Maggi Barnard

A commitment to mentoring staff was recognised last week when Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure was honoured by the Australian Water Association (AWA). Andrew Francis received the Kamal Fernando Mentoring Award at the AWA NSW branch awards held in Sydney last Friday.

The award recognises individuals who have displayed outstanding passion and commitment to mentoring water industry professionals in acquiring the skill and resources needed to succeed as a professional. Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM said: “Andrew successfully delivered our Lake Endeavour Dam upgrade project which was highly commended for project management by Engineers Australia.

Similarly our $70 million Parkes Water and Sewage Treatment Plant builders were procured through a series of early tenderer involvement workshops, again showing innovation and ability to get results through people. Andrew also chairs the CENTROC Water Utilities Alliance, which has achieved some great regional results. His dedication,
innovation and regional participation in the water industry is to be commended.” Parkes Shire Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd said: “Andrew’s expertise is a tremendous asset to not only his department, but the entire Council workforce as a respected advisor, mentor and sounding board.”

Local retailers were inspired to visually transform Clarinda Street at a recent Back to Business Week workshop. Fifteen retail operators took part in the Parkes Shire Council’s retail revamp program. It was aimed at inspiring small to medium business operators to rethink visual merchandising.

In association with the Department of Industry, visual merchandising specialist, Carol Bagaric from AusVM hosted four workshops. “The strength and power of the Parkes retailers coming together, helping each other make statements with their shop windows, whilst having a giggle and networking, was so refreshing to see,” said Carol.

Participants learnt about trends, colours and theory practices to create a visual story in their shop window displays.
Parkes Newsagency, Parkes Stationery and Office Furniture and Parkes Sportspower enabled the participants to put theory into practice within their stores. “We loved having the girls in store implementing the practices within our business,” said Christine and Chloe form Parkes Newsagency.

Local community organisations and businesses are one step closer to funding their next project thanks to the funding forums that were held in the Parkes Shire Library’s Coventry Room last Thursday. Two dozen people attended the grantwriting workshops facilitated by Parkes Shire Council’s Grants Officers Sally Chapman and Ellie O’Donoghue. The workshops were designed to give participants the skills to make their project submissions more likely to succeed. The attendees included representatives from local community groups as well as businesses and individuals who have ideas for community projects.

The forums opened with a brainstorming session to encourage participants to look for synergies between projects, and facilitate networking. The participants were told that one of the keys to successful submissions is to look for appropriate grants, but also broaden the scope and look outside-the-box; for example a youth arts project could qualify for grants that target either youth or arts.

Eligibility is vital for funding success, and community grants must demonstrate the need for the project and state its benefit to the local community. Crucially, community grants cannot benefit an individual or business, or be used to fund recurring expenses or debts. Applicants should indicate how the grant money will be spent, attaching quotes where possible.

The facilitators also urged the participants be aware of acquittal requirements. Keeping records and photographs make the final reporting process easier. Elysha Loiterton, Northparkes External Community Relations Advisor attended the afternoon session to share advice on applying for a Northparkes Community Investment Program, encouraging participants to take advantage of the $80,000 that is allocated for local community initiatives each year.

The Parkes & District Historical Society will be holding it’s annual Smoke Rust and Noise Day on Sunday, 2nd April at Henry Parkes Museum antique machinery site. This will be our 22nd year of having a Start Up Day (as we used to call it). The day will be a celebration of 50 years of the Henry Parkes Museum and 47 years of the Antique Machinery Museum.

Special visitors on the day will include the Armstrong Siddely Car Club and hopefully the Small Engine Group from Mumbil. The 2nd of April will also commence our year of special displays. We will celebrate our history and heritage by showcasing a number of items, as well as the history of Radio 2PK – The Voice of the Golden West – for its 80th anniversary. The 2PK Sunshine Club had up to 5,000 members while the 11am playing of Painting the Clouds with Sunshine was very popular too. The Forbes and Trundle Clubs are still going today. The clubs raised thousands of dollars for the Royal Far West Children’s Health Scheme. Researching its history is ongoing and has been very interesting.

For just $5 entry you will see, hear and smell some rare tractors and stationary engines on 2nd April. Our main museum will be part of the entry with our newest displays on show. A barbeque lunch will be available on the day.
All money raised will go to several of our special restoration projects. Make sure to keep 2nd April open in your diary to come and spend some time at your local museum.

By Yvonne Hutton