Maggi Barnard

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

Your Health Matters!

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Stay Safe In The Heat
Summer has set in and while everyone wants to soak up those summer rays, it is extremely important to stay SUN SAFE. Increasing temperatures lead to an increase in dehydration, particularly in the elderly and young children. Your body needs both water and electrolytes to help you through the day. Water helps you digest food and maintain a normal body temperature, while electrolytes help keep your muscles functioning.

In the heat, or if you are unwell, the balance of water and electrolytes may become disturbed leading to dehydration. Look out for the following signs and symptoms: a dry or sticky mouth, increased thirst, fatigue, headache, decreased urine output and dark yellow urine.

In young children, it can be quite hard to see to signs of dehydration. Look out for dark yellow urine, fewer wet nappies or dry lips.

If you are getting older or care for an elderly person, it’s important to recognise the above signs as elderly persons are at a higher risk of dehydration. A vital sign of dehydration in the elderly is reduced sweating.

HOT TIPS FOR STAYING HYDRATED
1. Keep a water bottle close at hand to make a habit of drinking water at regular intervals! You need at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.
2. At the first signs of dehydration, increase your fluid intake by drinking a large glass of water or sipping on replacement solutions such as Hydralyte.
3. Replacement solutions (Hydralyte) may be better tolerated if frozen.
4. Avoid sugary drinks as they can worsen dehydration.
5. Introduce more ‘wet’ foods into your diet, such as jelly or soup.

Come in and see our friendly pharmacists or staff to stay hydrated and safe this summer!

Parkes Elvis Festival Records ‘All Shook Up’

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes was literally shaken up for the 2019 Elvis Festival with several records tumbling as the event keeps on growing in popularity. A record-breaking 27,000 fans descended on our town in early January to celebrate the All Shook Up theme, while 11,000 people lined the streets to watch the ever popular Northparkes Mines Street Parade boasting 182 entries.

With more than 200 events on offer, and almost non-stop free entertainment on the Cooke Park main stage and top quality buskers in Clarinda Street, the notes of the King’s evergreen songs echoed to every corner of our town.

By Sunday one resident was convinced her chooks were cackling to the rhythm of ‘Return to Sender’!

It was not only the international performers, like feature artist Ted Torres Martin, who filled venues to capacity. Local group Amitie amassed a huge following, while Parkes’ young dancers showed the way with the Parkes Boppers and Twinkle Toes dancers rock ‘n rolling all over town.

Talented local musician Mick Green featured in the band for the All Shook Up Special opening night show sharing the stage with Lance Lipinsky and other artists. Peak Hill’s Erin O’Leary was crowned Miss Priscilla and won over the crowds with her bubbly personality.

The festival’s hard working and friendly volunteers, and Parkes Shire Council’s staff also flew the flag for Parkes ensuring everything ran smoothly and the masses went home with only praise on their lips.

Dressing up has become a vital element of the Parkes Elvis Festival that adds to its vibrancy and colour. Some local businesses had to put in emergency orders to ensure enough stock for the high demand for 50’s fashion trends.
And next year from 8 – 12 January, the costumes promise to be even more fun with the theme the 1966 American musical film Frankie and Johnny!

By Maggi Barnard

Question of the Week?

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

What’s your favourite way of keeping cool this summer?

Bobby Taylor with Kiesha and Sasha: We love playing on the slip and slide and sitting in the pool. Another favourite for the kids is having the sprinkler set under the trampoline.

Frances Scurfield (middle) with Nacho and Delfina Figueroa: My favourite way to cool down is hanging around Gold Coast beach in summer with Argentinian polo stars Nacho Figueroa and wife Delfina. But when in Parkes it is under my air cooler watching tennis and Big Bash League.

Margot Jolly: My favourite way of keeping cool this summer has been watching the magnificent tennis and catching up on my reading under the life-saving evaporative air conditioner.

Mayoral Notes…

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

This week we welcomed Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless to Parkes to announce funding under the NSW Government’s Growing Local Economies Fund that will enable vital service extensions to the Parkes National Logistics Hub, including upgrades to road access, communications, powerlines, and gas connections.

For more information about the announcement, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Following the severe storm event earlier this week, residents are being encouraged to deposit any green or mixed waste caused by the storm to the Parkes Waste Facility free of charge until close of business on Sunday. Waste disposal charges remain for all other general waste.

Level two water restrictions are now in place across the Parkes Shire, after storage levels at Lake Endeavour Dam reached the capacity trigger. Under level two restrictions, residents are only permitted to water outside the hours of 10am and 5pm, on alternate days under an ‘odds and evens’ arrangement. For more information about level 2 water restrictions and some handy water saving tips, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Parkes Shire students undertaking their first year of full-time university studies in 2019 are encouraged to apply for a Jack Scoble Scholarship. The scholarship offers local students the chance to receive $2,000 – $3,000 to be put towards their tertiary studies. To apply, download an application form from Council’s website and return to marie.
wyatt@parkes.nsw.gov.au by Monday 28 January 2019 at 10am.

Residents and visitors are invited to a full day of community activities this Saturday as we come together to celebrate Australia Day. For more information about the 2019 Australia Day events in the Parkes Shire, visit www.visitparkes.com.au.

