Maggi Barnard

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

Dragon Boat Regatta In November

September 28, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Western region of NSW will be organising and running their own annual Dragon Boat Regatta. This year it will take place on 5th November on Lake Canobolas.

While the regatta has been a fixture for several years, this is the first time the eight local clubs have worked collaboratively to organise the regatta with plans to move the location from year to year.

Dragon Boat teams are expected to travel from across the state and the ACT, while it gives those who are new to the sport the chance to take part by being involved in a community or school teams.

“Many paddlers first get hooked through involvement with a community or school team,” said President of the Forbes Club Bill Thomas. “I’d like to invite Parkes and Forbes workplaces and community groups to think about joining us.”

Deb Abela was appointed as the regatta coordinator for the Lachlan Dragon paddlers of Parkes and Forbes. “I’m hoping for as many regattas as we can fit into our calendar,” said Deb. “So let the fun begin!”

For further information call Bill and Beth 0418 253 045 or visit westernregionregatta.wordpress.com

Sheer Support For Unique Show

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Hundreds of art lovers flocked to a unique exhibition in a 137-year-old shearing shed outside Parkes last weekend. Approximately 200 people attended the sell-out gala opening of the St Elmo art exhibition on Saturday night, while another 200 visited the next day.

The opening night was an amazing evening of good food and entertainment reminiscent of community events at St Elmo in the past. John Den’s fire buckets enhanced the outdoor atmosphere, The Dish provided exemplary fine food complemented by award winning Twisted River and Cammeray Wines with Sydney’s String Family providing entertainment throughout the evening.

Town Crier Ken Keith called the guests to order for Deputy Mayor, Barbara Newton to open the exhibition. She congratulated the organisers, Action Club, and artists in promoting art and a community spirit. Action Club President, Gary Somers thanked Parkes Shire Council for its support, sponsors Langlands Hanlon and Ostini Wool and artist Pol Cruz for donating a ceramic bird bath for the raffle.

The next day was a perfect spring day when more people visited the historic St Elmo Shed to view the art work and enjoy a Devonshire tea provided by Parkes Quota club members. Art works sales were in excess of $13,000. Any profits from the night will be used by the Action Club to support youth in the local community.

By Stafford Orange

Question of the Week?

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

What do you think of the new public art installation in Peak Hill?

Skye Leigh: It is beautiful. It will mean a lot for our town.

Carol Smith: It is absolutely beautiful and looks fantastic! It will hopefully teach the younger generation more about star constellations, and it will be good for tourism.

Brendan Read: It’s great and so good to see a local artist on display. It is fantastic recognition for Sauce who has been drawing since age 5 but very humble about his achievements. I’ve already seen people pull up to have a look, so it’s good for attracting visitors too.

Gaze At Night Sky Art In Peak Hill

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Peak Hill is the latest stop in the public art trail of the Parkes Shire with a series of artworks by a local resident unveiled at the new Community Wall this week. The six panels featuring constellations of Wiradjuri stories in the night sky by Scott “Sauce” Towney include beautiful drawings of The Mighty Yarran Tree, The Eagle’s Nest, Cockatoos, The Seven Sisters, The Celestial Emu and The Great Creator.

“I am very humbled to be acknowledged by the people I grew up with. It is the pinnacle of my career,” said Sauce, who has been a finalist in the NSW Premier’s Indigenous Art Awards and has completed many commissions. He mentioned that his depiction of the Celestial Emu would be featured on a commemorative $5 coin next year.

Sauce specialises in drawing and pyrography and experiments with a variety of materials for his contemporary style of indigenous art. Chair of the Parkes Shire Cultural Advisory Committee, Councillor Barbara Newton said: “The development of public art in Peak Hill expands and complements the public art trail created in Parkes last year and is a great way of people meeting and greeting, while engaging the interest of visitors and adding to the colour and feel of the main street”.

The public art space, a concept designed by Parkes artist Jac Clark, will be expanded to each village in the shire to enhance the public art trail and the vibrancy of each community.

