Maggi Barnard

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

Northparkes Mines Implement COVID-19 Measures

March 27, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

CMOC-Northparkes Mines this week introduced measures to ensure the health and safety of employees, contractors, their families and the local community.

“We have taken a proactive approach and implemented precautionary and preventative measures where possible,” said Northparkes Managing Director Hubert Lehman. “These measures include, but are not limited to, screening of temperatures for all workers on entry to site, reiterating the importance of respiratory and hand hygiene, restricting site access to all non-essential visitors, cancelling all business travel and as of this week, we have now transitioned all non-operational employees to work from home to reduce unnecessary human to human contact.”

“Whilst there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within our workplace, we will continue to put measures in place to respond to the increased risks. COVID-19 is a global situation that is moving fast, and we are and will continue to do everything we can to prevent the spread in our local community.”

From an operational perspective, Northparkes continues to operate in line with production plans for 2020.

“The NSW Minerals Council is working tirelessly with their members, governments, regulators and other industry associations to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on the mining sector. We want to ensure we are able to continue contributing to the local economy during this pandemic, this includes providing job opportunities for our local community members,” Hubert said.

Boy Or Girl?

March 27, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Our beloved sales executive Sylvie Everingham-Potts is very creative when it comes to changing the game plan. Over the past year she has managed to keep the advertising sales of The Parkes Phoenix afloat in an environment that has become more challenging by the day as the drought intensified, the summer’s horrific bushfires scorched the country and lately the Coronavirus rewrote the rules for all of us. This week we farewelled her for her biggest challenge yet: motherhood! We wish you everything that is amazing and beautiful for the next chapter in your life. You could not have imagined a more dramatic start for this story, but we know you will play it calm and collected as you always do!

Snippets…

March 27, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Mayor Ken Keith.

Support And Positivity – Mayor’s Message: Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM reassured the community stating we are all in this together. “Be assured that as your local Council we are here to ensure essential services continue to be delivered to our community and we will support you in any capacity we can.”

Whilst there are still no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Parkes LGA, the surge in cases around NSW is concerning and Council has actively been putting measures in place to respond to these increased risks. Council’s operations will begin to be scaled back to essential services only. The public swimming pools, libraries and Parkes Visitors Information Centre were closed on Tuesday. The libraries moved to online and over the phone services, while the visitors centre still attend to online and phone enquiries during regular opening hours. Council will start planning for possible further restrictions or closures of customer service areas in the public offices, meetings spaces and consolidation of public amenities to ensure we are prepared to act swiftly should the need arise.

“This is a challenging time for us all, let’s support each other, be kind and heed the directives of government to ensure we all stay safe.”

COVID-19 Support For Regional Australia: An initial $1 billion will be injected into regional communities to support businesses, agriculture and tourism impacted by the ongoing spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said many small and medium businesses were the core of regional communities. “Our funding will ensure we provide the right support so industries and businesses keep going and employees can keep their jobs which includes the more than three million small and medium businesses as well as casuals, sole traders, retirees and those on income support.”

Viral Kindness: Dominos stores across the country started delivering thousands of free pizzas to healthcare workers on the battlefront of the health crisis. The local Parkes branch joined in the “Feeding the Frontline” campaign calling on health care workers to contact them. “No strings attached, we’ll just make a time on a busy shift in the hospital or health centre and turn up with free pizza for the team.” Let us join the kindness drive and make it go viral in our community!

While the Craft Corner has closed its doors, they are not closed for business. Customers are welcome to phone in orders, especially with Easter and Mother’s Day coming up. There are lots of beautiful handcrafted items for sale.

Tell us how you’re doing with social distancing?

March 27, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Beth Thomas: I just love being at home. Gardening, practising my French grammar, practising my guitar, reading, swimming, keeping fit with my gym and pilates… there’s just so much to do!

Samantha Ross-Walton: Sleepins, Netflix and chill – JOKING! I’ve got kids. Most probably working from home, lesson plans, school work, baking, board games, cubby houses, backyard cricket, dance comps, swimming and lots of movie nights.

Maralyn Nash: Keeping my house clean, colourful and vibrant. Finishing writing my book and lots of creative art making… plus keeping connected with family, friends and community. Stay strong and healthy everyone!

Our Bloke – Julian Fyfe

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? Just over four years. I really appreciate Parkes’ progressive Council made up of politically independent councillors. I also enjoy the size and familiarity of the town.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I am the Infrastructure Technical Manager at Parkes Shire Council, which means I guide the technical, compliance and sustainability aspects of our water servicing and projects. I think I must have a higher percentage of water in my blood than most as I just really like all things water. And thanks again to our forward thinking Council, I have been fortunate to help deliver our innovative Recycled Water Scheme.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? Go swimming with my kids.

What makes you proud? My kids make me proud every day. So does doing work that supports the community but also protects and sustains the environment.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Magpie – to be able to fly and sing to communicate.

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? ‘Captain Correlli’s Mandolin’ is a beautiful crafted story set in WWII that absolutely took my breath away. ‘Look Both Ways’ is a wonderful Australian film with enormous heart. Machine Translation’s song ‘Sit in the Sun’ is a wistful delight.

Tell us about your best holiday. Two weeks enjoying the culture, snorkelling and resort food in Vanuatu with my family.

What is on your bucket list? Play drums in an experimental rock band (again), visit Sri Lanka, take a dedicated surf holiday.

Food And Fun At Middleton Country Fair

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

A Country Fair has to have a fresh produce stall. Annette Orr and Pat Cooke were happy to look after the popular stall.

