A real Aussie Hero

Blog Entry by Peter Lang
Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

Take a look at the photo on the left, you might not instantly recognise him or even know how he is but let me tell you, this man is a bigger hero than Indiana Jones or James Bond.
He's tougher than a junk yard dog and has more heart than Phar Lap.
So who is this bloke? What's his name I hear you ask?
His name is Ben Felten.
And what makes Ben such a hero is not that he's a very talented and accomplished sportsman who plays cricket for Australia at the highest level and has three world rowing titles under his belt.
I mean those achievements alone are impressive enough. No what makes them even more impressive is the fact that Ben has done them all while being legally blind.
Yep, that's right, Ben's eye sight is classified as B1, meaning he has no vision and minimal light perception only.
Ben also works at Penrith City Council as the Disability Services Officer and does a great job in that role as well.
He'll be the proudest man on the field next Tuesday, December 16th when he strolls out onto Howell Oval in Penrith to take on the might of the English team in a match in the Return Ashes Cricket series. The game starts at 10am and Ben would love nothing more than to make a big score and take a bagful of wickets in front of his home crowd.
So if you can spare a few minutes next Tuesday, perhaps even during your lunch break, why not come down and watch a bit of the action.
The talent and action on display will be simply awesome.
I'll be there...will you?

Celebrating Rugby League in Penrith Valley

Blog entry by Peter Lang

Marketing Officer

Penrith City Council

Well, what an exciting few months its been in Penrith with no less than three rugby league tournaments taking place in our own backyard.

It all 'kicked off' (pardon the pun) in September with the International Masters Of Rugby League tournament for players aged 35 and over. The action then picked up at CUA Stadium with the area hosting not one but two international World Cup games and will conclude this Saturday, November 15 with two finals games of the Defence Forces World Cup, also at CUA Stadium.

I was privileged enough to attend the World Cup game at CUA Stadium in the Chairman's Lounge along with the Princess of Tonga (she didn't know who I was) and the match was certainly a great spectacle to behold. Nearly 12,000 spectators crammed into the stadium and the atmosphere was....dare I say it....simply electric!

The Tongan and Samoan supporters were fantastic in their ....err....'support' for their respective sides and the crowd was awash with a sea of colour as blue and red flags were waved proudly around for the entire match.

Even my wife who accompanied me to the game got in on the excitement and forgot her surroundings for a minute when she spontaneously jumped up during an on-field altercation and chanted 'fight fight fight!' while the Princess of Tonga, NRL Chief Executive David Gallop and a couple of high-ranking policemen, sat in silence behind me.

The noise was also deafening, there was chanting and cheering the entire 80 minutes but my favourite part was when the crowd 'peacefully' invaded the pitch after the final siren had sounded. They couldn't wait to touch their heroes and a few of the players including former Penrith captain Tony Puletua were hoisted high on the shoulders of these spectators who continued to party almost half an hour after the official match had finished.

There's no doubt that events such as the three which have graced our city over the last three months have done nothing but untold good to the rugby league mad and proud community of Penrith Valley.

Let's face it, we love our rugby league out here, in all its forms.

Ahhhh.....too bad there has to be an off season.

Photo (L-R) - Penrith players all taking part in the tournament - Petero Civoniceva, Tony Puletua, Michael Jennings (in an Australian jumper before he was released to play for Tonga) and Paul Aiton.

See Samoa at CUA Stadium

The star-studded Samoan rugby league team will hold a fan day at CUA Stadium in Penrith this Saturday, October 25 starting at 9am.
The team is in Penrith all week to prepare for their World Cup clash against Tonga the following Friday.

