Maggi Barnard

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

SNIPPETS…

July 3, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Jack Gatto started his Elvis tribute artist career at the Parkes Elvis Festival in 2015 when he won the Senior Tribute to Elvis competition. Six years later and Jack has become one of Australia’s premier Elvis tribute artists. He will be back next year to perform on the brand new permanent concert stage in Cooke Park.

Millions For Roads: Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils will receive close to $6.5 million to fix local roads through funding from the Australian and NSW Governments. The Federal Government has committed $191 million to build on the NSW Government’s Fixing Local Roads program. The program is aimed at projects to seal, maintain and repair local roads. Details for specific projects will be rolled out over the coming weeks.

Showground Upgrades: Parkes is one of four local showgrounds sharing $155,751 for improvement works as part of a NSW Government COVID-19 stimulus package. Parkes, Forbes, Canowindra and Eugowra showgrounds have been approved for further upgrade work to improve the safety, use and condition of their infrastructure and support jobs in the local economy. Parkes received $58,000 to replace its harness racing track and arena lights and clean the showground’s other lights including floodlights.

Extended Rental Relief: At last month’s Ordinary Council Meeting it was resolved to continue to support the following community groups with free rental during the 2020/2021 financial year, equating to almost $70,000 in value: Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Historical Society, Parkes M&D, Parkes Antique Motor Club, Parkes Shire Concert Band, Historical Aircraft Restoration, Generocity Church and Bogan Gate Arts and Crafts.

Drought Response Scheme Concludes: Due to substantial rainfall across the Shire and the lowered seasonal demand, there are currently no issues with the management of the Shire’s water supply system. Council decided at its monthly June meeting to remove the Standpipe Usage Scheme and Drought Response Measures for Farming Enterprises framework and to return to normal system operation and usage charges. Cr Neil Westcott said: “Council should be commended for action and response to the drought affected community. The scheme represented a value of approximately $250,000 to our rural constituents over the 2018/19 – 2019/20 period.

Check Before Visiting: Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is continually monitoring the COVID-19 situation and reviewing hospital visitors. Visitors to any hospitals or health services should check in advance to make sure they know and understand the rules at that time, and follow the directions of staff. Visitors may not enter if they have returned from overseas in the last 14 days, returned from the greater Melbourne area in the last 14 days or have been in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

The abundance of rain has filled up dams, and brought wild flowers back in nature.

Golden Commitment

July 3, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Norma Garment at her retirement morning tea last week with the certificate she received in 1974 when she started teaching Scripture in Bourke.

Norma Garment attended a very special morning tea last week in her honour. She was recognised for her outstanding commitment to teaching Special Religious Education (formerly School Scripture) for 50 years. She started in Bourke in 1974 and later moved to Parkes teaching a lesson at all three primary schools each week. At her retirement morning tea last week she said every week was a highlight. Her main message to children is easily summed up in two songs she always taught: Jesus Loves Me and Love And Care For One Another.

Just Married… 72 Years Ago!

July 3, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

BEAUTIFUL LIFE… Kath and Keith Hutchison celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last Friday.

Being good mates is the simple secret Kath and Keith Hutchison have lived by for 72 years.

The Parkes couple were married on 26th June 1948 in Hanwood just outside Griffith. Last Friday they celebrated their extraordinary milestone with their two children Michael Hutchison and Sherree Rosser.

“You’ve got to be good mates, work together and help each other,” said 96-year-old Kath gently touching her 94-year-old husband’s hand. “It’s all just common sense.”

Kath clearly remembers seeing Keith for the first time at the St Patrick’s night dance at the Palais in Griffith. “All the girls and blokes used to go and there was this new bloke in town. He was all dressed up with shiny shoes… he still has a fetish about shiny shoes today,” Kath said pointing to his polished black shoes.

Keith left school at 15 to join the railway, and he had just started working in Griffith. He noticed Kath too, and she liked it that he had a decent job, “so it just went on from there”.

IMAGE: Kath and Keith on their wedding day, 26th June 1948.

Keith worked 45 years on the railway and the couple moved all over NSW, but they ended up spending 36 years in Narromine where Keith also worked for Grain Corp after he retired. This is also where Kath found her passion for real estate and loved selling houses for 27 years.

“It’s been a wonderful life travelling around the countryside and meeting so many people,” said Kath. “In those days nobody wanted to fall out with the station master as he was a vital link in keeping everything running.”

Although they were always far from family, there were always people willing to help out with the children. “It was not so much about material possessions and more about family and taking care of each other. And everybody went everywhere on their push bikes. There were not many cars around.”

