At the September meeting of the Bogan Gate CWA were (L-R) Ros Edwards (Secretary) Ken Engsmyr, Evelyn and Bill Shallvey, Marion McIntyre (President) and Hilda McPherson (Treasurer).

The Bogan Gate CWA branch welcomed three Parkes residents to their September meeting.

Ken Engsmyr from the Parkes Rotary Club and Bill and Evelyn Shallvey. Bill talked about East Timor and showed photos of his trips there with a group of helpers.

He talked about how they packed several large containers with surplus equipment from the old Parkes and Forbes Hospitals, Southern Cross and Mater Aged Care, including roofing from Southern Cross.

Other events of the club included the annual Friendship Luncheon at the Bogan Gate Hotel; and the International Day meeting in August with International Officer Heather Veal organising a beautiful meal represent-ing Papua New Guinea. Guest Speakers Chris and Kay Owens from Dubbo, who had lived in PNG for 15 years, spoke of their time there.

Upcoming events for the club are the next Trivia Night on Saturday, 12th October at 7pm in the Bogan Gate Hall. Organise a team of four to six, and ring Marion on 6864 3233 or Ros 6864 1023. A special invitation to Parkes and Forbes people to come for a drive and experience a fun night.

Tuesday, 15th October the Oxley Group of CWA has their Annual Conference in Tullamore; next CWA meeting is on Thursday, 17th October for the AGM.

Media reports that Parkes is forecast to run out of water in March next year has been disputed by Mayor Ken Keith.

“Parkes is not at immediate risk of running dry contrary to recent media reports,” the Mayor said. “It is deeply disappointing that these figures have been quoted.”

He said while there was no doubt that the current drought situation was dire, our community could rest assured that Parkes would have water through 2020 and beyond. “We are very much able to service our residents, businesses, and visitors to the region.

“On the back of the misleading reports we have had some visitors questioning their travel plans as they do not want to be further a drain on our water supply. I would like to reassure everyone that Parkes is not at imminent risk of running dry. We encourage visitors to come and support our local businesses and enjoy everything Parkes has to offer, including the 2020 Parkes Elvis Festival,” Ken said.

Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd said Council upgraded the raw water infrastructure in 2016-18 as part of Council’s $100m multi award-winning Integrated Water Infrastructure Program.

Council constructed new, more efficient water and wastewater treatment plants, upgraded the raw water supply infrastructure, constructed a new river pump station and refurbished Council’s bores. “There are now eight bores that collectively allow an increasing extraction capacity while spreading the drawdown of water over a larger area to minimise impact on the aquifer,” Kent said.