Maggi Barnard

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

Money For Parkes Bypass

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The Newell Highway Taskforce Committee has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement to accelerate funding to support construction of the Parkes Bypass and the delivery of the Inland Rail.

The Australian Government’s $200 million contribution is in addition to the NSW Government’s commitment announced earlier this year. The project is set to commence next year.

“Not only will these works have long term benefits for road users and transport efficiency gains, local procurement will get a significant weighting in the tender process will directly assist the drought affected communities along the route,” said Chair of the Newell Highway Taskforce, Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

The RMS continues to refine the design of the Parkes Bypass following the latest round of community consultation.

Seven new overtaking lanes are under construction along the Newell, with an ad- ditional 30 scheduled for the next three to four years.

Work is well advanced on the 9km stretch south of Boggabilla, with $280 million heavy duty pavement on the black soils between Narrabri and Moree to com- mence next year.

Following community consultation, the eastern version of the Coonabarabran By- pass was preferred. Road trains are now able to travel through the main street as an interim measure.

A detailed study into the 2016 Newell Highway flooding is set to be completed, which will identify priority works for the near future.

The Newell Highway Taskforce will make representations to ARTC and Inland Rail to have the dangerous Tichborne crossing grade separated to increase safety on the Inland Rail route. Concerns were also raised by Narromine Shire concerning trucks using Narromine as an alternate route.

SNIPPETS…

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Craft Corner Parkes will open on Sundays in the lead up to Christmas from 9:30am. Pop in on 8th, 15th and 22nd December to do some local shopping and enjoy a cuppa and a piece of cake.

‘Drought’ Christmas Party: On 15th December there will be a Christmas Party for farmers, small business owners, families and all people hurting due to the drought. The free event will be held at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club from 4 – 8pm. It is open to the whole family and will have a children’s play area, jumping castle, games of futsal and bowls, and a free barbeque meal at 7pm. RSVP to ucparkes@bigpond.com, or contact John Carr on 6862 5526, Graham Lancastar 0439 040 327 or Julie Green 0419 725 462.

Christmas Parade: There will be some- thing new and something old for the Parkes community on 13th December. The something old is the Action Club Christmas Parade. The Action Club has received many float entries from schools, businesses, sporting clubs, associations and community groups. There is a $330 prize each for best business float, best school float and best community float . The something new is a carnival in Cooke Park following the parade with entertainment on the stage, and an opportunity for local clubs and associations to show the Parkes community what is available in their town. Everything from local retailers, groups, karate and bushwalkers will be on show for the Parkes community. There will also be food stalls run by Parkes clubs and retailers. Don’t miss out on this community event celebrated in the Christmas spirit.

Schools Spectacular National Broadcast: Tomorrow night (Saturday) is a big night for the tens of thousands of family and friends of the 5,500 stars of this year’s Schools Spectacular as they watch their performance debut on national television. “The infectious enthusiasm and amazing talent of our Schools Spectacular will warm everyone’s hearts,” said Schools Spectacular Creative Director, Sonja Sjolander. “We’ve been thrilled by the accolades that have followed this year’s show. The show will be broadcast Australia-wide on the Seven Network, including Prime7 across regional NSW, at 7pm. There will be something for everybody from a rock band recreating the hit from Spiderman 2 to beautiful music from the 100-piece symphony orchestra and 2,800-voice choir. The broadcast will have a local flavour with three students from Bogan Gate singing in the choir.

Happy birthday Parkes! Our town turned 146 on Sunday, 1st December. On 1 December 1873 the name of the settlement was changed from Bushmans to Parkes in honour of Sir Henry Parkes.

Take A Leaf Out Of Tracy’s Book

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Tracy Dawson found a novel idea of sharing her love of books with the community by creating a street library in Oswin Street that is open all hours!

There is nothing more a bookworm loves doing after reading than sharing books with others.

That is why Oswin Street now boasts the second street library in Parkes after self-acknowledged bibliophile Tracy Dawson decided to create a treasure of literary happiness under the Norfolk pine in her garden.

“I have so many books and I like the idea of recycling them in this way instead of just dumping them at an op shop.”

For Tracey, who is also the librarian at Parkes High School, spreading the message of the importance of reading is a life’s mission. “Reading is not just important when you’re at school, but also for your career.”

“Reading not only improves spelling, grammar and writing, but also helps to stimulate your imagination and critical thinking. These qualities are very important in how we use technology in solving problems these days.”

Tracy is also an avid recycler and used an old internet server box from school to create a beautiful home, called Ollie Os- win, for the books in her front yard where it’s accessible from the street to neighbours to share the joys of reading.

The idea is that books come and go at all hours, no-one needs to check them in or out. People can simply reach in and take what interests them, and when they are done, they can return them, or pass them on to friends.

Since Tracy has put her treasure box up in August, she has noticed books coming and going. “I change the books around too and take out the ones that have been there for a while.”

She bought children’s books from Vinnies to add to the collection as the children next door took a fancy to the library, and started leaving little notes in the books.

She said it would be great to get books in other languages too as Parkes’ population is becoming more multi-cultural.

