Maggi Barnard

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

Mayoral Notes…

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes will welcome around 200 representatives across the eastern states of Australia to take part in the 26th annual Local Government Touch Football Carnival at Cheney Park tomorrow. Seventeen teams have registered for this year’s competition and it’s expected the tournament will inject around $40,000 into the local economy. It’s a fantastic social competition and I encourage locals to get down to Cheney Park and cheer on our local teams from 9am.

This week local contractors have continued work on linking the town’s pedestrian and bicycle network, constructing a path at the new Water Treatment Plant. As part of the construction of the Urban Water Main Augmentation (UWMA), disturbed strips of soil are being transformed into bike paths for the community to enjoy. Residents can learn about the UWMA at the WTP Community Open Day on 24th March.

In an effort to mitigate the occurrence of flash flooding in the Parkes CBD, Council’s infrastructure team have been installing storm water pipes along Victoria Street this week. The work comes after extensive investigations were carried out after the flash flooding incidents in 2016 and 2017.

The work is part of Council’s Stormwater Management Plan to manage urban stormwater according to the principles of best practice, to reduce impacts on waterway health, minimise stormwater flooding and provide an alternate water source.

The Parkes Elvis Festival team held a Community Feedback Evening this week to gain feedback about the 2018 Festival, and ideas about how we can improve for 2019. Residents unable to attend are encouraged to share their suggestions by contacting the team on 6862 6000.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Thrilling Bowls Final On Cards

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Two superb matches were played in the semi-final of the Championship Singles this week. Cherie Frame defeated Robyn Morgan by getting 3 points on the last end to win 25- 21. Maree Grant’s match against Brenda Davies ended with a final score of 25-20.

The final will be played next week with Cherie Frame versus Maree Grant – a game not to be missed. In other games played Chris Cox and Gwenda Carty defeated Isabel Svendsen and Flo Riseborough; Di Howell, Merilyn Rodgers and Frances Charlton defeated Valmai Westcott, Margaret Hawken and Marja Iffland, while Wendy Hendry, Maureen Miller and Minnie Riordan defeated Di Greenhalgh, Rosemary Mitchell and Joan Simpson.

Winners for the day were Chris and Gwenda and runner-ups Di, Rosemary and Joan. Raffle winners were Barbara Collier and Maureen Miller.

The No 4 Pennants teams will be travelling to Cowra next Tuesday to play the first round of pennants, and Thursday we play Parkes Railway Diggers at their club.

By Rosemary Mitchell

17 Teams In Council Clash At Cheney

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The table is set to determine the top council footy team at the 26th Local Government Touch Football Carnival at Cheney Park tomorrow. Parkes Shire Council staff are ready to go head-to-head with their Council counterparts from 16 other local governments from the eastern states.

The annual event, hosted by Parkes Shire Council and sponsored by JR Richards & Sons, has become a staple event on the local government social calendar.

Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager, Kent Boyd said: “This year we will welcome teams from ACT Government, Bega Valley Shire Council, Brisbane and Redland City Councils, City of Canada Bay, and Lake Macquarie just to name a few.”

The purpose of the day is to put stamina, strength and sporting ability to the test as the teams vie for the title of the fittest and most skilful organisation, but the day is also a great social junket.

“The competition for Best Dressed Team is always hotly contested, with Brisbane City Council returning in 2018 to defend their title,” said Kent. Teams will play a round-robin style tournament with two grades in both the men’s
division and mixed divisions. Aside from bragging rights for the year, official prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners-up, as well as the player of the final. For the more social participants, prizes are up for grabs for the best dressed team. This year each of the teams will also be presented with a special gift.

It is expected the tournament will inject around $40,000 into the local economy with 200 players converging on Parkes for the weekend. Set to be a great family-friendly day out, residents and visitors are encouraged to cheer on the teams from the sideline with the carnival kicking off at 9am.

