Maggi Barnard

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

Our Bloke – Hayden Lamond

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Middleton Public School Captain – Hayden Lamond

How old are you? I am 12 years old.

How long have you lived in or around Parkes and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 11 years and I like it because of all the friendly people around town.

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

What is your favourite after school activity? Mostly soccer as it is so much fun and it brightens my day.

What is your favourite food and movie? I really like the movie ‘Norbert’ and my favourite food would have to be pop tarts.

What music do you listen to? I listen to different music but I really like Bruno Mars.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up, I would like to be a firefighter.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be to grant wishes to others.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I play for the Western NSW Mariners (soccer).

‘Solar’ Sheep In Magnificent Condition

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The team of volunteers who helped to shear 125 trial wethers last week that will help boost the Parkes P.A. & H. Association’s funds.

Sheep on a solar farm might be the way forward following a very successful first year of a wether trial run by the Parkes P.A. & H. Association.

Not only will the trial pave the way forward for the continued use of agricultural land combined with solar farms, but will earn the show society some much-needed funds following the cancellation of the show this year because of COVID-19.

The Show Society negotiated a deal with the owners of the Parkes Solar Farm to let sheep graze the weeds growing under the panels. This is a win-win situation for both parties as the sheep keep the weeds under control.

The four-year trial involves ten farmers who all contributed wethers of mixed blood- lines. The Department of Primary Industry (DPI) in Orange, under the leadership of Dr Kathryn Egerton-Warburton, is keeping track of the statistics to make comparisons with other trials.

Last week a team of volunteers came together to shear the sheep after the first full season with a total of 125 wethers getting the clip.

“The quality of wool is just phenomenal,” said Graeme Ostini from Ostini Wool. “The wethers are only two years old, and their fleece weigh in between 6 to 7kg and measures over 100mm. It is just magnificent, considering half of the first season was still in the drought.”

With the wool market in Sydney opening this week, Graeme predicted the wool from the trial could earn the show society around $6,000.

One of the participating farmers Ken Keith was just as impressed with the first year.

One of the three volunteer shearers who helped out with the wether trial.

“The sheep did exceptionally well on the solar farm.” Ken initiated the trial after he heard from the owners of the solar farm that in France sheep were used to control the weeds under solar panels.

Ken said not only did the sheep use the panels’ shade, but the run off from the pan- els, even with very little rain, produced great feed for the sheep.

Ken said with the approval of a third solar farm north of the Condobolin Road, it was very important not to sterilise agricultural land but to ensure its multi-purpose use.

He said more teams would have participated in the trial had it not been for the drought. The other participants are Gavin Tom, Daniel Westcott, Robert Watt, Dave Johnson, Stafford Orange, Edwin Nash, Richard Green, Geoff Witherow, Ian Westcott and Paul Carty.

For Liz Brown, secretary of the Parkes P.A. & H. Association, the sale of the wool would mean a great financial boost to the society. “Even if it just means keeping the office running.”

By Maggi Barnard

‘Floating’ Dragons Win Prize

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The $1,000 prize for the best float in the Parkes Elvis Festival parade this year went to the Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC). The prize is sponsored by Northparkes Mines (NPM). The Potts Group helped PDBC build the winning float. PDBC President Bill Thomas (second left) received the prize last week from NPM MD Hubert Lehman (right) with Parkes Mayor Ken Keith (left) and David Potts.

Vouchers To Replace Free Tip Weekends

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Weighbridge Operator Abigail Bryant believes the new waste disposal vouchers provide a more convenient and efficient system.

A new waste disposal voucher system for households in Parkes and Peak Hill will replace free tip weekends.

At the July Ordinary Council Meeting, Councillors resolved to provide two vouchers per household per year to dispose of up to a trailer load of domestic waste for free.

“The new initiative will allow residents to utilise the waste vouchers at a time that is convenient for them,” said Chair of the Waste Committee, Cr Alan Ward. “It will also benefit the facility’s operational efficiency, safety and environmental performance, as our staff will be able to better manage the inspection of loads and categorisation of the materials.”

Two vouchers will be mailed to property owners in Parkes and Peak Hill with the first instalment rates notices at the start of each financial year.

The vouchers will be valid for one year, and expire on 31st July following year of issue. Landlords and managing agents are encouraged to pass the vouchers onto their tenants to ensure that they can best manage their household waste and keep the property in good order. New domestic properties or new owners or new tenants will receive their first waste voucher at the next scheduled mail out of rates notice in August. Vouchers will not be issued before that time.

Each waste voucher permits the user to dispose of up to one eligible trailer load of general household waste or uncontaminated green waste at no cost. Two vouchers may be redeemed at once for a double load. Vouchers are not transferable or redeemable for cash, and cannot be reissued. Please keep your vouchers in a safe place.

The annual Kerbside Bulky Goods Collection will continue each September for Parkes and the Shire townships.

