The Parkes Tennis Club celebrated the official opening of its new outdoor recreation area last week. Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM had the honour of cutting the ribbon of this huge project for the tennis community.
The finished product is a great user-friendly area. President of the club, Helen Magill thanked Parkes Shire Council, Parkes Services Club, CMOC-Northparkes Mines and The Federal Government for their support in realising this bucket list item for the club.
Once the haze of all that Christmas and New Year wining and dining has cleared I thought that a project or two requiring a little bit of energy might just be useful in burning off those extra slices of glazed ham that we all enjoyed. These four easy ideas will make the start of 2018 be filled with promise and excitement ready for a fantastic year ahead.
1. Declutter
I feel nothing else makes a more dramatic impact to the overall presentation and atmosphere of a home than a
dedicated effort and successful attack on de-cluttering all the surfaces in one’s home. Always remember that one amazing piece that is large will give you a real WOW factor and make your home feel much more styled and contemporary.
2. Rearrange
Take the time to really focus on the layout of your home and where key furniture items are positioned. Are they stopping a natural flow to the way you as a family move around the room? Could the removal of excess furniture make the space work better? Consider rearranging the furniture within your open living areas to make different zones with the space and give more definition to these separate areas.
3. Finish those odd jobs
A dedicated effort to complete previous jobs that were started but perhaps not bought to fruition at the first attempt will clean up your home dramatically. Having a home that is neat and tidy and maintained regularly will be a breeze bought to fruition at the first attempt will clean up your home dramatically. But if a job is undertaken and
completed before the next DIY project is dreamed up and designed you will always feel on top of all the challenges
you take on.
4. Make some artwork
A sensational artwork designed by you and your family can give your home a real individual flair and really showcase
the personalities of the people who are lucky enough to live within your home. Think big and commission large canvases that may be either very simple and feature a block colour or go wild with patterns and abstract shapes to release the artist within.
By Karen Creith
Determined to do their bit to reduce drink driving in Parkes, pubs, clubs and bottle shops have joined forces to promote the Plan B campaign.
Plan B is a statewide initiative encouraging punters to think about an alternative to driving home after a night out. Drink driving is one of the biggest causes of death and injury on NSW roads. Country people are at particular risk given the lack of public transport or other options for getting home.
In the Western Region over the last five years, 2012 to 2016, there were 362 casualty crashes where alcohol was a contributing factor. This resulted in 34 people being killed, 209 seriously injured and 222 with moderate or minor injuries.
During December, patrons at participating pubs, clubs and bottle shops will be invited to enter a competition to nominate a Plan B for getting home.
“Catch a cab, walk home or throw a swag out on a mate’s floor – We don’t mind what your Plan B is, so long as it’s not driving home” said A Liquor Accord Spokesperson. “Every entry puts patrons in the running to win a Swag valued at over $250”.
The promotion coincides with an increase in Police RBTs across the state making it even more likely that anyone drink driving will get caught. Local punters are being asked to not ignore the message to leave their car at home.
In NSW, drink-driving is a criminal offence, which can result in hefty fines, licence disqualification and/or custodial sentences.
Parkes Christian School Year 12 students have received their HSC results, with the school branding their efforts as a success. In just their third year of delivering the HSC, the 2017 cohort has produced some of the best results seen at the school so far. Greg Ballantyne, High School Head of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum, was very pleased with the performance of the students. “The students can all be very proud of their efforts,” Greg said.
“The HSC is a massive undertaking and competing against every student in the state can be very tough. But some of our students have really stepped up this year. While some of the results are great, it is the overall achievements of our students that we are most proud of,” said Greg.
Mr Ballantyne said “Every student who wants to study a University Course next year has already gained early entry. This maintains our 100% record of students gaining early entry.” “Our school is very focused on developing the overall skills and abilities of each student, and this really shows when students apply for early entry, traineeships, apprenticeships and jobs.
In terms of results, School Dux, Rachel Thorncroft, performed extremely well in all her subjects with the highlight being her Music result in which she achieved a Band 5. She also ranked highly in Advanced English and Business Studies.
Emma Greenland and Elly Collins are both accelerated students who completed Advanced English as Year 11 students. Both performed exceptionally well in this verytough course, finishing among the top third of the state, while Emma had a similar result in Extension 1 English.
“We are really proud of our students who achieved Band 5s and Emma for receiving an E3 in Extension English,” Greg said. “But our focus is on much more than the marks. As a small school we can work really closely with all our students on achieving their goals, no matter how big or small,” said Greg.
By Greg Ballantyne
What do you think Santa is going to bring for you this Christmas?
Rhiylee Gavin-Lewis (4), Oliver Hughes (3) and Gemma Orr (3):
Rhiylee: I wish for a Barbie doll and a toy horse.
Oliver: I want some Lego.
Gemma: A unicorn and a horse.
Benjamin Anderson (4): I want some roller skates and a Monster High doll.
Lucy Squires (4): I would like to get a trampoline.
Congratulations to Parkes News and Gifts on winning this year’s Sparkles Best Dressed Shop Window for their dazzling display. For their efforts, they will receive a $500 marketing package to promote their business as part of next year’s Shop Parkes Christmas campaign. Thank you to all the local businesses who contributed to the festive spirit by decorating their windows.
Our local lifeguards are reminding locals to keep watch this summer, as kids flock to the pool, dams and the beach to keep cool. It is fantastic to see so many local children enrolled in the Learn to Swim program, with 436 students completing session one and 134 enrolled to take part in the intensive lessons to be held in January. This is only the second year Council has run the program, proving to be popular among our community. Swimming is a fundamental skill for a child’s safety and I encourage all families to take up this opportunity. Enrolments for Session 2 close on 25 January 2018.