Tracy registered Ollie Oswin with Street Library Australia joining a network of more than 1,600 street libraries across the country. All the libraries are plotted on a map for easy reference and allow visitors to find them.

“It’s really cool that there is a second street

library in Parkes,” said Daniel Greef, who installed the very first one at the Presbyterian Church in February this year. “There is clearly a need for it in the community and having more than one encourages people to get around town, and should generate a greater variety of books for people to read.”

He said his library was still going well with books changing regularly. “The community seem to be really supportive of it.”

That is exactly the aim of street libraries: to encourage community engagement and literacy.

“The more you read, the more things you will know… The more you learn, the more places you will go…” – Dr Seuss

Sharks Enjoy Carnival Despite Dust

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

SUMMER… More than 230 swimmers from 23 clubs took part in a very successful Parkes Sharks carnival last weekend.

Not even a dusty weekend could stop the Parkes Sharks from hosting a very successful swimming carnival last weekend.

With over 230 swimmers coming to Parkes, the grounds of the pool were very well stacked with parents and officials too, some of whom travelled from Penrith for the event. A total of 23 clubs competed with Kinross Wolaroi, Mudgee Indoor and Forbes Fins the better represented clubs, while a contingent of 83 Parkes members competed.

Saturday saw the distance events and competitors gained important qualifying times to enter country and state championships.

During the 1,500m event a dust storm progressed across the pool, and in something akin to a surrealist painting, swimmers were surrounded by blue agitated water, and framed by water tinted with orange dust.

Sunday started early with warm-ups from 8am, followed by 7.5 hours of swimming. If it’s not dust, it’s a power failure in the starting mechanism, but quick thinking by volunteers got swimming back on track with mini- mal time lost.

One of Parkes’ most successful swimmers was Khan Jackson, who with plenty of training over the past months managed to secure three seconds and a third out of seven events.

A popular result amongst the Parkes crowd was 7-year old Connie Fryer claiming first in the 25m back stroke.

Other Parkes swimmers performing in a strong field were Anderson Ball who managed two thirds and a second place, William Lamond finished second in the 100m breast stroke, and Peter McIntyre came second in the under 9 years 25m breast stroke.

From amongst the visitors, 13-year-old Francesca Chitukudza representing Kinross Wolaroi placed first in nine of the 15 events she competed in, and second in the others. Her older sister Felicity came first in six events, and their brother Francis was second in six events.

Jameson McGeachie (8) from Mudgee, won five of the six events he entered over 50 and 100m. Tyler Johnson (14) also swam well for the Bathurst club, achieving first or second in all his events.

Many Parkes officials received training at the carnival to enable the club to host a successful carnival on its own in the near future.

The army of volunteers before and after swimming on each day helping to set up and man various positions are to be commended for their efforts. Thanks also to Parkes Shire Council for the wonderful presentation of the pool for the other towns to enjoy.

By Jay Quince

What is special about Christmas for you?

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Chloe Magill: You get to see all your family and even the ones that live overseas and you get to have a nice dinner together.

Wira Thomson: It’s about spending time with family and friends. It’s about gathering. And it’s about celebrating the life of Jesus and Mary and remembering that Jesus died for our sins.

Kaitlyne Byrnes: It’s the one time of year when you get to put a tree up in your house and decorate it and it’s the reason why you get so many presents.

Ostini Wool Weekly Market Update

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

This week saw the market continue to retreat. By the end of the first selling day, the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) had lost up to 24 cents. The only MPG to not lose ground was 21 microns, which recorded no change. On the back of these losses the NRI fell by 18 cents for the day.

Further losses of 10-20 cents were wiped off the MPGs on day two, pushing the NRI down another 12 cents. By weeks end, the NRI had lost 30 cents to close at 1,561.

However, it is worth noting that AWEX do not quote below 16.5 microns, where best style fine wools of 16 mi- cron and finer were firm and well supported throughout the week.

It is also interesting to note that this year’s lower prices combined with the lower volumes has resulted in the Y.T.D turnover being down by half a billion dollars, a reduction of 36%.

41,274 bales are currently rostered for sale next week.

Source: AWEX

Be Seen

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The National Parks Association Lachlan Valley Branch held its Christmas Party at Moorillah, the property of Peter and Merran Cannon last Sunday. Branch President Martin Bell (right) presented long serving member Andy Tom of Parkes with the Prudence Tucker Branch Award for services to the branch and NPA NSW.

Semetria Hubbard had a stall at the first Market Day at the Greenparkes Garden Centre last Saturday.

Renee Purcival was selling Doterra essential oils at the Greenparkes Garden Centre Market Day last Saturday.

Parkes QUE donated $500 to the Pink Up Parkes committee. Pictured (L-R) are Miriam Luyt, Raelene Rout, Lorraine Parker, Carolyn Rice, Ruth Taylor, Jenny Breaden, Nancye Blatch, Bev Laing, Rosemary Morris and Jeanine Boland.

