Maggi Barnard

Maggi Barnard has been with the Parkes Phoenix since it was established in March 2016 and loves writing about her community.

Our Bloke – Bailey Boland

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Captain Parkes Christian School –
Bailey Boland

How old are you? 17, turning 18 this year.

Where do you go to school? I go to Parkes Christian School, alongside with my two brothers, sister and my mum who is a teacher’s aide at PCS.

What is your favourite after school activity? Hanging out with family and friends, playing games with bros and also attending youth group.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? I love a lot of food so I don’t necessarily have a favourite food, same goes for movies, but for music, I love listening to soundtrack, pop and Christian music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? Still haven’t fully decided on what I want to do yet, but I do have some dreams in mind that I’d like to pursue.

If you could have a super power what would it be? Kind of cliché, but I’d like to have super speed or super strength.

What makes you laugh the most? Jokes from family and friends, and my own comments.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? All children in both public and private schools should get free education.

Tell us an interesting fact about your-self. I’m a huge fan of the movie/gaming industry. I’ve grown up watching so many marvellous movies and playing extraordinary games from all generations.

Lachlan Valley Branch Nominated For State Award

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Lachlan Valley branch of the National Parks Association promote the natural environment by organising several walks each quarter, showcasing parks and reserves in the Central West of NSW.

The Lachlan Valley Branch of National Parks Association has been nominated for the NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year Award.

The group won the Environment Award at this year’s Australia Day Awards ceremony in Parkes, and will now compete with other nominees for the state-wide award. The winner, to be announced on World Environment Day on Saturday, 5th June, will receive a one-off donation of $3,000 to put towards their community initiative.

The Lachlan Valley branch of the National Parks Association has been operating for over 20 years. To promote the natural environment, the group of knowledgeable volunteers provide several walks each quarter, showcasing parks and reserves in the Central West of NSW.

Besides being important educational oportunities, the walks promote exercise, mental wellbeing and provide participants with the opportunity to create meaningful community connections.

Even though the initial goal may have been to enjoy nature and record the region’s flora and fauna, the outcome has exceeded expectations with lifelong friendships and strong local partnerships being forged as well.

“The Australia Day Council of NSW is proud to once again to partner with Return and Earn to present the inspirational Environmental Citizen of the Year Awards. This important initiative, in its third year, recognises the incredible efforts being made by NSW citizens – young and old – who are creating a more sustainable environment that benefits all of us,” said Andrew Parker, Chair, Australia Day Council of NSW.

Download smartHAIL App For Parkes Taxis

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Taxis has been providing passenger transport services for Parkes and surrounding areas for over 40 years.

The business run organisation is keeping up with the latest technology using the smartHAIL app that allows you to book and track your taxi.

With the Parkes Picnic Races weekend coming up soon, download smartHAIL to ensure you can enjoy the biggest social event in Parkes responsibly.

Parkes Taxis also has a position for a driver – full time, casual or looking to make some extra money on the weekends.

If you would like more information, contact Sarah Smith on 0407 513 848 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or email parkestaxis@bigpond.com.

Why did you join the School Strike 4 Climate protest in Cooke Park?

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Alexander Priest: Oscar Hendry is my best friend and I want to help him to save the world’s future.

Clayton Wing Yip, Elizabeth Drewes, Vienna Farrell, Marty Davis and Arial Johnson: We are concerned about climate change, and it is great to have this event in Parkes. We wanted to participate to help raise awareness. It was empowering to be here today as we now know how we can get involved and help. It also created a better sense of community and it was great to see the Mayor and some Councillors also care about the environment.

Jeanette Lane and Julie Layton: Julie: I absolutely believe we have to do something. It is important to invest in our collective voice for change. Jeanette: We need to stop the investments in gas fired plants. It was also great for kids to see other kids take action.

Snippets…

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Thursday winners at the Parkes Bridge Club were Anne Berkeley, Helen McQuie, Catherine Smith and John Quin.

Breastscreen Van In Parkes: The mobile screening van will be in Parkes until Friday, 9th July at the Little Theatre Carpark. BreastScreen NSW provides free mammograms to eligible women aged between 50 and 74. All necessary measures in relation to COVID-19 have been taken to protect women, staff and the wider community. Meg O’Brien, Manager BreastScreen NSW (Greater Western), says a screening mammogram is one of the most important things women can do for their health. “Around 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history.” No referral is needed. To book a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW, call 13 20 50 or visit book.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.

Reduce Energy Costs: Central West community organisations are invited to submit an expression of interest (EOI) in a grant program designed to help reduce energy costs. Funding of $67,700 has been allocated to the Riverina electorate for up to 12 grants of between $5,000 and $12,000 each. Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the grants could pay for up to 100% of eligible project costs for not-for-profit organisations such as PCYCs, childcare centres, local aged care bodies, non-distributing co-operatives, companies limited by guarantee, Indigenous not-for-profit corporations and some local emergency service volunteer organisations. Further information and EOI forms can be obtained by telephoning the Wagga Wagga electorate office on 6921 4600 or by emailing michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au. The EOI period closes on Friday, 16th July.

