Maggi Barnard

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

PCYC Parkes

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Fun With Lego
Ability Links NSW and community groups have joined together to form the Parkes Lego Club for children aged 5-8 years, inclusive of all abilities. A Lego club can help children to improve their verbal and non-verbal communication,
sharing and turn-taking, as well as their collaborative problem-solving skills.

In addition practitioners and parents have discovered that the use of LEGO during play groups for children with autism leads to improved social skills and play skills. Research have confirmed that this is the case. LEGO building blocks offer a highly routine, repetitive, structured form of play that many children with autism find appealing.

Activities using LEGO can be graded from simple step by step instructions to free building that allows for creativity.
Research on LEGO play therapy was recently conducted at the University of Cambridge. The study focused on children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome, and found that children who participated in LEGO therapy showed improvement in social skills.

The Parkes Lego Club meets every Monday from 4 to 5pm at the Parkes PCYC, 36/38 Pearce Street. Lego is provided and the club is for free and open to all children. Although there is supervision, children are the responsibility of their carers. For further information contact Alana George at Ability Links NSW on 0428 727 265 or alana.george@livebetter.org.au

Golf Open Entries Close Today

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Entries for this this year’s SCT Logistics Parkes Open Golf Tournament on 16th and 17th September close today.
Although entries have not been as forthcoming as in previous years, Tournament Director Paul Thomas is happy with the standard of players who will be contesting the 27-hole championship event on Sunday, 17th September.

Paul believes Mudgee’s Mark Hale will start as the favourite ahead of the Australians James Brownlow, while defending titleholder Steve Betland of Forbes will have his followers, as will his brother John. There is also DuntryLeagues’ Robert Payne who will test the mettle of the top hopes as will the local hopes in club champion,
Mitch McGlashan, and Justin Sutton.

The Harvey Norman B Grade title should be a tight affair with players off handicaps of 10 to 16 will contest this division, and the Network Video C Grade will cater for players on handicaps in excess of 17.

The veteran golfer brigade will battle the Keith Clarke Scratch Division for a trophy donated by the Asquith Golf Club, while Mayor Ken Keith will sponsor the handicap section. The John Leister Memorial trophy is for the player who returns the best 18 hole handicap score across all grades, and D’Aquinos will sponsor the first hole in one and the nearest the pin awards.

By Paul Thomas

A Fun Season Ahead For Lachlan Dragons

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Now is the best time to come and try paddling with the Lachlan Dragons on Lake Forbes. It’s the start of the season so you can begin training before regatta season kicks in. If you love it you can compete, you can become involved with us in the upcoming River Arts Festival, or you can just remain a social paddler. It is also the time of season when there are a few other newbies about, so you certainly won’t feel the odd one out.

Last weekend the club’s coaching duo, Carmen Stephens and Warren Edwards, headed off to Chifley Dam Bathurst for a two-day course run by state coach, Deb Clarke. “The course made me feel confident that our club is on the right track in terms of season goals and fulfilling the needs of both social and more competitive paddlers,” said Carmen, “also informed me of so many extra tips and strategies that will help us continue in the best direction for our club.”

The Club is fortunate to have Carmen as head coach and Warren as assistant coach. “There was a great deal to absorb
and remember”, said Warren, “Deb made us feel comfortable and confident in the techniques shown.” Carmen and Warren must still complete further practical experiences and evaluations over the next few months.

“It was great to share the weekend with Warren, because we now feel well prepared and informed to make plans for a
fun and successful season for the Forbes Dragon Boat Club,” said Carmen. So come along and give paddling a try! Call Chris 0414 762 775 or Bill and Beth 0418 253 045.

By Beth Thomas

Our Gal – Beth Thomas

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Beth Thomas

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here? I’ve lived in Parkes (on and off) since 1968. I kept returning because many of my family are here; it’s such a great community; and it will always be the place I love to call ‘home’.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? I have just opened ‘Top Tutors Parkes’ with my husband, Bill. I love how our students come in with a happy greeting and a smile on their face. We know they feel a sense of pride in what we help them achieve.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? My passion is dragon boating. It’s a fabulous sport for fun, fitness and friendship. And there’s not much that beats paddling across the calm waters of Lake Forbes on a Sunday morning, with the drum beating like the dragon’s heartbeat as we watch the pelicans glide across the water. I also like to read, write, garden, ride my motorbike and play bridge.

What are you really good at? I guess I must be good at dragon boat paddling as I represented at national level last April. And I must also be good at writing because Pegasus Publishers accepted my historical fiction novel ‘Remember Oradour’ and it is selling well in England, France and Australia.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? I would love to fly! I often fly in my dreams and it’s the most amazing and liberating experience. Sheer joy!

What is your pet hate? I detest that people drop their rubbish or throw it out of their cars and litter this beautiful land of ours. There’s no need for such slovenly and disgusting behaviour when bins are so easily accessible.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. We are just back from three months in The Kimberley. Although I’ve loved and raved about many overseas destinations there is nowhere comparable to the unspoiled beauty of this last frontier of Australia with its ancient spirituality. I may even have found inspiration there for my second novel….

