Maggi Barnard

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

Wilbur And Baldy Play At State Level

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Ron Hornery and Mal Porter in action at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club.

Wilbur Harris and Baldy Frame proudly represented themselves and the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club participating at state level in the over 40s pairs State Championships under cover on artificial greens at Raymond Terrace last Saturday.

The popular pair played terrific bowls to easily win their first match. Unfortunately, they were beaten in the next two matches. All bowlers in Parkes warmly congratulate them on this achievement.

Recycle Problem Waste For Free At New Centre

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The new Community Recycling Centre at the Parkes Waste Facility was opened by Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith (middle). On his right is manager of the waste facility Noel Smede with Parkes Shire Councillors and Parkes Shire staff members.

Disposing of problem waste will be much easier in Parkes with the opening of the first Community Recycling Centre at the Parkes Waste Facility.

The centre, established with the support of a $150,000 grant from the Environmental Trust, can be used free of charge where residents can drop off paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors, batteries and other items.

The Parkes Recycling Centre joins a network of 97 other facilities across NSW that have to date collected more than 17 thousand tonnes of problem waste.

“We know this centre will play an important role in reducing pollution and protecting the beautiful environment of Parkes and its surrounds,” said NSW EPA’s Director Circular Economy Programs, Kathy Giunta.

“Most of the items accepted at community recycling centres can be reused or recycled, helping to save water, energy and other resources.

“Lead acid batteries, for example, are sent to recyclers where the lead, acid and plastic are recovered and recycled. Gas bottles are put back into circulation and used oils can be processed to become lubricants.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith OAM said the new facility offered a permanent, free drop-off solution that will make problem waste disposal a lot easier for all Parkes Shire residents.

The Parkes Community Recycling Centre at Parkes Waste Facility at 104 Brolgan Rd is for residential customers only, and is open 8:30am – 4:30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10am – 4:30pm Saturday and Sunday, with last entry at 4:15pm on all days.

The Centre accepts household quantities (20kg or 20L) of the following problem wastes for free: water-based and oil-based paints; used motor oils and other oils; lead-acid and hand-held batteries; gas cylinders and fire extinguishers; conventional tube and compact fluorescent lamps; smoke detectors and aerosols.

For more information visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wastegrants/index.htm

A Concert In Celebration Of Lindsay Morehouse

October 14, 2022 By Ellen Tom

Musical family Lindsay, Caroline and Janice Morehouse.

The Spring Fling Festival includes a performance by Parkes Shire Concert Band on 23rd October in celebration of Lindsay Morehouse featuring local and regional musicians.

Lindsay Morehouse (1930-2022) was an accomplished musician playing in youth orchestras in his teens. He came to Parkes in 1973 as a radio engineer for 2PK and violin/ piano teacher. In 1974 he formed Sinfonia of the West and continued to conduct and play in community orchestras until he left Parkes in 2015. Lindsay established the music store and was a record label producer.

In Lindsay’s eulogy, his daughter Caroline Chapman, said: “Dad soon gathered a group of musicians and formed the Sinfonia of the West in 1974. He never wasted any time in getting orchestras going where ever he went in Australia. In the 1970s the orchestra accompanied the M & D productions. The Sinfonia continued for around five years.

“Dad was always on hand for providing PA systems for events and set up a new records label called ‘Strad Records’. The Strad came from a magazine name that they subscribed to and is of course short for Stradivarius. One of the records that dad recorded and produced was by a local band called Acid. I had a young man track me down around five years back wanting to know if I had any copies as they now sold for over $300 on eBay. Dad was amazed at this.

“When the 35th Jazz Convention came to Forbes in 1980 he undertook the sound recording for the event. In the late 1970s we spent many happy afternoons at the Lachlan Vintage Village while Dad was installing the push button audio system which told you a story about every building.

“With 2PK being sold and part of a network, Dad could see the writing on the wall, and as we had started our music shop in the old 2PK building the previous year, he decided to retire from 2PK and work full time in the shop.

“Selling musical instruments and sheet music in Parkes was always going to be a challenge. Luckily video movie rental became popular and Dad bought 60 movies; 30 for Strad Music Centre and 30 for our store in Forbes, Hawkes Music Centre which we had recently purchased. People had an insatiable appetite for watching movies at home and our library grew to 2,000 movies and we had 20 outlets around the Central West.

