Maggi Barnard

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

Question of the Week?

November 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Would you consider taking on a new sport and why?

Tylah Mapperson: I think dragon boating would be really fun because you’d get to hang out with your mates in a boat, which is something not many people get to do with their friends. And you’d get to make friends with others in the team.

Ella Ross: I would like to try a new sport to meet new friends and challenge myself, also to learn new skills and set some goals and have some fun.

Daniel Mai: It depends what the sport is. I don’t like contact sports, but I’d like to try something like archery or lacrosse. A new sport would be good for meeting new people, getting exercise, improving hand eye coordination and learning new skills.

Snippets…

November 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

STORK NEWS… The Railway Hotel family welcomed two new members this week with the birth of twins Lorde Rose and Raine Violet Sheridan. Mums, Bianca Sheridan and Kasie Ferguson, and the little ones are all doing great, as well as big brother Hart.

Band Together Farmers: All roads lead to Parkes tomorrow when Australian music legends including the Hoodoo Gurus and Mark Seymour will donate their time to perform at the Showgrounds. The event will raise much needed funds for rural mental health and suicide prevention. Gates open at 1pm, and kids under 12 are free with activities provided for them on the day. The RAAF Roulettes will also do an aerial performance at 3:45pm. Adults tickets and program details available online at bandtogetherfarmers.org

Christmas Street Parade: There is still time to enter the Christmas Street Parade on 30th November organised by the Parkes Action Club. The deadline for entries is Friday, 23rd November. Contact parkesactionclub@gmail.com

Free Cuppa: Fifteen businesses in the region have signed up to take part in next year’s ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme. Railway Arts and Crafts and Railway Hotel in Bogan Gate, Casho’s in Tullamore and Parkes Coffee Pot, Cooke Park Café and Parkes Services Club will join over 100 businesses across the Hunter, Southern, Southwest and Western NSW in the next round of the successful scheme, which provides drivers who have travelled more than 100km from their home with a free cup of tea or coffee. The scheme will see over 23 local council areas working together to help reduce tired drivers and fatigue related crashes on roads in NSW. The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business, and the Facebook page with up to date information.

Save On Business Energy Bills: The NSW Business Chamber has kicked off the state-wide 5in5 campaign to help businesses and residents across NSW save an estimated $5 million on their annual energy bills over the next five weeks. Businesses are asked to utilise the campaign’s free energy comparison-and-switch service to make sure they’re on the best energy plan for them; saving money and reducing operating costs. “We’ve already trialled our new
free comparison service and were shocked to discover that eight out of every 10 businesses signed up were not on the best deal,” said Vicki Seccombe of the NSW Business Chamber. Businesses can join the campaign by visiting: https://energy.nswbusinesschamber.com.au/5in5.

We Will Remember Them

November 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

A good crowd of over 100 people gathered in Cooke Park on Sunday to commemorate the Centenary of World War I Armistice Day. President of Parkes RSL Sub-Branch Terry Knowles read out the iconic poem In Flanders Fields by Lieutenant-Colonel John McRae with a parade of ex and service personnel standing at attention. School children
read out the names of the fallen and Paul Dawson’s solo performance of The Last Post introduced two minutes of silence.

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM spoke about the enormous effect the war had on the local community with one in four eligible volunteers enlisting.

He said the restoration project of the Feldkanone field artillery gun in Cooke Park had been delayed as the work needed to be authentic and there was a problem acquiring some parts.

The Mayor and President of Parkes RSL Sub-Branch also unveiled a plaque for the Armistice Centenary to be installed in Cooke Park. On Saturday night the Parkes RSL Sub-Branch hosted a special celebratory dinner.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack could not attend but in his speech read out he said: “In your hearts and minds I am sure tonight you will reflect on the enormous sacrifices made by those men and their families.”

More than eight per cent of Australia’s population at the time enlisted.

Mayoral Notes…

November 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

It has been a big week for our water team, having received three major accolades. Council received a Project Management award for the recent upgrades of the towns’ urban water network at the 2018 Institute of Public Works Australasia conference.

Parkes was then awarded two Tidy Town Sustainability Awards – the Community Spirit and Inclusion Award for the Water and Sewage Treatment Plant Community Open Days, as well as the Renewable Energy Award for the integration of solar systems at the new facilities.

Marking the start of the next stage in the water infrastructure renewal project, Leed Engineering and Construction has been awarded a $7.43m contract to construct the Recycled Water Rising Main that will deliver recycled water to irrigate selected parks and sporting fields around town. In order to undertake this project, a number of temporary road closures will be implemented on a progressive basis around town. These will be advertised on Council’s website and social media pages.

The western walking trail at the Peak Hill Gold Mine will be temporarily closed to allow for the drilling of core samples by Alkane Resources. During this period, visitors can access the Open Cut Experience from several alternative walking trails. Site maps available from the Parkes and Peak Hill Visitor Information Centres or at the entrance to the Open Cut Experience.

