Maggi Barnard

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

Chemical Solutions For Pest And Weed Problems

May 3, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Aussie farmers struggling to keep on top of pests and weeds will have access to a wider range of chemicals thanks to a $1.78 million Coalition Government investment. Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud said the third round of the Agvet Chemicals Grants Program would deliver 26 grants to address a range of priority uses.

“We need to give farmers the tools to stay ahead of the game and do what they do best, farm,” the Minister said. “This round will unlock access to a range of chemicals which include applications for fodder beets in the dairy industry, mushrooms, green tea, quinoa and papaya.”

“These include Targo to manage mites in cocoa crops, Sero-X to manage mirids in lucerne crops, Vivado to manage cobwebs in mushrooms and Amistar to manage leaf blight in sweet corn.”

“The previous two rounds of the program awarded 100 grants to RDC applicants totalling $4.11 million, and have already resulted in improved chemical access.”

“This includes an effective treatment of annual rye grass in chickpeas, lupins and peas, a fungicide to prevent root rot in tomatoes and a growth regulator for use in our mango industry.”

For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/ag-vetchemicals/improved-accessagvetchemicals/agvetassistance-grants.

Question of the Week?

May 3, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

What do you remember about your mother, or what did you learn from her?

Terry Knowles: My mother taught me to be kind and generous to other people. That is what she always did, and I’ve taken that on board in my life.

Cindy Murphy: My mother always puts others above herself. Even now that she is in pain all the time, she would still go out and help others. I admire her strength and courage. She loves her grandchildren dearly and she is always there for us. We would be lost without her.

Ron Symons: My mother lived on a farm all her life. She was a very active horse rider, knew how to work with cows, and taught me to make butter and how to separate milk. She also loved her rose garden.

Snippets…

May 3, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Yellow Ribbon: The Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils have been celebrating Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week from Monday to honour those killed in road crashes, and pledge to make the roads safer for everyone. Staff have been wearing yellow lapel ribbons and displaying yellow ribbons on fleet vehicles. This was the second time the Councils have supported this initiative. Last year more than 1,200 lives were lost in road crashes across Australia and more than 35,000 people were seriously injured. The pledge asks you to drive as if your loved ones are on the road ahead, remove distractions, never use your mobile phone while at the wheel, slow down and take care of vulnerable road users. You can take the pledge by visiting www.sarahgroup.org

Salvos Red Shield Appeal: The Salvation Army is urging the Australian public to get involved in its annual Red Shield Appeal doorknock to help raise $7.5 million over the weekend of 26th to 27th May. The money will go towards The Salvation Army’s vast network of social services those in need. In a typical week, the Salvos provide over 17,000 beds to the homeless, 40,000 meals for the hungry, over 1,400 financial counselling sessions and refuge for over 100 women affected by domestic violence. The Salvos are aiming to mobilise 70,000 volunteers for the doorknock. To volunteer, call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or register online at salvos.org.au. You can donate by calling 13 SALVOS (13
72 58), online at salvos.org.au, in person at any Westpac branch or Salvos Stores or by posting your cheque to PO Box 9888 in your capital city.

Coffee With A Cop: Parkes Police are hosting Coffee with a Cop on Tuesday, 8th May to give the public the opportunity to meet local officers, and discuss community issues. All community members are invited to attend at Wholesome Blend on the corner of Clarinda and Bushman Streets between 10:30 and 11:30am. Please contact Parkes Police on 6862 9999 with any questions. “We hope that community members will feel comfortable to ask questions, bring concerns, or simply get to know our officers,” said Superintendent Chris Taylor. Coffee with a Cop is a national initiative supported by The United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across NSW.

Golf Day A Winner For Can Assist

May 3, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

A strong field of 142 players enjoyed perfect conditions recenlty for the annual Northparkes Charity Golf Day. In excess of $26,000 was raised for local charity Can Assist. This event has raised in excess of $110,000 for Can Assist over the last nine years.

The winners were Jarrod Kemp, Justin Ward and Tony Lock with a nett score of 56.83. The best gross score went to Blake Smith, Myles Smith and Blake Parker with a handy 63 off the stick.

Men’s longest drive on the 8th hole went to Brad Scott, Ladies longest drive went to Cathy Kelly, and straightest drive on the 18th went to John Kemp. The 1st hole nearest the pin went to Myles Smith. The 4th hole nearest the pin went to John Dwyer, 6th hole nearest the pin went to Wade McConnell, and 11th money hole was won by Phil Barnard at 5m.

The event sponsors included Northparkes Mines, Westrac, BKT Tyres, Concentis, Epiroc, Telescope Tyres and Batteries, Forefront, Advanced Profile Solutions, SEW Eurodrive, EBRO Valves, Whittaker Contracting, Reliable Conveyors, Castrol, Pirtek, Pybar Mining Services, Parkes Services Club, Schneider Electric, Applied Industrial Technologies, Griffins Leading Edge, Park Engineering, C & R Earthworks, Norbar Torque tools, Inland Distributors, Supagas, Littlewoods Smash Repairs, AC Industries, JG Cobblestones, Toshiba and Auslec Forbes.

By Mike Wood

Women’s Bowls

May 3, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Several bowlers enjoyed the beautiful weather this week and had a great day of bowling. In triples games Heather Harvey, Rhona Went and Gwenda Carty defeated Flo Riseborough, Kim Evans and Rosemary Mitchell.

Frances Charlton, Di Howelland Hilda McPherson defeated Eileen Bradley, Lorraine Baker and Cherie Frame, while Merilyn Rodgers, Margaret Hawken and Audrey Jones beat Minnie Riordan, Isabel Svendsen and Maureen Baillee.

