Maggi Barnard

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

Six Birdman Titles In A Row For Parkes Christian School

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Thomas Unger takes the big leap into the Yarra River and managed to fly eight metres, despite being tossed sideways by a gust of wind causing him to spin into the river. (Photo: Alex Letelier Photography)

Parkes Christian School (PCS) successfully defended its Moomba Birdman Rally title in Melbourne recently for the sixth time.

Only this time they had to share the podium with two other schools. In an exciting and very tight finish all three top school teams finished with a distance of eight metres.

Double Trouble II of PCS achieved this mark despite being tossed sideways by a gust of wind at the point of take-off.

Pilot student Thomas Unger also won the funniest moment trophy for his jump off the platform and spinning into the Yarra River.

“The launch of the aircraft was amazing,” said Laura Hall-Matthews, senior design and technology student. “Tens of thousands of people lined the banks of the Yarra River to watch each competitor launch their design and no matter the result each flight was met with a massive cheer from the crowd.”

With help from teacher Jason Wynstra, and guidance from previous Moomba aircraft designer Neil Unger, the PCS team designed a bi-plane style flying wing.

The school teams were able to raise more than $100,000 for various charities. Parkes Christian School’s money will be donated towards Drought Relief through Georgie’s Pantry. The team was also able to raise money for themselves to help them build the plane and develop technology.

This year the senior design and technology students were joined by all the Year 11 and 12 PCS students for the first time to give all the students a first-hand experience of the Birdman Rally.

They all agreed it was an amazing experience and would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and donations.

The team would also like to thank Alex Letelier Photography for capturing and sharing the amazing images of pilot Thomas Unger as he jumped into the Yarra River.

By Hayley Ballantyne

Snippets…

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Rhianon Platt.

Federal Funding Fix Black Spots: Four Parkes crash sites will be made safer un- der the latest round of the Black Spot Pro- gram contributing $1.498 million towards: A one-lane roundabout at the intersection of Currajong and Church streets ($865,000); Street lighting at pedestrian facilities on Currajong Street near Court Street ($285,000); Road feature signs, raised guides with additional stop or give way signs and removing sight distance problems at the intersection of Close and Hooley streets ($253,000); and Vehicle-activated signs on Adavale Lane east of Braeside Lane ($95,000). The investment in Parkes’s safety was part of $50.6 million being spent in NSW on 147 projects under the Black Spot Program’s 2020-21 funding round.

Walk For Autism: Rhianon Platt will be walking the streets of Parkes to cover 10,000 steps per day for eight days between 29th March and 5 April to raise awareness and help change the lives of people on the autism spectrum.

She has a six-year-old son with special needs and often encounters judgement from people in public places who do not understand autism. “I want people to understand his behaviours and not judge me.” She would also like to see more services in Parkes for children with special needs.

If you see Rhianon in her green shirt, stop her and support her with a donation or go online to https://www.walkforautism.org.au/ and sponsor her.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) In Our Community

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Your Own Hygiene

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser when washing is not an option.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Practise social distancing, stay 1.5m from other people, and avoid large public gatherings.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms or those who have returned from overseas in the past 14 days.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• If you use public amenities such as playgrounds and other facilities wash your hands before and after and avoid touching your face or mouth.

COVID-19 Symptoms

The symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. If you or a family member develop these symptoms within 14 days of overseas travel or are in contact with someone else who has Coronavirus, call (not visit) your GP, ring the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency, your local hospital emergency department. Face masks are not recommended for people without symptoms.

Parkes Shire Council

The council is well prepared to provide continuous service while ensuring the community and their own safety is protected. A response plan has been developed for critical services at various levels of infection, within the organisation and the community. Council is asking residents to re-think the need to go into Council’s offices for day to day transactions such as payments of rates, applications and general requests. Council offers online payment options and can be contacted via phone or email during office hours, or connect with Council through Facebook or Twitter.

Parkes Shire Library

Activities at the library have been temporarily suspended until 24th April for Story Time, Rhyme Time, Computer Classes, Author-Rised writing group and the Book Clubs. Neighbourhood Central is also suspending their Home Library Service until further notice. In addition, computer and printing services operating in the Parkes branch and smaller town branches will be limited. The libraries will remain open as normal for general borrowing and reading. The online library services will be available at all times and can be accessed from the Library section on Council’s website. https://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/parkes-shire-libraries/

Events

Council strongly recommends that all event organisers rethink and reconsider upcoming events, meetings, gatherings and festivals to reduce the risk and impact of large-scale person to person transmission within our community. Currently outdoor events for over 500 people and indoor events for over 100 people should be post-poned. It is important to protect the health and safety of yourselves and the risk to community members.

