Maggi Barnard

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

I’m Movin’ On: Elvis

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Elvis Festival date for next year is moving from January to 10 – 14 March!

The final decision to proceed or to cancel will still be made by 28th September with the festival team continuing to monitor the situation with the safety and well-being of the community, artists, fans, staff and businesses first and foremost.

In the announcement made on Wednesday, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith said: “The date change will give us seven months until the start of the festival. We are hopeful that it will be able to proceed however the health and safety of the community will come first in the final decision of the festival proceeding.”

Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “We chose to announce the date change now to allow our stakeholders to make alternate plans for January, to allow us time to reschedule artists and all the support services. We would love the festival to proceed but are being cautiously optimistic.”

The festival team have contacted the accommodation providers in the Parkes Shire and Forbes and have been assured that all January 2021 bookings will be carried over to the new dates in March or alternatively to the 2022 festival.

“There is no need to make contact now. The accommodation providers have reserved the March dates for existing bookings and will be in contact once the final decision on the festival proceeding has been made at the end of September,” Cathy said.

Chamber of Commerce President Geoff Rice said the chamber and business community supported the change of date. “Many businesses rely on the festival to get them through the off-peak summer period and this is especially relevant for 2021 after the challenges in business due to bushfires and drought.”

The ticket launch date will be moved to 16 November in line with the new festival dates.

Ration Tickets For A Glory Box

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Rene Britts (94) with her wedding photo. She married Archie Britt on 3 October 1946. He passed away in 1985.

Lockdown has lasted for most of the year so far for Southern Cross Village resident Rene Britt, but isolation is not a new experience for her.

At 94 she still clearly remembers how isolated they were during World War II on the family farm outside Bogan Gate. “It was a stay at home time as the only way to get around was with a push bike or on horseback.”

She said although her dad had a truck, they only used it when absolutely necessary as there were petrol rations. “We used to pool our petrol tickets with the neighbours and we’d all jump on the truck to go and play tennis at the different clubs on weekends.”

Their only connection to the outside world was the wireless radio, but they could only listen to the news. “The wireless ran off the truck’s battery, and we had to spare the battery and could only listen for a little bit at a time.”

It was through the wireless that they had learned about the end of the war on 15th August 1945. “We were on a party line and I telephoned our neighbours to let them know the good news. Everyone was so excited, but we did not really celebrate with anyone as it was still hard to go anywhere.”

Rene was 19 at the time and had finished high school the previous year. “I went back to the farm to look after my father and younger brother as my mother had passed away when I was 13.”

She married the following year at 20. “As we even had ration tickets for linen, towels and clothing, my aunties gave me the tickets they did not use and that was the only way I was able to put my glory box together.”

By Maggi Barnard

What do you remember about the day WWII ended?

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Pam and Mal Nankivell:
Pam: I was only 13 and at boarding school at SCEGGS Moss Vale. There was great excitement and we went over to Tudor House, the preparatory school for Kings, and celebrated there.
Mal: I was in the Sydney South telephone exchange when the news broke and everyone in the city went mad. So did the phone calls! I went down to watch the gauge that monitored the number of calls and when it went on to the red, which happened very quickly – the danger line of course, they cut off all the lines except for the essential ones and the ones in public phones. After that I went outside into the crowd where I was swept along up to Macquarie Street and retreated into the Mitchell Library.

Nature Plays Vital Role In Youth Art

August 21, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Ethan Maxwell from Parkes is the winner of the 14-18 age group for drawing and painting with this entry. (See all the winning entries on The Parkes Phoenix Facebook page.)

The Art of Resilience competition has been a huge success with over 130 entries from across the Parkes Shire.

Feedback from schools and parents have shown just how beneficial the competition was for the Parkes Shire youth in providing a platform for important discussions concerning drought, bush fires and COVID-19. It also highlighted the importance of resilience during these events and what it means to the youth in their personal experiences.

