Maggi Barnard

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

Snippets

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Digitising history: The Parkes Shire Library has started to digitise iconic images from the first ten years of the Parkes Elvis Festival. The Library team have been scanning and cataloguing photographs and memorabilia from Elvis Lennox’s per- sonal collection. “We have been planning to build a digital local history collection to share with the community and wider world. Starting this big project with our Shire’s major festival was an easy decision,” said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services.

Elvis Lennox, Parkes’ greatest Elvis fan, loaned his collection of photos and festival bits and pieces to commence the project. His photos capture the humble beginnings of the event, including the Elvis Wall of Fame first ceremony for Johnny O’Keefe, first street parade, first look-a-like competition and original concerts.

You are invited to contact the Library if you have photographs from the first ten years to add to the collection. Over the coming months the Library team will add to the collection, bringing online photographs from 2003 onwards.

The collection is available for viewing via the Library’s online catalogue, library. parkes.nsw.gov.au/libero/WebOpac.cls

Bogan Gate morning tea: Bogan Gate CWA will be holding a diabetes awareness morning tea on Wednesday, 8th February at 9.30am at the Bogan Gate Memorial Hall. Dr Madhu Velagala, Diabetes Educator, will be the guest speaker. Men and women are invited to learn more about diabetes. A representative from Diabetes NSW and two nurses will do blood checks at the event. Entry by gold coin donation. RSVP to Ros on 68641023 or 0415 665 925 by Monday, 6th February. Any enquir- ies to President Marion McIntyre on 0427 643 233.

Did you know? The record number of visitors at the 25th Elvis Festival meant the staff at the Royal Hotel pumped out more than 1,600 meals and countless beverages, in costume, over the five days!

Gospel Service: Thousands of people attended this year’s Elvis Gospel service. According to co-ordinator Neralle Cheney, the finale had people rushing to the front of stage and all over the dance floor in a cel- ebration of music and dance. “People were dancing in their chairs.”

She said the response from people afterwards was overwhelming saying it was the best ever, brilliant, wow, polished and pro- fessional and people wishing it was longer.

Rotary Members Open Their Hearts For A Sick Boy

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

In early January Parkes opened its heart to thousands of different versions of Elvis, but some local residents also opened their hearts and homes to a very special young boy.

Eleven year-old Lujio Dos Reis Da Silva from Timor Leste was a very sick child. He had suffered damage to his heart valve from rheumatic fever and required urgent specialist treatment. Fortunately, he was referred to the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children program (ROMAC).

ROMAC provides life-saving or dignity restoring surgery for children from developing countries which they otherwise would not be able to access. ROMAC flew Lujio and his mother Josefine to Australia so Lujio could undergo heart surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Parkes Rotary made a small contribution to Lujio’s medi- cal costs, and became his sponsors.

During his treatment Luijo and Josefina stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, however, once he had recovered enough the pair were invited to stay with their sponsors in Parkes.

Parkes Rotary formed a partnership with members of the Uniting Church to prepare for the visit. The Uniting Church has a strong connection with Timor Leste, and members from both Rotary and the Uniting Church generously provided practical assistance, helping with language barriers, and showing the family the very best of country hospitality.

Peter and Barbara Thompson drove to Sydney to collect Josefina and Lujio and hosted them for three nights. Lujio got to experience the simple pleasures of Australian farm life, which included catching yabbies in the dam.

Their next hosts Mel ten Cate and Beto da Silver speak Portuguese, which eased the language barriers for the remainder of their stay. Josefina and Lujio were treated to barbeques, had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Ken Keith OAM, and even got to experience the joy of the Parkes Elvis Festival.

By Raen Fraser

Question of the Week

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Scarlett Peden: The most fun I’ve had was going to the beach at Newcastle and Taree!

Darcy Bell, Maureen Bell, Hayden Wallace and Lilee Bell:
Darcy: Going jet skiing at Forbes and Wyangala. Lily: Mine’s the same – jet skiing was fun. Hayden: Going swimming at the pool yesterday.

Macey Hohnberg: Going swimming at Parkes Pool. I love jumping in the water, and off the diving board.

What A Festival!

