Maggi Barnard

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

Meet the Team: Raen Fraser

June 8, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you worked with the Phoenix?
I started working with the Phoenix in August last year, so that’s about 10 months now.

What is your role?
I’m a reporter.

What does your usual day look like?
My work days vary depending on what is happening. Some days I’m interviewing or attending events and taking photos. Other times I’m sat at my desk writing up my stories. I’m pretty adaptable and enjoy having a varied routine.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Parkes, but I have been known to wander over to Forbes from time to time.

Best thing about your job?
This job has been great for getting to know the town and meet people. I was fairly new to the region when I started with the Phoenix, so it’s been fantastic to get out and talk to so many different people and see what happens in Parkes. I’ve been impressed by so many of the people I’ve interviewed, it’s great to see the real diversity of talent and triumphs within our community. Everyone has a story, and it’s great to be able to share some of them with our readers.

Future ambitions.
I’ve got a few screenplays at various stages of development – but my big passion project at the moment is a young reader’s novel. The challenge is to balance my time against my responsibilities and make some decent progress on my narrative work this year.

Best Holiday.
I just spent a week training a brumby out near Cobar. It sounds like a very rugged cowboy kind of activity, but the method is more like “How to train your Dragon”. It’s all about establishing trust, it was incredibly gentle and unbelievably easy. My brumby was following me around by the end of the first day, and under saddle by the end of the week. If that wasn’t magic enough, the stars out there were incredible!

Favourite place?
Mon Repos; it’s a sea turtle rookery just near Bundaberg in Queensland. I spent quite a bit of time there in my youth, and we took the kids up a couple of years ago. It’s magical to watch the turtles come up the beach to nest, and to see the tiny little hatchlings dig themselves out of the sand and skitter into the surf. Sometimes there’s luminescent algae in the ocean, and the waves twinkle like blue fairy lights. It’s spectacular.

Favourite food?
Home-cooked meals shared with friends.

How do you spend your weekends?
Sometimes I have to wear my reporter hat, but mostly I kick about with the kids and animals and reluctantly do a bit of housework. My favorite weekends are out with the kids and pony, making pizza, and watching a movie.

Add Amazon To Parkes

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Since the announcement of the huge investment for the Inland Rail Project there is no stopping the Parkes Shire Council in its drive to put Parkes on the map.

Council’s pitch to international electronic commerce giant Amazon with a fun video posted online last week has received an overwhelming response.

After the online retail giant made it known they will establish a fulfilment centre in the country next year, Parkes Shire Council pitched our town as the perfect location to house the Australian arm of Amazon.

Parkes’ strategic location to deliver solu- tions and opportunities for the Amazon business model is highlighted in the quirky one minute video.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said: “The video was designed to showcase Parkes’ strengths as a major logistics hub, whilst also reflecting the essence of our town by letting its personality shine through featuring the iconic Radio Telescope and the world famous Parkes Elvis Festival.”

As Parkes is situated at the intersection of the Newell Highway and major railways linking all major ports in Australia, 80% of the country can be reached overnight.

“Capitalising on these strategic advan- tages, we believe that Parkes offers major distributors such as Amazon a myriad of opportunity,” said the Mayor.

The Inland Rail Project will complete the connection of the Parkes region to global markets via all the major ports of Australia, placing the Central West region into an economically advantageous position.

Parkes is the first point from Sydney where containers can be double stacked on rail, and offers B-double access on all major road routes.

Parkes is also a critical node on the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project which received one of the largest investments ever in regional Australia of $8.4 billion.

According to Council, the Parkes National Logistics Hub offers choice and solutions that are cheaper, faster, easier and more efficient than alternative offerings. Investing in Parkes means lower overhead costs and greater profits as warehousing costs are at least 50% cheaper than Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane. Fully serviced industrial land is one tenth of the cost compared to Sydney.

“Council will continue to seek out these opportunities in order to generate positive outcomes for our community and ensure it all adds up to a vibrant Parkes Shire region”, the Mayor added.

For more information about the Parkes Logistics Hub visit www.parkeshub.com.au View the Amazon video at https://youtu.be/ lpEeWeLl1C0

Caring And Sharing For Reconciliation

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

More than 100 hands formed a colourful display for the start of National Reconciliation Week 2017 at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre last Saturday.

“It is all about caring and sharing,” said David Acheson of the Lachlan Reconciliation Group who organised the event.

Two significant anniversaries in Australia’s reconciliation journey are celebrated this year as it is 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the historic Mabo decision.

