Maggi Barnard

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

Keeping It Clean At Kustom Autospa!

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PARTNERSHIP… Jason Kennedy and his partner Kate Bush are offering a prep service to new customers at Kustom Autospa to help them choose the best option for their car. Easy payment options are available at all the machines offering a choice between eftpos, tap and go or cash.

The hottest must do activity in Parkes these days is taking your car for a wash! Yes, that once mundane slog has been turned into an exciting experience at Kustom Autospa where the latest technology in the industry coupled with a racing theme have customers lining up from all over the region.

“We have brought a new concept to Parkes giving customers a unique experience they won’t easily find anywhere else in Australia,” said owner Jason Kennedy.

He has done extensive research and visited many carwash businesses to come up with his concept that is quite new for Australia. He incorporated his love of racing cars and worked with a designer and architect from Sydney to run the Ford GT40 racing theme throughout the design from the colours to the art work and signage. The washing bays feature famous race courses from around the world, and Formula One racing driver Jim Clark’s car to make it all more inviting.

“Everyone knows me for my cars,” said Jason, who has a Ford GT40 in his collection.

Apart from televisions in every wash bay, and a full sound system throughout the complex, the soft cloth and touch free machines bring a new concept to washing cars.

“The soft cloth machines, which takes about 12 minutes, comes from Europe and is one of the best on the market.” The touch free machine, taking about eight minutes, is a market leader from America and best suited for tradie vehicles, four-wheel drive and larger cars. Both machines have driers that ensures a shining clean vehicle at the

NSW Faces Another COVID-19 Wave

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The current wave of COVID-19 infections continues to grow and all NSW residents are urged to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and to practise COVID-safe behaviours.

There are fears the number of serious illnesses and death toll will increase significantly as the latest wave is driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said figures showed 56% (or 1,232 cases) of COVID-related deaths this year were in people who have had two or fewer doses.

“We are at the beginning of the third wave of Omicron which is likely to peak in late July or early August. This increase in community transmission brings with it greatly increased risks for those not up to date with their vaccines,” he said.

“The best way you can protect yourself from serious illness or worse is to get every vaccination that is available to you.”

If you are fully vaccinated you have a 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses alone affords, according to data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said in addition to booking in for a booster, people should exercise common sense and wear a face mask in public indoor spaces, where physical distancing cannot be maintained. “Face masks, hand hygiene, staying home when ill, testing yourself when symptoms present, physically distancing, all these measures are not new to us,” Kerry said.

Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are reminded to speak to their GP or health professional about antiviral medications if they contract COVID-19. Antivirals work best when taken within five days from when symptoms onset.

COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for anyone 16 years and older who had their last dose of a primary course at least three months ago. To find your nearest vaccination clinic, visit nsw.gov.au.

Our Bloke – Jacob Cowie

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Jacob Cowie – Vice-captain Parkes Christian School

How old are you? 11

Were You Named After Anyone? My middle name was named after my uncle.

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? For Fruit break, mango. For recess a packet of chips and for lunch a sandwich.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? I would love to be a zoo keeper because I love animals and reptiles.

If you could invent something, what would it be? Probably a hoverboard or an invisibility suit.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would donate some to poor people, give some to my family and keep some for myself.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Going on a 20m high giant swing.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Definitely Jesus.

What makes you feel like dancing? Music!

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? To stop animal cruelty across the world; for everyone to give their heart to the Lord and I would love to get an Armadillo girdled lizard as a pet lizard.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club Results

July 8, 2022 By Marty Tighe

Joanne Simpson won her minor singles match against her unrelated namesake Ian Simpson 25 to 9.

Cool overcast conditions greeted 22 bowlers last Thursday.

Jo Simpson and her unrelated name-sake Ian Simpson contested an eagerly anticipated minor singles match. Jo bowled superbly all match, particularly after a great start that saw her leading Ian by 12 to 5 after 10 ends, and finished strongly to win 25 to 9.

