The Western Weekender

The Western Weekender stands out as Penrith's top choice for local news. This highly regarded outlet produces a weekly print edition that has won awards, and it also offers digital news through its website and social media channels. It is recognized as one of Australia's top independent news providers.

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Time for the Liberal Party to look in the mirror

1 week ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

Anthony Albanese last weekend embedded himself in the annals of Labor Party history as one of its greatest ever leaders. His victory at the 2025 Federal Election will long be remembered as one of Labor’s top triumphs. And it’s important to note that while the Rudd and Gillard saga that tore the party apart some years ago feels well in the rear view mirror, it is Albanese who united the party and healed those wounds – not an easy feat. But the real story of the election was not Labor.
Troy Dodds delivers his final verdict on the Federal Election

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

We’ve arrived at the run home; the final stretch; the big song at the end of the concert. On Saturday evening Anthony Albanese will become the first Prime Minister since John Howard to be re-elected at consecutive elections, or Peter Dutton will produce a Scott Morrison-like 2019 miracle and emerge as our nation’s new leader. This has not been the most inspiring of election campaigns. At times it’s been as exciting as watching grass grow in the middle of winter.
Panthers looking for magic solution ahead of Broncos showdown

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

Despite a disappointing end result, there were actually a couple of things to like out of last Saturday’s loss to Manly at CommBank Stadium. One of the real highlights was Blaize Talagi’s try in the 45th minute. On the last play, he ignored his far more experienced halves partner on the right and darted to the left himself, showing plenty of confidence as he crossed the line and the gamble played off.
Albanese pitches certainty in bid for second term as PM

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Andrew Brown

Anthony Albanese has laid out his final case for a second term as Prime Minister as Peter Dutton ruled out agreements with right-wing minor parties to claim the top job. In a major set-piece speech to the National Press Club just three days out from polling day, Albanese emphasised he was a safe pair of hands to guide the country over the coming three years during a period of international turmoil.
League legend slams likely Sorensen suspension • The Western Weekender

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

Penrith forward Scott Sorensen is facing between two and three weeks on the sidelines after being cited for a shoulder charge by the NRL’s Match Review Committee. And it’s prompted rugby league legend Andrew Johns to call for the NRL to explain what it expects Sorensen to do in such a situation, as he labelled the potential suspension “farcical”.
Woman fighting for life after dramatic fall at Penrith RSL

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

A woman in her 70s is fighting for life after she fell from an upper floor at Penrith RSL this morning. The woman is understood to have been in a mobility scooter at the time of the incident. Reports suggest the woman may have reversed the scooter through glass before falling to the ground below. An Ambulance NSW spokesperson said she had experienced a “long fall” and that paramedics arrived on the scene at Tindale Street just after 11am. She was treated for multiple life-threatening injuries.
Penrith pauses to commemorate ANZAC Day

2 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

Thousands have gathered at ANZAC Day services in Penrith and St Marys to remember those lost in war. There was a huge crowd at Memory Park in the Penrith CBD, gathering before dawn and with a thick fog hovering overhead to pay their respects. It was emotional to see so many generations represented – particularly younger children, many in the arms of their parents and attending their first Dawn Service.
It's not too late to change new Penrith Stadium • The Western Weekender

3 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

Put yourself into the time machine and fast forward to early 2027. Chris Minns, likely deep in the throes of an election campaign, will stand proudly at the gates of the new Penrith Stadium – likely with a novelty pair of scissors in hands as he cuts the ribbon on the venue. “Labor has delivered this stunning new stadium,” he will declare – gazing across to the road to the Penrith Paceway and Showground where the Coalition wanted to build a much bigger, better and more expensive venue.
An early morning alarm is the least we can do

3 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

The first telegram arrived some time around May 1942. Addressed to my great grandfather, Bernard Mulligan, it delivers some troubling news.
Cobwebs cleared, now Panthers must prove they're back • The Western Weekender

3 weeks ago | westernweekender.com.au | Troy Dodds

For the first 20 minutes against the Roosters last Saturday night, it looked like Penrith’s losing streak would potentially stretch to six games. But as the half drew on, signs of the Penrith side we’ve come to know so well over the past five years started to emerge. By the time the full-time siren sounded, the Panthers had cleared the cobwebs and posted a 40-12 victory.