A reminder to motorists to slow down, pay extra attention, and be patient when school resumes in the coming weeks. The 40km/hr school speed zone will come back into effect next week, with more police on our roads during this time to enforce the speed limit. Please also be mindful of the no parking and stopping signs around schools which are in pace to help to help keep children and pedestrians safe.

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

New Block Cave Mine Adds 10 Years To Northparkes’ Life

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Northparkes Mines started the year with good news announcing the approval of a new block cave mine with an investment of more than $200 million and creating 180 new jobs. Construction of the three-and-half year project will start this month with full production expected in mid-2022 delivering approximately 40Mt of ore over a 10-year
period.

China Molybdenum Company (CMOC) and Sumitomo made the announcement saying the new block cave mine, called E26 Lift 1 North (E26L1N), will be an 11km underground development including an underground primary crusher, conveying systems and associated infrastructure.

The 180 people employed at the peak of construction will be a mixture of employees and contractors. “We are really excited to see this project come to fruition and to watch Northparkes continue to develop and grow,” said Executive
Chairman and CEO, CMOC Group, Steele Li.

The project, covered by the current project approvals, licences and permits, will see an upgrade to the ventilation system to provide the new mine with sufficient air flow for development and production activities. The E26L1N operation will be designed to utilise an increased level of automation and digitisation, helping to deliver a safer and more productive mine.

Northparkes Acting Managing Director Hubert Lehman said: “Northparkes is the world’s most automated underground block-cave mine. This is a major investment in the future. The mine has been operating for 24 years and we have a vision of a century of mining and continuing to contribute to the local community.”

Nominees For 2019 Australia Day Awards

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Citizen of the Year nominees: Pat Bailey, James Hutton, Helen Magill, Marilyn Pizarro, Bill Shallvey.

Young Citizen of the Year nominees: Emeline Lavaka, Sophie McQuie.

Community Event of the Year nominees: School Astro Talks – CSIRO; Mini Relay for Life – Parkes East Public
School; Carpe Diem – Tullamore Inc.

Marie Bashir Academic Award nominees: Tracey Boney, Judyth Grogan, Aneke (Anna) Kusumawati.

Environment Award nominee: Dianne Kirkland.

Cultural Award – adult nominees: Matthias Kelly; Bridget Lee; Elsie Mahon.

Cultural Award – student nominees: Georgina Greenland; Alex Sammut-Paul; Anabelle van Wyk.

Cultural Award – group nominees: Parkes School of Dance Inc.

Sportsperson of the Year nominees: Sally Dwyer (Rugby League); Kurt Lovett (Hockey); Talesha Quinn (Rugby
League); Mariah Williams (Hockey).

Junior Sportsperson of the Year nominees: Chloe Carty (Hockey); Toby Collins (Hockey); Ellen Dolbel (All Rounder); India Draper (Hockey, League Tag); Ryan Dunford (Hockey); Peta Fagan (Hockey); Nicholas Job (Hockey); Koby Johnstone (Hockey); Cody Kirk (Indoor Hockey); Finnley Neilsen (Rugby League); Marley
O’Shannessy (Squash); James Robinson (Bowls); Meghan Searl (Hockey); Thomas Searl (Hockey); William Searl
(Hockey); Jorja Simpson (Rugby 7s); Jack Skinner (Hockey); Maddison Spence (Cricket); Joseph Tanswell (Hockey).

Team of the Year nominees: Parkes High School Girls Squash; Parkes Public School Tennis; Parkes Spacecats
(League Tag); Parkes U13 Boys Hockey; Parkes U15 Boys Hockey; Parkes 50s Men’s Hockey.

Senior Sportsperson or Team: Denise Gersbach (Hockey); Noel Johnstone (Hockey); Maureen Massey (Hockey);
Graeme Tanswell (Hockey).

Referee, Umpire or Official of the Year nominees: Trevor Chatman (Cricket); Amanda Draper (Touch Football); Glenn Pepper (Cricket); Chris Reynolds (Touch Football); Cody Reynolds (Touch Football); Kim Robinson (Athletics).

Coach, Trainer or Manager of the Year nominees: Sharon Dixon (Physiotherapy); Glen Johnstone (Hockey); Joe
Spicer (Spacecats League Tag); Graeme Tanswell (Hockey).

Administrator of the Year nominees: Aaron Huppatz (Parkes Hockey Inc); Jay Kross (Parkes Squash); Gordon
Pritchard (Parkes Jockey Club).

Long Service and Dedication nominees: Fran Dixon (Hockey); Don Green (Touch Football).

Ron Harrison Sports Bursary Nominees: Olivia Dolbel (Netball); Kobi Johnstone (Hockey); Matty Price (Swimming); Maddison Spence (Cricket); Tyannua Goolagong (Rugby League).

Legal Eagle

January 24, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

Family Divorce Can Be A Disaster For Small Business

With official statistics showing that almost 40% of marriages end in divorce, or at least in a property settlement, a marriage break up is a horrendous issue for partners in a small business. Instead of concentrating on cash flow, tax matters, business generation and expansion, all goes out the window when the specter of divorce enters.

