Maggi Barnard

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

Winning Determination

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The first minutes of the match between the Parkes Boars and the Dubbo Rhinos last Friday were intense, as both sides were desperate to get the first points on the board. Rhinos struck first with a penalty goal, with Parkes soon striking back replying off the boot of Sam Davis. Scott Chislett, Jarrod Westcott and Jason Lowe took their turn to punch into the Rhinos defence.

Withstanding the pressure in the first 20 minutes, Parkes worked their way down the field and Rusiate Lawanikula put their first points on the board. Sam Davis converted from out wide and as usual Toby Baigent threw himself into the game hammering the opposition in attack and defence. By halftime Parkes had their nose in front 10-8 Early in the second half, Josh van der Stock’s repeated attacks broke through and made a 90 metre run to put Parkes on
the attack. The Forwards stepped up and a series of pick and drives by Jason Lowe and Michael Thomas built pressure with Dan Ryan capitalising for the Boars and Sam Davis again adding the extras.

The Boars had their chances to add to the score but fumbled on the line twice. Parkes thought they’d done enough, but Rhinos struck back desperate for a win and scored to take them within four points.

Parkes hung on to repel Rhinos for the last ten minutes to take out the much-needed win.

Best for Parkes – Toby Bagent, Rusi Lawanikula, Jarrod Westcott and Michael Thomas.

Your Health Matters

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Winter News: Vaporisers Vs Humidifiers

Humidity, not only prevents good hair days, but can also prevent a number of issues; from static electricity to nosebleeds. It can also help you breathe a little easier when sick!

To increase the humidity of your home, there are two products that work wonders – A vaporiser or a humidifier. Both add moisture to the air, helping to ease cough and cold congestion. The key difference between the two products is how they introduce moisture.

Vaporisers boil water through a heating element to create steam. The steam cools down before it leaves the machine and enters the air. Humidifier’s can work in two different ways. Some use ultrasonic vibrations which disperse a cool mist of water into the air. While others may use a disc submerged in the machine which is rapidly turned. As the disc turns it breaks up the water into tiny particles which can be inhaled.

Points for consideration
When selecting a device, it is important to consider several points. Steam vaporisers contain hot water inside, which may cause burns if spilled. Therefore, it is not recommended around small children and pets.

Over use of the devices can also cause rooms to become overly humid. This may allow mould and bacteria to grow in your home. If you notice water beading up on windows and walls, or damp floors, move the device, decrease its level or discontinue its use. Good ventilation also reduces the risk of becoming overly humid.

Come into Parkes Pharmacy, in the metroplaza, today to discuss which device is best for you!

Are Your Snacks Damaging Your Teeth?

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Keeping your teeth free of cracks and cavities can be as simple as taking inventory of your snacks. While calcium-rich foods and crunchy fruits and vegetables are great choices not only for your oral health but overall health, other foods can tarnish your teeth.

Soft, sticky sweets such as taffy and caramels cling to your teeth’s surface, contributing to tooth decay. Likewise, hard sweets can leave your teeth bathed in cavity-causing sugar. Not only that, if you bite down on a hard sweet your tooth could chip!

While popcorn isn’t the worst offender when it comes to tooth damage, chewing uncooked kernels can cause cracks in your teeth. Chances are you wash your snacks down with some type of beverage. Choose water, as sodas are high in decay-causing sugar.

Want a brighter smile? Make teeth-smart snack selections, brush and floss each day, and get regular preventative checkups. For all your dental needs please call Riaz Dental on (02) 6862 1261 or visit www.riazdental.com.au

Library On The Move As Expansion Project Gets Underway

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Library is moving to its new, temporary home in Clarinda Street as work commences on the expansion of the current library building.

The innovative and modern, architecturally designed, indoor and outdoor facility will provide additional space including a gallery, meeting rooms, quiet study areas, additional room for children’s programs, places to connect with technology and ‘green areas’.

Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services, Kerryn Jones said “Not only will these upgrades bring enormous benefit culturally and socially to the Shire, economic benefits will flow in from visitors coming to town for art exhibitions and cultural workshops.”

While the exciting new library space is being built, Parkes Shire Library will relocate in August to Shop 2, 250 Clarinda Street, Parkes (alongside Discount Dave’s) for a period of 12 months. The Library will continue to offer as many of their regular programs and activities in the new location as possible.