For more information go to:-
http://penrith.panthers.com.au/Default.aspx?id=3&ArticleID=872

Celebrate Rugby League

Blog Entry by
Peter Lang
Marketing Officer
Penrith City Council

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love the sport of rugby league. So imagine how 'chuffed' I was when a few months ago my bosses at Council asked me to devise a marketing campaign which would promote three rugby league tournaments, which were all going to be held in Penrith between September and November.
I felt as giddy as a kid in a candy store - the ideas were making my head spin.
After a painful brainstorming session with my supervisor Paul Page, painful because I actually had to use my brain, we came up with, oh ok, 'I' came up with the title 'Celebrate Rugby League' and a very involved marketing campaign consisting of around 10,000 printed flyers, the world wide web and extensive newspaper advertising.
The first tournament has already come and gone and it's where the photo above comes from. The International Masters of Rugby League Tournament bought some estimated 3,000 visitors into the area over a concentrated eight-day period. Open to players over the age of 35 with some well over 60, I had the pleasure of watching several games being played at Jamison Park in Penrith.
All I can say is the sportsmanship shown on the day was something to see and admire. Older players helping younger players up off the ground after a good tackle. The referee openly acknowledging an exciting try, players encouraging each other after a dropped ball or loose pass went to ground. 'Don't worry mate, we'll get 'em next time' one player said putting his arm around the shoulders of his team mate who was cursing the fact that an opportunity to score had eluded him.
There was plenty of passion on show that day.
It's what rugby league is all about and in this tournament - age definitely did not weary them.
There's still two great tournaments to come, the Rugby League World Cup with two games to be played at CUA Stadium in Penrith and the Defence Forces World Cup, also at CUA Stadium between November 4-17.
If the passion, commitment and spirit of friendship in these games even half matches what I saw at Jamison Park that warm 'Spring' day in September, then as spectators, we're in for two fantastic tournaments!
Who said the rugby league season was over, in downtown Penrith Valley, it's just beginning.

Alan Jones - simply inspiring!

Blog Entry by Michael Todd

Marketing Manager

Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation (PVEDC)

Knowing he was due to visit, I had a dream the night before that I was working with him. Strange, but it reflected what I’m wishing was the case right now.

On Tuesday 30 September, I witnessed the best guest speaker I have seen so far in my short life. Alan Jones AO, the multi-talented well known media personality was somehow secured by John Todd, the Executive Officer of the Penrith City & District Business Advisory Centre, for his 2008 annual sponsor’s luncheon at Penrith Paceway.

To answer your next question, yes John is my father.

Arriving in a helicopter which landed on the picturesque track, the 147 attendees were glued to their seats for the entire 30 or so minutes - about 30 minutes more than they probably ever expected to spend in the same room with someone of his stature.

He gained the respect of all present with a sincere recommendation, or wish rather, based on his own recent experiences to all males present to get a blood test - acknowledging that we are bad at self-diagnosing. Correct!

His presentation was amazing, speaking on the topics of banks, water, fast trains and griping at the fact that big companies are a major threat to our small business.

The one that stuck in my mind is the big companies destroying our small businesses. Mr Jones said they have a lot to answer for, they lower their prices when a small business competitor enters the market, drives them out of business, then jacks up their prices and moves on. This, in my opinion, will get worse and worse and something has to be done.

Some very interesting points that he gave his opinion on were:

- The recent collapse on Wall Street is a result of greed
- Our banks are boring which is a good thing as the risk is reduced
- Finance will continue to get more expensive or not available at all
- We are in a massive infrastructure crisis
- Our water stocks are slim, which is the direct result of not building a dam to complement Warragamba dam.
- Warragamba Dam is in the wrong place
- We need a fast train, people could work in Newcastle but live in Sydney
- We have had one or two too many interest rate rises
- Craig Emerson (also a guest speaker) has the best brains in parliament

His ability to speak the words which were on everyone’s tongues is an ability not many have and finished by saying that although we are all in complicated circumstances, a simple attitudinal change and rolling up our sleeves will allow us to do anything.

Before we got time to flinch, away he flew.

Photo from left to right: Local Member for Penrith Karyn Paluzzano, BEC Executive Officer John Todd, BEC Chairman Peter Berger, Alan Jones AO

Turning your ideas into dollar$

Blog entry by Michael Todd
Marketing Manager
Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation (PVEDC)

Fifty attendees filled the seats in the Nepean Room at Penrith City Council for Penrith’s and the PVEDC’s last Small Business September event for this year.

In what was a very shiny day, the first speaker for the seminar, Bob Jeal, consultant for our Western Sydney Innovation Advisory Service (WSIAS) made it more so with a hot pink shirt and an even brighter same coloured tie – I quite liked it. He covered the question of: what is innovation? A tough question to answer given he had 25 minutes.

