Maggi Barnard

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

Mayoral Notes…

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll for the 25th anniversary of the Parkes Elvis Festival. Thousands of visitors arrived ahead of
the weekend festivities, with record visitation numbers expected. As you make your way to and from the Festival, please drive carefully and be vigilant on the roads. On Sunday we celebrated The King’s birthday at the official launch of Elvis Central. Bob and Anne Steel, the founders of the Festival, cut the Elvis cake. Elvis Central, the official outlet for festival merchandise and souvenirs, is at 203 Clarinda Street in the heart of the Festival Boulevard.

All proceeds go directly to the festival allowing it to grow and improve each year. With temperatures expected to peak in the 40’s today, I encourage all festival-goers to keep hydrated and to slip, slop and slap. Escape the heat at the Heatbreak Hotels located along the festival boulevard. These hydration zones will help you cool off. Be sure to secure your piece of history with an official souvenir program, calendar and the festival’s 25th Anniversary DVD ‘This is Our Story’, all available from the Parkes Information Centre, Elvis Central, Council’s Administration Building and other businesses. These are great keepsakes to take home to show family and friends how much fun you had. Free festival pocket guides are also available throughout town to help you plan your itinerary so you don’t miss a thing!

Finally, a big thank you to our dedicated volunteers, valued sponsors and supporters, Elvis Revival Incorporated, local businesses, community members and Parkes Shire Council staff for all their hard work in making this year’s festival the biggest and best one yet.

Thankyer, thankyer very much.

Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Elvis Snippets…

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Viva Parkes Library!: Parkes Library is hosting a huge range of events for the Parkes Elvis Festival. Join the library team for a movie, photo exhibition, book launch and of course air conditioning! The Library will again become a boutique movie cinema showing Viva Las Vegas and Elvis Lives in Parkes (SBS documentary), Speedway, Elvis and Nixon and This is the Story telling the story of Parkes Elvis Festival by the people who helped shape and
create the event into the phenomenon it is today. Elvis and Nixon, starring Kevin Spacey is shown today at 7pm at a special event. It is a limited seats event. Tickets are $5 to be pre-purchased at the Library. For the second year running the Library is presenting the Parkes Elvis Festival Photo Competition and Exhibition. There are 160 photos, capturing past Festival moments, on display until Sunday. The winners in the various categories will be announced today at 4pm. The black and white work of David Carswell, an Australian photographer based in Manila, is also on display of Elvis performance nights in the Philippines. Call Parkes Library on 6861 2309 for more information.

Morse code telegrams: While the Elvis Festival takes you back in time, why not send a message the old way too? Today and tomorrow you will be able to send telegrams by morse code to anywhere from outside the Telstra Shop in Clarinda Street. There will be operators to answer your questions and help you send a message. Telegrams lodged by the general public will be sent to Beechworth by morse code and received on souvenir stationery and posted
to their destination. The morse code instruments are the same used to send and receive messages in the telegraph network since the 1850’s until the morse code was withdrawn in 1962. However it remained in Parkes and used as an
order wire, until the last operator was transferred in 1965, and then withdrawn completely. As teleprinters were introduced from the 1940’s, they progressively took over the system in all major post offices until the telegraph service was completely withdrawn in 1988. Locals Eddie Parrott, Keith MacRae and Peter Cannon, members of the Sydney Morsecodian Fraternity, will be at the display, while Sydney members attending will be Brian Mullins and Cec Mann. On display will also be Ham Radio morse equipment that is still being used today.

Gospel Service on Sunday: The single biggest event of the Festival after the Street Parade is the Parkes Elvis Gospel Service presented by the 11 Combined Churches of the Parkes Ministers’ Association. Last year around 8,000 people attended the inaugural service in Cooke Park. This year’s artists include in international line-up with Pete Storm (UK), Sista Jacqui (USA), Keno NSW Special Feature Artist, Mark Borg, BornAgainElvis (also Guest
Preacher), Royden Dononhue, Gavin Chatelier, Stephen Cheney, I.C.U. Gospel Choir and the Parkes Shire Concert Band Inc. Stephen and Nerallie Cheney, Co-Ordinators of the event invite people to arrive early and bring their own chairs or picnic rugs and enjoy breakfast in the park. Nerallie said there would be a large outdoor screen this and improved sound. The organisers are also looking for volunteers to help before and during the service with setting up, marshalling, handing out programmes and other jobs. Collection proceeds, after expenses, will go to the local schools ministries and the East Timor Mission.

