editor – Page 275

Have Fun, Join The Run!

March 23, 2016 By editor

Entries are open for the third Northparkes Rotary Fun Run on 22nd May! The event, which will begin and end at Harrison Park, caters for runners and walkers over distances of 5km and 10km, as well as a 2km race for the kids. “The course is a great combination of flat and undulating terrain down Nash Street and back along Back Yamma Road for the 10km competitors,” said event organizer, Scott Westcott of RunNSW.

Scott, who grew up in Parkes, is an Olympic marathon hopeful and will be competing on the day in preparation for the Rio Games if he is selected for the Olympic team. The course record of 36.25 for women in the 10km event was set by Jane Fardell from Dubbo, while Dubbo’s Len Darlington holds the men’s 10km record of 35.58 but with over 300 competitors expected to enter records could be broken! At the launch of the fun run last week, Mayor Ken Keith
said the event was another example of the great works of Parkes Rotary Club, one of the busiest Rotary Clubs in the
state. Stacey Kelly of Northparkes Mine, the major sponsor, said the event would also be raising funds for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), a charity assisting over 14,000 people affected by autism each year.

Early bird entries are $10 for kids, $20 for the 5km and $30 for the 10km, plus a t-shirt for 10km runners. More information is available at www.parkesrotaryfunrun.com.au.

Great Staff, Great Style

March 23, 2016 By editor

Parkes Decor Shoppe has been a cornerstone of design in Parkes that has spanned four decades after it was established at the southern end of Clarinda Street in 1975. Nowadays, window furnishings consist of a major part of the shops operations. Parkes Décor Shoppe is the brainchild of Barry and Margaret Robinson and although Barry sadly passed away ten years ago the business is still going strong with Margaret at the helm of an excellent team of staff. Ever aware of opportunities to improve, Marg joined the Lighting Network, a buying group with 50 stores down the east coast of Australia.

“This has enabled us to offer our customers a bigger range of home lighting at very competitive prices” says Margaret. Even after four decades of retail, Margaret is still enthusiastic when it comes to her shop. “We pride ourselves on our solid customer service and attention to detail,” says Margaret.’

Guidance From a ‘Fluffing’ Guru

March 23, 2016 By editor

Welcome to my new column…
I am so excited to have a regular feature each month in this amazing publication! I hope to show you just how easy it can be to turn your decorating dreams into reality. Trust me, it is never as hard as you think it is just simply knowing the tips and tricks to make the process easier. Every single person deserves a home that they love to want
to return to each night. And when you have this sanctuary from the outside world it can have such a positive flow on effect in every other area of your life as well.

My very first pearl of wisdom to share with you through this column is very simple and to the point. Getting help can be very liberating and make your journey on the decorating path a breeze because someone is there to hold your hand each and every step along the way. And that is my absolute privilege to hopefully be the one to help and guide you through that process.

I look forward to sharing tips and advice with you in these columns.

By Karen Creith

Karen is the owner of Parkes Furniture One and the author of the book ‘The Art of Fluffing’. Karen began her decorating journey a few years ago and quickly became an impressive voice in the journalistic world of decorating, attaining the role of interior stylist for National Magazine before becoming editor in chief of her very own magazine,
Style Your Home with Karen Creith.

Stork News!

March 23, 2016 By editor

Kelly and Dane Hendry of Parkes are thrilled to announce the birth of their third child, a daughter, Gloria Lucy
Hendry. Gloria was born at Parkes Hospital on Thursday, 25th February 2016, weighing 3900g (8lb 9oz) and measuring 56cm. She is a little sister for Oscar (4) and George (2). Gloria is the sixth grandchild for Tony and Wendy Atkinson of Smithfield, the third grandchild for Tony and Wendy Hendry of Parkes, and the twelfth great grandchild for Lloyd and Noelene Hendry of Parkes.

