Maggi Barnard

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

Parkes Dragons Share Peace And Beauty Of Paddling

September 27, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club picked a perfect day to invite breast cancer survivors and their supporters to share the beauty and calming effect of a paddle on Lake Endeavour last Sunday.

Scientists say that feeling a sense of calm when we are around water has a positive effect on our brains. This was evident on Sunday with plenty of smiles and positive vibes floating around. The day was organised by Secretary Beth Thomas, and club members stayed behind after their regular Sunday morning training session to entertain their
guests to a paddle, slice, sausage sizzle and socialising.

As the beaming paddlers stepped off the boat, they all agreed they had a fantastic time. “It is just wonderful, I’ll definitely do it again,” said Sandy Perceval. “It is a pretty spot and just great being out on the water,” said Jenny McDonald.

Lachlan Health Service McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Dianne Green organised a group of more than 20 breast cancer survivors, including their families and friends, from Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Trundle and Alectown.

“It is wonderful of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club to invite us out here,” said Dianne. “It is so nice to get them all together with their loved ones to share their common bond.” President of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club Bill Thomas said: “This is a great way to showcase our club.” He welcomed the guests to join as members or a paddling session whenever they felt like it.

By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Women’s Bowling

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Two matches in the Club Championship Fours were played with E Miller, B Davies, R Went, L Byrne defeating M Iffland, V Westcott, G Carty, C Frame in a hard fought game.

J McPhee, H Harvey, L Baker, K Evans defeated M Rodgers, L Orr, M Grant, P Cooney in a great game.

Next week will see the final played between E Miller, B Davies, R Went, L Byrne versus J McPhee, H Harvey, L Baker, K Evans. It will be a great match to watch.

In social matches played H McPherson, A Jones had a draw with F Charlton, M Hawken. I Svendsen, F Riseborough, M Riordan defeated D Howell, C Cox, R Mitchell in a triples game.

The Central Western District won the Taber Shield played at Blayney last week with four teams from each district competing.

Seven Grants For Clubs

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Seven clubs have received grants in the latest round of the Sports Grants Funding Program of CMOC-Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council. The successful applicants are: Parkes Gun Club $6,205.23 to build three trap house layout tracks; Parkes Horse and Pony Club $6,996 to provide an enclosed pony arena with soft sand; Parkes Hotel
Football Club $599 for portable training goals; Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Football Club $2,815.30 for pads, tackle bags and padded hit shields; Parkes Railway Bowling Club $1,750 for seven new scoreboards; Parkes Senior Cricket $1,200 for 12 cricket helmets; Parkes Tennis Club $3,125 to sponsor participants in a three day coaching clinic; and Trundle Central School $6,000 for high jump mats and poles. Total amount of grants $28,690.53.

The next round opens in December with $25,000 available for sports related projects.

Two Dragons Get Awards

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Two Parkes dragon boaters were invited to a special occasion at the Parkes Shire Council last Thursday. Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP presented NSW Government State Representative Awards to Warren and Donna Edwards for representing the Western Region in the Australian National Dragon Boat Championships earlier this year.

“I am delighted to present these awards to Warren and Donna for their outstanding contribution in representing the Western Region in the Australian National Dragon Boat Championships in March this year, at Lake Kawana in Queensland,” Phil said.

Donna said it was a great sport as you meet so many people and get to go everywhere to compete in events. “The best part is the community of dragon boaters.” “We are really lucky with our local council with all the assistance we have received in helping to promote our sport,” said Warren.

Warren and Donna both competed in the 500m, 200m and relay events. Warren is the coach of the newly formed Parkes Dragon Boat Club.

What’s On @ The Library

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

PARKES FUN PALACE
All day! Parkes Library
Saturday, 22nd September 9am – 3pm,
Join the Parkes Library team for a family day of science, play, art and games! Activities include: fingerprinting, dancing ballerinas, storytime with pets, community art collage, sausage sizzle and more….

