Maggi Barnard

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

Sunshiny Days

October 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The warmer months have arrived! While everyone is enjoying some reprieve from the cooler months and basking in some bright sunshiny rays, it’s extremely important to stay SUN SAFE.

Over the past decades outdoor activities and recreational sun exposure has become increasing popular, however this is strongly related to a rise in skin cancers. Overexposure to sunlight is widely accepted as the underlying cause for harmful effects on the skin, eye and immune systems.

Did you know? Experts believe that four out of five cases of skin cancer could be prevented!! Enjoy the sun, but enjoy it safely with a few simple precautions! SunSmart is a multi-focal program recognised for providing leadership and innovation in sun protection. Their message is simple, Slip! Slop! Slap! Seek! Slide!

Slip On Clothing: Wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Slop On Sunscreen: Sunscreen should be the last line of defence after clothing, a hat, shade and sunglasses. During sun protection times, apply SPF30 (or higher!), water-resistant sunscreen to any skin not covered by clothing.

Slap On A Hat: The skin on your face, ears and neck is much thinner and more sensitive to UV damage. Choose a hat that provides good shade to your face, head, neck and ears.

Seek Shade: Shade is a practical, user-friendly form of sun protection. Well designed and positioned shade can significantly reduce UV exposure as well as create cool, comfortable spaces for physical activity and recreation

Slide On Sunglasses: Your eyes are very sensitive to UV damage. Choose a close fitting, wrap-around style of sunglasses.

To learn more about sun safety, come and chat to our friendly staff and Pharmacist at Parkes Pharmacy in the Metroplaza!

Middleton Wins With Dr Suess’ Garden

October 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

WEIRD AND WONDERFUL… Middleton Public School students in Dr Seuss’ Garden are (L-R) Natalia Scherer, Emily Wild, Toby Fliedner (partly behind the tree), Seth Bennett and Corinne Scherer.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ― Dr Seuss, The Lorax

Middleton Public School did it again, as it has for the past seven years – taking out the regional first place in the 2019 SIMS Metal Waste to Art competition.

This year the school won the Sustainable Building 3D category and received $500 in prize money for their creation called Dr Suess’ Garden.

The garden was made from thousands of plastic lids by Middleton students and staff under the direction of Helen Standen.

“We are pretty proud of our achievement,” said Helen. The school and wider community helped to collect plastic lids for at least 12 months to complete the project, while the two purple pipes and the green strapping used for grass were waste from the recycled Water Rising Main Pipeline construction.

“We not only participate to beautify our school, but every student from Kindergarten to Year 6 gets involved teaching them about reducing, reusing and recycling waste,” said Helen. The students work on the project during their library time in the first term. “We love creating something with bottle tops as every child can participate threading the tops.”

This year’s Dr. Suess’ Garden brightened up a dull, dirty corner in the playground adding to the ever growing collection of Waste To Art constructions around the school grounds.

Waste to Art’s aim is to challenge perceptions about rubbish and create a new life for materials that would have been thrown away.

Australian National Field Days

October 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The Australian National Field Days (ANFD) provides a unique opportunity for retailers, primary producers, the general public and government organisations to come together to share information in a hands-on forum.

With a strong reputation as the oldest annual agricultural exhibition in the country (est. 1952), the ANFD showcases quality exhibitors continuing the long-held commitment to Advancing Australian Agriculture.

The event showcases new ideas, the latest technology and innovations in agriculture. It is an informative, social and enjoyable day out for all.

The 2019 event is set to be a real investment in the future of agriculture according to ANFD Manager, Jayne West. “The prime purpose of the ANFD continues to be to assist the agricultural industry by providing those involved with the opportunity of gaining firsthand knowledge of the latest trends in agricultural equipment and technology.

“Participation by exhibitors and attendance by industry and other visitors is part of the collaborative investment in agriculture and the success of the event year after year.

“It’s amazing how the Australian agriculture industry continues to pull together in good times and in bad to move forward. It’s no wonder our industry represents one of the most advanced with the sophistication of Australia’s agricultural land management continuing to increase and our farmers among the most self-sufficient in the world,” said ANFD chairman, Sam Connell.

Our Bloke – Rhys Forrestal

October 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Rhys Forrestal

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved to Parkes nearly five years ago from Coffs Harbour. I like the country atmosphere and friendliness of the locals.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? At the moment I am looking for work.

What is your favourite thing to do when you have free time? I enjoy catching up with family and friends, the theatre and watching car races. This weekend I will be glued in front of the TV for the Bathurst 1000!

What makes you proud? How caring and supportive members of the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society are, as well as the staff of Currajong Disability Services.

If you could be an animal which one would you choose, and why? I would love to be a koala as they are caring and cuddly, and an Australian animal!

What is your all-time favourite movie, song and/or book, and why? My favourite movies are Patch Adams and Mrs Doubtfire with Robin Williams as he was a genius comedian. My favourite book at the moment is Jamie Oliver’s Five Ingredients as I love cooking.

Tell us about your best holiday. I went to New Zealand and my favourite part was the Milford Sound on the South Island as it was so tranquil and peaceful.

What is on your bucket list? I am passionate about acting and would love to become an actor or a wildlife warrior like Steve Irwin. I would also like to visit Universal Studios in America.