In later years when the children had left, Kath and Keith discovered the joys of caravanning all over Australia. There were so many good spots, but they did start a tradition of going back to Yamba in northern NSW every year for 27 years.

They might not be travelling much these days, but relish the time they spend with their two children, eight grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. This brings them endless joy and pride. “We have raised two excellent children.”

By Maggi Barnard

Do you prefer country living or city life?

July 3, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Sue Ridley: I’ve been in Parkes all my life. It is just quieter and not a rat race. My extended family are here too.

Jack and Carmel van der Helm: We are originally from Parkes, but have been living in Melbourne for the past 47 years. We enjoy the peace and quiet, clean air and close proximity of everything in country towns, as well as cheaper real estate.

Kerry Buerckner: You could never pay me enough money to live in a city! It is more relaxed in the country. City people are so rushed. I was born in Parkes and love it here.

Snippets…

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Cooke Park is undergoing major changes with the construction of the multipurpose centre making great strides.

Driver Testing Update: From 1st July 2020, driver testing bookings will be open to all customers across NSW. You will be able to book online, by phone or in person from this date. Service NSW are anticipating a high demand for the service and have currently been prioritising customers who had a test cancelled due to COVID-19. If you had a test that was cancelled, you’ll be contacted by the Service Centre to re-book. Alternatively, you can attend your local service centre, or call 13 22 13. For more information, visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/driver-testing-and-covid-19

COVID-19 Testing at Parkes: All residents in the Parkes Shire are encouraged to book a COVID-19 test if they currently have, or have recently had any of the following symptoms: fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, and cough. To book an appointment time 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 please contact Healthdirect 1800 022 222, Western Public Health Helpline 1300 066 055 or Emergencies 000

Shooting Sports Back in Action: All shooting sports have now recommenced in Parkes, Forbes and Eugowra after being shut down since March due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Meetings are held every Sunday at the Shooting Range in Parkes and Eugowra. For more information contact Parkes Gun Club and Sporting Shooters Association 6862 1969.

Blood Donations ‘Essential’: Every week Australia needs 29,000 blood donations. Take a life-saving leap and donate now. To make an appointment online visit www.donateblood.com.au or call 13 14 95.

It’s time to press play for fun in Parkes these school holidays: While a number of tourism operators are still on the road to reopening, the popular CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope and Henry Parkes Centre museums will re-open to the public on Saturday, 4 July – just in time for the school holidays.

“Ahead of the July school holidays, we’ve put together a jampacked itinerary, full of free and fun activities to keep the whole family entertained in Parkes Shire,” said Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mayor of Parkes Shire. “Explore the wide-open spaces, iconic attractions, quirky experiences, engaging play areas and the fabulous local eateries and shopping outlets.”

Download the Press Play itinerary from the Visit Parkes website to take advantage of the school holiday special offers, visitparkes.com.au/whats-on/school-holidays/.

Download the Press Play itinerary from the Visit Parkes website.

Take A Trip To The Dish

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The iconic Dish will be re-opening to the public on Saturday, 4th July.

It will soon be school holidays, and with life slowing returning after months of lock- down, more places are opening up to visit.

The CSIRO Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre and the Dish Café will be re-opening to visitors on Saturday, 4 July. The Dish will be open seven days per week, and opening hours will be 8:30am to 4:15pm.

In response to the evolving COVID-19 situation precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. In order for you to be able to safely explore the centre visitors will be asked to practice good hygiene and social distancing to reduce the risk of spread of Coronavirus in the community.

Government and CSIRO regulations and risk mitigation strategies include:
• Please stay outside if you are feeling unwell or have any cold symptoms.
• Visitor numbers will be limited to no more than 50 people inside at any given time.
• A limited number of people will be permitted in the 3D theatre to meet socialvdistancing regulations.
• Hand sanitiser has been placed in various locations, please make sure that you make use of this during your visit.

For more information, please go to www.csiro.au/parkes. The iconic Parkes radio telescope will be re-opening on 4 July, just in time for the school holidays.

Historic Harness Win For Laura

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

PROUD MOMENT… Laura Rusten (middle) and her horse Jaytees Hat with her dad Darryle and younger sister Jorja shortly after she won her very first race in Parkes. (Image by Coffee Photography and Framing).

Wearing her great pop’s colours, 16-year old Laura Rusten won her very first harness racing event earlier this month with her favourite horse Jaytees Hat.

“I had a good feeling racing in Parkes again after the COVID-19 restrictions, but it was very exciting to actually win.”

Although Laura started driving when she was 14, she was only allowed to obtain her racing licence in November last year at 16. She did her first race in March in Bathurst.