He managed it in almost double what was allocated but pointed out that innovation has to improve on something or be new, there is no point in it costing more than it sells for. I found it surprising that people often struggle with this point.

Roger Johnston, consultant for the WSIAS and our second speaker, was much more reserved in his choice of clothing though he did sport a brightly coloured tie and based his presentation on marketing - another tough area to cover in a short amount of time but he mastered it, covering the four Ps (product, price, promotion & place) of the marketing mix, and even introducing a further four(people, proof, process & positioning) which were obviously overlooked during my time studying. He got it in one I thought when he stated that if you understand your target market and what they really want, then you will go a long way.

Our third and final speaker was a patent attorney, Dale Watson, who I must say looked the best out of the three, spoke on 'Making the intangible' more tangible and valuable. In a nutshell, how to protect your business idea and where to go for advice relating to intellectual property. His question time went for longer than his presentation in what capped off a magnificent morning where so many of the attendees gave great feedback and wanted to make additional appointments to meet with Bob & Roger which is what we're here for.

The fact that there is so much to think about regarding the whole process of an innovation was eye opening but I was reassured by the three presenters that innovators aren’t alone and there are methods of assistance which can be accessed.

More information on the FREE WSIAS can be sought from our office on (02) 4731 5711 and we will be pleased to assist your needs.

Photo caption (L-R) : Guest speaker and WSIAS consultants Bob Jeal & Roger Johnston, PVEDC Acting CEO Steve Willingale, PVEDC Marketing Manager Michael Todd & Guest Speaker & Patent Attorney Dale Watson.

The Great Escape Charity Car Rally takes off!

Blog entry by: Peter Lang

Marketing Officer

Penrith City Council

Who says you can't have a social conscience and have fun at the same time?

Forty cars packed to the rafters with over 100 excited competitors all left the car park of Penrith City Council Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 9 on a 10-day charity car rally to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Australia.

And what a fantastic morning it was too! There were cars of every shape and size, drivers dressed like beer wenches, clowns, Batman and even 'Kenny the toilet consultant!'. The Penrith Mayor, Councillor Greg Davies was there too and after 'flagging off' 40 cars at the sart of their journey, probably had a sore shoulder for the rest of the day!

Local radio station Kick 87.6 were also there and did a terrific job of covering the event - and it was an event! Sure it was early, everyone stated gathering just after 6am, except for myself of course....I got there at 7am....sorry.... slept in....but who didn't sleep in was the bleary-eyed yet enthusiastic drivers and crew, who were out until late the night before at a special dinner raising more money for the cause.

Didn't hear any of them complaining....they were just happy to be there and happy to help raise money for a very worthwhile cause. The world needs more people like this and I can tell you, Penrith was proud to be the starting point for this amazing journey all in aid of Cystic Fibrosis. To find out more or to donate call 1 800 635 008 or visit www.thegreatescape.org.au

New & improved PVVI - By Peter Lang (Marketing Officer)

Welcome everyone to the 'all-new' Penrith Valley Views Interactive Blog. It's new in a number of ways, least of which is the design and layout. It's a lot simplier to read and navigate around but still has the same 'interactive' features as it did before.
As of today, it also becomes a real 'blog' in that instead of just publishing 'media releases', it will now feature the personalised 'thoughts' of our City Marketing staff here at Penrith City Council on a variety of issues, all relevant to the work we do promoting the area of Penrith Valley - which you can still leave a comment on.
Over the next few months we will also be publishing the thoughts of our local business and tourism operators in relation to marketing this great area of ours, so if you have something you'd like published on our blog, just send your thoughts to plang@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au - and please keep them under 400 words if you can.
Ok, well that's it for me, I always find these type of 'welcome' columns a little repetative and boring so I'll keep this one fairly short.
I look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Penrith City on DVD

The Penrith Valley Special Visits Network (PVSVN) DVD has been launched to help showcase what Penrith City has to offer prospective international educational tourists.
The DVD is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by several Penrith Valley operators who make up the PVSVN.
These local operators have so much to offer overseas visitors in both training opportunities, and cultural and entertainment experiences.Since November 2003, the Network has brought more than 2100 educational tourists to Penrith City.
The total financial benefit to the local economy is hard to estimate but our research shows that in education fees alone, these tourists have spent more than $150,000.
The DVD has been produced in English, Korean, Mandarin and Japanese and will be widely distributed overseas.Australia is known around the world as a friendly, welcoming and interesting country and naturally, Penrith City is a great ambassador for those values

