Maggi Barnard

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

Shopping Spree

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

CRAFT CORNER: CUSTOMER PROFILE

Sal MacKean

Are you a Parkes resident? Yes I have lived here for five years. I am from Cornwall England and I will be returning there in the very near future

How did you come across Craft Corner. Was it on Facebook? Not facebook. When I first arrived in Parkes I wandered around central Parkes getting familiar with what shops were around and that’s when Craft Corner caught my eye.

What keeps you coming back? Is it the staff, the goods, quality of the crafts? Lovely original crafts, great gift ideas and accessories. Prices are reasonable and the quality is wonderful. I send a lot of what I buy back to England. The ladies who work in the shop are always pleasant and helpful.

Is there any particular item you are interested in? I love the sun catchers. They are the best.

Is there a particular age group you shop for? All and sundry. No particular age.

Is there anything Craft Corner could do to improve their service? No.

What would you say keeps you coming back? I love the quality of the goods.

Would you recommend Craft Corner to friends and family? A very big yes. I am a happy, satisfied customer.

One Giant Step For Culture In Parkes

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

NEW CHAPTER… Kerryn Jones, Parkes Shire Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services (middle) with her staff (L-R) Emma Brown, Dan Fredericks, Claire Cassell, Debbie Gould, Ainslee Austin and Gillian Madden.

The Parkes community has a new facility that is not only beautiful, but should make us all feel very proud.

This is the vision of Kerryn Jones, Parkes Shire Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services for the newly renovated and architecturally designed Parkes Library opening its doors to the public on Monday.

“We are really proud of the new space and strongly encourage our community, members or not, to come and check out this beautiful space and discover our new features.”

The $2.2 million expansion created indoor and outdoor areas in an innovative and modern expansion to deliver new dynamic art, cultural and education spaces including a Makerspace Studio.

There are also new meeting rooms, additional space for children’s programs, quiet
study spaces, and places to connect with technology.

“This project is a result of years of community consultation and feedback. More than 100 groups and organisations helped develop the concepts providing access to art and cultural experiences that are currently not available to our community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Kerryn is very excited about the potential of developing it into a cultural centre. “With the Little Theatre across the road, and the new multi-purpose centre being built in Cooke Park, we will have a whole cultural precinct.”

Parkes Library staff members were equally happy to be ‘home’ starting a ‘new chapter’ in such a beautiful space, while members of the public commented on how lucky Parkes is to have such an awesome space.

Capture Spring

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Spring continues to bring colour and beauty into our lives every day. You have only two weeks left to send us your favourite photos to enter our Spring Photo Competition and stand a chance to win a $50 gift certificate from Ivey Lane Photography. Enter on Facebook or email to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au Sharon Woods sent us this entry.

Olympic Memories Part 4: Phenomenal To Compete On Home Soil

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes hockey player and three times Olympian Stephen Davies at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games scoring a goal for the bronze medal. Right: Stephen looks the part on the hockey field as a four-year-old in Parkes. (Photos: History Parkes)

Going to the Olympics is a dream come true for athletes, and being able to take part in your home country is the ultimate.

It was his third Games, but the 2000 Sydney Olympics stands out for Parkes hockey star Stephen Davies as the absolute highlight of his career.

“It was a completely different feel to compete in your home country,” Stephen told The Parkes Phoenix from Perth. “To have the people I grew up with and the people who helped me in my career come to the Games was just stunning.”

The phenomenal experience started in Parkes about a month before the Games with the torch relay through town when Stephen led the parade in a chariot. “The support from the people in Parkes lining the streets and at Pioneer Oval was the most memorable part. The community spirit really shone through. It meant so much to me.” (The local support for Stephen was already on show eight years earlier when crowds gathered on 19th September 1992 for a street parade and civic reception for the first Olympian from Parkes in nearly 40 years.)

He said to have so many Parkes supporters at the Games, the biggest sporting event ever held in Australia, was just incredible. “When we did our warm-up on the field before a match, people would yell out and I had time to spot family and friends in the crowd.” He said there was usually a small window of opportunity after cool down for a quick catch-up too.

It was the only Games Stephen’s parents were able to attend, which made it even more special. “I was able to show them the athlete’s village.”

