Maggi Barnard

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

Just a Short Drive to Canowindra

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Canowindra is not only Australia’s hot air balloon capital, but is also famous for its crooked main street.

Canowindra is less than an hour’s drive from Parkes and has a lot to offer for those looking for new experiences and adventures.

BALLOON JOY FLIGHTS
Is a balloon flight on your bucket list? Canowindra is the balloon capital of Australia and the historic home of hot air ballooning because the atmospheric wind conditions are the most favourable for all year hot air ballooning. Balloon Joy Flights is a small family-owned company run by Graham, Jan and Anton Kerr offering you the opportunity to experience the magic of hot air ballooning. The company has been a commercial balloon flight operator since 1988. Canowindra also hosts the Cabonne Community Glow every year and will again take place on 1st May this year with hot air balloons lighting up the night sky. www.balloonjoyflights.com.au

EDDY’S
If you are easily charmed by the character of old buildings, then Eddy’s is the place to stay in Canowindra. Offering group accommodation in an authentically restored 100-year-old historic convent building, Eddy’s cater for 2 – 32 people with 10 bedrooms (four with ensuite bathrooms) and reverse cycle air-conditioning in each room. There is a large commercial kitchen available opening onto a large semi-enclosed deck with BBQ area. You are also able to host your own party with a large dining room and plenty of entertaining space. Eddy’s is the ideal base for small to larger groups looking for accommodation for a wedding or hen party, a cycling club, or a conference. www.eddysofcanowindra.com.au

THE BLUE BOWERBIRD
The Blue Bowerbird is a unique online gift store with a bricks and mortar shop located in Canowindra. The shop offers a large range of unique gift wares ranging from animal related items to man cave products and much more. Over the years the owners have build a strong relationship with their suppliers and can access unique products, and are constantly searching and adding to their collection. The Blue Bowerbird can ship Australia wide and internationally. www.thebluebowerbird.com.au

CANOWINDRA INTERNATIONAL BALLOON CHALLENGE
Every April since 2010 Canowindra bursts at the seams as in excess of 5,000 people come to see the spectacle of Australia’s largest hot air balloon festival. This year’s festival takes place from 24th April to 2nd May. A highlight of the week’s events is the Small Acres Cyder KeyGrab on Sunday, 2nd May, where over a dozen hot air balloonists take off from out of town and head back into the sports oval and try and grab the key off the pole to try and win the prize. The signature event of the festivalis the Cabonne Community Glow, which kicks off from 3pm @ the Tom Clyburn Oval on Saturday, 1st May.
COVID travel restrictions have forces us in a nice way to explore what is great in our region, and in the Central West we are very fortunate to have an abundance of new experiences on offer. Historic Canowindra, set on the banks of the beautiful Belubula River, is famous for its crooked main street that follows the route of an old bullock track. The town’s fascinating colonial history, includes the famous story of the whole town being bailed up in a pub for three days by bushranger Ben Hall and his gang in 1863. In 1955, a rock bed full of thousands of rare Devonian fossils was uncovered by chance near Canowindra. It contained fossils of bizarre fish with crushing jaws and armour from 360 million years ago, long before dinosaurs roamed the planet. Many of these are now on display at the intriguing Ages of Fishes Museum.

THE OLD VIC INN
A magnificent heritage listed building located in the picturesque historic main street of Canowindra, the Old Vic Inn is a destination within itself. The Old Vic Inn provides the perfect base to explore the region’s ample attractions where you can meander through the engaging township, taste the abundant country hospitality, or just sit back on the veranda and drink in the charm! The family run inn features old world charm, ensuite rooms, lounge areas, dining and bar facilities providing the perfect venue for family getaways, conferences, weekends away and special occasions. www.oldvicinn.com.au

