Maggi Barnard

AUTHOR VISIT – Jenny Old “Back of Beyond”
Friday 3 August at 6pm, Parkes Library
When 22-year-old Jenny Old followed her heart to the vastness of the Gulf of Carpentaria, she had no idea of the primitive conditions she’d find herself in. Often her only contact with the outside world was through her two-way radio. Stretched to the limits, she achieved more than she ever thought herself capable of. With every setback and
in the toughest of times, she learnt to dust herself off, find a smile and just keep going.

EXHIBITION – Hello! from Australia
18 August to 22 September, Parkes Library
Hello! from Australia: Indigenous Australian Children’s Books and Illustrations, a travelling exhibition from Books Illustrated, showcases the contemporary publishing of indigenous books in Australia.

WORKSHOP – Transformations From Nature
Saturday, 1 September, 9-4pm, Cooke Park Community Centre
With Jane Milburn you will experiment with colour using natural materials. Find an unloved natural-fibre garment or two – wool and silk (work best) or linen and cotton. Using onion skins, tea, leaves, flowers, bark and rusty tools, to refresh and transform them for a second life. Suitable for beginners. Age 12+. Cost: $10. Bookings required
with payment at Parkes Library.

WORKSHOP – Snip and Stitch Upcycling
Sunday 2 September, 9am – 4pm, Parkes Library
Jane Milburn will help you transform tshirts and other clothes using scissors and stitching. Bring along a few unloved natural-fibre garments. Changes will be made using hand-stitching techniques or machine sewing (for those with a machine to bring along). Some sewing experience preferred. Age 15+. Cost: $10. Bookings required with payment at Parkes Library.

The Parkes Elvis Festival has added another award to its collection by winning the Festivals and Events category at the 2018 Regional Tourism Awards in Orange on Saturday. “This is a fantastic achievement for the Parkes Elvis Festival and is a credit to all of the hard work that our amazing committee, volunteers, and Council staff put into
the Festival,” said Festival Director Cathy Treasure.

The Regional Tourism Awards are held annually to acknowledge excellence in tourism across the Riverina Murray, North Coast and Country and Outback. Regional Tourism Awards Chair, Jane Barnes said finalists in this year’s program were of a high calibre with a number of first time entrants on the list.

Parkes Elvis Festival will automatically progress to the state tourism awards, and the finalists for the NSW Tourism Awards will be announced on 15th October. Parkes Shire Council picked up silver in the Destination Marketing category for its brand campaigns, while the Parkes Visitor Information Centre was a finalist in the Visitor Information Services category for its quality service for 26,000 visitors annually.

The Parkes Elvis Festival last week also welcomed leading rail freight operator Pacific National on board as a major sponsor for next year’s event. The largest rail freight operator in Australia has not only committed $35 million to develop a freight logistics terminal in Parkes, but is supporting the local community by becoming a major sponsor to deliver a spectacular feature concert series starring US Elvis tribute artist Ted Torres Martin.

“Parkes is quickly becoming an epicentre for rail freight and Pacific National is very pleased to be a major sponsor of this iconic event,” said Pacific National CEO Dean Dalla Valle.

The 2019 feature concert series includes four performances by Ted Torres Martin at the Parkes Leagues Club. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, 10th September.

The future of education will be showcased in NSW public schools next week as students, teachers and parents across the state celebrate Education Week 2018. This year’s theme, Today’s schools – creating tomorrow’s world, highlights how NSW public schools are equipping young people with the skills and capabilities they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Mark Scott, Secretary of the Department of Education said a young child who started Kindergarten this year would leave the school system in 2030. “He or she is going to spend the vast amount of their working life in the second half of the 21st century,” he said.

“Our schools are very future-focused, preparing and equipping young people with the skills, the knowledge and the capabilities they need to lead and flourish in tomorrow’s world.”

He said Education Week would be a great opportunity for public schools and teachers to showcase great teaching and learning practice.

This Education Week, the Department of Education is also launching an exciting initiative called The Game Changer Challenge. Sixteen teams from schools across NSW will explore the role of design-thinking in the classroom all while solving the important question, what will the school of the future look like?

NSW Education Week is an annual event held in the first week of August to celebrate public education across the state. It highlights the achievements of public education and local schools, putting the spotlight on students, educators and school communities.

When you think about how much we use our hands especially when playing ball sports, it’s not hard to understand why hand and finger injuries are so common. Most of these injuries heal spontaneously, which is why they are often neglected by athletes. Many people don’t seek help until it is too late for effective treatment. However, an early, accurate diagnosis to identify potentially serious injuries can prevent long term functional impairment and deformity.

Knowledge of the mechanism of injury or how the injury happened can also help with an accurate diagnosis. A punching injury often results in a fracture to one of the metacarpal bones, commonly the base of the fifth metacarpal. A direct blow to the point of the finger often causes a dislocation or sprain of one of the finger joints. Sometimes the finger flexor tendon can pull a plug of bone off its attachment causing an avulsion fracture. This most commonly involves the ring finger and occurs when a player grabs an opponent’s clothing during a tackle.

As a general rule of thumb, if there is any deformity present, either with the hand open or closed, persistent swelling or any of the hand or finger joints don’t move as they should, it is important to have the injury checked out by a professional. Some fractures may require surgery, some immobilisation or splinting. Sprains or dislocations may require swelling management with ice or an oedema glove and exercises to prevent loss of range of motion.

An early diagnosis and appropriate management can prevent a lifetime of deformity and loss of function.

For the fitness of you,
Linda Reilly