City vs Country Origin; A tale of two towns.

The City V Country Origin clash this year was brought the country town of Mudgee where locals filled the ground to capacity with 8 thousand fans of the game coming out to watch the country and city boys go head to head. With recent talks of the fixture getting scrapped the fixture had a whole new meaning to it, which would hold the cup for the next of eternity...

The interesting, and attack orientated game, ended with a score line for 24-22 with the city boys narrowly getting over the line, after leading 24-0 at one stage. Standout performances from Carney and Pearce could put them at the front of the pack for the Blue halves spot but it is too far out to tell. A notable underperformance was from the eel’s superstar Jarred Hayne who looked out of sorts and moved to the wing late in the game, as he was playing in the unfamiliar position of five-eight.  I really hope they still keep Hayne in the origin side somewhere, whether it be at fullback or on the wing, he is a dynamic player and can be a game changer and as the Blues come up against a Maroons side that have won 6 in row, they will need all the stars they can get.

The City vs Country Origin game is vital to NSW Nrl, for two reasons.
1. It brings the game out to rural areas, to further develop and intrigue that fan base. We only have to look at where QLD’s stars come from to note that rural areas are gold mine for talent.

2. It allows young and upcoming players to get rewarded for their good form, even though they most probably make the NSW side, it shows them that they are on the right track.

Furthermore, in key positional match ups it can be a good test, for coaches to view what certain players do in certain situations. At least now, we know that Hayne shouldn’t play at Five-Eight for NSW.  To say that this fixture is useless and that it should be scrapped is asinine. 

Lets face it NSW, we need all the opportunities we can get to sort out our squad with a QLD side full of guns. Working out if certain combinations would work well together is also a great reason why this clash is vital.

Lets just hope, the Lockyear-Less Maroons are going to take some time to recover. But his replacement Cronk isn’t too bad either. 

Geeth Geeganage 

Footy Fan 

YMCA NSW YOUTH PARLIAMENT  -    'The Training Camp'

 Over the weekend that just past I attended the YMCA’s Youth Parliament training camp, this camp was designed to get the youth members up to speed with parliamentary protocol, meet with other members , instigate bill development and most of all have fun. I attended this camp as Youth Member for Blacktown and I enjoyed breaking down the stereotypes that many uninformed people have about the heart of Western Sydney.  1. I do not fear my life, when I walk around in Blacktown. 2 All my friends are not uneducated and 3. I have never been stabbed/raped or abused in Blacktown.....or anywhere for that matter.

I attended the camp on Saturday and walked into a seminar about parliamentary etiquette and just in time for lunch. As soon as the break was upon us, it was amazing the feeling of welcomeness I got from people I had just met. Introductions were coming left, right and centre and I loved it!

I am in the Citizenship committee and am currently working on a bill that puts in a logical and coherent system to recognise the qualifications of skilled migrants. This is a topic I hold very dear to my heart and can’t wait to nut out the nitty gritty of system.

One of the most interesting parts of the camp for me, was my opportunity to participate in a real life QandA. This after being a big fan of the ABC's QandA. As I will be putting my name in the barrel for the position of Youth Premier, I thought I should take any opportunity to make myself known to group. Hopefully through my ‘long....large....’ passion for leadership, I left a lasting imprint in everyone’s minds [=D]

Overall the camp was great! I learnt a lot and the 12 v 12 debate on the final day of camp really left me yearning for more. More debate, more policy discussion and more YOUTH PARLIAMENT! I will be eagerly awaiting the residential camp, to suit up, and step into the cauldron that is NSW parliament house!!!

Geeth Geeganage

Youth Member for Blacktown

P.S.  Big shoutout to the YMCA, they do a lot of great things for youth across Australia and indeed across the world.  Youth Parliament is just one of their many programs aimed to help make the world a better place. For more information see, ww.ymcasydney.org. 

The Gossip Girl complex

Gossip girl a TV series that has been running for 5 seasons with more to come, it has been very popular and successfully launched the career of many of its cast.  But for some reason if a male enjoys and follows gossip girl they are intrinsically less manly than those who brazenly dismiss it as a ‘chicks’ show.  Please explain?

I think;
1.  These people who are passing judgement have not watched or seen more than 20 minutes of the show.

And,

2. They need to show me, where in the 5 seasons that have been released has there been a episode that has only appealed to women.

Gossip Girl has had an amazing first 5 seasons, there is a cast of both men and females, with a mix of drama and comical moments. Of course there have been some dull/low points in the storyline but most fans will agree the season 5 has been one of great interest.

Geeth Geeganage 

Gossip Girl Fan

An Introduction

For some strange and peculiar reason.... I am interested in almost everything.  Any topical issue, any time, any place. Whether it is why there is need for action of climate change, whether an introduction of the draft system is needed in the NRL or if gel or wax is the best way to keep your hair looking sick.  

These days it’s hard to keep me quite but when I was younger I could never quite the get words together to express myself.  When I started school, I was considered an ESL student, all the way up year 8. Even in year yr12, I helped out my school, Penrith High School, with their ESL Pedagogy project and presented at a teachers conference in the city.  But as time went on, I worked and I worked, and I got on top of my problems with the English language and completed extension 2 English in the HSC last year.

Over the past few years, I have developed my public speaking skills through various leadership positions and conferences and now am proudly the Youth Member for Blacktown in the YMCA’s NSW Youth Parliament Program (@NSWYthParl).  I am an avid follower of political issues and I love to be in amongst the politicians whether it is on social media ( @GGeeganage  ) or on a more personal level; as I have not been afraid to call up their offices and ask for a meeting.  The Australian political system is amazing, and sometimes it is taken for granted how lucky we are to have such a free flowing democratic system.

On the sporting front, I am an immense lover of sport. I have a vested interest in the NRL, Cricket, Basketball, NFL, Rugby Union and AFL. I'm the kind of person that might be casually flicking through the channels and be captivated by even a game of darts that is going on! I am a dedicated follower of the NRL where I support my beloved Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and I am currently addicted to NRL Super Coach and Dream Team!

That is just an introduction! There will be more to come in the future =D

Geeth Geeganage 

Youth Member for Blacktown