PERENNIALLE PLANTS
Owners of Perennialle Plants, Nerida and Chris Cuddy, have refurbished a historic building dating back to 1909 in Canowindra and will be opening a brand new store today.
They have taken care to restore elements of the building to reflect its original design that will house their high quality garden tools, gift ware, rustic items, wrought iron ware, natural brushes and designer home-wares – all sourced for their beauty and practicality.
Nerida, a schoolteacher and musician said in an ABC story the new shop offered possibilities of setting up flexible, creative areas in the storefront and the adjoining shed for community events.
For her, a highlight is a grand piano, on loan from some locals, that sits in the front display room. “It lives in our building, so that was the cherry on top for me,” she said.
“We hope musical people will come and play and just add to the atmosphere and enjoyment of this place.”
The couple also run a unique nursery, which will take another couple of weeks to relocate to the new premises. The rare collection of frost and drought tolerant shrubs and perennials, sourced from around the world and grown in Canowindra, will add to the charm of the new main street location. Perennialle Plants is an online nursery too with plants and garden tools on mail order at www.perennialle.com.au Plants are carefully packaged and posted weekly.

Snippets…

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The new multipurpose centre in Cooke Park is just about finished and looking very grand!

Art Competition and Exhibition: The Forbes Arts Society invites avid, amateur and accomplished artists from across the region to enter this year’s Heritage Art Competition. The theme ‘Our Heritage for the Future’ encourages artists to celebrate all aspects of heritage including the built and natural environment, sacred sites and artefacts. Forbes Arts Society Chair, Dr Karen Ritchie said: “While artists do not have to be residents of Forbes, their entries do need to portray an aspect of Forbes Shire heritage. The competition has no set categories and is open to all art mediums and styles, with the finalists exhibited at the Platypus Gallery from 27th April to 15th May as part of the Our Heritage for the Future exhibition.” For more information visit www.forbesartssociety.com or follow @PlatypusGallery on Facebook and Instagram.

Biggest Morning Tea: Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea has never been so important and offers the perfect opportunity to check in with friends, family and colleagues over a cuppa and a bite to eat, while raising vital funds to support people affected by cancer. The official day to host a 2021 morning tea is Thursday, 27th May. However, you can register to host at any time throughout May or June. Whether it’s at home with friends or family, a simple morning tea in the office with workmates, virtually, or a gathering in a local community or at school, you can host a Biggest Morning Tea your way this year. These connections are particularly vital for people affected by cancer. For more information or to register, visit biggestmorningtea.com.au or call 1300 65 65 85. Dine & Discover NSW: You can now redeem your Dine & Discover vouchers in the Parkes Shire! Haven’t received your vouchers yet? NSW residents can easily apply online to receive their vouchers through the Service NSW website or by installing the latest version of the app. Find out where you can redeem your vouchers https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/dine-and-discover/business-finder

Pilot Program: Central West NSW is one of six regions across Australia to test the Carbon+Biodiversity Pilot Program. Ap-plications for farmers to participate in the $23.5 million pilot are now open. Under this pilot, farmers will be able to apply to receive a biodiversity payment in addition to what they would receive under the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). For more information go to: www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculturestewardship

Congratulations to bowls players Rhona Went and Liz By-rne who won the Central West District Open Pairs against Millthorpe this week.

New M & D Production Is Totally “Wicked’!

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES… Glinda, played by Shannen Toole, and the cast of Wicked on stage in The Little Theatre where shows will be performed the first four weekends of May.

It’s been a long wait of more than 12 months because of COVID, but the time has come for the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society to hit the stage with an iconic production of Wicked on the 1st of May.

Word in the community is this will be one of the best yet, and Director Lyn Townsend agrees. “We have been lucky enough to pull some amazing talent from all over the central west. Everything about this show will be quality, from the performances, special effects and costumes to the music… we just can’t wait to open!

Parkes M &D is also hoping this production will put them back on their feet. COVID has prevented live theatre productions for so long and has put the future financial viability of the society at risk, like the rest of the arts industry. Lyn said it would be wonderful to get support from the community by attending the shows.

If you have seen a production of Wicked before, make sure not to miss this production as it promises to be quite different to traditional versions in direction and costuming. “You’ve never seen it like this,” said Lyn. “The Parkes M & D Society production has a very modern twist and is definitely different!”

The Wicked Witch of the West, played by Hannah Symonds, on stage in Cooke Park on Sunday. You can use your Dine & Discover vouchers to see a Wicked show.

