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Parkes Phoenix

Maggi Barnard

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

Four Brothers And Their Didgeridoos

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Four young Parkes brothers, also known as the Dyagang Boys, are fast making a name for themselves with two performances over the past week. 

Tyrece (11), twins Abel and Ashton (7) and Keanau (8) Robinson-Towney were dancing with the River Spirits Dance Group at Frost & Fire in Forbes on Saturday, and on Monday they were part of the Welcome to Country performance at the Parkes Mental Health Expo at the Services Club. 

The four Holy Family students and their father enjoy their cultural dancing and performances that include playing the didgeridoo. 

The four brothers on stage at the Parkes Services Club on Monday with their didgeridoos.

Spend Your Dine & Discover NSW Vouchers

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Customers are reminded to spend any remaining Dine & Discover NSW vouchers over the next few days as the 30th June deadline is just around the corner.

Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the program had been a game changer for local businesses and families, representing over $485 million invested across NSW.

“My message to the local community is simple – don’t miss out. Check your service NSW app to see if you have any vouchers remaining and spend them on local businesses now. 

“These vouchers have been an overwhelming success. During a period of instability, they boosted household budgets and ensured that more customers got through the doors of local businesses,” he said.

“Around 5.4 million customers registered for the program, receiving three $25 Dine and three $25 Discover vouchers, both of which went to supporting the businesses which were hit hard by the pandemic.”

Across NSW, 16,600 businesses have been supported with the vouchers, but around $330 million are still to be redeemed.

After 30 June, Dine & Discover Vouchers will move to the expired tab in the Service NSW app, but Discover NSW registered business can still accept Parents NSW Vouchers until 9th October.

Weather Improves For Men’s Bowls

June 24, 2022 By Col Miller 

It is great to see the weather improve and bowlers returning to the greens. 

Last Thursday a minor singles game was played with Gary McPhee taking on John Wright. Both bowlers settled into their game by the 7th end and Gary had edged to the front 7 to 3. Not to be outdone John fought back and by the 19th end he was only 2 shots behind. Gary knuckled down and got to the magic 25 shots first to win the game. Thanks to marker Bernie Mitchell. 

On Saturday a minor pairs game was played. Mal Porter and Tony Riordan took on Dean Searl and Wilbur Harris. It was a very one-sided game with Dean and Wilbur running out big winners. Mal and Tony tried everything, but it just was not their day. Welcome back Dean to the bowling green. 

We have had three bowlers Tom Furey, Brett Frame and Maree Grant playing in the Australian Open on the Gold Coast over the past week. 

Bowlers are reminded to get their Club Championship games completed asap. The Zone Pennants draw is up on the board with the first games commencing on 7th and 8th August. 

By Col Miller 

Contemporary, Connected And Customer-focused

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Council launched a new customer request system this week to make it easier to access services, report issues and raise requests around the clock.

This means customers will now be able to receive updates about the progress of their requests and easily track their status online in real-time.

“Council’s new online customer request system reflects our vision of becoming a more contemporary, connected and customer-focused organisation, and our commitment to putting our residents at the centre of everything we do,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

“The COVID pandemic has prompted businesses to rethink how they deliver services and make it easier to connect with their customers, and local government is no different,” he said.

According to Council’s Director Customer, Corporate Services and Economy Cian Middleton customers will be able to log requests and report issues at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au following the system’s launch on Monday.

“In the last 12 months, Council received on average 351 requests per month through nine different channels. Our new platform aims to streamline the process, making it quicker and easier for residents to report an issue, request a service or information, or provide feedback,” Cian said.

“There are over 150 request options to choose from, so whether you have an issue with a bin, a footpath or you want to report a fallen tree, you are now able to do it online.

“Customers can also attach photos or documents and are able to utilise a mapping tool to pinpoint the exact location of issues requiring attention.

“Those residents who would prefer to speak to one of our staff on the phone or in person can still contact our Customer Service Centre on 6861 2373 or visit us at 2 Cecile Street.” 

Snippets…

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Hannah Dunn from Parkes has been on many stages with her amazing voice, and last week she once again impressed the judges at the Forbes Eisteddfod and was named winner of the Vocal Championships as a senior vocalist. Congratulations Hannah on yet another great achievement!

