Maggi Barnard

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

Do you have a favourite pet?

June 10, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Zoe (7), Sam (7) and Sarah (9) Smith:
Zoe: Guinea pigs because I like to hold them and feed them.
Sam: I like goannas because they have long tails and they have a very different skin.
Sarah: I like lobsters and wriggly snakes.

Ruby Davies (8), Louellea Kennaugh (6) and Chloe Davies (10):
Ruby: I like bunnies because they are cute and fluffy.
Louella: I like rainbow lorikeets because they talk a lot and they are very soft, and I like cats too!
Chloe: I have two guinea pigs and they are very cute. They are called Zulu and Pippa.

COVID Not A ‘Waste’ Of Time For Artists

June 10, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

COVID CREATIVES… The Waste to Art competition received 47 entries this year. Sonia Tilley’s Miss Poly Ethylene debutante ball gown won the open Functional category and Yearly Theme, while Erik Lensson won the Special Category- Scrap Metal for his entry Grace, and the Community 3D category and the new Packers Prize for Shovelback Yellowbill.

COVID touched many aspects of our lives over the past two years and even resulted in the creation of two of the winning entries in this year’s Waste to Art competition and exhibition.

Sonia Tilley’s plastic debutante ball gown creation called Miss Poly Ethylene not only won the open functional category, but was also the winner of the Yearly Theme – Soft Plastics. “I am over the moon,” said Sonia about her win. “I am a weaver and have never worked with plastic before, only natural materials. It was a big challenge.”

Sonia was part of the COVID response team and had to wear lots of plastic every day. “I wanted to make something beautiful from plastic.” For her first ever entry in the competition, Sonia used her weaving technique for the bodice made from black embossed plastic sheets she found at Parkes Bricks and Pavers, while the bottom part of the dress was made from clear, soft plastic made from polyethylene from Big W that is used to wrap around packaging boxes on pallets. She even used the plastic bar codes attached to the clear plastic to make bows for the gown.

Boredom during COVID saw Erik Lensson create two entries from garden shed junk. Shovelback Yellowbill (spadeus roostericus), his rare and endangered bird sculpture took out two prizes, and was inspired by a pair of magpies who would visit his house every day for breakfast. The magpies unfortunately succumbed during the mouse plague after eating poisoned mice, but Erik has rediscovered his artistic side hoping to make many more creations.

Que Club Looks After Children’s Hearing

June 10, 2022 By Pam Nankivell

Que member Pam Nankivell (left) and President Jeanine Boland (right) presented a $4,000 cheque to Collette Genet-Marks and Michelle Jelbart from Parkes Early Childhood Centre (PECC) for their hearing and speech program.

The Parkes Early Childhood Centre’s Collette Genet-Marks and Michelle Jelbart were as delighted to come along to Que Club’s recent meeting as were the members to have them there. Collette updated us on how PECC works to develop the confidence, social skills, listening ability, imagination and more of the children by loving care and play, so that when they begin school, they are ready to fly.

Michelle, who is the director of hearing and speech, outlined what she does testing every child for hearing and speech defects and guiding parents to professional help. While all newborns in Australia are hearing tested before they leave hospital, many young children get middle ear infections which can affect their hearing and speech. If these are not picked up by parents or teachers, they start way behind at school and may never catch up.

The Parkes Que Club has in recent years donated special sound field systems to classrooms in the Parkes Shire to aid hearing impaired children and their teachers, and has subsidid PECC’s program annually.

If you would like to ‘Join the Que’ or find out more about our work, follow us on Facebook or ring Pam on 0407 894 498.

By Pam Nankivell

Be Seen

June 10, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Fat Parcel from Eugowra provided free hot drinks at the grand opening of PETStock last Saturday in Parkes. The friendly service came from (L-R) David, Kirsty, Olivia and Judd.

Kym, the Reptile Man, entertained the kids at the grand opening of PETStock on Saturday. Here he tells Zoe and Sarah Smith about how clean these giant cockroaches from the Daintree Rainforest are.

Myra Singh and Ella Jablonskis went on a ‘hayride’ on The Dish last week at the National Reconciliation Week program at the Parkes Radio Telescope last week.