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

I had the opportunity during the Elvis Festival to style a major event for the Parkes Shire Council.

We held a reception for the major spon- sors of the festival and gave them an opportunity to get together and mingle.

Fluffing an event is very similar to how you would style and decorate a home. You want to create an atmosphere that sets the stage for the rest of the evening. And my philosophy for styling an event is the same as in homes. I like major wow pieces to command a space , look sensational but not crowd the surfaces to allow for people to move freely around the event.

You can see in the photo, with the enormous candelabras we created a really dramatic statement that was perfectly matched to the Vegas feel of the event.

The second key element was adding a roll of red carpet and bollards to the side entrance to the Royal Hotel. Instantly it set this area apart and deemed it of special significance just by its exclusive appearance. In a home the same rules apply. Creating a bold statement in your hallway with a large artwork will enhance and denote the home as an interesting place to visit. Always use over scale items that fill a wall rather than small artworks that can actually shrink the space. Remember that whatever the size of your frame of the artwork on a wall is your eye naturally thinks that could be the size of the wall as well. So big in artwork is always better!! I was also lucky enough to compere a fashion parade at Viva Splash Vegas. It was the first of its kind for the festival and proved very popular. It was also very special to me as my daughter Ali was the main co-ordinator. I donned my volunteer clothes on Sunday afternoon and had a ball describing the outfits each entrant wore.

Stay cool and I will be back to fluffing full-time in February.

Love Karen x

Be Seen

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Zion, Ellice, Pearce, Emma, Oscar and Evie had lots of loud and arty fun at the library’s Story Time on Tuesday.

Jacob Gosper, Lilly Gosper, Saxon Gosper and Clara Rice enjoyed getting creative at the library

Carter and Ava Thomas get crafty with mother Tereasa Lunn at Story Time.

The kids loved making binoculars for the story time craft. Pictured l-r are Betty McConnell, Symone Lee, Hank Lee, John McConnell and Maggi McConnell.

Cr Barbara Newton and Christine Bell from Tullamore took the opportunity to meet Member of Parliament for Orange, Phil Donato, last Friday

Doug Porter, Member for Orange, Phil Donato and Cr George Pratt enjoyed a friendly chat over a barbecue at Cooke Park last Friday.

Hodge And Cock Dominate So Far This Year

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

With the Parkes Golf Club now settled into the New Year, two golfers have dominated in early season competitions.

Jake Hodge heads the list after victories in the January Monthly Medals, while Frankie Cock wasn’t to be outdone as she showed the men that ladies could mix it. Hodge claimed the B Grade with a great 65 nett, and Frankie blitzed the ladies field also with a 65 nett.

In the first two rounds of the BWR Ac- countants & Advisors Summer competition, the dominating pair has again recorded comprehensive victories. Hodge took Round 1 with a solid 43 points, which was three points clear of the field. Last Saturday in the 2nd Round, Cock was too good also recording a three point victory when she returned 42 points in taking the winners spoils.

Meanwhile the Jackpot on the Idlerite Tyrepower 1st Hole has risen to a mammoth 70 balls for this week’s Round 3 of the BWR Accountants & Advisors Summer competition. It is up for grabs for any player who hits their tee shot within 100cm of the hole. There is a consolation if a player can get within 101 to 200cm of the hole, that player will receive 20% of the jackpot.

The club’s selectors will have a difficult time selecting the club’s men’s teams for the upcoming Central West Golf Associations Pennants series. The four Parkes sides will travel to Orange’s Duntryleague Club to play archrivals Forbes in Divisions 1,3 and 4 while the no 2 side will play Bathurst.

Players can still nominate for the Pennants to play in the series. Division 1 is open to all players, Division 2 for players on handicaps of 6 to 11, Division 3 for 12 to 17 markers and Division 4 is for players on 18 and above.

By Paul Thomas

Parkes Snags Some Time With Phil Donato

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes residents were invited to a barbecue by the new Member for Orange, Phil Donato, for a ‘meat’ and greet last Friday. It was his second visit in a week as he also made an appearance at the Elvis Festival dressed in his best white jumpsuit.

Phil is the first member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party to represent a lower house seat, which he won in a shock result in the recent by-election.

