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.