Small Business Helping Other Small Businesses

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The very talented Jess Macdonald from Ellery Creations by Jessica was selling items she had made at the first Greenparkes Garden Centre Market Day last Saturday.

A new initiative by Greenparkes Garden Centre not only makes it easy to shop locally for Christmas, but also helps out families hit hard by the drought.

The first market day last Saturday with eight stall holders from all over the Parkes Shire was well supported by the public.

“It was a good day,” said Jenny Jewell, owner of Greenparkes Garden Centre. “The stall holders were all very happy.”

Jenny said some of the stalls were run by the partners of farmers who had become breadwinners. “Everyone is doing it tough.”

The idea of the market days came from Jenny’s daughter, and the plan is to run it every Saturday until Christmas.

Jenny said as the market continued until 3pm, it gave people time to attend after their sporting commitments. Booking a spot is essential as Jenny would like to maintain a variety at every market.

Last week’s market included home made items, essential oils, creative signs and kitchen appliances.

If you would like to take part you need to bring your own equipment, including cash float and EFT facilities. For more information contact Jenny on 0428 634 650 during business hours.

By Maggi Barnard

Update On Lachlan Health Maternity Service

December 6, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Pregnant women and their families are reminded that babies from Parkes and surrounding communities will still be born at Forbes Hospital, while a new maternity service model is being developed.

The Forbes Hospital has midwifery, obstetric and anaesthetic services available around the clock.

Lachlan Health Service Manager, Liz Mitchell, said work on the new Lachlan Maternity Service was progressing and the community would receive regular updates.

Birthing is currently not available at Parkes Hospital, however procedures are in place to respond to emergencies. Parkes Hospital continues to provide women with pre and post-natal care and fortnightly clinics.

In the future, women will be able to choose to have their babies in the Parkes Hospital if the pregnancy and birth are assessed to be low risk. If an induction of labour or a caesarean section is required then this would occur in Forbes.

During each pregnancy, an assessment is made to identify the safest location for birth, taking into consideration the wellbeing of both mother and baby. In some cases, where higher level care is needed, this may be Orange Hospital or, on occasion Nepean Hospital.

Anyone with questions about accessing maternity services in Parkes or Forbes is encouraged to contact Parkes Hospital on 6861 2400 or Forbes Hospital on 6850 7100.

Lessons From Shanghai

November 29, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

GREAT OPPORTUNITY… TAFE NSW students and Parkes Shire Council employees Jaimee Timmins, Logan Hignett and Kelly Hendry went to China last month on a program to enhance their industry skills and knowledge.

Three local TAFE NSW students were selected for an extraordinary opportunity to travel from Parkes to a world city with a population larger than the whole of Australia and gain unprecedented access to some of its largest global enterprises and businesses.

Jaimee Timmins, Logan Hignett and Kelly Hendry were selected from 30 applicants for a 16-day trip to Shanghai, China’s biggest city, as part of the Outbound Mobility Program giving rural and remote students the opportunity to travel abroad to enhance their industry skills and knowledge.

Jaimee, Logan and Kelly, who are also Parkes Shire Council employees, have come back with bags full of experiences, but also fresh ideas for their workplace. In Shanghai they met with industry business leaders at Wujiang Government, the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, Renji Hospital, AustCham Shanghai and BlueScope Corporate. They also visited the world-famous China International Import Expo and Disneyland.

“It was a massive learning curve for me,” said Jaimee who also experienced her very first trip overseas. “It was amazing to see how structured and orderly everything is run in such a huge city. I gained insight into their way of life and how good their communication is for instance at the hospital where they deal with lots of international doctors.”

Coming back to Council she’s learned to think outside the square and that there’s always room for improvement.

Kelly was very impressed with the city’s long-term vision and planning and how that leads to amazing infrastructure and a well- planned city.

She also enjoyed the group they travelled with. “We worked well together, formed strong networks, and cemented what we’ve learned in our Diploma in Leadership and Management.”

Logan, a civil engineer who moved from the Orange Council shortly before the trip, said he found his first visit to an Asian country a culture shock, “but I grew as a person because of it”. He was particularly impressed with business innovation initiatives with rewards to encourage staff members to come forward with ideas. “I found that really interesting as it helps to increase efficiency and encourages people to want to do better and try out new things. This is something we could look at here at Council.”

He said he found it hard to bring back civil engineering ideas as they were years ahead being a mega city. “There are a lot of customer service ideas though that we could look at in the future as the acceptance of technology with younger generations come through, like the paying of rates at 24/7 kiosks.”

The TAFE group attending a traditional Chinese tea ceremony in Shanghai.

Kelly said she brought back the importance of long-term vision and planning, and doing trade with China and dealing with Chinese culture. “As Parkes grows and progresses with the Special Activation Precinct, it will be important to get things right when it comes to international development projects.”

The experience of seeing a city with such rapid growth in a short time frame where there is a lot of cement, made Jaimee, Logan and Kelly appreciate the open space, blue skies and birds again back home.

They agreed it was a great opportunity that opened many doors they would never have been able to do visiting Shanghai as individuals.

By Maggi Barnard

Maggi Barnard

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