If both parties to a marriage work within the business, the strains are greatly magnified. Julia Cambridge, the national executive director of Family Business Australia, recently said: “We know of cases where the relationship has broken down, and it has caused the business to fail. Any sort of conflict takes your eye off the game, diverts your attention away from what you are supposed to be doing, and impacts upon the business bottom line.”

Lawyers are increasingly looking at ways to exit a spouse from a business partnership by apportioning income streams or separating parties from discretionary trusts, superannuation, or taxation matters. If a business is reasonably well run and profitable, it can manage. If, however, it is trading at the margin, the divorce can tip the business over. Binding financial arrangements or shareholder agreements prepared to come into effect in the event of a dispute are helpful, but the Family Court can override any such agreement in many, but not all, circumstances.

This is a complex legal field. If we at Matthews Williams can assist you on this or any other legal matter, feel free to phone me or one of our solicitors or call into our office for an appointment.

By Mark Olson

Happy 84th Birthday Elvis!

January 9, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

The raison d’être for the Parkes Elvis Festival was celebrated on Tuesday in Cooke Park next to the Elvis statue with about 500 visitors and residents attending. The Parkes Boppers dance troupe and Parkes’ one and only Elvis tribute artist, Barry Green, set the tone for a festive 84th birthday celebration for the King.

Keith Clarke from Tarcutta, who shares a birthday with Elvis, had the honour of cutting the cake after his name was drawn from three more visitors sharing the same birthday. “This celebration is a nice lead in to the festival, and it is very important to recognise Elvis’s birthday,” said Lorraine Job, Secretary of Elvis Revival Inc, the Parkes Elvis
Festival founding committee.

Elvis Revival Inc and a small group of volunteers organise the annual event, which was the spark for the very first festival 27 years ago.

“It was really special to see so many people attending,” said Barry Green, who entertained the crowd with evergreen Elvis songs like ‘Return to Sender’.

Lorraine said it was also a perfect time to promote other festival events, as well as junior local talent. Free entertainment will continue in Cooke Park, known as the heart of the Parkes Elvis Festival where more than 50 top-quality entertainers will perform non-stop on the ARTC Cooke Park main stage over the next four days.

Hosted by radio personality, Dave Sutherland, the main stage will see many talented performers backed by the dynamic Fourcasters.

By Maggi Barnard

Mayoral Notes…

January 9, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

I would like to welcome our friends to the Parkes Shire for the 27th annual Parkes Elvis Festival.

Over the past 12 months our Shire has experienced one of the worst droughts on record. Events, like the Parkes Elvis Festival, provide a huge economic boost to our region and I thank you for visiting and supporting the Parkes Shire community.

I encourage everyone to Be Out There while visiting our region by exploring our tourism attractions including the world famous Parkes radio telescope ‘The Dish’, the Henry Parkes Centre and the Peak Hill Open Cut Experience. The team at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre can help you plan your next trip to Parkes to attend one of our many quirky events, including the Trundle ABBA Festival or the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

We are proud to host the 27th Parkes Elvis Festival, set to be the biggest and best to date. We are excited to launch the new user-friendly Festival website. Expect to get All Shook Up with the new events, new venues and new experiences, including rock n roll dancing lessons, ukulele workshops, Elvis yogalates, and a burlesque workshop.

A big thank you to our dedicated volunteers, valued sponsors, supporters, Elvis Revival Incorporated, local businesses, community members and Council staff who make the Festival possible.

Thank you, thank you very much.
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

‘My Hands Are Shaky, My Knees Are Weak’

January 9, 2019 By Maggi Barnard

In April 1957 Elvis Presley’s song All Shook Up topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. Sixty-two years later Parkes is going to be All Shook Up for five days in a celebration of the 50s at the 27th Parkes Elvis Festival.

“Every year we aim to make the festival bigger and better, and we have done it again with over 200 events,” said Parkes Elvis Festival Director, Cathy Treasure of the festival that more than doubles the population of Parkes from 12,000 to 26,500.

First time festival goers and repeat visitors can look forward to all the favourite features of the festival, but also a long list of new events and highlights. These include more dancing in the street, a special Kombi display, international star Francine Bell at the Gospel Service, more fan interaction workshops, a dance workshop for
kids by former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page, a special tribute concert for Phil Emmanuel, and more free shows in Cooke Park.

“We are very excited to have Ted Torres Martin from the US as our feature artist, doing four different concerts,” said Cathy. Iconic Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Russell Morris is The Wall of Fame recipient this year – a very fitting tribute in the year of the 50th anniversary of the moon 237 Clarinda St Parkes NSW landing as his 1969 hit The Real Thing was the theme song for The Dish movie.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has been recognised with a string of awards over the years, but entered new territory last
November being inducted into the Hall of Fame of the NSW Tourism Awards after winning the best festival in NSW award for the third consecutive year.

Whether you have dancing shoes or not, this festival is one where ‘you’ll be in love… you’ll be All Shook Up at the 2019 Parkes Elvis Festival!

By Maggi Barnard

Maggi Barnard

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