Other winners were Liz Byrne and Maureen Miller defeating Brenda Davies and Marja Iffland.

Winners on the day were Frances, Di and Hilda. Hilda also won the raffle. The CWD pairs will be played at our club
on 4th and 5th May, and there will be social bowls on Tuesday.

Our Trading Table will be held on 22nd May with a Big Morning Tea to be held in support of Cancer research. Bring a pretty cup, saucer and plate along. We will also celebrate a special birthday for Pam McRae.

To play social bowls please ring Table Selectors Kim Evans and Rosemary Mitchell between 9am and 9:30am.

By Rosemary Mitchell

Footy Tipping Results – Round 9

May 2, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

We Reconnect The Disconnected

April 26, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

When an individual takes that step to reach out for help and is met not by thin air, but by a human, the connection can be life changing. Sometimes all it takes is a warm welcome, a smiling face, and an ear that doesn’t judge. We know the power of the simplest connection.

Neighbourhood Centre Week, happening 30th April – 6th May 2018, is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the role of neighbourhood centres in the community. A common thread running through every Centre is their inclusive nature; anyone and everyone is welcome. This makes Neighbourhood Centres real hubs of their community, places where friendships are formed and nurtured, and where people of all ages and all walks of life can really feel that they belong.

Neighbourhood Central belongs to a nationwide network offering activities, programs and services that support social inclusion and address factors that can lead to social exclusion. The organisation is community-based, is funded by local, state and federal government, and covers many areas of service including; families and youth, meal services, home modification and maintenance, social support, home care packages, community transport, Indigenous support, NDIS disability support services and community visitor’s services; all delivered with a client centered approach.

Neighbourhood Central “connects the disconnected” because it creates opportunities for people, normally isolated or marginalised through life circumstances, to come together and build stronger bonds with the broader community.

This is achieved through volunteering, participating in an activity, being part of the leadership team or just making new friends. These social connections create the building blocks for strong, resilient communities that can handle community crises or support the most vulnerable families and children.

Home Staging Success Stories…

April 26, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

I have been very busy over the last few weeks staging a variety of homes for sale. Staging a home is very important and can add value to your property and thus give you more money in your pocket after sale day. Staging works perfectly when a home is empty and unfurnished. It gives me a blank canvas to enter and create magic within those four walls that will have any prospective buyer simply falling in love instantly with your home and thus wanting it to be their home in the end.

An empty home is devoid of personality and the WOW factor and will not let that property no matter how good its bones are to stand out from the crowd and create a lasting impression to a prospective buyer.

With staging, people hire my services and furniture for a specific period of time usually six weeks to entice a quick and profitable sale from the marketplace.

It is simple and stress-free but the results absolutely speak for themselves. See below my favourite before and after images from a home staged just last week in Forbes. The clients and the Real Estate Agent were so happy with my work that I think a speedy sale could be just around the corner. One home I staged for sale last year in Orange didn’t even get to show its charm during open days as it was snavelled up the first day it was listed for sale. It just looked that good!!

Mock Crash Youth Actors Announced

April 26, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Plans are well underway for this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program, with the youth actors for the mock car crash demonstration selected, dates set for filming the establishing videos and the rehearsal schedule locked in.

“There was a lot of interest in the auditions this year – we had the largest turn-out of youth actors yet. Most had been to mock crash last year and wanted to be involved, especially as this year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

“Casting was very difficult – everyone was so talented. Whilst there are only four roles available for the mock crash demonstration, we offered the other actors roles in the establishing scenes.” “Our youth actors have already been put
through their paces, attending Road Crash Rescue Training with the Parkes State Emergency Services, to see how they cope being cut from a car and carried on a casualty board.”

“Work now turns towards the table reads and getting ready to film the establishing scenes and victim impact statements.” “Once filming is completed, there will be briefings from NSW Ambulance about injuries, a table read to get a feel for the script and ab-lib opportunities, with rehearsals kicking off in July,” Ms Suitor said.

“During the 10 years that this program has been running we have recorded a 27% decrease in crashes on local roads involving a young driver (17 – 25 years old),” Ms Suitor said.

The mock car crash demonstration is scheduled for Friday 17th August 2018. More than 500 Year 10 students from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be attending. The final dress rehearsal on Monday 20th August will be open to the public.

For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

Cemetery Trees To Be Repurposed

April 26, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

As part of the Parkes Cemetery Tree Replacement project, 100 per cent of the eleven trees removed from the cemetery entrance will be repurposed for environmental sustainability projects. Following a severe storm in November 2016, Council commissioned a consulting arborist to inspect the trees. The arborist determined that the trees must be removed due to their deteriorating condition, which posed a risk to visitors of the cemetery.

Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, Michael Chambers said “while we are sad to see the old eucalypts removed from the cemetery, it is fantastic that we are able to use all eleven of the trees for a range of other environmental projects throughout the Parkes Shire.”

“The leaves and smaller branches will be turned into mulch for re-vegetation and general Parks and Gardens use.” “The larger branches and main trunks will be stock piled off site and used in future rehabilitation projects, including the rehabilitation of the old Sewage Treatment Plant effluent ponds into a wetlands habitat. The eucalypts will create the perfect habitat for water birds, turtles, yabbies and other native fauna.”

Last year, Council successfully repurposed several trees removed from Kelly Reserve by installing them as habitat in PAC Park. Council will remove the declining trees lining the cemetery entrance, totally rehabilitate the site and replace with a smaller deciduous tree species, as well as install irrigation, construct kerb and guttering along the internal road, and install a new footpath.

The Parkes Cemetery Tree Replacement Strategy is available for download from Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Maggi Barnard

Subscribe