A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Wicked winds the clock back to the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University: the blonde and very popular Glinda (played by Shannen Toole) and a misunderstood green girl named Elphaba (Hannah Symonds).

Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroad and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences for her future.

Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Also staring Matt Prow as the dashing Fiyero, Christie Green as the scheming Madam Morrible, Aaron Kingham as a dithering Dr Dillamond, Henry Best as the lovestruck Boq, Georgia Sideris as the beautifully tragic Nessa-Rose and a 42 strong cast and band that includes members travelling from Trundle, Forbes, Grenfell, Cowra and Orange to be a part of this wonderful production. Musi-cal direction is under Neil Westcott.

Tickets are on sale at www.parkesmandd.com.au or from Regional Business Supplies in Parkes. Dine & Discover vouchers accepted. Just email your ticket request with vouchers to parkesmandd2870@gmail.com

Together More Than Ever

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

One of the Youth Week events is a backstage experience at the Wicked production at the Parkes Little Theatre. The cast of Wicket performed two songs in Cooke Park on Sunday at the free concert to give the public a sneak peak of the production that has been more than 12 months in the making.

The Parkes Shire is celebrating Youth Week 2021, starting today and running until Saturday, 24th April, with a program packed with free activities, workshops and events.

Youth Week is an opportunity for young people to come together and express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives and create and enjoy activities and events with like-minded individuals.

The theme for this year is ‘Together more than ever’. With that in mind, this year’s events are focused on bringing the local youth together to learn and create in a collaborative way. “From banner making and illustration workshops, a chill-out session with JABBA and Gracey Jones, testing your trivia knowledge at the CUC Trivia Night, a backstage experience at the Wicked production at the Parkes Little Theatre, to a games day, plus more,” said Cultural, Education & Library Services Manager Kerryn Jones. “There is something for everyone in this year’s program.”

Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “One of the events we are running during Youth Week is a ‘Skills for Youth Workshop’, which will be held in the Marramarra Makerspace Studio in the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre on Monday, 19th April from 4 to 6pm.

“The interactive workshop aims to inspire and educate 16 to 21-year-olds on a range of topics, including seizing opportunities, mental health and the importance of supporting friends, road safety, resume writing and job application tips and tricks.

For more information on the Skills for Youth workshop or to register your attendance, contact Council’s Events Officer at events@parkes.nsw.gov.au. Bookings are essential for all the events, please call the Parkes Shire Library on 6861 2309. For more information about the Youth Week program, visit Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

The Ripple Effect Of Kindness

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Rebecca Miller doing a lap at Northparkes Oval on Saturday morning. She joined runners in the weekly parkrun to take a break from her laps on the oval.

Parkes business woman Rebecca Miller is currently attempting to run nine marathons in nine days in a mammoth effort to raise $100,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and three other charities.

After two years in the making and several hurdles along the way, like COVID and flooding, she started her 355km run in the pitch dark in Parkes last Saturday – the distance from Parkes to Westmead Children’s Hospital in Sydney.

Rebecca is dedicating her run to little Lilly Wyburn, who fought Leukaemia form the age of two and sadly lost her battle in November 2017 when she was eight and a half years old.

“Lilly touched so many lives in her short time on earth,” said Rebecca, who is wearing a special necklace she received from Lilly’s mum Jodie to help her get through this massive challenge.

Rebecca is raising funds for four foundations dedicated to supporting families and finding a cure for childhood cancer: Bandage Bear Foundation, Carrie’s Beanies for Brain Cancer, Leukaemia Foundation and CanAssist.

She said doing a marathon every day for nine days was going to challenge her emotionally, mentally and physically, but with the amazing support of so many people cheering her on, she was confident she could do it.

The community support was on show on Sunday with a fun day organised. Rebecca managed to run about 200 laps of Northparkes Oval to complete 50km each day giving her a big boost to take on the remainder of the challenge the rest of the week.