The new temporary dining platform has been installed adjacent to Smeaton’s Bakery on the western side of Lower Clarinda Street. The platform is the second to have been installed in Parkes, allowing businesses to increase their dining capacity and expand the outdoor dining options in the town centre.

Parkes will welcome thousands of visitors to town this weekend for the Band Together Farmers concert at Parkes Showground. Tickets can be purchased via 123tix.com. To coincide with the concert, ABC Radio Sydney presenter Simon Marnie will broadcast a special NSW state-wide program that morning live from 10am to midday at Cooke Park in Parkes.

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

Snippets…

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Emma and Jacquelyne Greenland: attended the Anglicare’s Fashion Affair last Saturday to hep raise funds for
Georgie’s Pantry.

Congratulations: Cathy McPherson was picked as the winner of our Spring Photo Competition from a load of very good entries this year. She has won a family photo session with Chemical Creations Photography! Thanks to everyone for entering.

Christmas Street Parade: There is still time to enter the Christmas Street Parade on 30th November organised by the Parkes Action Club. You can walk, bike, or dress up a car or ute for one of the most popular Christmas events in Parkes. The deadline for entries is Friday, 23rd November. Send your entry to parkesactionclub@gmail.com

Lions Christmas Cakes: Forbes and District Lions will once again be selling their Christmas cakes and puddings. This year the 1.5kg cake is $17, the 1kg cake $13 and the puddings $13. These popular cakes and puddings have been selling in Australia since the 1960’s and are baked for Lions Australia by Top Taste Bakeries. Money raised goes to service projects in the local community as well as national and international projects. Some of these are Sight First, medical research, Children’s Mobility Foundation, Eye Health Program, Hearing Dogs, Disaster Relief, Aged Care, Drug Awareness and Youth Programs. Since 1965 Lions Christmas Cakes have raised an estimated profit in excess of $56m. The cakes will be available at Parkes Meals on Wheels and Neighbourhood Central.

Bush Wage Subsidy Trial: Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack says the Federal Government’s $60 million investment to attract more apprentices in the bush is a major boost to rural and regional small and family businesses. Government announced it would trial a wage subsidy as an incentive for employers in regional and rural communities to engage more apprentices. From 1st January next year the new subsidy under the Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program (AAIP), will support eligible new Australian apprentices in areas such as plumbing, mechanical, electrical, painting trades and hairdressing. Subsidies will be provided at 75% of the apprentice’s award wage in the first year, followed with 50% in the second year and 25% in the third year.

DIY renovators warned: One in three homes contain asbestos! If your home was built or renovated before 1987, it will likely contain asbestos. This does not just include fibro properties, but also brick, weatherboard and clad homes.

Centenary Of World War I Armistice Day

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Shire will join the rest of the country on Sunday to commemorate the Centenary of World War I Armistice Day on 11th November. Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack secured
nearly $50,000 in funding through the Armistice Centenary Grants Program for nine projects in his electorate.

The projects include a Remembrance Wall and Garden at Bogan Gate, a display of memorabilia in the Trundle War Memorial, and the restoration of a World War I Feldkanone (field artillery gun) at Cooke Park.

“I am so proud and touched by the way our communities continue to honour and remember the more than 60,000 Australians killed and another 156,000 wounded, gassed or taken prisoner during World War I,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Thousands of young Riverina and Central West men walked off their farms, out of their jobs and away from their families to fight in far off countries and too many of them never came home and are forever at rest in foreign cemeteries.”

“We continue to grieve for them and we continue to pay our respects to them – and we always will.” The Parkes RSL Sub-Branch is hosting a special dinner at the Parkes Services Club on Saturday night to celebrate the centenary of Armistice. On Sunday the Remembrance Day service will start from 10.30 in Cooke Park.

Fantastic Fashion Fundraiser For Georgie’s Pantry

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

It is not often that women in Parkes can attend a fashion show, purchase the garments straight after and help further a very worthy cause. Last Saturday about 140 women enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Anglicare’s Fashion Affair at the Parkes Golf Club and raised around $5,000 for the very important service Georgie’s Pantry perform in our community.

A total of 990 garments were donated after the closing down of the Somerset Lane stores in Eugowra and Molong. Around 300 garments were sold on the day with the remaining stock now available at Georgie’s Boutique in the main street.

“It was an overwhelming success and we really appreciate the support of the community,” said the Manager of Anglicare in Parkes, Natalie Quince. “The event has been of incredible benefit to our community as it allows us to continue to operate the pantry.”

She said Georgie’s Pantry, a sustainable food relief agency, experienced a 100% increase in the use of its service this year from 800 to 1,600 customers. The pantry sells a basket of pantry food and/or a tray of meat for only $25. Customers also receive fresh fruit, vegetables and bread free of charge bringing the estimated retail value of the food to approximately $200. The pantry also offers free food for farmers every Friday.