Pay Your Vouchers Forward For Kids In Need: Don’t let your unused NSW Discover Vouchers go to waste. It is so easy to perform a random act of kindness and help kids in need. One Discover Voucher will issue your selected Children’s Charity with two entry passes on your behalf to pass on to children and families in need. The charities include Starlight Children’s Foundation, Variety Children’s Charity, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and KidzWish Foundation. Go to https://symbiozoo.com.au/paydiscoverforward/ 

Big News For All Super Troupers: Trundle ABBA Festival is going ahead on Saturday, 15th October with Australia’s leading ABBA tribute band, Bjorn Again (AUSTRALIA), headlining the festival. The events team at Parkes Shire Council will be taking over the management of the festival this year. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 4th July at https://bit.ly/Abba2022 or ring 6881 8632 to purchase over the phone. There are early bird tickets and you can use your Parents NSW vouchers. Group discounts also apply. 

Grazing Down The Lachlan: Celebrating its fourth year in 2022, Grazing Down the Lachlan returns to the banks of the Lachlan River in Forbes on Saturday, 17th September. Chair of the Grazing Down the Lachlan committee, Wendy Muffet said: “We’ve spent the last two years working behind the scenes to make our multi-award winning event even more exciting, with a full line up of events and activities celebrating and showcasing the region’s food, entertainment, art, culture and history.” To view the full program and plan your Grazing weekend, head to www.grazingdownthelachlan.com. Subscribe to Grazing’s e-newsletter to receive the latest updates and ticketing information straight to your inbox. 

COVID Clinic Relocation: The drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic has relocated to the carpark at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant at 124 Webb Street. The clinic will continue operating from Monday to Friday from 10am – 12pm. 

Nominate A Tradie: Remember to send in your nomination for our popular Tradie of the Month competition, sponsored by Totally Work Wear, by email: editor@parkesphoenix.com.au stating your favourite tradie’s name, workplace and contact number. You can also pop into Totally Work Wear to nominate someone. We would love to see some female tradies going in the draw too! The winner each month wins a fabulous prize from Totally Work Wear, Parkes! 

The African drumming group from Middleton Public School won first place in the Primary Percussion section at the Forbes Eisteddfod last week. Congratulations on a stellar performance!

Lara Competes At Largest Equestrian Event

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Year 10 Parkes High School student Lara Bennett and her horse took part in Australia’s largest high school interschool equestrian event earlier this month. The North West Horse Expo in Coonabarabran had over 590 high school riders competing. Lara placed 5th in both her dressage tests, 4th in the show Hunter Hack and 2nd in pair of riders. The weather did not play along and unfortunately many events were cancelled. Well done Lara! (Photo: Parkes High School Facebook page) 

Break The Stigma, Talk About Men’s Health

June 24, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

CUC Parkes manager and Parkes Shire Councillor Jacob Cass.

“If there is one message I’d like to see people take away from Men’s Health Week, it is that there is never a perfect time to have conversations around our health, but they are so important and could save a life.”

These were the words of Jacob Cass, manager of Country Universities Centre (CUC) Parkes, at a morning tea to mark Men’s Health Week last Friday attended by about 30 community members.

“Men’s Health Week is important. We need to open up more dialogue about men’s health and remove the stigma around men being open about how they feel,” said Jacob.

He shared his struggles with his own well-being. “When I was 25, I hit a wall. I was depressed, weighed 180kg and was moving from job to job without a career ahead of me. I decided I needed to change what I was doing. I joined a gym, made monthly appointments with my GP, cut sugars and started working towards a career in the community and education sector.”

Jacob said he could change his life around because he started conversing with friends and family about his health. “It was scary at first, but the truth was that these were conversations they had tried to have, and I was finally ready.

“At CUC Parkes, 30% of our registered students identify as male, and it is important that they feel safe in having an open dialogue around their wellbeing. We offer students wraparound support, which means supporting their wellbeing with stress management tools and having an open-door policy, in addition to academic support.”

Men’s Health Week is celebrated in the middle of June each year and promotes making small changes today that can flow onto a healthier tomorrow. Book a check-up with your GP, drink more water, move a little more and talk with those around you.

Target Practice Day At Social Bowls

June 24, 2022 By Lea Orr 

On Tuesday 16 players suited up for some target practice at social bowls. 

Laurie Keane and Kay Craft made a gallant effort on Arena 2, but the victors getting the “thumbs up” were Frances Charlton and Maria Willcockson. 

Rose Mitchell and Brenda Davies took extra time to warm up on Arena 3. Hilda McPherson and Maureen Baillie galloped ahead, only to falter at the drawbridge and allow the first pair to catch them. T’was neck and neck to the finish, Hilda and Maureen by 2! 