It was a perfect autumn day and Middleton Public School celebrated a few days of soaking rain with a very successful Country Fair earlier this month.

Plenty of stalls offered a range of activities, while the food stalls included real coffee, pulled pork burgers, sausage sizzle, popcorn and an amazing cake stall that sold out very quickly.

One of the busiest stalls was the school’s very own produce stall. Parents, carers and grandparents donated all kinds of fresh produce and plants, as well as handmade goodies.

The kids had lots of fun with the games including Ring Toss, Knock the Blocks and Bat the Rat. The NRL footy throwing competition proved very popular, as well as a ninja course competition. The students loved throwing wet sponges at their teachers, especially when they were successful in hitting their target.

The Country Fair raffle had ten outstanding prizes, all of which were drawn on the day.

Sam Hunt and Armani Reidy won the best dressed cowboy and cowgirl competition receiving winning ribbons and a gift voucher each.

The Middleton community would like to thank everyone for their generous support, especially the generous donations from local and out of town businesses.

It was wonderful to see the so many families having fun.

By Judy Fisher

Be Seen

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Armani Reidy and Sam Hunt won the Best Dressed competition at Middleton Public School’s Country Fair earlier this month.

Nerissa Westgarth with students assisting at the nail polish stall at Middleton Public School’s Country Fair.

The refurbished Wes Cheney Pavilion at Woodward Oval was officially opened last Saturday. At the event were (L- R) Parkes Mayor Keith, Casey Grice, Matt Ellis, Cameron Rosser and Dan Gordon.

Chloe Mudiman with her parents Katrina and Michael after she shaved off all her hair for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave.

Corona Virus Pandemic

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

This is to let you know that Matthews Williams is continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and, based on advice from government and health authorities, we are taking all required action to protect the health and wellbeing of our clients, the public, staff, and anyone accessing our offices.

We have implemented hygiene policies and practices such as no body contact and regular cleaning of surfaces in our offices.

In order to protect our clients, we can adapt, which may include our clients to email or telephoning instructions. We propose to continue to operate in providing legal services as far as the situation allows. There may be disruptions to our office opening hours, but as yet we are not at that stage.

These are unprecedented times for all of us and we thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and always seek ways to support our clients and our communities.

We will continue to follow Government health advices as they unfold.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Bras With Love

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Philippa Mitchell.

Women in the Central West now have access to a unique service offered in the privacy of their homes.

Philippa Mitchell is a certified bra fitter and has started a mobile bra fitting service called Bras With Love. It is a personalised measure-and-fit service for bras, including women who need pocketed (mastectomy) bras and breast prostheses. And the best part is that Philippa will come to your home.

Philippa works closely with the McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses in Parkes and Orange and she carries a range of products for women who have undergone breast surgery and women going through treatment for cancer.

She also offers a range of headwear for women who have undergone chemotherapy. These are made from very soft cotton and bamboo with a great range of styles and colours.

“Being a mobile service is not just convenient, for many women it is the only way they can have a fitting by a trained professional,” said Philippa.

“A lot of women who’ve had surgery, are grieving, and they don’t want to go to a shop and be fitted in a fitting room. For them to be fitted in their own home, they tell me, is wonderful and much more relaxed.”

Philippa’s service is completely free and orders are mailed or delivered directly to the customer in about a week after the order is placed.

As a funeral celebrant, she is also very aware of the grief process, and has a warm and engaging nature to put everyone at ease.

All fittings are private and conducted with decorum. Contact Philippa by phone or email to book an appointment on 0499 991 650 or email: braswithlove@hotmail.com

Woodward Pavilion Sporting A New Look

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

WE’RE ALL FAMILY… Family members of Wes Cheney at the opening of the refurbished pavilion at Woodward Oval were: At the back Ian Cowle, Andrew White and Graeme Cheney. Middle: Janell Cheney, Janine Boschman, Helen Kenyon and Annie Burke. Front seated: Loris White and Vivienne Cunningham and sitting on the ground is Ella Burke.

Family members, cricket players, supporters and officials gathered at the Woodward Oval last Saturday for the official opening of the restored 61-year-old Wes Cheney Pavilion.

“It is wonderful to see so many of Wes Cheney’s family here today,” said Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM. He remembered Wes as a very humble man who never talked about all he did for sport in Parkes.

Master of Ceremonies Michael Greenwood called Wes a real Trojan who volunteered so much of his time in providing and maintaining recreation facilities in Parkes and was instrumental in the formation of the Parkes Sports Council, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The pavilion was named after the late Wesley Berry Cheney in 2015 in recognition of his herculean voluntary contribution to the Shire’s sporting community.

The $297,000 amenities upgrade, thanks to a collaboration of local and state government and sporting associations, included the replacement of all the internal and external walls and floors, renailing of roofing iron, installation of a new kitchen, upgrades to the change and shower rooms, as well as the construction of a new unisex toilet. A new awning and retaining wall were also constructed as part of the project.

“This will ensure the ongoing attraction of local, regional and state cricket fixtures, as well as inclusive community participation in sport for both males and female players,” said the Mayor.

The upgrade was funded in partnership by the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund ($100,000), Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund ($50,000), Parkes Shire Council ($142,000) and Parkes & District Cricket Association ($5,000).

Matt Ellis from Cricket NSW said: “I am so happy this facility is here to help grow the game of cricket.”

For Dan Gordon, representing senior cricket in Parkes, the new lights at the Woodward Oval makes it magical to play at the oval, but the addition of the upgraded pavilion is “the cherry on top”.

Currently, the Wes Cheney Pavilion is home to 250 senior and 220 junior registered cricket players.

Maggi Barnard

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