“Mum and Dad were not as active in the music world over this busy time, but Dad would soon gravitate back to what he loved after Mum’s untimely death starting up an orchestra once again in the Parkes Symphony. He travelled to Orange to rehearse and play in their orchestra and spent his time helping out with community pursuits such as the Lachlan Valley Community Radio station. He also started teaching violin again. His passion was to see music and the arts grow in the region.”

Lindsay encouraged everyone to enjoy music, learn or pick up the instrument again. He organised for many other orchestras and choirs to play in Parkes.

Lindsay was a trailblazer with great tenacity for promoting and sustaining music in our community. With respect, we honour him in a free community concert on Sunday, 23rd October at the Starlight Lounge at the Parkes Services Club.

Afternoon tea and coffee will be provided. Book online to RSVP at https://events.humanitix.com/spring-fling-festival-lindsay-morehouse-memorial-concert

By Ellen Tom

Our Gal – Cathy Slessor

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Cathy Slessor

Where were you born? Caringbah, NSW.

Were you named after anyone? Yes, my grandmother.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? My children.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Granville train disaster and the Bali bombing.

What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Never think you are too old to learn something new.

What’s the greatest risk you’ve ever taken? Moving to Forbes away from my family. I have been here for 35 years, and I still love living here.

What are the three things you would take to a deserted island? Plenty of food, Scotch and friends!

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? A holiday on the Ghan.

When are you happiest? Being with my grandchildren.

Home Host For Elvis

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Gail Richardson is in charge of home hosting for the Parkes Elvis Festival and Teagan Massurit has really enjoyed the experience of opening up her home to guests.

As excitement is mounting for the Parkes Elvis Festival, a call has gone out to residents in Parkes and Forbes to consider opening up their homes to festival goers to help ease the shortage of accommodation.

“We really need more people to come aboard with home hosting,” said Gail Richardson from Ray White. She has been managing home hosting for more than six years and said in the time no homes had been damaged and nothing had been stolen.

Gail assists homeowners every step of the way from giving them a checklist to marrying up the right guests with the right hosts.

She said at the moment she had a waiting list of over 200 people still looking for a place to stay. “I can understand people are still hesitant after COVID, but we had no issues this year.”

Teagan Massurit, who had done home hosting for a couple of years, said she would recommend it to anyone. “I’ve always had lovely people and they really got me involved in the festival. I never used to go to any events, but my guests asked me out with them. It is just great hearing their stories and they are so happy that it makes you happy too.”

Gail said the recommended price to charge is $90 per person per night, of which $72 goes to the howe owner. The $18 balance goes to the booking system. “Ray White has never made money and considers it a community service.”

If you would like to find out more about home hosting, contact Gail at Ray White in Parkes.

Great Results For Wethers Trial

October 14, 2022 By Liz Brown

Local volunteer shearer Andrew Calton and volunteer roustabout Karen Ross at the shearing of the PA & H wethers in June.

The Parkes PA&H trial wethers continue to be in a fantastic condition and produced massive fleeces when they were shorn in June.

They are currently running on the Neoen Solar Farm at Parkes with assistance from Matt Synett from ENcome.

Shearing went off well and many thanks to the volunteers who helped make it happen including local volunteer shearers, Kathryn Egerton-Warburton from DPI, the team from AWN Langlands Hanlon and Ostini Wool, as well as all the farmers who came on the day to help roustabout and see their teams of sheep being shorn.

A special thank you to Ken Keith and Peter Guppy who take good care of the wethers year-round, and to the Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWTA), who assisted with their free fibre testing.

Congratulations to the top three placings being the Keith, Carty and Orange families. The trial runs for one more year and will have its final shearing in May/June next year. For any enquiries, contact Graeme Ostini on 0428 650 191.

By Liz Brown

Snippets…

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The NSWRFS Yarragong Brigade safely delivered four Bedgerabong Public School teachers past floodwaters for the first day of Term 4 on Monday.

Nedd The Incredible: Forbes Shire Council staff clocked up 158.4 kilometres in support of Nedd Brockmann’s Record Run. Nedd, a Forbes local, has grabbed the attention of the whole country by doing a remarkable run from Cottesloe Beach in Perth to Sydney’s Bondi Beach – averaging 100 kilometres a day for more than 40 days. He is aiming to raise $1 million for homeless people. You can support his effort by donating to the Council effort, or follow Nedd on Instagram.

Biodiversity in Focus Competition: All students in the Parkes Shire can enter the inaugural Biodiversity in Focus photography competition. Cash prizes are up for grabs to students who submit the most creative and intriguing photos that feature native plants, fungi, animals, or vegetation assemblages found in the local government area. Entries close Wednesday, 28th October.More information on the council website.