Weekly Wool Market Update

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Last week saw an unusual selling pattern, with sales held on Tuesday and Wednesday to accommodate for Wool
Week activities on Thursday. From the opening hammer prices were quickly and heavily discounted, with most merino types trading at levels 30- 50 cents below the previous sale. The lesser style & strength lots were the hardest hit, leaving the NRI 24 cents cheaper.

Wednesday saw further losses, with the medium to broader MPG’s 5-10 cents cheaper while the finer indicators bucked the trend and gained some ground, leaving the NRI to close the day 5 cents cheaper at 1650 (a 29 cent correction for the week). The skirting market closely mirrored the fleece, with most types and descriptions generally easing by 20-40 cents. The crossbred sector also recorded losses with all microns easing 10-30 cents for the week.

This weeks sales will be held in all three centres with 44,750 bales currently rostered for sale.

Source:AWEX

Sheer Splendour In A Shed

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Art requires creativity, so why not be as imaginative when planning an art exhibition? The Parkes Action Club is bringing a unique event to the community by holding an art exhibition called Ducks on the Pond in the 137-year-old St Elmo Shearing Shed on Saturday, 16th September at 6pm.

The exhibition will showcase eight local and regional artists featuring works of Eryn Mullins (Condobolin), Jocelyn Moles (Parkes), lighting and installation artist Jamie Coffill (Condobolin), Ralph Tikerpae (West Wyalong), Martin Lane (West Wyalong), Elsie Mahon (Parkes), Pol Cruz (Bogan Gate) and Lucy Buttenshaw (West Wyalong).

According to Parkes Action Club chairman and art enthusiast Gary Somers it is probably the first time an art exhibition will be held in a shearing shed in Parkes. Limited tickets are available at $25 prepaid or $30 on the night and includes food by The Dish Café, wine by Twisted River Wines and entertainment by The String Family from Sydney. For more details go to visitparkes.com.au. All the money raised will go towards the Action Club’s community
programs.

St Elmo Shearing Shed is 12km from Parkes on the Renshaw McGirr Way (Wellington Road) and 2km down Job Lane. No high heels are recommended for the event.

Suicide Rate Higher In Rural Areas

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Australia’s recorded suicide rate is the highest it has been for 10 years. The rate of suicide is about 50% higher in rural areas than in major cities. In NSW, more than 74% of the population live in major cities, and has increased by 1.6% year on year from 2014 to 2015, while the population of remote and very remote NSW areas has decreased, at -0.7% and -1.1% respectively.

The most populous states of NSW, Victoria and Queensland collectively accounted for 73.2% of Australian suicides in 2015. It is the 13th leading cause of death in Australia.

Lambing Data Needed

August 31, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are collecting data as part of a national lambing density project funded by AWI and MLA. The DPI are asking producers, who pregnancy scan their ewes for multiples, for their data on their farm related to lamb survival within individual mobs.

The data will help the DPI to understand the impact of lambing density on lamb survival across a range of management and environmental conditions. Upon completion of the project, participants will be provided with a summary report including their data and any regional and national findings. If you would like to be a part of this survey or want to know more please contact Tracy Lamb via email tracy.lamb@dpi.nsw.gov.au or call 0408 443 267.

Footy Tipping Results Round 25

August 30, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Stay At the Cutting Edge, Attend Farmer Day Wednesday

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Farmer Day Wednesday at the Parkes Show will once again feature a variety of speakers and products aimed at increasing the productivity and ease of management for the district’s progressive producers. Local Land Services will discuss biosecurity risks that impact on the region’s producers, general biosecurity tips on farm, information on where to access biosecurity plan templates, as well as an overview of the new Biosecurity Act. They will also touch upon pest and animal health issues affecting the Parkes region.

Stevtech is a company founded by Tristan Steventon. Having grown up at Alectown, Tristan gained knowledge of and experience with the most sophisticated drone technology in the world during his military career. Stevtech offers services to increase the precision and productivity of Australian farms. Armed with a range of drones, sensors and cameras, Stevtech not only collect data, but produce complete variable rate maps ready for use. Tristan will also discuss strategies to aid farmers make the best possible decisions in uncertain situations.

Record keeping on farm has never been more important than it is today and vital to maintaining markets and of course a necessity should a primary producer face going through an audit. Agriwebb is an exciting new solution that offers user friendly record keeping. The database can be accessed by multiple devices and users with all information updated in real time and recorded. Whether you’re a cropper, grazier or both, Agriwebb is a complete package and has countless reporting and inventory features. An overview and demonstration of this software package will feature at the Farmer Day Marquee.

Col McMaster, well-known to locals, will provide an update on all the latest trial work and research to come out of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Local machinery, car and motorcycle dealers will have all the latest releases on display and will be more than willing to answer all your questions. The day includes a free barbeque lunch and one lucky attendee will take home a Gerni pressure cleaner thanks to Agriwest Parkes. Farmer Day is on Wednesday at the Parkes Show and starts at 10am with a new speaker every half hour until lunchtime.

Maggi Barnard

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