Maggi Barnard

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

Newell Highway Task Force Committee Update

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Newell Highway Task Force met on Tuesday, 11 August to discuss current works, updates, concerns and upcoming projects.

The Newell Highway Taskforce Committee were pleased with the improvements along the Newell Highway strategic corridor as they continue at an impressive rate reflecting successful lobbying by the taskforce over the past 10 years and effective collaboration with State and Federal Government Departments.

Chair of the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “The Newell Highway is a critical link in Australia’s freight transport network, so it is great to see both the Federal and NSW Governments investing in targeted upgrades to increase access for higher efficiency freight vehicles, which will increase the overall efficiency of the corridor, as well as safety for all road users.”

“The Parkes Bypass plans are nearing finalisation with Transport for NSW soon to be calling for tenders for work to commence in 2021,” said Ken.

Alistair Lunn, Director West – Transport for NSW, outlined the latest work completed and planned and provided an update on important key areas of focus including;
• Coonabarabran bypass community consultation and planning has commenced
• Heavy duty pavement upgrades between Moree and Boggabilla have improved the difficult black soil section of the highway
• Major works at the Mitchell Highway intersection in Dubbo are underway and finalisation of the plans for the new Dubbo bridge are also nearing completion.
• The flood prone area between Forbes & West Wyalong will commence stakeholder consultation in the near future.

“The Overtaking Lane Alliance has completed 12 new overtaking lanes with another 15 to be completed by 2023. The alliance will deliver 30+ overtaking lanes on the Newell Highway,” Mr Lunn pleasingly announced.

Chair of the Newell Highway Task Force Cr Ken Keith OAM closed the meeting by expressing his appreciation to members for their contribution over the years in promoting this important corridor through their regions.

Transport for NSW will keep the community informed as work on the Newell Highway progresses. For more information about the overtaking lane program visit Newell Highway Program Alliance, email info@newellhpa.com.au or call 1800 577 295.

What’s on @ The Library

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

PARKES LIBRARY ON THE MOVE!
After 12 months in our temporary location on Clarinda Street, we are on the move back to the newly refurbished library in Bogan Street. We will be closed from 12th September and will reopen on Monday, 12th October. Before then come in and stock up on books, talking books, CDs and DVDs to see you through the month we are closed. We have increased the number of items you can borrow and extended all loans until 20th October. Our Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore branches will be open as normal. You can continue to access our online library with eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, movies and documentaries, Story Box Library, and lots more! If you’re not sure how come in or give us a call and we’ll help you.

eBOOKS, eAUDIOBOOKS & eMAGAZINES
Your library card gives you free access to over 18,000 eAudiobooks and eBooks across three platforms: RB Digital, Wheelers and IndyReads. You can also access over 3,000 eMagazines through the RB Digital platform. On our webpage search My Online Library – Reading at Home – and download the app.

FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES
Stream documentaries and independent feature films for free on Beamafilm, both Australian and International content. Signup using your library card (must be 13 years or older). Average Beamafilm stream will use 500MB of data. Go to My Online Library – Lifestyle at Home – and download the Beamafilm app

STORY BOX FOR KIDS
Story Box Library is an educational website for children to view stories by local authors and illustrators, being read aloud by fantastic, predominantly Australian and New Zealand storytellers. Over 300 stories and 100 short films are available! Find it in My Online Library

Men ‘Shed’ Their Solitude

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Men’s Shed is one of 390 groups in NSW and has about 120 members. Under COVID regulations they can currently only have 15 members at the shed per session. These sessions are extremely valuable to members, especially during these times. Here is what three members say about their involvement and why they keep on going back.

John Barnham: The community and company of men is fantastic, and to get away from our wives…!

Hedley Nicholson: I can talk about the benefits of the Men’s Shed all day long. It is one of the best groups for older men, especially widowers or single men. We have many farmers who worked alone all their lives and who enjoy some company now. We come here and talk about everything. Just like women, men also like to talk to their friends. Coming here does wonders for mental health, and we get such good support from the community. Better response than anything else I’ve been involved with.