Signage On Mobile Speed Cameras: Additional warning signs will be introduced around all mobile speed cameras across NSW. Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the government had listened to the community on this important issue. “These additional warning signs will help educate drivers in real time, giving them advanced warning to slow down at these high-risk points of our road network.”

Variety Fundraising: This month, Woolworths is encouraging Parkes and Forbes Shire customers to support the Variety Fundraising Appeal by purchasing a $2 token or rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar when they shop. Funds from this year’s appeal will go towards the Variety We Move Grant, providing life-changing mobility equipment for kids living with a disability.

Work Starts On Manildra’s Bridge: Work has started on the new $12 million bridge at Manildra on the Henry Parkes Way an important link between Orange and Parkes, to replace the existing 92-year-old bridge. About 2,000 vehicles use the bridge every day. There will be full bridge closures for up to 10 weekends in 2023 with a detour via Cudal. Transport for NSW will notify residents two weeks in advance before any closures take place. The existing bridge will be reduced to a single lane from Monday, 24th October. More information on the Transport for NSW website.

Last week, Parkes Shire Councillors helped to revegetate land around the Parkes Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and create habitat for native wildlife. A range of native species were planted, including wattles, eucalypts, dodo-naeas and casuarinas. Pictured are Michael Chambers, Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator (second back) with Mayor Ken Keith (back left) and Coun-cillors Marg Applebee and Glen Wilson at the back, and Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott and Bill Jayet in front.

Lachlan’s Water Strategy On Public Display

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

IMAGE CREDIT: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/water/plans-and-programs/regional-water-strategies/public-exhibition/lachlan-regional-water-strategy

The community is invited to have their say on the draft Lachlan Regional Water Strategy. The plan aims to deliver a reliable, sustainable and resilient water supply for towns and communities including Forbes, Parkes, Cowra and Young, and the industries that support the region’s economy, over the next two decades and beyond.

It is the second time the strategy is on public exhibition, and the community can provide feedback on the shortlisted options before 1 November.

“We worked closely with Aboriginal groups, local governments, residents, businesses, and all stakeholders to understand the Lachlan’s water challenges and needs during the first round of consultation in 2020,” said Kaia Hodge, Executive Director Water Strategy and Policy for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

“Their feedback helped refine the strategy and narrow down the options to a shortlist that will best support communities, industry and the environment and deliver a more secure water future for the Lachlan.

“The Strategy is being developed alongside two major infrastructure business cases in the region, the Wyangala Dam Wall Raising Project and the Belubula Water Security Project.

Kaia said water planning needed to support all water users, including Aboriginal communities, towns, industries and the environment, especially as we faced a drier and more variable climate and a higher demand on water resources.

“This is a strategy for the whole Lachlan which is why we want to hear your views to help finalise it.”

Due to flooding in the area public meetings have been postponed until further notice – visit the website for the most up to date information: https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/lachlan-regional-water-strategy

Women’s Bowls

October 14, 2022 By Lea Orr

A quiet day of social bowls on Tuesday, as the cream of the crop, our Grade 3 District Pennants winners motored across to Mudgee for the Regional Playoffs.

On Rink 4, a game of triples saw Kay Craft/Lynn Ryan/Maureen Baillie survive a united attack by Frances Charlton/Elaine Miller/Rosemary Mitchell, winning by 3 points.

Valmai Westcott/Gwenda Carty won their game of pairs by just one point on the final end against Julie Green/Lea Orr.

Our Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival is on 1st November!

By Lea Orr

Be Seen

October 14, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The petfood factory in Parkes, Pet Care Kitchen, commissioned art works from Wiradjuri artists in Parkes. Amber Jordan Brown (left) and Torin Hando worked on a sculpture that will be placed at the entrance, and Irene Ridgeway (right) did the painting called ‘Colours of my Country’. The painting was done in colours of the local environment and the patterns represent Wiradjuri markings.

The Parkes Elvis Festival not only celebrates its 30th anniversary next year, but making it more significant is the fact that the current Festival Director is Tiffany Steel, whose parents Bob and Anne founded the festival. Bob and Anne came up with the idea after celebrating a birthday party for a friend at Graceland and she was a fan of Elvis music. Someone said they should have an Elvis music night and Anne said: “Why don’t we do it next January on Elvis’s birthday? They asked Eddie Youngblood, the only Elvis Tribute Artist at the time, and that became the very first Elvis Festival.

Maggi Barnard

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