Firewood Collection In National Parks: As the weather cools, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is reminding residents across the Central West that it is illegal to collect firewood in national parks, state conservation areas and nature reserves and heavy fines apply. “We are getting the message out there that collecting firewood, including dead wood and fallen trees, is not permitted in national parks,” said NPWS Central West Area Manager Fiona Buchanan. “Dead hollow-bearing trees and woody debris provide habitat for many endangered native animals in the Central West. Illegally cutting down dead trees and removing this fallen timber for firewood destroys critical habitat that these animals depend on for survival. “NPWS uses surveillance cameras in parks to detect illegal activities, including firewood collection. On-the-spot-fines apply, and very large fines can be handed out by the courts.

Woody debris provide habitats for many native animals, which makes it illegal to collect firewood in national parks and other protected areas.

Singing In The Sun

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Janice Chapman was one of the Niola residents who enjoyed her ride in the trishaw with Peter Guppy as the pilot.

Plenty of nursing home residents had the pleasure of catching a ride on a trishaw over the past two weeks resulting in lots of smiles and some even started singing when they felt the wind blowing through their hair.

The newly established Cycling Without Age charity in Parkes had a trishaw on loan from Canberra for the past two weeks to introduce more residents to the concept.

Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit charity that provides a community service by connecting those no longer able to ride for themselves with the Parkes community by giving them free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.

Peter Guppy offered rides to residents at Southern Cross, Niola and Rosedurnate with several of them coming back for a second time to enjoy a ride in the sun and waving at passers-by.

The charity is working hard at raising funds to buy a trishaw for Parkes, and is currently in the running for an Essential Energy Community Grant. The public can help them by voting for them online to secure the grant.

To cast your vote every day until Monday, 31st May, go to www.essentialenergy.com.au/choices

Parkes Takes Out Top Grades In Local Squash Event

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Dave Fuller Intertown Teams Squash event was not only the biggest ever hosted by the Parkes Services Squash Centre, but also attracted very talented players. From the left are Jesse Keegan, David Clegg, Henry Kross, Simon Carruthers, Nathan Fuller and Peter Bastow.

Parkes Services Squash Centre hosted one of the biggest squash tournaments in NSW and possibly Australia last weekend.

Almost 200 players and 50 teams from all over NSW and the ACT contested the event, with Parkes taking out the top grades in both the men’s and women’s top divisions. The 30 local players competing across the grades did their town proud.

The event came to Parkes after Dave Fuller, who ran the Orange Intertown for over 40 years, sadly lost his battle with cancer last year. Dave’s son Nathan Fuller asked Jay and Judy Kross from Parkes to take on the event. The high numbers meant they had to hire the Forbes courts for the weekend and took over the Parkes Services Club carpark to accommodate everyone.

The tournament consisted of teams of four players across A, B, C and D grades, and attracted some very talented athletes, including current professional tour players David Clegg and Jennifer Condie, former Australian player and world number 64 Simon Carruthers, Australian Masters squash and indoor cricket representative Peter Bastow, former national champion Jesse Keegan, as well as local stars NSW title holder Lockie Miller, and NSW and Australian Champion Henry Kross.

Peter Bastow, who had come back to squash after a 19-year break, said he tried to play as many events as possible. “I did not know what to expect in Parkes coming here for the first time, but I was pleasantly surprised.”

Simon Carruthers said it was good to get out of Sydney. “It is great to see the squash community get behind Dave Fuller.”

Dave’s son Nathan was on hand to assist with the presentations and asked Parkes to host the event in 2022 again after the success this year.

Results – Men’s A: Parkes; Ladies A: Parkes; Men’s B: Wagga; Ladies B: Wyong; Men’s C: Springwood; Ladies C: Forbes; Men’s D: Crookwell; Ladies D: Dubbo.

Be Seen @ School Strike 4 Climate Protest

May 28, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Cameron Noakes makes a poster for the strike.

Caitlin Francis with her poster.

Sarah, Reggie, Eddy and Dan Budden came all the way from Dubbo to take part in the strike.

Thomas and Oliver Wilkinson put a lot of effort into their posters.

Tracy Dawson signs the message board.

It is National Volunteer Week and we’ve asked volunteers at CanAssist what they enjoy about volunteering?

May 21, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Bob Strickland: Doing something useful that helps other people, and meeting lots of people. We have great team spirit helping each other with all jobs.

Anthony Burke: Giving something back to the community and helping raise funds for CanAssist.

John Francis Kelly (JFK): My wife had cancer and CanAssist was really good to her, so I wanted to pay back a little and decided to volunteer.

Bridge Banter

May 21, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Anne Berkeley, Helen McQuie, Louise Payne and Peter Quin are on the money as Thursday’s winners.

Now that you’ve read a little about bridge and have an idea that good bidding is really a way of describing your hand to your partner, you will appreciate this little anecdote. Our bridge teacher had a new student who sat gazing at her cards for a very long while. Finally, the patient teacher said calmly: “It’s your turn Miss B, you must make a bid.” Miss B fluttered her eyelids, glanced at her polished nails, tossed back her long blonde hair and finally she said, “All right, I bid ten dollars!”

I’d put my ten dollars on any of this week’s winners. Tuesday, 11th May Helen McQuie and Ingrid Stephenson; Thursday, 13th May Louise Payne and Peter Quin north/south, Anne Berkeley and Helen McQuie east/west; Monday, 17th May Greig Ball and Gary Somers.

Come to the Parkes Bridge Club to learn more on bidding. Mondays are best for novice players; Tuesdays if you know a little, or Thursdays for more serious games. Call Greig Ball 0429621712 or Bev Laing 0418114826.

By Beth Thomas

Maggi Barnard

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