The Rules of Engagement…

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Decorating and styling to the untrained eye may seem a skill that is weaved with mystery and wonder. For those of us in the know the reason we succeed in styling endeavours is because we know and implement key styling rules, or the do’s and don’ts.

Decorating Do’s:
• Have an overall plan and vision of what you would like to achieve.
• Adopt a colour palette that is neutral and can be adapted to different styles over time. Add colour with soft furnishings and accessories.
• Select furniture that is in scale with the room’s dimensions to ensure the final result will be in perfect proportion.
• Define zones in open plan areas with rugs and always use cushions to seamlessly bring a room’s colour palette together. Also combine different textures and fabrics to create interest, and more warmth and atmosphere.
• Style your room with statement pieces that reflect your personality. Large artwork and stunning vases filled with natural elements give texture and a WOW factor to your home. And what not to do when we decorate…
• Don’t be overwhelmed. If you don’t want to tackle a project alone make sure to get help. I enjoy helping clients achieve a result they will love to live in.
• Don’t try to incorporate too many different ideas or styles into one design.
• Don’t settle for second best. Choose pieces of furniture that you love and will stand the test of time.

I hope you feel empowered and filled with knowledge to inspire you into action to turn your home into an amazing work of art or at least a home that you are content to claim as your own.

By Karen Creith

First Two Book Ambassadors

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Library has appointed two young ambassadors. Trialling this new concept with the Parkes Christian School, Anabelle van Wyk and Addison Lewer were selected from eight applicants. They had to write a paragraph on “I would make an excellent ambassador because…”.

Parkes Shire Library Branch Manager Andrea Lovell said the applications were all of a very high standard. For the next six months Anabelle and Addison will wear an official badge and their job will be to raise the profile of the library at their school. They will also receive a newsletter of items they will need to communicate to their fellow students. A fun task will be to help select new books ready for shelving to promote at school, and to help with book selection when the book sellers visit Parkes Shire Library.

“I feel very excited and extremely honoured to represent the library,” said Addison. “I want to encourage more kids to go to library activities during holidays and to get more of them READING,” is Annabelle’s aims.

“When we get this program fine-tuned we hope to roll it out to other primary schools in Parkes “ said Andrea.

Our Bloke – Warwick Tom

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Warwick Tom

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here?
I was born in Parkes and lived here all my life. Parkes has a great community spirit, always willing to volunteer and help others when asked.

Where do you work or what do you do currently and what do you enjoy about it? I retired from farming about two years ago and moved to a unit in town. Since then cultural activities and flying have kept me out of mischief.

What do you do in your spare time and on weekends? Represent Council on the Arts Out West Board and Cultural Committee, help Parkes Aero Club and volunteer as a guide at the Parkes Aviation Museum.

What are you really good at? Being myself.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Attach a recorder to my brain to store all my thoughts for future use.

What is your pet hate? Hoons with loud exhausts racing around our streets.

Tell us about your best holiday. Taking my wife and three young boys on a trip overseas on a campervan touring holiday.

Rodeo Horse Is Jewel In Crown

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

A local cowboy never dreamt a work horse called Jewel N Half that he bought to use on cattle would live up to its name by winning a national rodeo title in his first year of competing.

Tim Childs and his partner Belinda are very proud of their eight-year-old gelding after winning the 2017 Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) Team Roping Heading Horse of the Year title. “We are pretty stoked about it,” said Tim, who owns a property between Parkes and Forbes where he has a horse trainer facility and his own rodeo arena. “We have been training Jewel N Half for the past three years, but this was his first full year of competing.”

According to Tim his horse’s performance “was a pretty good effort” considering he is only still a baby. Tim and Belinda spend a lot of time on the road travelling to rodeos all around the country. “We have won a lot of rodeos, but never a national title.” ABCRA is the only association incorporating camp drafting and rodeo under one umbrella, and holds an annual competition Australia wide.

Tim takes part in the team roping event featuring a steer and two mounted riders, called a header and a heeler. Tim is the header and he is first out of the chute. It is his responsibility to throw a lasso around the steer’s horns and turn the animal back so the heeler can throw his loop around the steer’s hind heels.