By Maggi Barnard

Our Bloke – Jeff Page

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Jeff Page

How long have you lived in Parkes and why do you like living here? All my life – 71 years! In the early days there was
not much choice, you got the first job you applied for, which I got at 16. I’ve always enjoyed the friendly, sporty atmosphere of Parkes. It’s a great place for kids to grow up in.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I am self-employed and have been working at Jeff Page Automotive Services for the past 35 years. I’ve been a motor mechanic all my life and have seen a lot of changes from a basic vehicle that was very easy to fix to the modern computer-operated engine posing many challenges to find out what is wrong.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? I played hockey up into my 60s and was very involved with coaching for 40 years. I still play squash and love the game and meeting lots of people.

What are you really good at? I would say being a motor mechanic.

If you could have a super power what would it be? I would love to have a power to ensure the country is being run smoothly with no problems as Australia is such a wonderful place to live. It would be great if everyone could have a job.

What is your pet hate? Nothing really – I am just an easy-going person.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. All my holidays are good. I love going to the Sunshine Coast in winter time.

Snippets…

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

NPM Scholarships: The CMOC-Northparkes Mines Indigenous Scholarships are open for 2018. The program supports indigenous students interested in a mining career and non-technical degrees. The scholarship is open to students aged 30 or under who have obtained entry into a university degree. The technical scholarship holders receive $10,000 per year, and the non-technical scholarship holders receive $5,000 per year. NPM also offers support for work placements onsite and throughout Australia. Applications close Wednesday, 31st January 2018. For more information visit www.northparkes.com or contact Northparkes Talent and Development Coordinator via email at npm.recruitment@northparkes.com

National Police Remembrance Day: Lachlan Local Area Commander, Superintendent Chris Taylor is inviting the community to join police in paying tribute on National Police Remembrance Day at 10am on Friday, 29th September at Holy Family Catholic Church in Parkes. National Police Remembrance Day, one of the most important events on the NSW Police Force calendar, is a day to remember the officers who have given their lives in the course of their duties. It is also a time to remember both sworn and unsworn members of the NSW Police Force who lost their lives through illness, accident or other circumstances in the previous 12 months.

Peak Hill Art: The 10th Annual Peak Hill Landscape Art Awards will be held at the Peak Hill Art Gallery on Wednesday, 27th September from 6:30pm. Artists from Parkes, Forbes, Orange and Dubbo are expected to exhibit, as well as Peak Hill artists. The sections are: Open for traditional landscape and contemporary landscape with
$200 prizemoney awarded to each; Junior for 12-18 years (traditional and contemporary) with $200 awarded to each; Under 12s with 1st , 2nd and 3rd prizes awarded. Phone 6869 1542 or 0424 228 994 for information and obtain entry forms. Entries still welcome.

Spring Photo Competition: The Parkes Phoenix has teamed up with 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, 31 October. Entries can be sent to sales@parkesphoenix.com.au or via our Facebook page.

Teenage Cricketers And Low Back Pain

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

With a household of teenage boys, it always amuses me to see that as soon as the footy grand finals are over the cricket gear miraculously appears and watching cricket on TV for the next five months. As cricket can become a bit of an obsession for some, now is an appropriate time to highlight an injury often seen in young cricket players (under 25 years) and particularly in fast bowlers: spondylolysis.

A spondylolysis is a stress fracture in an area of the vertebrae called the pars interarticularis (pars). Pars stress fractures are thought to be caused by repetitive hyperextension and rotation loading of the spine that can occur in the bowling action. The most common site is at the level of the L5 vertebrae. Pain is usually felt on one side, occurs gradually and is aggravated by rotation and extension of the lumbar spine. In the initial phase pain will settle with rest.

Stress fractures tend to occur on the nonbowling arm side of the lower back and are typically due to errors in technique (such as a mixed bowling action, too much counter rotation or high ball release height), and/or excessive bowling work load.

If your young cricket player does complain of low back pain it is important to get a correct diagnosis. Cricket players who have had a pars stress fracture can still make a full return to sport. Initial treatment would involve rest from bowling and a rehabilitation programme focused on strengthening the deep abdominal, trunk and gluteal muscles.

Bowling action may need to be modified once training is resumed.

