Maggi Barnard

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

100 Businesses Join Free Cuppa Scheme

March 5, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

All travelling drivers are entitled to a free cuppa from 1st March to 31st May across NSW.

In its 11th year of the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme, 17 local businesses in the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council areas have signed up for the campaign to help fight driver fatigue

These local businesses joined over 100 businesses across NSW from 1st March offering a free cup of tea or coffee to any driver who is more than 100kms away from home. The campaign runs until 31st May.

Since 2010, over 25,000 free cuppas have been given away, while fatigue-related crashes have fallen by 19% across NSW.

The scheme is an initiative of 17 regional council areas in NSW in partnership with Transport for NSW. This year, the scheme welcomed Wentworth, Mid-Western, Cootamundra-Gundagai and the Blue Mountains shires for the first time.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor said the second biggest killer on NSW roads was tired drivers.

“Free Cuppas are available from a broad range of businesses with varied opening hours, making regular breaks and free cup-pas more accessible than ever.”

The local businesses for 2021 are: ALBERT – The Rabbit Trap Hotel; BOGAN GATE – The Railway Hotel; CONDOBOLIN – Bowser Bean Café, Condobolin RSL Club; FORBES – Commercial Hotel, Forbes Bakehouse, Forbes Inn Hotel Motel, Isabel’s Place, Shell Forbes, Subway – Forbes; LAKE CARGELLIGO – Fisho’s Takeaway and Hotbake; PARKES – Parkes Coffee Pot, Pink Orchid Café + Florist, Smeaton’s Bakehouse; TULLAMORE – BP Tullamore, Casho’s; TULLIBIGEAL – Tulli-cafe

Go to freecuppa.com.au to search for the nearest participating business as well as other useful information, or follow the Facebook page to keep up to date on the scheme and the participating businesses.

No More Struggles With Sleep

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Maryann is a sleep consultant located in Parkes. She supports children from birth to five years to get the best possible sleep they can. Her support to families include writing personalised plans that are suited to their parenting style and the child’s temperament. Maryann believes there is no one solution and each family and child has individual needs. The personalised plans take a holistic approach. They include feeding, nutrition, sleep environment, sleep associations, routines, night-time needs and much more.

Maryann is excited to offer in home consultations to families in the central west, saving families trips to Sydney or Canberra. She also offers phone and email consultations. She has supported families across the world from the UK, USA, Germany, to the Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and all over NSW.

To book a consultation with Maryann to to her website www.littlezzzsleepconsultant.com.au or give her a call on 0400 319 626.

Young Reporter Writes Own Newsletter

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

An English assignment has turned into a passion for twelve-year-old Rebekah Knowling making her Parkes’s youngest news reporter.

Last week she published the eighth issue of HS News, a newsletter she writes every two weeks for the home school community in Parkes.

“People have started asking me for the newsletter,” said Rebekah, who has also learned to use Publisher to get her newsletter print ready. “I like seeing other kids read it, it makes me happy.”

Rebekah said she tried to cover different topics that would interest kids. “I like to write about stuff kids will like and that will make them smile.”

She also includes upcoming events, and is currently running a competition to design a logo for the home school group. She has roped in her talented brother Samuel to do a cartoon strip in every issue.

“It is a struggle sometimes to think of what to put in the newsletter. That is why I’ve decided to create a special email address and ask my readers to contribute to the paper or send me items they would like to see in the paper.”

Mum and teacher, Leah Knowling said Rebekah was not very fond of English and writing, so she decided to give her the assignment of compiling a newsletter. “It just took off, and now she is really into it, and her spelling and writing have improved in leaps and bounds.”

Rebekah, who has set her sights on becoming and anime animator one day, now even considers journalism as an alternative. “I try to do a professional job although I am still a kid.”

With some valuable input from mum’s journalism experience, Rebekah’s HS News is surely looking good! “I don’t intend to give up on this very soon!”

Honour Roll Shines Light On Hidden Treasures In Our Community

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

TREASURES UNEARTHED… On Wednesday Phil Donato MP recognised Judi Unger (left) and Margaret Haddin (right) for their inclusion in the 2020 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

We do not always know about the hidden treasures in our community, but on Wednesday two local women were recognised for their outstanding volunteer work.

Margaret Haddin from Parkes and Judi Unger from Peak Hill received awards from Member for Orange Philip Donato MP in recognition of their inclusion in the 2020 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll with 102 other rural women.

Hidden Treasures is an initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Rural Women’s Network. The aim of the program is to formally recognise and thank inspiring rural women volunteers within NSW rural, regional and remote communities.

“The Hidden Treasures award recognises the women volunteers who really go ‘above and beyond’ in what they do for the local community,” Phil said.

“These women ensure the viability of several important community groups and charities; without their contribution many local initiatives we take for granted would just not be possible.

“It’s an honour to be able to celebrate women volunteers who give so much of their own time, effort and dedication to their community.”