“To allow us to relocate into our new space in Clarinda Street, the Library will be closed from Monday 5 August until Monday 2 September. Access to online collections and resources will still be available during the closure period. We have also extended the loan period for an additional 30 days, as well as increased the number of items that can be borrowed,” Kerryn added.

The Returns Chute will continue to operate as normal until Saturday 24 August. From Monday 26 August, book returns can be made at 2/250 Clarinda Street.

Throughout the closure period, two computers will be made available for free public use at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street, Parkes. Items can be scanned and faxed for free, or printed and photocopied at a cost, starting at $0.30. The branch libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore will continue to operate as normal.

Question of the Week?

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

What are your thoughts about the proposed Bypass in Parkes?

Laurie Ashcroft: Overall, I’m in favour, however there are some modifications that need to be made. Happy with the consultation, the RMS seem to be listening, lets hope they follow up with action to help those directly affected.

Leonie Guymer: I think it’s a great idea. I don’t know what it will do for business. The only thing against it is whether it will affect the already declining business in the main street, and therefore potential job losses.

Isaac Westcott: Hopefully it will lessen the trucks in town and therefore reduce the noise they make. Hope that its quicker than the Orange bypass!

Snippets…

July 11, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

NAIDOC Celebrations at Parkes Public School: Parkes Public School held an assembly last Wednesday 3 July to celebrate the school’s NAIDOC activities. The assembly was hosted by the school’s Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), with a Welcome to Country performed by Lionel Lovett and his daughter Carly, chaperoned by local elder Aunty Pat Oliver. Lionel also spoke about this year’s NAIDOC theme, Voice, Treaty, Truth and how this theme foregrounds Indigenous Australians’ strive for recognition for their knowledge and culture. The assembly continued with performances by the school’s choir and cultural dance group and presentations of weekly awards.

Regional Tourism Awards: 25 leading Country and Outback tourism businesses, events, and visitor experiences have been announced as finalists in the 2019 Destination Country and Outback and Destination Riverina Murray Regional Tourism Awards. Congratulations to local finalists in Trundle – the Trundle ABBA Festival, and in Forbes – Grazing Down the Lachlan. Winners will be announced at the gala awards ceremony on July 27 in Dubbo. The winners gain finalist status upon entering the NSW State Tourism Awards, and if successful, go onto the National Tourism Awards.

Kids Helpline – 71,533 contacts go unanswered: Kids Helpline, Australia’s only free confidential 24/7 national children’s counselling and support service, has today released statistics showing 51% of requests for help to the service went unanswered over the first 6 months of 2019, due to funding shortfall. Responding to concerns children and young people have in relation to their mental health, general well-being and other developmental issues is a major area of Kids Helpline’s work. Kids Helpline relies heavily upon your town’s charitable art union and donations from the community to continue its operation. In order to meet the extra demand, an additional $5 million annually would be required to enable employment of additional professional counselling staff.

Book Launch by local Doctor: Dr Rick Newton, retired from his general practice in Tullamore, has written a small book of humorous short stories about his farming experiences, after moving from Sydney to the Central West. The Tullamore launch is on Saturday 13 July at the Tullamore Bowling Club. Then there will be a Parkes launch at the Parkes Library on Tuesday 23 July at 6pm. All funds raised go to Brain Cancer and Stroke Foundations, in memory of Geoff Williams and Geof Horsburgh.

Our Young Gal

July 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Elsie Orr

How old are you? 11

How long have you lived in or around Parkes, and what do you like about living here? I have lived here for 8 or 9 years. Before that I lived in Cowra. I like that I live near my family.

Where do you go to school and what year are you in? I go to Middleton Public School. I have been here since Kindergarten and I am in Year 6. I am the girl school captain this year.

What is your favourite after school activity?
My favourite activity is soccer training and hockey training.

What is your favourite food and movie?
My favourite food is carrots and my best movies are ‘The Mighty Ducks’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’

What music do you listen to? I don’t listen to music very much but I like to listen to Mr Harris when he sings at school.

What do you want to do when you grow up? When I grow up I want to be a teacher.

If you could have a super power what would it be? My superpower would be to have wishing powers so I could wish for anything I want.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I am quiet but I am actually louder than people think.

