Maggi Barnard

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

12 Ambassadors Spread The Word About Books

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The biggest group of library ambassadors so far are at the back (L-R) Elly Leach, Asher Gould, Thys Hutchings, Zahli Gillingham, Lila Thompson and Curdie Butler. In front are Aliza Roberts, Addison Wild, Breanna Powell, Sienna Hewett, Grace Mayo and Peggy Swift.

The Parkes Library Ambassadors program has 12 participants this year boasting the biggest number since its inception in 2019.

The 12 students come from all five primary school and includes two students representing the local home school network for the first time. The Year 5 students represent Parkes Christian School, Parkes Public, Parkes East and Middleton Public School and Holy Family.

The group was invited to afternoon tea at the Parkes Library last Wednesday to meet each other and Parkes Shire Councillors Marg Applebee and Jacob Cass, and go on a tour of the library. It also included a creative session in the Marramarra Makerspace

“I just love reading, and that is why I wanted to become a library ambassador,” said 10-year-old Peggy Swift from Parkes Christian School. Her friend Grace Mayo from Parkes Christian School, is also a book lover and is into reading Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers. “It is the best story!”

For Elly Leach (11), who is home schooled, it was about seizing the moment when the opportunity to become a library ambassador came up. “I will also enjoy telling other kids about activities at the library at our home school meets.”

She said her favourite book was The Chronicles of Narnia The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis. She also enjoyed the Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

The role of the ambassadors include the promotion of and communication about what is happening at the Parkes Library with their respective school communities. They are also invited to events at the library and invited to write book reviews of new books.

The program was started in 2019 after a trial was run in 2018 and it was found that when students heard something from their peers it had more value.

Snippets…

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

At the official opening of the Peak Hill Art and Craft Exhibition last Friday were (L-R) Parkes Shire Councillor Marg Applebee, Cr Bill Jayet, President Maria George and Cr Louise O’Leary.

COVID Clinic Relocation: The drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic has relocated to the carpark at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant at 124 Webb Street. The clinic will continue operating from Monday to Friday from 10am – 12pm.

Calleen Art Award: The Cowra Regional Art Gallery has announced that entries are now open for the prestigious Calleen Art Award 2022 of $25,000.The Calleen Art Award is a national acquisitive painting prize in any subject and style (there is no theme). The award was founded in 1977 by Patricia Fagan OAM and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust. Selected finalists will be exhibited at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery from 9th October to 20th November. The winner of the Calleen Art Award 2022 will receive $25,000 and the winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery. A non-acquisitive People’s Choice Award of $1,000 is awarded at the end of the exhibition. Entries Close: 25th July 2022.

More Relief Teachers: More than 260 regional, rural and remote schools will have access to a dedicated local pool of relief teachers they can call on to help cover when teachers are away. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the expansion of the Casual Supplementation Program was a win for schools in the bush. “The program offers teachers a three year, full-time role as a relief teacher with the benefits of job security, professional learning and leave entitlements.” The program groups schools in geographic clusters with a commute time of around an hour from a central ‘hub’ school where the relief teacher is based.

Long Term Grazing Permits: Livestock producers in the Central West have been invited to make a tender submission for long-term grazing access to select Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs). Stock Permits – Long Term Grazing, previously known as Management Agreement Permits, will be allocated via a robust tender process to give producers access to a TSR for periods longer than 12 months. Tender submissions will close at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 6th July. For more information visit www. lls.nsw.gov.au/tsr and follow the links. In NSW, there are more than 6,500 TSRs on Crown land covering an area of around two million hectares. Local Land Services is responsible for about 30% of TSRs in NSW.

The women’s bowlers held a Pink Day at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club on Tuesday and raised an amazing amount of $704 for breast care nurses! Here are some of the pink players on the day.

Be Seen @ Parkes Picnic Race

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Britney Hubbard won the prize for the Best Dressed Tent.

Alyssa Miller of local band Foxxy Cleopatra.

Emily Gersbach with Sue and Al Gersbach, Izzy Wright and Casey Pattern.

Natalie Perin was the compere for Fashions on the Field.

Myopia

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is an eye condition that affects the clarity of distance vision. People with myopia can usually see clearly up close, but require spectacles or contact lenses to see clearly in the distance.

Myopia affects approximately 15% of the population. It is the most common vision impairment in the world for people under the age of 40.

In recent years, the prevalence of myopia has grown at an alarming rate. If current trends continue, by the year 2050, roughly half the people on the planet (5 billion people) will be myopic.

The onset of myopia is usually around the teenage years, but can occur earlier. Generally, the younger a child is when they first develop myopia, the faster their vision will deteriorate, and the more severe it is in adulthood.

While glasses or contact lenses can correct a child’s vision, research shows that high myopia can place a child at risk of a number of eye problems later in life, including retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Usually, myopia is corrected with glasses or contact lenses, however recent research has shown there are a number of reliable ways to slow the progression of myopia in children. This includes specialty glasses, orthokeratology contact lenses for overnight wear, specialty disposable contact lenses and atropine eye drops.

Other studies have shown the importance of outdoor time (green time). Children who spend more than two hours a day outdoors have a reduced risk of developing myopia.

Healthcare professionals have become increasingly concerned about the impact of lockdowns and home-learning on children in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To counter the effects of prolonged screen time, children (and their parents) should do a screen time self-assessment and devote a portion of their day to green time: time spent outdoors, engaging with nature.