Phil thanked them for their invaluable contribution and said: “Our region is incredibly grateful for all that you do.”

Support from family members is vital to being able to volunteer in a community as the two local hidden treasure candidates in the Parkes Shire have demonstrated. They were joined by their husbands at the ceremony on Wednesday. (L-R) are Ray and Judy Unger, Phil Donato MP and Margaret and Rob Haddin.

Margaret thanked her husband Robert for his support over the years, Marg Applebee for nominating her and the Parkes community for their support. She said the nomination came as a big surprise and that it felt good to be acknowledged.

Judi said she was very grateful for the nomination, but felt there were so many more deserving women who should be nominated. “The older you get, the more time you have to give to projects. When you are in a small community, there are not so many people with expert knowledge to help out.”

Margaret Haddin biography:
Margaret grew up in South Sydney, and move to Parkes in 1979 with her husband Rob to establish an engineering business and raise four children. She has contributed her time to Landcare, both locally and regionally over the past 10 years. Four years ago she joined the committee for Parkes Meals on Wheels, once again contributing her time and skills. She is still contributing endless hours each week to Landcare and Meals on Wheels. Margaret has been an active member of the Parkes community for more than 30 years, volunteering her time and knowledge.

Judi Unger biography:
Judi’s passion for empowering people in rural communities was nurtured during her formative years on the family farm east of Peak Hill. She chose teaching as a career, and when she retired as deputy principal at Parkes Public School in 2012, she left a legacy of personally created and innovative teaching resources and programs, which are still being adopted throughout the state. In the mid 1980s Judi and her husband Ray be-gan to convert their conventional farm north-west of Peak Hill to an Australian certified organic biodynamic broadacre enterprise. They now host annual workshops and field days to share their journey and knowledge. She is serving on the Board of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia while studying organic and biodynamic farming. Judi’s passion is to support women in agriculture. She also uses her photographic skills to promote arts and crafts and tourism.

Anzac Day To Go Ahead

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The NSW Returned Services League (RSL) of Australia announced that ceremonies for Anzac Day in the Parkes Shire would be able to go ahead this year.

Local Parkes RSL Sub-Branch Secretary Paul Thomas said this was a great result and example of how RSL NSW works with state and federal governments to improve outcomes for veterans and their families.

The Parkes Sub-Branch confirmed the special guest of honour would be Air Vice Marshall (Rtd) Leigh Gordon OAM, AM. Leigh is a former local who completed his schooling at Parkes High School. He commenced an engineering degree at the Goo-bang Shire Council before joining the Royal Australian Air Force. Leigh will also visit the Parkes High School to address students.

Highlights of his career include Head of Aerospace Systems Division in the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) in August, 2013 and Head of the Joint Strike Fighter Project delivering the fifth generation F-35A Lightning II to the RAAF.

Leigh was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) this year for his distinguished service in responsible positions in acquisition and sustainment of aerospace systems for the Australian Defence Force, following his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2015.

This year’s Anzac Day is significant with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force and the contribution of Parkes with personnel including Air Marshall Leslie Bruce Fisher, who was the Chief of the RAAF for four years. Both Leigh Gordon and Osborne rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshall. Parkes also produced Flight Officer Rawdon Middleton, a Victoria Cross recipient, and Pilot Officer Colin Francis Hendry, a Distinguished Flying Cross awardee.

The Programme of Events for the Anzac Day celebration will include all the traditional items, as well as the announcement of the winners of the Anzac Biscuit Cooking competition.

Snippets…

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The revised completion date for the rehabilitation of Cheney Park is now the end of March.

Cheney Park Rehabilitation: The revised completion date for the rehabilitation of Cheney Park is now the end of March due to higher than average rainfall events early this year. The park is experiencing issues with high salt levels which is causing the playing field to be scalded. Parkes Shire Council engaged soil specialists and drainage designers to develop solutions to mitigate future instances of the salt scalding. The work includes the bulk removal of the salt affected soil and rebuilding of the area, the installation of sub-surface slit drains and the installation of new turf on the playing surface.

Free Community Meal Returns: The Uniting Church is starting the free Monday Monthly Meal again on 1st March from 6 to 7pm at the Uniting Church Hall. The popular community event has been shelved for the past year. The restart will be conducted in a COVID-safe environment with volunteers abiding to all regulations. A church member has done a restaurant COVID safe course to ensure the event is conducted according to the latest rules.

Call For Art Entries: The Cowra Art Group will be presenting the Lachlan Valley Biennial Art Awards in the Cowra Regional Art Gallery from 20th May to 12th June. The Group are calling for entries from artists within 100km of Cowra to enter. The major prize is $4,000, plus $1,000 for the Barbara Bennett Memorial People’s Choice award to be decided by popular vote. Entries close Friday, 30th April. Contact the coordinator on 0498 249 580 or email p.mlindsay@bigpond.com.