Huginn and Muninn, the magpies that used to visit Erik Lensson every morning for breakfast, and inspired him to create art from waste.

Starting A Journey Of Understanding

June 10, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Attending the National Reconciliation Week event at the Parkes Radio Telescope were at the back (L-R) Tricia Trim, Dr John Reynolds, George Heald, Peter Swanton, Ella Jablonskis, Myra Singh, Trevor Leaman, Tina Leaman and Stacy Mader. In front are (L-R) Karlie Noon, Rafael Florez and Tangyao Zhang.

The team at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope celebrated National Reconciliation Week last Wednesday with a special program for the day.

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians, and the team at The Dish took a small step last week to activate this journey of understanding.

The day started with a Welcome to Country Aunty Ronda and was followed by a talk on Indigenous Astronomy by Peter Swanton.

Peter is an astrophysics graduate from the Australian National University (ANU) and Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man from Mackay, Queensland. He has been working closely with Dr Brad Tucker and Prof Brian Schmidt from the ANU looking into Dark Sky Parks for their cultural and scientific significance. Peter and fellow ANU astrophysics student Karlie Noon are actively involved in Aboriginal astronomy outreach at schools in Canberra and surrounding regions.

The second talk of the day titled Connection to Country (Parkes and surrounds) was by David Towney from Peak Hill. David was instrumental in the telescope receiving Indigenous names in 2020.

National Reconciliation Week is celebrated across Australia each year between 27th May and 3rd June. It is a time for all Austalians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey — the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

By Maggi Barnard

Peter Swanton from the Australian National University delivered a talk on Indigenous Astronomy.

Paint Parkes Rhymingly…

June 10, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Rhonda Brain (PTTR Creative Director), Shonel Redfern (Paint Parkes REaD committee member), Barbie Bates (PTTR Executive Director) and Robyne Harrison (NSW PTTR Co-ordinator) are looking forward to have the 9th National PTTR conference in Parkes next year.

The theme for this year’s annual Paint Parkes REaD Day is Rhymingly… traditional nursery rhymes, contemporary rhymes, ditties, and made-up rhymes!

The annual community reading day will take place on Friday, 26th August to celebrate literacy and spread the ‘read, talk, sing and rhyme to children from birth’ message to the community.

Schools and preschools will be doing craft and artwork based on the theme and create banners for the art exhibition at the Parkes Show.

Parkes is recognised as the town that knows how to stage a great reading day among the Paint The Town REaD (PTTR) communities.

Some more exciting news is that Parkes has been chosen to hold the 9th National Paint The Town REaD Conference in September next year with delegates coming from all over Australia. The conference will also mark the 25th anniversary since the first Parkes Community Reading Day, and a huge silver and red celebration will be held in conjunction with the Conference.

Our Young Gal – Leilani Lavaka

June 3, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Christian School Captain – Leilani Lavaka

How old are you? 17.

Were you named after anyone? No, just a cultural name

What three things would you like to pack in your lunch box every day? Chocolate, watermelon and salad.

If you could choose any job in the world, what would you do? Paediatric oncologist.

If you could invent something, what would it be? A knowledge transferring book with endless amounts of knowledge.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I would give it to my mum after paying for petrol for my car.

What is the scariest thing you’ve ever done? Cliff jumping next to a school of dolphins.

If you could meet any historical person, who would that be? Harriet Tubman or Nelson Mandela.

What makes you feel like dancing? When I blast my historical playlist of the good classics through the house, especially when I’m getting ready for something exciting.

If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? Pet cow, world peace and equality.

From Mohawks To Moustaches

June 3, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

STYLING FOR CHARITY… Just Cuts stylists with Outback Car Trek drivers and locals at the Metropolitan Hotel Cut-a-Rama last year in West Wyalong.

Bold hairstyles and charity are a popular combination to raise funds for a good cause, and Saturday night brings a great opportunity for Parkes residents to support the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

The annual Just Cuts Cut-a-Rama night is coming to Parkes this year to kick off the Outback Car Trek and raise funds for the RFDS.

Just Cuts Stylists will service trek participants and the public from 7pm at the Coachman Hotel Motel, creating bold styles for the drivers before they begin their seven-day journey.