According to Natalie the pantry receives 12 tonnes of donated food from Aldi and Woolworths annually. In addition, the pantry spent $40,000 last year on purchasing items from local supermarkets, a local butcher and from Foodbank in Sydney.

There are according to the Foodbank 2018 Hunger Report 4.5 million Australians who went hungry over the last year
of which 1.5 million are in rural and remote Australia. If you would like to support this vital service in our community with a donation, visit Georgie’s Hub on Facebook or contact 0411 763 448.

By Maggi Barnard

Fifteen Fabulous And Fantastic Paddlers

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club splashed onto the NSW regatta scene in Bathurst on Sunday by winning two second places at their very first race event. Most of the five-month-old club’s fifteen paddlers entered the Western Region Regatta as novices anticipating only to learn and gain valuable race experience. As soon as the team dipped their paddles into the beautiful, glassy Ben Chifley Dam, they stepped up and exceeded all expectations.

Both the women’s and men’s teams combined with the Sudu Dragon Boat Club from Wollongong and secured a place in the finals after three 200m heats each.

The women’s race was extremely tight with Parkes/Sudu missing out on the gold medal by a split second in a time of 1:02.75. The men’s team followed suit and also secured second place in a time of 56.91.

“For many of you to experience your very first regatta and come away with a silver in both the women’s and men’s opens is a remarkable achievement,” said President Bill Thomas. “What a privilege it was to share the moments in the boats with the most fabulous, fantastic fifteen paddlers you could ever wish for.”

Coach Warren Edwards was very impressed with the team’s performance and said: “The team friendship, bonding and spirit was evident from early in the morning and the gutsy performances just kept coming all day. I could not have been prouder of everyone on their first outing as a team.”

Bill congratulated Warren on achieving Level 3 Sweep status at the regatta, and both Bill and Warren thanked Regatta Coordinator Deb Abela for her tireless work organising the teams.

The Endeavour Dragons also attracted a lot of attention with their colourful race shirts receiving lots of compliments.
The Parkes Dragon Boat Club is steadily growing and always welcome new members or anyone who would like to come for a try-out. Details available on the club’s Facebook page.

Stress Fractures

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The stress fracture is a common overuse injury seen in athletes who participate in endurance and high load bearing activities. Stress fractures in the lower limb account for between 80 to 90% of all stress fractures and in runners contributes to almost 16% of all injuries.

During periods of relative inactivity or with osteoporosis or eating disorders, the density of bone decreases. If loads on the bone become repetitive or abnormally high and the bone is not given enough rest to allow for adaptation, the rate of stress-induced microfractures in the bone exceeds the rate at which the bone can repair and stress fractures develop.

The typical complaint with stress fractures is of a gradual onset of pain. Initially there is just pain with activity that subsides with rest but returns when the aggravating activity is resumed. Local tenderness and swelling are often found at the fracture site and pain is easily localised as opposed to shin splints which produce a more diffused pain.

Treatment initially involves rest from the aggravating activity for approximately four to six weeks. It may also require bracing or the use of a cam boot. In some cases, surgery may even be required.

Return to sport should be gradual to allow time for adaptation within the bone and it is important that all biomechanical and nutritional causes be addressed to prevent recurrence. Cross training and participating in a variety of different sporting activities can help minimise the risk of stress fractures.

It is important to remember that if you recognise the symptoms early and treat them appropriately, you can return to sports at your normal playing level.

For the fitness of you.
Linda Reilly

Our Gal – Tracie Robertson

November 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Tracie Robertson

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I was born in Parkes and started high school at the Parkes Christian School but moved away soon after. I finished school in Young and worked in Sydney for eight years. I worked for Telecom/Telstra and as Western Region Sales Executive for Business and Government my territory covered the majority of western NSW so I was able to move home to Parkes in 1995.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I knew Telstra would eventually sell my section off so I studied real estate two nights per week and started with Ray White in 1998. I purchased the business in 2006 and expanded in 2011 to open in Forbes and Condobolin. I enjoy being able to promote Parkes first and then property, and especially enjoy meeting new people and sometimes we even get to make property dreams come true.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Gardening and spending time with my friends and family. I also volunteer for Wires and right now I have two tiny wallaby joeys and two wollaroos. I enjoy going to Rotary and spending time with happy and positive people.

What are you really good at? I’m good at studying and have recently completed my masters degree in Business Administration. I am working on more tertiary and work-based studies.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? To make people be kind. With more empathy in the world we could each put ourselves in another’s shoes before making judgement or taking action that might hurt another.

What is your pet hate? Dealing with regret is the absolute worst! My goal is to always consider others and to try my absolute best at all times… then there is very little to regret to deal with.

Maggi Barnard

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