Southern Star Rural (SSR), a Senepol stud based in Canowindra, have Senepol, Senepol x Angus and Senepol x Charolais bulls for sale on farm. SSR bulls will also be sold through the 5 Star Senepol Sale at the Gracemere Saleyards near Rockhampton, Queensland on Monday, 18th September at 11am. Contact Clayton Maynard on
0439 029 204 or visit www.southernstarrural.com.au
Felix Rams have focused on producing efficient and profitable prime lambs by breeding high performance, structurally sound meatsheep rams for 20 years. They started weighing lambs at birth in 1996, and have since weighed more than 22,500 lambs within 12 hours of birth.
Birthweight records go into Sheep Genetics – Lambplan to help eliminate the production of rams that sire lambs with excessively high or low birthweights. The majority of Felix Rams hit the sweet spot for birthweight asbv of between 0.1 and 0.5, and pfat asbv between -0.8 and +0.5. these rams are consistently in the top 25% of terminal rams for growth rate and eye muscle.
Felix Rams will have 140 Poll Dorset and 45 White Suffolk rams at their annual on-property sale at Greenethorpe on 5th September. Catalogues available at www.felixrams.com.au from 25th August, or call Rodney on 0417 499 204 or the selling agents, Allan Gray and Co on 6342 2377.
Parkes author Beth Thomas was invited by Bathurst City Library to give an author talk on her historical fiction novel, Remember Oradour. Almost thirty people attended to hear Beth speak about her inspirations for her successful
debut novel, which was launched in Parkes in March. “It was a lovely, informal gathering with a really warm group of people,” said Beth. “They were very attentive and genuinely interested. Bathurst is a very cultural rural city and I felt honoured that they had invited me.”
Beth spoke about her feelings for Oradour, its people and its history. She tells the gripping story of a village in war-torn France. “My book brings the town back to life with characters from all generations with multifaceted relationships. From generations of adults to babies being born…just as in reality.” From readers’ comments it is obvious Beth has brought Oradour back to life in its beautiful setting, with its authentic historical background, and with very real characters.
Beth’s readers have been profoundly touched by her passionate retelling of the true events of Oradour. As one reader said: “That was the most beautifully written book!” Another talented person in Parkes we can be proud of.
Cunningham’s IGA in Parkes celebrated its 50th anniversary this week. We asked customers: Why do you like shopping at IGA?
Dick Berry: I have been coming here for about 45 years. It is very convenient, not too many aisles and very nice people. It is easy to do your shopping in a hurry.
Ian Wade-Parker: I started shopping here last November and enjoy the friendly service and smiling faces. I’d rather support a local business than shopping at one of the multi-nationals.
The annual Parkes Boars vs Forbes Platypi: Game raised $6,500 for CanAssist this year. The funds came from
the auction of the first grade team special jumpers at the Coachman Hotel (a major sponsor) with auctioneer Geoff Rice from Langlands Hanlon (also a sponsor). In addition to the auction, half the gate takings were donated to CanAssist, a donations bucket was at the gate and an esky was raffled. At the cheque handover were (L-R) Carol Southwell, Trevor Southwell, Pat Bailey, Tom Snow and Ed Lowe.
Mock crash demo: Parkes residents are invited to the annual mock car crash demonstration on Monday, 21st August at 7pm at Parkes PCYC. “We are really excited to open our final rehearsal to the public,” said Parkes, Forbes
and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor. The hour-long event starts with a short film before the mock car crash demonstration begins. There is a full emergency response involving NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and Parkes SES with local youth actors playing the roles of the crash victims. The demonstration will be attended by more than 500 students from nine local high schools across the three council areas on 24th August.
It’s easy to share: Haylee Pottage is a Parkes resident and volunteer with Share the Dignity, an organisation that provides sanitary items to homeless and at risk women. Haylee has set up donation boxes around Parkes at Joblink Plus, Rob Dunford Chemist, Charisma Hair Design and La Bella Me-dispa for the organisation’s collection drive during August. You can also contact Haylee on 0405 197 322 to make a donation. More information available at https://www.sharethedignity.com.au/
Home is where the heart is: Parkes home owners have a chance to share in the revenue of the Parkes Elvis Festival. With over 25,000 visitors expected for the 2018 festival, locals are encouraged to open their homes as part of the Ray White Home Hosting Program. With only five months to go, Parkes accommodation providers are booked to capacity with an unprecedented volume of enquiries, and a waiting list of 300 people for Home Hosting accommodation already. Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “Accommodation is the biggest challenge as the event continues to grow. Home hosting is a great opportunity for attendees to grasp the positive community essence that Parkes is renowned for. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for local homeowners to welcome visitors into their homes, showcase our region, contribute to the economic and social value of the event and build ongoing friendships for future Festivals.” Local home owners are able to rent out a spare bed, room, or whole house to visitors.
If you are interested, contact Ray White Real Estate on 6862 1900 or via elvis.parkes@raywhite.com. More information at www.parkeselvisbookings.com.au.
The dragon boating season officially kicks off on Sunday, but a few eager beavers just couldn’t wait another week. Eleven excited paddlers went out and a few squeals were heard as the sweep teasingly steered a little close to the fountain spray on a cold wintry morning.