Snippets…

July 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Dress like a Farmer Day: On 2 July, Parkes Public school held a ‘Farmers Day’ to support the drought-stricken farmers. Students were allowed to come to school dressed up as farmer and bring in a gold coin donation, which will go to the charity ‘Buy a Bale’. We raised over $600 on the day which is an amazing amount for our school community. We got the idea from learning about drought and watching Behind The News and seeing other schools doing similar things to help out. Lucy Hall and Nina Richardson-Bartley, who are in Year 6, thought to do this farmers day and asked Mrs Ruckley and 6 Red before going to Mrs O’Neill for her approval. When we put the whole plan into action it was a great, fun day. Thank you to everyone who participated and brought in a gold coin donation!
By Lucy Hall & Nina Richardson-Bartley

$250 Regional Seniors Travel Card: Travel is one of the most significant household costs for residents living in our region. The State Government is set to ease this cost for rural and regional travellers from January next year, through the rollout of the $250 Regional Seniors Transport Card. Seniors will be able to use the $250 to purchase fuel and pay for taxi fares from participating providers in rural and regional NSW, and pre-booked NSW TrainLink train and coach services.

Find a Cheaper Energy Bill: The energy industry welcomes the introduction of a comparison tool that makes it easier to assess energy deals in the market. From today every offer in NSW will be compared against an independent benchmark called a Reference Bill. Customers will be able to rate the value of a new offer by the size of the discount against the Reference Bill. All customers are encouraged to go to thegovernment’s EnergyMadeEasy website (https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au) to help find a cheaper deal.

Recycled Water Rising Main Construction Update – Nash Street Rail Crossing: Underboring will be undertaken at the Nash Street Rail Crossing for the recycled water pipeline to be installed beneath the tracks. Works will commence from 27 June and are expected to be completed by 7 July (conditions permitting). Nash Street will remain open during this period, however variable speed limits will be enforced to ensure the safety of construction workers working alongside the road.

Australia Post Community Grants

July 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Not-for-profit community organisations are invited to apply for a 2019 Australia Post Community Grant, with funding of up to $10,000 available to each recipient. The initiative aims to support projects and services that address locally identified needs that strengthen social connections and reduce barriers to participating in community life.

Speaking on the launch of the program, Australia Post Executive General Manager Community and Consumer, Nicole Sheffield said it was another way for Australia Post to help communities thrive and prosper.

“Through this program, we’re funding projects that bring people together to address local needs.”

“With so much change to the way we live, work and shop, it’s more important than ever that we have strong, vibrant local communities where people can connect to shape our shared future,” said Ms Sheffield.

The 2019 Australia Post Community Grants will support initiatives that:
• Help people connect with each other through group activities (e.g. volunteering programs, civic engagement and environmental activities);
• Reduce barriers to participation in community life (e.g. transport, ability to pay, or access to community spaces); and/or
• Develop skills and leadership capability to strengthen community networks.

The launch of the 2019 Community Grants program follows the completion of this year’s Australia Post Workforce Grants which saw over 400 recipients receive $500 each towards community projects across Australia as nominated by Australia Post’s local staff members. Funds can go to events, training, equipment, supplies, excursions, camps and facilities enabling better community connectedness.

Eligible community organisations can apply for an Australia Post Community Grant for up to $10,000 via www.auspost.com.au/grants. Applications close on Sunday 4 August and all applicants will be notified of the outcome in October 2019.

All Things Teapots And Towels

July 4, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Never again will so many tea towels and tea pots be seen in the same place. There was a vast array of tea towels with colourful images and wonderful sayings from places all over the world. One tea towel showed a family tree and the owner discovered three more relations!

What a great gathering of over 100 people all enjoying the Anglican Ladies’ warm soups, yummy slices and appreciating each other’s company. Reverend Ron and Reverend Crystal were amazed at the tea pot collections, which had to be seen to be believed.

Rhonda Dunn’s collections showcased an unbelievable range of tea pots, and these were only a small portion of all that she has been collecting for the past 6 months or so. Many of her other pots can be found in her ‘teahouse’ at home, where she grows a wide range of succulents.

Jan Tanswell showcased a 150-year-old teapot, and Maureen Stirling some miniatures. There was also a Kombi VW collection from Paula, and other collections from Joan, Cheryl, Betty, and Rodney. As with all of the Anglican ladies’ activities, the main thing was the enjoyable company and fellowship.

All profits for this event go to the ongoing care of the St George’s Church buildings, which is always an ongoing project, employing local trades people to keep it looking good. Thank you to all who came and kept out of the dust storm raging outside.

Maggi Barnard

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