Maggi Barnard

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

Netball News

June 15, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes netball will be holding its month- ly meeting on Monday, 19th June at the Parkes Services Club at 7pm. Each team is to send a representative for one bonus competition point.

Results Round 5

Division 1

Emeralds 26 def Saphires 25 (Most Consist- ent: Monique Morgan and Libby Pepper) U12s Reps 24 def Diamonds 21 (Most Con- sistent: Emily McGinnes and Hannah Martyn)

Division 2

Stars 6 def Gitters 4 (Most Consistent: Emilia Takiari and Brienna Brown)

Super 8s

Magics 18 def Rockettes 4 (Most Consistent Mhairi Whllie and Lucy MacGregor) Twinkles 15 def Hot Shots 6 (Most Consistent Sienna Barber and Sophie Laing)

Successful Dragonboat Season

June 15, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Dragonboat Club had a very successful and busy season with regional and state championship representation and some outstanding performances by club members competing at several regattas.

The Mulwala challenge with a team paddle of over 20km was described by several members as an event not to be missed

The club coach Carmen Stephens has been an outstanding find this year. Her abil- ity to train and coach the team in all the required technique and skill is great.

The club is very grateful for the sweeps Neil Stephens, Kathryn Sweeney and Bill Thomas. Without these accredited sweeps the club would be unable to operate. It’s also good to see Michael Green and Chris Favell having a go at sweeping.

The club’s annual general meeting is on 6th July at 6:30pm at the Forbes Sports & Recreation club.

If you are interested in dragon boating and would like to come and try, go to Facebook or the website. Serious training will resume in August in preparation for the next sea- son’s regattas and the Kalari–Lachlan River Arts Festival in September.

By Chris Sweeney

Brenton Is A Young Man On A Mission

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Brenton Hawken is an impressive young man. He has already accumulated an enviable portfolio of scholarships and nominations and he hasn’t even finished university yet.

Last month he added another achievement to his already glowing CV when he was selected to attend the National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP).

The Parkes Wirradjuri man was amongst 50 other young Indigenous Australians invited to participate in the week-long program, which was held at Old Parliament House in May.

“This had been a six-year goal of mine,” he said. “I was overwhelmed with joy when I was selected.”

Brenton admits that he is a very goal driven person. “I set myself a lot of little tasks and challenges and work towards them.”

He can cross meeting the Prime Minister off his to do list. During the NIYP program he had the opportunity to speak with both Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten.

“The real highlight was delivering my adjournment debate in front of Tony Smith, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he said. “I learned a lot about Australian democracy and the parliamentary system.”

Brenton said the experience has definitely helped clarify his ambition, and possibly helped shape it as well. “I’m very passionate about education, I wouldn’t be where I am without access to such quality education. I can’t speak highly enough of the teachers who helped me succeed.

“My ultimate goal is to be the minister for

education one day.”

By Raen Fraser

Harry Rows Into World Junior Championships

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A 16-year-old Condobolin boy has been selected to represent Australia at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Lithuania in August.

Harry is the son of Bernadette and Phillip Crouch and grandson to Julie Harris of the Southern Cross Village in Parkes.

Harry will row in the two seat of the under 19 men’s quad scull with three Year 12 rowers from Sydney.

Harry competed at the Sydney International Regatta Centre achieving a personal best time in a 2k erg test of 6 minutes 15 seconds. This placed him third overall on weight-adjusted ranking out of more than 80 rowers from all over Australia. He then went through a series of sculling races, in which he ended up ranked 4th overall in a very high quality field. This ranking helped Harry to be placed in a strong crew for the remainder of the trials.

To make this feat more remarkable, Harry had to train on his own before the trials when he went home to Condobolin for the holidays. He had to travel considerable distances in order to row each day. Long rows were done at Lake Cargelligo and shorter rows at Gum Bend Lake or on Bundaburah Creek near Forbes. Harry moved to Newington College in Sydney last year to chase his dreams to row for his country.

Harry’s uncle in Forbes, Wilbur Harris is selling $100 tickets at Parkes Mensland to help support him.

