LOCAL LIFE
Gemma King
Making a real splash in the fight against young people taking their own lives is Gemma King. Here she is on lap one zillion as she raises funds for mental health service, ReachOut.
a screening of The Greatest Showman to support my campaign.”
Gemma has lived all her 19 years in South Windsor, alongside her devoted family. Ron earns his living as a truck driver, while Tracy is a much-loved member of staff at Windsor’ s Macquarie Park Boathouse Café.
Gemma learned to swim as a toddler and attended Windsor Public School before moving to The Hills Sports High School, where her swimming talents flourished. She joined Windsor Swim Club in 2013, specialising in butterfly, her favourite stroke.
“ During my fundraising swims, I still squeeze in a few butterfly laps, but for long distances, freestyle is a lot easier,” she said.
In recent years, Gemma has discovered a passion for another sport— rugby league.“ Midway through the 2023 season, I joined St Patrick’ s Under-18 girls’ team and performed well enough to be selected for Penrith’ s Tarsha Gale Cup representative side,” she said.
“ This year, I wanted to play for Windsor, but they couldn’ t field an open-age team, so I’ ve joined St Marys, playing in the forwards. I love the physicality and the teamwork— everyone striving towards the same goal.”
And if there’ s one thing Gemma knows how to do, it’ s reach her goals.
Sylvia- the story of a man and his dog( and his wife)
Meet them in Sylvia, the next lively production from Richmond Players. Richmond Players opens its 2025 season with this sharp and heartfelt comedy by A. R. Gurney. Directed by Benjamin Webb, the play delivers a witty and touching look at relationships, marriage – and the trials of middle age.
Greg is smitten with his dog, Sylvia. His wife, Kate, most definitely is not. Sylvia is simply thrilled to have found a new home, and she’ s determined to win Kate’ s affection. Her antics, and her cheeky conversations with both Greg and Kate, provide plenty of laughs along the way.
Greg is disillusioned with work and believes Sylvia is answering an emotional“ need”. With the kids off at university and Kate’ s career flourishing, the couple has relocated to the city, where new opportunities abound – but for Kate, those opportunities don’ t include being tied down with a dog.
Local registered nurse and mother of three, Brittany Tante – last seen as Brooke in Milo’ s Wake – stars as Sylvia, a spirited labradoodle who“ only wants
to please”. Raymond Padora makes the trip from Newtown to play Greg, and midwife Sharon Webb returns to the stage as Kate. Kelly Cairns, from Winmalee and last seen as Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, portrays three characters who all weigh in with their own unique advice.
Sylvia will be straining at the leash at the Richmond School of Arts on Saturdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th May, with performances at 2.00pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are $ 35, or $ 30 concession.
BOOK NOW!
Book tickets at www. richmondplayers. com. au
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 180 // MAY 2025 7