Maggi Barnard

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

Back To The Community

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Services Club President Terry Knowles and Director Sarah Hamlin with two Currajong Disability Services participants Blake Huntly and John Carey at the handover of the grant.

Currajong Disability Services (CDS) received a big boost towards its transport budget last week from the Parkes Services Club.

A cheque of $5,000 was handed over from the Club Grants program that aims to give back to the community.

“We have a great relationship with the Parkes Services Club, and are extremely grateful for this support,” said Dane Millerd of CDS.

“We are very happy to be able to support the local community,” said Club President Terry Knowles. CDS has 110 participants and between 60 to 70 staff members to support people with disabilities in our community.

Lindy Hands Over Baton To Colette

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The staff and children of Parkes Early Childhood Centre gathered on Wednesday morning to find out who the new director will be. Colette Genet-Marks (third left) is taking over the reigns from Lindy Farrant (second left). With them are Craig Smith and Mayor Ken Keith.

The Parkes Early Childhood Centre (PECC) has a new director!

On a beautiful autumn Wednesday morning outgoing director Lindy Farrant handed over the baton to incoming director Colette Genet-Marks.

President of the management committee Craig Smith made the announcement with all the staff and children present.

Colette thanked the staff for all their encouragement and support. “We are an awesome team and that is why I wanted to move into this role.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith said it was wonderful to see the succession plan for PECC in place and welcomed Colette to her new role.

After a big send-off for outgoing director Lindy Farrant on Saturday, she was happy to be present for the big announcement of the new director. “It is lovely to pass the baton over to Colette,” said Lindy of her colleague of 25 years. “I believe the inter- viewing process was rigorous and I am so proud of you and know PECC will continue to flourish. This is a wonderful celebration today and gives me great delight.”

Lindy will officially retire from PECC at the end of the month, but has been on long-service leave with Colette in the acting role. The community gave Lindy a big send off thanking her for 33 years of unconditional service and love.

By Maggi Barnard

Heritage Grants

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Mask of ‘Penny Arcade’, papier mache, Luna Park Collection, Stanton Library (2018 Community Heritage Grant recipient)

Now in its 27th year, the Community Heritage Grants (CHG) program provides grants of up to $15,000 to community groups to help preserve and manage locally held but nationally significant cultural heritage collections.

The program has had a significant impact on safeguarding local but nationally significant collections around the country, from inner cities to the most remote parts of Australia.

Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia, said the range of community groups receiving the grants had highlighted the incredible diversity of Australia’s people and stories. “The grants help to preserve and manage these collections for future generations.”

Projects ranged from preserving indigenous languages to caring for rare meteorological equipment.

Applications close on Monday, 4th May. To submit an application or find out more information visit nla.gov.au/chg.

Ladies Bowls

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Thirty keen bowlers took time out from queuing for rolls at Coles to enjoy their favourite game on an absolutely perfect day. The greens are just awesome. Thank you to the grounds guys!

Club singles matches: Liz Byrne df Lorraine Baker. Betsy Johnstone df Lea Orr. Rhona Went df Robyn Morgan. Maree Grant df Jan McPhee.

The third round of the club singles is to be played on or before 24th March: R. Went vs M. Grant and B. Johnstone vs L. Byrne

Social bowls: Frances C, Chris C and Margaret H had a win over Kay C, June B and Di H, 16 – 13. Valmai W, Gwenda C and Maja I just pipped Carol R and Kate K at the post, 15 – 13.

Salva H, Lynn R and Kim E had a close game against Jean K, Eileen B and Mau- reen B with the lead changing several times. Relief for Salva, Lynn and Kim as they took the win, 17 – 16

Pennants are fast approaching with games scheduled for 7th April. Practice play Friday, 20th March at 4pm.

All members are gearing up for the PBSC Centenary celebrations from 17th to 19th April.

Lindy Is Love

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

LINDY’S COMMUNITY… The Parkes community farewelled Lindy Farrant (seated on right) on Saturday after 33 years at the Parkes Early Childhood Centre. (See lots more photos on our Facebook page of the farewell.)

For Lindy Farrant it has always been about the children.