Recent Council Open Day a Success

Penrith City Council's recent Open Day held on August 2 saw thousands of people converge on the Civic Centre between 12pm and 4pm and enjoy a host of free entertainement and activities.
Successful again was the Council 'Open Day Passport' concept which required a stamp to be taken from various Council department represented on the day.Council provides services throughout the year that cater to residents of all ages and stages of their life and these services were all on show at the Open Day.
There was plenty of freebies given out and everyone who came left with a big smile on their face.
Every year Open Day is a great chance for local families and Council to come together, have a lot of fun, and learn about what Council does for you.
We'll see you all again next year!

Thousands to visit Penrith Valley for Masters Games

About 5,000 athletes and accompanying people will descend on Penrith City as part of the World Masters Games next year.
Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said that Penrith City along with the rest of Sydney would welcome some 25,000 participants in 28 sports.
“For the majority of sports, anyone over the age of 30 can compete and Council encourages as many of you as possible to enter and have an international sporting experience,” Councillor Davies said.
“The Games will boost Penrith City’s international profile further.
“This is an important international sporting event that will attract participants from around the world to Sydney and inject $60 million into the NSW economy.
“Council is honoured to have won the right to host a number of events in Penrith City, including canoeing, rowing, touch football and basketball events.
“Our community showed we earned the right to host these events from our can-do attitude for the 2000 Olympic Games. Penrith City’s International Regatta Centre and Whitewater Stadium are world-renowned as first-class sporting venues.
“Council will now set up a program that can take the best advantage of the expected social, cultural and economic boost that will come from visiting participants and spectators to our great City.”
The Games run for eight days in October next year. To register as a competitor visit http://www.2009worldmasters.com/

Buy Penrith Valley at the VIC

Residents shopping outside of Penrith Valley did not benefit the city, Mayor Greg Davies, said at the launch of “Buy Penrith Valley” campaign, at the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre.
“It is of no value whatsoever to have somebody from the Hawkesbury or Bathurst spend $500 in Penrith, if someone from Penrith goes to Parramatta and spends $500 in Parramatta. It doesn’t achieve anything,” he told some 40 business people.
Cr Davies said Penrith Valley had the potential, as a regional city, to attract people from a large catchment area to generate wealth and economic development, but it was important that local people supported such development.
“We’ve got 7000 business in Penrith and if we can generate business growth and development to the point that everyone of those businesses could put on one extra employee, we’d create 7000 jobs,” he said.
Cr Davies people buying locally in Penrith Valley were helping themselves and creating opportunities for themselves and for their children. “We want people to look around this area before going elsewhere,” he said.
Jill Woods, CEO, of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the campaign was a joint initiative “rebirthed” last October,
with the chamber, the Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation, the Penrith Business Advisory Centre, the Penrith City Centre Association and Penrith City Council, as the original stakeholders.
“Buy Penrith Valley is about reminding people of the importance of growing our, local economy first and foremost, with this clear and constant message. This project can have an extended life and make positive contributions to our local economy, in turn benefiting each of us,” she said.
John Todd, Executive Officer, of the Penrith City & District Business Advisory Centre, said his centre is behind the community wide initiative, “We are pleased to be involved in this local initiative which can only benefit all business in Penrith Valley region, but particularly small businesses which are the focus of their endeavours.”
Gladys Reed, CEO, of the Penrith City Centre Association, said the organisation had introduced a “green card”, a shopper’s reward card, last year to encourage local people to shop in the city centre, an initiative which has attracted 30 participating businesses to date.
Steve Willingale, acting CEO, of the Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation, said after the launch that the Buy Penrith Valley campaign had the potential to be a worthwhile initiative for the city.
“It really needs local businesses, residents, clubs, sporting groups and other local organisations to get behind the promotion and so boost the future of the city economically. From that employment will follow,” he said.

Photo: Penrith Mayor Cr Greg Davies launches the 'Buy Penrith Valley' initiative.

