Nepean Redevelopment “Budding Builder” competition winner announced 

Eleven-year-old Charlie Jancso from Wentworth Falls has been named winner of the "Budding Builder" competition after constructing an impressive replica of the Nepean Hospital buildings. 

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown visited the site of the $1 billion Nepean Hospital Redevelopment today to announce the winner and meet the finalists of the competition. 

The Budding Builder Competition was launched to celebrate construction of Stage 2 of the redevelopment, with the goal of inspiring creativity and engaging young residents in the ongoing transformation of healthcare in their community.   

Primary school-aged students from Penrith, Kingswood, and the Blue Mountains were invited to participate in the competition, creating models of the new hospital using arts and craft materials or building blocks. Three finalists were selected and displayed at Nepean Hospital, where the community and hospital staff voted for their favourite. Voting was exceptionally close, with only a handful of votes separating each finalist. 

All three finalists were invited to the awards ceremony which included a tour of the Stage 2 construction site. 

The Budding Builder competition highlighted the talent and creativity of future builders in the local community, with Charlie Jancso’s model capturing the likeness and structure of the new buildings at Nepean Hospital. 

The talented ‘Budding Builder’ finalists were Amelia Au-Mahony, aged 5 and Cooper Berry, aged 9. 

Work on the redevelopment is progressing at the site, with the first concrete recently poured to set the foundations for the building’s concrete and steel structure. A total of 60 concrete pours will create eight floor slabs for the building.  

When complete, the new 7-storey building will feature an Intensive Care Unit, Medical Imaging and Nuclear Medicine services, in-centre Renal Dialysis, paediatric facilities, additional inpatient beds, and a welcoming new front of house and reception area. 

Construction of Stage 2 of the Nepean Redevelopment is expected to be completed in 2026. 

For more information about the Nepean Hospital Redevelopment, visit http://www.nepeanredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au 

PCYC Penrith receives Transurban Community Grant

Transurban is proud to announce that Police Citizens Youth Club NSW (PCYC) has been chosen to receive a community grant worth $9,800. 

The grant will be used by the organisation to support its Safer Drivers Course for Learner Drivers, which will provide 70 targeted people in the Penrith and Blacktown areas with free access to the course. 

PCYC NSW is a charity giving young people greater opportunity to reach their potential through Police and community partnerships. This initiative consists of a 5-hour workshop and one driving lesson which would normally cost $140. 

Transurban’s Head of Public Affairs, Alisa Hitchcock said, “Safety, in particular road safety, is at the heart of everything we do at Transurban, so we are thrilled to be able to help young drivers get behind the wheel to attain their provisional license.” 

“We know how important having a drivers license can be to help empower young people whether that be through education, employment, and gaining more independence,” Ms Hitchcock added. 

Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown OAM said, “Road safety is paramount for all drivers on our roads, to ensure drivers make it home safely to their family and loved ones.” 

“Transurban’s initiative to provide grants for road safety, especially young and learner drivers in Penrith, shows their dedication on educating local drivers.” 

Transurban’s annual Community Grants Program offers up to $10,000 for projects that bring social, road safety and/or environmental benefits to communities near the company’s road corridors.

Seniors’ Stories

Four Penrith locals have told extraordinary tales of moments that defined them in the milestone tenth edition of Seniors' Stories.

I congratulated Ms Wendy Gordon, and Mrs Janice Snedden who feature in this year's book, in a Community Recognition Statement at Parliament of NSW last week on their contributions.

This year's theme, What Made Me, has produced stories of hardship, resilience, life-changing moments and generational life lessons in the 260-page book.

This year's competition attracted a high volume of entries, with 500 short stories shared with our judging panel from across New South Wales.

Our talented seniors continue to amaze and move me each year with their wonderful stories of years past; they are inspirational.

Our Penrith residents have the most amazing stories to tell. The competition is open to seniors and offers the opportunity to showcase different cultures, backgrounds and languages told through real lived experiences Seniors' Stories volume 10 will be available at all local libraries by the end of November.