Be Seen

October 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

It was a rose coloured morning at the Ma- sonic Lodge on Wednesday for the Parkes College for Seniors Pink Morning Tea in celebration of Pink Up Parkes month.

Val Gleeson, Pat Oliver and Chicka Sharpe ready for their pink tea.

Toni Huppatz and Maree Mulligan at the table of beautiful handcraft for sale made by members of Parkes College for Seniors.

Lyla Miller, Colleen Mitchell, Frances Thornton, Maree Tanswell and Ayesha Curruthers (front).

Irene Ross and Judy Magill on door duty at the pink morning tea.

Ostini Wool Weekly Market Update

October 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

This week’s market recorded increases for the third consecutive series, with main buyer interest in the 18.5 micron and coarser range. The first day of trade saw the NRI gain 60 cents, while the second day was more subdued, with only mar-ginal increases recorded. By the close of the week, the NRI had regained 65 cents, to close at 1635.

In the last three weeks, the NRI has bounced back 257 cents (69% of what it had lost since the mid-year recess). Sell-ers were keen to accept the increased prices, resulting in a national passed in rate of only 7.6%. However, it is worth noting that the fleece market softened to-ward the end of the series, with the West-ern region recording falls of 30-70 cents on the final day.

Skirtings followed a similar path to the fleece, with strong competition helping to push prices up by 40-70 cents.

Next week’s national offering has in-creased considerably as a result of the price rises, currently there are 40,999 bales rostered nationally.

Source: AWEX

As a nonagenarian (a person 90 – 99 years old) what do you do to keep fit and healthy?

October 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Alan Somers: I drive to our family farm “Trel-awney” (I have my full driver’s licence) most week day mornings. I have my own quad bike that I use to inspect crops and livestock for my son Gary. I also help with other light farm jobs. I find the farm visits a great reprieve from town living! I have
a rose garden at my Southern Cross unit that I planted and look after! I also walk regularly. I am very lucky to have good health!

Val Worthington: I eat a healthy diet and have a life of keeping busy with gardening and hobbies since retiring from teaching.

Isabel Orange: I’ve worked hard all my life. I trained as a nurse, had four children and helped my husband working on the farm.

Residents Happy With Parkes Water

October 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

At the prize draw were (L-R) Parkes Shire Councillors Alan Ward and Bill Jayet, Banjo the Recycled Water Scheme Mascot, Mayor Ken Keith OAM and Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton.

The drinking water in Parkes has been given the tick of approval with 43% of locals rating the water quality high or very high.

In the 2019 Parkes Water Survey residents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the quality and affordability of Parkes’ drinking water. They were also asked to gauge community attitudes towards the Recycled Water Scheme, which will use recycled water to irrigate public greenspaces.

Participants in the survey went into a draw to win Council vouchers towards their water bills.

The first prize, a $250 Council voucher towards the winner’s water account, went to Kristy Davison. Second prize winner, David Potts, won a $150 Council voucher, and Mark O’Neil claimed third prize, a $75 Shop Parkes Card.

“This year we had 164 respondents, which provides a strong sample of the population,” said Mayor Ken Keith OAM.

“It is particularly encouraging to see that the overwhelming majority of our residents regularly undertake water saving practices.”

Generally, respondents expressed satis-faction with the quality of Parkes drinking water: 40% rated Parkes water quality as average; 43% considered it to be high or very high; 85% reported satisfaction with the value for money.

The survey results show that the new Re-cycled Water Scheme is well received, with over 92% of respondents expressing sup-port, 6% neutral, and only one respondent expressed disapproval.

What’s On @ The Library

October 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

COMPUTER TRAINING
Want to feel more confident using a computer or mobile device? The Parkes Library provides FREE computer training.
Would you like to learn how to:
– send an email?
– search the internet?
– shop online?
– download and store photos?
– attach photos to emails?
– use Facebook?
– use computer programs such as Micro-soft Word?

You can learn safely and at your own pace at the Parkes Library with hands-on support and advice from our friendly staff. Train-ing and support sessions are held every Wednesday morning during school terms from 9am to 10:30am at the Parkes Library. These sessions are designed for beginners through to more experienced users. The sessions are free for Library members – if you’re not a member it’s free to join! For bookings call the Library on 6861 2309. You can also access the Computer Training Pro-gram and Digital Learning from home via our Online Library catalogue.

GIVE BRIDGE A TRY!
Keep mentally fit and have fun. Parkes Bridge Club is offering FREE lessons and demonstration games at Parkes Shire Li-brary commencing Monday, 21st October on Mondays from 1pm to 3pm and Fridays from 10am to 12noon. Enquiries: Greig Ball 0429 621 712.

ADVANCED CODE CLUB – SCRATCH
Refine your coding skills that you’ve learned in Scratch with a whole new set of fun projects. Participants must already have experience using Scratch. Six-week course starting on Tuesday, 22nd October to 26th November from 4 to 5pm at the Parkes Shire Library. For primary students years 3 – 6. Places are limited. Bring a parent/guardian with you to register. Call 6861 2309 for more information.

Be Seen

October 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Aaron Patterson-Miller and Gracie Townsend attended the Parkes M & D production of Les Misérables at the Little Theatre.

Alyssa Brown and Carmen Stephens were also at Les Misérables.

Mark, Katrina and Dale Allen enjoyed the local production of Les Misérables.

Maggi Barnard

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