18 Tribute Artists Compete For Place In Memphis

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest event will see the best Elvis tribute artists from Australia and New Zealand in action from today to vie for a place in the final in Memphis, USA in August. The event serves as a preliminary round of the 2017 UETA Contest during Elvis Week in August in the USA and is officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. The Heats kick off at 2pm today at the Parkes Leagues Club with 18 contestants, with the finals at 2pm on Saturday.

The 2017 Parkes Elvis Festival preliminary round contestants are: Brody Finlay (QLD), Sidney O’Neil (VIC), Sean Spiteri (NSW), Marcus Jackson (VIC), George Brooking (NZ), Lenard Connolly (NSW), Stephen Fletcher (QLD), Nick Nicolas (NSW), Morris Posa (NSW), Rupert King (NZ), Brian Millard (SA), Brendon Chase (NZ), Mike Tsama (NSW), Matt Birse (SA), Stuart Vieyra (QLD), Johnny Angel (NZ), Jeff Hancox (QLD) and George Kritikos (NSW).

Contestants will perform backed by the dynamic eight-piece Elvis In Concert band, and will be judged on their stage presence, singing ability and the overall quality of the performance. The winner will be awarded $3,000 prize money to assist in their travel expenses to compete in Memphis and an all-expenses paid trip and performance at
Auckland’s Elvis in the Gardens. Contact the Parkes Leagues Club for tickets on 6862 1499 or at www.parkesleagues.com.au.

Health Matters…

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Sunscreens and sunblocks are important for protecting the skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays. The SPF score on a bottle of sunscreen tells you how protective the ingredients are against UV rays: an SPF 50+ is more protective than an SPF 30+. While there are physical barriers (sunblocks) and chemical barriers (sunscreens), there is a new category of sunscreen available and the latest technology for protecting your skin against the Australian sun is called
Liposomal.

Sunblocks are always a thick, opaque cream containing ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The physical protection blocks forms of UV rays from outside the skin. Sunblocks are often cosmetically unappealing as they are visible (usually white and shiny), difficult to wash off and messy. They are recommended for people with a sensitivity to UV rays and little people from 12 months.

Sunscreen is a cream, which forms a thin, colourless film on the skin that acts as a filter against UV rays. Ingredients in a sunscreen filter reduce and absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays and work from under the skin. Liposomal formulations are a new category altogether. A liposomal sunscreen is a sunscreen, which is formulated to contain small particles called liposomes. Liposomes are used as a vehicle to carry UVA and UVB protective filters, the properties of which may enable penetration of the sunscreen into the outer layer of the skin. There is no
absorption into the blood stream, so lessening the chemical risk factor, but as it’s still absorbed, there’s no greasy finish.

Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to ensure protection and reapplied every two to four hours.

First Cross Ewes In Magnificent Condition

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

A crowd of around 300 people attended the Forbes First Cross Ewe Sale at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Daroobalgie last Thursday where more than 11,000 ewes were sold. Troffs Pastoral Company claimed the Glamis Shield for the best-presented pen of ewes. There were two new judges this year, Jenny Bradley and Barry Harper. Geoffrey Jones and family of Trundle took the coveted shield home in its 37th year.

Adam Chudleigh of McCarron Cullinane Chudleigh said: “The yarding was in magnificent condition.” He attributed it to the specialty breeders in the Forbes region coupled with a fantastic season. Adam said a large percentage of the
yarding was sold to other areas throughout NSW, with strong interest from buyers from the Riverina, Southern and Central Tablelands. In all a total of 11,319 First Cross ewes were sold. The Quade family of Trundle had the top priced pen of ewes at $280.

Hydraulics In The Central West

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Established in 1993, Parkes Hydraulic Services provides a comprehensive fluid power service including sales, service, design, development and manufacture, repair, testing and installation of fluid power product for industry applications. The workshop covers all aspects of hydraulic repair including machining, welding and fabrication, cylinder honing, hose manufacture, tube bending and flaring machines and specialised hydraulic component repair benches. All components are assembled, tested and data recorded in a purpose built clean room, which includes a 30 kW valve test rig and a 100 kW pump test rig, by trained and qualified tradespersons. Visit them at 30 Saleyards Rd or call 6862 5885.

