Maggi Barnard

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

Out Of This World Petition To Save The Planet

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

When you are 11 the world can be an infinite and even daunting place. Not for a young boy from Forbes who dreams of travelling into space one day, while at the moment he has his feet firmly planted in the soil of Mother Earth.

Year 5 Forbes North Public School student Angus Webb’s long-term quest is to go to Mars one day, but for the time being he has embarked on another inspiring mission: he is reaching out to explorer, inventor, engineer and businessman Elon Musk with a petition to get him to the Central West and help put carbon in soil.

Angus is very concerned about global warming and climate change. “It is real and affects everyone on our planet. My dad is part of a soil carbon research institute, Soil C Quest, where they are trying to find a way to remove carbon from the atmosphere. They are researching ways soil can ‘soak up’ excess carbon. I reckon Elon Musk is an amazing man, and I reckon he would want to help, don’t you?”

For Angus it would be a double whammy if he could get the co-founder of Tesla and SpaceX to Forbes: meeting his idol, who also wants to go to Mars, and getting Elon to support his dad, Guy Webb’s research in order to double carbon levels in the soil by 2031.

Angus is asking everyone’s help by signing his petition at https://www.change.org/p/angus-s-amazing-climate-challenge-for-elon-musk

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

CONGRATULATIONS… We have a winner. Kim from Mitre 10 is the owner of a brand new television after winning The Parkes Phoenix Footy Tipping competition.

Life saving apparatus: Parkes Shire Council has invested in five Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines to increase the chance of survival of a staff member or member of the public who suffers a sudden cardiac arrest. The units are installed at Council’s Administrative Building, Works Depot, Library and the new Water and Sewage Treatment Plants. Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor, Cr Barbara Newton said: “Council’s First Aid staff have been trained to use the devices.”

Go bold: The regional biennial Rural Arts & Culture Symposium will be held in Forbes tomorrow. This year’s symposium has a specific focus on ‘being bold’ – people, ideas and approaches that step outside the traditional or take big leaps in regional arts making. The symposium is co-hosted by regional arts development organisation Arts OutWest as the final event of the Kalari Lachlan River Arts Festival. A free event open to the whole community from 10:15am to 1pm at Forbes Services Club.Special guest speaker is Alex Wisser, director of the Cementa contemporary arts festival in Kandos. Bookings essential via www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rural-arts-and-culture-symposium-tickets-37376292497, call 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Spring Photo Competition: The Parkes Phoenix has teamed up Chemical Creations Photography to launch a spring photo competition. We would love to see the great photos our readers can come up with. A wonderful prize is up for grabs – a family photography session including 20 high resolution images with Chemical Creations Photography!
The competition will run for the rest of September and October, with entries to be submitted to The Parkes Phoenix by Tuesday, 31st October. Entries can be sent to sales@parkesphoenix.com.au or via our Facebook page.

#Montefamousreview: Anna O – Reckoning: Reckoning, Anna O’s latest release, is a brilliant blend of electronic, pop and RnB. Each track is filled with emotive audio imaging that is brought to life magnificently by Anna O’s powerful voice. The music has a deep pulsating beat and ingeniously crafted melodies that complements the lyrics being delivered so purely. While some of the tracks have a darker pop feel about them, Anna O still delivers a positive message. Reckoning is an EP that you can put on any time day or night and feel good about what you’re hearing, it’s the perfect EP to relax to. Let Anna O’s superb vocals tell you a musical story.

Question Of The Week

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What was your favourite activity at the Fun Palace at the Parkes Library?

Alex Rawsthorne: I enjoyed the Fizzics Education science show and my favourite part was the fire explosions.

Charlotte Gould: I enjoyed the stop motion activity as it is fun and allows you to be creative. My story is about two people dancing.

Liliani Latu: I enjoyed the scavenger hunt. It was a bit hard but I managed to find all the objects. I also enjoyed the stop motion activity.

Open Gardens Await

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

If you want to celebrate spring and all its natural wonders, the 2017 Open Gardens event hosted by Quota International in Parkes is the perfect way to appreciate and indulge this amazing season.

On Sunday, 8th October from 10am to 4pm you will be able to experience six lovely gardens for just $15. You can also enjoy a delicious morning tea from 10 to 11:30am for $5 and/or lunch from 12 noon for $15 in a beautiful country garden.

Entry to the gardens will be via a wristband, which is available at Greenparkes Garden Centre, the Parkes Visitors Information Centre or at the morning tea venue.

On the day local art, pottery and garden art will be on display and for sale, as well as several pop-up shops. Some of the items include Ploughman’s Olives, Metal Madness, Ann Olsen hats and bags, Sharon Preisig jewellery and Quota pre-loved clothing.

Battle Of The Buskers

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A war of sound burbled down the Peak Hill main street last Saturday when buskers battled it out at the regional finals of the Australian National Busking Championship.

The event saw a wide array of talented street performers strumming and singing their hearts out, each in the hope of earning busker dollars and tips from onlookers. Buskers were also competing for their share of the $4,000 in cash prizes and a place at the national championships in November.

Roaming judges assessed performances throughout the day and invited the best buskers to the day’s final concert.