Food Security

The Minister for Agriculture, David Little- proud reassured Australians that the nation’s food security is amongst the safest in the world. “People shouldn’t panic, we have an abundant supply of top quality fresh food produced from all parts of the country that ensures that there will be plenty of food on the table,” the Minister said. “Australia produces enough food for 75 million people with a population of only 25 million.”

Keep On Buying Local

With many businesses already impacted by this pandemic, whilst also still feeling the effects of prolonged drought, it is more important than ever to support local businesses to get through these tough times.

No Overseas Travel

The Federal Government is advising Australians not to travel overseas, and says that advice will remain in place indefinitely.

Do Not Panic Buy; Offer Support Instead

We are all in this together and need to look out for each other and support others, especially the most vulnerable in our community. There are enough supplies for everyone. Support our health workers and other frontline staff who are putting in long hours during this time.

Shave The World – Two Locals At A Time

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

HAIR… Chloe Mudiman (front) with her mother Katrina and supporters (L-R) Amber Thomson, Judy Shaw, Jenny Leem- ing, Jess Kinsela, Wayne Picker, Trish Picker and Michael Mudiman.

Two very special Parkes locals put their heads on the block for Leukaemia last week. Chloe Mudiman and Fiona McGonigal took on the challenge of the World’s Greatest Shave in front of two different audiences. Nine-year-old Chloe Mudiman proved she was not afraid of reaching out to help others, even if it meant shaving off all her hair in front of her school.

Last Wednesday the Year 5 student took to the stage at Parkes Public and allowed four special people in her life to cut off her pig tails, including family who were visiting from Canada.

Hairdresser Amber Thomson of Charisma then took charge and shaved off the rest. It was a special moment for Amber who gave Chloe her very first hair cut when she was five.

Chloe’s mum Katrina looked a bit worried as her brave daughter’s hair started falling to the floor with all the primary students looking on. Chloe only saw herself in a mirror at the end.

Rubbing her hand over her newly shaved head she said with a big smile,” It feels a little bit weird.”

Chloe saw the ads on TV for the World’s Greatest Shave and in combination with her knowledge of her nan’s breast cancer, decided she wanted to shave off her hair.

She is not only raising money for Leukaemia, and has already reached the $2,000 mark, but will also be donating her locks to the World’s Greatest Shave to be turned into a wig.

Dolly Allan shaved Fiona McGonigal’s hair at Currajong Disability Services last Thursday.

For Fiona McGonigal it is a much more personal battle. She took on the challenge last year to raise $1,000 for the World’s Greatest Shave whilst battling kidney cancer.

Despite beating cancer later in the year, she received the unfortunate news that the disease has returned on the left side of her adrenal gland. This did not stop her from shaving her hair off again last Thursday in front of a Currajong Disability Services crowd.

“I am rapt to be able to help do my bit for cancer,” she said. “After such a great response last year, especially from everyone at Currajong, I felt compelled to give it another go.”

She has raised about $300 so far and hopes to reach $1,000 again like last year.

While Fiona has her up and down days, she says nothing will stop her trying to beat last year’s fundraising effort.

“The funds are vital, make no secret of it, but so too is awareness of cancer and different cancer types,” Fiona said.

Now in its 22nd year, World’s Greatest Shave is an iconic Australian event widely embraced by hundreds of thousands of people in Australia. The campaign is led by beloved superhero and mascot Shaver- hands leading the charge to shave the world from blood cancer, rallying men and women to sign up to shave, colour or cut their hair to help support the 41 Australians diagnosed with blood cancer each day.

Leukaemia Foundation CEO, Bill Petch said the act of shaving their heads gave participants not only an emotional connection with loved ones who have no choice but to lose their hair following cancer treatment, but it also provided participants with a real sense of empowerment, empathy, philanthropy, community and a deep social conscience.

Parkes Colts Take Premiership

March 20, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Many keen cricketing pundits were forecasting a closely contested final between minor premiers Parkes Colts and an inform Cowra Bowling Club at the Woodward Oval last Saturday.

Parkes Colts however turned it into quite a one-sided affair after they produced a stunning bowling and fielding effort to dismiss Cowra Bowling Club for 97 runs in 35.2 overs.

The Colts then made short work of their run chase to score 1/98 in 20.1 overs, only losing the wicket of opening batsmen Peter Yelland off the last ball of the game as Peter was stumped off a wide that gave Colts victory.

