Maggi Barnard

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

Strong Field For Parkes Open

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

This year’s SCT Logistics Parkes Open Golf Tournament on 16th and 17th September is playing out to be one of the strongest in its history. Tournament organiser Paul Thomas believes the event will once again have a capacity field.
The club has received in excess of 80 entries already, and with entries still to come from several of the major players plus regular contingents from reciprocal clubs such as Northbridge, The Coast and Duntry League in Orange, a capacity field of 160 players is within in reach.

Defending titleholder Steve Betland has indicated he will try to preserve the title he won convincingly last year on a saturated course that saw the event cut back to 18 holes as heavy rain came close to forcing its abandonment.

Multiple winner Duntry League’s Robert Payne has indicated his intention to return and attempt to win the title he has dominated over the past decade and a half. Both Betland and Payne will have to overcome quality opposition including a host of current top line state players. These include another former champion John Betland of Forbes, Mudgee’s Mark Hale and Andrew Best, Asquith’s Dave Morgan, current Pymble Champion James Conran along with Cowra’s Peter Kirwan, Duntry Leagues’ Andy Campbell and the Dubbo duo of Ross Horrocks and Errol Toomey.

Local golfers Justin Sutton and Mitch McGlashan are also up as contenders. Nominations for the prelude event the
Atlas Copco Australia Open Four Ball Best Ball Stableford in both scratch and handicap sections are on target to give the club a field of over 200 players.

By Paul Thomas

What’s On at The Library

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

MAKE A KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP
Saturday 2 September, 10am – 11am.
For teens and adults. Kokedama, which means ‘moss ball’ originated in Japan in the 1600s. Originally invented for bonsai trees, but now making a comeback in various forms. Participants will get their hands dirty and learn all the steps to construct their very own succulent kokedama. Bookings required, 6861 2309.

MAKE YOUR OWN TERRARIUM WORKSHOP
Saturday 2 September, 1pm – 2pm.
For teens and adults. You’ll be getting your hands dirty and learning all the steps to construct your very own
terrarium. This hands-on class will last one hour. Bookings required, 6861 2309.

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY STORYTIME
“Escape to Everywhere” For families! Stories, singing, craft and special guests. 10.30am – 11.30am.
2 Sept: Escape to countries.
9 Sept: Escape to your own special place.
16 Sept: Escape to fantasy land.

SCIENCE TALK – YASMIN POTTS
Wednesday 6 September, 4pm Yasmin Potts, School Captain of Parkes High School, is one of only 20 students across Australia who was selected to attend the London International Youth Science Forum in England in July. While in Europe she also visited the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s largest particle accelerator. Last year Yasmin received the Victor Chang Science Award for her achievement in science. Join us when Yasmin speaks about her international trip. This is one talk not to be missed. Please RSVP on 6861 2309.

ADVANCED COIL WEAVING
Saturday 16 September, 10am. For teens and adults. Lanny Mackenzie is back again to teach the advanced techniques of coiled basketry. Participants will use recycled materials as well as traditional. Participants must have
previous experience in coil weaving. Bookings required, 6861 2309.

Trivia Night A Tight Contest

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Day VIEW Club organises a Trivia Night twice a year to raise money for sponsorhips for schoolchildren in the Smith Family “Learning for Life” Program. About 50 people competed in eight teams at the recent event. Charlie Pecenka has been putting together the quiz questions for more than 10 years, while Tom Furey asked the questions, and acted as MC.

The winning team, Charlotte’s Friends, received chocolate treats. Second were The Hopefuls and third The Magnificent Seven. The next trivia night will be in March next year.

Annual Show Meeting At Racecourse Tomorrow

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The current dry conditions should ensure the annual show meeting of the Parkes Jockey Club is set to take place tomorrow. The event is always run on the weekend before the Parkes Show, but has been washed out for the last two years.

It is a five-race meeting; non-TAB, however there will be TAB on course with oncourse bookmakers. Parkes Farm Centre, is a new sponsor on board, with three races, while the usual sponsor Tony Miller’s Windscreens and the Parkview Motel have races too. The owners of the Parkview Motel named their race Happy Birthday Millie after their daughter who recently turned 18.

As the large grandstand/bar/kitchen area are still being repaired, the Rural Fire Service has stepped up again and will provide a scrumptious barbeque lunch. While waiting for approval for the grandstand to be resurrected, the club is in the process of refurbishing the small grandstand and jockey room with a new roof, replacement of certain structural supports and new seating and flooring.

While moving cupboards and furniture around for the builders two old cups were discovered. The big King Merino Cup and the smaller Peppin Cup. It is believed the King Merino Cup was originally sponsored by Dalgetty’s Austop
when they first opened. It was one of the first TAB meetings run on a Monday and as far as it is known it was only run three times. The last winner was in 1996, a horse called Wave Hello, trained by well-known trainer Leanne Aspros and ridden by local jockey Jamie Whitney.