Adventure Quest
9.30am – 10.30am, AND 11am – 12pm
All you need is a little imagination!
Families are invited to join this interactive show based on the ideals in the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Music, storytelling, drama and dance in one all-inclusive show! Free. Limited numbers.

Trash Percussion
1pm – 3pm. Free. Limited numbers.
This workshop is a whole lot of LOUD fun! Anything and everything can be used as a musical instrument and everyone can play music. Kids aged 8 and older can join this music workshop being hosted by Ian from FunDayOut.

AUSTRALIAN READING HOUR – TAKE THE TIME
During September all of Australia is encouraged to pick up a book and escape in its pages for an hour. For children it has been shown reading helps with identity formation, setting them up for success in the future. For adults reading can reduce stress by 68% more than listening to music, going for a walk or having a cup of tea. To celebrate Reading Hour Parkes Library is launching its newest pre-schooler program – Once Upon a Storytime. The Parkes Library team will stop what they are doing at 10.30am on Tuesday, 25th September and share the joy of reading. Pre-schoolers their parents and carers are invited to participate in the first ever Parkes Library Once Upon a Stortyime.

Our Bloke – Tony Horsington

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Tony Horsington

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I visited Parkes on a semi-regular basis during the 1970’s, but moved here from Windsor in January 2010 so my wife Heather could take up an offer to teach at Red Bend College. We love living in the country away from the fog and smog, traffic lights, queues and the horrific traffic congestion.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I recently retired from my mortgage broking business. I am now known as a self-funded retiree with an interest in gardening, motoring, collecting old Stanley tools and home renovations.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? ‘Spare time’ is a misnomer as I always have more things to do than time available. Weekends are often spent visiting family in either Sydney, Canberra, Wagga, Albury, Port Macquarie and visiting my 92-year-old mother in Narooma, There is also venturing out with the Parkes Antique Motor Club on outings.

What are you really good at? I was renowned during my working career as fixer of companies or organisations in trouble.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? I have many wishes, three of which are: to wind the clock back several decades to a time when the pace of living was a little less frantic; to equip Australia with a strong stable government for the people; and to prevent global natural disasters which cause so much damage and misery.

What is your pet hate? Unsolicited phone calls, sms messages and emails.

Tell us about your best holiday. Of the many holidays both overseas and within Australia, any long trip away to see the Australian outback is the best.

Hedley Keeps His Eye On ‘Maintenance’ Ball

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

A life-long resident of Parkes has been listed in the final four nominees for the Tennis NSW Volunteer Achievement Awards to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on 25th October.

For 40 years Hedley Nicholson OAM has been at the Parkes courts every week, though his daughter Helen Magill says: “Mum (Pauline Nicholson) would tell you it’s been every day!”

When asked what motivated him to take on the maintenance for 15 courts he simply said: “The complex needed repair and someone had to do it.”

Hedley recalled the days before synthetic courts when the surface was ant-bed – granite that needed to be sieved with a shovel and barrow, spread out and forever needed patching.

In 1985 the club had enough money to cover four courts in synthetic. These days the entire complex is synthetic, but Hedley continues to work on more improvements.

Every time he gets there he finds something that needs doing, as more than 300 kids use the complex every week.

Hedley’s passion for Parkes tennis was recognised a few years ago when he was awarded the OAM and the Parkes courts were lauded as one of the best country complexes in Australia. It was due to his passion that the Australian Junior Tournament was brought to Parkes.

The ultimate satisfaction for Hedley is seeing the entire block full of kids playing – not just on the courts, but playing cricket or football on the adjoining oval as well.

While Hedley says it is lovely to be nominated for the award, he is modest about his achievements. “It’s just a passion for something that I like to do.” Hedley has found a couple of good men, Brendan Hunt and Garry Barton, to help
with maintenance. Will they take over when Hedley retires? “They’ll probably be too old by then,” was his reply.