Proud of Local, Independent Plumbing

March 23, 2016 By editor

Col and Rosie Lucas pride themselves on running the local, independent store, Parkes Plumbing and Hardware at 18-22 Forbes Road. The shop can cater to all your sanitation, pipes and fixture needs and is set to be fully stocked as Col and Rosie have just had a brand new order of cisterns arrive which are suitable for suites and generalised bathrooms. On the hardware side of things products on offer include Australian made vanities, garden hoses, drip irrigation fittings, Puretec water filters and a huge range of brass and gal fittings. Showers on offer have modern round or square heads with high rise and low rise gooseneck arms that are all the rage at the moment on popular DIY shows and are a must if you’re aiming for an elegant, stylish bathroom. Best of all, the team offer free delivery in and around town, taking the stress out of shopping!

For all your everyday needs, plumbing jobs large or small, Parkes Plumbing and Hardware have it all. Pop in and see the friendly duo at the store on Forbes Road from 7.30am -5pm Monday to Friday, 8am until 12pm on Saturday or give them a call on 6862 3045.

A Family Affair

March 23, 2016 By editor

Parkes Bricks & Pavers and Potts Removalists have a massive range of stock available to view at 94-98 Forbes Road. Parkes Bricks & Paver have a huge range of garden and landscaping supplies, shipping containers and wine barrel features. Different types of brick in Austral, Boral, CSR PGH and Namoi Valley while their concrete block stock include Austral Masonry, Adbri Masonry, Boral Concrete and Masonry and Cowra Concrete Products and their variety of pavers comprise of Austral Paving, CSR PGH Paving, Adbri Masonry, Paveloc Industries, Cowra Concrete Products, Boral Concrete and Landscaping and Rocksolid Sandstone Products.

Next door at Potts they specialise in home furniture removals, transportation services, office relocations, container storage, interstate removals, furniture dismantling and reassembly, container packing services and container sales and rentals. Since the early 1950’s the name Potts has been associated with furniture transport, removals and
storage. The company was established in Parkes in the late 1950’s by Keith and Nola Potts and has always been a family business maintained through successive generations of the Potts family to its present day owners, Gary and David Potts, sons of Keith and Nola. Like their father, Gary and David are dedicated to the business of moving people and their possessions, new furniture transportation and the storage of all items either commercial or private. Today they offer services in residential, commercial, office relocation as well as interstate removals.

Celebrate Seniors Week

March 23, 2016 By editor

The annual celebration of NSW Seniors Week is the perfect time for the seniors in the Parkes Shire to shine! To acknowledge and celebrate seniors, Parkes Library is hosting an exhibition of artworks created by residents of Southern Cross from 18th March to 8th April. The art works were created during regular workshops held by Parkes Quota Club at Southern Cross where the residents get to explore their creative side. The art works they create
are displayed at the Village, brightening the rooms.

The workshops were made possible in part thanks to the Northparkes Community Investment Program. “Parkes Library is proud to host community art exhibitions and Seniors Week is the appropriate time of the year to show the wonderful talents of some of our seniors and highlight the amazing work Quota does in our community”, said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural Education & Library Services. This week also sees new librarian, Gillian Hunt beginning her career in Parkes after a move from Sydney. Gillian is being shown the ropes by Library Officer Maureen, who is retiring after almost 30 years of service. A morning tea is being held at the Parkes Library on 7th April for the community to raise a cuppa in recognition of the important role seniors play in the community. If you would like to attend, please contact the library on 6861 2309 or email library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Snippets…

March 17, 2016 By editor

A Happy Group Of Cyclists: It was smiles all round at PAC Park as Parkes first ‘bikes out of sheds’ bike ride took place. Enthusiastic riders rode around the park before the heat of the day arrived, going around a safe, circular route with experienced riders helping when needed. Congratulations to all those who rode for the first time and those game enough to hop back on the saddle after years of absence. The next ‘bikes out of the sheds’ day will be on Saturday 10th April and will once again start at the East Street end of PAC Park at 8am. For more information ring Peter on 0448166016 or visit www.bicyclenetwork.com.au

Congratulations Holy Family Primary! Holy Family School has recently been named on a national list for schools who have been identified with a substantially above-average gain in last year’s NAPLAN results for numeracy. The list, which was put together by ACARA (the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) represents a major achievement for the school and is a result of the commitment of staff to professional development, catering for individual learning styles and a focus on problem solving and mental computation in the classrooms. The school’s Catholic Education Office has also provided much professional development in the area of numeracy. Last week the school also celebrated Catholic School’s Week
with a whole school Mass, open class-rooms and a family movie night. Well done Holy Family Primary School!