The quality of art work entered in all the categories was extremely high, and it was obvious that all participants put their heart and soul into their entries. Judging the competition was extremely difficult with much deliberation required in order to select the winners.

One of the messages which stood out in all the art work was how important nature is to our youth. It showed a strong connection and a deep understanding of the importance of a healthy environment and how fundamental it is to healthy and happy human beings. The importance of human connections, social interaction and friendships during COVID-19 also stood out.

By Roger Kitson

What do you remember about the day WW11 ended?

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Kathleen Hutchison (with her husband Keith on their honeymoon at Sydney Central Station in June 1948):
I was 21 years old and living with my parents and two younger sisters. My older brother was serving in the forces. I vividly remember the day WWII ended. It was 15th August, which was the feast of the Assumption. I went with my girlfriends to mass in Griffith, a four mile bike ride from my home in Hanwood.

After mass we heard that the war had ended. We didn’t have to go to work as the shops had closed for the day. People gathered around the town, it was an exciting day. A wealthy man in Hanwood had been preparing for the end of the war and held a huge bonfire where everyone gathered to celebrate. Mr McWilliams of McWilliams Wines provided the wine for the festivities. Soldiers started coming home soon afterwards. The war years were very sad with many families losing family members.

I also remember food coupons being used to purchase the basic foods. Soldiers would travel by train from Temora to Griffith from all around the place and the girls loved going to the “two bob dances”. The soldiers were great dancers.

Warwick Tom:
Friday, 14th August 1945. I attended Parkes Primary School as usual and was in year 6, the year before progressing to high school. The school had installed radios for class lessons but this morning was to be a special broadcast, the announcement of the end of the war. We had already absorbed the fact that Japan had been hit with two atomic bombs but the announcement that they had surrendered still came as a surprise. The whole school paraded out on the playground cheering as many of the bells around town rang out. For a 12-year-old it was quite a day, needless to say we all had the rest of the day off.

How Did They Cope?

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

We hear, “Do not fear!” Though corona is here
It’s important to hold on to hope.
The lessons we adhere, Come from yesteryear
When we ask, “How did they cope?”
How in 1914, A war yet unseen
Engaged more than two nations.
The decade’s young blood, Spilled forth in the mud
Shaking the globe’s foundations.
For over four years, The world shed more tears
Until the fighting was through;
In the newfound peace, Surely death will cease,
Except now there was Spanish flu.
This flu had four waves, And filled way more graves
Than the years of the Great War;
While the 20s decade, Seemed like an upgrade
It ended how no one foresaw.
Stock prices degression, Saw a worldwide depression
29% were unemployed.
The nations arose, And fascism grows
Soldiers were again redeployed.
Humanity’s worst, Flowing out from the First
Saw the second war last for six years.
When it finally ended, some nations unfriended,
And Communism dominated our fears.
“We’re better off dead, than becoming a red”
Both sides feared potential invasion.
More fighting henceforth, ‘Tween South and North
The battlegrounds now were Asian.
The threat of the bomb, Gave way to dot-com
New tech became the new norm.
As we look to the past, How did the world last
From turmoil of 100 years
Humanity’s brilliance, Is birthed in resilience
As hope overcomes all fears.
So do not forget, it’s best not to fret
Smile and use plenty of soap!
Today’s scary mystery, will one day be history
The future asks, “How did they cope?”

By Dan Fredericks

Victory In The Pacific

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes joined in the celebrations on VP Day. This decorated truck of James Aitken for the Parkes Legion of Ex-Servicemen was part of the festivities. (Photo: Parkes In Photos Of Years Gone Past Facebook page)

The 75th anniversary since the end of World War II will be celebrated at the Cooke Park Cenotaph at 11am tomorrow.

Parkes Town Crier Tim Keith will join town crier’s from around Australia and New Zealand in a simultaneous “Cry for Peace” at 11:05am. This will be the first time the Town Crier will be part of the ceremony.