Why did she stay on as director of the Parkes Early Childhood Centre (PECC) for 33 years? Her short answer: “the children”. “Her passion was there for all to see,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith at her farewell on Saturday at the Parkes Golf Club, which was attended by more than 200 people. “The wonderful staff at PECC were all inspired by Lindy to give their heart and soul.”

All the speeches at Miss Lindy’s farewell focused on her passion that was a source of inspiration. “Lindy always leaves you more positive than you ever thought would be possible,” said Craig Smith, president of the management committee.

He said with so many great qualities the best way to describe Lindy was using the famous passage from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 replacing the word love with Lindy: “Lindy is patient, Lindy is kind….”

Acting director Colette Genet-Marks, who has worked with Lindy for more than 25 years, had everyone on their feet spelling out the letters of Lindy’s name with their arms as she attributed each letter to more wonderful Lindy qualities that they experienced at PECC.

It was a big decision for Lindy to retire, “but the time is right,” she told The Parkes Phoenix during long-service leave she took before her retirement.

“I miss the children and the staff, the families – the people side of it, but I’m enjoying slowing down. PECC is such a wonderful place and it was such a privilege to spend so much of my career there,” she said.

“PECC made history being started by the community, and it still belongs to the community.”

For Lindy, who has not only seen thousands of Parkes children come through the centre, but also knows them all by name, it was beautiful to see the children come back as parents and the joy of the grandparents.

“It is just lovely connections. The roots of the centre are in the community, there is a great sense of history.”

Lindy fondly recalls the early years when there was a huge slide in the playground off the top of a shed with no soft fall underneath and an old tractor for the children to climb on. “That was before the era of work health and safety.”

She also loves progress, especially how science has made a really big impact on education, making childcare so much more focused on early brain development and how crucial it is to set up children for life.

She would like to see a change in society placing more value on play and a greater understanding that play is learning and the best way for children to learn.

“Not many people realise just how much work goes into setting up the play environment at PECC to allow children to build on their strengths, to encourage play and allow them to move freely between activities with different levels of concentration needed.”

Lindy started with PECC in 1978, and in 1984 she started work as a Children Services Advisor. After her two children were born, she took up a teaching post at TAFE.

When an opportunity came up to return to PECC as teaching director in 1993 she grabbed it with both hands. “My heart is with the children. I feel this is where I belong working directly with children and families.”

In August 1994 she became director. “As a leader you need to have the vision, and be open minded, as well as be very mindful of what is best practise, and making adjustments as research comes out.”

It is her vision that has turned PECC into the best early childhood centre in NSW with people from all over the state coming to see how it’s managed. But most of all it is Lindy’s passion to always consider children first that will be her legacy.

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

The Can Assist Committee are (L-R): Betty Huntly, Trevor Southwell, Carol Southwell, Sylvia Glendenning, Adrianne Brown and Patricia Bailey. (Zelma Fisher absent.) Donations are always most welcome for the vital support offered by Can Assist.

You Can Assist: Can Assist in Parkes fundraises to support people in the area with cancer helping with expenses towards medical appointments, accommodation, treatment and pharmacy bills. The funds are raised from street stalls, Bingo, wakes, garage sales at the Parkes Showground and donations from fundraising events. All money raised in Parkes goes to helping people in the shire and all details are kept confidential. There are currently 200 people on their books with at least 100 receiving assistance at any one time. The amount paid towards cancer assistance is $150,500 annually in the Parkes area. A big thank you to everyone for your support and generous donations. The Can Assist committee members are: president Sylvia Glendenning; vice-president Zelma Fisher; secretary Patricia Bailey; assistant secretary Carol Southwell; treasurer Adrianne Brown; assistant treasurer Trevor Southwell; publicity Betty Huntly; contact person for assistance Patricia Bailey on 0447 051 946.

Name Change for NSW Business Chamber: The NSW Business Chamber has changed its name to Business NSW. “The new name and identity build upon our 194- year history and reflect our role as the peak policy and advocacy body representing businesses in NSW,” said Business NSW, Regional Manager – Western NSW, Vicki Seccombe. “As we have in the past, Business NSW will continue to publicly campaign and to work directly with government, stakeholders and the media on behalf of business owners, their employees and the broader community. In the coming month, we will launch Business Australia, a nationwide free-to-join membership-based organisation that will offer advice, support, products and services to all businesses operating in and entering Australia.