John Maynard: It is a great opportunity to get out, meet with people and to learn new skills.

Our Bloke – Lee Piercy

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Middleton Public School Vice-Captain – Lee Piercy

How old are you? I am 11 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here all my life and I like that most of my family and friends live here too.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School and I am now in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? My favourite activity is playing video games with my friends.

What is your favourite food and movie? I really like the movie ‘Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse’ and my favourite food is theatre popcorn.

What music do you listen to? I listen to upbeat music, but I really like Bass Boosted music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a professional gamer.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be invisibilty!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I spent a year in hospital battling a cancer called Neuroblastoma.

Snippets…

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

St George’s Anglican Church was a previous recipient of the Parkes Shire Local Heritage Fund Program, using the funds to replace and paint the front windows, replace flooring and paint the internal foyer.

Applications For Heritage Fund Open: Parkes Shire Council is inviting owners and lessees to apply for dollar for dollar matched funding under the Parkes Shire Local Heritage Fund Program. “The program has successfully delivered heritage projects valued at more than $470,000 including projects such as the Old Trundle Post Office building, the Tullamore Hotel, the Carrington Hotel and Trundle Main Streets,” said Council’s Heritage Committee Chair, Cr Alan Ward. Last financial year the program successfully completed more than $23,000 worth of heritage projects. More than $13,500 was contributed by the applicants with more than $8,000 provided through local heritage funding. Applications for the 2020/21 Heritage Fund must be completed by the close of business on Friday, 11th September. Application forms, conditions and guidelines are available on Council’s website or from Council’s Administration Centre. Council’s Heritage Advisor visits Parkes each month and gives free professional advice. For more information, or to make an appointment, contact Council’s Planning & Environment Department on 6861 2373.

One giant leap for Aussie Golden Wattle: Seeds of Australia’s national floral emblem Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) will be launched into space next month to the International Space Station on a Space X flight. They will spend around six months on the International Space Station before beginning their long journey home. Back on earth the seeds will be grown by school students under the inaugural Australian Seeds in Space educational program. The project was made possible by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and its cooperation with Japan’s space agency. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch Golden Wattle seeds into orbit as part of an international space research mission.

The seeds were collected by CSIRO from a wild population in Victoria. They are held in the National Research Collections Australia at CSIRO as part of a unique resource alongside representative seeds of Australian tree species. For more details about One Giant Leap Australia Foundation visit https://onegiantleapaustralia.com/ · For more details about Wattle Day visit http://www.wattleday.asn.au/

It was National Wattle Day on Tuesday, 1st September. The wattle is particularly beautiful this season, like this one at Lake Endeavour.

Memories From Margaret

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Back in the 1960’s, women used hair rollers in order to curl their hair. We didn’t have blow dryers or straighteners and the nearest hairdresser was 46 miles away (74 kilometres). Life was extremely busy, so we were usually a bit overdue for haircuts when I finally found time to do them. Haircutting was a family event, so I would cut my own hair by cutting each tuft before rolling it on to a roller and then I’d cut the children’s hair, oldest to the youngest. After that came Ian, my husband. Boys and men wore their hair with short back and sides in those days and it was an art to get it to look ‘right’.

I went to town to do some shopping one day, leaving our two sons with Ian. Ian’s hair was down to his shoulders and the boys were quite a bit more than short back and sides – I hadn’t found time for haircutting! Ian decided that it couldn’t be that hard to cut the boys hair and started wielding the clippers. I arrived home to find two little skinheads (it was not in fashion in those days) and Ian was now sporting a mohawk. I was speechless!

By Margaret Irwin

Be Seen – Building Bird Boxes at the Men’s Shed

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Photos: Ken Engsmyr

Leo Butler and Chris Finkel at Forbes Men’s Shed with a Kookaburra box.

Peter Thompson knows precision measurement for the entry way is vital.

Cliff Cowell and John Short are assembling Crimson Rosella boxes.

