The year is almost at an end, and it’s been a huge 12 months of news in Penrith. Here’s the top 15 stories that had us talking…
15. The Vines drama explodes
The Vines community in Orchard Hills is outraged in November after learning that their community is being planned to be rezoned by the State Government.
Properties would be compulsorily acquired as part of the government’s plan, in a major blow to long-term residents.
It would change one of Penrith’s most exclusive residential pockets forever. The drama continues to unfold, with consultation continuing.
14. Swiftmania takes over Penrith
Swifties unite to take over Accor Stadium in February, for one of the biggest series of concerts Australia has ever seen.
Taylor Swift’s shows captivated the nation, and became the hottest ticket in town.
In the lead-up to the shows, we met some of Penrith’s biggest Swifties.
13. Father lost in St Marys tragedy
The community is rocked in October when a father of seven is killed in a horror crash at St Marys.
49-year-old Lual Awan Lueth was on his way to work at Sydney Airport when another car crashed into his vehicle on the Great Western Highway at about 4am on Tuesday, October 22.
A 43-year-old man is subsequently charged over the crash.
12. Gipps Street Recreation Precinct opens
Penrith’s newest sport and recreation destination officially opened in August.
The community hub has been a stunning success, with skate parks, sports fields, outdoor fitness equipment, water play and so much more.
A fenced dog park is also included in the massive precinct.
11. Murder at the Pullman
In November, police charge a man with the murder of his girlfriend after her body was found in a Penrith hotel room.
53-year-old Darren John Berry has been charged with one count of murder.
Police will allege he killed his girlfriend, Shirley So, inside the Pullman Hotel. The case remains before the courts.
10. Panthers cut Taylan May loose
The inevitable occurs in July: The Penrith Panthers part ways with centre Taylan May.
The ugly dispute between club and player reaches its end with May leaving the club immediately.
May is currently stood down from playing in the NRL after being charged with domestic violence related offences earlier this year. He is defending the charges and will front court again next year.
9. Mulgoa Road chaos as upgrades continue
Driving on Mulgoa Road in 2024 hasn’t been much fun, with major upgrades continuing to cause delays for motorists.
The Wolseley Street tunnel has been closed to traffic since mid-September, as upgrades of Mulgoa Road continue.
The tunnel was officially closed forever in November, marking the end of a unique piece of local road engineering.
8. An emotional farewell to Penrith Park
Major celebrations are held in September, as Penrith Park closes for a major refurbishment.
The Panthers beat the Titans in the final official NRL home game at the venue, before returning a week later for a home final against the Roosters.
The club puts on a major farewell party, including bringing Go The Mighty Panthers singer Jane Scali back to Penrith.
7. Business icons lost
Penrith is rocked by the loss of property icon Barney Allam in August. Tributes flow in thick and fast for the respected member of the local business community.
Then in September, the business community is further rattled following the loss of real estate legend Jim Aitken.
Aitken passes away after an illness, sparking emotional tributes across the political and business sphere.
6. Council chaos as Liberals left out in the cold
Veteran Councillors are forced into retirement after a Liberal Party stuff-up results in nominations not being filed for the Local Government Election.
The likes of Mark Davies, Marlene Shipley and Bernard Bratusa are all left off the ballot papers, though Ross Fowler and Reece Nuttall are nominated and become the only two Liberals on the new Council.
While the stuff-up does open the door for some independents and minor party candidates, Labor is the big winner – now dominating the Council.
5. ‘Pen Man’ passes away
John Boccanfuso, who became a regular fixture at Penrith Plaza for decades, passes away in July.
Boccanfuso became known as the ‘pen man’, selling more than one million pens for charity for almost 50 years from his stand in Penrith.
The Penrith character was in a serious accident at 12-years-old that left him with brain damage. He would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, and become one of Penrith’s best known residents.
4. Community rocked by double murder
One of the Penrith region’s most popular takeaway shops became the centre of a homicide investigation in November after two people were found dead inside this morning.
69-year-old Hoa Tek Chiem and his wife Heang Kim Gau, 68, were found dead with stab wounds inside Buzzy Bee’s Burger House at Cambridge Park.
Their son, Allan Chiem, was later charged with their murder.
3. Hospitality crunch
The cost-of-living crisis bites in 2024, and hospitality is at the centre of the drama.
A host of restaurants announce their closure, including The Bavarian, P’Nut, Pizza Rocco, The Union, Downtown Brooklyn and The Brew Lab – to name just a few.
Chechos also closes, but is later revived under new ownership.
2. Panthers make it four-in-a-row
Penrith defend their NRL title and become Premiers for a fourth consecutive year, defeating Melbourne 14-6 in the Grand Final.
It’s the perfect farewell for James Fisher-Harris, Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva.
The Panthers became the first team since the famous St George Dragons of the 1950s and 1960s to win four-in-a-row.
1. Golden Olympics for Fox sisters
2024 will forever be remembered for the feats of the Fox sisters.
Jessica Fox wins Gold in both the K1 and C1, with Penrith locals cheering hard in their lounge rooms in the middle of the night.
Then Noemie Fox becomes an Olympic Champion in her own right, taking out Gold in the Kayak Cross event.
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