“It is all about judgement in a race,” says Laura. “You have to make on the spot, split second decisions. As you are moving so fast, the adrenaline is pumping. I never feel the cold in winter.”

As a fourth-generation driver in her family and her dad as her trainer, she is among very few female, school-aged drivers in the sport. “Although I am in the minority, everyone is very nice and polite, and treat me as an equal.”

At the moment Laura only considers harness racing a hobby. She has always been around horses and does the “whole lot”, but loves riding and would probably like to be a horse trainer one day.

When she lined up in Parkes with ten other competitors, Laura could not help but think about the day in November 2016 when she was riding at home and her horse fell over. She ended up in Westmead Hospital in a coma for five days, and it was six months until she could get on a horse again.

By Maggi Barnard

VERTO Awarded Five-Star Rating

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

VERTO Chief Operating Officer Alyssa Bennett (left) and Employment Services Manager Peta Skinner celebrate VERTO’s 5 Star Disability Services rating in Parkes.

Last week VERTO made the exciting announcement that its Lachlan Disability Employment Services team was awarded a five-star rating by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.

The Australian Government’s Disability Employment Service Program aims to assist people with illness, injury or disability to find and maintain employment. To gain a five-star rating, service providers are assessed on how successful they are in placing participants in sustainable, long-term employment or education. The star ratings system allows both employers and participants to help them chose the right service provider for them.

Ratings assess two of three performance indicators, the first of which measures the efficiency of a service provider, by looking at the average time it takes for providers to achieve employment outcomes for their participants. The second measures the effectiveness of service providers in how many outcomes are achieved for individual clients, including maintaining participants in employment where they may need assistance.

VERTO chief operating officer, Alyssa Bennett, said the Lachlan area, which includes four locations – Forbes, Parkes, West Wyalong and Condobolin – had received a five-star rating, the highest possible ranking from an independent Australian Government assessment.

“The VERTO Lachlan Disability Employment Services team does an outstanding job of assisting local job seekers to find and maintain employment,” Alyssa said.

“The five star rating is indicative of our commitment, dedication, and ongoing reliability in helping the Lachlan community, and ensures that those with illness, injury or disability looking for employment will have the chance to find and maintain meaningful work.”

For more information about VERTO’s specialised Disability Employment Services employment assistance, visit www.verto.org.au or phone 1300 483 786.

Our Bloke – Derrick Milling

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Derrick Milling

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? We moved here in 1997, it really is a lovely big village. I walk slower now, time is less critical.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I’m retired from paid employment, and assist with Anglican Church worship commitments and being part of the vibrant team of volunteers at Georgie’s Pantry.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Gardening is such great soothing therapy. I also love reading and going mad doing Sudokus.

What makes you proud? I’m thankful to God for such a great family of Sandra, our children and grandchildren, their Christian values and attitude to others. Very thankful for volunteers who assisted at the Pantry during this drought period.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Probably a turtle (pull your head in Derrick), and swim whenever I liked – cool!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Movie: To Kill a Mocking Bird; book: Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela; Song: Abraham, Martin & John sung by Dion.

Tell us about your best holiday. We have been to Ireland three times and in 2015 we also attended the Anzac Dawn service at the Villers Bretonneux Australian National Memorial on the Western front. The Irish humour knocks me out!

What is on your bucket list? I want to fly! I used to jump off the woodshed as a kid, and I still can’t get it right. Kangaroo Island when it’s open again would be great.

June 30 Means Tax Time

June 26, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

A lot of individuals become uncertain with what they can and can’t claim at tax time, and this year will be very different given the COVID-19 pandemic.

It can often be a very time consuming and frustrating time, so you can always reach out and ask the professionals such as Peter Woods and Associates, David Bicket, Ward and Associates or MD Trimmer right here in Parkes for advice.

Tax planning should be customised to individual needs, and should be undertaken with the assistance of an expert. When planning now you should certainly consider strategies available specifically for Small Business Entities, such as the immediate write off deductions for capital items, and bringing forward expenses into the 2020/2021 financial year. Other tools to discuss with your accountant or advisor include the use of Superannuation Contributions as a deduction or Farm Management Deposits as a strategy.

This time of year is also ideal for planning and forecasting for the new financial year. Professionals can refine the process of identifying both the goals and the concerns of clients, and work with them to map a plan for the coming years. This includes a cash flow forecast and projected Profit and Loss, and is ideally revisited regularly through the new financial year. Planning and measuring performance are essential for reaching your personal and business goals.

The sooner you get in touch with the experts, the sooner you can lighten your load.

Maggi Barnard

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