Driving a wide range of older model vehicles, participants in the Outback Car Trek will depart Parkes on Sunday morning and arrive at Hervey Bay in Qld on 11th June.

Since 1998, Just Cuts clients and stylists have raised over $500,000 for the RFDS through the annual Cut-a-Rama event and donation boxes in over 190 salons Australia-wide.

Just Cuts founder Denis McFadden is looking forward to his 22nd Cut-a-Rama, and is calling on the people of Parkes to join the fun and support the cause.

“From Mohawks to moustaches and grandparents to kids, Just Cuts stylists do it all for the Doctor,” said Denis.

“People in regional communities can live hours and hours from medical care. The RFDS are the GPs of regional Australia, with a waiting room that spans millions of kilometres.”

Outback Car Trek 2022 route will go from Parkes to Nyngan, White Cliffs, Cameron Corner, Thargomindah, Augathella, Taroom and Hervey Bay.

Men’s Bowls Club Championships

June 3, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Major Singles

Early in the week Mick Simpson had a comfortable win against George Boatswain 25 – 7. On Sunday Mick was up against Tom Furey and after 15 ends Mick had opened up a lead of eight shots, 18 – 10. However, Tom found form and after 22 ends Mick’s lead had been cut to 20-18. Over the next five ends Mick recovered form, winning four ends and advancing to the next round with a final score of 25 – 20.

In another close game on Sunday, Steve Turner had the better of the early ends and after eight ends had a lead of 10-2. Over the next seven ends Mick scored 14 shots to Steve’s one and had the lead 16-11. By the 24th end scores were level at 22 all, but Mick won the next two ends to win the match 25 – 22.

Major Pairs

On Saturday four games of pairs were played. Dave Reilly and Nathan Reynolds were drawn against Daryll McKeller and Rob Irving. After six ends Dave and Nathan were in front 9 – 5, but Daryll and Rob won the next five ends to open up a ten-shot lead 19 – 9. At the start of the 16th end Daryll and Rob had what looked like a comfortable lead, 21 – 13, but lost the next five ends and, starting the last end scores were level 21 all. On the last end Dave and Nathan were holding the winning shot but with his last bowl Daryll moved the jack and he and Rob advanced to the next round with a 23 – 21 win.

Results of other matches were: Mark Dwyer and Mick Simpson 20 – Guy Ellery and Gary McPhee 13; Brian Townsend and John Wright 21 – Rob Tinker and Jim Blake 12; Mick Went and Brett “Baldy” Frame 21 – Wilbur Harris and Steve Turner 11

By George Bradley

Call For 24/7 Nursing Care In Homes

June 3, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP with the bill calling for registered nurses to be available 24/7 at nursing homes.

Member for Orange Philip Donato MP will once again introduce a bill to the NSW Legislative Assembly seeking to mandate a registered nurse be available around the clock in NSW nursing homes.

“Tragically, the pandemic had a devastating impact on the vulnerable residents living in nursing homes, which exposed the severe lack of medically trained staff to care for those afflicted with Covid-19,” said Phil.

“The Royal Commission into Aged Care revealed an insufficient staffing of registered nurses in nursing homes, and one of the commissioner’s recommendations is the introduction of a minimum staff standard across the board – including registered nurses.”

The second iteration of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party’s bill, titled the Public Health Amendment (Registered Nurses in Nursing Homes) Bill 2020, was brought before the NSW Legislative Council for debate in May by Phil’s colleague, Mark Banasiak MLC, and passed the Upper House on 11th May.

“I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many personal care workers looking after the residents in the nursing homes, but they do not have the level of training or clinical expertise a registered nurse has, such as administering medications, assessing and managing medical conditions, and time-critical referrals for escalation of patient care.

“This bill, if passed into legislation, would require nursing homes to staff, at a minimum, the regulatory prescribed number of registered nurses at all times. Nursing homes would no longer be without a registered nurse to deliver care – day or night.

“We want the best possible nursing care for those precious seniors in our lives, our grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts – and that care shouldn’t be restricted to business hours, it should be 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Phil.

Maggi Barnard

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