Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Waste to Art & Design Exhibition and Competition is a regular fixture in the cultural calendar of the Shire. This year the 59 artworks entered made a colourful, engaging exhibition.

“This year’s exhibition features some stunning artworks created from what could have ended up in landfill. Many of the entries from primary and high school students have been inspired by the annual theme Year of Polystyrene” said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services.

Councillor Bill Jayet announced the following winners last Thursday evening:
• Building/ Sculpture 3D: Winner – Out of Hot Water by Julie Dearden.
• Building/ Sculpture 2D: Winner – Why Do Trees Need to be Green by Middleton Public School.
• Open 3D: Highly Commended – Hare by Christine Somers; Winner – Whooot Made This Nest by Helen Standen & The Dog by John Grady.
• Open 2D: Winner – Warped by Helen Standen.
• Open Functional: Winner – Stamp Printing by Jocelyn Moles.
• Community 2D: Highly Commended – Faces by George Heath; Winner – Quenching Life by Rebecca Parkes.
• Community 3D: Highly Commended – Beauty Above the Cliffs by Sharelle Mac-Rae; Winner – Clip Art by Annette Peterson.
• Community Functional: Winner – Blue Murder by Julie Dearden.
• High School 3D: Winner – A Bugs Life by Parkes High School Support Unit
• High School Functional: Winner – White Polystyrene Cup Chair by Connar Cashman.
• Primary 3D: Winner – Little Critters by The Little Art Company.
• Primary 2D: Highly Commended – Person by Anna Cronin; Winner – Remains of the Bushfire by Riely Sterland.
• Primary Functional: Highly Commended – Bowled Over by The Little Art Company; Winner – Pineapple Lamp by Adam Barnard.
• Yearly Theme polystyrene: Winner – Styrotea Hop by Jacob MacRae.
• Yearly Scrap Metal: Winner – Whoot Made This Nest by Helen Standen.
• Library Team packers Prize: Winner -100% Fat Free by Lauren Badman.

The competition judges, Sally Chapman and Michael Chambers found the task of selecting winners thought-provoking and difficult. “The works were of high quality and very imaginative, addressing the theme very well. It is great to see so many thinking about waste,” commented judges Mr Chambers and Mrs Chapman.

Come along to Parkes Library to see the exhibition for yourself. The exhibition is open until 24 April.

The Parkes Painting Group are presenting their 16th annual art exhibition later this month. Parkes local artist, Helen Huntly, is part of the team that organises the exhibition.

Helen had an avid interest in art as a youth. “I would get in trouble from my Mum, for drawing in all the wrong places,” said Helen. The combination of raising four children, and doing shift work for many years, meant that Helen didn’t really start to paint or draw again until after she retired from nursing.

Helen did complete one year of art at TAFE, after which the course was cancelled. Now, she dabbles with acrylics, water-colours, pastels and even photography. “Wednesday is my selfish day – I don’t think about anything but colour and what I’m going to do with it,” said Helen.

The group meets at 10am every Wednesday at North Parkes Oval. There are approximately 20 people in the group, with numbers fluctuating week to week. All forms of art projects are explored, including painting, drawing, and pottery. Most members are contributing two-three pieces each for the exhibition. Contributing artists include Pol Cruz, Elsie Mahon, as well as Kath Swansbra, national award winner and champion for cake decoration. There will also be works by the exhibition’s guest artist, Susan Carter. Susan is a visual artist from Narromine, who also exhibited in the Australia Day Exhibition earlier this year.

The exhibition is being held in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Shire Library, 25 Bogan St, Parkes. Opening night will be Friday 27th April from 7pm with an entry fee of $10, and an official opening by Councillor Bill Jayet. A raffle will also be held, with proceeds going to Currajong Enterprises. The exhibition will remain open from Saturday 28th April til Thursday 3rd May from 10am-4pm, with an entry fee of $2.

The NSW Business Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards.

Winners of the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards will represent the region at the NSW Business Chamber’s State Business Awards held in November in Sydney.

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across Western NSW.

“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level,” Ms Seccombe said.

Parkes finalists in the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards are:
• Outstanding Young Entrepreneur: Stephanie Hughes, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing
• Outstanding Business Leader: David Thompson, McPhersons Parts & Service
• Excellence in Small Business: La Bella Medispa
• Excellence in Business: K&H Geotechnical Services
• Excellence in Social Enterprise: Parkes Shire Food Service

Local creative groups and artists have until Friday 4 May to apply for a 2018 Parkes Shire Council Cultural Grant. The aim of Council’s cultural grant program is to encourage and support the development of the art and craft community, services and strategies which make a positive contribution to the community and cultural life of the Shire. Applications must request a grant of at least $2,000 with the total funding pool at $10,000.

“Four local organisations received grants in 2017”, said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Shellie Buckle. “Peak Hill Leisure Art and Craft Council Inc for art tutoring, Parkes Action Club to hold the St Elmo Shearing Shed art exhibition, Trundle Film Society for Being on High Ground video production project and Parkes/Forbes Branch Cake Decorators Guild of NSW Inc for a cake decorating and sugar art seminar.”

Funding categories include subsidy for a new project, extension or enhancement of an existing project, purchase of equipment or minor capital works.

Parkes Shire Council’s Cultural Committee Chair, Deputy Mayor Councillor Barbara Newton would like to encourage groups to apply. “The cultural grants enable Council to directly fund innovative projects and ideas. A lovely example is from last year. Cultural grant recipients Parkes Action Club went on to receive the 2017 Cultural Award for a group for their St Elmo Shearing Shed art exhibition” said Councillor Newton.

Cultural Grants application forms are available on Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au, or at any Parkes Shire Library (Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore).

Contact Council’s Grant Officer Kimberley Harris, 6861 2398 for advice and support in completing the application. Successful applications will be announced in June 2018.

Come and support the Anglican Flower Show which is being held at St Georges Hall on the corner of Church and Hill
Streets on Saturday 28th April, between 9am and 4pm. Entry is $10 and includes Morning or Afternoon tea.

If you wish to exhibit your flowers, bring them to the hall on Friday 27th April between 12 noon and 6pm or Saturday 28th April between 8am to 9am.

The proceeds for the day will help to install split system air-conditioning in the hall, as it is used each week for Play Group, Kids Club and A Youth Group and will make it more comfortable for all who use the hall in all seasons. Lorraine Chambers is manning her great plant stall, the ladies are firing up for a great cake stall, and the crafty people have a collection of old and new for you to buy.

Enjoy listening to the Parkes Shire Band play out on the lawn whilst you sit and sip your tea. The flowers will be judged by people’s choice, so come and support a friend, or your favorite flower.

Bring a friend and join us for a lovely day of fine food, flowers and music. For any enquiries, contact Vivian Cunningham on 02 6862 2963 or Norma Garment on 0409 622 888.