For Stephen, who became known as the Maradona of hockey having scored 140 goals in more than 274 games in green and gold, the memories of playing hockey at Cheney Park are still very vivid.

“I clearly remember Saturday mornings and the fields filled with people, the whistles blowing, announcements being made, parents supporting their kids… we would go home for lunch and go back in the afternoon to watch the seniors play. The friendships you made were the best.” (When Stephen grew up in Parkes all the hockey fields were grass only. The first turf field was unveiled on the eve of Stephen’s announcement as Parkes’s first ever hockey Olympian. The field was later named Stephen Davies Field.)

While Stephen no longer plays hockey having retired after the Sydney Olympics, he will probably never ‘escape’ it. He has since gone into serious coaching and went to the Rio and London Olympics with the women’s hockey team, he is the West Australian men’s senior coach, coaches at club level and also runs his own academy.

He is very keen to return to Parkes to do some coaching. “I would love to do it. We just have to wait for travel restrictions to be lifted.” In the mean time he stays in touch with two other Parkes hockey stars, Mariah Williams and Kurt Lovett, who are both based in Perth at the moment.

With both his kids playing hockey, Stephen still enjoys going to practise days, to watch the first-grade matches and to catch up with hockey friends.

“No matter whether you chase your dreams or whether you just want to play, the most important part is to never forget you play to have fun. “When you play community sport you are part of a club and a community and part of something bigger than yourself, and that is what it is all about.”

By Maggi Barnard

The Magic Of Grandpa’s Farm

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Alan Robinson with the two books he wrote and illustrated.

In our world dominated by technology it can be hard sharing farm life experiences with young children.

Alan Robinson has created a children’s book series of a city boy called Matt who visits his Grandpa’s farm in school holidays. A Spring Day deals with sheep shearing and A Summer’s Day describes the work of grain harvesting and the threat of bush fire.

Alan grew up on a farm near Young and after working the farm with his father for six years, moved to the city. Alan’s wife Sharyn is originally from Parkes.

One reviewer, who grew up on a farm, said: “A Spring Day brought back memories of the smell of lanoline, dust and grease and the angry buzz of the shears and the clatter of sheep’s hooves on the board.”

The books are written in verse and the illustrations are from scenes in the Young, Parkes and Orange regions.

Alan and Sharyn live in Orange in retirement but frequently visit family members in Parkes.

Books three and four: Grandpa’s Farm: An Autumn Day and Grandpa’s Farm; A Winters Day will be available early in 2021 to complete the series.

The books are available at Parkes Visitors and Information Centre and Parkes News and Gifts.

Be Seen

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Rebecca Warren came to the first story time in the newly opened Parkes Library on Wednesday with Tom and Claire.

Family Day Carer Joanne Thomson brought Jayden (left), Raine and Lorde on her lap and Alfie to story time.

Special guest reader at story time on Wednesday was Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton with story time presenter Emma Brown.

Women’s Bowls

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Thirty ladies rocked up to play, mark or umpire our fancied sport on a perfect spring- time morning this week.

The first round of the Minor Singles saw Carol Reed defeat Laurie Keane, 25-17. Lorraine Baker defeated Lynn Ryan, 25-21, and Jan McPhee defeated Maureen Miller, 25-20.

The next round will see Carol play Jan on Tuesday, with the winner to play Lorraine in the final.

Any old bowls uniforms will be gladly accepted by the committee to be sent to people less fortunate.

Membership fees are due by the end of the month: $89 pens, $109 full, payable at the bar, cards accepted.

Twilight Bowls Competition has begun on Thursday nights. Make up a team of 3 and join from 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

Nominations for Minor Pairs are now open. Nominations close 3rd November.

President’s Day Mini Carnival is on 27th October. Mufti dress is Bright & Bizarre! Nominate by Tuesday, 20th.

Special date: the weekend of 14/15 Nov is the club’s 100th Anniversary! Sensational spectator bowls on the Saturday as our men contend with invited teams! Bowls for everyone on Sunday.

