Maggi Barnard

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

A Robust Cultural Life Is Important

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Elsie Mahon is a member of the Parkes Potters Group, one of three groups to receive funding from the Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant Program.

Three community groups will share the almost $9,000 of the 2020 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant Program.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Newton said it was a difficult task to select the successful projects given the high calibre of applications received.

“Council recognises that a robust cultural life is important to the health and wellbeing of any community, and we are therefore delighted to help support the delivery of events and initiatives that stimulate creative activity across our region.”

The successful recipients are the Peak Hill Leisure Art & Craft Council, the Parkes Potters Group and the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society.

The Peak Hill group received $2,360 for a two-day workshop in early 2021 by Sydney-based artist Alan Slade. Amateur and budding local artists will learn the step-by-step process of working with oil paints.

The $3,500 to the Parkes Potters Group will help to curate the group’s 50th anniversary exhibition, as well as a black-tie opening event.

Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society received $3,000 to host the Arts Revival Festival from 15 – 20 December with the support of the Parkes Shire Arts Advisory Council. The aim of the festival is to revive, celebrate and foster artistic activity in the community and will feature theatrical performances, visual arts, photography, craft and ceramics exhibitions, musical performances of a variety of genres and styles, spoken word performances, creative and performance skills workshops.

Bravery And Sacrifice

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The historic 75th anniversary since the end of World War II was commemorated last Saturday with the Parkes Town Crier joining a world wide Cry for Peace at the ceremony at the Cenotaph in Cooke Park.

Tim Keith joined town criers from all over the world for the second time this year after a Cry for Peace on the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May.

The Cry for Peace commemorated this important day in Australia’s history and presented a unique and important opportunity to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice made by so many Australians and their families to ensure we all share and enjoy the freedom we have today.

The event, organised by the Parkes RSL Sub Branch, was mostly attended by serving and ex-service men and women with Parkes Mayor Ken Keith as the guest speaker.

On Tuesday it was the 54th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan with a commemoration service held at the Vietnam Memorial in Parkes.

Be Seen

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Janine Boland, Robert Brooke and Una Colley attended the 75th anniversary of VP Day in Cooke Park last Saturday.

Betty Job and Raelene Knights were at the Cenotaph in Cooke Park for the VP Day commemoration.

Vietnam veterans attended a commemorative service at the Vietnam Memorial in Parkes on Tuesday. They are (L – R) Parkes Shire Council Councillor George Pratt, RSL Vice President Robert Brooke, Keith Woodlands, Paul Thomas, Bernie Coleman and Bill Shallvey.

Wake Up And Smell The Coffee Van!

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Buying a coffee in Parkes has just become a lot easier! Tim is back with a new coffee van and you can place a set order for your favourite coffee and many other favourites.

All you need to do is call Tim on 0488 254 494 with your regular weekly or daily time slot from Monday to Friday from 6am to 2pm. “We have a full range of coffees, chai, tea, milkshakes, soft drink, muffins, caramel slice, bacon and egg rolls, pies and sausage rolls,” said Tim, who previously managed Ella the Coffee Van.

Try out the new menu by making a pre-booking, which he prefers. Or you can watch while your coffee is freshly made, or have your coffee delivered.

So, if you can only start working when your coffee does, make sure to place your set order with the Coffee Van.

Learn To Play Bridge For Free

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Free online bridge lessons by Paul Marston starts next week.

The Parkes Bridge Club has been in recess for months during these difficult times. Some members have been playing privately to hone their skills, but no beginner classes could be offered.

The Australian Bridge Federation has come to the rescue and initiated free online lessons for all prospective bridge players. The first of the four lessons will start at 2pm on Tuesday, 25th August and continue every Tuesday on 1st, 8th and 15th September.

The course is conducted by Paul Marston, who has taught more than 10,000 people to play bridge and his books have sold over 500,000 copies.

The course will run over four lessons:
• Each lesson will be a little over an hour.
• Each lesson will include a play component on BBO so you actually play hands.
• The lessons will be held on Zoom which is really simple and you do not have to join.
• Information will be provided in advance on how to use BBO and Zoom.
• Everyone who joins the online course will have their own webpage.
• Five short tutorials to help understand taking tricks being fundamental to bridge.
• Every player will receive copies of the lessons and the notes.
• Videos from the teacher will be available.

If anyone has an interest in cards whether you played canasta as a child, watched your parents play euchre, played 500 in your teens or solo in later years, you would love bridge.

The link to register is https://bridgelounge.online/learn-bridge-registration/abf/

Land Acquisition On Just Terms

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

With the State Government seeking to acquire land either by negotiation or resumption in our area, it is worth considering the law relating to this.

The NSW Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act, 1991 was introduced to prevent land resumptions without compensation. Section 55 of the Act provides the heads of compensation:

a. the market value of the land on the date of its acquisition,
b. any special value of the land to the person on the date of its acquisition,
c. any loss attributable to severance,
d. any loss attributable to disturbance,
e. the disadvantage resulting from relocation,
f. any increase or decrease in the value of any other land of the person at the date of acquisition which adjoins or is severed from the acquired land by reason of the carrying out of, or the proposal to carry out, the public purpose for which the land was acquired.

Some of these heads of compensation might not apply in each case, but the first step would be to get a registered land valuer, who is familiar with the Act, to provide a comprehensive valuation report on these heads of compensation. It is important to remember valuations are opinions and valuers often differ in how they arrive at their valuation.