Farmers Can Help Prevent Grass Fires

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Due to the an increased risk of grass fires this season across the Central West, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is urging landholders to take action to prevent fires from starting. Superintendent Ken Neville from the Mid Lachlan Valley Rural Fire Service said fires could easily start from machinery. “It can take just one or two sparks to start a fire,” he said.

“That’s why it’s so important to check and maintain equipment such as tractors, slashes, harvesters, welders, chainsaws and grinders. “If you’re carrying out agricultural burns or outdoor mechanical works make sure you check if there are any restrictions or fire bans in place. Check all firefighting equipment regularly, including hoses and
pumps.”

If a fire starts, call 000 as soon as possible. Landholders are also encouraged to make a bush fire survival plan, with a guide available from myfireplan.com.au. For further information call the Mid Lachlan Valley RFS on 02 6851 1541.

Elvis Has Entered The Outback

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Why do thousands of people in wigs, jumpsuits and fake Priscilla eyelashes go to Parkes to swelter in 40 degree heat to celebrate the King? You can hear the answer to this question at the Parkes Library today at 6pm at the official launch of the book, Outback Elvis, The story of a Festival, its Fans and a Town Called Parkes.

Written by two long-time fans of the festival, John Connell and Chris Gibson, Outback Elvis introduces the local characters, the lookalikes, the impersonators and the tribute artists – and the town that made this big hunk o’ Elvis love possible. Professor John Connell (University of Sydney) and his colleague Chris Gibson (University of Wollongong) have been attending the Parkes Elvis Festival since 2002. John and Chris will be at Parkes Library to launch their book and chat with the audience about why they researched and wrote Outback Elvis.

Apart from attending the Elvis Festival, John and Chris have published a large body of work on music festivals in Australia. Both are geographers: John is professor of geography at the University of Sydney; and Chris is a professor of human geography at the University of Wollongong and a musician. Their co-authored books include Music
Festivals and Regional Development in Australia (2014), Festival Places (2011), Music and Tourism: On the Road Again (2005) and Sound Tracks: Popular Music, Identity and Place (2003).

Unique And Quality Childcare

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Central West Family Day Care is a unique, quality childcare option for young children from 0 to 13 years. Accredited quality childcare is provided in the homes of registered educators who are supported by qualified and experienced
staff. Central West Family Day Care Scheme is funded by the Commonwealth Government and is eligible for government childcare subsidies, such as Childcare Benefit and Childcare Rebate, that can assist with reducing the cost of childcare.

The hours of care are flexible and can be matched to a family’s needs and include weekends, overnight, shift work hours, school holidays, casual, emergency or relief care when needed. The service is available to working and non-working parents. In Home Care, another childcare option available, is limited to families with no access to existing child care services, and/or their existing child care service cannot meet their needs, and where the family meets one or more of other criteria including living remotely, illness or disability, work hours of carer and families of three or more kids.

Parents/families are welcome to call or visit the Central West Family Day Care office any time. Office Hours: 8.30 am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Phone 02 6862 3111.

30,000 + Women Overdue For A Pap Test

January 12, 2017 By Maggi Barnard

Despite having access to a test that can significantly reduce the chance of developing cancer, the latest figures from the Cancer Institute NSW show that more than 30,000 women in Western NSW have not had their Pap test in the past two years. Cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women around the world. However, in Australia rates have halved over the last 25 years due to the free national screening program and the introduction of the HPV vaccine.

Professor David Currow said: “These days, women are less likely to know someone who has been diagnosed with the
disease, so they may not feel they are at risk. In fact, five women still get diagnosed every week in NSW, yet 96% of cervical cancers could be prevented.” With changes to the National Cervical Screening Program due to start this year,
there are also concerns that women may be putting off their test until then.

Professor Currow said: “It is vital that women have their Pap test as soon as it’s due. This is the best chance to find and treat cellular changes before cancer develops.” The main message from the Institute is for women who are overdue to book their Pap test today.

To find your nearest GP or women’s health nurse, visit www.csp.nsw.gov.au.

Maggi Barnard

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