Western Weekender

Colyton resident Terry Gallaway OAM has been a journalist since 1955. In this podcast, he details his remarkable career in print, TV and radio and recounts some of the stories that have stuck with him, including the 1989 murder of Lauren Hickson in Emu Plains. Terry also talks about his time at the now defunct Penrith Star, and reveals why he'll never leave the city he calls home. Visit www.wester...

Peter Lang has lived in Penrith since the early 1970s. He's worked with some of the biggest brands in Penrith, including Panthers, Penrith City Council and The Western Weekender. Peter details plenty of stories about his career in Penrith, reveals his personal demons and talks family, life and footy. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

In a special episode, we've turned the tables and our regular host, Troy Dodds, is in the hot seat as our guest. Troy speaks about his career in the media, including how he shook up the media scene of the theatre industry. Troy has guided the Weekender for the past 12 years, and has some interesting stories to tell about the paper and the media in general. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or down...

John Todd is the Executive Officer at the Western Sydney Business Centre. He joins us to talk about his three decades in the role, his 20 years with Westpac and chats about his time in football, particularly with the Blacktown Spartans. John is a major player in the Penrith business community, and has worked alongside thousands of businesses in the region over the past three decades. Visit www.wes...

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen joins On The Record to talk about her decorated career in the police force, how she first got into politics and what the future holds. She also drops a major local news bombshell! Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Tough on the field but a softie off it, Mark Geyer rose to prominence with the Penrith Panthers and won the Premiership with the club in 1991. In this episode of On The Record, 'MG' talks extensively about his rise to first grade and that incredible period in 1990 and 1991. He also speaks about the tragedy of losing team mate Ben Alexander - and reveals the unique way in which he and others coped...

Born in Canberra, Stuart Ayres has very much made Penrith his home. Stuart was elected as the State Member for Penrith in 2010, and has risen to numerous ministerial portfolios and to become the Deputy Leader of the NSW Liberal Party. In this insightful chat, Stuart talks about his career in politics, plus reveals some of the darkest days and toughest decisions of his career. No matter what your s...

The Freeburn name is synonymous with business in Penrith. Matthew Freeburn currently owns and runs Freeburn Surveying, which started in Penrith in October 1951 and is the oldest family-run business in the region. Matthew is known for his passion for Penrith, and proudly declares he'll be in the city forever. This is a fascinating chat with someone who has such great knowledge of Penrith. Visit www...

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Penrith's night-life was dominated by one club: The Daily Planet. Matt Jones was the owner of the Planet - famous for $1 drinks, celebrity appearances and hair cuts on the dance floor. Yes, hair cuts! In a time before social media and smart phones, The Daily Planet stood tall as Penrith's social hub. In this episode of On The Record, Matt re-lives the amazing peri...

Graham Chapman moved to Llandilo when he was five, and his passion for the region has grown ever since. Radio announcer, marketing expert, business owner, referee, talent manager, tourism entrepreneur... his career is as extensive as it is varied. Graham also runs the very popular Memories of Penrith and Surrounding Suburbs page on Facebook. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Wester...

Greg Alexander is one of Penrith's favourite sons, guiding the Panthers to their first Premiership in 1991 and playing more than 200 NRL games for the club. 'Brandy' chats about growing up in Penrith, travelling overseas with the Kangaroos, the Grand Finals and the tragedy that hit his family in 1992. He also reveals how his media career almost never happened - all because of a concrete truck. Thi...

Ian Taylor was part of the emergence of popular Penrith radio station One FM in the 1990s, presenting the hugely successful Nights program before moving to Drive. Ian speaks about an incredible time in Penrith, how the radio station attracted some of entertainment's biggest names - and how it all came crashing down. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Kevin Crameri moved to Llandilo in 1952, and has been in the Penrith region ever since. He speaks about the changing face of Penrith, his involvement with the NSW Rural Fire Service and how his life changed in the 1970s when he was first elected to Penrith City Council. Kevin has a fascinating story to tell about Penrith, its politics and its people. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download T...

Born in Queensland, Prue Car grew up in Emu Plains and always had an interest in politics. She's now the State Member for Londonderry and Deputy Leader of the NSW Labor Party. Prue speaks about growing up in Emu Plains, her schooling and how she fell in love with Labor. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Director of WestCare Andrew Paech takes us through his extraordinary journey to Penrith and becoming one of the best-known charity advocates in the region. Andrew speaks about his career in the corporate world, how WestCare entered his life and how he escaped a 'misspent' youth to ultimately do so much for others. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

On The Record presents Penrith's stories, told by the people who made them. On this episode, Wayne Willmington speaks about his passion for Luddenham, his many business ventures, his time in the highly competitive fuel industry and how he landed in radio. Currently the owner of MY88 in Penrith, Wayne has such an interesting story to tell. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western W...

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series in 2018. Premiership winner. Test and Origin representative. Coach. Champion bloke. Royce Simmons has done it all with the Penrith Panthers. Royce sits down with Troy Dodds to discuss his rugby league career. He talks about winning the Grand Final in 1991 and how he very nearly missed the famous match, his regrets over coaching the...

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series from 2018. Lovable Penrith character Ross Hutchison talks about his life as a dancer, entertainer, teacher, radio presenter, harness racing driver and fundraiser. He tells us how dancing essentially saved his life, takes us through the heartbreak of losing his sister in the Granville Train Disaster and explains why he gives so much...

Ahead of the return of On The Record, we revisit our first series from 2018. From the Dungowan Theatre to Scott’s Auto One, John Scott and his family have an incredible history in Penrith. John joins us to talk business, family and all things Penrith in the latest edition of the On The Record podcast. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Ahead of the return of the On The Record podcast, we revisit our first series from 2018. The guest in this episode is Ben Feszczuk, former Local Area Commander in Penrith. Ben talks about being born in Germany and how his family eventually settled in Penrith. He discusses some of his career highlights as well as a number of dark days – including being part of the Anita Cobby murder investigation a...

Ahead of the return of the On The Record podcast, we revisit our series from 2018. Former Penrith Mayor John Thain reflects on his early life in Scotland, his school days and the twist of fate that led him to meet his wife Annette. He also reflects on the death of former Londonderry MP Jim Anderson – and why it was one of the toughest days of his life. John also talks about what the future holds f...

The Western Weekender presents the On The Record podcast, featuring interviews with key people who have shaped Penrith as the city as it is today. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor talk all the news and views surrounding the 2021 NRL Grand Final between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Troy Dodds hosts Weekender Wireless as we look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on break. A breakdown of local case numbers and locations, plus we hear from a Nepean Hospital ICU Doctor. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Western Weekender Editor Troy Dodds provides the latest news on the COVID-19 pandemic in Penrith. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.