Penrith City takes Ulysses baton

Penrith City has now officially been passed the baton to host the next Ulysses Club AGM, which will generate about $10 million for the local economy.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies was in Townsville last week to accept the Ulysses Trophy on behalf of Penrith City residents.
“About 5000 motorcyclists will set up camp in Penrith as part of the Ulysses Clubs Annual General Meeting in March next year,” Councillor Davies said.
“The Ulysses Club has 28,000 members nationally and membership is available to only those aged over 40 years of age. It is a social club for mature age motorcyclists.
“The Club’s Annual General Meeting is a major event spanning a week. Ulysses members enjoy a range of activities in the host City including entertainment nights, social events and official ceremonies. The week culminates in a grand parade.
“The parade is a high point of the event and Ulysses sees it as a thank you gesture to local residents for sharing their City.
“Council will also support the 2009 event with $35,000, which will be repaid to the City many times over, and a shuttle bus linking the Ulysses Cub’s base with the Penrith CBD.”

Photo: (l-r) Member for Penrith, Karyn Paluzzano, MP, Penrith City Mayor Cr Greg Davies and Townsville City Deputy Mayor Cr David Crisafulli.

VIC celebrates Volunteers Week

The Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre celebrated Volunteers Week, which ran from 12 to 18 May, with a hearty breakfast for the Penrith Valley Ambassadors.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said that Council’s Marketing Supervisor and two Information Officers showed their appreciation for the Ambassadors by preparing them a sumptuous breakfast feast in the Visitors Centre.
“The breakfast was a chance for all the ambassadors to catch up socially together at the same time, but they also used the time to discuss work topics such as further training and ideas for tours for visitors.

“The Ambassadors’ local knowledge and passion for the area is passed on to the visitors they assist. Their knowledge and enthusiasm is a great asset to Penrith Valley. Some ambassadors volunteer on a weekly basis, others once a month.”
The centre has 12 active volunteer Ambassadors who help Council’s Information Officers with the day-to-day operation of the visitor centre and with event stalls at events such as Australia Day.

Being a volunteer is a great way to meet a wide range of people and is fun. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact the Visitor Information Centre on 1300 736 836 or email pentour@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

Photo caption: Clockwise from left; Enjoying the Ambassador Breakfast: Judy, Susan Hamilton (Information Officer), Andrew, Arthur, Margaret, Lesley Worthington (Information Officer), Denise, Jeanette, Peggy and Mary.

Five thousand motorcyclists to thunder into Penrith

About 5000 motorcyclists will set up camp in Penrith as part of the Ulysses Motor Cycle Clubs Annual General Meeting in March 2009.
Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said Council was honoured that Penrith City was chosen to host the meeting that will reap some $10 million of economic benefits.
“The Ulysses Motorcycle Club has 28,000 members nationally and membership is available to only those aged over 40 years of age,” Councillor Davies said.
“The Club’s Annual General Meeting is a major event spanning a week. It is of such a scale that planning begins three years ahead.
“The week also attracts major motorcycle manufacturers and suppliers for a trade show and members enjoy a range of activities in the host City including entertainment nights, social events and official ceremonies. The week culminates in a grand parade.
“The parade is a high point of the event and Ulysses sees it as a thank you gesture to local residents for sharing their City.
“The Club has more than 120 local branches, which have to bid for the right to host an Annual General Meeting.
“Recognising the importance of such an event to the City, Council along with Panthers and Penrith Paceway, lent its vast event management experience to the local Nepean Ulysses Club in its successful bid.
“Council will also support the event with $35,000, which will be repaid to the City many times over, and a shuttle bus linking the Ulysses Cub’s base with the Penrith CBD.”

No Foolin' - Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Meeting a success!

In terms of ideas generated, enthusiasm displayed, passion for the area and numbers who turned up, the latest Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Meeting held at Waterside on April 1 can only be described as a complete success.

Business and tourism operators from Chifley Penrith Panthers, Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, Bass2Bait, St Paul’s Grammar School and The Train Shed all came along to hear Lakes Precinct operators Jill Ritherdon from Muru Mittigar, Michelle Whitmore from the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Glenn Butterworth of Waterside and Simonetta Lo Po of Penrith Whitewater Stadium all update the group about their respective businesses and how by working together everyone can get involved in making the area a major tourist attraction for Penrith to the benefit of all.