Motor Meets Air: On Sunday the Parkes Antique Motor Club assembled at the Parkes Air Museum hangar for a guided tour for one of their regular outings. The collection the club viewed is only part of what the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society intends to bring to Parkes over the coming years.

Mock Crash Actors Chosen: The cast for this years mock crash demonstration has been announced. Jack McGrath, Samantha Mudiman, Krystle-Lee McMurray and the returning Ashleigh Cottam are the youth actors chosen to perform in the NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Programme, which has been running since 2009. “I’m really excited about this year’s mock crash demonstration” Melanie Suitor, Parkes Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, said; “The project aims to show young drivers what can and does happen far too often on the roads. It challenges them to think about their attitude and behaviour as not only the driver but also as passengers.” The demonstration will be held on 18th August in front of over 500 year 10 students.

Calare Kids to Benefit from Universal Access

March 17, 2016 By editor

More than 2000 children in Calare will benefit from the Coalition Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education. Federal Member for Calare, the Hon John Cobb said $840 million in federal funding will be available for quality preschool programmes across the country, and that these benefits would be felt across Calare. “The agreement guarantees funding for 600 hours of quality preschool in the year before school, and includes a focus on lifting participation rates for children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds,” Mr Cobb said.

All states and territories including New South Wales have signed up to the National Partnership Agreement seeing the funding flow into local preschools. Mr Cobb said,” this funding will help the 2128 preschool children aged between four and five who are enrolled at local preschools in Calare get the best start in life.” The National Partnership funding is just one aspect of the Federal Government’s commitment to early childhood education.

The Coalition Government has committed to reforms worth $40 billion for early childhood education and care over the next four years, including more than $3 billion to ensure the system is more accessible, affordable and fairer for families. The funding is the single largest investment in early learning and child care that this country has ever seen, and guarantees support for 15 hours of quality preschool education a week for children in the year before school,”. Director of Parkes Bluebird Early Learning Centre, Rachel Westcott, said

“We are really excited for this funding as it will help us to continue to grow our preschool programmes and resources. Our aim is to provide a great foundation for our pre-schoolers who are going off to school next year.”

Community Called Upon To Create Wetland

March 17, 2016 By editor

10,000 native flora need planting and you are invited to help! Central West Lachlan Landcare, in a joint effort with the Parkes Shire Council, are looking for a natureloving crew to put the finishing touches to a brand new constructed wetland area for Parkes at PAC Park. Anyone who would like to get out and be part of this community effort is invited to join in planting native water plants and grasses on Saturday 26th March from 9am until 11am. “If you are not as mobile as you used to be, but want to get out and provide support, bring your chair along and supervise,” said Marg Applebee, Project Officer at Landcare.

The bottom half of PAC Park that includes the weir on Woodward Street has been dredged and cleaned of all silt and sediment over the past three weeks. The next step is to put in the plants that will attract water birds, eastern long-necked turtles, yabbies and other small native animals and insects to the area. “This wetland is very important” said Michael Chambers, Environment and Sustainable Co-ordinator at Parkes Shire Council; “Apart from Bushman Dam, it is the only area of water in our urban setting.”

The planting project will be ongoing for two hours every month with the involvement of Parkes High School and Currajong Disability Services. Anyone wishing to join this worthwhile community project can contact Marg on 6862 4914 for more information.

By Maggi Barnard

Have Fun, Join The Run!

Great Staff, Great Style

Guidance From a ‘Fluffing’ Guru

Stork News!

Proud of Local, Independent Plumbing

A Family Affair

Celebrate Seniors Week

Snippets…

Calare Kids to Benefit from Universal Access

Community Called Upon To Create Wetland

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