In the second minor singles match Chris Harrison played wily veteran Mal Porter in what was a terrific match of draw bowls. Both players maintained a high level of concentration as the lead changed hands many times. After 10 ends Chris was holding out Mal by 12 to 7, Mal was in front seven ends later to lead 16- 14, and was holding 2 shots at 24 to 22 having the last bowl of the end. Chris bowled a screamer of a draw bowl to the jack that enabled him to win that end, he maintained his composure and won the match 25 to 24!

Three games of social Pairs saw Col Mudie and the cagey John Carr win an even match 21 to 19 against Al ‘Kangaroo’ Alfeck and Marty Tighe. Gary McPhee and Johno Johnson beat Ray Jones and John ‘Wicks’ Ward 26 to 12.

A classic pairs match with Jim Blake and Tony Riordan against John Wright and Rob Irving ended in a 15 all draw.

The triples game with Mick Simpson, Bob Freeman and Darryl McKellar against Ron Hornery, George Bradley and Rob Tinker was a tight game with everyone playing good bowls. The game ended in a win of 17 to 15 to team McKellar.

Saturday’s bowls were washed out.

By Marty Tighe

Parkes Bowlers Win District Fours

July 8, 2022 By Lea Orr

The new District Fours Champions from Parkes are Jan McPhee, Merilyn Rodgers, Liz Byrne and Cherie Frame.

We just about needed an ark to leave home on Tuesday, and bowls was cancelled again to save on building timber!

The District Fours Championship was still held however. Our four (that’s two by two) keen ladies splashed their way across to Cowra to participate. They not only participated, they bowled their way to a fabulous victory against Cowra, and then won a heart-stopper against Forbes!

Congratulations to our team, the new District Fours Champions: Jan McPhee, Merilyn Rodgers, Liz Byrne and Cherie Frame! You have done our club proud!

Our own Club Championship Fours will begin with the first round on Tuesday, 12th July. Check the board for details of all four teams.

There will be a committee meeting for the new executive after bowls.

To play social bowls on Tuesday, call the club between 9 and 9:30 am on 6862 1446, play starts at 10am. Visitors and interested ladies are always welcome.

By Lea Orr

‘It All Adds Up’ To Be An ‘Amazing’ New Publication!

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

MORE TO LOVE, SUPPORT AND READ… The merger of The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix into one publication will mean more local news, events and opportunities for our readers every week.

Today is the beginning of a new era as we bring you the very first edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.

As the two shires share so many interests, including some ‘sibling rivalry’, with hundreds, if not thousands of residents travelling for work, sport and leisure up and down the highway every day, it makes sense to open up the news landscape between the two communities.

“Regional print media is doing it tough at the moment, and is not showing any signs of changing,” said Phoenix Group of Newspapers owner Joshua Matic. “As such, we needed to adapt to ensure our local publications in Forbes and Parkes can continue to deliver news absolutely free to read each week.

“We decided to combine our printed product for both towns into one as many news stories relate to both shires.”

Josh said the merger would not affect the digital publications and the websites and social media pages would remain independent as The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix.

More exciting news for our readers is that the Phoenix Group is boosting its digital platform and has started to release mobile apps. The Parkes Phoenix app is now live and ready to download from the app store for free, while The Forbes Phoenix app is in production.

“While other regional media are now hiding most of their stories behind digital paywalls, and continue to charge readers for a printed newspaper, we continue to ensure our news content is completely free to read both in print and online,” said Josh.

By Maggi Barnard

Mariah Scores At Women’s World Cup

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes hockey star Mariah Williams. (Photo: Mariah Williams facebook page)

Parkes Hockey Star Mariah Williams scored a goal for Australia in the opening match of the Hockeyroos against Japan at the FIH Women’s World Cup in Spain. In her 98th international appearance Mariah struck in the 56th minute with her 19th goal to ensure a 2-0 victory over Japan after Rosie Malone scored another goal in the final minute.

