Maggi Barnard

Parkes has a brand new and very unique world champion. Northparkes Mines employee Michael Thomas was crowned the World Cob Loaf Champion in Wellington last weekend at the Cob Loaf Festival – World Championships.

Michael scored a massive 476 out of 500 for his salmon creation. The 24-year-old said he wanted to offer the judges something different and focused on the taste.

Michael is a Wellington local, but moved to Parkes earlier this year after accepting the position of Northparkes Graduate Environmental Advisor.

Six clubs in the Parkes Shire will share in over $300,000 of funding announced by Member for Orange Phil Donato MP last week for a total of 20 projects. Phil announced $326,309 of State Government funds to deliver much needed improvements to local facilities from the NSW Government’s 2018 Community Building Partnership Program. This funding will allow local organisations to bring important projects to life.

“This is fantastic for the Orange electorate; this funding will directly help our community by enabling positive social, recreational and economic outcomes,” Phil said.

“I congratulate all organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition. “These projects will make a real impact for community groups in our area, which creates benefits that flow to everyone. I am very proud to have put my support behind these projects.”

The projects in Parkes are: Parkes Dragon Boat Club Inc for Delivering Dragon Boating to Parkes $6,500; Police Citizens Youth Clubs NSW Ltd for PCYC Parkes Foyer Renovation $28,050; Parkes Aero Club Training Group Inc for a new awning for Parkes Aero Club Clubhouse $20,000; Bogan Gate Community Memorial Hall Inc for partial roof refurbishment of Bogan Gate Community Memorial Hall $13,536; Bogan Gate Golf Club Co-operative Ltd for a kitchen refurbishment for Bogan Gate Golf Club $7,000; Parkes Golf Club Co-operative Ltd for heating and air conditioning replacement for clubhouse $15,285.

Is Workplace Surveillance Lawful?
The Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW) provides for dedicated workplace surveillance legislation in NSW.
Generally, an employee must consent, either expressly or impliedly, to the surveillance of private activities or private conversations.

The Telecommunications (Interceptions and Access) Act 1979 (Cth) also places limitations on the recording of telephone conversations. The legislation relating to surveillance devices specifies what constitutes a “private
activity” or “private conversation”. Private activities or conversations may occur in any workplace, whether a corporate office or a public space, such as a retail store.

Use of surveillance as evidence can ensure employees are not engaging in misconduct, however surveillance must be properly obtained by an employer to enable it to rely on the surveillance in disciplinary action or court proceedings. The recent Federal Court decision of Chappell vs Griffin Coal Mining Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1248 is a sound reminder of this.

In the case of Chapell vs Griffin Coal Mining Pty Ltd, an employee was caught making adverse comments about the employer to an external person on a video surveillance device worn by a security guard hired by the employer. When the employer sought to rely on the surveillance as evidence of misconduct, the employee argued that the evidence was improperly obtained – it was a private conversation that he did not consent to being recorded. The court agreed
and the surveillance could not be used as evidence.

Where employers intend to undertake surveillance in the workplace, they should inform employees in writing and how the surveillance will be undertaken. Best practice is draw up a workplace surveillance policy that is easily accessible by employees, and provided to all new employees.

Five operators of Parkes Shire Council’s water operations staff received their national certification through the Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA) in Parkes recently.

The WIOA event was held at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant, showcasing the multi-award winning water and wastewater treatment infrastructure to more than 60 water industry operators and council representatives from across the state.

Parkes Shire Council with four Centroc councils and the Centroc team have been working at both State and Federal level to gain recognition for the invaluable role that water treatment plant operators play in providing safe drinking water for their communities.

Operators from the five councils were in the pilot NSW-based accreditation scheme, and have now been accredited and certified under a newly formed National Certification of Water Treatment Plant operators.

The operators had to complete a set of fit-for-purpose units of competency from the nationally recognised Water Training Package as well as demonstrate relevant industry experience.

As technology is touching and changing every aspect of our lives, including the classroom, the Parkes Christian School has embraced it and is regarded as a pioneer in the Central West.

Clarence Goh is the school’s Information Technology teacher and as the only Google Trainer and Google Innovator in the Central West, he is leading the Google Education Group (GEG) in Parkes. He explains that GEGs (Google Educator Groups) are independently run communities of educators who inspire and empower each other to meet the needs of students through technology both in the classroom and beyond.

Via face to face meet-ups and online activities, GEGs provide a way for educators who are passionate about education and technology to meet like-minded people and share, learn, and collaborate together.

This week he convened a meeting with 12 teachers of the Parkes Christian School where they learned more about the usages of Google Classroom and how it can improve classroom practice. “Google Classroom is part of the G Suite collection of tools that our school is currently the pioneer and leader of in the Central West,” said Clarence.

“The session went well and staff gained a lot of new knowledge. This will help improve our teaching methods and assessments,” said Clarence. He aims to make the Google GEG a quarterly event in Parkes. “All GEGs are open
to the public, which means that all educators from the region are welcome to attend.” The next GEG will be in term 1 next year.

Clarence is also working towards getting more staff Google-accredited. This means they would have completed the Google Educator Exams Levels 1 and 2 and could then become trainers and innovators.

“As we learn and employ new technologies into our classroom, the teaching and learning process will improve and become more streamlined and efficient,” said Clarence.

Pick A Perfect Spot At Wyangala Waters
It’s that time of year when the days are longer, warmer and call for adventure. Wyangala Waters sits on the shore of Wyangala Dam, an easy drive from Parkes, Cowra, Bathurst, Blayney and the wider Central Tablelands of NSW.

It’s about the simple things at Wyangala Waters: good company, beautiful natural surrounds and picturesque water views. Take the boat out for some water-skiing fun, or make the most of the excellent fishing. Let the kids go wild in the bush building forts and bike riding. Enjoy bushwalking, spotting kangaroos and birds, then finish the day around the campfire, toasting marshmallows under a big starry sky. Life doesn’t get better than this!

The park is big enough to pick your perfect spot and make yourself at home in your RV, caravan or tent. Powered sites are still available for the summer, while there is a range of cabins, cottages and bungalows too. Reflections Holiday Parks Wyangala Waters is dog-friendly for camping and caravan sites to enjoy the bush experience with the whole family.

Stay On The Water In A Houseboat
Wyangala Houseboats offer a unique accommodation experience with two houseboats available for hire: Moomba and Tango. Each one accommodates up to 10 people featuring a kitchen, bathroom and bbq facilities. Grab a group of friends or family and spend the weekend or week cruising, skiing, fishing or just relaxing along Wyangala Waters. No special licence required. You will be thoroughly briefed to ensure you are comfortable with the safe handling of the houseboat before going on your way. Gift vouchers available. For bookings and enquires phone Wyangala Waters on 6345 0877.