Maggi Barnard

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

Letter to the Editor…

July 5, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,
Re Pam Ward’s letter in last week’s edition, I can add more to her concerns. Late last year I was attacked by two dogs
in High Street while walking on the road. They came through an open front gate and attacked me. The large one came for me twice and the smaller dog once.

As a result, I now have a fear of dogs when I see them running loose on streets. The larger dog was declared dangerous. I cannot understand why owners decide to keep a declared dangerous dog. If those dogs had attacked a child the outcome could have been so much worse. Also, owners put themselves at risk of injury by keeping such
an animal.

Unfortunately, the expense of these attacks is borne by the injured person. The owners don’t seem to care what happens or offer recompense. As a community we all have a responsibility to report these dogs to the Parkes Shire Animal Ranger. Hopefully this will prevent more frightening attacks.

Anonymous (Name provided – Ed)

Question of the Week?

July 5, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

What plan have you made for your shopping since the ban on single use plastic bags?

Quinn Green: We had a few reusable bags at home and I got some of the 15 cent bags. I do not have a problem making the switch over. I’ve only forgotten my bags once so far.
Brandon Harvey: I bought some of the fabric bags, and think it is a good change and very good for the environment.

Marianne Strong: I ditched plastic bags a long time ago and have been using cloth bags I got from the shop. They have better handles, and I always keep them on my back seat to be prepared for whenever I need to get something from the supermarket.

Braden Lindbeck: It really isn’t a big issue for me as Aldi has been doing it for a decade and I do most of my shopping there. I think the roll out could have been better in preparing people for the change over. It is a good idea, but what needs to happen now is that we need to have a conversation about all waste and what to do with it.

Our Bloke – Kevin Powell

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Kevin Powell

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I met a Parkes gal in Darwin, we married, had twins and moved here almost six years ago. I like that even the heat waves here are still cooler than tropical summers.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I run a ‘flourishing’ garden /lawn mowing business. I like the reward of money for my labour (obviously), but I love the connection with local folks. “Always time for a cuppa” is my motto – which lets me taste scones, great scones… and hear wonderful stories and get to share my own.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? I meet the arvo school bus every day, so have plenty of time for growing veggies and breeding budgies and chooks. Kev’s Pasture Range Eggs has become a passion, family time at the Pink Orchid, catching up with mates for a beer, attending the girls’ soccer games and meeting at church on Sundays. Life is full.

What are you really good at? Telling stories. Hearing God’s voice, doing what He says makes the GREATEST stories, so I’ve found out.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Zip the lip. It sometimes requires a super power to stop foolish talk. I know too well.

What is your pet hate? A pet dislike (hate is a powerful word) is littering – “out of site out of mind” littering.

Tell us about your best holiday. Getting paid to travel Australia for two years in 1993/94. What a top country!

Keep Abreast of Change

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Running your own small business in today’s world, and keeping abreast of change, can be a complex task. The team at Peter Woods and Associates can support you and your business to make this process easier. They can assist not only with tax returns and activity statements, but also with the requirements of running a business, business advice, and accounting software (MYOB, Xero, Phoenix) including single touch payroll solutions.

They recognise that every business is different and will require different levels of support at different times in the business lifecycle, let them know how they can help you.

Contact them today at the Parkes office on 6862 1366 or the Peak Hill office on 6869 1361.

Cultural Grants Celebrate Art, Craft, History And Drama

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The four recipients of the 2018 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant Program were announced at the Council meeting on Tuesday. “The Parkes Shire Education, Cultural and Library Services Committee received a diverse range of applications from across the Shire. The Committee had $10,000 to disperse, with nearly $21,000 in grants requested from seven applicants” said Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Newton.

The recipients are: Peak Hill Show Society ($2,000) for show masterclasses in macramé, floral and cheese making; Parkes School of Dance ($3,000 ) for RAD exam workshops and hosting a guest ballet teacher; Parkes Public School Parents & Citizens Association ($2,500) for its 150 year celebration time capsule; and Tullamore War Memorial Hall ($2,500) to bring musical events to the town. According to Education, Cultural and Library Committee member, Councillor Bill Jayet, selecting the successful applicants was a tough task.

Taking The Music Everywhere

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Library was turned into a theatre last Thursday when more than 50 people arrived all dressed up for the first ever live stream event from the Sydney Opera House. In an unprecedented event for international Make Music Day, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra shared a global performance of Verdi’s Requiem live from the opera house.

Parkes was one of several public libraries in NSW joining the livestream to audiences all around the world. Australia joined the Make Music Day ‘party’ for the first time this year.

Question of the Week?

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

If you could only listen to one composer or type of music for the rest of your life, who or what would it be?

Neil Westcott: I love Broadway musicals as they normally have a good story that can touch your soul. The greatest instrument is the voice, which is the main focus of musicals. One of my all-time favourites is Les Miserables, and The Sound of Music has a great story.

Gillian Hunt: I would choose Beethoven as he has such a wide variety of music and I would not get bored listening to it all the time. The Pastoral Symphony (Symphony no 6) is really good. I also love the Emperor Concerto (Piano Concerto no 5).