She ran in Orange on Monday and Tuesday, and then went on to Bathurst, Lithgow and will run in Katoomba today. She is expecting to arrive at Westmead tomorrow. If you would like to donate to The Ripple of Kindness project go to https://au.gofundme.com/f/the-ripple-of-kindness-project

Foxxy In The Park

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

It was a freezing cold day, but Parkes band Foxxy Cleopatra turned up the heat in Cooke Park on Sunday afternoon for a free family friendly event. The crowd came rugged up and were not disappointed as the five-piece band kept the hits coming.

Twins Every and Averie Smith (4) came dressed for the weather and the occasion with their funky, colourful outfits.

Stanley Drooger and Riley Miller load up on energy before the next round of jiving to the sounds of Foxxy Cleopatra. Riley loved dancing with his mum, Alyssa Miller, on stage singing.

Olive Cope and Ella McColl enjoyed the afternoon’s entertainment.

It was a mother and daughter day out for Chelsea Skinner and Robynne Casperson.

Enjoying the Foxxy Cleopatra show in Cooke Park on Sunday were Quinn Kriedemann, Milly Witherow, Laylah Logan and Sharla Parerlee.

Julie Deale and Tracey Byrnes relaxing on Sunday afternoon.

Memories From Margaret

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Our youngest daughter, at 14, had obtained work at a fast-food outlet not far from our home. Thrilled that her entrepreneurial spirit had found a means of earning her own money, she worked hard, and everything was going well until the day she came home from work in tears.

As we stood in our driveway, trying to comfort and understand our distraught child, our eldest son, Jim a third-year apprentice boilermaker who was very protective of his siblings, arrived home to find out that a manager had been propositioning her along with all the other young girls at her workplace.

At closing time, as that manager walked across the parking lot, he noticed a big grey Valiant and leaning on it was what seemed like a giant of a man covered in grease and dirt. The giant grabbed him by the shirt front and, holding him off the ground forcefully, told him just what he thought of a scumbag who would proposition young girls, using his authority to intimidate them. He finished his tirade with the promise that if the manager said so much as a nasty word to the giant’s sister anytime in the future, then he, the giant, would be back to deal with him. With that he let the man go, returned to the Valiant and drove away.

When Julie arrived for her next shift, she was stunned to find that the manager had, overnight, become a gentleman treating all the girls with respect and diplomacy. None of them knew what had happened in the car park the previous night, and the manager had no idea which girl was the giant’s sister.

By Margaret Irwin

King Of The Mountain

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes businessman Peter O’Donnell’s BMW 335i (right) carried promotional material for the 2022 Parkes Elvis Festival at last weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour event.

With the King on board, Mt Panorama’s most travelled race car came away with a class win at last weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour event and lots of publicity for the Parkes Elvis Festival.

Backed by Spinifex Recruiting, Parkes businessman Peter O’Donnell’s BMW 335i carried promotional material for the 2022 Parkes Elvis Festival themed on the King’s 27th film, Speedway.

Apart from two blown rear tyres on Conrod Straight at around 250 kilometres an hour, and a minor fuel leak from a loose clamp, the car preformed faultlessly from the start to the finish and won the B1 High Performance Forced Induction class. They finished 26th outright (of the 60 that qualified) and won the class by 16 laps.

“The Parkes Elvis Festival has a motor racing theme next year and what a way to promote through a great motor race such as the 6 Hour at Australia’s most famous circuit,” said Peter.

Peter started the race with car racer Peter Johnston taking over at the first schedule pit stop, while car preparer Garry Mennell completed the next two stints before he handed off to Peter Johnston for his second period behind the wheel. For the final run to the chequered flag, Peter O’Donnell returned to the drivers’ seat.

The BMW is Mt Panorama’s most experienced and prolific enduro campaigner. It won the 12-hour race twice outright (when it was a production car event) and has five class victories. In all, the various driving crews have stood on the podium as a place-getter in 10 of the 13 contested enduros.

The car has an astonishing finish record, completed more laps, and covered greater kilometres than any other car on Australia’s most famous racetrack. The venerable coupe has chalked up an amazing 3,318 laps of Mt Panorama and 20,614.734 kilo-metres in practice, qualifying and racing in the 12-hour, six hour and other events at the circuit.

$3.3 Million For Currajong Street Rehabilitation

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack

Currajong Street in Parkes will be rehabilitated with $3.3 million from the NSW and Federal Governments as part of projects rolling out under the latest round of the Fix-ing Local Roads program.