By Lea Orr

Our Bloke – David Bicket

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes? Basically all of my life so far.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? Self-employed public accountant. I also own a farm with my brother. Helping my clients through the complex environment that we are facing does derive a deal of satisfaction. All days provide a great deal of variety.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Travel, very much enjoy walking, driving and flying.

What makes you proud? My family. They are fun to spend time with.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? A falcon. Majestic, they display speed and effortlessness in the way that they fly.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Jason Bourne movies, the storylines are interesting and the action is unrelenting. Music: Nightwish, Evanescence and Rammstein. I have seen Evanescence and would love to see Nightwish and Rammstein in concert.

Tell us about your best holiday. Went with my family for three weeks to Canada for a driving holiday through British Columbia and Alberta. The scenery and wildlife were very impressive, many bears.

What is on your bucket list? To travel more, although it may be a while before going overseas is possible.

Holiday Makers Love The Dish

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Many NSW residents took the opportunity to explore their own state over the school holidays with over 10,000 people visiting the Parkes Radio Telescope.

Thousands of visitors streamed through our town during the school holidays as NSW residents explored more of their own state under current COVID restrictions.

The Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor’s Centre welcomed just over 10,000 visitors over the two weeks making it an extremely busy time. “These holidays felt a lot busier with so many families travelling,” said Tricia Trim, Visitor Centre Coordinator.

After being closed for three months earlier in the year, it was a pleasant surprise.

“Visitors came from all parts of NSW,” Tricia said. Owner of The Dish Café Craig Smith said he was really busy too with most people coming from Sydney, Wollongong and the Northern beaches. “Everyone I spoke to were excited about visiting the Central West and loving it!”

Tricia said they received some lovely comments about how beautiful it is out here. The Visitor’s Centre had to increase its daily staff numbers to ensure the safety of every visitor under current COVID regulations with social distancing in place, contact tracing, and hand sanitising. “In addition, we cleaned all contact surfaces,” said Tricia.

While the extra pressure, and a long queue of people waiting outside to enter, kept the staff on their toes every day, Tricia said: “It was really wonderful to be open again these holidays and to welcome so many first-time visitors to The Dish.”

Snippets…

October 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Cr Pat Smith (with flowers) was recognised for her 13 years of services at at the Parkes/Forbes Community Housing Inc as treasurer. With Pat are (L-R) Cr Bill Jayet, Cr Graeme Miller, Margaret Robinson and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.

$1.2 Million For Infrastructure: Parkes Shire Council will receive an extra $1,281,760 under an extension of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program as part of the 2020 Budget, bringing the total funding to more than $2.6 million. “Local councils understand the immediate needs in their communities which is why this money is so important to support local jobs and local businesses in Parkes and the wider region,” said member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

2020 Vision: Eye checks for children at the age of four years are essential for the early identification and treatment of vision problems and to reduce the likelihood of permanent vision loss. NSW was first to implement universal screening for preschoolers – the Statewide Eyesight Preschooler Screening (StEPS) program. Western NSW LHD StEPS Coordinator Sandy Ford said early screening led to optimal vision. “It is critical that this screening is provided to four-year- olds before they start school.” Free screening is available to all four-year-old children. StEPS screeners visit preschools and long day care centres, and children who do not attend centres or are in home care can also access the free service. Find out how by visiting https://wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/our-services/paediatric-services. Families can also ask their GP to test their child’s vision or refer their child to an eye health professional.

Culture Maps Central NSW: An exciting new resource was recently launched by Arts OutWest, in partnership with RDA Central West and the Central NSW Joint Organisation of Councils. As an interactive online map, the culture maps feature 400 pinned places, including museums, galleries and artist studios, heritage sites and trails, places to shop for handmade things, Aboriginal cultural places and experiences, and for the first time – a comprehensive regional map of public art. The maps are themed so you can search by category or location within the Central NSW region that includes the Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin Local Government Areas.

COVID-19 Testing: Book a COVID-19 test if you have, or recently had: fever, short- ness of breath, sore throat, and cough. Contact the Parkes COVID-19 testing clinic by calling 6861 2455 between 7:30am and 4pm Monday to Friday. For any concerns outside these hours call Healthdirect 1800 022 222, Western Public Health Helpline 1300 066 055 or Emergencies 000.

Maggi Barnard

Sal MacKean

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