support of the family and he too eventually made his way to the meatworks .
He enlisted in the AIF in January 1942 along with two close cobbers , Cliff Conway and Harry Groves , and after jungle training they were posted to Bougainville .
All three made it back home and Tommy returned to work in a number of senior positions at the meatworks – Tommy passed away several years ago , aged 92 .
Monica McNamara , OAM , began her working career as a secretary with Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer film studio ’ s Sydney office but at 21 she answered a calling and became a sister of the Order of St Josephs of Orange in California .
She returned to Australia to teach at Gymea for several years before going back to the States to train as a teacher of the intellectually disabled . Monica taught for many , many years in Toowoomba where her services to the intellectually disabled earned her a well-deserved gong . Brian McNamara – what a bloke ! A visit to Brian ’ s barber shop in Riverstone was always a treat – not only for a good haircut but the opportunity to talk sport , especially rugby league , with him and later on , his apprentice Geoff Pfister .
A very good rugby league player – he was good enough to grab a handful of first grades with Parramatta – Brian never had a bad word to say about anyone and
Jack McNamara , the bomber pilot was awarded his Croix de Guerre by General Marie- Pierre Koenig , leader of the Free French Forces during WWII .
entering the doors to his shop was like moving out of the shadows into sunshine .
Sadly , both Brian and Geoff have left this place where both made their mark as true Rivo men . Now to Bill McNamara . He always wanted to be a builder as a young kid , mending whatever needed to be repaired on the family farm and when Bill puts his mind to something , he generally attains his goal .
After completing his indenture as an apprentice carpenter , firstly at the meatworks and then with a home builders , Jim Hanney and Athol Rankin , he stayed in their employment for two years before branching out on his own .
And branch out he did , turning his one-man operation into one of the state ’ s biggest building firms , McNamara Group Constructions .
Bill , still fit-looking at 94 , has had a lifelong association with the Razorbacks ( nee Butchers ) – player , supporter , administrator , successful coach and for yonks now , the club patron .
Over a half century ago , Bill purchased a 53-acre orange and mandarin orchard along the banks of the Hawkesbury River near Wiseman ’ s Ferry and developed it into the fabulous Del Rio Resort which is regarded as one of the state ’ s premier holiday destinations .
Bill , a wonderful bloke who does great things .
NAIDOC Week loud and proud
The first week of July is set aside every year for Australia ’ s national NAIDOC celebrations , which recognise the history , culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples .
This year ’ s theme is Get up ! Stand up ! Show up ! A time for people from all walks of life , Indigenous and non‐Indigenous , to participate in a range of activities and to support and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities . Get Up ! Stand Up ! Show Up ! encourages all of us to champion institutional , structural , collaborative , and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations . Events being held in Blacktown City include the following :
• Wednesday 6 July , 10am to 3pm , NAIDOC at Kimberwalli , 1 Mimika Ave , Whalan ;
• Thursday 7 July , 1.30 to 3pm ,
Performance at a past NAIDOC Week awards ceremony . Picture : naidoc . org . au .
Blacktown City NAIDOC Awards presentation and afternoon tea Nurragingy Reserve Aboriginal Heritage Garden , Knox Road , Doonside ;
• Friday 8 July , 3 to 3.45 pm , NAIDOC Week Kahoot Quiz presented by council , email to register : Mark . Gibson @ blacktown . nsw . gov . au .
Community events :
• Monday 4 to Friday 8 July , 11am to 1 pm , 5-7 pm , The Virtual NAIDOC Film Festival , online only , contact : tegan @ fan-force . com ;
• Tuesday 5 July , 11.30am to 12.30pm , Westpoint Blacktown On Four Stages , 17 Patrick Street , Blacktown ;
• Wednesday 6 July , 10am to 3 pm , NAIDOC Week at Junaya Family Development Services , 8 Grafton Street , Blacktown ;
• Wednesday 6 July , 11am to 1 pm , NAIDOC Celebration at Riverstone Neighbourhood Centre , Park Street , Riverstone . Call to register : 9627 3622 ;
• Saturday 9 July , 11am to 6pm , Oakhurst NAIDOC Family Fun Day , Oakhurst Neighbourhood Centre , 51 Standish Avenue , Oakhurst . Contact Tara on 8605 3652 ;
• Friday 15 July , 11am to 2pm , Willmot NAIDOC at Willmot Community Hub , 8 Carteret Avenue , Willmot .
BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 16 // JULY 2022 7