Maggi Barnard

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

Fun, Free & Funky Ideas To Celebrate Mum

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Every Mum is different but special in her own way, and they all deserve to be spoiled and celebrated on Mother’s Day! Here are some fun, free or funky ideas that will help you honour and thank your Mum for her un- conditional love and support.

1. Ask for her to-do list, and take some- thing big off
Mum has things that she really wants done and keeps putting off. Take a weight off her shoulders and just do it.

2. Find an old friend of your mum’s and reconnect them
Help her find long-lost friends through Google, social networks or other services.

3. Host a gathering at your house

Host a brunch, lunch or dinner celebration in honour of Mum.

4. Go through old albums

Reminiscing for a few hours will bring back people we love, laugh out loud moments and even bring new insight into your cur- rent life.

5. Make her a new album

In an age of Facebook and Instagram, printed photos have become special. Make a personalised photo book that Mum will love looking through over and over again.

6. Get her your favourite book

Think of a book you love or one that has made an impact in your life. Write Mum a short note inside the book telling her why you think she’ll love this book too.

7. Give her a clean house

Whether you do it yourself, bribe her grandkids to do it, or get a professional cleaning service.

8. Have a movie marathon

Get a stack of chick flick classics, add popcorn, wine, blankets and a cozy couch for a girls night in.

9. Write her a letter

There’s nothing like a handwritten letter. Acknowledge your Mum for who she is and the contribution she has made in your life.

10. Make her a video

A video greeting for Mums who aren’t nearby, makes her feel like you are right there with her.

11. Learn a craft together

Knitting, scrapbooking, jewellery making, find out what Mum would want to learn. You might find a new hobby you can con- tinue together for years to come.

12. Make her something yourself

There are a tonne of DIY ideas on Pinter- est with instructions.

13. Give the gift of time

If you want to help younger Mums cele- brate Mother’s Day, they all want the gift of a little bit of relaxation, and a little time for themselves.

14. Give a gift that arrives more than once
A subscription keeps on giving! Whether it’s a magazine, a fresh food box, a wine club, whatever tickles Mum’s fancy – she’ll think of you every time her surprise comes in the mail.

Question of the Week

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Why are you interested in heritage homes?

Val Hornery: I grew up in the area. Parkes used to be our shopping centre. It is part of our history and it is lovely to see these homes. It is a great opportunity.

Judi Unger: I live in a really old home and I wanted to see what other people do with theirs. It is just stunning, so beautiful. It is a great idea to open up these homes. It is very kind of the owners to do it, as it is a big intrusion on their privacy.

Chrisina French and David Hudson: We live in Orange and have never been to Parkes. We are also interested in history and have been to herit- age homes all over the world. We thought it would be a great day to take a drive to Parkes and have a look around.

Heritage Homes Are Talk Of The Town

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

More than 400 people took advantage of a glorious autumn day to step back in time visiting the six heritage homes that opened to the public on Sunday.

A mood of admiration and appreciation prevailed as residents and visitors from across the state as far as Sydney admired lovingly restored and cared for homes and gardens. “It is just so beautiful,” was a remark heard over and over again.

Parkes Shire heritage advisory committee chair, Councillor Alan Ward said it was a tremendous turnout for the inaugural year of the Sunrise to Sunset – Parkes Heritage Homes open day.

“It was a wonderful start and has created a lot of interest in the history of our build- ings.” said one of the home owners, Ann Olson. “I think it is the start of something really big. I like it that we still have people living in our heritage buildings and they have not all been turned into museums.”

Ann also hoped the involvement of the National Trust would result in some benefit to the community even if it was just to give owners advice on the restoration of and additions to old buildings.

Alan thanked the home owners for allow- ing people to explore inside their homes. “It was scary to open your home to the public,” said Ann. “But it is a way of sharing the way we live with others, and that was part of the message of the day.”

Ten lucky guests won a chauffeured tour with the Parkes Antique Motor Club transporting them between each of the homes in style.

“It is a wonderful experience.” said Lynne Hawley, regional director of Quota International who came from Condobolin for the day to be chauffeured by Bob Steel in his 1926 MG.

By Maggi Barnard

Positive Start For Spacecats

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The 2017 Services Club Spacecats started the season on a high with a 56-0 win over the Narromine Jets on Sunday.

The Spacecats had a good pre-season build up with trials against Forbes and Dubbo Macquarie, as well as a positive showing at the Canowindra KO. With nine new players on the team, early combinations were important.

It was evident early that Parkes needed to control the ball to trouble the Jets’ de- fense. Rookies Tyannua Goolagong and India Draper combined within the first five minutes to produce a try for Draper, before Goolagong asserted herself on the game.

Scoring three tries and setting up count- less attacking raids, the young half was superb in helping Parkes score more than a point a minute in the first half. One of the features of the first half was a 70m try featuring an exchange of passes between 16-year-olds Emeline Lavaka, Alice Maier and Lauren Chester. The result was Chester posting one of her two tries for the match.

