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 – Andrew Taggart

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Just over 27 years. The expression of community here is excellent and so evident in the midst of the social distancing rules. We greatly appreciate the high quality education system provided here, which is such a huge blessing to our extended family.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the pastor of Parkes AOG Church and I especially enjoy watching people grow and making spiritual and character progress.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Walking, hiking in the bush and jogging.

What makes you proud? When friends and family do good, show kindness, excel in their work, especially when they are under pressure.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? An eagle to catch thermal updrafts, scale the heights and see the beauty of the mountains and the hidden valleys. Eagles are legendary for renewing their youth.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Amazing Grace song and movie. No book can compare with the Bible which I have read through over 45 times and the gospels nearly 100 times. I also love the Chronicles of Narnia for the rich insight each story gives on life.

Tell us about your best holiday. Shona and I have been blessed with so many amazing holidays. The trips to Scotland stand out, hiking as many Bens and Glens as I could, taking our daughter and her three children there and staying in Paris on the way home including four days in Disneyland, Paris with the grandkids!

Parkes Town Crier Joins Historic Anniversary

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

It was at 3pm on Tuesday, 8th May 1945 that Winston Churchill officially announced the end of the war in Europe and declared it to be VE Day.

Years of carnage and destruction had come to an end and millions of people took to the streets and pubs to celebrate peace, mourn their loved ones and to hope for the future. Next Friday, 8th May it will be 75 years since the guns fell silent.

Parkes Town Crier Tim Keith will join town criers from all over the world in a very special ‘Cry For Peace Around The World’ to mark this historic anniversary.

Following the current social distancing conventions, town criers in New Zealand and Australia will be the first to raise their bells to start the ‘Cry For Peace Around The World’.

“As the ranks of our WWII veterans diminish, it is only fitting that as the world now wages war with a microscopic enemy, that we reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and determination of people from all walks of life who saw us through this dark and terrifying period,” said the organisers of the event. “That same determination and courage is needed once again.”

Tim Keith will be at the Parkes Cenotaph at 3pm next Friday.

What are you doing to keep fit and active during COVID-19? Parkes Tennis Club members answer.

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Gabriel Goodrick: I’ve been keeping fit by doing routine exercise programs from my school, my own and my tennis coach. They all consist of muscle strengthening and cardio workouts to achieve a good all round fitness level.

Abbey Kennedy: I try and maintain a fitness routine every day. Most days I go to the tennis courts for an hour or two to hit with a friend or with the ball machine. If not on the tennis court, I go for a 5km walk/jog around the block, regularly skip sets of a hundred, and I follow a non-equipped circuit video for muscle strengthening, cardio and endurance.

New Community Event A ‘Run’ In The Park

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Ronel van Wyk, Daniel Greef and Sonia Bland put in a lot of effort to organise a parkrun for our town, and hope to launch in June.

What else could a sporty town with a fantastic community still need?

A parkrun of course! With such a fitting name our town Parkes had to join the worldwide parkrun movement.

Three local residents have been working very hard for almost two years, and last week the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when the Parkes parkrun received $7,500 from the Northparkes/Parkes Shire Council Sports Grants fund.

Excitement is building for Parkes to join 381 events in Australia and 1,400 in 22 countries across the world when the COVID-19 regulations are relaxed, hopefully in June. This is a great motivation for all the residents who have been out walking and running of late, to work towards a goal.

Parkrun, a 5km event on a set course, is a fantastic and free community event. It includes all ages, all demographics, all levels of fitness. Whatever your age and stage in life, whatever you do during the week, you can take part in parkrun, and you don’t even need to run!

“Walking is perfectly acceptable,” said Ronel van Wyk, who initiated the parkrun for Parkes. “We encourage everyone who wants to give it a go to come along, every Saturday morning or once in a blue moon, we don’t mind.”

“I also believe the parkrun will bring our community even closer together,” said Ronel. “I can’t wait to do a parkrun in my own town.”

Ronel received assistance from Sonia Bland and Daniel Greef, and they both agree that the event would not only bring the community closer together, but also build camaraderie.

“I’m really looking forward to parkrun in Parkes,” said Daniel. “It is something differ- ent for the town, a family friendly event and inclusive regardless of a person’s fitness level. I love that parkruns are not races.”

