What a 12 months it has been in Penrith.
It has been quite the year on the sporting front in our city.
The Panthers defied the critics and created history by winning a fourth straight NRL premiership, cementing their status as the greatest team of the modern era. What a privilege to have watched it all unfold.
The Fox sisters had us up in the middle of the night, cheering from our lounge rooms as they made history in Paris – Jess taking home two Gold Medals, and Noemie becoming the first Kayak Cross Olympic Champion.
There are many other sports stories that don’t grab world headlines that we’ve covered in the paper through the year, and it’s always a great honour to be able to put those sports and individuals up in lights.
It’s been a big news year in Penrith too.
There has been tragedies on our roads, the scourge of domestic violence again impacting our community, the odd bit of political upheaval and progress on major infrastructure projects, like Western Sydney Airport and Mulgoa Road.
It’s been a tough year for business. We’ve seen many bite the dust, as rising costs and pressures on customers taking their toll.
We have lost some giants of our community this year too. From Jim Aitken to Barney Allam, David Seager and John ‘the pen man’ Boccanfuso, among many others.
And I note too that we’ve lost many who don’t necessarily grab headlines. Just everyday people, whose time in this world has come to an end. My thoughts are with anyone who has lost a parent, grandparent, child, extended family member, friend or colleague this year.
As we sit back and ponder the year that was, we also look to the future.
It’s been a privilege for us all here at the Weekender to have a front row seat to the changing nature of our city.
Penrith is a very different place to what it was when I first sat in this chair nearly 16 years ago. And while we all crave a bit of the old Penrith sometimes, there is no doubt that the city that is emerging is an exciting one.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank a few people for their support of the Weekender this year.
Firstly, our publisher and CEO Kathryn Garton whose commitment to local news and ensuring the Penrith community has this important service has been outstanding over the past decade.
I’d like to thank our news team – Nathan Taylor, Ellie Busby, Emily Chate, Ally Hall and Melinda Sanders, who all work so hard to keep Penrith up-to-date with what’s happening week in, week out.
A big thanks to our sales team – Andrew Harris, Angela Jevdich, Callum Gilbert and Maria Van Den Broek – who continue to work with businesses in Penrith and beyond to achieve great outcomes, and to build strong and fulfilling relationships.
A big thank you to Kacey Wilson, Ian Beard and Madeline Dantier in our production team, the engine room of our publications. We couldn’t do it without you.
And to Amanda Coskerie, who does a fantastic job ensuring the business operates as effectively as it does.
I’d like to thank all of our columnists and contributors who continue to provide engaging content for our readers, and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2025.
A huge thanks to our advertisers, who are the backbone of our business. Providing news and information to the community is not a cheap exercise – especially if you want to do it right.
Those who partner with us are contributing to keeping the Weekender strong and ensuring our community is informed, educated and entertained. We value each and every one of you and thank you for your continued support.
A big thanks to Naveen Chand and his distribution team for all of their efforts, and to all of our suppliers who contribute to what we do here each week.
Last but not least, the biggest thanks of all goes to you: our readers. Whether you engage with our print edition each week, you’re a casual reader or you connect with us online, your support of the Weekender brand is at the core of why we do what we do.
And to that end, a word on the state of media and news in Australia.
The Federal Government this week made some important announcements around assistance and funding for media organisations who provide core news and information to communities across the country.
In an era of misinformation, scams and distrust, media organisations you can have faith in have never been more important.
To that end, it’s important that we continue to support them. To engage in their content, to back their advertisers. To listen when they speak about the challenges they may be facing. A transparent, trustworthy media has never been more important.
And so we reach the end of another year. A chance to breathe, to reflect on the year that was and to set some goals for the 12 months ahead.
Whether 2024 has been a good one for you or one you’d rather forget, on behalf of the entire team here at the Weekender I’d like to wish you the happiest of Christmas periods, and all the best for the new year.
We’ll be taking a short break over the holiday period, and only a limited news service will operate on our website at https://www.westernweekender.com.au and across our social media accounts.
We’ll be back on deck on Monday, January 13 and our first print edition of the year will land on Thursday, January 16.
Please keep safe over the holidays and we’ll see you in 2025!
Troy Dodds
Troy Dodds is the Weekender's Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia's leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.