Maggi Barnard

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

Snippets…

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Visitor Information Centre is open again. Don’t forget, locals receive free entry to the museums when they bring a visitor or relative!

Fingers Crossed: The Parkes Action Club members are working towards the 2020 Christmas Parade on Friday, 4th December. They are full of hope that COVID-19 restrictions would be history by the end of year to ensure a great evening for the Parkes community.

Last Post Ceremony To Return: The Australian War Memorial’s Last Post Ceremony will recommence in its daily live format when the memorial reopens to visitors on Wednesday, 1st July. The Last Post Ceremony to take place at 4:55pm on 1st July will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the amphibious landings of the Australian 7th Division at Balikpapan in New Guinea during the Second World War. Director of the Australian War Memorial Matt Anderson said that he was looking forward to welcoming the public back to the daily ceremony and urged people to book a free ticket online. In line with ACT Health advice, a restricted number of visitors will be allowed. Free tickets must be pre-booked and presented on arrival. Bookings will open to the public later this month.

Butter Up And Bake: RSPCA is calling on animal lovers to bake a change in the fight against animal cruelty for this year’s annual Cupcake Day on 26th October. Last year, 8,142 super sweet people signed up to host a Cupcake Day in their homes, schools and workplaces to raise some much-needed dough for animals in need. The annual fundraiser has moved to a new spring-time date due to ongoing community health and safety concerns. RSPCA NSW receives less than 2% of their funding from the state government each year. Funds raised through Cupcake Day will help keep shelters open and inspectors on the road investigating animal cruelty complaints.

Join the Campaign! As regional travel resumed in NSW on 1st June, the Parkes Shire joined the ‘We Want you Back’ campaign inviting visitors to our region. As some experiences and attractions are still on the road to re-opening, it is wise to plan ahead. As part of the campaign visitors are asked to snap, send and share their experiences via @VisitParkesRegion #WeWantYouBack on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. Locals can also take part by sharing what you love about the region to entice your loved ones to come and visit. Send in a video that will be reshared on the Visit Parkes Region social media channels.

NSW Department of Education promotional poster

Letters to the Editor

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor

We visited Parkes on the long weekend, and I’d like to say what a beautiful town and countryside with friendly people.

However, we were gobsmacked to find the Visitor Information Centre, Elvis Exhibit, Car Museum and the Dish were not open. In fact, while my husband enjoyed the Henry Parkes museum I waited outside and three other couples couldn’t believe the Centre was shut.

We heard various reasons for the closures, none insurmountable if you want to attract visitors. Maybe because the Visitor Information Centre (which I was told opened during the week) has paid staff vs the volunteers elsewhere?

We went on to Peak Hill and wandered through the antique shops, visitor’s centre, bought home made crafts and had lunch.

We had great meals in Parkes and very much enjoyed the stay. We just felt Parkes had let itself down by not opening fully.

Regards,
Sue Murphy

Be Seen

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Visitor Information Centre reopened last week. Here is Tourism Officer Cherie Simpson at the display of local produce available for purchase at the centre.

Ash Farrar and Bianca Oliver ready to welcome customers at Byrne Clothing earlier this week.

Helen and Clive Stibbard enjoyed the winter sun in the Parkes CBD on Tuesday morning.

The Salvation Army op shop is open again on Tuesdays and Thursdays much to the delight of customers. On Tuesday Ken Moir and Chris Symonds were happy to help Neleke Robinson (right).

Story About ‘Sunstruck’ Sparks Revival

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

GOOD MEMORIES… Sharryn Cunningham shows Dan Fredericks of the Parkes Shire Library the scrap book her mum made of her acting experience. Dan is holding a DVD of the movie Sunstruck.

“There are many towns and villages within the Parkes Shire LGA (local government area), Wongalea is just one of them.”

This is how Parkes library officer and historian Dan Fredericks started his most recent history blog that has caused quite a stir.

“There has been lots of interest. It is so exciting,” said Dan, who spent the last five years researching the story of the famous one-teacher school house that featured in the movie Sunstruck.

The filming of the early 1970s movie by an international film crew starring Harry Secombe struck a chord with the Parkes community, and bringing back those memories through the blog has put Dan in the limelight too.

It was not just locals getting excited, but the media swarmed around Dan too to talk about the story.

Ewan Gilbert from ABC Central West Mornings had a chat to him, one of ABC Central West’s feature reporters, Micaela Hambrett, interviewed him and wrote a feature about it, while ABC Evenings with Sarah Macdonald had Dan on the show. A Bathurst radio station interviewed him too.

Seems like Dan’s publishing of this feel good story was timed perfectly during the COVID-19 isolation period when we all needed a dose of good news.

“It was a big deal to have Harry Secombe, best known from ‘The Goon Show’ with Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, come to Parkes at the height of his popularity,” said Dan.

NSW Department of Education promotional poster

Sunstruck is a classic fish-out-of-water plot and was inspired by a promotional poster from the NSW Department of Education trying to entice British teachers to NSW.