Team roping events are only considered complete when both horses are facing the steer with both front feet on the ground and with the ropes dallied and tight.

It was love at first sight since the day Tim bought Jewel N Half. When he went to look at the horse he liked the instant he rode him and loaded the same day. He decided to start Jewel N Half in the arena after a few years of work and experience.

“He runs hard and handles a lot of steers with ease and always gives his all, no matter where we are.” Looks like a long rodeo career awaits Tim with this diamond performer in his ‘crown’.

By Maggi Barnard

Question of the Week?

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

What do you think of the Little Bang Discovery Club at the Parkes Library?

Teegan Rodgers with Poppy (4) and Elkie (2):
Teegan: It is a great start for kids to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Poppy: I enjoyed collecting different things from the environment. I found feathers, seeds, rocks and shells. It was fun!

Carmen Gould with Elliott (3):
Carmen: It is fantastic and a good way to get kids interested in these subjects.
Elliott: I like using the timer to time lots of things, like how long it takes my brothers to do their homework.

Jessica Denmead with Ella (3):
Jessica: It is a good idea and the kids get to do things they would not usually do, like learning about magnets or using a looking glass.
Ella: I like my note book and it was fun collecting things in the park that we brought today.

Snippets…

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Bogan Gate CWA: Eight members were present at the February meeting after the long break over the festive period. President Marion McIntyre welcomed Maria Buchanan. Heather Veal, International Officer presented very interesting facts on Poland, which is CWA’s country of study this year. Events for the year: The Bogan Gate Branch will host the Oxley Group Handicraft/Land Cookery Day on Tuesday, 6th March. The branch will host the annual
Bridge Day between Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin on Sunday, 15th April. Planning is well underway for the Orange Male Voice Choir to be back in Bogan Gate on Sunday, 3rd June at 1.30pm. The next meeting is on Thursday, 15th March at 1.30pm at the hall. Any new visitors are most welcome.

It’s On Again: For over 35 years Healthy Harold and the Life Education Van have been providing an invaluable service to our community through education around healthy living and positive lifestyle choices. A new committee for the Parkes Life Action Group was elected recently with Glen Westcott from Parkes Christian School chairing the committee that includes representatives from the schools, Parkes Quota Club, and sponsors Northparkes Mines and the Parkes Shire Council. To ensure the Life Education Van continues its valuable work, the committee is once again organising its annual fundraiser in the form of the Healthy Harold Swim Relay on Sunday, 18th March at the Parkes Aquatic Centre between 10am and 4pm. All schools, business houses, community and sporting groups, and anyone else wishing to participate are welcome. If you cannot do your laps on the day, you can do them at any time up until 18th March. Entry forms available from the Champion Post, Absolutely Hair (207 Clarinda St) and the Parkes Shire Council Office. For enquiries ring Wendy on 0418 469 294 or email parkesdragon@hotmail.com.

Become a Charger in March: Cancer Council NSW is encouraging everyone to set themselves a walking or running challenge for the month of March. Funds raised from The March Charge will help support Cancer Council’s research for all cancers, provide practical and emotional support and information for anyone affected by cancer, and run prevention programs to reduce cancer in the community. Charge as an individual or join other Chargers and compete as a team. Sign up at www.themarchcharge.com.au

Scholarships for First Years

February 22, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Madeline Swan and Yasmin Potts were presented with the Jack Scoble Educational Scholarships at a special meeting of Council recently. Madeline, a former Red Bend student, will undertake a double degree in a Bachelor of Creative Arts and a Bachelor of Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong. Yasmin, Parkes High School captain, graduate and Dux in 2017, has chosen to study a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) (Honours) at the Australian National University.

At the presentation were (L-R) Cr Bill Jayet, David and Dianne Potts with Yasmin Potts, Cr Ken Keith OAM, Madeline Swan with Mark and Janine Swan and Cr Neil Westcott.

Maggi Barnard

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