Maggi Barnard

The first murder from Australia’s first serial killer was committed in Yarrabandai – one of many towns and villages in the Parkes Shire that have all but disappeared.

Less than 20km away from Bogan Gate, Yarrabandai had a population of 166 people in the 1961 Census. Like other towns, sport was a key part of life and Yarrabandai had a tennis and a cricket club.

Due to the rich agricultural land, a railway station was built at Yarrabandai forming part of the Condobolin-Parkes line.

Yarrabandai had its share of adventure and misadventure, and in 1896 Yarrabandai was the site for the first murder from Australia’s first serial killer, Frank Butler.

A Norwegian man, known only as Burgess, trekked with Butler from Sydney hoping to go halves in any gold found. Burgess dug what was to be his own grave before Butler shot him in the back of the head.

Frank Butler would go on to murder at least three other men, using a similar modus operandi, but he did not venture as far west again. The other murders occurred in the Blue Mountains before he fled to Newcastle.

He caught a ship to San Francisco thinking he had eluded the law. NSW police made it to San Francisco before Butler, arresting him at the port and arranged his extradition back to Australia, where he was tried and hung at Darlinghurst Gaol.

As for adventure, Yarrabandai was the workplace and residence for one of the greatest war heroes in Australian history.

Rawdon “Ron” Middleton lived and worked at “Leewang” homestead before becoming a bomber pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force in the Second World War. His final fatal flight he displayed tremendous bravery and self-sacrifice to save his crew and he posthumously received the Victoria Cross, the first member of the RAAF to receive the award during WWII.

By Dan Fredericks

Parkes Christian School received a Federal Government grant of $800,000 that will go towards the construction of a new design and technology building.

The $1.3 million project will include a new workshop, learning areas, a storeroom and student and staff amenities.

Parkes Christian School Principal Glen Westcott said the new learning spaces would provide a raft of new opportunities for students. “Our current facilities are too small for what we need. The school has a heavy focus on the industrial arts with plenty of students looking to pursue hands-on projects as part of their senior studies.

“Having a facility where the students have a purpose-built space and equipment to undertake subjects such as engineering, timber and metals and automotive studies, will be a real benefit.

“It has been a long time in the planning and we are absolutely thrilled with this announcement.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the funding, delivered through the Capital Grants Program, would go towards the refurbishment of a science classroom into a science lab.

“This wonderful school community will be further enhanced by these improvements.

The funding announcement is one of 158 projects approved for funding under the Capital Grants Program to begin in 2021.

Australia can expect a wetter than normal summer, but bush and grass fires cannot be ruled out completely, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Summer Climate Outlook.

The outlook for summer has been issued as Australia continues to experience an active La Niña event which is expected to remain until at least the start of autumn.

The Bureau’s Head of Operational Climate Services Dr Andrew Watkins said this meant large parts of eastern Australia had an increased risk of flooding.

“Our climate outlook is the opposite of what we experienced last year in Australia. This summer, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are expected to see above average rainfall, meaning we face an increased risk of widespread floods.”

Andrew said that while the risk of bushfires was not as high as last summer, fires would occur. “There’s a great chance of grass fires in some areas as recent rain and warm weather have led to vigorous vegetation growth.”

He said the outlook was also a reminder for communities to be prepared for heatwaves over the coming months. “This summer heatwaves may not reach the extreme temperatures of recent years, but may be longer duration and more humid.”

Northern Australia remains on track for an average to slightly above-average cyclone season.