Maggi Barnard

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

Just a Short Drive to Dubbo…

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Get Started On A Marvellous Adventure At The Book Connection

If you are a booklover you cannot go to Dubbo and not visit The Book Connection. Conveniently located in the CBD, it has become an iconic bookstore and regarded by customers as the best one in the Central West.

This book paradise carries a large range of used and new books, has specialist departments, a rare book section and a wide range of titles to satisfy the tastes of all bibliophiles As JK Rowling said: “I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.”

The store with loads of magical options is open seven days a week and located at 178 Macquarie Street.

History Comes To Life

The remarkably complete and intact Old Dubbo Gaol is a state heritage listed building that was in operation for 119 years from 1847 to 1966. It is still nestled in the main street of Dubbo that creates a pocket in time, and the experiences within brings history to life.

It is representative of powerful, surprising and dark moments in Australian prison history that includes important collections such as the hangman’s kit and gallows, and unforgettable experiences such as the dark cells and the bird’s-eye view from the watchtower. With guided tours, night tours, and theatrical experiences on offer, the Old Dubbo Gaol is a rare piece of history open to explore.

Another interesting historical fact is that the building was destined to be demolished and replaced with a multi-storey office block, but protests led to the plans being dropped, and it was turned into a unique tourist attraction.

On Saturday, 24th February the Old Dubbo Gaol is letting its guard down to bring you a night of Wine and Nourishment. Enjoy delicious food, live music and drinks unlike anything you’ve ever imagined prison life to be like…

Limited VIP tickets are available for $25 and includes early entry from 5pm and a free cocktail on arrival. General admission tickets are $10 and allow admission from 6pm.

New Look To Celebrate A Decade

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

It’s been 10 years since Greg and Tracy Kearney have been burning the midnight oil at Johnson’s Bakery. They are ready to celebrate this milestone with the community next Friday, 23rd February with a day of festivities. The day includes a pie eating competition, spinning wheel, lucky door prizes, give aways and cake of course, while Petie Pie will also make an appearance. Remember to get your entries in for the pie eating competition before it’s too late.

The bakery is looking spic and span for the big occasion with a brand new look after renovating work done over the past 18 months with the help of Bec Thomson of Saint Flo Design. The work included a coat of new paint, new flooring and lighting.

“A lot of blood, sweat and tears have gone into the past 10 years,” said Tracy, “and we would like to thank our friends, family and staff for helping us along the way, and most of all our valued customers for their support.

Greg are I are over the moon that we have made it this far.”

Question of the Week?

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Do you know your heritage?

Kerry Buerckner: My mother’s parents were from Ireland and she was born in New Zealand. My father’s parents were from England, but I think he was born in Australia. I was born in Parkes.

Bernie Mitchell: My mother was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in England and moved here with her mum when she was four after her father was killed in the 1918 war. My father’s parents were from Sri Lanka. My grandfather was in the merchant navy and came to Australia. I was born in Parkes, one of ten children. My parents had a saddlery here.

Mandie Byrne: On my father’s side the family were protestants from Northern Ireland and they came to Australia four generations ago. My great great grandmother on my mother’s side was German. My great grandfather came here after the war and selected a block on the Murray.

Letter to the Editor…

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,

I recently retired as a volunteer with Meals On Wheels. After more than 20 years I can say: “Oh what a journey!” To have met and known some great characters: those humble and grateful with happy eyes of seeing someone today, and those who always had a historic story of great significance.

There have been many that I had made contact with as a nurse many years ago, and then as part of a wonderful small town community. I am the one who has to say thank you to everyone for the small part of these wonderful people that rubbed off on me and the opportunity to leave something of myself with them.

All these moments have helped to make my life bigger and filled with immeasurable joy and pleasure.

Thank you
Helen Huntley

Is Your ITB Tight?

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Do you sometimes feel a pain in your hip or the outside of your knee after sitting for a while? Maybe when you stand up or when you run? It could be that you have a tight Iliotibial Band (ITB).

The ITB is a thick band of fascia that runs down the outside thigh. It starts at the top of your pelvis, runs over the hip and attaches to the outside of the knee. It also attaches to some of the buttock and hip muscles allowing it to co-ordinate how these muscles work to stabilise the hip and knee. Fluid sacs, called bursae, located at the hip and knee, provide cushioning between the ITB and the bones beneath. If the ITB is tight it can irritate the bursae causing inflammation and pain.

An inflamed bursa at the hip is called a Greater Trochanteric Bursitis and at the knee it is known as ITB Friction syndrome or Runners Knee.

The ITB shortens when sitting for prolonged periods. It can also tighten if the muscle is overworked. This occurs with sudden increases in exercise load or volume or if pelvic control is poor due to weak hip and glute muscles.

Because the ITB is a thick, fibrous band rather than an elastic muscle it requires a longer lighter stretch than most muscles. The use of a foam roller can also be quite helpful in increasing the flexibility in the ITB. A YouTube search of “foam roller + ITB” will yield videos of how this can be done.

For the fitness of you,
Linda Reilly

Major Singles Underway at Parkes Bowling Club

February 15, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

The Major Singles Championship started this week with some great bowling. In games played so far, Cherie Frame defeated Lorraine Baker 25-5; Brenda Davies beat Kim Evans 19-2 (declared); Robyn Morgan vs Gwenda Carty 27-11 and Maree Grant won on a forfeit from Liz Byrne.

