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Kim Maree’s passion for Penrith wins over the internet

KIM Maree became a social media sensation after she posted “28 things everyone that lives in Penrith knows” on her blog.

Penrith blogger Kim Maree at the boat ramp on the Nepean River. Picture: Peter Kelly
Penrith blogger Kim Maree at the boat ramp on the Nepean River. Picture: Peter Kelly

KIM Maree could be Penrith’s most passionate resident.

The Jamisontown local was a social media sensation late last month when she posted ’28 things everyone that lives in Penrith knows’ on her blog, Living Next Door to Sydney.

More than 500 people liked the Facebook post she put up, with many nodding their heads in agreement when Mrs Maree noted things like, “Nowhere will ever be as good as the Log Cabin’ and “Westfield will always be called ‘the Plaza”’ as part of the 28 things everyone knows about Penrith.

“I just came up with that off the top of my head,” she said. “It was great to see everyone embrace it and be proud of where they are from.”

Mrs Maree, who also pointed out that “no one has ever touched the bottom of Bents Basin”, started her blog two years ago after being fed up with the way people viewed her home town.

How good is this? The Nepean River and Victoria Bridge is a top setting for enjoying a sunset. Picture: Tom Walsh
How good is this? The Nepean River and Victoria Bridge is a top setting for enjoying a sunset. Picture: Tom Walsh

“I work and travel all over NSW for my job and I see so many places that are worse to live than Penrith but the perception out there is different and that inspired me to share with people my version of Penrith,” she said.

“When I was a teenager I had the same perception of Penrith that a lot of Sydney has. I was embarrassed by it. But as I saw what else was out there I realised that’s not the truth.

“I started getting quite defensive of where I came from.”

The 39-year-old mother of three urged Penrith residents to take full advantage of what the region has to offer.

She said Penrith locals should feel lucky to live where they do.

“Most people in Penrith don’t take full advantage of what there is to do locally,” she said.

The three bin fortnightly collection system absolutely sucks, according Living Next Door To Sydney.
The three bin fortnightly collection system absolutely sucks, according Living Next Door To Sydney.
Fire engulfs Penrith's Log Cabin Hotel.
Fire engulfs Penrith's Log Cabin Hotel.

“A lot of people are proud to be from Penrith and if you actually look around the area there’s more to do here than the places people go on holidays to.”

“I want my kids to grow up loving Penrith as well. I want them to have the perception of Penrith that I do now and not when I was 15 years old.”

Mrs Maree said the one thing the city could do to improve is address High Street.

“I’d like to see more bars and unique shops in there. The calibre of shops could be a lot higher,” she said.

“So many towns have a town centre that looks amazing but unfortunately for us there’s not been anything successful there.”

Point 23: If you don’t own a boat or a swimming pool, you make friends with someone who owns a boat or a swimming pool.’
Point 23: If you don’t own a boat or a swimming pool, you make friends with someone who owns a boat or a swimming pool.’

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/kims-passion-for-penrith/news-story/2f4aeb3342e95bcdb248325af14961fe