Instead of ending up on Bondi Beach, as depicted in the poster, the film’s writers decided to have Harry’s character end up in a one-horse town where nothing happens.

That town was Nelungaloo, which became the fictional setting of Kookaburra Springs. The production company bought the Braeside home in Nelungaloo which was con- verted into the pub. They also bought the Wongalea Public School’s building and moved it next door to the pub

The Parkes district was filled with excitement and welcomed the overseas film crew into the community with many of them ending up on screen or helping out off screen. The producers were especially impressed with the acting abilities of the Parkes children.

Sharryn Cunningham (nee Helm), was one of the youngest of the 14 children from Parkes picked for the 16 roles in the film. At seven years old, she had a huge adventure experiencing many firsts in her life, like flying to Sydney, going to Luna Park, eating her first steak and being sent home to Bindogundra after a long day of filming in a taxi.

“I just have good memories of those six odd weeks. We got along so well.”

Although Sharryn has never been on a movie set again, she has another close connection with the other famous movie to come out of Parkes, The Dish. Her grandfather Austie Helm, sold his property to the CSIRO where the radio telescope is today.

Other locals featured as extras in the movie. Pam Nankivell remembers well how all her friends dressed up and did not get in. So she decided to put on her daggiest clothes and she was picked for the farewell party scene.

Local tradesmen also helped to build and paint the set, and one handyman with similar build and height to Harry caught the eye of the producers. Carl Christopherson was thrilled to be picked as Harry’s stand in.

More members of the community had an opportunity to contribute when the art director appealed to locals to provide props for the film.

In turn the crew ingrained themselves into the community making the Coachman Hotel their base. Lead actors Harry Secombe and Maggie Fitzgibbon were happy to perform in a charity night for Rosedurnate. Harry brought over his family, and his kids would go to the pool. Dan said locals remembered Harry as warm and friendly.

The Wongalea school house, now 108 years old, has not only been immortalised in the movie, but can still be visited at the Henry Parkes Historical Museum.

By Maggi Barnard

Our Bloke – Luke Nash

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I was born in Parkes and have been fortunate to live here for the past 26 years. Parkes has many great facilities, friendly people and endless prospects. The serenity of country living is second to none!

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at Parkes Shire Council as a management accountant. On weekends I assist in our family business at Parkes News & Gifts. The opportunity to work with a great team at council whilst undertaking a diverse range of tasks makes me enjoy coming to work each day.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy playing sport and socialising with friends. I also have a passion for running and hope to achieve my goal of finishing a half-marathon by the end of this year.

What makes you proud? I’m always proud to be an Australian. Australia is a place where compassion, courage and resilience are always displayed. There are endless opportunities, freedom of speech, quality education and health systems. I always feel privileged to live in this great country!

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? The ability to be a bird, flying high with breath-taking views and watching over the land.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? As a massive sports fan, ‘Blind Side’ is my favourite movie.

Tell us about your best holiday. Travelling across Europe and UK in 2018 was an unforgettable experience.

What is on your bucket list? My next item is to travel to New Zealand once travel restrictions are lifted and to conquer some of the amazing adventure activities in Queenstown.

‘Starstruck’ School’s History Still On Show

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Rose Jones, who has a passion for the preservation of history, feels very much at home in the Wongalea School.

Of the 88 one-teacher schools that used to be in the Parkes Shire, the Wongalea School became the most famous.

After the school building’s feature role in the 1972 movie Sunstruck, it became the property of the Parkes and District Historical Society.

Today it is one of only two remaining one-teacher school buildings, and has just been revamped by the Parkes and District Historical Society members during COVID-19 isolation.

“We have added lots of memorabilia like books, pens, ink wells, school satchels, a collection of typewriters and lots more,” said Rose Jones, who compiled the history of the school in a book.

They have also researched many of the other one-teacher schools and added their stories to the collection.

“The school first came to my attention when I began to research my husband’s family. My father-in-law was an ex-student and he also purchased the teacher’s residence by tender after the school’s closure.” She said to her amazement very little had been recorded about the school.

“There is so much interest in this building, and so many locals went to these schools, we need to preserve this history,” said Rose. “It is just great that we still have the building here on site.”

According to Rose’s book the school was located 20km northwest of Parkes on the public road to Trundle in the Parish of Gunningbland. The building was a cypress wood structure and construction was completed on 25th October 1912. There were 50 settlers at the time, with 15 children of school age.

Approval for the establishment of the school was granted on 17th June 1912, and the Department of Education contributed 85 pounds towards the cost and provided requisite furniture from Sydney.

The school opened in January 1913 with Eva Squire appointed as the first teacher. By 1918 there were 36 pupils and the existing building was lengthened by ten feet. In 1927 the teacher’s residence was built, as well as a tennis court.

The following year a 1,000 gallon water tank was installed and the pupils did not have to carry water to the school any more.

