As the year rolled on, here’s the stories we were talking about in November…
A Cambridge Park man appears in Penrith Local Court, charged with multiple alleged online exploitation offences including soliciting child abuse material.
Optus experiences a major outage across the country. Local Penrith businesses and individuals are impacted, with phone and Internet services both down.
![](https://westernweekender.com.au/wp-content/uploads/optus-1.jpg)
Kingswood Park Village shopping centre is placed on the market, with expectations it could fetch $15 million.
A fire emergency forces the evacuation of Orchard Hills Public School, while the M4 Motorway is closed.
Penrith’s Christmas Tree officially lights up at Memory Park.
Western Sydney University’s Solar Car team with their student-designed car, UNLIMITED 5.0, places ninth in the world, and an impressive first in Australia in their class.
![](https://westernweekender.com.au/wp-content/uploads/solarcar.jpg)
Plans for a $200 million development in the heart of Penrith have are sensationally refused by a Planning Panel, leaving the 553-unit plan up in smoke.
McHappy Day is held across the nation, with Penrith stores all taking part.
The Federal Government axes funding to a range of projects in the Penrith area, including upgrades to St Marys and Kingswood Railway Stations and infrastructure associated with Western Sydney International Airport.
A Walk Against Violence is held in Penrith.
The State Government announces that Penrith Beach will open this summer, providing relief to locals on sweltering days.
![](https://westernweekender.com.au/wp-content/uploads/beach.jpg)
A leading radiology and diagnostics provider is hit by a major cyber attack, which has forced it to close its clinics and cancel appointments. Quantum Radiology originally says it’s experiencing an IT outage, before the cyber attack becomes public.
The Penrith Emus are excluded from the John I Dent Cup for the 2024 season.
Penrith paddling champion Jessica Fox takes out the Athlete of the Year title at the NSW Sports Awards for a fifth time.
The 2024 NRL Draw is released, revealing a first-up clash between Penrith and Melbourne in March next year.
Panthers confirm MyPlace as their major partner for the 2024 NRL season.
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