In the second half, a more determined Narromine emerged and troubled Parkes with determined play, however veteran players Sami Afele, Emma Bayley and Demi-Joyce Winter led a siege-mentality defense to stifle numerous Jets raids, and enable Parkes to keep Narromine to zero. Another rookie, Paige Hay totally controlled the second half, combining with skipper Claire Barber to push the final score to 56-0 and record a positive start to the new season.

Hay and Goolagong were judged by their peers as the players of the day, with the emerging Chester not far behind.

By Joseph Spicer

Our Bloke

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

John Sarkissian

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I have lived in Parkes for over 20 years, having arrived with my wife in October 1996, to work at the Parkes Telescope. The best thing about Parkes is the people and the sense of community. It’s a great place to live and work.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy most about your work?
I am an Operations Scientist at the CSIRO Parkes Telescope. As a school boy, I used to day- dream of working there one day, so for me, it’s literally a dream come true. What I enjoy most is the opportunity to work with so many world-class scientists. We have so many people visit from around the world, that at times it feels like a mini United Nations.

What do you do to unwind after work and on weekends?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. There’s nothing better than having a barbecue with friends around. Also, a bit of star gazing at night, really puts me at ease.

What are you really good at?
Talking about astronomy. I really can’t help myself.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I’d like to fly like superman. Imagine flying to the moon and back, with- out the need for a rocket. Now, that would be neat.

What is your pet hate?
Phoning a help line and being made to wait an eternity to speak to a human being. Whatever hap- pened to customer service?

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
I was backpacking through Europe in 1989, when the Berlin Wall came down. It was a great time with many historic events going on. It’s also when I met my wife.

Local Legend Races Into Motorsport Hall Of Fame

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Not many people would expect to win an award more than 20 years after competing in their last race, so it’s understandable that John Pizarro’s most recent accolades took him by surprise.

In March this year John was inducted to the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, a prestigious honour shared by other motor- sport greats, such as three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jack Brabham and five-time MotoGP champion, Mick Doohan.

John admitted that he was completely stunned when the Confederation of Aus- tralian Motorsports asked if he would be prepared to accept the award. “It was quite a surprise.” He said, “It was the last thing on my mind.”

The Parkes Rotarian was among 21 new inductees who were celebrated at a gala function in Melbourne.

Motorsports enthusiasts would know his recognition is well-deserved. John is one of the most recognisable names in Australian karting and is considered to be royalty in the scene.

He earned an impressive record of titles throughout his 30-year career including 15 Australian karting championships. He won races all around the world, competed in five world championships, and won the CIK Asia-Pacific championship.

His contribution to the sport is so well regarded that there is a trophy named after him. The perpetual John Pizarro Trophy is awarded to the champion of the Pro Gear- box class, recognising the highest per- forming karts.

While many consider karting to be a gate- way motorsport, John proves that it’s pos- sible to forge a highly-regarded career on the karting track. He credits his loyalty to the sport as a combination of pragmatism and competitiveness.

“Other motorsports are expensive, and I didn’t have the money for the winning equipment. I liked winning, and I could win in karting.” he said.

He started racing at just 18 years of age after being introduced to the sport by his brother-in-law. “We purchased an old kart with an even worse engine, and broke the con rod on the first race.”

While his brother-in-law was deterred by the experience, John found the challenge enticing. He purchased a bare chassis and embarked on a kart engineering odyssey that took him to the top. “I moved on to a Victor mower engine, and then a McCull- och engine, then proceeded onto an Italian rotary engine.”

It’s no surprise that he managed to strike a winning formula. “When you’re good at something, you work hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you get.” he said.

During his karting career John raced every other weekend, and worked his day- jobs in between; a commitment made more challenging because he had to travel to train on a kart track.

“I worked very hard.” he said. “My phi- losophy is when it’s good, make it better, and when it’s better, make it the best.”

It’s a work ethic that he has taken with him long after his retirement from the racetrack. John owns the 4.5 star Astro Dish Motel, which he built from scratch.

By Raen Fraser

Golf Club Championships A Tight Race

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Nothing separates the leading players in this year’s Terry Bros Furniture & Floor coverings Parkes Golf Club Championships after the opening two rounds last weekend. Reigning club champion, Justin Sutton, and Mitchell McGlashan currently share the lead at even par 142 after 36 holes.

At the end of Saturday’s opening round McGlashan snared the lead after a solid 1 under par 70, while Sutton returned a solid even par round of 71. During Sunday’s sec- ond round Sutton bounced back with an- other par round, while McGlashan returned a one over par round of 72.

Chasing the leading duo is John Green with 11 shots adrift on 153, and Joey Van Opynen in fourth position on 155.

Peter Bristol leads the B Grade after rounds of 89 and 83. Last year’s runner- up Michael Smith is three shots back after rounds of 87 and 88, while pre-championship favourite Dub Rodgers is only 4 shots off the pace with Dave Whitfield.

Veteran golfer and one of Parkes’s favourite sporting identities, Laurie Wake- field shares the lead in C Grade with Duncan Constable after both players recorded 179 shots.