Buskers from Peak Hill and Parkes were not in short supply with some of them doing very well. Local Peak Hill band Almost A Dozen won the best band category and came third in the people’s choice category.

Twelve-year-old Hanna Dunn from the Christian School won the primary age section, with another Christian school student Annabel van Wyk in second place. Hanna teamed up with Loic Monfret from Parkes and they won second prize in the open group section.

Other winners were Josh Maynard from Cowra in the open age category and Shelby Grace from the Wollongong area in the secondary age category.

Busking event coordinator Patrick Norris said: “The Australian National Busking Championship association is happy for Peak Hill to host the event again next year. It was a great success. It will only grow from here.”

The event was an initiative of the Peak Hill Business and Tourism association with the support of the Parkes Shire Council and Peak Hill Council Consultative Committee. The Peak Hill Men’s Shed served as volunteers on the day.

By Gizell van Wyk

Motorcycle Rally This Weekend

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The 41st annual motorcycle rally of the Parkes Antique Motor Club takes place from tomorrow until Monday.

After registration on Saturday from 9am there will be a ride at 1:30pm to the Parkes Radio Telescope, and an informal gathering at the Railway Hotel at 6:30pm.

Sunday at 9:30am sees the 150km short run and 250km long run – both on sealed roads with morning tea at Bogan Gate, and lunch and judging at Trundle. The presentation dinner is at 6:30pm at the Parkes Leagues Club.

On Monday the rally ends with a farewell sausage sizzle at the Motor Museum at 7:30am.

The rally is open to heritage and modern machines, and will use the Parkes Motor Museum at the Henry Parkes Centre as its headquarters.

Our Gal

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Melodie Moya

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? I came to Parkes eight months ago. Living here has been life changing as I come from Paris. I enjoy meeting locals and having a chat in the street or a shop – something you never do in a big city.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I work as site foreman at the Parkes Solar Farm. I’m in charge of the civil and mechanical part of the project, and safety. I enjoy working with people from diverse fields sharing our knowledge and culture.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I enjoy going to the pub with work mates. I attended the Show last month and was pretty impressed. It is a nice balance between traditional and modern show activities.

What are you really good at? I’m impressed how quickly I’ve picked up Australian slang. I’m also really good at Latin dancing and socialising.

If you could have a super power what would it be? To be able to fly to get everywhere in the world to learn about different cultures and visit all types of landscapes and architecture.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Travelling is part of my life. I love France for its culinary arts and architecture; Spain for its flamenco music; Colombia’s fauna and flora; Mexico’s pyramids and Colorado and the spectacular Grand Canyon. But I reckon the best is still to come travelling around Australia when I finish on this project.

Thrilling Finals For Netball Season

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

After 13 weeks of competition, exciting games were played at the grand finals of Division 1 and 2 of the junior competition. Division 1 saw the Diamonds play the Emeralds with a final score of 31 – 24 to the Emeralds. Player of the grand final went to Grace Dickson.

Division 2 saw Stars and the 11s Development team with the 11s Development eventual winners with a fulltime score of 28-24. The player of the grand final was Caitlyn McGinnes.

Most Consistent in Division 1 was Kendra Dunn, for Division 2 it was Heidi-Lee Pearce. The Kelly Swetland Memorial Award was presented to Paris Neville.

Paris volunteered her time helping wherever she could with umpiring, coaching, or playing if needed.

The Rae Medlyn award, presented to a volunteer for the Tuesday night competition, went to Wally Norman who is an indispensable member of the Parkes Netball community. His commitment to ensuring the continued development of the Parkes Netball competition as a whole is invaluable.

Swimming Season

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Registrations for the Parkes Swimming Club is open tomorrow at the Parkes Swimming Pool from 10am to 12pm.

The fee is $108 per person, and includes free daily coaching from fully qualified swimming teachers and insurance.

You can register if you are able to swim 25m in freestyle. Coaches will be available if you are unsure of your child’s ability.

President of Parkes Swimming Club TeAnau Dolbel said: “Swimming is a great way to stay in shape, keep fit and healthy. The benefits of swimming can carry throughout life.”

Health & Fitness For Veterans

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A health and fitness program for Service, Ex-Service personnel and their families will start on Wednesday, 11th October at the Parkes Police & Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) at 11am.

The Parkes RSL Sub Branch will be running the program with the assistance of Clubs NSW and the Parkes Services Club. The program will be professionally supported by local physiotherapist Sharon Dixon.

It is anticipated the program will improve both veteran mental and physical health as well as fitness and social connection. It is intended to improve the control of underlying medical conditions including diabetes and osteoarthritis.

Secretary of the Parkes RSL Sub Branch Paul Thomas said this opportunity to assist veterans was made possible with generous support of $7,500 of funding from the Parkes Services & Citizens Club through the Club Grants Scheme.

These funds will enable the Sub Branch to support the program and allow members to participate free of charge and receive membership for the Fitness 4All Gymnasium and PCYC.

For further information contact Paul Thomas by email parkesrslsb@outlook.com or on 0427 624 683.

Maggi Barnard

Subscribe