By Mark Ross

Lions Win Race With Boars

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

SCORING MACHINE… The Parkes Boars came within two points of the lead against the Orange City Lions, but just did not pull through to cause an upset on the Lions homeground. The final score was 29-12. Best for Parkes were Joe Nash
(players player), Ash Adams, Toby Baigent and Dylan Hood. Pictured is Joe Nash scoring for the Boars with his elusive running. (Photo: Allan Ryan)

Follow That Dream

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The winner of the Parkes Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest competed in Memphis, USA last week for a chance to be crowned the world’s best Elvis tribute artist. Brendon Chase represented the Parkes Elvis Festival in the semi-final round at Elvis Week, but unfortunately did not make it to the final round.

The Henrys Deadline Extended

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Chamber of Commerce has extended the deadline for nominations for the Henrys to Wednesday, 30 August. Over 40 nominations in nine categories have been received so far. “It is exciting to see that our Start-Up Superstar (Best Business under two years) has attracted much interest, and the category of Young Entrepreneur (18-35 year old) is hotly contended with already five nominations received,” said Belinda McCorkell of the Chamber.

Hughes & Co Lawyers and Conveyancing, KicXstart Motorcycles, Parkes Indian Cuisine, Parkes Sportspower, Bent Food & Wine, The Parkes Phoenix, Central West Marine & Mechanical, Ron Dunford Chemist, Odds & Evie, Parkes Services Club, Currajong Disability Services, Astrodish Motel, Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete, La Bella Medispa, Parkes Betta Home Living, 2PK/ROK FM, Dooleys Outdoors, BDN Kitchen & Joinery and the Railway Hotel are just
some of the nominees vying for the prestige of winning an award at the gala presentation night on Friday, 20th October.

You can enter on the Chamber website at www.parkeschamber.com.au. Links and regular updates are posted on The Henrys – Parkes Business Awards and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce facebook pages. Hurry – only five days left to enter!

School Supplies For Two Worthy Causes

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Teachers, parents and students of Parkes Christian School undertook a missionary trip to Fiji in April. One of the aims of the trip was to provide school supplies to teachers and students. Parkes Stationery and Office Supplies was asked to help with the provision of school supplies. Marty and Gregor Sammut-Paul, owners of Parkes Stationery reached out to their suppliers and were overwhelmed by their generosity. More than two pallets were donated including notebooks, writing instruments and general stationery.

Due to the amount donated, Parkes Stationery will also donate supplies to the Uniting Church of Parkes for their mission to East Timor later this year. “We have such strong relationships with our suppliers, and were very pleased they could contribute such a high volume of goods to benefit more than one worthy cause,” said Marty.

Parkes Stationery and Office Supplies, the Parkes Christian School and the Uniting Church of Parkes would like to thank ACCO Australia, Pilot Pens, Razor Stationery, Staedtler and Uniball.

Osteoarthritis

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of disability and decreased mobility in older people. It can also occur in younger or middle-aged people, mostly those who have injured their joint earlier in life.

It mostly affects the articular cartilage (the cartilage covering the ends of the bones) of a joint. The cause of osteoarthritis has often been attributed to “wear and tear” but this can be misleading. Joint cartilage actually requires regular movement to remain healthy. In healthy joints, there is a balance between degeneration and regeneration of the articular cartilage. When degeneration exceeds regeneration, the cartilage thins and may even crack causing the bones to rub together. Cartilage, however, needs some load to regenerate. Healthy loads need to be applied to joints for cartilage recovery.

In the more advanced stages of osteoarthritis the articular cartilage disappears and the two bone surfaces begin to touch. This causes pain, swelling and increased heat in the joint due to inflammation. Trying to protect itself, the body produces more bone at the joint edges and osteophytes (jagged bits of bone) form. As the soft tissues around the joint, including ligaments and muscles, become affected the joints become looser and the muscles tighten to
compensate. This leads to even more pain and often joint deformity.

Currently there is no proven way of curing cartilage loss. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and improving function of the joint. Regular movement and strengthening the muscles around the joint helps to reduce joint laxity and keep the remaining cartilage healthy. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the load on weight bearing joints therefore decreasing the rate of cartilage breakdown.

For the fitness of you.
Linda Reilly

Our Bloke – Allan Ryan

August 24, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Allan Ryan
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
About 20 years. Having lived in Sydney for 10 years, I much prefer to live in a small town. It’s a great place to raise a family.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work? At the RMS. I enjoy playing a part in making the roads safer. Everyone uses roads.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends? For many years I followed the kids to various sports. Lately it has been rugby union. I also try to get a bit done around the garden.

What are you really good at? I like sports photography. I contribute to the local papers, and put plenty of pics on social media where they turn up on peoples home pages and news feeds with funny comments, and in local newspapers in other towns.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? Time travel – walk with the dinosaurs, find out who shot JFK, go forward to next week and get the winning lotto numbers, etc.

What is your pet hate/s? I have a few (I’m old and grumpy: 1) Hypocritical people who travel the world in aeroplanes, live in a big house, use multiple cars, excessively heat up or cool down their open plan house, only drink bottled water etc. but consider themselves green. 2) The recent trend in reality TV, like Survival shows have little to do with survival. 3) People who stare at you in the street but don’t say hello.

Tell us about your best holiday ever. Went to England last year. I called it my Curries and Castles tour it was great. It’s not a holiday but every Sunday I have the family over for dinner. It doesn’t get better than that.

Maggi Barnard

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