The draw for next week is: Cherie Frame v Robyn Morgan – Marker Lorraine Baker; and Brenda Davies v Maree Grant – Marker Kim Evans.

Two games of social triples were played with Jean Kennedy, Wendy Hendry and Joan Simpson defeating Di Howell, Valmai Westcott and Betsy Johnstone.

In the other game Merilyn Rodgers, Chris Cox and Margaret Hawken defeated Maureen Miller, Frances Charlton and Rosemary Mitchell.

Winners for the day were Robyn and Minnie and the raffle winner was Brenda Davies. Next week there will be a trading table pick-a-box, so bring along your prizes please. Next week we will also celebrate Dee Melville’s 90th birthday with cake.

To play social bowls please ring table selectors Rhona Went and Marja Iffland between 8.30am and 9am. Social roster Chris Curteis.

By Rosermary Mitchell

Question of the Week?

February 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but are too scared to do?

Colleen Mitchell: I would like to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but am scared of heights. They say you should overcome your fears, but I don’t know about heights, especially looking down.

Rosemary Prior: I have flown in helicopters, small planes and big planes (after I’ve taken a Valium…), but feel too scared to go in a hot air balloon. I am worried it will go puff and then fall to earth.

Rose Jones: I would love to go on a cruise liner to an island and enjoy all the onboard entertainment and being waited on, but being surrounded by so much water scares me. Probably because I am not a strong swimmer.

Mayoral Notes…

February 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

This week Council launched the Parkes National Logistics Hub Business Attraction campaign, aimed at attracting major logistics, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution companies to establish operations in Parkes. Residents can learn more about the campaign via www.parkeshub.com.au or @ParkesHub on Facebook and Twitter.

Congratulations to Yasmin Potts and Madeline Swan who are the 2018 recipients of the Jack Scoble Scholarship. The scholarship aims to financially assist Parkes Shire high school graduates to commence undergraduate studies.

Council staff are gearing up to go headto- head with our Council counterparts in this year’s Local Government Touch Football Carnival at Cheney Park on Saturday, 24th February. Now in its 26th year, the carnival attracts teams from across the eastern states of Australia. Parkes has joined forces with other Central NSW tourism stakeholders to develop a regional tourism directory. Visitors will be able to search the information hub for key experiences in
their chosen destination and neighbouring destinations thanks to an inbuilt geospatial feature. Local tourism operators are encouraged to get involved by listing their business with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), with Central NSW populating the directory from this national platform.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Day On The Green Huge Success

February 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

True to its caring nature the Parkes community came out in droves to support the inaugural Day On The Green fundraiser for Currajong Disability Services at the Railway Bowling Club last Saturday. Almost 300 people attended the event, brainchild of Lilian Thomson and the Railway Bowling Club, to help Currajong raise much needed funds for a Care Chair.

With over $5,000 raised the objective was achieved much to the delight of all concerned. “Currajong currently has three wheelchair bound clients and only one Care Chair. This means we can now arrange a second one for our clients,” said Currajong CEO Jeff Evans.

“We are extremely grateful and can’t put into words what this means for us and our clients who will directly benefit from the overwhelming generosity of the community. The support is fantastic,” said Jeff. The day featured a who’s who of the local music scene with Birdie and Georgie Sideris, Chris Orr, Jordie Dwyer, Twiggy McGirr and Tommy and Holly Orr providing entertainment. The auction and array of lucky door prizes added to the fun.

For Marketing and Communications Coordinator Dane Millerd, the day couldn’t have gone any better. “I really must thank Lilian and the team at the Railway Bowling Club as well as Sue Maxwell and our own Indigo Kriedemann for their tireless efforts to make this day a reality,” he said.

After the overwhelming success of the day the general consensus among attendees was unanimous: “When is it on again?”

Snippets…

February 8, 2018 By Maggi Barnard

New Members Welcome: The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) is open to school students, community members, old hands or anyone new to music. Dust off your instrument or hire one. The band plays at the Elvis Parade, Anzac March, Abba Festival, Australia Day, musicals, church fetes, ceremonial occasions, Christmas Carols and concerts for the community. Rehearsals are on Tuesday nights during school term from 7pm – 9pm at the PSCB music room above the pool complex in Dalton Street. Enquiries to Musical Director Duncan Clement 0405 035 164 or President Rhonda Redenbach 0459 373 624.

Calling all Mini Scientists: Parkes Library’s new program Little Bang Discovery Club will help little ones discover the world of science. This four-week STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) program will develop ideas and skills that inspire further scientific exploration, discovery and learning in children aged 3 to 5. The child and parent/carer need to attend each of the four sessions with the first session starting on Tuesday, 13th February at 10.30am and the final session on 6th March. Bookings are required in person at Parkes Library before the first session commences. There are places for eight children. Little Bang Discovery will continue throughout the year: 8 – 29 May, 12 June – 3 July, 31 July – 21 August, 23 October – 13 November and 27 November – 18 December.

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 ground-breaking cancer 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

Get Kids Active: Kids across the Parkes Shire are encouraged to make use of a NSW Government initiative to get more students involved in sport. The Active Kids program provides a $100 voucher for registration and participation costs. From 31st January, parents, guardians and carers can apply for the voucher per calendar year for each child enrolled in school. It can be used any time during the calendar year, with a registered activity provider. To apply or to find out more, visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids

Maggi Barnard

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