Maggi Barnard

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

Return Of A Beautiful Curse

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Paterson’s Curse is abundant after the good rains.

The beautiful purple hue appearing in paddocks everywhere might remind you of the picturesque lavender fields of Provence in France. However, this local version must not be mistaken for such.

Echium Plantagineum, commonly known as Paterson’s Curse, Riverina Bluebell or Purple Viper’s-Bugloss, is an invasive weed that is extremely harmful to livestock. Rumoured to have been named after the Paterson family of Cumberoona, NSW who planted it in their garden in the 1880s.

The weed’s poisoning symptoms range from loss of appetite, abdominal swelling, weight loss, diarrhea, constipation and sleepiness to death due to liver damage.

While livestock tend to ignore Paterson’s Curse, contaminated hay bales or feed is more often to blame for the consumption of this toxic weed. In 1988 and 1994, the CSIRO released moths, root weevils, flea beetles and two more types of beetles in South Australia which is said to have significantly contributed to the decline in the abundance of the weed. In human’s the plant can cause skin irritation, so give this smiling assassin a wide-berth when you come across it.

By Alexandria Irvine

Our Gal – Lea Orr

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Lea Orr

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? 1981 saw me settle in Parkes. Up until then, as part of a banking family, and with transfers in teaching, I had lived in eleven towns (and 14 houses)! My hubby, Bruce, is a third-generation farmer at Gunningbland. Next year, we’ll celebrate our 40th anniversary, and that’s what I love about the place – our huge, close, caring, forever friendship base!

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m a retired teacher, love retirement – I recommend it!

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy reading, playing lawn bowls, fishing, gardening and walking. I love my Friday coffee gals, they are a Godsend, especially during this COVID year.

What makes you proud? Naturally, I’m extremely proud of three capable, independent, likeable young adults out there who began life as our children on the farm! I’m also very patriotic and proud to be an Aussie.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Wouldn’t it be cool to be a bird, with the freedom of flight (but only in fine weather!)

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? I sing along to 70s music in the car – you can understand the words and remember them after almost 50 years! Love to read a good mystery novel, anything by Nora Roberts! Ah, a cuppa and a good book, sitting in the sun!

Tell us about your best holiday. Visiting Egypt, including a Nile cruise, was pretty special. Within Australia, going heli-fishing on the Gulf and catching my first barramundi last year was amazing!

What is on your bucket list? Main plan is to achieve a smooth transition to living in town next year! See more of Australia, enjoy some caravanning. Enjoy time with our two grand kiddies when the family is able to return from the craziness of NYC during COVID. Maybe visit France and pay our respects to my great uncle and others resting there.

What is your favourite thing about springtime?

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Kalvin Dargin: I love going to the pool and I like to see the leaves come back and the flowers bloom.

Tyson Gustowski: My favourite thing is that we can play football on the weekend and at school. I like all the flowers that come out in spring.

Kyanna Dargin: In spring I like to hear the birds singing and see the butterflies and the bees flying around in the nice warm sun and the warm wind.

Jason Nielsen: Spring is the best because you get good sunshine and the leaves grow to give you shade in the heat.

Want To Know The Value Of Your Home?

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Our local property market is certainly very interesting at the moment. We are experiencing low stock levels and good demand from buyers, especially first home buyers and investors.

With spring in the air, now is traditionally the time people think about selling, whether it is your own home or investment, it is easier to move around and get things done when we have pleasant weather conditions.

Recently my phone has been ringing, with out of town investors looking at our region, as our home prices are low and rental returns high. I have also had more mature people considering a quieter life and looking to move west to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Obtaining a current market appraisal on your home may help you make important decisions about whether to stay or go, or should you borrow money to renovate, or find out how much equity you have for investing purposes.

At the appraisal appointment, I do a walk-through of your home, have a chat to you about the property, and can usually give you a price estimate on the spot, followed by a written report if needed. The process takes around 20 minutes with the aim to give you a price range of your current market value and offer any advice that may help with your decision making.

To book your property appraisal please contact Tara Kelly at Century 21 Central West 0418 465 407. Servicing Forbes, Parkes and Eugowra.

Do You Need Probiotics?

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

What are probiotics? Probiotics are ‘live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host’. While probiotics are mostly bacteria, certain yeasts are recognised as probiotics, too. They are delivered to the gut, where they interact with our gut microbiota to help our bodies function correctly.

What are the benefits of taking a probiotic? The most well-known benefits of probiotics relate to their ability to support the health of our digestive tract and immune system. In addition to these benefits, certain strains of probiotic bacteria can target specific aspects of our health and wellbeing through various pathways.

While there is still a lot unknown about probiotics, research has shown benefits in the treatment and prevention of many conditions. These conditions include:
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Diarrhea; infectious or antibiotic induced

There has also been proven benefits in other parts of the body. For example, they have helped with:
• Skin conditions, like eczema
• Urinary and vaginal health
• Preventing allergies and colds

Probiotics have a range of benefits in the treatment and prevention of these condi- tions; however, they are also very useful when taking antibiotics! When taking antibiotics, your good bacteria is also affected and can throw your body out of whack. Taking a probiotic while sick can help replace those good bacteria, making you feel better quicker!