What’s on @ The Library

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

WELCOME BACK TO OUR PROGRAMS

Your favourite library programs have now returned. Please ring to book a place.
• Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:30am – numbers strictly limited so please ring to book a place.
• Rhymetime: Thursdays at 10:30am – numbers strictly limited so please ring to book a place.
• Author-Rised: Next meeting on Tuesday, 1 September from 6-8pm.
Book Clubs: Meetings on Wednesday, 26 August @ 3pm OR Thursday, 27 August @ 6pm.

STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH BY AINSLEE AUSTIN

The Nowhere Child by Christian White
The story switches between ‘then’ and ‘now’ revealing pieces of the puzzle surrounding the disappearance of two-year-old Sammy Went from her hometown in Manson, Kentucky to 28 years later when Kim Leamy is suspected to be the missing child now living in Melbourne Australia. A psychological thriller not to be missed. Book and Talking Book now available at Parkes Shire Library.

CURRENT CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

In line with the NSW Health guidance, Parkes Shire Libraries has some ‘Conditions of Entry’ to help us operate in a COVID-19 safe way. Those include:
• exclusion of staff and visitors who are unwell
• limit of customers at any one time in the library
• maximum 30 minute use of computers
• sanitising hands upon entry
• physical distancing at all times
• signing into the library on entry

A hand sanitiser dispenser is located at the Library’s entrance, however library members and visitors are permitted to bring their own hand sanitiser. Restrictions on the time visitors can stay at the library have now been lifted. Check our Parkes Shire Libraries webpage for opening

Snippets…

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

DOUBLE DATE… Elly and Becky Miles from Parkes will be the first sisters to feature on the Bachelorette show screening on national tv later this year. It will be Elly’s second time to be in a popular reality show after she was in the last season of The Bachelor.

No Mask No Entry: All staff, patients and visitors need to wear face masks to enter Parkes Hospital and all other hospitals and multi-purpose services across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD). “We are urging the community to be prepared and to bring their own mask when they come to our health services,” said WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan. “All visitors are required to wear a mask if they are coming into a health facility for any reason. A mask will be provided during wellness screening when you enter the hospital if you don’t have one already.” Children 12 years and under are not required to wear a mask.

Share the Dignity: Woolworths Parkes and Share the Dignity are partnering in a Dignity Drive that will provide essential support to the growing number of NSW women experiencing period poverty as a result of COVID-19. The economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 mean that even more women are having to make the choice between buying food or sanitary items. Share the Dignity reports a 54% increase in the number of charities registering for the August Dignity Drive. During August customers have the opportunity to donate sanitary items via collection boxes in store. Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of pads, tampons and liners in August to Share the Dignity. “At a time when community support and kindness is more important than ever, we are incredibly proud to be partnering with Share the Dignity for the August Dignity Drive,” said Kerrie Kennedy, Store Manager Woolworths Parkes. “It’s this small act of kindness that goes such a long way in supporting vulnerable girls and women across Parkes.”

NAIDOC Week Grants: The Federal Government has opened a new NAIDOC local grants round, with $1.4 million available to local communities to host events and other activities during NAIDOC Week from 8 to 15 November. This year’s theme is Always Was, Always Will Be. Information is at www.niaa.gov.au/naidoc. Applications close 17th August at 7pm (AEST). All applicants from the previous round that closed in March will be contacted by the National Indigenous Australians Agency and provided guidance on how to re-apply.

Regulations require hands to be sanitised before entering a public venue. The Parkes Library has a hand sanitiser dispenser at its entrance for visitors and members to use as demonstrated by Library staff member Dan Fredericks.

‘Won’t You Take Me For A Drive Down An Old Dirt Road’

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

COUNTRY GIRL… Raechel Whitchurch on her parents’ property outside Parkes where she filmed the video for her latest single ‘My Father’.

When your life reads like a country song, including a song about your father on your debut album would come as no surprise.

Raechel Whitchurch always wanted to write a song about her dad. “We are such similar people, but it felt like I would never be able to find the right words. I’d been working on the song for three years and I’d finally said everything that I needed to, but I never imagined that a song so personal would make it on to my record.”

Raechel, who moved to Parkes from Broken Hill with her family when she was 18, has just released the single ‘My Father’ and its video filmed on her parents’ property outside Parkes featuring her dad, Steve Lee.

Although Raechel has been living in Sydney for 10 years, she still likes calling Parkes home as her family is still here. She wanted to replicate her childhood memories with her dad and decided to film the video in the beautiful landscape around Parkes.

“When I was a kid, we spent a lot of time in the bush as a family. We’d go camping and shooting, and would always sit around a campfire at the end of the day and sing songs. I knew that my parents’ property would be perfect for the video.”

Raechel was born and raised on country music. She started playing piano when she was five, and then traded it in at eight for a mandolin. Guitar and banjo soon followed, and so did the songs.

