Tricia Hitchen is one of the more-recognised and popular residents of Penrith, particularly through her 12 years of service with Penrith Council and her deep involvement with The Haven – Nepean Women’s Shelter.
A former policewoman in her younger years, Tricia was awarded the Police Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery, the Governor General’s award for Brave Conduct and the Royal Australian Lifesavers Bronze Medallion, all for a house fire in Casula in 1996.
She was also the Westfield Local Hero in 2020 and the Western Sydney Community Woman of the Year in 2023.
Tricia decided not to continue on Council this election, prompting an outflow of congratulations and words of praise from former colleagues, political figures and the media.
Speaking at the time, Tricia said “At the last Council election, I made a decision that this would be my last and I would not contest the next election. After 12 years, I felt it was time for some fresh blood and new ideas.
“It was my absolute privilege to be the Mayor of Penrith during this term. It was such a busy period that it went by in a flash, but I am so grateful to have worked with so many amazing people. I had the opportunity to meet hundreds of people who are working hard to make Penrith a better place. So many different charities and not for profits, whose sole aim is to help the residents of Penrith and to make our city shine.
“The growth in our city in the last 12 years has been staggering. New suburbs like Jordan Springs, Thornton, Caddens, Glenmore Park and now the new Orchard Hills North. I know there are many that don’t like the growth in our area, but if we want our children and our grand children to be near us, then growth is necessary.
“The new recreation areas such as City Park, Tench Reserve, Regatta Park and the absolutely stunning Gipps Street Recreation Precinct that will open very shortly have given our City a new life. In the pipeline, we also have the new Indoor Sports complex adjacent to Gipps Street, the new town centre park for St Marys, and a complete new master plan for the St Marys Town Centre.
“Our CBD and surrounding areas have come alive with so many restaurants. I can still remember when the only take away you could get in Penrith was hamburgers, fish and chips, pizza and Chinese (yes, I am that Old!!) Whilst I can’t take credit for all the exciting changes to our city, I am so proud to have been part of a team that worked hard to make sure that we had the best outcomes for our City.
“I worked hard with Councils Access Committee to ensure that Penrith was accessible to all, we have built 11 changing places ( accessible toilets with hoists, adult changing table, shower and privacy screen), with one more being built at the Civic Centre, and changed our planning laws to ensure that all new public buildings must include an adult changing space. We have upgraded pram ramps and accessible parking spaces, added sliding doors to the Joan Sutherland Performance centre and to the Hydrotherapy pool at St Marys to make them more accessible, built wider footpaths, built an accessible path of travel from St Marys to Penrith and so much more. I am so proud that our City is seen to be a leader in accessibility and inclusion.
“To all the Council staff that I have worked with over the years, thank you for listening to my ideas, encouraging the good ones and very kindly ignoring the bad ones. Thank you for caring about our City and working hard to make sure that every decision is for the best.
“Finally to my Councillor colleagues, Penrith has been fortunate to have Councillors that are collaborative, not combative. I think we have worked hard together to build this City over the past 12 years and I look forward to watching the City grow. There are some busy times ahead with the Airport and the Metro line opening and I am excited for the future of Penrith. Thank you and Good bye.”
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Tricia moved to Australia with her parents in 1962, living firstly in Mayfield, then East Hills, before her parents purchased a home in Penrith in 1964.
Tricia attended Penrith PS, then Penrith HS, before joining the NSW Police Force in just the second-ever class containing women. It was a sign of the times for male officers to be issued batons and 6-shot revolvers, whilst the female officers were issued a handbag and a 5-shot revolver.
Tricia was posted to Penrith Police Station, just the second female police officer in the district.
She harboured a deep desire to become a detective and achieved that goal after 4 years, albeit initially taken for granted as the tea lady by some of her male colleagues.
She would spend one year at Penrith, before transferring to Blacktown, achieving the rank of Detective Constable 1st Class.
Tricia went on maternity leave in 1988 for the birth of her first child and returned to St Marys Police Station as a uniformed officer in 1990, working in Licensing and on the Beat, achieving the rank of Senior Constable.
Tricia transferred to Liverpool in 1995 as Beat Sergeant and had a cultural awakening in Liverpool and Cabramatta, with the huge communities of Arabic and Vietnam background.
She worked as Duty Officer at the Sydney 2000 Olympics with the rank of Acting Chief Inspector, before moving back to Penrith in 2001 as Detective Chief Inspector (also covering St Marys).
A knee injury forced her retirement from the Police Force in 2004 and she would devote her next three years to ‘domestic duties’ and looking after son Liam, which included assisting with the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Tricia made an unsuccessful attempt to join state parliament (unfortunately at an unpopular period for the Liberal Party), then worked with husband Trevor at Hitchen Removals & Storage, a business which was begun by her Father-In-Law Eric Hitchen in 1957 (as St Marys Removals).
Tricia successfully ran for Penrith Council in 2012 and would remain a councillor for the next 12 years, winning plaudits for her tireless work on behalf of the community.
Happily married to Trevor since 1987, the couple have four children (Ryan, Lauren, Dean and Liam) and 6 grandchildren.
Tanya Davies MP summed up the community appreciation for Tricia’s efforts in the District, speaking glowingly of Tricia in Parliament, saying “I rise to commend Clr Tricia Hitchen for her extraordinary service as a Penrith City Councillor for the last twelve years, including two years as Mayor and three years as Deputy Mayor. It is with great sadness to know that she has confirmed her intention to not re-contest the next Council election.
“Clr Hitchen has always been a fierce advocate for the community and has secured many important outcomes. She has improved the lives of so many, through her passion to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access and opportunity to enjoy the facilities that Penrith City has to offer, and was instrumental in Council opening multiple adult change rooms across the area.
“Clr Hitchen has always put the community above politics. If there’s an opportunity to work with people and organisations to benefit the community, Clr Hitchen is always in the front seat driving the progress. She has been a strong advocate in dealing with domestic violence and, whilst Mayor, her Mayoral Charity Ball raised $60,000 for The Haven – Nepean Women’s Shelter. I congratulate and thank Clr Tricia Hitchen for her service.”
Tricia Hitchen was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Kerrie Davies.
If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com