It would be fair to say that the Dunford brothers, Phil and Paul, played major roles in the Parkes Colts premiership success as Phil secured the excellent bowling figures 5/24 off 9 overs including 3 maiden overs. Paul continued his rich rein of batting excellence to score a dominant 59 not out with 7 fours in 70 minutes to pilot the Colts home to a most emphatic 9 wicket victory.

The match began with a superb bowling blitz from Colts bowlers Brent Tucker and Andrew Britt as they smashed through the early order Bowling Club batting. Andrew Britt, by securing 2 wickets in his opening over, gained plenty of approval from his teammates. The entry of Phil Dunford to the bowling crease saw wickets tumble, but Michael Curtale’s valiant 49 provided the backbone of the Cowra Bowling Club innings of 97. The Colts young bowler Zac Larkins was delighted to take a wicket with his first ball before finishing with the very tidy figures of 1/5 off 3 overs.

In reply Colts openers Pater Yelland and Paul Dunford carried on the tradition of great Australian opening pairs such as Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry, Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor in guiding the Colts to a memorable victory.

By Luke Nash

Footy Tipping Results – Round 1

March 16, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Our Gal – Denise Gersbach

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for the majority of my life with a couple of stints away in Canberra (university) and Sydney. I love the people of Parkes and the lifestyle living in a small country town offers me.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I work at the Catholic Education Office in Forbes as an Education Specialist. I love travelling around to the schools in our Diocese and working with principals and teachers.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I love playing hockey, taking my two border terriers to dog agility and travelling.

What makes you proud? Seeing children I have been associated with achieve their goals

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? Probably one of my dogs as they have a pretty awe- some lifestyle 🙂

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? Bohemian Rhapsody (both the movie and the song). I’m a big Queen fan.

Tell us about your best holiday. I am fortunate to have had many fantastic holidays: five weeks in Greece and Italy was incredible but fishing in our boat in Forster is fabulous too!

What is on your bucket list? I would love to travel to see the Northern Lights.

How To Keep Kids Healthy This Flu Season

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Very young children may have had little to no exposure with the viruses that cause colds and flu, which means they may have low resistance to infection. Children become sick much more quickly than adults.

Follow these five easy steps to keep your kids healthy and less likely to spread or catch virusses in school or day-care.
• Tip 1: Wash hands frequently at home and at school.
• Tip 2: Get active! Kids should get regular, moderate exercise to boost their immune systems.
• Tip 3: Get plenty of sleep – children should have between nine to 14 hours of sleep a day depending on their age. Sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system and increase chances of becoming sick.
• Tip 4: Try and eat a well-balanced diet with lots of colourful fruit and vegetables.
• Tip 5: Avoid germ sharing – no sharing of cups and straws, scarves and caps or anything else that comes in contact with their mouths and faces.

Most importantly, when kids do get sick, keep them home and take steps to prevent germs from spreading to other young children. Day-care centres and schools have guidelines on when and for how long sick children should be away to minimise the risk of colds and flu spreading to the other children.

If your child does become sick this flu season, don’t panic, they’re just building up their immune system. Rest, warmth, nourishing foods and plenty of fluids will help them fight against any cold or flu.

If you want more information and treatment options, contact our friendly pharmacists today.

Be Seen@ Lindy Farrant’s Farewell

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

PECC staff at Lindy Farrant’s farewell (L-R) Ali Seaman, Isabella Grosvenor, Annalea Ringk and Jackie Batt.

Amanda Dean, Sherrie Hoffman, Skye Mackinnon and Emilie Grover also enjoyed the farewell for PECC’s Lindy Farrant on Saturday.

The Impacts Of Glaucoma

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Unlike many diseases that affect the human eye, glaucoma lacks symptoms and warning signs in its early stages. When left untreated, glaucoma can cause irreversible blindness – this is currently one of the leading causes of blindness in Australia today. It’s astounding to think that two in 100 Australians are unaware that they are experiencing serious optic nerve damage, resulting in loss of vision within a matter of years. Hansen Optometrists believe it is vital for over 50s to have their eyes tested for glaucoma every year. Using the absolute latest in retinal imaging technology, the experienced optometrists will provide you with accurate, fast and sometimes sight- saving results. Sixty minutes of your time each year can save your vision – book your appointment online, or call 6362 2222.

Maggi Barnard

COVID-19 Symptoms

Parkes Shire Council

Parkes Shire Library

Events

Food Security

Keep On Buying Local

No Overseas Travel

Do Not Panic Buy; Offer Support Instead

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