By Beth Thomas

Status Quo Remains

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Councillors Ken Keith OAM and Barbara Newton were returned to the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively at a Mayoral election on Tuesday. Councillors voted to fill the Mayor and Deputy Mayor positions by ordinary ballot during the September Ordinary Meeting of Council held at the Tullamore Bowling and Citizens Club.

Ken celebrates his 10th year in the position, Barbara marks her third term as Deputy. “I am tremendously proud of what we have been able to achieve during this term of council thus far and I look forward to what the next two years has in store for our region,” said the Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor said: “It’s an exciting time to be on council – the next two years will see the delivery of a number of major projects for our community.” “We have been planning and lobbying for these projects for a number of years and I am delighted to see them come into fruition. I look forward to continuing to add value to our community as Deputy Mayor.”

They will hold office for the next two years, and this will be the last election for the positions for the current term of Council.

Snippets…

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Tough Penalties: Drivers using a mobile phone illegally will be penalised an extra demerit point, which means a total of five demerit points. The new law came into effect on Monday, 17th September. This means when double demerits are applied, you could be at risk of losing your licence. The fines will remain the same – $337 or $448 in a school zone. In NSW Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.
Fully licensed motorists are legally permitted to use their phone to make or answer calls or listen to music only if it is in a cradle, doesn’t obscure your view of the road and can be operated without touching any part of the phone, such as via Bluetooth or voice activation. Texting, emailing, social media and photography are all prohibited unless a vehicle is parked.

Schools Kits For Armistice Day: Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is encouraging schools and students to become involved in this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations as it will mark 100 years since the end of fighting during World War I. “Its origins began on 11 November 1918 when the Armistice, which signalled the end of the Great War, was signed.” The Department of Veterans’ Affairs produce an educational pack for schools to promote the observance of Remembrance Day. Schools will receive the educational kit in September, with resources available to download on The Anzac Portal: http://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/.

Cash Back For Farmers: Farmers in regional NSW will get more cash back with rebates and refunds on heavy vehicle registration after the NSW Government changed the way registration charges are calculated for primary producers. The changes will come into effect from 1st November. Farmers will also receive free registration over the next two years for their heavy vehicles. The registration rebate will apply to all renewals from 1st July 2018 until 30th June 2020. For producers who register their vehicles between 1st July and 1st November this year, the amount will be refunded. Farmers will still have to pay for Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, personalised plates and relevant vehicle checks. Affected customers will be contacted by Roads and Maritime Services from 1 November with the refund amounts.

Fluoridated Water – Something To Smile About

September 20, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes and Peak Hill residents can once again enjoy the benefits of a fluoridated water supply as a new fluoridation scheme at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant has been approved by the NSW Ministry of Health. Fluoride is a naturally occurring component of mineral salts, and is found in rocks, soil, and natural water sources. Water
fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to an optimal level in order to reduce tooth decay.

In NSW 93% of the population have access to fluoridated water.

Parkes first adopted a fluoridation scheme in 1964, which was operated as part of the old water treatment plant until its decommissioning last year. A new fluoridation scheme has since been established to service the new Water Treatment Plant. Parkes Shire Council Director of Infrastructure Andrew Francis said; “We are very happy to
be resuming fluoridation for the residents of Parkes and Peak Hill. The new scheme meets strict government regulations.”

The plant was inspected by the NSW Department of Industry Water as part of the approval process to ensure it meets the requirements of the NSW Code of Practice for the Fluoridation of Public Water Supplies.

In addition, NSW Health has provided a grant of $435,000 for the fluoridation scheme. “The grant covers the cost of establishing the fluoridation system,” said Andrew.

Once the fluoridation scheme is commissioned, Parkes Shire Council will host specialist fluoridation workshops in the new Water Treatment Plant’s training room during September and October. Treatment plant operators from around the region will be invited to undertake fluoridation certification using the new plant for the practical component.

Maggi Barnard

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