Maggi Barnard

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

Our Gal

February 16, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Maralyn Nash

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I returned to Parkes in late 2015 after liv- ing in Sydney for many years. I enjoy the peace and quiet and being part of a small, friendly community.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about your work?
I work for myself as a freelance artist and art therapist, and I enjoy inspiring people to be creative.

What do you do to unwind after work or on weekends?
I enjoy yoga, zumba dance classes and gym.

What are you really good at?
I’m really good at connecting with people.

If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If I could have a super power I would effectively help all people who really need it irrespective of their racial, cultural or religious backgrounds.

What is your pet hate?
My pet hate is racial, cultural and religious intolerance.

Tell us about your best holiday ever.
My best holiday ever was my adventur- ous travels to India, Africa and the Greek Islands.Our

Mid West Pest Management

February 15, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Mid West Pest Management has a position available now for a Pest Control Technician – located in Forbes we are seeking a motivated and trustworthy person to join our team.

For all information regarding this position – we would love for you to register your interest now – midwestpestmanagement@gmail.com or phone Brad 0417024788 for more information

Orange MP Grants Wishes For Local Community Groups

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Philip Donato was the bearer of good news on Tuesday when the MP for Orange visited the Parkes Shire to announce the latest round of Community Building Partnership grants.

A total of $38,925 has been allocated to several local community groups for vital repairs and upgrades. “As Member for Or- ange, I am proud to announce four Com- munity Building Partnerships grants for groups in Parkes, Trundle and Peak Hill.” Philip said.

The Parkes PCYC received $20,000 to contribute for the upgrade of amenities. PCYC Club Manager, Amanda Sutton said around 600 members utilise the PCYC on a weekly basis, participating in various sports, after-school care, or even traffic offender programs.

“The building is in almost original condi- tion and is in need of a lot of repairs,” she said. “People have a strong connection to the PCYC through the activities, but a lot of people are unhappy with the amenities, so it will be great to be able to start the improvements.” The female toilets and change rooms will be the first to benefit, with a renovation set to provide new tiling, new basins, and an essential repair of the sagged and broken ceiling.

The staff at Meals on Wheels were delighted to show the MP around their new premises. Service Manager Gillian Kinsela said their new facilities were fantastic. “It’s bright and airy and spacious. We have a private meeting room, and are looking to make further improvements to help our staff and volunteers work comfortably,” she said.

Their $10,000 grant will go towards new freezers, so they can continue to provide nutritious meals to their clients. The volunteers deliver 300 hot and frozen meals each week in Parkes alone, allowing people to retain their independence for as long as possible. The volunteers also provide social interaction and welfare checks to clients who might otherwise be isolated.

“Meals on Wheels are a vital community service, and one we’re proud to support,” Philip said.

Peak Hill’s historic A.I.F. Memorial School of Arts was the recipient of a $3,000 grant, which will contribute to the costs of repaint- ing the interior of the hall.

A grant of $5,925 will help the Trundle War Memorial Hall upgrade their kitchen.

The four local organisations were amongst 14 community groups across the Orange electorate to receive funding in the latest round of grants.

“Each of these facilities makes a valuable contribution to community life, and these grants will enable them continue to provide their services to the community,” Philip said.

“The $200,000 pool of funding available to the Orange electorate is an excellent resource allowing community groups to reach their goals. I look forward to many more organisations benefiting from this program in the future.”

By Raen Fraser

Powerplay By Penrith Panthers In Parkes

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes was running high on rugby league fever last Thursday when two Penrith Pan- thers players visited local schools as part of the NRL Community Carnival.

Tony Satini and Lachlan Stein visited six schools in the morning to talk about respect and diversity and in the afternoon they were at Cooke Park to meet fans, hand out autographs and pose for photos.

Many children brought shirts and caps to be signed, while the NRL also had post- ers with a team photo of the Panthers that the two players signed for the many fans who turned up. “It is really cool to meet the Panthers players in person,” said a young Parkes player.

The Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League club was also at the Park to sign up players for the year.

The morning sessions at the schools focused on the importance of respect, belonging and celebrating differences both on and off the field.

Game Development Officer – Western NSW, Alex Prout said there were many interesting questions from the students. There were also interactive games with students during the sessions.

The NRL Community Carnival takes players throughout Australia and New Zealand this month to meet fans in more than 80 communities.

Now in its 17th year, the NRL Community Carnival is supported by every NRL club and NRL Ambassadors, and will reach more than 250,000 kids, visit more than 1,000 schools, travel more than 40,000 km and host more than 80 Junior Rugby League clinics in both countries.

Interested players can contact Stuart Duff on 0429 891 716 at the Parkes Marist JRL.

By Maggi Barnard

Free Merchandising Workshop In Parkes

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Back to Business Week this year will bring a series of free merchandising workshops to Parkes at the end of the month. Parkes Shire Council, in association with the Department of Industry, will welcome visual merchandising specialist, Carol Bagaric from AUSVM to host the Retail Revamp program.

Back to Business Week is an initiative that celebrates small to medium business- es and promotes and supports the critical role they play in local communities. Parkes Shire Council’s Economic and Business Development Manager, Anna Wyllie said: “The program would inspire and improve the way you create and deliver professional retail presentations.”

The program starts with an evening work- shop on Monday, 27th February, focusing on the theory of visual display followed by a dusk retail tour. The series continues with three separate hands-on workshops on Tuesday, 28th February and Wednesday, 1st March when Carol will visit selected stores to put theory into practice.

Download an application from www. parkes.nsw.gov.au/retail-revamp and return to Council by Wednesday, 15th February to enroll. For more details contact Council’s Brand and Marketing Manager, Katrina Dw- yer on 02 6861 2333 or www.parkes.nsw. gov.au/business-investment.