To start the new season a change of brigade has transpired to carry on the great work of the previous committee. The position of new president was a difficult choice with two outstanding contenders. Votes were fifty-fifty for Bill Thomas and Chris Sweeney, both dedicated and visionary men. Coming down to the wire, the final decision had to be drawn from a hat, with Bill’s name selected.
Chris Sweeney took on the demanding role of secretary. Michael Green continues on as treasurer, Kristine Dobell as registrar and Ian Prince remains equipment officer. Other new board members, Liz Mitchell and Beth Thomas took on the roles of grants officer and publicity officer respectively.
As Carmen Stephens has carried out the coach’s position with such aplomb, it was unanimously decided by the new
board to continue with Carmen as head coach. Assistant coach is Warren Edwards. New paddlers are always most
welcome. Contact Bill or Beth on 0418 253 045 or Chris Sweeney on 0414 762 775.
By Beth Thomas
The Parkes Show once again features an action-packed entertainment program. Headlined by Rooftop Express Spectacular, an amazing family friendly arena show that encourages crowd involvement. It features hilarious Australiana comedy and electrifying stunts sponsored by McPhersons.
The Young Farmer Challenge is a crowd favourite and returns with a new set of tasks for participants. The Northparkes Kidzone will have free activities like kite making, face painting and balloon sculpting, while more
free activities will be on offer at the children’s activity centre in the Blatch pavilion.
Whether you love adrenaline pumping excitement, locals in novelty events, Westlime’s fireworks display or free activities, there is something for everyone this year.
Three Parkes junior tennis players spent a month in the US with their coach Helen Magill last month. Ben Evans (14), Abbey Kennedy (13) and Jake Magill (15) answered some questions reflecting on the trip of a lifetime.
What did you like about life in the US?
Jake: I liked the food, how cheap food and clothes are and the big cities. For the tennis I liked playing and training on hardcourts the whole time because we don’t get to play on them much.
Abby: Everything is on a grand scale. The shopping centres and food outlets are streets long. There were so many choices on every menu. I couldn’t believe how many ways you could have a baked potato. I liked how they had so many facilities available like public parks that had tennis courts. I couldn’t believe they had gun shops the size of department stores. The tennis universities on the other hand were amazing.
Ben: The facilities, staying with my host families and learning about how they live.
How did the trip benefit your tennis?
Ben: Playing in different conditions, court surfaces and the ideas from the coaches helped me think more about changing my game to suit each situation.
Abby: I could never have imagined how much my tennis would improve.
What did you learn about yourself?
Ben: How much further I can push myself and my body.
Jake: That I can get around airports and cities by myself. That I was able to prepare myself for matches and make sure I stayed healthy.
What are the biggest differences between playing tennis in Australia and playing tennis in the US?
Jake: They play on hardcourts the whole time, while we train on synthetic grass and play on clay and hardcourts sometimes for tournaments. The tennis clubs are a lot bigger in the States.
What will you always remember about the trip?
Jake: The host families that looked after us extremely well. They were very nice. The new friendships I made with some of the USA kids.
Abby: Absolutely everything. All the lovely people I met along the way and the amazing friends I made with other tennis players on the tour. The host families who treated us like royalty. I was gobsmacked with the tennis centres and the facilities. It was an amazing opportunity to play against players from another country and in conditions so
extreme. Disneyland and Universal Studios were amazing and I will always remember the laughs Helen, Jake, Ben and I shared. I loved our visit to Alcatraz and our bike ride across the golden gate bridge in San Francisco. Every day was amazing and brought with it another life-long memory.
Mention the name Kittie Dwyer around the Parkes Shire and comments such as “dedicated, passionate and determined” are often the response. Kittie has always possessed a can-do attitude and it is that mindset that saw her
former neighbour and current Currajong Disability Services (CDS) Chairman Neil Unger ask her to get involved.
“I knew little about Currajong but I was prepared to give it a go,” said Kittie. “Working with people like Neil who are
enthusiastic, want to improve and have worthwhile goals made the decision about 12 years ago so much easier.
“Currajong are doing great things and undergoing major changes, and I am pleased to have been a part of that,” she said. While Kittie may be stepping back she certainly won’t be lost to the organisation vowing to remain an interested observer and contributor when and where she can. Kittie believes the biggest challenge facing CDS remains the same challenge when she arrived – to provide the best care and options for clients. She believes CDS is meeting it head on and going in the right direction.
“Not all participants have the same challenges nor are they the same people just because they share a common disability,” said Kittie. “It is the same challenge across the industry but I think we do it better and are getting better.” Kittie has a lot of empathy for carers in the industry. “We need lots of support for carers as well as clients as they go through a lot too,” she said. “We have to keep encouraging them and new people into the industry. It was one of
the reasons the Currajong Carers Support Group was started – to assist families and those who care for people with a disability,” Kittie said.
Kittie Dwyer is a former chair of the Currajong Carers Support Group and CDS board member. CDS acknowledge and appreciate all the work she has done and her positive contribution. All the best Kittie and thank you from everyone at CDS!
By Dane Millerd