Councillor Wally Biles shared his personal experience of the 1967 referendum at the event on Saturday. “I grew up on the Brewarrina Mission near Bourke and we were not allowed to leave or move off the mission. If it was not for the referendum I would never have got an education,” said the Police officer, who was elected to council for the first time last year.

The Councillor said although there had been a lot of positive changes, there was still a lot of work to be done. “We should all embrace national reconciliation, make it part of the Council calendar and make sure this celebration happens every year.

The winner of the raffle run by the Lachlan Reconciliation Group was Wiradjuri teacher Loretta Gilbey winning a Wiradjuri diction- ary and grammar book, donated by Uncle Stan Grant.

Adding to the Sea of Hands display made in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander national colours were two art works made by the Parkes Early Childhood Centre and Middleton Preschool on exhibit.

As part of the commemorations, Council is working on an Indigenous art project to go on display throughout the Parkes Shire.

The last event takes place tomorrow at the Parkes Library. Everyone is invited to the launch of an exhibition titled Erratic Symbiosis, Unearthing Past Voices – Sowing Future Visions curated by Sean James Cassidy.

By Maggi Barnard

Five Pillars For Peace

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The many parks in Parkes contribute to a positive feel of beauty and tranquility. The newest park is a space where visitors can specifically contemplate the meaning and value of peace.

The construction of the new Rotary Peace Precinct located within the Rotary Arboretum on Bushman Street will soon be complete.

Supported by a Country Arts Support Program (CASP) grant, the new Peace Precinct has been built to provide the community a space for reflection and to gather each year for world peace.

A dry creek bed was constructed which includes the installation of five carved timber pillars by local artists Sean Cassidy, Scott (Sauce) Towney and Scott Turnbull.

“Four of the five pillars are positioned along the natural curve of the dry creek bed, representing four music notes. Together they make a harmony – and harmony is what the peace precinct is all about,” Sean explained.

“The five pillars stand for peace, respect and value diversity, acknowledge the past, strong families strong community, and Yindymarra Winhanganha – a Wiradjuri phrase meaning ‘the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in’.”

Sean said they should remind us that respect, rejection of violence, resolution, reconciliation and freedom contributed to a state of peace. The pillars are carved with Wiradjuri iconography to acknowledge the First Peoples and our local history.

Council staff joined members of the Rotary Club to carry out landscaping and planting around the pillars.

Rotary Club secretary Ken Engsmyr said: “We hope the re-development of the precinct will encourage discussion around the five featured themes, and that it will become a focus for peace activities in future.”

“Parkes was officially declared a Peace Community in 2012. This project will reflect the credo of our community being an inclusive place to live, work and visit.”

Powering Her Way To World Championships

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A former Parkes resident will be competing at the 2017 World Powerlifting Championships in Belarus this month.Megan Hinchley (nee Tanswell) of Gunningbland will be competing in her second world championship and fourth international level competition.

Megan, who grew up in Parkes, now lives in Canberra and runs her own personal training business. She started powerlifting in 2010, and has previously competed for Australia at the 2012 and 2014 Oceania Championships and the 2015 World Championships.

Powerlifting is a sport conceived as a pure test of strength. It comprises of three lifts, the squat, bench press and deadlift.

Megan (35) only weighs 51kg, but can squat 130kg, bench press 67.5kg and deadlift 147.5kg, which is almost three times her body weight.

She will travel to Minsk, Belarus in mid June to compete with the best powerlifters in the world for the Australian team. She hopes to improve on her lifting total and world ranking. She will make the trip with her mum, Maree Tanswell from Parkes, who will be part of the Australian support crew.

Emily’s Scholarship Will Further Her Career Path

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Tullamore local Emily Walker has been awarded a 2017 Horizon Scholarship to support her studies in Agriculture at Charles Sturt University (CSU).

The Horizon Scholarship is an initiative of the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), and recognises students for their leadership and commitment to the future of Australian agriculture.

Emily was one of 15 students to be granted a scholarship from a pool of over 150 applicants. She will receive $5,000 each year while she completes a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at the CSU Wagga Wagga campus.

Emily said agricultural business was exciting because it provided the challenge of helping others and researched new ideas to improve areas within the industry.

“I have a strong interest in agribusiness because I believe that, in order to be successful in the agricultural industry, financial stability and management must be maintained,” she said.

“I am also rather interested in the cropping industry, particularly in regards to wheat because it is a vital food source for the world and like many industries is in need for continuous growth and development in order to provide for the growing population of the world.”

Emily’s career goal is to work alongside others in the agricultural industry to increase its success, profitability and sustainability, and she sees the scholarship providing many opportunities for her to develop her skills and connections.