Bernie’s Train Of Thought Takes Him Places

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

All he ever wanted to be was a train driver, but at 54 he has become the unofficial ambassador for the Australian railway.

Parkes resident Bernie Baker is not only the star of Australian Railroad, the highest rating local series in the Discovery Channel’s history, but also can’t keep up with the Facebook friend requests streaming in.

“It is hard work being popular,” said Bernie who had over 800 requests since the second series went on air four weeks ago.

Bernie has taken me to his favourite loco-motive, a 1951 Streamliner, and standing in the crisp winter sun he is quick to point out “I just take it all in my stride. It is quite surreal at times,” he says having a giggle about some of the ‘requests’ he gets from women.

“I used to live a nomadic lifestyle working all over the country and loving parties, but I met my wife in Parkes and we have three kids – it’s the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

The same passion for the railway that has made him such a popular character in the first series, drives him and his devotion to Parkes. “I love the town so much I want to be the Mayor.”

But Bernie nearly did not make it into the railway. Growing up “down south in Mexico”, all he ever wanted to do was to follow in his father’s footsteps. “I could not get through school quick enough, but they did not want me at first because I was wearing glasses. So I joined the army.”

He did realise his dream and Bernie remembers his starting date on 28th December 1982 very clearly. “Who starts a new job between Christmas and New Year?” When a friend showed him 34 years later they were looking for volunteer train drivers for the Railroad Australia program, his love of trains was still pumping strongly in his blood.

“I got used to having the cameras around all the time real easy,” said Bernie. “The only thing I needed to be mindful of was swearing, as I did not want to be a ‘beep’ on TV.”

For Bernie it is not about being a reality TV show star, he genuinely loves being a train driver and enjoys everything about it: the sounds, smells, phenomenal views, “especially of sunsets with a toasted sandwich in your hand. It is a wonderful job.”

Like a true ambassador he hopes his passion would inspire young people to become train drivers. “It is a good, honest career.”

The second series of Railroad Australia is currently screened on the Discovery channel on Thursdays at 7:30pm. The first series is on YouTube.

By Maggi Barnard

Graduates Keen To Go Green Again

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

According to Kermit the frog it’s not easy being green, but for the participants of the Green Army it certainly is rewarding.

The latest Green Army crew had a graduation ceremony at the Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) office in Parkes on Tuesday. The hardworking participants have spent the last 20 weeks working on biodiversity projects in the Parkes and Forbes Shires, including the Gum Swamp Painted Snipe Project and the Central West Livestock Exchange.

Green Army graduate Kyasha Palmer loved the experience. “I really liked the team environment, and also getting out there and helping the actual environment.”

Green Army Supervisor Guy Bennet said the participants had developed some valuable skills during the program. “We do a lot for the environment, but it’s more about what they get out of it, where they improve and what they’ve come from,” he said.

Mayor Graeme Miller congratulated the graduates for their efforts. “It’s great to see young people being given this opportunity. I wish them all well in their endeavours in the workforce.”

The CWLL team are looking for local land-holders who have projects that would be suitable for the next Green Army program. Contact Marg Applebee on 68624914 for more information.

By Raen Fraser

Parkes Boars Stomp Over Dubbo Rhinos

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

With two straight losses each, the Parkes Boars defeated the Dubbo Rhinos 59 – 7 at Caltex Park on Saturday.

The Rhinos appeared to dominate the opening play with Ross Gilmore crossing for the first points plus a successful conversion.

Not long after Boars full back Lloyd Rog- ers crashed through the defence to score wide. The conversion missed. Sam Standen collected a great pass from the sideline run of Rogers to find the line on the wing, but the conversion went wide again.

Flanker Ash Adams was next to score after a fumble by the Rhinos.

Ben Powlay and winger Dyllan Phillis combined to run the ball 60m with Phillis taking it across the line. Lock Toby Baigent scored his first of three. Israel Symington was the last to score in the first half. The Boars took to the break with a handy 34-7 lead.

It took Baigent five minutes to find the line for his second try. The Rhinos tried to assemble their defence but the Boars kept finding a way through. Joe Nash was the next to crash across after dominating the centre field play for the best part of the match. With ten minutes to go, Baigent crossed for his third.