For the fitness of you,
Linda Reilly

Parkes Netball Seals The Deal

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Council have partnered with the Parkes and District Netball Association to deliver world class netball courts for McGlynn Park. Eight sealed netball courts will be resurfaced and remarked to bring them up to the recommended netball standards.

Parkes Shire Council Director Works and Services, Ben Howard, said: “With Parkes beginning to emerge as a premier sporting hub, these upgrades are necessary to deliver optimal playing surfaces and improved safety outcomes for the current user groups, and enable larger netball competitions to be hosted in town.”

Specialist surfacing company, Court Craft will repair the existing cracks and apply three coats of a non-slip, colour treatment over the existing asphalt to produce a shock absorbent, all-weather playing surface. Council contributed $64,490 towards the project under the Parkes Town Improvement Vote, with $4,100 delivered under the Northparkes Sports Grants Program, and the remaining $30,900 funded by Parkes and District Netball Association.
Parkes and District Netball Association has 300 registered players. The courts are used for the Senior Women’s and Mixed Tuesday Night Competition, Saturday Morning Junior Competition, as well as regular weekly training by both local competition and representative players.

Betland Makes It A Family Affair

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Forbes golfer John Betland followed in his brother’s footstep and kept the SCT Logistics Parkes Open Golf Tournament crown in the family on Sunday. He survived a three-hole playoff against long-time adversary Robert Payne from Duntry League in the strongest field ever in the tournament’s 43 year history.

After 27 holes of intense golf, Betland and Payne finished on one over par 107 and were forced into a three-hole playoff dominated by Betland. On the first hole both players missed the green and after playing deft chips Betland
calmly sunk his 2.5m putt, while Payne missed from 2m.

On the second hole Betland hit a massive 285m drive, while Payne’s drive missed the fairway to the right. Betland played his third shot to about 5.5m and calmly sank the putt for a birdie 4, while Payne putted for a bogey 6. On the third and final required a miracle and hit a magnificent approach shot finishing some 3.5m from the pin, however Betland wasn’t to be outdone as his approach found the green some 4.5m from the pin.

His birdie putt finished just 30cm from pin and he calmly sank the putt to secure his second SCT Parkes Open Tournament victory after winning in 2011. Betland and Payne said the Parkes Open was one of the premier country tournaments if not the best.

The Parkes Open proved to be one of the closest finishes as six players battled for the honour. After the initial 18 holes defending titleholder Steve Betland opened up a one-shot lead as he turned at 1 under par 70 to lead his brother John by a mere shot. Robert Payne and Justin Sutton of Parkes were one shot back while tournament favourite Mark Hale was a further shot away on 73.

By Paul Thomas

Mayoral Notes…

September 21, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

This week I joined residents of the Peak Hill community for the official unveiling of the new Peak Hill Community Wall art installation in the Commercial Gardens. The artworks currently showing are those by Wiradjuri artist and Peak Hill resident, Scott “Sauce” Towney. The Community Wall is an extension to the Parkes Shire public art series, developed to interchange over time and celebrate cultural and artistic diversity within the community.

Only one week to go until residents and visitors can dive into the swim season, with the Parkes Aquatic Centre opening its gates on Saturday, 30th September at 10am. Get in early and pick up a season ticket from the Poolside Café from Monday, 25th September. Council is also taking enrolments for the 2017/18 Parkes Learn to Swim program, with enrolment forms available for download via our website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Ahead of the start of the swim season, Council contractors have installed new solar lighting at the Parkes Aquatic Centre. This is good news for our early morning swimmers, as it now means they won’t have to navigate their way through the complex in the dark. The light poles have been installed either side of the pathway from the amenities building right up to the pools, significantly improving safety for pool users.

With the school holidays just around the corner, a reminder to take advantage of the colourful landscapes, fun events and iconic attractions the Parkes Shire region has to offer by getting involved in the Colour Parkes campaign. Download your Colour Pass from www.visitparkes.com.au to gain exclusive access to eleven special offers from local attractions, accommodation, cafes and shopping outlets as part of the Colour Parkes campaign. These can be redeemed from participating businesses until 31st October 2017.

Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Maggi Barnard

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