Western Weekender

Josh Mackenzie was born and raised in the Blue Mountains and immersed himself into sport and the great outdoors from a young age. In an ironic turn, Josh uncovered rock climbing when he moved out of the Blue Mountains nearly a decade ago, starting his new hobby at a local climbing gym. Before too long, he was exploring world-famous climbs locally and overseas. Josh has embraced travel and unconven...

Warning: This podcast contains offensive language. Glen Liddiard grew up in Werrington, with three older siblings and a love for the great outdoors. Sport, specifically rugby league, consumed Glen’s upbringing and proved an effective means of socialising with the local community. First playing rugby league at the age of 4, Glen often idolised his older brothers on and off the field. A chance encou...

Annie Burbank resides in the Blue Mountains and is a classically trained pianist. From an early age Annie has honed her own eclectic style of playing, with influences from the classics, great jazz pianists, and ambient styles. With a worldly experience, complemented with tertiary study in music, Annie continues to share her experiences through her musical education studio and has maintained regula...

Special guest Nick Rigas from The Agency takes us through the road to recovery for the property industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Andy Nielsen is a musician, a drummer for The Lazys, a band that has exploded in the Canadian rock N roll scene. Growing up in Winmalee, in the Blue Mountains, Andy was first introduced to drumming at the age of 8 by his Dad and continued to hone his skills through his high school years. A strong respect and understanding for music and its pioneers have helped maintain a balanced perspective for A...

Ashlee Bucholtz grew up in Oaky Park, Lithgow and developed a love for art and painting at an early age. Having attended the Newcastle Art School and National Art School, she took valuable learnings as a person and an artist that helped shape her perspective. “They (art schools) teach you how to challenge yourself and to challenge your skills, to have a standard that you want to achieve,” Ashlee s...

Jarrah is a local musician who strives to share stories of empathy and compassion through powerful lyrics and intricate acoustic guitar playing. A loving and alternative upbringing in Emu Plains stimulated a passion for creativity and music. Jarrah has a strong respect for music and its history, but it is not the bright lights and fame that he longs for. It is the ability to inspire through meanin...

Brenna Tarrant first had the urge to play football at the age of 9, and it was 4 years later that she started playing competitive Aussie Rules for the local Emu Plains club. With the rise of the AFLW, Brenna’s passion for the sport and dream to shape a professional career from it, has turned into reality. Last year, waiting in her school library during the AFLW Draft, there was the fear of not kno...

Growing up with a love for sports and the outdoors, it was a trip to the local climbing gym at the age of 12 that sparked Tom O’Halloran’s fascination and imagination into the world of rock climbing. The challenge of rock climbing, both physical and mental, is what has driven Tom’s love of this extreme outdoor sport. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Growing up in Wagga Wagga, exploration and adventure formed a large part of Jodie McLeod’s upbringing. This freedom stimulated a sense of creativity, which has helped her journey as a writer and, more recently, a passion for ultra-trail marathon running. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

In the latest episode of Weekender Wireless, Troy Dodds takes an in depth local look at Coronavirus and its impact on Penrith. We look at the latest local numbers, the outbreak at Newmarch House and discuss the new contact tracing app launched by the Federal Government. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Josh Lalor is a professional cricketer who has represented New South Wales, various Big Bash League clubs and, more recently, relished a stint playing in the Caribbean Premier League. The past decade has been a dynamic and fast-moving experience, juggling a cricket career, work career and a young family. Having twice been de-listed from the New South Wales contract list, Josh has had to maintain r...

Troy Dodds presents a new episode of Weekender Wireless, focused on the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on Penrith. We've got the latest local numbers, plus an update on the situation at Newmarch House nursing home in Caddens. Weekender Wireless delivers a dedicated local look at Coronavirus. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Whilst always having a love for the written word, it was an inspiring encounter at high school where Jack Hunter knew there was an audience for his writing. The support and backing of teachers, friends and family have helped Jack follow and develop his passion. Over the past decade, Jack has hit many milestones and accomplishments. A local author from the Blue Mountains, Jack has produced four boo...

Troy Dodds hosts a new Western Weekender podcast, with specific focus on the impact of Coronavirus on Penrith. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

The Western Weekender looks at the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on Penrith. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.

Troy Dodds and Nathan Taylor preview the Penrith Panthers' 2020 NRL season. Visit www.westernweekender.com.au or download The Western Weekender App.