On Wednesday Mariah played her 99th game against Belgium when the Hockeyroos again scored twice within 90 seconds to give them a 2-0 victory over Belgium and shot them to the top of Pool D.

They were back only 24 hours later for their final pool match against South Africa, with Mariah playing her 100th international game! Results of this game were not available yet at the time of going to print.

75 Years In Parkes – Longest Running Tea Rooms In NSW

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Branch of the Red Cross in 1914.

The Parkes Branch of the Red Cross was not only one of the first branches to be formed in Australia, but also has the longest running tea rooms in NSW.

The Parkes committee began work in August 1914 at the outbreak of World War I with the initial work carried out by Rev W Finlay-Brown and Mrs Stewar (Mayoress) was appointed president.

At the end of the first year Parkes had raised 608 pounds. By October 1918 the Parkes branch had sent 1,954 parcels and collected 1,220 pounds.

With the beginning of Word War II fundraising was stepped up again with as much as 3,058 pounds raised in 1943.

During the war years until the end of 1946, St George’s Church crypt was used for rmeetings and as a workshop for cutting and making garments, knitting of wool socks and kneecaps and making of camouflage nets. Many members used to meet daily to help with the war effort.

The work of Red Cross continued after the end of the war, and on 15th November 1946 the Red Cross Tea Rooms opened in Parkes on the top floor of a building owned by Mr Mansour on the site of what was Fosseys in Clarinda Street.

In December 1959 the Red Cross bought an old building in Church Street for 2,200 pounds from Mrs RM Ridley who had used the building as her home. A building fund was opened and after alterations were made the official opening of the Red Cross Centre took place on 27th April 1960.

Over the years many more changes, extensions and alterations took place and in 2014 Parkes celebrated 100 years of the Red Cross in Australia.

The tea rooms are still open on Fridays offering a delicious plate of goodies and tea/coffee for only $7, but this amazing community facility is in need of more volunteers to keep it running. If you would like to get involved contact Sue Strahorn on 0401 223 195.

By Maggi Barnard

Volunteers helping out at the Red Cross Tea Rooms last Friday were (L-R) Ruth Simpson, Norma Pollock, June Cassel, Alison Dixon and Margaret Ward.

Ellie Is June’s Tradie Of The Month

July 8, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to Ellie Russell, the winner of The Tradie of the Month competition for June and also the first female apprentice winner! Ellie has been an apprentice for three and a half years at Parkes Electrical and she loves it. She moved to Parkes to take up the apprenticeship. Ellie received her prize sponsored by Totally Work Wear from Shann Kriedemann. We hope you have great use for your prize Ellie.

The competition continues for July, so remember to send in your nomination by email: editor@parkesphoenix.com.au stating your favourite tradie’s name, workplace and contact number. You can also pop into Totally Work Wear to nominate someone. The closing date for entries is Friday, 29th July.

News From PSCB

July 1, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Meet Jordan Powter – he keeps everyone at Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) on the beat. He started learn-ing drums 10 years ago, taught by the previous legend drummer Doug Richards. He reads all styles of music, and also plays country, rock, gospel, metal, punk, funk and jazz. Some bands that inspire him are Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops, Blink-182, and KISS.

PSCB hosted a regional bands workshop last weekend with members from bands in Forbes, Griffith, Hillston, Leeton and West Wyalong participating. The workshop concluded with a concert at Cooke Park Pavilion for the public on Sunday.

Sam Hunt, Middleton Public School student, plays trum-pet in the PSCB. He was fortunate to attend a workshop by legendary jazz musician James Morrison in Grenfell recently. Sam is still very excited about the experience. PSCB welcomes students to play with them. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9pm on Tuesdays during school term in the music room above Parkes pool complex in Dalton Street. For further enquires contact Music Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.

Maggi Barnard

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