Maggi Barnard

 

Sunny winter days are great for exploring our natural environment. The picturesque Mullion Falls on the outskirts of Orange is a great day trip from Parkes and recent work at the site make it now a much easier walk.

The $15,000 upgrades are part of the biggest visitor infrastructure investment in the history of NSW national parks, with the NSW Government investing $257 million to roll out 170 projects across the national parks estate.

Part of the Central Mines Trail to the falls in the Mullion Range State Conservation Area was upgraded and completed in time for the July school holidays. NPWS Manager, Central West Area, Fiona Buchanan, said the last 150m of the track had become very eroded. “We’ve upgraded the track surface of the steep final section to make it safer for our visitors, using local stone to reshape and profile the steps on the trail so they blend into the surrounding landscape. Besides making the track safer, the works have also improved the view over the falls.”

The works also include improved trail signage as well as removing weeds like willow and blackberry. There are now great views of the falls which can be seen from the top of the trail, from the mid-trail rock platform and the final rock platform 50m above Summer Hill Creek.

They say there are days when you should not get out of bed, especially when your pet dog has got a gripe. Saturday 29th May was one such day in Currajong Street, Parkes.

For years we have been blessed with the frequent visits from two paired galahs (known as the local yokel entertainers’ troupe) who have their play dates in our neighbours’ date palm. They giggle along with their acrobatics in the palm fronds hanging upside down and jumping up and down playing silly games in the fruit pods much to our delight and encouragement. We feel they are a part of the family so to speak.

At about 10:30am I commented to my husband with great affection… “that silly galah is there by itself acting the fool and showing off again”. When, hanging out the next load of washing I observed that the galah was in trouble and ran next door to my neighbour, who was also concerned for the parrot’s welfare.

So, we set about seeking help… It was most frustrating ringing for assistance. First the SES advised us to ring the local police who then explained that such rescues were the concern of the local fire brigade. The fire brigade believed the Council would be the best to ring. The after hours number in Sydney advised us to ring the fire brigade on the 000 number. The lady on the phone on the emergency line suggested we ring WIRES.

As time wore on we were losing hope of saving the entrapped parrot as we believed we did not have any WIRES volunteers in Parkes anymore. But, a lovely local resident and WIRES volunteer came to our assistance. Confronted with the Galah some 10 metres up, she once again called the fire station and a lovely, caring firie called Jacob came to assess the situation, which had now gone on for more than two hours.

Our firie looked in dismay as he knew the bird could not be freed from even the tallest of ladders available safely. We were all becoming increasingly distressed seeing the bird becoming further entangled in the cotton-like fibre of the date palm fronds. With thinking caps on it was decided the only way of safely rescuing the bird was with a cherry picker, and Steve McGrath arborist extraordinaire, came to the rescue! He said he’d be there in half an hour.

Up, up and up they went armed with pruners, gloves and a comfortable bag to remove the entangled galah!

Hooray, hooray as Steve and co safely removed our resident galah. We were all so relieved and happy and gathered around for hot tea and scones!

Thank you WIRES and Steve McGrath! Note: It was distressing to learn that family pets can be rescued readily by some services, but uncaged beloved family friendly animals (wild by definition) were not considered for rescue.

By Bev Rowe

Members of public can call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or report online through wires.org. au for help with wild animals in distress. With the current mouse bait situation, if you find more than five dead animals of the same species, please make a report to the EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.

Around 2,000 patrons attended the Parkes Picnic Races last Saturday, which turned out to be a fabulous day after a week of freezing cold and wet conditions.

Parkes Picnic Races committee chairman Tim Keith said the races were an outstanding success, and the new fencing completed the picturesque race grounds along with the restored pavilion.

The event not only brings the community together, with family and friends returning home to visit and socialise over the long weekend, but the popular Fashions on the Field attracted entrants from all over. Judges Elizabeth Pakchung and Dixie Coulton picked the following winners: Stylish Man – Ben Dietrich from Dubbo; Millinery – Josie Anderson from Dubbo; Best Dressed Couple – Linden and Keryn Green from Dub-bo; Elegant Lady – Rachael Sladden from Parkes and Best Dressed Child – Ruby.

The Best Private Tent was won by Terry Brothers, and Best Corporate Tent by the Railway Hotel.

The Que ladies provided a great service to race patrons and were kept busy catering to the hungry crowd.

“What a great day of rural racing,” said Stafford Orange of the organising committee.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed or participated. We look forward to a bigger and better event in 2022.”

He called on new members to join the committee to start planning for next year.

A Peak Hill resident was one of the 1, 190 Australians recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List.

Leanne Heywood was awarded in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to business through a range of organisations.

She has spent most of her career in the mining industry, including a number of years at Northparkes Mines, and now holds a portfolio of non-executive directorships across various industries, including mining.

Leanne was also named NSW Business Woman of the Year in 2019. She was recognised for overcoming the isolation of living in rural Australia to create an enviable international career and using her experience to empower other women to achieve their personal and professional goals.

“It is an absolute honour for my work to be recognised at a national level with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia,” said Leanne.

Announcing the list, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General David Hurley (Retd) said: “On behalf of all Australians, congratulations to all recipients. Each of these individuals are unique and their story deserves to be shared widely and celebrated.

“Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation. There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.

This year’s list includes 44% women, which is the highest ever percentage of women recognised through the General Division of the Order of Australia.

“It is important that the Order of Australia represents the diversity and strength of Australia – for this to happen we need to ensure outstanding women, members of our multicultural community and First Nations people are nominated by their peers in the community,” said the Governor-General.