Some other highlights of the school’s history, as recorded by Rose, included a touring English football team visiting the school in 1936; the planting of 100 trees on Arbor Day in 1938 when the school acquired two more acres of land; in the 1950s the school took part in a street procession in Parkes with a float; participation in the annual small schools sports carnival from the 1960s; and the school’s golden jubilee celebrated in 1963 with 400 people attending. The school had 16 teachers over the 50 years. The school closed in May 1970 due to a fall in numbers.

In 1971 the school’s second life started when it was bought for the movie, transferred to Nelungaloo and renamed Kookaburra Springs.

The world premiere for Sunstruck was held on 25th November 1972 in Parkes, and the streets were lined with people as the stars travelled from their hotel to the movie theatre in vintage cars.

The Wongalea School can be visited at the Henry Parkes Historical Museum where it started its third life in 1972.

By Maggi Barnard

Do I really need the flu vaccination in 2020?

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

IMAGE: https://www.health.gov.au/

The experts say overwhelmingly yes! As government restrictions start to ease, it’s likely that we will hit a peak of COVID-19 cases right in the middle of flu season.

Both diseases can cause serious health complications. The flu can be serious enough to send you to hospital, even if you are young, and otherwise well.

The main reason experts are pushing hard for the flu vaccine is to help prevent individuals from acquiring two serious illnesses at once. It will also help reduce the burden on our community and health system.

While the flu vaccination doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, if you do get it, your symptoms will be milder and you’ll recover more quickly.

Everyone should be vaccinated and for some the National Immunisation Program (NIP) provides free vaccines from your local GP. The NIP covers vaccinations for those most at risk, including:
• Pregnant women
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• People aged 65 years and older (a different vaccine is available for those over 65)
• People with certain medical conditions;
• For the first time, all children aged between six months and five years.

For those who aren’t eligible for a free vaccination, you are able to receive the vaccination from one of our qualified pharmacists in store. We are qualified to vaccinate anyone over the age of ten years without a prescription from the doctor.

Give us call on 6862 2411 or pop into Parkes Pharmacy, located in the Metroplaza, and have a chat with our amazing staff.

Queen’s Honours For Terry

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Terry Job AFSM

The Group Captain of the Mid Lachlan Valley Rural Fire Service for 18 years was recognised for his many years of dedicated service with an Australian Fire Service Medal.

“It is a great feeling and very nice to be recognised for my work over the years,” said Terry Job, who was awarded the medal for his 54 years of service in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Terry decided to retire as captain when he returned from the Kempsey fires in November last year. He is still active as an ordinary fire fighter, and said he would keep going for as long as he was fit and able. “There is still a tanker stationed at my farm.”

Terry joined the Deep Lead Copper Ridge bush fire brigade in 1966, which later became the Rural Fire Service. During his long career he held the positions of deputy captain, captain and group captain.

In his role as group captain he was heavily involved in several major incidents in the local area. He also travelled across NSW leading strike teams to places in the Blue Mountains, Nowra, Tamworth, Canberra and to Victoria.

He remembers the Nowra and Victoria fires in earlier years as particularly dangerous for fire crews. “We are getting better and better at what we do.”

Terry was also instrumental in starting the NSWRFS cadet program at Parkes High School in 2015. The successful program sees a high percentage of students progress to become full time members of the RFS.

The Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) is awarded for distinguished service by a member of an Australian fire service.

Virtual New Parents Groups

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Anne Roth and Meagan Evans.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to finding new ways of working to ensure new parents stay connected.

Child and Family Health Nurses in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) are running a Virtual New Parent Group.

“New Parents Groups are normally provided face to face in centres across the district,” said Consultant Child and Family Health Clinical Nurse, Anne Roth.

“We’ve had a great response to the first group with 52 first time parents registering.” “The groups provide new parents with access to other new parents, with Child and Family Health Nurses acting as facilitators.” “This forum gives parents the opportunity to network and have access to professional advice and information.”

“This is particularly important for new parents who can feel vulnerable at this time. It may be hard right now for them to know how to balance the joy and excitement of having a new baby with the fear caused by this unprecedented global pandemic,” Anne said.

The Group is led by Meagan Evans a clinical nurse specialist in child and family health. The groups are held weekly over four weeks with each session running for 90 minutes.

If you would like to join contact Anne Roth Monday to Friday on 6369 8082 or 0429 320 328; or Meagan Evans, Clinical Nurse Specialist Child and Family Health WNSW LHD on Wednesdays on 0436 810 617.

The Difference That Lasts A Lifetime

June 12, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School has been operating for 38 years and has over 235 students. This year will see its sixth HSC cohort and with excellent facilities, an extensive curriculum and well-trained, enthusiastic teaching staff. PCS helps to create an exciting journey of learning throughout all aspects of school life from Kindergarten through to Year 12.

Enrolments are now open for 2021, with limited spaces available. If you would like to enrol your child, book a school tour, trial day or have an enrolment pack sent to you, please contact the school office on 6862 4164.

Maggi Barnard

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