Parkes Aquatic Centre have gone on break, but will return in 2018 on Tuesday 2 January.
I would like to thank the Parkes Shire community for their support throughout 2017. This year has been an exciting year for Council, having delivered a new Water Treatment Plant, Sewage Treatment Plant and Advanced Recycled Water Facility, skate park extension, upgrades of the Parkes Waste Facility, Peak Hill Open Cut experience, and footpath and road infrastructure renewal projects – just to name a few. With the announcement of $8.4 billion funding for the Inland Rail, I look forward to what 2018 will bring for our region.
Finally, for those travelling over the Christmas/New Year period, please do so safely.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.
Have a safe and festive weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire
Parkes True Blue Line Dancers: Are now in holiday mode after another great year of boot scooting, vines, weaves, pivots and strutting their way through numerous dances that have been taught through the last 11 months. Our friendly group ranges from young to oldish, able and disabled, but all there for the love of a good toe tapping tune. The group are looking forward to the new year, when they start again every Monday morning from 5th February 2018. Everyone is welcome to come along, join in and enjoy the dances, music, exercise and company. A big thankyou to the Parkes Services Club for the use of the great dancefloor upstairs. Two left footed people are also welcome.
Double Demerit Points: Will be in force for 11 days over the Christmas and New Year period from Friday 22 December 2017 to Monday 1 January 2018 (inclusive) for all speeding, seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and mobile phone offences.
And the Winner Of the Best Dressed Shop Window Is: Parkes News and Gifts! Congratulations to Greg, Christine and the team for putting together such a dazzling Christmas window display! Parkes News and Gifts will receive a $500 marketing package to promote their business as part of next year’s Christmas Campaign coordinated by Council and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce.
Inland Rail Update: The Parkes to Narromine section of the $8.4 billion inland rail project will be the first to receive Australian produced steel rail, the Nationals’ Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has announced. “Liberty OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks will soon start rolling out approximately 14,000 tonnes of steel required for the Parkes to Narromine section of this nation-building project,” Mr McCormack said. “There will be many opportunities for local businesses and job seekers in the Riverina and Central West as progress continues, with inland rail supporting thousands of jobs at the peak of construction.”
Jonty Ralph: Has been a regular at Currajong Disability Services for nearly 9 years. In that time, Jonty has worked as a Carer as well as Programs Team Leader. He has also spent time in Parkes and Condobolin and if you ask any client, he is arguably one of the most well-liked and respected employers at CDS. December 18 was his last day at Currajong as he pursues a new career in the mining industry. “If I don’t get around to saying bye to everyone I will take the opportunity now to say thank you to all and sundry for their support, effort and assistance which has allowed me to be a better person and carer,” said Jonty.
Dear Maggi,
I was delighted to win the “Get it Sorted” competition in the Phoenix. The $100 gift card is very welcome at this time of year!
Thank you for running the competition. Hopefully it will raise people’s awareness about recycling.
We do enjoy your informative paper each week.
Wishing you a happy and safe Christmas.
Yours sincerely,
Nancy Kingham
Taking a break from hockey proved to be a good strategy for a young Parkes player who was selected to play for Australia last weekend.
Sixteen-year-old India Draper played for the NSW U16 team at the Pacific School Games in Adelaide in the grand final against Queensland. The strong NSW side unfortunately did not walk away with gold as Queensland won the title with extra strokes after a 1-1 draw.
This disappointment did not last very long as India was selected for the Australian U16 side with six of her NSW team mates straight after the final. “I did not expect it, as I have just got back into hockey again playing my first carnival for a long time.”
The Australian team is touring to South Africa next year in June for an international hockey test match series. “I am very scared of going on planes, but I’ve never been overseas and feel very excited about the trip,” said India.
Her mum Amanda, who is one of the 19 Parkes torch bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay, will be joining the supporters tour to South Africa. She said India had trained very hard under the excellent coaching and support of Glen Johnston and Aaron Hubbard.
“They have always believed in her.” India, who went to the same primary school as Mariah Williams at Middleton,
looks up at her for inspiration. “I always watch her games on TV.”
Going into Year 12 at Red Bend Catholic College next year, India plans to take it slowly with hockey. “After the South Africa tour, I want to come back and rep for Parkes, and try out for state teams.” Her biggest concern is that it is too long to wait for the hockey season to start again in April next year. “I can’t wait, I just love playing hockey!”
By Maggi Barnard
Council is delighted to have been successful in its application for $1.2 million in funding to facilitate the completion of the Bogan Way (MR350) and Middle Trundle Road projects. The Bogan Way will receive $710,000 to widen 6.2 kilometres, 2 kilometres of shoulder upgrades and replacing and strengthening drainage structure for road train access. The Middle Trundle Road will receive $500,000 for widening and sealing works along the final 6 kilometre section.
This week Council staff reached a major project milestone, placing the 14 bearing beams on the piers and abutments of the Kadina Bridge. Each beam is 12m long and weighs approximately 6.3 tonnes each. Today is the last opportunity for residents to join the conversation about the planned projects for Peak Hill. Residents can view the proposals and take the survey online, via the Public Notice section on Council’s website until 5pm today www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
The much anticipated Sparkles Markets and Movie Night will take place tomorrow. I encourage all residents and visitors to join the festive celebrations from 5pm in Cooke Park, with Santa Claus 2 playing on the big screen once the sun goes down. The Sparkles Illuminations will be on every night until Christmas.
Have a safe and festive weekend,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire