Maggi Barnard

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

Wild West Spectacular At Show

August 3, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Roll up, roll up. This is the year to take your seats at the Parkes Show for an interactive animal stunt show that takes horse play to a new level. The Rooftop Express arena show features world first stunts, true blue Australian comedy and awe-inspiring horsemanship.

A must see for anyone who has ever wanted to put on a cowboy hat. With some highly refined and visually enchanting moments, the Parkes P.A. and H Society invites you to join the boys and girls from the bush as they show you what is possible with horses, cattle and working dogs.

Bulldogs Way Too Strong For Boars

August 3, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes travelled to Bathurst last weekend to face the Bulldogs. An early lead after a try under the posts by Joe Nash and conversion by James Dean, was unfortunately not a sign of things to come.

After a few unyielding phases of play the Bulldogs moved the ball wide and began their scoring. Parkes looked good in attack with solid performances from forwards Sam Dension and Dylan Hood, but were unable to match the Bulldogs with their intensity.

Great defence by the utility forward Jason Lowe provided some of the biggest tackles of the day. The Bulldogs had an excellent display scoring nine tries until a 46m penalty goal from James Dean, which was a highlight for the Boars.
The second half was all Bulldogs with four more tries until Jonny Rathbone swooped on a loose ball to send Joe Nash over the try line and conversion by James Dean.

Despite another six tries scored by the Bulldogs, the Parkes players remained committed to provide a full eighty minute game with a final result of 123 to 17. The Boars can hold their heads high as they never gave up and played with unrelenting determination until the final whistle.

COLTS
A struggling Boars Colts could only field 13 players against the Bathurst Bulldogs with four under 17 players. Right from the kick-off the Bulldogs went on the attack with tries coming at a regular pace from a much bigger and more experienced team.

The Bulldogs played structured rugby with their forwards moving up the park before moving the ball wide and using their pace to out class the Boars to make the half time score 48 – 0. The second half saw the Boars defence lift when Jarrod Westcott, Jason Lowe and Alex McHugh-Douglas lead the forwards in attack resulting in a penalty. James Sellings deciding to attempt a shot at goal from the 40m mark to give the Boars their first points.

After a kick-off, Chris Selling gathered a loose ball to race 46m to score a well-deserved try for the Boars out wide. The final score was 53 to 8.

By Jake Elliott

Footy Tip Results Round 21

August 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Tour de Parkes: Calling all riders – join a group of social cyclists on Saturdays. The informal group meets at Greenparkes Nursery at 10am on Saturdays and pedal out on a ride together. The group choose circuits of various distances, and ensures riders of all abilities are catered to. Bicycles of all kinds are welcome. Barbara and Peter Guppy will often be seen peddling out on their tandem bicycle. The group is more about making friends and having fun than being ultra-competitive. So, come on Parkes, get on your bike!

Visitor Economy Workshop: Parkes Shire Council is hosing a Visitor Economy Workshop on Monday, 7th August at the Astro Dish Motor Inn. The workshop is aimed at tourism operators and other related businesses to discuss the projects, campaigns and initiatives that Council will undertake to grow the visitor economy of the Parkes Shire.

The agenda includes a range of items from destination management planning to major festival and event opportunities, and will be a great opportunity to network with fellow tourism operators while also learning how to leverage the programs and initiatives that Council will deliver to drive the visitor economy. For workshop details
visit www.visitparkes.com.au or phone the Parkes Visitor Information Centre on 6862 6000.

Authors In Parkes: Two special authors will visit the Parkes Shire Library during August. On Saturday, 5th August at 10.30am Parkes author Erica Brazel is launching her recently published children’s picture book. I’m Special and it Shows from my Head Down to my Toes is a book to help children learn more about their different body parts. Erica was born in Lake Cargelligo, and moved to Parkes when she was 14. After living in Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle Erica married and moved with her husband back to Parkes to have their family.

The children’s book was inspired by Erica’s sons and their amazing, inquisitive minds. On Wednesday, 23rd August at 6pm Scott Whitaker will talk about the release of his new book Railway Hotels of Australia ~ Volume Two ~ New South Wales.

He will also talk about the coming of the railway, the social development of regional NSW, researching tips, genealogy, local and state history, and publishing. Please RSVP if you wish to attend on 6861 2309 or library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Question of the Week?

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Why do you love playing hockey?

Zac Redfern: It’s really good exercise and you develop skills. It’s also fun and you meet new friends. I’ve been playing for five years.

Ella Milton: I love it because you get to make friends. It’s good to get fit and have fun. I’ve been playing hockey for five years.

Jayden Redfern: I love playing hockey because you get to play with your friends. I started hockey when I was four years old, and I play midfield.

No Junior Netball This Weekend

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

After a frosty start to the day, it was great to see everyone safe and back at junior netball after the three week break for the holidays. A big shout out to all the parents, friends and players who helped out with cleaning the birds’ mess, scoring, putting up and taking down the post pads and packing up the bibs and balls into the bags. Your help is
very much appreciated – thank you!

A reminder there will be no netball training today or tomorrow due to the Women’s Masters Hockey tournament held at the complex over the weekend. As a result, we have extended the season out by a week for all grades. Please ensure that you check our Facebook page for updates on dates and times.

Results Round 8
Division 1: Sapphires def Emeralds 38-22, most consistent: Paris Curr, Ally Bush
Diamonds def 12 Reps 37-25, most consistent: Lillie Fryer, Abigail Simpson
Division 2: Stars def Glitters 14-5, most consistent: Jorja Rusten, Aria Johnson
Super 8s: Magics def Rockettes 16-1, most consistent: Anna-rae, Leah van der Merwe
Twinkles def Hot Shots 39 – 2, most consistent: Annabelle van Wyk, Chloe Magill

By Lisa Nutley

Joint Initiative Brings Port Closer To Parkes

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Two logistics giants have joined forces in Parkes to simplify the supply chain for importers and exporters and attract more business to the town. To celebrate its tenth anniversary in Parkes, SCT Logistics teamed up with DP World Australia to present a joint capabilities initiative. The two companies will work together to service regional trains providing importers and exporters direct access to the dock at DP World Australia’s terminal in Sydney.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to connect Parkes and the Central West with the port,” said Mark Hulme, DP World Australia’s Chief Operating Officer Logistics. “When we have empty containers at the port, we can rail them to Parkes, load them up and get them straight back to the port.”

According to SCT Managing Director, Geoff Smith the joint initiative would help his company get trucks off the road and improve environmental outcomes. “We currently move freight from Perth to Sydney via Parkes. We are well positioned to expand these services to include exports into Port Botany to meet vessel cut offs.”

He added that the 324 hectares available would be ideal for importers and exporters to situate themselves in the strategic Parkes rail hub. Parkes Mayor Ken Keith commended both parties for diversifying their operations to maximise the potential of the Parkes Logistics Hub.

The two companies held an information session on Wednesday to interested parties to give them an insight into opportunities available within the supply chain.

By Maggi Barnard

Mayoral Notes…

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

I would like to congratulate local logistics company SCT Intermodal Parkes for diversifying its operations to maximise the potential of the Parkes Logistics Hub by announcing a partnership with DP World Australia to provide direct freight access to Port Botany for local exporters and importers.

Council and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce are excited to launch the Love Our Local campaign, which will feature many local businesses. Join the campaign by following Visit Parkes Region on social media, liking the business pages and sharing what you love about shopping local.

Council invites local tourism and business operators to a Visitor Economy Workshop on Monday, 7th August at the Astro Dish Motor Inn. The workshop will incorporate an update on the current state of the tourism industry and opportunities for local business. For details head to visitparkes.com.au or phone 6862 6000.

Residents are invited to take part in the largest community tree-planting and nature care event on Sunday at 11am. As part of this year’s National Tree Day, Council staff will be joining Central West Lachlan Landcare and community volunteers at the northern end of Danilenko Street with the aim of planting 500 trees. Register your attendance
via visitparkes.com.au

A reminder that waste disposal charges for domestic loads commence at the Parkes Waste Facility from 1st August to improve the waste and recyclable management and disposal techniques to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill. Separate and build specific loads, such as a green matter load, to qualify for cheaper rates.

Enjoy your weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Kurt Is Going For Gold

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Imagine being paid to do what you love, and travelling the world because of it. Twenty-year-old Kurt Lovett is living this dream. The former Parkes local moved to Sydney after school to play hockey with the NSW Institute of Sport.
Earlier this month Kurt captained the NSW under 21 hockey team, claiming gold in the National Championships in Wollongong.

The NSW Sky Blues topped off an undefeated season and claimed victory over Queensland in a match that provided
an antidote to the State of Origin. “It was a bit of a relief to finally get the gold medal,” Kurt said. However, his success isn’t limited to national fields. Last year he represented Australia in the Junior World Cup. He also played hockey in Vanuatu and South Africa, and will soon be heading to Germany to train for an Australian development side.

“It’s going to be my first trip to Europe,” he said. “We’ll be playing a few different European sides.” But he said it was not just the travel or the wins that made it such a satisfying pursuit. “It’s a sport that really keeps on giving, there’s always something to improve and something to get better at.” His love of hockey was fostered in Parkes at a young age. Kurt credits the unique hockey environment at Parkes as part of the reason for his success. “You get an opportunity to play with a lot of older people at a young age,” he explained, “so you develop your game a lot sooner and you are a lot tougher on the field.”

Kurt is aiming for a professional career in hockey. “I’d have to move to Perth for the Australian Institute of Sport where the National Hockey training is based,” Kurt said. “I would like to go to the Commonwealth Games, and Tokyo Olympics.”

By Raen Fraser

Time To Enter For The 2017 Parkes Showgirl Competition

July 27, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Showgirl competition is looking to find a vivacious young woman aged 18 to 24 to be an ambassador for Parkes and the wider community. The winner of the Parkes Showgirl competition will become the face of the Parkes
Show. The winner also has the opportunity to go on to compete to at the zone finals and may even go on to be the Land Sydney Royal Showgirl!

By participating in the Parkes Showgirl competition you will be amazed at the personal, professional and networking opportunities that can open up for you. You will also have the chance to win approximately $1,500 in prizes donated by local businesses, increase your exposure to the wider community, meet with community leaders and increase your awareness of the local show and community.

The 2017 Parkes Showgirl Dinner will be on 12th August at the Parkes Town Bowling Club at 6:30pm to meet the entrants. Entry forms are available from the show office in Welcome Street or on the Parkes show website at www.parkesshow.org.au

Maggi Barnard

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