You will also need a lawyer to advise you and undertake the legal work involved. It is worth noting that loss attributable to disturbance includes legal costs, valuation costs, financial costs, stamp duty, mortgage costs and more.

Compulsory acquisitions are a very complex area and you may need our help. For further information contact us.

Snippets…

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Lindt Café siege survivor Selina Win Pe paid a courtesy call to Parkes recently as part of her endeavour to support farmers, country kids and communities. She met with Mayor Ken Keith at the Parkes Visitors Centre.

Library Expands Online Collection: Parkes Shire Libraries has expanded its digital collection to include more than 3,000 online resources. This is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a huge influx in website traffic. The expansion includes the addition of Beamafilm allowing members to stream their favourite feature films and documentaries for free with their library card. Other additions include eBooks and eAudiobooks, more than 3,000 eMagazines, Storybox for preschool and primary aged children, and Learning & Training links. To access the online collection, go to the My Online Library page on Council’s website, and enter the barcode number on the back of your library card. Contact the Library team via email library@parkes.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6861 2309, or visit to join for free.

COVID-19 Testing: Book a COVID-19 test if you have, or have recently had any of the following symptoms: fever, shortness 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.

Face Masks: It is recommended in NSW to wear a face mask when in indoor settings such as on public transport and supermarkets; in indoor settings with a higher risk of transmission, such as for the staff of hospitality and customer-facing venues i.e. cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs; during attendance at places of worship. Note: a mask is not a substitute for physical distancing – remember to keep a distance of 1.5m in public.

Endangered Shrub Sightings: The search is on for an endangered plant, the beautiful Zieria obcordata, and residents are urged to report any sightings of this threatened species. Native to NSW Zieria obcordata is found in only two small populations near Wellington and Bathurst and are about to bloom. This plant is found nowhere else in the world, and has been hit hard by the drought with less than 200 left in the wild. It is a small shrub, 10 – 40cm high, has dark green leaves composed of three wedge-shaped leaflets and flowers, complete with four very small pale pink petals that fade rapidly to white. Sightings can be reported to – savingourspecies@environment.nsw.gov.au. For more information visit: https://savingourspecies.online/zieria-obcordata

The public is encouraged to report any sightings of the Zieria obcordate, a threatened species with only 200 plants left in the wild. (Photo: DPIE)

New Fire Station An Asset For The Community

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

STATION 417… Members of the Fire & Rescue staff at the new Parkes Fire Station are keen to welcome the public to have a look once COVID restrictions have eased.

Two months after its completion, the brand new $2.05 million Parkes Fire Station was officially opened with a COVID-safe ceremony on Tuesday.

“I am delighted to open this significant investment in the Parkes community that will see the local response to fires and other emergencies improve,” said NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott.

The new facility in Hill Street is the third fire station for Parkes and replaces the old station, which had been in use for 100 years. Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter said he was delighted to have seen the project from start to finish.

The new station features a twin fire engine bay, allowing the station to expand its fleet to two Class 2 appliances (one pump and one SEV Pump). Along with a training and lecture room area, the new station also features a separate station commander office, locker rooms and toilet facilities, as well as a new gym to help keep staff prepared for the physical nature of their work.

“It is definitely a step up from the old station,” said firefighter Tom Rinck, who had been with the Parkes Station 417 for about 18 months.

Parkes Station Commander Captain Craig Gibson touched on some of the big fires in the history of Parkes, including the Mobil Depot Fire on 23rd May 1983. A memorial has been erected in the garden of the new fire station in honour of the bravery of the firefighters on that day, and a special commemoration is planned for May next year.

By Maggi Barnard

Ridgehaven Ram Sale

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Ridgehaven ram sale is on 10th September.

Since 1965 the Ridgehaven Poll Dorset stud has been run with a focus on producing top quality, commercially focused animals.

Structural correctness, fertility, ease of lambing, growth rates, muscle and fat cover and wool type have been a basis for selection from the start. In the last four years, the stud has worked with meat processors and UNE to accurately identify genetic lines with superior lean meat yield, intramuscular fat (IMF) and eating quality.

Ridgehaven has seen the benefits of carcass measurement and how this can be used for genetic gain and it is now an important annual aspect of their breeding program.

The Ridgehaven ram sale will not only be held in person on property on Thursday, 10th September, but will also be interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

Next Thursday, 27th August, will be an open day where the rams and ewes can be viewed.

For the safety of all attending, on the open day and on sale day, COVID-safe measures will be in place.

For more information contact Ruth Klingner on 0438 642 113, Isabele Roberts on 0405 098 335 or Floyd Legge on 0402 185 727.

Our Bloke – Ashton Boland

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School Vice-Captain – Ashton Boland

How old are you? I’m 12 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived in Parkes since 2014. I like it because it is a very peaceful town.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to the best school ever, Parkes Christian School or for short, PCS and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Going outside and playing soccer in my backyard.

What is your favourite food and movie? Enchiladas because they are super tasty. My favourite movie is Avengers Endgame.

What music do you listen to? My favourite artist is Guy Sebastian.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to become a famous soccer player.

If you could have a super power what would it be? If I could have any superpower it would be to fly.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I like Ford cars so, sorry to all those other car lovers but I love Ford the most!

Maggi Barnard

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