Keys to Macarthur

McGrath Camden

The Keys to Macarthur is your local guide to property, lifestyle, and everything that makes the Macarthur region one of Sydney's most exciting places to call home. Hosted in partnership with McGrath Camden, each episode unpacks the real estate market, suburb stories, and the people shaping the future of Macarthur — whether you're buying, selling, investing, or simply love where you live.

Episodes

  1. 22h ago

    Five Decades on the Mat: Grand Master Nick Donato on a Lifetime in Martial Arts

    From a boy learning to box under his great uncles to being named Inheritor and Head of the TKD Kwon Bop Do Federation, Master Nick Donato has spent more than fifty years dedicated to martial arts. In this episode he traces a journey that runs through the golden era of Australian boxing, the arrival of Tae Kwon Do and Ju Jitsu on our shores, and the mentors who shaped him along the way. About the Guest Master Nick Donato's martial arts story began in the late 1960s, boxing as a boy under great uncles who fought in the 1930s and '40s. Between 1973 and 1975 he trained at Penrith PCYC alongside Ted McKenzie, a sparring partner of World Bantamweight Champion Jimmy Carruthers. In 1974 he took up Tae Kwon Do and Ju Jitsu under Steve Wilson at Warrimoo Community Centre. After moving from the Blue Mountains to Campbelltown in 1980, he continued his Tae Kwon Do under Grand Master Chong Chul Rhee and Geoff Stubbs. Over the following decades he trained with a remarkable roll call of masters — Graham Johnston, John Gallegari, Jim Sheedy, Andrew Darlington, and Sensei Ben Di Pede, from whom he earned a Menkyo teaching license in 1998. In 1995 he began training under Grandmaster Joe Onopa, and following Onopa's passing in 2010 was appointed by the family and senior Grandmasters as Inheritor, International Director, and Head of the TKD Kwon Bop Do Federation. Today, Master Donato is a full-time professional martial arts instructor with over 55 years of experience, who has travelled throughout Asia and America to teach, test, and study the arts, and has been inducted into numerous martial arts halls of honour. Featured Book Master Donato has published his memoir, The Memoirs of Master Nick Donato: My Journey as an Aussie Martial Artist — a candid, honest account of the trials and lessons behind his lifelong pursuit of the arts. It's a story with something for readers from any walk of life, not just martial artists. 📖 Grab a copy here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Memoirs-Master-Nick-Donato-Journey/dp/1958037168/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

    Five Decades on the Mat: Grand Master Nick Donato on a Lifetime in Martial Arts
  2. Jun 29

    Business, Council & King's Birthday Honour: David Funnell OAM | The Keys to Macarthur

    In this episode of The Keys to Macarthur, we're joined by David Funnell OAM, a name synonymous with both business and community service in Camden. David founded Funnells Electrical back in 1969, when Camden was still a small rural township. More than five decades on, Funnells Electrical has grown into the trusted name in electrical service and maintenance across greater southwest Sydney, now employing over two dozen electricians with radio-controlled mobile vans, servicing commercial, industrial and residential clients throughout the region. Beyond business, David has spent decades giving back to the area that shaped him. He served for years as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor on Camden Council, sat as a community representative on both the Camden Bicentennial Park and Camden Town Farm committees, and was named Camden Citizen of the Year in 2018 in recognition of his long-standing dedication to the region. Most recently, David was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours List, for his service to local government and the Camden community — capping off more than 50 years of contribution to the place he calls home. We talk about what's changed in Camden, building a business that's lasted generations, and what community service has meant to him along the way. Whether you're a local business owner, long-time Camden local, or new to the area — this one's a great look at the people who've helped shape Macarthur into what it is today.

    Business, Council & King's Birthday Honour: David Funnell OAM | The Keys to Macarthur
  3. Jun 3

    Meet Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli | The First Episode of The Keys to Macarthur

    In the debut episode of The Keys to Macarthur, we sit down with Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli — one of the most influential figures shaping the future of Sydney's southwest. Cr Fedeli has served on Camden Council since 2012 and has been Mayor since 2019. A trailblazer in regional governance, she recently made history as the elected Chair of the Western Parkland Councils' Mayoral Forum — a unique alliance of eight councils operating in partnership with the NSW and Australian governments under the Western Sydney City Deal. In this conversation, we explore what it takes to lead one of Australia's fastest-growing regions — from major infrastructure challenges like the Oran Park rail line and Spring Farm Parkway, to community moments like the Menangle Store fire. Mayor Fedeli also opens up about her Italian heritage, her passion for getting younger people involved in local government through Rotary, and her vision for Camden over the next five years. Whether you're a local resident, a business owner, or simply curious about what drives growth in Sydney's southwest — this episode is your inside look at the people and decisions shaping the Macarthur region. Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction 01:28 — Meet Therese Fedeli 02:02 — Which ward does she represent? 02:34 — Is local government political? 03:21 — Why run for Mayor a second time? 04:07 — Rotary Club & engaging younger people in local government 05:30 — A passion for local government 06:32 — What's changed in Camden during her second term? 08:10 — The case for a rail line to Oran Park and Narellan 09:07 — Tackling parking in Camden 11:08 — A day in the life of the Mayor & the importance of family 14:40 — Italian heritage & identity 16:07 — Key council milestones for 2026 18:45 — Where will Camden be in five years? 20:39 — Growth, change & Western Sydney Airport infrastructure 22:12 — The Nurses Quarters on Menangle Road — are there council plans? 23:08 — The Spring Farm Parkway issue 24:34 — The Menangle Store fire & advocating for community support 26:19 — Outro

    Meet Camden Mayor Therese Fedeli | The First Episode of The Keys to Macarthur

About

The Keys to Macarthur is your local guide to property, lifestyle, and everything that makes the Macarthur region one of Sydney's most exciting places to call home. Hosted in partnership with McGrath Camden, each episode unpacks the real estate market, suburb stories, and the people shaping the future of Macarthur — whether you're buying, selling, investing, or simply love where you live.

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