Our Bloke

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Brad Gauci

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like about living here?
I’ve lived in Parkes for about a year – I like how it’s nice, quiet, and full of great people.

Where do you work and what do you enjoy about work?
I am a Senior Commissioning Engineer for John Holland on the sewage treatment plant and water treatment plant project. One of the things I enjoy about my work is the people I get to work with. They make the long days enjoyable.

What do you do to unwind after work or on the weekends? Long hours at work don’t give much free time but when I do I either relax watching a bit of Netflix or head out with some colleagues for a feed and a few drinks.

What are you really good at?
This is a hard one as I don’t like to blow my own trumpet, but probably helping people with their minor IT problems.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Either see the future or read minds.

What is your pet hate?
Heavy traffic and slow moving cars.

Tell us about your best holiday ever?
A tough one as I’ve had plenty of great holidays but it would have to be my 25th birthday at Oktoberfest in Munich.

Love Quotes for Valentine’s Day

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul, that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire into our hearts and brings peace to our minds.
Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone – we find it with another. – Thomas Mer- ton
Love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench, even if there is plenty of room at both ends.
I don’t mind when our conversations get a little boring or when we’re texting and we run out of things to say. I don’t care when we’re hanging out but doing noth- ing, because just having you is enough to make me happy.
I love you every day, not just on Valen- tine’s Day!
All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. – Charles M. Schulz

Before I met you, I never knew what it was like to be able to look at someone and smile for no reason.
Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood. – Oscar Wilde
Gravitation is not responsible for peo- ple falling in love. – Albert Einstein
When someone else’s happiness is your happiness, that is love. – Lana Del Rey
Romantic Songs for Valentine’s Day

1. Endless Love, Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
2. I’ll Make Love to You, Boyz II Men
3. You Needed Me, Anne Murray
4. Be Without You, Mary J. Blige
5. We Found Love, Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris
6. How Deep Is Your Love, Bee Gees
7. And I Love Her, The Beatles
8. Something, The Beatles
9. I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
10. I Can’t Stop Loving You, Ray Charles

How’s Your Ticker?

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

As we celebrate Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, let’s take a look at your heart and how to keep it healthy.

Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood around your body. It can beat up to 100,000 times a day – that’s up to 3 billion heartbeats during an average lifetime!

It delivers oxygen and the nutrients needed for your body to work properly and be healthy. This is why it’s so important to look after your ticker!

There are many conditions of the heart that need to be monitored closely. These include anginas, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease and stroke. If you have any of these conditions, please be sure to have regular check-ups with your doctor and do what you can to look after your heart.

Here are a few tips to keep your heart in good shape:

• Be smoke-free

• Manage your blood cholesterol

• Manage your diabetes

• Be physically active

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight

• Enjoy a variety of nutritious food in your diet

• Look after your mental health

Our professionals at Parkes Pharmacy can help you achieve all these tips to keep your heart young and healthy. We have a private consultation room to discuss your medications and how to make the right lifestyle choices to keep your heart in top shape! Come and see us today.

Water Treatment Plant Achieves Major Milestone

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Construction on the new Parkes Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has achieved a major project milestone with the help of local materials and suppliers.

The culmination of approximately six months of work by John Holland and spe- cialist reservoir builder, Hornick Construc- tion, saw the final concrete pour completed on the potable water reservoirs. The two 2.7 mega-litre reservoirs have approximately 60 tonne of steel reinforcement, encased in 300 cubic metres of concrete.

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Infrastructure, Andrew Francis said this phase of the project saw locally procured materials and suppliers used.

“The concrete for the structures was supplied by Parkes Ready Mix Concrete, while other regionally-based operators, such as K & H Geotechnical Services, Blayney Cranes as well as concreters and steel- fixers from Parkes and Orange, provided their materials and skills to the project,” Andrew said.

According to Andrew, the treated water storage tank was the first of the two res- ervoirs constructed and is currently having the aluminium roof members installed.

“Once completed, the roofing team will move onto the high level reservoir, with the scheduled date for the completion of both roof installations 21st February.”

The existing WTP has insufficient capac- ity to meet the projected demand for water of the Parkes and Peak Hill urban areas into the future. The new WTP will provide a safe, secure and reliable water supply for the two towns. This will ensure the towns continue to grow and attract new business and residents. For more information about the new Parkes Water Treatment Plant, visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Make Love Count Again

February 9, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

We all crave love and companionship in our lives, so why ignore the celebration of love this Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, 14th February.

Think back to the beginning of a relationship where sparks flew, gazes longed and passion was ignited. What happened you must be thinking? Effort is the answer, and too often people slip into what is easy and comfortable. Make the change this Valentine’s Day and bring the romance back into your life.

Romance is the key to keeping that burning passion alive for one another. Whether it be big or small gestures, just make them count. Be thoughtful in giving and grateful in receiving. Be spontaneous, go on a daring adventure, cook a meal (even if you are a horrible cook), make something special (even if you don’t have a creative bone in you) and most importantly, listen. Listen to not only your loved one’s tedious rants and raves but his or her goals, aspirations, dreams, wants and desires. Get to know one another again, like really get to know each other.

Valentine’s Day is known as the day of roses, chocolates and cards but where did it actually come from and surely there is more to it?

It is believed that Valentine’s Day originated from the ancient Roman fertility festival Lupercalia. During this festival young women would place their names in a large urn, young men then drew a name out and whomever they drew they were now romantically linked to them for the next year.

Another version is that the day originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valen- tinus., and is recognised as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world.

According to Wikipedia, the day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.

Whatever the origin of Valentine’s Day, why not celebrate what all humans crave in life, being loved. Celebrate it, rejoice in it and enjoy it.

Maggi Barnard

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