Peter Thompson is hard at work on the bird boxes.

Women’s Bowls

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

New President 2020/2021 Maureen Miller and outgoing President 2019/2020 Merilyn Rodgers.

The spring sun brought 29 bowlers out to play at the club on Tuesday. 17 social bowlers enjoyed their play on such a stunning day and the first round of Club Triples was also played.

The results of the first round of Club Triples were G Carty, C Frame and R Went defeating L Orr, L Baker and E Miller, 25-9. B Davies, B Johnstone and L Byrne defeated C Reed, K Evans and J McPhee, 25-7.

The draw for Triples matches to be played on Tuesday, 8 September are B Davies, B Johnstone and L Byrne vs L Ryan, M Rodgers and M Grant. G Carty, C Frame and R Went vs M Miller, J Simpson and H Harvey.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, 1 September with outgoing President, Merilyn thanking all present, and presenting her report. All positions were filled for next year with positions as follows:
• President: Maureen Miller
• Vice President: Merilyn Rodgers
• Secretary: Heather Harvey
• Committee: D Howell, C Curteis, L Baker, L Orr, K Craft.
• Selection committee: A Jones, L Byrne, B Johnstone.
• Match committee: M Iffland, B Davies, K Evans, C Frame

The new committee will be meeting on Tuesday, 8 September at 1.30 pm. To play social bowls on Tuesday please call the club on 6862 1446, between 9-9.30am.

By Lea Orr

Keeping Kadungle In Mind

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Kadungle Silo.

Kadungle is one of many towns and villages in the Parkes Shire that have all but disappeared. Located 15km from Tullamore and 20km from Trundle, it is second to Tullamore as the westernmost town in the Parkes Shire. Kadungle was in the county of Kennedy when cadastral maps were used.

It was originally called Cardungle, but when Government officials came along they reckoned the people didn’t know how to spell the word properly, and so they spelt it with a ‘k’, making Kadungle. Kadungle Silos still stand today and railway enthusiasts love photographing trains stopping at the silos.

The silo was on the railway line with nearby stations including The Troffs, Gobondery and Tullamore. In 1927, John Watts of “Kurrajong Park”, Kadungle was announced as one of the successful exhibitors of wheat at the Sydney show.

Tennis was very popular and Kadungle had a tennis club called Medway. They had regular tennis tournaments with Fifield and Tullamore. Kadungle had a half-time school in 1898 but had to wait until 1927 to have a provisional school. Kadungle also had a Post Office which was also the local telephone exchange.

Kadungle School had an active P&C Association, with meetings held quarterly. In 1941 Kadungle organised a combined sports day with Eribung (Numulla), Kelvin Grove and Gillenbine Schools invited to celebrate Empire Day. This became an annual event and the forerunner to the Gobondery Sports Carnivals.

Amongst the more interesting groups formed, there was a Kadungle Wild Dog Union who raised vital funds for the Parkes District Hospital. Families with long associations with Kadungle include the Crowleys, the McAneneys, the Watts, the Birds and the Reynolds.

By Dan Fredericks

Grassland Fires A Potential Risk

September 4, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Australians should be prepared for more fire risks according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook: September 2020, which covers all states and territories through to November.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre published its seasonal bushfire outlook, which takes into account vegetation and fuel loads, as well the existing and forecast weather conditions.

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said all Australians, especially in the high-risk areas outlined in the report, should now be preparing to protect their family and property against bushfires.

“While communities across Australia are continuing to recover and rebuild from the horrific 2019-20 bushfire season, the next challenge is to make sure we are all prepared for the risks facing us over the coming summer,” Minister Littleproud said.

“In the south-east of the country, experts are warning of potentially hazardous grassland fires due to above average levels of growth brought on by wetter than average conditions expected through spring.”

“While we can work with authorities to properly prepare, it’s also critical families, households and individuals do what they can to prepare themselves. Talk to your neighbours, ask them about their evacuation plan and let them know about your plan.”

Maggi Barnard

Subscribe