More than 100 children and 30 adults donned their hats for National Simultaneous Storytime at the Parkes Library on Wednesday. Parkes Library joined hundreds of groups across Australia for the reading of the picture book I Got This Hat at 11am.

“It has been one of our biggest events yet,” said Sandie Ward, Parkes Library storyteller. She had put a lot of preparation into a fabulous interactive performance of the book with the help of library and Council staff members. I Got This Hat is written by Jol and Kate Temple and illustrated by Jon Foye.

I got this hat in China.
I got this hat from a miner.
I got this hat from a deep-sea diver.
I got this hat from a racing-car driver… Hats.
Only the headless dislike them.
Everyone else loves wearing them!

This fun book takes a peek at the world around us through the playful medium of hats. The authors Kate and Jol Temple enjoy wearing hats together. They wear them whenever they write. Jol prefers a fedora and Kate a fez. They say I Got This Hat is for anyone who’s ever worn a hat.

Kate and Jol have written five books for children, including Parrot Carrot and Mike I Don’t Like. A new series of junior fiction called Jimmy Cook Discovers the Third Grade is due out this month.

The National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator is read simultaneously in libraries and many other places around the country. Now in its 16th year, it is a colourful, vibrant and fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy.

Caption: Children came with their parents, with Parkes Early Childhood Centre and home carers.

Walking Australia on foot with his trusted companion and best friend, a man from Victoria and his dog are on a mission to raise awareness for autism.

Steve Luscombe and his friendly dog Milo passed through Parkes on Sunday and attended the Northparkes Rotary Fun Run, which supported Autism Spectrum Australia this year.

The pair left Heathcote, about 110km north of Melbourne, at the beginning of April and walk an average of 30km per day sticking to small country towns mostly. He is also raising funds for Amaze (formerly Autism Victoria) representing around 55,000 Victorians who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“It is going really well,” said Steve on Sunday. He said people were very generous in their support of his effort. Steve had planned to walk around Australia with Milo for some time but hadn’t originally planned to raise awareness for the condition. Steve has a friend who has a daughter with autism. “She changes completely when she is with Milo. She just loves him.” He decided to still do the walk, but raise awareness at the same time.

Steve has no time frame and will carry on for as long as it takes. With a food supply of about four months in his buggy, the country roads will be Steve and Milo’s home for a considerable time to come.

Caption:

Steve and Milo

The Motley Crew expanded to over 30 people on Saturday who enjoyed a day out in beautiful autumn sunshine and planted more than 700 plants at PAC Park.

It was not all about the planting however, it was also a chance to get out in the fresh air, to make a difference in our community and to be part of an encouraging group that wants to see the community cleaner and greener.

It was a fun day for young and old with a young participant who thought he had found a fossil, much to his excitement, while other participants gave encouragement from their chairs.

“The feedback from locals has been fantastic,” said Marg Applebee, Project Officer with Central West Landcare. “There are many walkers who use the path through PAC Park between East Street and Forbes Road and they get to see the transformation of the park day by day.”

On Friday morning the Northparkes Mines management team put in about 400 plants as part of a team exercise and their contribution to the community effort. This brings the total of plants for the weekend to over 1,000 plants, an impressive effort for a small community.

Another planting day is planned for June, while National Tree Day will be celebrated with an event in July, according to Marg. Updates will be posted on Facebook.

The Motley Crew was formed as an initiative of Central West Lachlan Landcare and Parkes Shire Council to undertake local projects to improve the environment and promote community ownership and awareness.  If you would like to join the Motley Crew event, please contact Marg Applebee on 02 6862 4914 or email cwllpo@hotmail.com.

Some of the participants hard at work on the banks of the creek in PAC Park.

Parkes is reaping the rewards of the redevelopment of the Parkes Airport Terminal by marking the departure of the first flight on the 3^rd May. The new terminal has been designed for the future, with the ability to house security screening and a two gate access system. There is also a stylish space available for passenger comfort.  Other work underway includes a new entry way, new runway lighting and increased parking.

As the renovations on the terminal began the Parkes Aero Club stepped back to allow their clubhouse to be upgraded. After 10 months of building the club are now beginning to move back into the building and enjoyed a catch up over the weekend with the first east coast get together of the Pilot’s Lounge official group. “The Pilot’s Lounge are an easy going group of people who have a passion for flying” said Brett Preisig, Secretary of Aero Club; “Members have flown in from as far as Swan Reach in SA to enjoy a catch up.”

Around 10 individually owned ultralight aircraft arrived on the runway where the pilots then enjoyed a sausage sandwich and a homemade cake. “We’ll have a look at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society’s aviation museum and we’re heading out to the telescope later. It’s all very relaxed!” said Brett. “People think of ultralights as being quite flimsy with fabric wings but a lot are heavy and sturdy. They’re easy to fly and lessons are affordable.” Members of the club include Eston White, who has been flying since 1954 and Canowindra local, Stuart McSephney.

“It’s magic, there’s few things in life that can be so rewarding. What a pilot sees in one day few people see in a lifetime” said Brian, who had flown in from Maitland, Newcastle with friend Kevin. If you’d like to get involved in the club, check out their website parkesaero.com.au