Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Special Activation Precinct is destined to become an eco-industrial park as an Australian first in a collaboration with Australia’s national science agency.

The Plastics Mission of the CSIRO is a major research program using science and technology to address Australia’s plastics waste issue while at the same time supporting the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation on a program of long-term engagement in the NSW Special Activation Precincts in Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Moree, Snowy Mountains and Williamtown.

Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation, responsible for delivering the Parkes precinct, has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with CSIRO to collaborate on the development of missions which bring government, industry and research together around large scale research initiatives.

“This includes the mission to end plastic waste by reinventing the way plastic is made, processed and recycled,” CEO Brendan Nelson told The Parkes Phoenix.

“The dedicated resource recovery and re-cycling sub-precinct identified in the Parkes master plan will capitalise on Parkes’ location to receive and re-process waste and resources, championing circular economy principles as part of an Australian-first eco-industrial park.”

Brendan said the Parkes Special Activation Precinct would play a central role in responding to Australia’s long-term recycling programs. “Parkes is located at the junction of the Australian rail network and the Newell Highway and can access 80% of the Australian population within 12 hours. The Parkes precinct is in early construction stage and specific developments will be submitted for approval by the corporation as delivery progresses.”

The 4,800ha Parkes Special Activation Precinct supports circular economy principles and sustainability. The CSIRO said in a statement that its collaboration with the NSW Government, as well as NSW universities and industry in these Precincts would assist to accelerate NSW economic recovery by creating future industries and highly skilled jobs.

Each year, 90 billion tonnes of primary materials are extracted and used globally for plastics. Only nine per cent is recycled, with economic, social, environmental and health impacts. Australia generates an estimated 67 million tonnes of waste every year.

“Rethinking plastic packaging is just one way of reducing waste, through better de-sign, materials and logistics. We can also transform the way we use, manufacture and recycle plastics by creating new products and more value for plastics,” said CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Dr Denise Hardesty.

New solutions under development include plastics detection using artificial intelligence, implementing and optimising waste monitoring systems, and establishing recy- cling standards and best practices to reduce contamination.

“With a pending export ban for Australian waste, the time is now to address the plastic waste problem,” said Director Strategy Energy and Research for Chemistry Australia Peter Bury.

“Leading science will help establish standards to ensure product security and inform decision-making.

“Leveraging the capability of industry for plastic products at their end of life will also generate new types of products and design, and help build new industries and jobs across a range of sectors.”

Well-known local and the only surviving male World War II veteran in Parkes received a medal from the Deputy Prime Minister last Friday.

98-year-old Thomas Forrester received a visit from Michael McCormack in the garden at Niola Care Centre. He was presented with a special medal and letter of congratulations for the 75th anniversary of WWII in the Pacific.

All surviving WWII veterans were given medals by the Australian Government on the 75th anniversary celebrated in August this year.

Thomas, who led the annual Anzac march last year escorted by his daughter Narelle in a wheelchair, was born in Forbes on 21st February 1922. He served approximately four years in the Australian Army during which time he was with the 2nd AIF in the 2/3 Australian Infantry Battalion and was in New Guinea on overseas active service for some 14 months.

A first ever win at the NSW Band Championships has made it a very special year for the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) despite all the disappointments of not being able to perform at community events.

The band started rehearsing again in October after the COVID lockdown, and decided to enter the NSW Band Championships for the very first time. All entries had to be videoed due to COVID restrictions. The competition took place on Saturday, 14th November and the PSCB won the D Section Hymn category playing St Clement. They competed against four other bands.

“We are very pleased with the win, and thank our music director Duncan Clement for all the organisation that was required,” said Publicity Officer, Ellen Tom. During the COVID lockdown the band managed to keep in touch and continued to play with Duncan arranging rehearsals via zoom.

“We had ‘two lounge room concerts’,” said Elly. “Duncan emailed out the music and each member recorded their part and sent it to Duncan, who put the music tracks together.” The videos of the band playing Aladdin and Titanic can be seen on the PSCB Facebook page.

PSCB will be performing at the Arts Revival Festival on 19th December. New members are always welcome – rehearsal times are Tuesdays from 7 to 9pm. Contact Duncan on 0405 035 164.

By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Shire Food Service, also known as Meals on Wheels received fund- ing of $10,000 on Tuesday from Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP.

The funding comes from the 2019 Community Building Partnership Program and will go towards the purchase of essential items, including an electronic whiteboard, iPads and a laptop for the efficient running of this vital community service delivering more than 600 meals per week to people at their homes.

“This funding will help equip this wonderful charity group with the technology they need to continue to efficiently run their vital services, which are a benefit to so many including the most vulnerable in the community.”

“I cannot stress enough how happy I am to have been able to put my support behind this very important funding, especially during this most difficult year when you had to cope with COVID covering such a big area,” said Phil.

“We really appreciate the funding,” said Meals on Wheels Chair Carolyn Rice. She said the charity would really like to see young people step up as volunteers to help deliver meals. About 75% of their volunteers are over 70 years; and 30% over 80 years.

It’s small and cosy with a fantastic selection of books and collectables to cater for eclectic and quirky tastes.

Idlers Den is the latest addition to the main street shopping strip and is definitely worth a visit.

After two years in Parkes owner Candy Jubb decided to take the leap and unlock the potential of 239 Clarinda Street filling one wall with book shelves and turning the opposite wall into a small gallery for local art.

Candy is not only a book lover, but has a dedication to search for books (even signed ones) and items not found in other shops. Her book collection covers all genres and ages. She is working on building a good indigenous and Wiradjuri collection, while there’s been a demand already for cult and witchcraft collectables. Harry Potter fans will be happy to know there are some Nimbus 2000 models available, and Dr Who fans did not waste time discovering Idlers Den.

“My Dr Who books have just about all gone out the door,” said Candy.

Definitely a shop to put on your shopping list – take the whole family, there is even a dad’s chair in case the outing turns into a marathon!

In the absence of many of our traditional community Christmas events this year, members of a literacy movement have created a wonderful idea for families.

PAINT THE TOWN REaD produced an advent calendar with a rhyme or song for each day that will not only encourage families to spend more time together, but will also create anticipation and excitement in the lead up to Christmas.

PAINT THE TOWN REaD was born in Parkes in 1997 and has since reached 84 communities in five states. The calendar was sent to all the communities with an invite to choose a day and create a short recording of that day’s song or rhyme.

The first 24 communities to respond will be included on the group’s Facebook page. PAINT PARKES REaD will feature on 11th December with a production prepared by the Parkes coordinator Shonel Redfern. Parkes will feature a second time with Rhonda Brain, a founding member of PAINT THE TOWN REaD, featuring on 5th December.

The very first presentation on 1st December will be the patron of PAINT THE TOWN REaD, her excellency Linda Hurley, wife of the Governor General.

Advent calendars will be available at the Parkes Library and preschools for families to display and follow at home every day.

The literacy movement was started in response to a growing number of children entering school with language delay. First known as Birth to Kindergarten-Spread the Word, PAINT THE TOWN REaD is a huge, creative and fun-filled, awareness-raising campaign across the whole community of the vital importance of a language-rich environment right from birth. The Annual Community Reading Day gets all schools involved and is a celebration of literacy in a fun way.

So, this year make sure to let your kids enjoy their advent treat while singing a song or reciting a rhyme to build up the excitement over 25 days until Christmas!