Maggi Barnard

For the past ten years more than 4,000 Year 10 students from 11 high schools have been confronted with the hard hitting, realistic message of the mock crash demonstration. Last Friday the special milestone was celebrated with a commemorative book launch after the morning demonstration at the Parkes High School’s Multi-Purpose Centre.

The program’s success is evident in a decrease of 27% in crashes on local roads involving young drivers. “I saw it for the first time last year and was super impressed,” said MP for Orange, Phil Donato. “I was a police officer for 22
years, and I saw accidents happen exactly as portrayed here. It is very uncomfortable to watch, but sends a strong message to future drivers and is a great service to our community.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM handed a commemorative plaque to Melanie Suitor, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, saying the program has been her baby for the past 10 years.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with over 100 actors, extras, crew and helpers over the past 10 years,” said Melanie. “We want to show young drivers what is happening on the roads and encourage them to make better, safer decisions as drivers and passengers as they get their driver’s licence.”

‘We believe strongly in the Not A Statistic! Youth Driver Education Program as it is vitally important to give young people an insight into the consequences of bad driving habits,” said Central West Police District Superintendent Chris Taylor.

The Parkes Show is one of the biggest agricultural shows west of the Blue Mountains and has been going for 138 years. The show continues to be one of the major events in our community, and this year the program will once again not disappoint with something for everyone.

“We have a dedicated and passionate committee and a wonderful group of volunteers who work tirelessly together to ensure such a great event runs smoothly,” said first time Parkes Show president Peter Unger.

Many people have been preparing for months to enter into the vast array of sections and exhibits at the show, which offers lots of opportunity to people to show their talent and produce.

The entertainment program has always been a highlight of the show, and this year the committee has ensured to bring back all the crowd favourites. The FMX Bike show is back, as well as the award-winning free kids zone.

Keep next Tuesday night free to watch the ever popular, and best fireworks display west of Sydney starting at 7:15pm. This year you don’t have to go to the Deni Ute muster, as the show will bring the first Ute Barrel Race to Parkes for the first time. Be there on Wednesday at 4:30pm to be part of the action. The action continues on Wednesday night with the hard-hitting Demolition Derby.

Other entertaining program events to look out for are the Young Farmers Relay and the dog jump just for starters. The ever popular Parkes Showgirl competition will be decided on Tuesday at 3pm between Amelia Tanswell and Jade Nolan when the winner is announced. David and Angela Copeland and Caitlin Herbert will be judging the competition. The Teenage Showgirl, and Junior Showgirl and Junior Showman will also be announced on Tuesday
afternoon.

Today (Friday) is the last day to get a three-day pass for the show at $15 for adults and $5 for schoolies (children currently attending school). Children not yet at school get free entry. Tickets available at Byrnes Clothing and Embroidery, Cunningham’s IGA and the Show Office. “Come along and enjoy what our show has to offer,” said Peter.

Vietnam Veterans Day was well attended by ex-service men and members of the public at the Vietnam War Memorial in Parkes last Saturday morning.

The day commemorates the Battle of Long Tan on 18th August 1966, and pays tribute to the 59,520 personnel who served in Vietnam. Three Parkes men paid the supreme sacrifice. They were 235250 Captain Tony Danilenko (MID), 216445 Corporal Denis Donnelly and 2782783 Private Dougie Powter.

“It is not a memorial about issues, about the glorification of the war, or the justification of political decisions. Rather it recognises sacrifice and suffering and the honour and sense of duty carried out by young men and women,” said Paul Thomas, a Parkes veteran.

Parkes Shire Council has been recognised for raising the benchmark of Australian engineering standards by winning the most highly regarded engineering honours in the country.

The Parkes Integrated Water Infrastructure Renewal Program won the Energy, Water and Resources Project category at the NSW 2018 Australian Excellence in Engineering Awards last week. Parkes Shire Council proudly shares the award with construction partners John Holland, Hunter H2O and Maddocks.

“Council works incredibly hard to deliver progress and value to the community, and we are incredibly proud to have been recognised with this prestigious accolade,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM.

The $100m capital works program includes the Lake Endeavour dam safety upgrades, the Lachlan River pump station and bore 8 refurbishments, as well as the major infrastructure construction that delivered Parkes a new water treatment plant, new sewage treatment plant and the advanced water recycling facility, and ancillary infrastructure augmentations.

The Parkes program competed with some of the state’s most prominent engineering projects, including the City of Sydney’s Green Square Library and Plaza development, and the $154 million Wynyard Walk. The Parkes program will be a finalist in the National Australian Engineering Excellence Awards in September.