Maggi Barnard

19.1.33 to 4.3.18
Yvonne was extraordinary. She served the Parkes Community for over 50 years in various roles. She was involved in education serving on various school committees and as a swimming instructor. She worked with the young as a centre supervisor, literacy mentor and Brownies certifier. She helped the sick through her training as a nurse and was involved with the hospital, including the building of the new hospital.

Yvonne also served the community as a councillor for 17 years, and worked tirelessly as President of the Historical Society for 24 years to preserve Parkes’ history and heritage. Last but not least she was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and aunt. Yvonne passed away on Sunday, 4th March at age 85.

The first time they came third, last year they won – how far will they fly this Sunday? Nine senior Design and Technology students of Parkes Christian School will once again be competing at the 2018 Moomba Birdman Rally in Melbourne on Sunday.

The Year 11 and 12 students have lofty standards to live up to after winning the Flying Class section last year. “We managed to fly 11 metres, which was enough to take out the trophy for longest flight of the day,” said Design and Technology teacher Jason Wynstra. “It was such a buzz to come away with the win and the students are really excited to try and defend their title this year.”

First intended as a fun way for Design and Technology students to engage with their classwork in a practical way, the students now take the competition very seriously. “A major component of the Design and Technology syllabus is problem solving, so I thought this competition would be a great opportunity to explore that,” said Jason.

The problem they need to solve is how to construct a glider light enough to fly into the river off a small platform, but sturdy enough to safely support a pilot. “Watching the students come up with creative ways of solving this problem is just so satisfying as a teacher,” said Jason. “They use STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills to help them create a top-quality aircraft.”

While making the 10-hour trip from Parkes to Melbourne may seem like a lot, the school is more than happy to take part and provide a unique experience for its students. “We’re the only school in NSW taking part in the rally,” said high school coordinator Greg Ballantyne. “We are committed to providing real-world experiences for our students rather than just burying them in textbooks and theory. It’s a far better way for students to learn and they share an experience they will never forget.”

According to Greg there might be more exciting projects on the way for the school. “We have a project that Google is very interested in, and another that I have to keep under wraps for now,” he said. “But when that one hopefully takes place later this year, it will be out of this world!”

As the event is a charity fundraiser too, the PCS team is supporting Currajong Disability Services this year. If you would like to sponsor them, go to https://birdmanrally.gofundraise.com.au/page/JasonWynstra

A group of dedicated volunteers met at Lion’s Park on Sunday morning to pick up rubbish for Clean Up Australia Day. Clean Up Australia Day was established in 1990 to improve the health of the environment, with a side benefit of beautifying the community by keeping the streets clean.

The volunteers, in groups of two or more, headed out to a variety of sites around Parkes, including Memorial Hill and Bushman’s Hill, Forbes Road, Orange Road and PAC Park. After braving the heat for three to four hours, the volunteers returned, having collected over 30 large bags of rubbish.

The main types of rubbish collected were glass and plastic bottles; confectionery wrappers; chip packets; take-away containers, both cardboard and polystyrene; straws; and cigarette butts (in some areas). Some of the rarer types of rubbish included a mattress, a blown-out truck tyre, and a blood-stained butcher knife. A large quantity of paper and polystyrene was found at the Industrial Estate.

Two volunteers tackled PAC Park and collected five bags of rubbish, mostly bottles, that had been deposited in the PAC Park waterway, just before it enters Goobang Creek, and there are still more bottles there to be picked up. Many of the bottles had lodged in the waterway after the flooding of September 2016, however other rubbish that has been left in the park and surrounds also ends up making its way to this waterway.

Perhaps, with the arrival of the new Return and Earn vending machine in town, there will be many less bottles in next year’s collection.

By Lisa Ramsay

About 100 people supported the PopUp Op Shop at the Parkes Christian School last Saturday. There was a great sense of community and laughter as women shopped and shared afternoon tea. In addition, more than $2,000 was raised to support mothers and babies in desperate need through Compassion Australia.

Organiser Katrina Harris thanked all the people who contributed to make the afternoon a success by donating or helping to set up and pack up. “We had more clothes than I imagined and were able to support the work of Georgie’s Boutique in town by donating what was left to them. While it was hard work, it was great fun and maybe we’ll do it again!”

Donations are still welcome for Compassion Australia at Parkes Christian School, or via email to Katrina Harris at k.harris@parkescs.nsw.edu.au

Fatigue is one of the biggest killers on NSW roads. Last year it contributed to 72 fatal crashes in the state. The ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ Scheme targets all drivers of cars, caravans and heavy vehicles to take a break. The scheme was launched last week for its latest season running from the start of March to the end of May.

The scheme offers drivers, who have travelled more than 100 kilometres from the address on their drivers licence, a free cup of tea or coffee from the 94 participating businesses in western and south western NSW. Over 6,000 free cuppas have been given away since its inception in 2010.

Drivers can use the Free Cuppa website www.freecuppa.com.au to find participating businesses near them. Eligible drivers can also enter the draw to win a prize and fuel vouchers to the value of $600. Don’t be shy – just ask for your free cuppa!