Veteran golfer and defending veterans titleholder Robert Hey has a comfortable 10 shot lead over Ian Phipps in that divi- sion, while Lachie Buesnell is a comfort- able leader in the junior section.

In the overall handicap division only a handful of shots separates the leading ten players with Duncan Constable currently leading a frenzied pack of chasers on 139 just 1 shot clear of Tim Lasserre and Pe- ter Bristol, while Phil Bishop and Laurie Wakefield are just one shot further back on 141.

The final two rounds will be played this weekend with players also vying for the eight positions in the respective three grades of the club’s matchplay champion- ships to be played in conjunction with Saturday’s third round.

By Paul Thomas

One Woman’s Fight For Mother’s Day

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of moth- ers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May.

The modern holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Grafton, West Virginia. Her campaign to make Mother’s Day a recognised holiday in the United States began in 1905, the year her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, died.

Ann Jarvis had been a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the American Civil War, and created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. Anna Jarvis wanted to hon- our her mother by continuing the work she started and to set aside a day to honour all Mothers, because she believed they were “The person who has done more for you than anyone in the world.”

In 1908, the US Congress rejected a proposal to make Mother’s Day an official holiday, joking that they would have to pro- claim also a Mother-in-Law’s Day. However, owing to the efforts of Anna Jarvis, by 1911 some states officially recognised Mother’s Day as a local holiday, the first being West Virginia, Jarvis’ home state, in 1910.

In 1914, Woodrow Wilson signed a proc- lamation designating Mother’s Day, held on the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honour mothers.

Although Jarvis was successful in founding Mother’s Day, she became resentful of the commercialisation of the holiday. By the early 1920s, Hallmark and other com- panies had started selling Mother’s Day cards. Jarvis believed that the companies had misinterpreted and exploited the idea of Mother’s Day, and that the emphasis of the holiday was on sentiment, not profit.

As a result, she organised boycotts of Mother’s Day, and threatened to issue lawsuits against the companies involved. Jarvis argued that people should appre- ciate and honour their Mothers through handwritten letters expressing their love and gratitude, instead of buying gifts and pre-made cards. Jarvis protested at a can- dy makers’ convention in Philadelphia in 1923, and at a meeting of American War Mothers in 1925. By this time, carnations had become associated with Mother’s Day, and the selling of carnations by the Ameri- can War Mothers to raise money angered Jarvis, who was arrested for disturbing the peace.

In 1912 Anna Jarvis created the Mother’s Day International Association. She specifi- cally noted that Mother’s should “be a sin- gular possessive, for each family to honour its own Mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all Mothers in the world.”

(Source: Wikipedia)

Tumbling With Twinkle Toes!

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Twinkle Toes Dance Studio is the only studio in the region offering Acro classes!

Acro, or acrobatic dance, is a great fusion of funky dance, tumbling, contortion and acrobatic elements. With a focus on flex- ibility, strength, balancing, limbering and tumbling, our class progressions take the beginner preschool level dancer from log rolls and summersaults to the advanced dancer tumbling effortlessly across the stage!

Acro dance is an excellent style that teaches kids about the fundamental skills in dance, but also to never give up! We encourage our dancers to persevere and gain confidence from their achievements.

Contact Twinkle Toes on 0439 229 976 for more information on classes.

Super Trouper Abba Weekend In Trundle

May 4, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Trundle ABBA Festival officially kicks off tomorrow with over 5,000 visitors expected to attend.

The Staging Post is showing several films including Marley this afternoon and The Last Waltz tonight. The music trivia event at the Trundle Hotel is tonight at 7pm with the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, Pär Ahlberger asking several rounds of questions.

If fashion is more your bag, you won’t want to miss the Fashions of the Festival tomorrow with a catwalk gracing Trundle’s famously wide main street with several prizes for best dressed female, male, couple, and group, most Swedish dressed and the inaugural Celia Vild Memorial Best of the Best.

Following on from this immensely popular event is the professional dance display and disco competition, with Tristan MacManus and Alana Patience taking to the stage be- fore judging the disco competition.

Other scheduled events not to be missed include the I do, I do, I do, I do, I do wed- ding vow renewals at the Trundle Hotel tomorrow, and the world record attempt for the most number of people dancing on Trundle’s main street at 4pm. The most highly anticipated event of the festival is the performance by Bjorn Again – the world’s number one ABBA Tribute band. Their performance kicks off at 5.30pm at Berryman Oval.

Amitie, the singing trio from Parkes, and the Kransky Sisters from rural Queensland will also be performing. Amitie will perform songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s with their amazing combination of tones and fabulous harmonies.

The Kransky Sisters will offer light relief with their popular award-winning musical concert. Utilising a kitchen pot, toilet brush, keyboard, musical saw, tuba, guitar and dueling tambourines the three weird yet endearing spinsters present offbeat covers of songs ranging from Nana Mouskouri and Eurythmics to Talking Heads and The Bee Gees.

Tickets are on sale now from www.123tix. com.au and there will be a ticket booth in the main street if you haven’t pre-purchased your tickets.

Maggi Barnard

Subscribe