It has pretty much been smooth sailing building Western Sydney International Airport out there at Badgerys Creek.
And it’s no secret that the airport is completed and now into a testing phase before planes start landing and taking off.
Officially WSI are still clinging to the “late 2026’’ line when asked about an opening date.
Our mail is that freight planes will be first cab off the rank around July 2026, with domestic and international flights to follow in December.
We asked some locals near the airport site whether there was any chatter regarding the lack of curfew, which really was the only fly in the ointment for some people when the airport plans were first made public.
One of our contacts told us that there hasn’t been any real talk of any protests or campaigns about the absence of curfew.
“I think that locals have become very complacent regarding everything about the airport. Maybe the group from the Blue Mountains may do something, they are the only ones that are really talking about the curfew nowadays,’’ our source told us
xxxxx
In Liverpool, not far from the new airport, one of their oldest community organisations, Lodge Liverpool No. 197, will celebrate a remarkable milestone next month: 150 years of Freemasonry.
The Freemasons have always been subject to speculation that they are some sort of secret society with mysterious aims.
Originally consecrated as The Cumberland Lodge under the English Constitution in 1874, the Lodge was later re-constituted as Lodge Liverpool No. 197 under the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales following the unification of Freemasonry in Australia.
Throughout its 150-year history, the Liverpool Lodge has played a significant role in the civic and social life of the Liverpool district, supporting charitable causes, developing community leaders, and upholding the values of integrity, charity, and brotherhood.
The celebration will culminate in a formal 150th anniversary banquet on Saturday, November 9, in the Aurora Room at Club Liverpool. The event will honour a century and a half of community service, fellowship, and charitable contribution by local Freemasons since the Lodge’s founding in 1874.
What’s also rather interesting – and maybe cause for more speculation – is the venue – Club Liverpool, which is also known as the John Edmondson VC Memorial Club.
Private John Edmondson VC was the first Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.
He was also a distinguished former member of Lodge Liverpool No. 197, which now says “his courage and service embody the values celebrated through the evening’s program.’’
xxxxx
Tim Pickles is a rare breed around these parts – a genuine local celebrity or what we used to say, a bit of a character.
His advertisements on the back page of one of the local newspapers were often very witty, offering some welcome amusement to readers struggling to get through lengthy sport reports.
Tim has continued this tradition, with insightful observations on social media about various things around Campbelltown and other parts of Macarthur, but mostly about the life of plants and trees.
He has even offered up recipes for some of his creations in the kitchen, which do look amazing.
But here we are, giving Tim a tip: mate, time to get the paint brush out and cover up the Queen Street side of his nursery – Tim’s Garden – because, well, those awards, as great as they were, happened a long time ago.
xxxxx
Here’s one for those who like mysteries: Someone was living in this car for more than a year while it was parked along Georges River Road at Ruse, opposite Airds.
Those driving past the vehicle, which never moved an inch for the entire period it was there, wondered what the story was, why was the man living in a car, did he go to work, where did he clean himself, and so on.
Then out of the blue, three weeks ago, the person, who we think was a man, was suddenly gone.
But the car was still there, and a few days ago we noticed a green sticker notice attached to the front windows.
It was from Campbelltown City Council, and issued on October 7 under the Section 29 Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act of 2021
The notice gives the owner of the car seven days to remove it or will be taken away by the council.
The car is still there, packed to the rafters with the mystery man’s personal belongings.
Now we have even more questions: why did he leave, why abandon the vehicle and is he OK are just some of them. If you know something, please let us know.
xxxxx
Some of you may have seen on Facebook the photo of former NRL star Brett Mullins and yours truly at Macquarie Links golf course after being teamed up for this year’s Atlantic Oils corporate golf day.
At 3pm today, more than 30,000 people viewed the picture, and this is just a stab in the dark, but I don’t think too many looked at it because my ugly mug was next to that of the former Canberra Raiders fullback.