Daniel said it would also serve as a big tourist attraction as many avid parkrunners follow the parkrun trail around the world to try and do as many as they can.

For Sonia the physical well-being and mental health benefits the event would bring are also very important. “We hope parkrun will bring our community closer together, like we’re all part of the team and that will bring a sense of belonging.”

The 5km route for Parkes will start at Boulder Hill Park on the corner of Wentworth Street and Alexandra Street and follow the walkway around the ovals. To have a time recorded runners have to register on the parkrun website, print out a personal barcode and bring it to the run. The barcode will be valid to take part in any parkrun anywhere in the world.

The Saturday morning parkrun event is run by volunteers, and the Parkes group welcomes any individuals, clubs and organisations to help out as volunteers as either run director, time keepers, handing out and scanning tokens and tail walkers. Anyone interested can contact Ronel on 0476 157 120.

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Last Post echoed through Parkes at dawn on Anzac Day last Saturday as residents joined the country-wide movement to commemorate the day by standing at the end of their driveways.

Autumn Colouring In Competition: Congratulations to the four winners! Layla Mulligan, Zahli Gillingham, Heidi Jones and Lacie Turner.

Restricted Visits To Resume: The Western NSW Local Health District announced that residents in its 25 Multipurpose Service (MPS) facilities will be able to have care and support visits from their close contacts, with some COVID-19 measures remaining in place. From 1 May all visitors to aged care residents will have to show that they have received a 2020 influenza vaccine showing a statement from their doctor, their Medicare immunisation record or they could use the Express Plus Medicare app. Residents will be able to determine who comes to see them, but there can be no more than two visitors per resident during a day. Children are still not able to visit. Visitors will also be subjected to temperature checks, and a short COVID-19 assessment questionnaire.

Fuel Prices Must Come Down: Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is calling on local fuel retailers to do the right thing and pass on savings from plummeting world oil prices to consumers. Australian wholesale and retail prices are not regulated by the Government and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has no power to set prices. NSW motorists can use the FuelCheck website and app to identify sites with relatively competitive prices to support them.

Vaccinate To Prevent Childhood Illness: NSW Health is reminding parents and carers that the best way to protect their child from serious preventable diseases is to vaccinate them on time according to the National Immunisation Program Schedule. If a child has a runny nose or slight cold, they can still get vaccinated. Delaying vaccinations can leave children exposed to serious illnesses at a time when they’re most vulnerable. All children aged six months to less than five years are also recommended to have their free annual influenza vaccination, which has been available from mid- April. Parents and carers can download the Save the Date to Vaccinate app, which gives timely reminders of childhood vaccinations. For more information, visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/vaccinate

Blood Donations ‘Essential’: Donate now. Blood donors are needed now more than ever with 800 cancellations per day nationally and blood products shortages are potentially going to be a reality. Make an appointment online or call 13 14 95.

Ring Them Bells: Every Thursday from 6pm to 7pm the church bells in Parkes are ringing to call the community to prayer time. People are also encouraged to light a candle in their window.

We Need Our Farmers Now More Than Ever

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The hard work being done by farmers and food processors across NSW to continue to put food on supermarket shelves for Australians during this unprecedented crisis has been praised.

Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said farmers had continued to provide Australians with three meals a day while still battling the drought.

“At a time of great uncertainty one guarantee is that our farmers will continue to put three meals on our plates every day. We need our farmers now more than ever,” he said.

While recent summer rainfall has topped up dams and rain tanks and left green pick in paddocks, more widespread rain is needed before the conversation can turn to recovery.

“We can’t complain about any amount of rain, every drop in the paddock counts, but we still have a long way to go before we bounce back from this drought,” he said.

“While conversations across the world have rightly turned to beating this virus, we know that more needs to be done to make it through this drought so we can keep feeding Australia and the world.”

“We have seen an incredible uptake of grants under the Drought Transport Subsidy program and funding continues to roll out through the Farm Innovation Fund.”

“Every farmer has had their LLS rates, fixed water charges and vehicle registration costs waived by the NSW Government because we know every dollar saved today will make a difference tomorrow.”

