Maggi Barnard

At the announcement of the donation at Dubbo Turf Club last week were (L-R) Warrick McLean, Director of NSW Business Chamber, Dr Saranne Cook, Director of Racing NSW and Scott Barrett, GIVIT NSW Drought Relief Manager.

Farmers and families across drought-ravaged NSW will receive greater community support after Racing NSW and NSW Busi- ness Chamber donated $50,000 to national charity GIVIT.

Official drought charity partner of the NSW Government, GIVIT’s ‘Drought Relief Appeal’ has spent over $300,000 in drought affected areas since August last year, purchasing and coordinating more than 100,000 item donations for 170 frontline charities working with struggling residents.

The sizable donation was raised by over 400 business leaders at the recent NSW Business Chamber and Racing NSW’s ‘Business of Racing’ lunch.

This donation, along with donations from the Australian public, will be used to meet the genuine needs of communities, with a focus on purchasing items locally to also provide an economic benefit to struggling regional businesses.

GIVIT NSW Drought Relief Manager, Scott Barrett, said the generous donation would allow the charity to better meet the wide range of needs of vulnerable families, farmers and at-risk individuals.

“We’re here to help charities and frontline services get exactly what their regional and remote communities need, from a set of tyres for a ute and food for working dogs, to essential school items and uniforms,” said Scott.

GIVIT is free, private and easy to use, and currently supports over 2,800 charities across Australia. If you are a local charity or service, please register at givit.org.au/charity-registration.

Family businesses in and around the Central West region will have the opportunity to receive valuable tools and advice on succession planning from a team of industry experts at a free, one-day workshop in Parkes on Thursday, 28th November.

The National Association for Loss and Grief’s (NALAG) ‘Our Shout’ program coordinator, Ms Brenda Baker, is hoping to improve the experiences of succession for a greater number of family businesses.

NALAG’s ‘Our Shout’ program promotes positive strategies to improve wellbeing and resilience in rural NSW communities. “Communication in family-run business is crucial not only for financial success but also the emotional and mental wellbeing of all family members that are involved in the partnership,” said Brenda Baker.

The workshop’s expert panel will include Family Succession Advisor, James Hamilton and Succession Law Specialist, Claire Booth.

The workshop will be at Parkes Services Club from 9am to 4pm on Thursday, 28th November. To register, visit www.nalag.org.au/familymatters or contact 6882 9222.

Gemma Ellis performs on stage. (Photo: Snowy Mountains Magazine)

It was an unforgettable day for three young talented Parkes artists at the Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC) national grand final in Cooma last weekend.

Anabelle van Wyk (12) came second over- all in the primary category with Gemma Ellis (12) in third place, and Hannah Dun (14) was runner-up in the secondary category. It is the first time participants from Parkes made it into the top three.

“It felt wonderful receiving second place, and I am so grateful to have been able to compete and represent our region,” said Annabelle, who was at the final for the second year. She said the competition was really good and she loved seeing all the talent.

Annabelle van Wyk with her second prize!

It was a life-changing event for Gemma, who took part in her first grand final. “I had so much fun singing and entertaining the street audience at various shop fronts. The competition was amazing, and I was so happy and overwhelmed to have won third place.”

Hannah said the competition became bigger and bigger every year, especially in the secondary category. “I see the competition in my category as a motivation and inspiration.”

Australian National Busking Championships founder Allan Spencer said spectators were treated to a wonderful range of performances. “Buskers from all over Australia were competing for cash prizes at the ninth annual event.

Gold Coast trio The Inadequates were crowned the nation’s best buskers. They won the Stanthorpe Busking Championships earlier this year. The eclectic group boasted an array of unique, homemade instruments, wowing audiences with their folk-inspired sound.

More than 52 musicians took part in the competition after competing at eight regional finals, of which Peak Hill was one. The winners of each category qualify for the final in Cooma. Annabelle and Hannah won their categories in Peak Hill, while Gemma won the primary category in Gundegai.

Hannah Dun at a busking hot spot.

They had to perform at busking hot spots around Cooma with unidentified judges watching them perform. In the afternoon they performed on the main stage and were judged again before the winners were announced.

The talented judging team included Oz Bayldon, who has a huge reputation in the music industry both in Australia and overseas. He is the music director and operations manager of several music festivals including the iconic Gympie Music Muster, Noosa Come Together Festival, as well as the highest music festival in the world held in Nepal to raise money for orphans in that country.

He also discovered Tones And I at the ANBC Noosa Busking Championships, and have since had a meteoric rise with an Australian and overseas tour and number one hits in seven countries.

The three Parkes competitors said they would love to compete again next year. “I really appreciate that they give these opportunities to kids in rural areas,” said Annabelle.

“This event has opened my eyes and given me insight as to where many paths can take me,” said Gemma.”

By Maggi Barnard