herself into the experience and was able to learn and develop her game alongside some of cricket’s greats.

It was a modest upbringing in Whalan where Mark Geyer first understood the power of love and kindness, a place where he developed a sense of putting others before yourself. “My childhood was great…I never knew that we were poor…I didn’t know Mum and Dad were working two jobs just to pay our rent…because there was so much love in the house,” Mark said. Mark’s charitable endeavours and community support have been far-reaching and reflective of his passion to help local organisations making a difference. Whilst impactful, the support is a responsibility according to Mark, and one that he is more than happy to honour.

Meaghan Potter is an artist and teacher, plying her trade throughout the Blue Mountains and beyond. Growing up in Blaxland, Meaghan completed an Honours in Fine Arts from the National Art School and has gone on to exhibit internationally in Hong Kong, and throughout greater Sydney.

Jason Dundas is a global media icon and has hosted the world’s biggest productions, both locally and abroad. Through an energetic and supportive upbringing in South Penrith, Jason was driven to shape his own path and create his future. Success, according to Jason, comes from having the self-confidence and work ethic to enable you to seize an opportunity as they arise.