“To all of our farmers and their families I want to say thank you and assure you that we will continue to go above and beyond the $1.9 billion in emergency drought support.”

Shop Locally: Shop Parkes

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

During these unprecedented times, our local businesses are doing everything they can to continue to deliver their products and services to our community.

“During this tough time, it has been fabulous to see the positivity, kindness and support from our community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM. “For our convenience and safety, many of our local businesses have quickly innovated and are now offering online services, delivery, click and collect and takeaway options. Now more than ever, it is more important to look out for one another and support the ones who need it most.”

There are a number of ways residents can support local businesses:

Get it to-go
Discover the great range of local takeaway options now available. From drive through to takeaway to delivery, the options are endless. View the Local Takeaway Food Guide for what’s available, www.visitparkes.com.au.

Buy now, use later
Purchase a gift voucher or a Shop Parkes Gift Card to use at a later date. Help the cash flow while keeping it local.

Shop small
Whether its online or over the phone, many businesses in Parkes are getting creative in an effort to continue trading. Head to their website, social media pages, or give them a call to find out their new trading arrangements. View the Local Retail Guide for details about what our local retails businesses are offering.

Love Our Locals (virtually)
Support your favourite business by leaving them a positive review, liking their social media pages, and sharing their content.

Stay Connected And Informed

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Local business owners and operators are encouraged to take advantage of the range of free webinars, online workshops and virtual support currently being offered by regional development bodies.

Sign up for the weekly ‘What’s On Business Support’ e-newsletter featuring the latest information by emailing events@parkes.nsw.gov.au. Also follow the Parkes Chamber of Commerce on Facebook to keep up-to-date with the latest business support measures and advice.

Shop Parkes This Mother’s Day

May 1, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Although you may not be able to head out an enjoy a day out let’s make mum’s day special at home! Shop Parkes has Mother’s Day all wrapped up this year with lots of special offers and beautiful products! Head to www.visitparkes.com.au for some gift inspiration that can be found locally!

Join The Baking Craze Using Local Flour

April 24, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Peter Boschman of Cunningham’s IGA now stocks a local flour milled and packed by Bio-Oz in Parkes.

A local flour producer has stepped in to help fill the flour gaps in our pantries left by the Corona craziness of the past few months.

Bio-Oz flour is milled and packed in Parkes and is now available at Cunning- ham’s IGA.

Bio-Oz e3 Spelt and Khorasan flours, available in 4.7kg packets, are high quality baking flours, suitable for all your baking needs from making bread, pizza, cakes and biscuits to pancakes, muffins or pasta.

The flours are available in white or wholemeal, and are plain flour only. e3 Spelt and Khorasan are ancient wheats, with more flavour than modern wheat, and are freshly milled here in Parkes.

Julie and Geoff Brown started Bio-Oz in Parkes 26 years ago producing buckwheat for export to Japan for the production of soba noodles.

Before their move to Parkes, Geoff initiated the spelt industry in Australia when he planted a spoonful of spelt seeds at their farm near Blayney. He was also growing buckwheat at the time.

Once in Parkes they asked a local farmer Wayne Dunford to grow spelt and he produced enough to be milled into a flour. A bakery in Perth was very excited about the flour and they sent a photocopy of a slice of the bread they made to the Browns.

Spelt was put on the map in Australia when the diet “Eat Right For Your Type” became a big craze in 1996. Bio-Oz started delivering spelt flour to bakeries all over Australia.

When the demand for gluten free products increased, Bio-Oz responded by starting an online shop about three years ago, as buckwheat is a good quality flour for people with coeliac disease. It has a very balanced protein, is high in magnesium and is low GI (Glycemic Index).

Last year Bio-Oz built its own ancient wheat flour mill to compliment its gluten free buckwheat mill.

Bio-Oz sells flour online only, with its e3 Spelt and Khorasan flours now available at Cunningham’s IGA.

NOTE: e3 Spelt and Khorasan are ancient wheats and contain gluten. e3 Spelt is a registered trademark and may be suitable for people with a wheat intolerance.

Recipes: If you feel inspired to start baking, go to page 4 for a delicious pancake recipe using the Bio-Oz flours. Visit www.bio-oz.com.au for more recipes.

Maggi Barnard

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