While he might be new to politics, his professional background will no doubt put him in good stead for his new role. With over two decades in the police force, and 16 years as a police prosecutor, the Millthorpe local has first-hand experience with a lot of the unique social issues that Central West faces. He is hoping his advocacy and communication skills will be an asset in the highly adversarial political environment.

Phil said his foray into politics was largely opportunistic. “I thought I had a lot to offer, so when my party decided to run a candidate I put my hand up,” he said.

While ultimately his goals are to hold the Government to account, his immediate plans are to get to know his constituents.

“The Orange by-election really sent a message to the Government that their policies were out of touch with their constituents.

“I’m keen to get out and connect with the local people, and find out what their concerns are. They’re really different in each community. Parkes are concerned about logistical issues, and moving ahead with the proposed transport hub.”

Phil plans to be in Parkes on the following dates: 21st March, 27th April, 13th June, 22nd August, 5th September, 24th October and 12th December. Contact his office on 6362 5199 to arrange an appointment.

By Raen Fraser

Celebrate Poetry In Orange

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The annual Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival takes place from 16th to 26th February in Orange with a full schedule of events ahead. This will be the fourth festival in its current form since the celebration of his 150th birthday in 2014.

Banjo Paterson, who has become an Australian legend, is best known for his poem Waltzing Matilda, and what better way to celebrate his life than in the district he was born in.

Andrew Barton (Banjo) Paterson was born at Narrambla, Orange on 17th February 1864. He lived in Yeoval until he was about seven. The festival highlights not only Banjo Paterson but is an opportunity to celebrate all Australian poetry and poets in general.

The community will also have the opportunity to polish their poetry and musical entertainment skills.

This is a perfect opportunity to show that Australian poetry is alive and well. The festival will showcase the very best suitable for all age groups.

There will be bush poetry, school performances, professional en- tertainers, markets, golf, barbecues and camp oven cooking. There will also be activities, such as retro fruit preserving, farmers mar- kets, yabbing, poetry competitions, fashion, horse racing, historical tours and much more.

The event kicks off with breakfast in the mornings at different loca- tions everyday from 7.30 to 9.30am for only $5.

The iconic Night Market in Orange will be held on Friday, 17th February. There will be over 30 stalls creating an outdoor playground in beautiful Robertson Park for all the family. Orange’s renowned cool climate wines are matched at each stall with delicious food from local chefs, caterers and cooks. Kick back to the sounds of local music and poetry in the park! The market will be from 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Robertson Park. Gold Coin donation for entry. To view the festival program or to get more information on the festival go to https://brandorange.com.au/orange-nsw/banjo-paterson-festival/

Prevent Bush Fire Arson

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Bush fire arson is a crime and it is dangerous. It can destroy lives, properties and have long term effects on the environment.

It is also costly with the loss of properties, cost of firefighting resources and the disruption to businesses.

If you see something that looks out of place, record the details of vehicles such as the make, model and registration of suspicious vehicles. Also take note of the appearance of anyone acting suspiciously. Report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

To report a fire emergency call 000.

Sports Grants Available

January 26, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Sports Council is encouraging incorporated sporting groups or educational institutions to apply for funding in the North- Parkes Sports Grants.

There is a total of $15,000 available in this round for distribution to successful projects that promote participation in sport or improve sporting facilities.

Northparkes Mines and the Parkes Sports Council joined forces four years ago to provide financial assistance grants to sporting groups in the Parkes Shire. In a five-year agreement, Northparkes Mines committed to providing a total of $150,000 worth of funding to be distributed for sporting related projects. Parkes Sports Council, in administering the grants, aims to increase regular and on-going participation opportunities in sport, and to improve the sporting infra- structure within the Parkes Shire.

Funding is split between two distinct project types: participation projects and facility development projects.

Parkes Shire Sports Council Secretary, Anthony McGrath said: “These grants provide financial assistance towards things such as equipment, levies, uniforms, signage and coaching staff – all things essential to the running of associations and clubs.”

Visit Council’s website or contact the Grants Officer Sally Chapman or Ellie O’Donoghue on 6861 2398 for more details. Applications close on 31st January.

Maggi Barnard

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