Snippets…

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

NAIDOC 2018: There are a number of activities on offer in Parkes during NAIDOC Week. The Galari Mawam-Bul (coming together) art exhibition is at the Coventry Room from 9th to 12th July from 11am to 4pm daily. Artworks from some of the Central West’s most inspiring and talented Indigenous artists will be on display. Other activities include an astronomy workshop on Monday, 9th July 2pm-3pm by Trevor Leaman; a basket weaving demonstration
on Tuesday, 10th July 2pm-3pm; free art class with local indigenous Artist Irene Ridgeway on Wednesday, 11th July 2pm-3pm; Aboriginal Story Teller Larry Brandy on Thursday, 12th July 11am-12.30pm; and screening of Servant or Salve on Thursday, 12th July 2pm-3pm featuring Aunty Violet West from Peak Hill.

Long Road From a Broken Heart: Join inspirational speaker and author Jeremy Scott at Parkes Shire Library as he shares the incredible story of his 51,916 kilometre solo bicycle ride from London to New Zealand. Jeremy wasn’t only born with a huge hole in his heart, but with an insatiable craving for adventure. He set off on 5th October 2011 for what turned out to be a 2 1/2 year solo bike ride around the globe. He will be at Parkes Library on Friday, 6th July at 6pm. Please RSVP 6861 2309 or parkes.library@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Successful Heavy Vehicle Breakfast: A record-breaking 100 delegates attended the sixth annual Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum in Forbes recently. Topics included Councils’ achievements in the heavy vehicle space over the past 12 months, the Chain of Responsibility Master Code, Performance Based Standard Vehicles, Safety Management Systems, engagement with NSW Police, the Farm Gate Access Project, the NSW Road Safety Plan 2021, Safety Communications and updates from Roads and Maritime Services Freight Branch and the Livestock Bulk and Rural Carriers Association.

Local Artist Exhibits: Alice Stokes returned to Parkes in late 2017 after a number of years honing her creative skills in Berlin, and she is sharing some of her work with Parkes Library for an exhibition during July. Due to Alice’s love of film noir and the colour black she primarily draws with graphite on black paper or charcoal, creating stark, evocative images that are only revealed as the light catches the graphite. Australian Gothic Local will be on exhibit at
Parkes Library from 3rd to 28th July.

Mayoral Notes…

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

I was pleased to see a number of local artists receiving accolades at the Regional SIMS Metal Waste to Art & Design Competition currently on exhibit in Narromine. Congratulations to winners Middleton Public School who took out the award for Building/Sculpture 2D, Anette Peterson for the Curators Award and John Grady for the Sims Scrap Metal Award.

Council welcomed the re-instatement of the Access Committee this week, with a kick off meeting held on Tuesday. The Access Committee has representation from across the community including agencies such as Neighbourhood Central, Currajong Disabilities and Lachlan Area Health. They come together in the aim to build awareness and understanding of access issues across the shire and to advise Council and make recommendations on addressing these matters.

Council has completed road surface upgrades in the Parkes CBD including asphalt works in Court Street, Church Street and the northern end of Clarinda Street. Thank you to the businesses and community members for your patience while these important works took place. Crews are also continuing work to upgrade the Kelly Reserve carpark to improve safety, access and movement within the precinct. Works are expected to be completed by early next week.

The Recycled Water Scheme is moving into Phase 2, which will entail the construction of a Recycled Water Rising Main (RWRM) to deliver clean and ‘green’ recycled water for irrigation. The scheme will essentially drought-proof selected sporting fields and green-spaces, ensuring our parks and public gardens can be maintained year round.
While the scheme is not available for household use it will offset demand for potable water, reducing the need for bore water top-ups during peak use. Construction of the new RWRM pipeline is expected to commence in November this year.

Returned local artist, Alice Stokes will be sharing some of her work with Parkes Library for an exhibition during July. Alice’s “Australian Gothic Local” art works will be on exhibit at Parkes Library from 3rd to 28th July.

We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable weekend in the Parkes Shire.

Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Letter to the Editor…

June 28, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,

Each morning my husband and I take our little white dogs, Buddy and Holly for their walk. As I lost a beautiful little dog a few years ago to two stray Staffies, we pick our dogs up and carry them until all is clear when we see dogs loose in the street.

I am appealing to all dog owners to keep their dogs securely locked in their yards. Last Wednesday we were walking along Russell Street when one large white dog and one large tan dog suddenly bounded through the trees and attacked our little dogs. My husband managed to pick up Holly, but I could not catch Buddy before the tan one had a secure hold on his rear and started dragging him away. John, with Holly in his arms, got the tan dog to let go of Buddy.

Poor Buddy was yelping in pain and shaking like a leaf. We left the vet armed with antibiotics for the puncture wound in one hip and a very sore second hip which became quite swollen.

Please people choose dogs suitable to your conditions and exercise them adequately on a lead. We will continue to walk our dogs, but will always be anxious for them.

Pamela Ward

Maggi Barnard

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