In 2019, Raechel realised she had more than enough songs for a full-length album, and she felt ready to put those songs out into the world.

“I went into the studio with my producer Matt Fell over the New Year’s break of 2019/20 and recorded my entire album. I wrote all the songs myself, with the exception of two. One I co-write with Colin Buchanan, and one with my husband, Ben Whitchurch.” Ben is also a Parkes boy.

There is no release day yet for the album, but the aim is early next year. Raechel has released two singles from the album so far: ‘I Found Home’ in March, and ‘My Father’ last month.

While releasing a first single amidst a worldwide pandemic has its challenges, it seems that fans and artists are excited for her new music. Country music star Adam Harvey said: “I have watched Raechel’s career since she was a kid performing in her family band and it’s been fantastic to see her grow as an artist, a singer and a song-writer. This latest single demonstrates her real talent.”

Raechel impressed her fans in 2016 with her debut EP ‘Outlaw’ when it opened at #1 on the Australian Country iTunes charts (ahead of Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Chris Stapleton).

All Raechel’s music is available online for streaming and download via Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Youtube and all other streaming platforms. You can watch the video of ‘My Father’ here

By Maggi Barnard

Are you in need of a great property manager?

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

A good property manager can help increase the value of your investment property and make sure you are achieving a consistently good rental yield or return. Here are some important qualities you should look for:

1. Strict leasing procedures, including stringent tenant selection, consistently achieving the best rental rate, and planning annual rent reviews in advance.

2. Proactive habits around repairs and maintenance, like performing regular routine inspections for to address necessary repairs/maintenance.

3. Thorough knowledge of current legislation is essential. It is important to ensure your property manager is always up to date! As part of the Century 21 franchise, we are exposed to a multitude of property management training. We are also members of the REI, and attend the annual REI roadshow.

4. Clear and concise communication is also key. How easy is it to speak to your property manager? Can you reach them after hours? Do they return your calls promptly? Are their routine inspection reports thorough enough and do you receive photos with your report? Are your statements delivered promptly? Do you have an efficient landlord portal that you can login to and have all your important info when required?

Here at Century 21 Central West we strongly believe that we deliver on all of these points and provide the most reliable and honest service. If you are unhappy with your current service, please do not hesitate to contact us today to discuss how we can help you.

New Can Assist Committee

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

At the recent annual general meeting of Parkes Can Assist the following committee members were elected (L-R): Publicity Officer Betty Huntly, Vice-President Colleen Mitchell, Assistant Secretary Carol Southwell, Treasurer Adrienne Brown, Secretary Patricia Bailey, President Sylvia Glendenning and Assistant Treasurer Trevor Southwell. “We would like to thank everyone in Parkes and surrounding areas who continue to help us raise funds to assist people with cancer related expenses,” said Sylvia. “Even though our fundraising efforts are restricted at the moment, we are still supporting clients with their medical and travel needs.”

Local Government Week 2020 Highlights Council Services

August 7, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

It is Local Government Week this week and the theme this year is ‘Councils Do’, highlighting the significant work councils do in their communities and the wide variety of services they provide including libraries, roads, waste collection, footpaths, parks, pools and animal shelters.

“Local Government Week is a time to acknowledge the significant role councils are playing to support communities across the state to recover from the drought, bushfires and COVID-19,” Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said.

“Our communities are facing some of the most difficult times in the modern era anding Local Government Week to recognise the critical role your local council is playing to support your community during these trying times.”

Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “Parkes Shire Council is proud to have delivered close to $200 million worth of infrastructure over five years, notwithstanding enduring the worst drought on record and the impacts of COVID-19.”

“We have played a vital role in respond ing to COVID-19 by maintaining essential community facilities and services in the face of significant restrictions and financial distress.”

“I urge everybody to take a moment during Local Government Week to recognise the critical role your local council is playing to support your community during these trying times.”

“Parkes Shire Council employs 195 full time equivalent staff across its operations which includes 37 business activities, some that are not generally known as regular council services,” said the Mayor.

“While Council is commonly known for managing roads, water and waste services, Local Government Week is a great opportunity for our community to learn about the breadth and diversity of the work that often goes unseen.”

“We have vibrant, creative and strategic teams working in a range of sectors such as business development, town planning, education, childcare, events, art and culture, environmental sustainability and town presentation just to name a few.”

“We are a leader in fostering career pathways for young people in our region to have opportunities for professional careers at Council. In 2019/20 Council offered a range of traineeships/cadetships and school-based trainee positions across our operations.”

“Council is also committed to diversity in the workplace including closing the gender gap with women comprising 57% of supervisory/management positions.”

For more information about Council or Local Government Week and to view some exciting vacant positions available now visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au

Maggi Barnard

WELCOME BACK TO OUR PROGRAMS

STAFF PICK OF THE MONTH BY AINSLEE AUSTIN

CURRENT CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

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