Maggi Barnard

 

Rural Aid’s Farm Army will roll into Trundle this Sunday for a week to revitalise the rural community and support farmers experiencing hardship on the land.

More than 70 volunteers will set up camp at the Trundle Showgrounds to work on four farms, at schools and various community projects.

Trundle farmer Rhonda Milgate’s family has lived and worked on the farm for 140 years with sheep, cattle and cropping, and is now experiencing the worse drought of her lifetime.

“It touches my heart to know the Farm Army are coming out for a week to help out and it’s unbelievable that people are giving up their time and putting their lives on hold to help us out,” she said.

“Sometimes it gets so overwhelming with so much to do and the Farm Army are helping with fencing, carrying out mechanical repairs to the truck, installing a water tank, painting and doing handy work inside the house.”

The volunteers from throughout Australia are from all walks of life with the common goal to make a difference working to reinvigorate the community lifting people’s spirits and forming lasting connections with country folk.

Rural Aid will also provide school children with musical instruments through its Gift of Music program, boxes of Lego, stationery and an iPad.

Foresythes Recruitment will sponsor the event with 36 employees on the ground lending a helping hand.

Rural Aid will also provide country cards to help farmers purchase food for their families and much-needed goods.

A Rural Aid counsellor will reach out to farmers during the visit and offer mental health support.

The community also received a recent boost with a hay drop, with fodder going to local farmers to feed their livestock.

If you are interested in making a donation to Rural Aid or to get involved with an upcoming project visit: ruralaid.org.au

A highlight on the Parkes social calendar takes place tomorrow when the annual Parkes Picnic Races make a fashionable return from 11:30am at the Parkes Racecourse.

This year’s Fashions on the Field guest judge is Anna Barwick, a former Peak Hill local. Anna is a pharmacist, academic, PhD student, mum of two, fashionista and Miss Royal Easter Showgirl in 2008. She is also a keen Fashion on the Field entrant at country race meets, and has won the Lady of the Day at Tamworth Cup in 2017 and 2018, Armidale Cup, Guyra Cup, Walcha Cup, Tomingley and Mungery.

Parkes Picnic Races is a regular outing on her calendar. Known on Instagram as the ‘Phashionable Pharmacist’, Anna appreciates classic and cutting edge looks, while reflecting the seasonal racewear guidelines. This year at Parkes Picnic Races, her attention will be drawn to unique and superbly finished style.

The day also includes a five-race program, including the Coradgery Cup, as well as full TAB and betting facilities, canteen and bar services, a coffee van, and live entertainment by Trundle band Geroholom Johnson.

Entry is free for under 16-year-olds, and $20 adult general admission tickets are available at the gate on the day. For more details, visit parkespicnicraces.com.au.

Excitement is building for tonight’s opening of the latest Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society production that also only features juniors.

Shrek the Musical Jr will only play for two weekends and tickets are selling like hotcakes at www.parkesmandd.com.au The shows are on Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2 and 5:30pm, Sunday at 2pm and Monday at 2pm. Don’t miss out on the ultimate feel-good show! There is also a special Autism friendly show for the first time ever on 15th June at 2pm.

Central West Lachlan Landcare, in partnership with the Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party celebrated National Reconciliation Week at Bulgandramine last weekend.

The formerly aboriginal mission site, 22km west of Peak Hill, was returned to the local Wiradjuri community and is a unique and special space used to celebrate and learn more about Wiradjuri culture.

The celebration included performances, music and story telling, tasting of traditional foods, Wiradjuri dance and language, children’s activities and history talks, and a Sunday church service.

It was a great weekend to catch up with old friends and make new ones, with participants coming away with a sense of healing and a feeling of achievement for providing a cultural celebration for the community.

Hand Raised Birds Are Easy Pets
Hand raised birds are one of the best and easiest pets you can own. Being hand reared they are cuddly, tame and easy to handle. Many hand raised birds can be taught to mimic or talk.

Hand raised birds are fed and raised by humans, thus ensuring them to be tame and human oriented. They make fabulous pets who are loyal and fun to the very end. It’s best to keep them indoors, but play and talk to them a lot. They can become your best friend for the next 25 to 30 years.

The Parkes Pet Barn have some hand raised conures for sale and includes green cheeks and sun conures. Originally from South America, sun conures live for about 30 years and have lots of personality. They love attention and are quite easy to train as long as they are socialised from a young age.

Conures do have the ability to talk, however it takes a lot of patience and training. Conures often grind their beaks as a form of self grooming. This is very common and should not be of concern, it is also an indication that your bird is feeling relaxed.

Like all parrots, it is very important to give conures plenty of toys to play with. They have a tendency to chew as well so toys that are made from natural wood are highly recommended. Toys that have a variety of shapes, colours, materials and sizes are the best for sun conures as this will stimulate them mentally as well.

Conures like a large variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as the nuts and “parrot pellets” occasionally.