Come and have a chat to our lovely staff to see which probiotics may be beneficial to your health!

Show Day At Southern Cross

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

When the Parkes show was cancelled last month the lifestyle team at Southern Cross Village came up with a solution and organised their very own Show Day for residents.

Show bags were put together for each resident, and they enjoyed donuts for morning tea, dagwood dogs on a stick, a cup of hot chips and waffle cones for lunch.

Everyone reminisced and shared happy memories about going to the show in their younger years.

Vonnie Day.

Doris Littlewood.

Yvonne Green.

Be Seen

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Alenka Gafa was snapped by our photographer when she grabbed a coffee before work this week.

Nicholas and his mum are enjoying time together as she cannot go home in Townsville with the border closure.

Walk With Waz

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

LONG MAY HE WALK… Warren Edwards, member of the Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group and the Action Club, is aiming to walk 300km this month to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

Parkes resident Warren Edwards is aiming to walk at least 300km during the month of September to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

He is one of almost 3,500 people in Australia to take part in the first ever event of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia called The Long Run. “It is a personal quest for me,” said Warren, who is a member of the Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group and the Action Club.

“My father has prostate cancer, as well as two uncles and two very close friends I’ve worked with for many years. I want to make a real difference for all those fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and mates so they will be there for the long run. Not only will your support provide more valued research, it will also provide additional dedicated prostate care nurses particularly in regional areas.”

In support of Warren’s effort, friends and members of the Action Club and Support Group have decided to join him every Saturday for a 5km walk. The first combined walk attracted about eight people last Saturday.

“We meet at the Wholesome Blend and will do a different route around town every week,” said Warren, adding that anyone is welcome to join, adhering to COVID safe regulations.

“I have been really pleased with the support I’ve received so far.” Warren originally thought it would be great to raise $500, but by Monday he had already reached $2,100. His new aim is $3,000. “I want to thank all those who have sponsored and supported me so far.”

As there has been a 76% increase in the detection of prostate cancer, The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is badly in need of funds to conduct further research into the early signs of prostate cancer.

Internationally, Australia has one of the highest rates of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is predicted that by 2040 the rates will be higher than breast cancer.

While the survival rate is high, at least 3,500 men in Australia are dying each year from prostate cancer and 20,000 men will be newly diagnosed over the same period.

A great need is therefore to increase the number of prostate cancer specialist nurs- es, especially in regional areas.

Any benefits gained by The Long Run will support those suffering from prostate cancer in the Parkes and local districts.

You can make a tax deductable donation by clicking on: https://www.thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/warrenedwards. Alternatively, you can contact the Action Group or a member of the Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group to offer a donation.

You can also join Warren’s team called ‘Walk with Waz’ at https://www.thelongrun.org.au/fundraisers/walkwithwazOs

Warren invites community members to join him for a walk every Saturday leaving from the Wholesome Blend Café at 9am.

My COVID Test

September 11, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The drive-through testing clinic is the quickest and most convenient means of being tested.

It was 10:02am as I pulled up behind a line of 14 cars in front of the Vandenberg Hotel, and within a few minutes there were more cars in line behind me. I felt a wave of relief wash over me to see so many others waiting to be tested for COVID-19, although this was not my first test.

Two months earlier I presented myself at Forbes Hospital with what I knew to be an all too familiar case of tonsillitis, I was given a mask and told very assertively by the receptionist to “step back!” from the marked line I was already standing behind. When the only other patient in the waiting room saw me, she slouched back and used her collar to cover her mouth. Thankfully, the nurse who took the swab was friendly and patient with my dramatic display of discomfort during that infamous nasopharyngeal swab which has since been replaced by a much gentler nasal swab.

The first time I was tested I was sure that I did not have COVID-19. However, this time upon hearing about last week’s case in Parkes, I wondered if this cough of mine was due to a change in season or a mild case of COVID. If it was the dreaded COVID, how many of my friends, contacts and family members would be forced to self-isolate? How many people did I, at best, inconvenience greatly or, at worst, put at risk? Would I be lynched? Word spreads quickly in small towns and it would not take long before I became the hottest topic in town.

These fears of mine were eased in seeing so many others in line to be tested on Monday, and while it meant that I had to wait over half an hour to be tested it will be a relief to have a negative result back.

The drive-through process was easy enough, firstly a man came to hand out information about registering to receive a text message for a negative result. Secondly, a woman came to take my details before placing the paperwork on my windscreen for the nurses in the final pathology gazebo. Finally, the nurses took my temperature, swabbed my mouth; so far so good, and took a nasal swab, which was thoroughly unpleasant but over in just a few seconds.

By Alexandria Irvine

What do you enjoy about coming to the Parkes Men’s Shed?

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Warren Tanner: I’m the only welder here and enjoy making metal stuff and repairing items for people like strollers and wheel chairs. We have all the necessary equipment here to help us with any repair job. But the best part is coming here to talk a lot of nonsense with everyone else! It is good for my mental health.

Trevor Rowney: I like giving them all cheek to lighten them up a bit because they are so dull… (he said with a glint in his eye)! I also enjoy fixing whatever people bring in, anything from antiques to chairs. I once did an antique rocking horse that was also a high chair. It was a very rewarding project to work on.

Maggi Barnard

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