These celebrations mark a significant and momentous day when Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the unconditional surrender of Japan thus ending World War II. The 15th of August 1945 was announced as VP Day (Victory in the Pacific Day) and a two-day public holiday was declared.

Japanese Emperor Hirohito announced at 12 noon on 15th August his country’s unconditional surrender in terms of the Potsdam Declaration.

More than 1 million Australian men and women joined the armed forces out of a total population of 7 million.

Over 31,000 Australians became prisoners-of-war. More than 22,000 were captured by the Japanese, and by August 1945 over one third of them had died in the appalling conditions of the Japanese POW camps.

We commemorate the end of the World War II and remember all those who served and particularly the heroic sons and daughters of the Parkes Districts who served, suffered and died during this conflict.

By Paul Thomas

Our Gal – Suzanne Smit

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School Vice Captain – Suzanne Smit

How old are you? I am 12.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes for two and a half years. I like the peace and quietness.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Parkes Christian School and I am in Year 6.

What is your favourite after school activity? Some days I do tennis.

What is your favourite food and movie? My favourite food is mangoes and my favourite movie is Call of the Wild.

What music do you listen to? I listen to lots of types of music.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a physiotherapist for children.

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

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I think in another language but answer in English.

What To Look For In An Investment Property

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Today I am discussing all the things you should be looking for when purchasing an investment property.

It is important to look for a property with desirable qualities, as this is going to assist you in the long run with aspects such as how long it takes to fill the home, how much rent you can get per week, and the quality of tenant you attract.

The location of the property is important, properties within close proximity to town and main areas such as schools and facilities are desirable.

It is also helpful to consider the condition and quality of the property, purchasing a property that will continuously require work and problems is not ideal for any investor.

Tenants often desire a more modern and comfortable home, sometimes this may be a minor face lift to the home.

Another area to focus on is the neighbourhood, as this will sometimes affect the type of tenants that you do attract.

It is crucial to do your sums beforehand, as cash flow is always king when aiming to ensure an adequate return on investment.

Once you have selected the perfect investment home, it is time to choose a property management team that will provide you peace of mind and security. After all, you want your property to be in the best managing hands.

For more information regarding our property management services, feel free to contact us at Century 21 Central West.

Sea Of Solar Surrounds Parkes

August 14, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Goonumbla Solar Farm outside Parkes will power 45,000 homes. (Photo: goonumblasolarfarm.com/)

Two major solar farm developments took shape over the past two weeks in Parkes.

Construction of the Goonumbla Solar Farm was successfully completed, and plans to build a third solar farm was given the green light by the state government.

The 69.75 MW Goonumbla Solar Farm, located 10km west of Parkes, will produce enough energy to supply more than 45,000 homes, while avoiding the emission of 140,000 tons of CO2 per year.

The construction of the farm by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) created up to 250 jobs, with seven remaining now that the plant is operational.

“We are glad to successfully deliver this project, which is our first Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Snowy Hydro. It proves that a consolidated player like FRV is capable to deliver top quality solar farms notwithstanding the increased challenges in the Australian renewable energy market and generally in a moment of global turmoil,” said Carlo Frigerio, Managing Director of FRV in Australia.

Goonumbla Solar Farm is one of seven PPAs developed and secured by FRV for solar projects in Australia. Snowy Hydro’s CEO, Paul Broad said his company contracted over 1,000MW of clean, green energy projects of which Goonumbla is one.

The third solar development to be built west of Parkes is the 80MW Quorn Park solar farm that includes a 20MWh battery storage system. Development approval was granted by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, despite a large number of objections submitted by several neighbouring farmers.

According to the Notice of Decision, the development was approved for the range of benefits including a capital investment of around $89 million and up to 130 construction jobs. Once complete it would generate enough electricity to power around 30,000 homes.

The battery storage component of the project is said to provide “dispatchable” solar power to the National Energy Market, and will assist in transitioning the grid from coal and gas-fired power stations to renewable energy.

Maggi Barnard

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