Forbes Shire Council will receive $2,382,564 to improve the Yarrabandai Road affected by recent heavy rainfall.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the road funding would help to tackle the increasing amount of work required to provide safe roads for communities.

“Safe reliable roads are essential infrastructure for communities in regional New South Wales – by improving roads, we are making a big difference to people’s lives in ensuring they get home sooner and safer.”

The two projects are part of 16 successful road projects across the Riverina and Central West receiving over $20 million in funding to help residents and businesses recover from the effects of bushfires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. NSW Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said that it was great to be able to work with the Federal Government to deliver these vital upgrades to local roads.

“NSW has a road network of more than 180,000 kilometres in length, and nearly 80% is classified as local roads, so it is a real challenge for councils to effectively manage and maintain their road assets,” Sam said.

State Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was committed to helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep regional communities connected.

All successful projects will be completed within two years to ensure local communities see the benefits as quickly as possible.

A Beautiful Life

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

THANKFUL… Maureen Massey made this mosaic as a farewell gift to Parkes East Public School when she retired last week. With her is her husband Peter and at the back are four of her grandchildren who are students at the school. They are William and Olivia Mathews and Lockie and Max Jones.

She wears many hats in our community, but after 50 years in the profession Maureen Massey finally decided it was time to take off her teaching hat.

She retired from Parkes East Public School last Thursday just before her 70th birthday ending an association of 41 years with the school as a parent and teacher.

“The eldest of my three daughters started in 1980, and I’ve had six of my 12 grandkids in the school. It was pretty special to have that.”

Being a learning and support teacher for the past 20 years, Maureen has built up a special bond with many students. “I am going to miss the kids the most, but as soon as volunteers can go back to school, I’ll be there as a nan, and not a teacher.”

Teaching has been such a huge part of her life with lots of beautiful memories, but the school’s 50th anniversary and the mini relays for life are two that stand out for her. Combining two of her other loves in life, she made a huge mosaic for the 50th anniversary with every child in the school putting a tile on it, and had 40 kids doing a dancing routine.

She was also instrumental in starting a mini relay for life at Parkes East to give the students the opportunity to take part in the event.

Maureen Massey at a hockey photo wall in her house.

“The community support was just unbelievable. We raised about $4,000 the first time we organised it.”

Having survived two bouts of breast cancer and a melanoma herself, fundraising for cancer is another of Maureen’s passions and the mini relays became an event very close to her heart.

“I’m not retiring because of my health, I just felt it was time to bring some flexibility into my life. I’m so grateful that I can retire in good health to enjoy more gardening, making mosaics and crafty things, photography, watching my grandkids play sport and spending time with my family. I just want to be Nanny Maudie.”

Being Nanny Maudie means you still play A grade and B grade hockey with your grandkids in the same team. Hockey has played a massive role in Maureen’s life from the day she started to play when she was about nine in Peak Hill.

She was back on the hockey field three weeks after the birth of her third child, and it was once again hockey that brought some normality into her life after her first diagnosis of breast cancer at age 37. “The tears just rolled down my cheeks the first time I hit that ball after my mastectomy.”

Maureen has gone on to be selected for the NSW Masters team ten times, and has represented Australia since 2012 having won two gold medals and a bronze at three World Cup events. While COVID has derailed some overseas tournaments, Maureen is all fired up to go to the NSW state selection in Newcastle in June. “The moment you stop is when you start wondering about your future.”

Another hat Maureen has been wearing with great success is managing the Parkes Boppers Dance Troupe. “We started with a group of six dancers and it has grown to 18 with them performing five 30-minute sessions at the Parkes Leagues Club at the last festival. We will have to see what happens next year, but I know the kids are still very keen.”

She has always given everything she’s done her best. “I’ve been very fortunate with a lot of things in my life,” says the busy lady who had the special honour of being part of the Olympic and Commonwealth torch relays in 2000 and 2018 respectively.

“What you put in, you get out. I’ve had a beautiful life.”

By Maggi Barnard

Maggi Barnard

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