Maggi Barnard

        
Local legend Kath Swansbra has once again taken out top honours in the Arts & Craft awards at this years’ Sydney Royal Easter Show. Kath’s delicate delectables are so impressive that she has won three awards despite only submitting two entries this year.

Kath’s Christmas cake claimed first place in the special occasion cake decorating cat- egory. It is a divinely crafted nativity scene that depicts the first Christmas. Its intricate features include a stable, angels playing a violin and a harp, three wise men, a shepherd with his sheep and desert dunes around the edge.

She joked that she had to watch Lawrence of Arabia several times to get the dunes right. Kath really enjoys doing major jobs that involve a bit of research and a lot of patience. “Sometimes it might take me ten attempts just to get a hand right,” she said. “Icing cracks and you have to start again.It’s a matter of learning your medium.”

Her second entry earned another first place – this time in the sugar art deco- rated egg category. Kath’s hand-moulded sugar egg is an ornate creation that opens to reveal a ballerina. The 11 cm egg took nearly four weeks to create, and it seems the judges appreciated her effort and skill. Her exquisite egg was also the winner of the prestigious Dorothy Evans Perpetual trophy for the best exhibit in cake decorat- ing and sugar art. Kath has won the tro- phy more times than she can remember, but this doesn’t make the victory any less sweet.
“I miss out on it every couple of years,”

Kath said. “But it’s still such a relief to win. I’ve only got one way to go, and that’s down,” she joked. “It’s great to know I’m still good enough with all the younger people who are entering.”

By Raen Fraser

There has been a significant increase in residential water consumption across the Parkes Shire this past summer.

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure, Andrew Francis said: “Due to the very high temperatures, many residents increased their usage by watering their gardens, using evaporative air conditioners and for general household usage”.

“Residents who feel there is a disparity in their water meter reading are encouraged to carry out some simple checks to ensure their reading is correct.”

Check for leaks on the property, such as dripping taps, a running toilet or green patches in the garden.

To check for leaks using the water meter, turn off all water taps and water using appliances. Check the low flow dial in the centre of water metre. If it is ticking, you may have a leak. Note the reading on the water meter. Wait for at least 10 minutes, overnight or during the day when people are away. Check the reading again. If there has been a change to the numbers, there may be a leak on the property and a plumber may be required.

For more information about your water notice, or to report any possible meter misreads, residents are encouraged to contact Council on 6861 2356.

You can find simple water saving tips at http://www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/living-here/ your-property/water/water-saving-tips/E

Parkes Library is hosting a display from Parkes High School students highlighting the issue of bullying until 24th April. The school ran a number of activities for Bullying No Way Day on 17th March, including the Post Bully Project. High School Librarian Tracy Dawson said Post Bully was inspired by Post Secret, a community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. Year 7 to 12 students created postcards over three weeks with messages from both sides.