Ladies-in waiting, Maureen Miller and Lea Orr, enjoyed a slow-paced duel of Scroungers on Arena 5. 

Vi West, Merilyn Rodgers and Elaine Miller waved the white flag early in their battle on Arena 4. They really just attended out of courtesy, leaving Flo Riseborough, Carol Reed and Marja Iffland with the greater score. 

Some courteous ladies waited till they were inside the castle to begin their winning streak! The Trading Table was laden with jewels for the picking – and many lucky winners did just that! 

Maureen was keeping the goblets of wine and mead brimming, always our heroine! 

Extra thanks must go out to the Manildra B C ladies who passed the helmet round and amassed $100 towards our recent Pink Day. 

A bit late in wishing our June Geminis a Happy Birthday! Kay, Merilyn, Audrey, Lynn and Betsy, all the best! 

Next Tuesday is our AGM. The club will provide a pizza lunch, so please come along and feast and contribute! 

The nominations for Club Championship Fours will close next week. 

To play social bowls next Tuesday, 28th June 28 call the club between 9am and 9:30am on 6862 1446, with play to begin at 10am. 

Visitors and interested new-comers always welcome! 

Social Roster: Beth Thomas 

By Lea Orr 

Vital Support Group Calls Out For New Members

June 24, 2022 By Pauline Gosper 

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Support and Awareness Group performs an essential service in our community, but is in urgent need of more members to ensure the group’s long-term viability. 

During the period before COVID the group unfortunately lost some very good members, and post COVID the future of the group is in doubt as we are unable to attract men to attend meetings. At the Outback Classic Rally earlier this year, and outside of meetings, many men spoke of their experiences with cancer and indicated a group was still required for support, but unfortunately they do not attend the meetings. 

Men are more reluctant to share their medical problems whether that or embarrassment is the reason we do not know. 

Both Michael Lynch and I, who started the group, have reached the age of 84 and would not like to see this essential service terminate as we are both committed to the continuation of the group. 

We would like to invite men to our meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Neighbourhood Central at 7pm. The group come together to support one another with confidential group discussions. 

By Pauline Gosper 

The Best ‘Picnic’ Of The Year!

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PICNIC WITH STYLE… The popular Fashions on the Field attracted entries from far and wide. The category winners were (L-R) Baeden Wakefield (Stylish Man), Ashleigh Smith (Elegant Lady), Deb Parish (Millinery), Carmen and Ian Hatherly (Best Dressed Couple).

All the elements came together last Saturday to make the 2022 edition of the Parkes Picnic Races a massive success.

The weather remained dry for the hundreds of patrons who did not want to miss out on the social event of the year, while the track and grounds were in top notch condition for the day’s five-race program.

The prestigious Coradgery Cup, sponsored by the Parkes Services Club, was won by Neon Moon with jockey Tony Cavallo and trainer Dean Mirfin.

The other highlight of the day attracted a good number of entries and a huge crowd of supporters. Judges Elizabeth Packchung and Dixie Coulton, who returned for the second year in a row from Sydney, had a big task picking the winners for the popular Fashions on the Field.

This year’s Miss Priscilla, Ashleigh Smith, added another title to her name winning the Elegant Lady category, while another local Baeden Wakefield won the Stylish Man category. Deb Parish won Millinery and Best Dressed Couple went to Ian and Carmel Hatherly from Orange.

President of the Parkes and Districts Picnic Races Committee Tim Keith said the day was a major success.

“The day would not have happened without the generous support of the many sponsors who recognised the importance of the Picnic Races in Parkes’ social fabric,” said long-standing publicity officer for the Picnic Races Stafford Orange.

Johnno from the Railway Hotel said the tent trackside at the races was filled to capacity with patrons enjoying first class meals and drinks. Johnno has put out the challenge to the rest of the Parkes hoteliers to put the saddle on, tent up and get involved next year. “We need your support to keep this iconic event going for another 122 years,” he said.

Patrons young and old commented on how much they enjoyed the vibe of the races, particularly the music provided by local band Foxxy Cleopatra.

It was agreed that the organising committee had done a marvellous job with their meticulous planning, their finger on the pulse attitude, and their want to encourage and please all that is part of their DNA.

“This lovely town of Parkes needs to be very thankful for the unfailing generosity of this grand group of country folk that are the Parkes Picnic’s lifeblood,” said volunteer Mark O’Neill.

The Coradgery Cup was won by Neon Moon with jockey Tony Cavallo.

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