New Awning For Aero Club: The official dedication of the awning over the deck at Parkes Aero Club took place last Thursday. President Wade McConnell mentioned the tremendous support received in realising the project. A $20,000 grant was received from the Community Building program with strong suppport from the Parkes Shire Council, construction by Dale Redfern of Forbes and Parkes Readymix Concrete, and voluntary labour provided by club members. Mayor Ken Keith, congratulated the club on providing this asset to the Parkes Airport complex for visiting aviators and supporting the overall master plan for future aviation development.

Members of the Parkes Aero Club and visitors at the official dedication of the club’s new awning last week. This will make the deck more accessible during hot and wet weather.

Parkes, Your Uber Is Arriving Soon!

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

From next month Parkes will also be on the Uber map! Uber Australia announced last week they’re bringing the Uber app to every corner of NSW, including our town.

Uber has decided to bring expansion plans forward to help fire and drought-affected regions get back on their feet in support of the #LoveNSW initiative to bring domestic and international tourism to the regions.

“The Central West is the fourth most popular place to visit amongst domestic tourists in NSW, and our own data shows domestic and international tourists love Uber,” said Uber Australia General Manager Dom Taylor.

“In fact, over the first two months of this year, tens of thousands of domestic tourists from 35 places around Australia, have used the Uber app to get around the parts of regional NSW we already cover.”

“That’s why we believe rideshare can help drive spend for local businesses as locals and tourists get around to the fantastic restaurants and pubs that Parkes has to offer.”

Parkes residents can now sign-up to drive with the Uber app ahead of April just before the Easter long weekend when Uber will be turning on its app across NSW. This will make it one of the largest geographic areas Uber covers anywhere in the world.

“Since we’ve expanded to towns like Orange, Tamworth and Byron Bay, we’ve learnt that Uber is a great way for people to get home safely and avoid drink driving. It’s also a great opportunity for people to earn some extra dollars on the weekends or during peak tourist periods,” said Dom.

Signing up to drive with Uber in NSW is straightforward and cost-effective. Find out more at https://www.uber.com/au/en/drive/sydney/get-started/

Call For Halls

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Community halls around regional and rural NSW could receive a little extra support with the launch of the Essential Energy Community Halls Program.

The program, which has been running for around 10 years, recognises that community halls are often the heart of a local community and provide a place for people to come together.

“Previous recipients have told us that this money has helped their halls continue to play an important role in their local communities,” said Manager Community Relations Northern, David Crough.

“With many in our community doing it tough this year with drought and then fires, these halls are as important as ever, and we really encourage all eligible community halls to apply.”

Hall representatives can apply for the $200 payment online at www.essentialenergy.com.au/web-forms/community-hall-application or by contacting 13 23 91. Applications close 5pm on Friday, 20th March.

50th Wedding Anniversary

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Mervyn and Rose Jones who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Parkes Golf Club surrounded by family and friends on 29th February.

Rock Climbing In Parkes!

March 13, 2020 By Maggi Barnard

Welcoming news of the funding for the PCYC climbing wall last week were (L-R) Cr Kenny McGrath, Mayor Ken Keith, PCYC Club Manager Tim Watts, Sam Farraway MLC, Inspector David Cooper and Cr Bill Jayet with some excited children.

The range of recreational activities in Parkes received a major boost last week with the announcement of a rock climbing wall to be installed at the PCYC this year.

“We are very excited,” said Manager Tim Watts. “This will be a great new initiative to keep people active in our town.”

Sam Farraway MLC was in Parkes last week to bring the great news of $82,620 in funding secured from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

The funding will pay for the wall in full according to Tim. He said it was such good news for the club following a very strong response from community members in feed-back received on the possibility of getting a wall.

Tim could not give an exact date as to when it would be installed, but said it would be this year. “It will be installed at the back of the court in the main hall, and will cater for all ages from kindergarten to adults. There will be different climbs to cater for a mix of abilities.”

Tim said they were looking at starting term-based classes to teach climbing, and also have open sessions for people of all ages to promote healthy and active life- styles and support anyone serious about rock climbing.

“Rock climbing has been introduced into the 2020 Olympics making this an exciting new addition to the great program PCYC offers to local kids and their families,” said Sam Farraway. “It may even inspire some future Olympians.”

Maggi Barnard

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