Aron Peters on the wing had a strong running game, while Rogers took a cheeky inside pass and ploughed across the line for his second, and converted his own with five minutes to go. The Boars still attacked taking the ball within 15m, when right on the final minute Symington put the ball on his boot and dropped it neatly over the posts to add three points and take the match.

The second grade Boars followed the lead and put on a clinical display of rugby to take the match off the Dubbo Rhinos.

Inside centre Dyllan Phillips, in his 100th senior club game for the Boars, crossed the line two minutes in. Number 8, Matt Parker added the extras. Two minutes later full back Pat Jones crossed for his first and Parker added the extras again.

On the 10 minute mark, Jones finds himself with the ball on his chest and he sprints 25m to cross on the wing. The conversion went wide.

The Rhinos found a small gap and crossed beside the posts and converted.

Half time score Boars 19-7 up.
The Boars kept the Rhinos scoreless in the second half. Pat Jones crossed for his third with three minutes to go and sealed the match for the Boars.

By Cath Ryan

Polding Touch Trials In Port Macquarie

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Twelve students from Holy Family School joined other students from the Diocese to form the Wilcannia-Forbes touch football teams. They travelled to Port Macquarie to compete in the Polding Touch trials last Friday against teams from Armidale, Bathurst, Broken Bay, Lismore and Maitland- Newcastle. A total of 67 girls and 27 boys played five games against each other competing for 12 spots per team.

It was a fantastic opportunity for the Holy Family students to build new friendships, watch some super touch teams and to show what great sports they can be. Congratulations to Jorja Simpson and Bronte Thomson who made it into the possibles and probables.

Many thanks to Sue McGrath (Parkes Touch Association), Kate Hillston (boys team manager), Julie Herring (girls team manager) and all the parents who travelled, and offered support and praise to the players.

Time To Dress Up For the Picnic Races

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Visitors from all over the state will converge on Parkes this weekend for the social event of the year – the annual Parkes Coragdery and Diggers Picnic Races.

With catered marquees, live music from One Non Blond, full bar and TAB facilities and good weather, it promises to be a great day at the Parkes Racecourse on Eugowra Road.

The gates open from 11:30am, with tickets selling for $15.00 for adults, and free entry for under 16 years. Racing will start around midday.

The Parkes Jockey Club has put together a professionally run five-race programme featuring the Coradgery Cup. There will be an interstate betting ring and a totalisator for the punters.

The Fashions on the Field has Jay Fisher as the main judge. The categories are junior, teenager, best dressed gent, most stylish couple, cutting edge, most elegant lady and millinery.

There is also a prize for the best dressed private and commercial tent. Tent holders choose their own design.

There will be a free bus service at the end of the day back to town with the first bus departing 15 minutes after the last race.

Mayoral Notes

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

We welcomed Daryl Lawrence from the Department of Industry – Lands and Forestry on Monday to officially switch on the new floodlights at Jock Colley Field at Pioneer Oval. The new lights will allow Parkes to host larger carnivals at night, and facilitate a more flexible timetable for matches and training. I thank the Department of Industry for its contribution of $29,000 towards the $70,000 project.The popular Parkes Picnic Races will kick off the long weekend in style tomorrow. This is a staple event in the social calen- dar for many locals. There will be plenty of trackside entertainment, live music by One Non Blond and the popular Fashions on the Field. Tickets available at the gate.

On Sunday the Parkes Spacemen meet neighbouring rivals Forbes Magpies at Jock Colley Oval. It is sure to be a stellar match with a tremendous display of local talent.

With a variety of sporting, cultural and social activities taking place across the three days, it all adds up to a fantastic June long weekend in Parkes. See a full list of events at visitparkes.com.au

To mark Refugee Week 2017, Parkes Library will be screening the documentary “Cast from the Storm” on Thursday, 22nd June at 5.30pm. It tells the story of a group of teenage refugees.

Enjoy your weekend.

Yours Faithfully
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Maggi Barnard

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