“I feel extremely fortunate and am very excited to be involved in this amazing experience with the opportunity to improve my skills, develop connections within the agriculture industry and increase my first-hand experience,” Emily said.

RIRDC Managing Director, John Harvey, congratulated all of the scholarship recipients.

“These scholars are tipped as our brightest young leaders and are the one to watch when it comes to shaping the future of Australian agriculture.”

Model To Judge Fashions On The Field

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The main judge for the Parkes Picnic Races Fashions on the Field next Saturday is former local Jay Fisher.

Jay was born in Parkes and relocated with his family to Canberra before commencing high school where he started modelling for local designers and magazines.

Jay now lives in Sydney and has built a large following on Instagram (@jayfishr). Jay’s social media platform has enabled him to collaborate with Australian and global brands, such as Daniel Wellington, Shoreditch, Julius Marlow and Bodaskins to name a few.

More recently Jay and his partner, Sam McDougall have signed a six-month deal to be Holden ambassadors, promoting the new Holden Astra via their social media channels.

Jay has a large extended family based in Parkes and is very excited to be a part of this annual event. He anticipates a high level of creativity with the fashions this year – so the challenge is out there Parkes!

Parkes Student Stands Up For Indigenous Youth In Canberra

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A young Parkes resident was selected for a very special parliament sitting in Canberra last week.

Brenton Hawken participated in the 2017 National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP) with 50 other young Indigenous Aus- tralians at Old Parliament House.

Brenton, who is currently studying a Bach- elor of Education at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, was selected from a field of 306 applicants across Australia for a week-long intensive leadership program.

The program involved meeting with Parliamentarians, business, community and Indigenous leaders and learning about the parliamentary process. They participated in a two-day simulated Parliament debating bills on issues identified by the participants. These included education, employment, improving access to mental health, human rights and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.

For Brenton, who would like to become a school principal to inspire the next generation of youth to pursue their goals and dreams, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

He also met the Member for Riverina and Minister for Small Business, Michael McCormack. The Minister said he was delighted to meet Brenton and sponsor part of his participation in the NIYP.

“Brenton, his family and peers should be proud of his selection, because his participation highlights his achievement as a proactive individual and positive role model who strives to make a personal contribution to his community.”

“I commend Brenton for taking such an active interest in speaking up for and on behalf of his community and for both indigenous and non-indigenous youth alike.

“I have no doubt we’ll see more of Bren- ton in the future as an up and coming leader and I encourage him to follow his dreams and wish him every success as he sets out to do so.”

The NIYP is delivered by the Australian Electoral Commission in collaboration with the YMCA and the Museum of Australian Democracy.

Our Bloke

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Wilbur Harris

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
Aside from a couple of small stints living elsewhere I’ve been in Parkes for 35 years. Parkes is a vibrant and very supportive community, I like the lifestyle it offers.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
My wife, Sarah, and I run Parkes Mensland. The best thing that can happen in your working day, is a customer saying “Thank you for fantastic service.”

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I am part of a pretty big family, so spending time with them watching my kids playing their sports is always rewarding. I also play bowls when I can.

What are you really good at?
Not much… My Mum always says that I am a jack of all trades but a master of none.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To be able to spend more time with the loved ones I have lost.

What is your pet hate?
Paper work!

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I haven’t had one yet.

Watch Out For Calcium Deficient Ewes

June 1, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Local sheep farmers are experiencing calcium deficient ewes known as hypocalcaemia. This is a common calcium disorder for ewes that becomes more frequent at lambing time.

This condition is common as the lamb is entirely dependent on the ewe to provide calcium to build strong bones for the first few weeks. The peak demand for calcium for a lamb is at 10 days of age, but that demand on the ewe steadily increases from midway through pregnancy, as the lamb’s bones begin to calcify.

Inadequate calcium supply by a ewe to her lamb means the lamb has lower bone calcium stores, and as an adult will be more at risk of hypocalcaemia when lamb- ing, perpetuating the risk into the next generation.

The disorder is more common in transported sheep and those in stressful situations, such as when yarded for shearing in winter.

Fortunately, if recognised early, a simple treatment with a calcium solution injected under the skin and oral supplements will affect a recovery in most sheep.

Farmers can influence the risk of hypocalcaemia by ensuring the ewes get fed a balanced diet, which contains at least 3 gm/kg DM calcium, and up to 5 gm/kg in ewes with multiple lambs. Legume forages are great sources of calcium, and cereal grains are poor.

Sourced from agriculture.vic.gov.au

Maggi Barnard

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