Top 20 Penrith local heroes: 15-11
WE CONTINUE our countdown of Penrith’s top 20 local heroes — some you might know, others you might not. This time we feature radio personality and a bee-rescuer.
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PENRITH’S LOCAL HEROES
SOME of Penrith’s local heroes are well-known, some not so much.
But what they all do is put their community first across numerous areas — youth, homelessness, education, disabilities or sport.
This week the Press will count down, from 20 to one, our picks for our top 20 local heroes. Some will be controversial, some obvious.
All 20 will be listed here with your opportunity to agree, disagree or suggest others who should be on the list.
15: WAYNE WILLMINGTON — VINTAGE FM MANAGER
Wayne Willmington is the voice that keeps you company on the drive home from 3pm on Vintage FM.
Mr Willmington started Vintage FM in 2009 but has more than 30 years of radio experience. In many ways he is a household name in Penrith and a proud ambassador for the region.
His passion for everything quality and everything Penrith are second to none.
You would be hard pressed to find someone more dedicated to ensuring the best of Penrith stands the test of time.
His family has been involved in the Luddenham Show for more than 110 years — a show which hopes to preserve and celebrate the county and rural lifestyle Penrith is known for.
14: CARL “THE BEEMAN” SKINNER
Mr Skinner is a passionate bee keeper who works tirelessly to save bees from extinction.
Mr Skinner actively looks for opportunities to rescue bees when they encroach upon unsuspecting citizens.
He has been called out to remove bee hives from all kinds of locations such as homes, hospitals, trees and even the bins on High St, to name a few.
His motto is: save ‘em, don’t spray ‘em.
Rescued bees join Mr Skinner’s hives at Mamre House.
His busiest time of the year is in Spring and his young daughter often accompanies her dad on his rescue missions.
Hopefully, our bees populations will be maintained thanks to Mr Skinner’s vital work.
13: TREVOR HAMILTON — TEACHER AND MENTOR
Trevor Hamilton has inspired hundreds of high school students in schools all over Penrith and Blue Mountains
But Mr Hamilton contribution to education was expanded exponentially when he founded a leadership camp for high school students.
The camp which encourages students to work as a team and learn about leadership is still running after more than 20 years.
A Springwood resident, he has been a maths teacher for more than 40 years, including 10 years at Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, four years at Springwood High and 20 years at Winmalee High.
Mr Hamilton has also been a mentor for students applying for the Duke of Edinburgh award for 20 years.
He was recently awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his tremendous work in the Blue Mountains community.
12: MITCHELL BEGGS-MOWCZAN
Mitchell Beggs-Mowczan is an all around good guy that simply enjoys helping people.
When a young rugby league player — St Clair boy Ziad Soltani — was diagnosed with a deadly tumour Mr Beggs-Mowczan immediately contacted some of his NRL buddies and got them to record video messages of encouragement for the youngster ahead of his surgery.
He also actively fundraised for the boy and ensured he didn’t have to go through the trauma itself.
By day he is a Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network indigenous health project officer and by night he spent several years weight loss training with Craig Shanana, who is blind and has a pacemaker.
He was nominated Penrith’s Young Citizen of Year last year for his big heart and service to the community.
11: ANDREW SPASIC — AMBULANCE PARAMEDIC
Andrew Spasic was one of two ambulance paramedics who ran towards gunfire during the shooting at Nepean Hospital in January of 2016.
Mr Spasic and his partner Michael Fifield were preparing to finish their shift when they heard the shots ring out but instead of hiding, they ran straight into the hospital knowing someone would have been hurt.
Mr Spasic would end up saving the life of injured officer Luke Warburton by keeping pressure on his wound for almost an hour while medical staff prepared to operate.
While Mr Spasic insists he was simply doing his duty, he received a Commissioner’s Certificate of Merit from former NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione.