Maggi Barnard

Natika Smith with her six-month-old blue and gold macaw called Bindi. She has run the Birds pavilion for the past six years and this year received a record of 85 entries.

Market Day: The congregation of St. Georges have been praying for rain to assist our district. If it rains on our Market Day on Saturday, 7th of September still come as we have huge halls to keep you dry, but wouldn’t it be great to be dancing in the rain? The famous plant and cake stalls will be abundant, there will be a delicious Devonshire tea, games for the kids, white elephant stalls and BBQ with dessert. Tour the beautiful interiors of the heritage building and come and have a great day out.

Recycled Water For Green Parks: Construction on the Recycled Water Rising Main is complete, with the 12km purple pipeline connecting selected public greenspaces around Parkes. The project also included the construction of a reservoir on Nash Street and pump stations at Nash Street, Renshaw McGirr Way and the Recycling Facility. Commissioning and testing started at Armstrong Park last week. Other parks and sporting fields will be switching to recycled water in the coming months. Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure,

Andrew Francis said: “We are on track to turn on the purple taps as we move into summer, so our parks and ovals will be irrigated with recycled water during peak water demand. The scheme ensures our sporting amenities are maintained through dry times, and will ease pressure on our drinking water supplies.” Irrigation will be scheduled at night, although testing may
take place during business hours during commissioning. While recycled water is safe for irrigation, it is not suitable for human consumption and direct contact with sprinkler sprays should be avoided.

Grants To Protect Local Environment: Local communities in the Central West and Riverina can share in $150,000 of funding in the Communities Environment Program. Each electorate can receive funding for up to 20 projects, with the minimum grant being $2,500 and the maximum grant set at $20,000. Expressions of interest (EOI) are now open and should be returned before 27th September. To be eligible you must be a community organisation, which is a legal entity and able to enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. Community clubs, scouts and guides groups, sports clubs, not-for-profit organisations, schools, councils and other community and conservation groups can apply. An EOI form can be obtained by calling 6921 4600, online at https://www.michaelmccormack.com.au/s/ SCP-expression-of-interest-form-withfactsheet-and-FAQ.pdf or emailing michael.mccormack.mp@aph.gov.au.

Benjamin Doughty (2) could not wait to get a taste of this huge lolly at the Parkes Show on Tuesday.

Congratulations: to Valmai Westport on celebrating her 80th birthday this week!

National Police Remembrance Day: Central West Police District Commander, Superintendent Chris Taylor is inviting the community to join police in paying tribute on National Police Remembrance Day. A service will be held at 10am on Friday, 27th September at Holy Family Catholic Church in Parkes. National Police Remembrance Day, traditionally held on 29th September each year, holds a special significance to police throughout Australia and the Pacific region, and is one of the most important events on the NSW Police Force calendar. On this day members of the NSW Police Force and the community remember those officers who have given their lives in the course of their duties.

Choose Tap Water: Parkes residents are urged to replace plastic bottled water with tap water during Keep Australia Beautiful Week in a bid to shift our obsession with bottled water. Every year Australians spend more than $736 million on bottled water, with almost 375 million bottles ending up in landfill and waterways, impacting the environment and marine life. At 2,000 times the cost of tap water, plastic bottled water is an expensive convenience, which is also much pricier than basic expenses like milk and petrol. Facts about bottled: It takes more than three litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water; a plastic water bottle takes around 450 years to break down; Australia’s annual use of bottled water generates more than 60,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions; In Australia alone, we manufacture almost three million tonnes of plastic every year.

New Medicines On PBS: The Federal Government’s listing of four new medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will help patients to fight aggressive forms of cancer and inflammatory conditions. The $56 million investment will slash the costs of Avastin, Sprycel, Actemra and Somatuline Autogel – saving patients thousands
of dollars. Without the subsidy, patients would be paying $31,200 for Avastin, $51,900 for Sprycel and $10,200 for
Actemra. Under the PBS, the medicines drugs will be available for $40.30 per script, or $6.50 with a concession card.

Forbes news in Parkes: Are you interested in what’s happening in Forbes? You can pick up a free copy of the Forbes Phoenix at the Parkes Newsagency every Friday.