Meanwhile Chief Operating Officer of Penrith Lakes Greg Leghissa also spoke to the group and answered questions about the future of the Penrith Lakes scheme saying a clearer vision of what will happen in the Lakes precinct will be known by the end of the year. He is keen to work with the Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Group in the future and keep everyone up to date on exactly what is happening to this very important project.

The group agreed to continue to meet on a regular basis and widen the scope of businesses which can get involved in promoting themselves via the various businesses and events already operating in the Lakes Precinct.

It is important to keep the lines of communication open between official meeting times so if anyone reading this story wishes to promote or communicate a message to the entire Penrith Lakes Marketing Network group then please feel free to contact Penrith City Council Marketing Officer Peter Lang via email on plang@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or phone/sms 0409 822240 – landline 47327466 and the message will be passed on to every member of the Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Group.

If you wish to come along to the next meeting or join the official mailing list contact Peter Lang via any of the methods listed above.

Earth Hour in Penrith!

The Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre had its outdoor lights turned off recently in support of Earth Hour 2008.

The centre's internal lights are turned off every night in an effort to conserve energy and promote sustainability.

See where in your business or home you can save a bit of energy and lighten to load in your hip pocket with a reduced electricity bill to boot!

Go on - get interactive!

The great thing about a 'blogspot' is your ability as the 'reader' to actively participate by writing a comment about any story you read and sharing your views with everyone.
We here at City Marketing (Penrith City Council) welcome your thoughts.
So go on....don't be shy....tell us what you think....within reason of course....get interactive...write a comment today!
You'll be glad you did.

MURU MITTIGAR WINS NATIONAL TOURISM AWARD ONCE AGAIN

Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural & Education Centre in Castlereagh, near Penrith was presented with the Qantas Australian Tourism Award 2007 for Indigenous Tourism for the second year running.

The Awards ceremony was held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, ACT on Friday, February 29 and was hosted by Andrew Daddo with special performances by the renown Aboriginal performer, Jimmy Little, and the Qantas and Australian Girls’ Choirs.

Cultural Coordinator, Mr Rab Hammond, accepted the award on behalf of Muru Mittigar, and moved the audience with a touching speech acknowledging the high standard of the other competitors in the Indigenous category and expressing that Aboriginal tourism was an exchange of culture given ‘from the heart’ by the Indigenous guides. Representing Muru Mittigar at the Awards were Fran McEwen (Café & Retail Gallery Manager), Greg McEwen (Land Management Services Supervisor), Rab Hammond (Cultural Coordinator) and Jill Ritherdon (General Manager).
“It is such an honour to receive this Award, particularly for a second time and given the very high standard of all the finalists," said Muru Mittigar General Manager Jill Ritherdon. "I am so proud that the hard work and dedication of the team at Muru Mittigar has been nationally acknowledged and that it can be truly said that we are a ‘pathway to friends’ (the meaning of ‘Muru Mittigar’ in the Darug language) for both national and international visitors."

Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Meeting 08

It’s time to hold the first Penrith Lakes Marketing Network Group Meeting for 2008 on Tuesday, April 1st and this time it’s at Waterside located on the corner of Castlereagh and Andrews Roads opposite Penrith Whitewater.
The meeting will start at 9am and run until around 11.00am. A formal invitation will be sent to anyone who has already attended a past meeting but if you’re reading this, have never been to a meeting before but are interested in attending, then please call Peter Lang on one of the phone numbers listed at the end of this story.
City Marketing has arranged for representatives from the International Regatta Centre, Penrith Whitewater and Muru Mittigar to address the group especially in relation to the business and tourism development opportunities which will be emerging over the next few years at these venues and in-and-around the Penrith Lakes precinct.
As an added bonus we’ll also hear from the Marketing Manager of Stockland (Waterside) Glenn Butterworth.
Meanwhile Penrith Lakes Chief Operating Officer Greg Leghissa has also confirmed that he will attend the meeting.
We understand that you are all very busy people but hope to see you there in any case. I’m sure you’ll find it worth your time.
For more information or to reserve your ‘seat’ please contact Penrith City Council Marketing Officer Peter Lang on either 47327 466 or 0409 822240.
(photo courtesy of Stockland)

Penrith Valley welcomes Australian Rowing

Members of Australia’s Olympic Rowing squad will join another 1400 rowers from around Australia to compete at the 2008 Australian Rowing Championships at the International Regatta Centre, Penrith between 3 and 9 March.