While green time is not a direct cure for myopia, it can provide a helpful balance for the developing child. By increasing time outdoors, you will reduce time on your digital devices – and promote healthy lifestyle habits.

Contact Hansen Optometrists Parkes to discuss the most suitable treatment with our optometrist. ‘We are locals caring for locals.’ www.eyecareplus.com.au/eyeconditions/myopia

Free Heavy Vehicle Forum In Forbes

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Registrations are open for this year’s Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum at the Forbes Inn on Thursday, 30th June.

Local farmers, contract harvesters, couriers, truck drivers and transport company operators are invited to attend.

“We are really excited to be back and to be able to deliver this format which allows for more two-way discussion about the topics that are affecting the local freight industry,” said organiser Melanie Suitor, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer.

This year will feature three sessions: 1) Effluent, load restraint and Chain of Responsibility from 7.10 – 8.10am; 2) Heavy vehicle access from 8.30 – 9.40am; 3) PBS vehicles from 10 – 11am. You can register for all of the sessions, just one or two.

The forum is free, but registration is required for catering purposes. To register online at: https://forms.office.com/r/ETBbmuA2K1, via the Councils’ Facebook pages or call Melanie on 6861 2364.

Arts & Craft Exhibition Boosts Peak Hill’s Positive Energy

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

At the official opening of the Peak Hill Art and Craft Exhibition last Friday were Ann McI-ntyre, who received her Life Membership badge for her support of the Leisure Centre, guest speaker May Chandler and president Maria George.

There was a buzz of positivity in Peak Hill over the long weekend when around 400 visitors attended the various events of the 49th Annual Arts and Craft Exhibition.

“It was a fabulous weekend,” said a very happy and satisfied Judi Unger, secretary of the Peak Hill Leisure Centre. She said not only did the local community and businesses get behind the event, but many visitors from as far as Victoria stopped to have a look with so much happening in the main street. “I have never seen so many cars, it felt like the old days.”

She said apart from the three main venues at the Peak Hill Leisure Centre, The Carrington and Peak Hill Country Crafts, businesses joined in with a mega book sale, a pop-up antique shop, workshops, an author talk and lots more. “All venues made really good money this year, and there was a lot of positive energy in the community that encouraged more people to take part.”

Long-time Peak Hill resident May Chandler was an excellent guest speaker at the official opening on Friday night. “At age 94 she was so articulate telling us about her life and how she came to Australia as a nine-year-old as part of the Barnardo’s child migration program. Despite her hardships she has such a positive attitude to life and is still actively doing crochet, cross-stitch and making cards,” said Judi.

The renovated Carrington building has also proved to be an excellent exhibition space and Judi said she would love to see more one-off exhibitions being held there. “It is the perfect place for it, and cost wise it would be much more reasonable.”

With the success and great support of this year’s event behind them, Judi said planning for next year’s 50th anniversary would start early to garner as much support as possible. “One of our aims is to compile a coffee table book for next year.”

Trent Is Our Winner For May

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Trent Wright is the winner of the Tradie of the Month Competition for May. Trent is the owner of Outback Windows, Doors & More. He was very happy with his prize sponsored by Totally Work Wear, which he received from the store manager Laura O’Shannessy. Congratulations Craig and we hope you enjoy your prize!

Send us your nominations for the June competition to us by email: editor@parkesphoenix.com.au stating the tradie’s name and workplace, or drop your nomination in at TWW. The closing date for this month’s nominations is Friday, 26th June.

Letter to the Editor

June 17, 2022 By Jim Cassidy

Dear Editor,

Residents of Brolgan Road, east of the Newell Highway bypass currently being built and Hartigan Avenue extension, are objecting to a name change.

A meeting of residents held recently was attended by four Parkes Shire Councillors. The consensus reached was that we retain our addresses in Brolgan Road, and Hooley Street retain its addresses and Hooley Street retain its name.

It was agreed Brolgan Road, west of the bypass and Hartigan Avenue extension, be renamed Brolgan Road West. There are 78 addresses in Brolgan Road west of Middleton Street. There are five addresses in Hooley Street.

The name Brolgan was derived from the aboriginal name for a beautiful Australian bird, the Brolga. Hooley is an Irish word for a wild party. Hooligan was derived from the same source.

The inconvenience of a name change to residents and the cost to ratepayers is unjustified. Emergency Services have GPS technology. Our neighbour called the ambulance which found him easily. A horseman came from Bathurst on Sunday and drove directly to 58 Brolgan Road, using GPS.

Yours faithfully
Jim Cassidy

Hockey Players In State Teams

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Plenty of Parkes hockey players have been selected for NSW State teams recently. The 2022 NSW masters teams: 34s: Louise Witherow (shadow); 50s: Denise Gersbach (LT), Jane Rodgers, Mandy Westcott and Sue McGrath (shadow); 65 Blues: Fran Dixon, Maureen Massey and Donna Payne (manager). NSW Country team: Will Searl after his performance at the Men’s Open State Championships last weekend.Congratulations to you all!

Mariah In Team For Commonwealth Debut

June 17, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes hockey star Mariah Williams will make her debut at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July this year.

Despite having 93 caps for Australia, Mariah has never played at the Commonwealth Games. She was recently also selected for the Women’s Hockey World Cup squad. Mariah is one of 12 debutants picked for the Games with the Hockeyroos aiming to return to their golden ways. They have won gold in four of the six Commonwealth Games where hockey has been played. The Hockeyroos will come up against New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland and Kenya in their group stage.

Maggi Barnard

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