Work starts on Bulls centre of excellence

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Macarthur FC have started construction on stage one of their own centre of excellence on land they bought at Cawdor a few years ago.

They are very proud of the fact that they’re going ahead with this facility without any government funding.

To be fair, had a couple of election results gone their way, the Bulls would be flush with government funds for their centre of excellence.

The federal Liberal Party promised a $7.5 million grant if they won the 2025 election.

Unfortunately, they didn’t win the election, so no money was forthcoming from the Libs.

Two years earlier there was a NSW state election and the then Liberal Government promised the Bulls funding to the tune of $12.5 million – if they were re-elected.

Again unfortunately, the Libs were thrown out of office at the 2023 NSW state election, meaning the Bulls were left empty handed.

A club representative phoned the South West Voice this morning to tell us that construction work had started at Cawdor “and without any government money’’.

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Playing golf at Macarthur Grange last week with members of the family, at several stages we invited several other groups behind us to go through ahead of us.

It’s golf etiquette: it’s obvious you’re holding up the team behind yours you ask them to go through.

At one stage we let a team of young fellows through, and they were particularly grateful.

We asked them why and they explained that the group of players behind them were hitting shots without making sure those ahead of them were in the clear.

One of the balls hit me on the head, one of the young fellows told us, who looked rather upset.

We wished them all the best and they went on their way.

Once out of earshot, my 18 year old grandson said, did you realise one of those guys plays NRL first grade for Melbourne Storm, and he’s a former student at St Greg’s College t Campbelltown.

Well, son, it’s a small world.

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Legal eagle Patrick Duffy showed his other talent, music, during a concert he held in the grounds of his abode, historic property Denfield at St Helen’s Park.

It was a “by invitation only’’ event on a lovely recent Saturday afternoon and evening, attended by friends and family of Patrick.

Performers include Eric “the Guru’’ Grothe and Taste of Soul, and Patrick Duffy, who got up and belted out several tunes early on in the event.

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Just when you thought we had more than enough awards, another one has just sprung up in our area.

This one is being spruiked to small business.

Having been involved as a judge in various awards over the years, we can’t help wondering why new awards programs are popping up like wild mushrooms in a forest.

Maybe they’re a better money spinner than we realised, who knows.

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At Lynwood Park for grandson’s soccer grand final a couple of weeks back couldn’t help noticing the terrible state of the grandstand at the home of local football.

Tens of seats were missing across the grandstand, exposing the metal frame underneath and obviously making them not fit for sitting on.

Definitely not a good luck, especially when the Rams are hosting teams from across the Sydney metropolitan area.

Don’t know how long this has been like that, but it surely must be time for some running repairs.

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On a positive football note, the NPL Women’s NSW goal of the year went to Abbie Puckett of Macarthur Rams FC.

Abbie’s goal was recognised as one of the standout moments of the 2026 campaign at the 2026 Football NSW annual gala award presentation.

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