School student rowers will be out to impress talent scouts from Universities and Sports Institutions in Australia and from the United States.
Young men and women will race in under 17, 19 and under 23 age races and those showing great promise will be out to impress the Rowing Australia coaches who are looking for the next generation of international Australian rowers who can compete overseas in the Junior and Under 23 international competitions as a preparation for World Cup and Olympic competition.

Over the past few weeks the International Regatta Centre hosted selection trials for the Olympic squad which continued through the NSW State Championships and will continue into April.
The best days to come and see the crews racing are 7 March from 8am to 1pm, Saturday 8 March 11am to 2pm when most of the national finals are held and then 9 March from 11am to 2pm for the school girl and school boy eights finals. The eight-race Interstate Regatta will culminate in the Queens and Kings Cup which will be presented by the Governor General.

There will also be children’s activities and amusement rides running at the Championships to enhance the enjoyment of spectators making it a fun day out not just for rowing enthusiasts but the whole family.

Name that DRAGON!!

Young residents and families have the chance to win a fantastic ‘Roar and Snore’ adventure prize from Taronga Zoo in a competition to help Council name its sustainability mascot.

Penrith City Mayor Greg Davies said that the Eastern Water Dragon is the City’s mascot for sustainability and is used to brand the Sustainable Penrith program.
“Council chose the dragon as a mascot because it lives along the banks of local waterways and represents Penrith City’s environmental, social and economic health,” Councillor Davies said.
“Our mascot is a bit sad at the moment because no one thought to give it a name.
“Council is asking you to help it name our friendly dragon and go into the draw to win a great prize. It is also important that the name has some meaning or connection to the local area so put your thinking caps on.”
To enter, complete an entry form including your suggestion and return it to Council to be in with a chance to win tickets for a family of four to Taronga Zoo’s ‘Roar and Snore’ adventure.

The prize includes overnight camping accommodation, meals and special behind the scenes access and tours through Taronga Zoo, valued at $550.
The competition will run until 29 February with the winner announced at an official name giving ceremony next march.
Entry forms are available at Council offices, www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au or by calling telephone 4732 8050.

Penrith Valley TV

A recent edition of The Western Week-ender newspaper (18/1/08) carrried an article about the launch of the new Penrith City Council City Marketing initiative known as 'Penrith Valley TV' - to find out just what it is and how it works, simply read the story below as it appeared in the paper and on Western Week-ender Penrith Online. It is written by Troy Dodds. Photo taken by Peter Veith.

(caption - PCC Marketing Officer Peter Lang works on Penrith Valley TV)

THE Queen does it, Kevin Rudd does it and now Penrith has joined one of the world’s biggest information portals in an effort to increase promotion of the area.
YouTube has taken off in leaps and bounds in recent years and allows organisations and individuals to create a ‘channel’ to post relevant videos.
Penrith City Marketing Officer, Peter Lang, said the Penrith Valley channel already includes a promotional video and a special feature on the Nepean Belle’s birthday celebrations late last year.
“It’s a way to use the internet as a marketing tool to open up interest in Penrith and the area in general to a wider audience,” Mr Lang said. “Over time we hope to build up a library of videos so people can learn more about Penrith and what it has to offer.”
Mr Lang said Penrith’s two official websites – the Penrith City Council site and the Penrith Valley site – are receiving more and more hits each year and hence the internet was becoming more important in terms of marketing.
“It’s a different marketing medium that we haven’t really used before and it reaches out to a different audience – there’s millions of people on YouTube and it’s fantastic that we are able to reach people from all corners of the globe,” he said.
“I hope down the track we can encourage people to create their own videos about Penrith.”It is possible that in the future the channel will include interviews and features on local tourism operators and businesses alike.
The current address for the Penrith Valley YouTube channel is http://au.youtube.com/penrithvalleytv