Trimming Trees: Essential Energy will begin vegetation management in Parkes and surrounding area in early March as part of its routine maintenance. Trees and powerlines can be a deadly combination, with branches coming into contact with over-head powerlines posing a serious hazard to people and wildlife. Essential Energy consults with councils, private landholders and National Parks on vegetation management activities.

Epic Long Lunch Is Back: Grazing Down the Lachlan will draw upon local history during the gold rush era for inspiration for this year’s menu. Renowned Sydney chef O Tama Carey is returning as creative director and will incorporate ideas of Chinese dishes found in regional restaurants of Australia with touches of native ingredients and flavours. The multi-award winning foodie adventure returns to Forbes on Saturday, 18th September. Ticket numbers have been capped at 500 – sign up to the e-newsletter at www.grazingdownthelachlan.com for information on tickets.

Sydney chef O Tama Carey is returning as creative director for Grazing Down the Lachlan.

The Parkes Phoenix Available On Multiple Media Sources

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The ban by Facebook last Thursday of all Australian news content, meant The Parkes Phoenix news stories were cut off from a large percentage of our readership.

Fortunately for us the ban did not last too long and our page was restored late Tuesday afternoon.

While we are back to business as usual for the time being, we would like to remind you that we are accessible on various other media sources like Instagram and email, and of course our website.

So if you want to make sure you can always find our stories online keep the following in mind, and as a backup, we would recommend you sign up for our email service to receive the paper in your inbox every Friday morning.

Simply go to our website (www.parkesphoenix.com.au) and scroll to the bottom of the page to subscribe. You can also follow us on Instragram (theparkesphoenix).

You can always pick up a copy of the paper every Friday around town at all the supermarkets and various other businesses.

Home School Group Light Up Students’ Lives

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

It is amazing how much educational value there is in the building of a solar light as a group of home schoolers discovered in Parkes this week.

The local home school community joined the SolarBuddy project on Wednesday putting together 25 solar lights for kids in energy poor countries.

Leah Knowling, who organised the structured activity for the group’s regular Wednesday get together at Lions Park, said when the Home Education Association called for participants in the project, she liked the idea of getting the Parkes group involved.

On Wednesday children from aged 7 to 15 sat down to assemble the lights that will possibly be send to Cambodia. To finish off the project, each participant wrote a letter to the child who will be using the solar light.

Leah said SolarBuddy would send them a video showing the kids when they open up their lights for the first time, and they would be getting return letters as well.

“It was fun doing it,” said Ayrton Fowler (14). “We read up about the Afar people in Ethiopia this morning. As they are nomads, these lights would be very useful to them.”

Carmel Kelly (11) said the lights would be good for kids who wanted to study at night. “I enjoyed being able to help them, and I learned about technology.”

Leah said the activity was not only a great STEM exercise, but included some history, geography and English, while the kids also learned about the importance of kindness. “It is a fantastic exercise and I would encourage all schools to get involved.”

SolarBuddy is an Australian charity with a big dream to gift six million solar lights to children living in energy poverty by 2030, to help them to study after dusk and improve their education outcomes.

What do you think of the Hidden Treasures Program giving recognition to outstanding women in local communities?

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Ray Unger: It’s a good way of giving accolades to women who would not otherwise get recognition. People do a lot of work behind the scenes, and often the community does not know about it. This program helps to highlight how important volunteers are and that communities would not function without them.

Wendy Morris: It is a fantastic program. I’ve supported it for many years and have nominated several women. These women display loyalty to their families and communities to ensure the best for them. I really admire such loyalty. It is also good to see women acknowledged, that is why the words ‘hidden treasure’ is so applicable. I would really encourage people to nominate women. They keep our communities together and ensure services are provided equitably.

Pam Bell: It is an excellent way to recognise people who are the backbone of our community. People never look for recognition, but it is important to let the community know who holds them together. These women often don’t realise how much they do.

Welcome To Our Paper

February 26, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Phoenix has a new face in our advertising sales position. We welcomed Zoe Smith to our camp last week and we would like to introduce her to our readers today.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the bush – in the tiny town of Wilton, near Picton, about 1.5 hours south of Sydney.

What did you do before joining the Parkes Phoenix? I was building my house and working on my farm, until I broke my wrist and ruptured a thumb tendon! Now I’m on light duties, which is a nice change really.

What do you enjoy about your job? I love meeting people, and connecting with the community. I’ve only been in the Central West for 2.5 years, so getting to know everyone is important to me.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love a long ride on my motorbike in summer, gardening and cooking in winter.

What is on your bucket list? I would love to travel the world more, but at the moment I would just be quite happy with a quick trip to the coast!

What makes you laugh the most? My son’s sense of humour – he cracks me up – always has.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? A day spa in Thailand with my kids would be great. We all need a beach and a massage right now.

Do you have a message for the Parkes Phoenix readers? Please call me if you have any questions about advertising in the Phoenix. I’m friendly, I love my job and I’m keen to help. We don’t work on commission – so I’m not pushy!

Maggi Barnard

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