Maggi Barnard

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

Big Summer Splash At Parkes Pool

December 1, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Next Saturday the Parkes Aquatic Centre is holding the Shire’s biggest pool party, the Big Summer Splash. Parkes Shire Council, in partnership with the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), are hosting the outdoor event for students aged 10 – 18 years. Member of the Parkes Pool and Youth Committees, Cr Patrica Smith said this was a great opportunity for Parkes Shire youth to cool off and kick back to some live entertainment.

“Parkes Aquatic Centre will be extending its opening hours into the night to host the Shire’s biggest pool party. The cost is just pool entry which grants you access to the giant inflatable slide until sundown, a sausage sizzle, and a front row seat to the gig.” Local acoustic duo, Salt to the Wound, will be performing live from 7pm to 10pm.

The Junior Splash Party for 10 to 12 year olds will be from 6 to 8pm, and the Senior Splash Party for 13 to 18 year olds is from 8pm-10pm. Members of CDAT will be cooking the free barbeque, while the Poolside Café will be open for everything else. The event is part of CDAT’s efforts to prevent young people from engaging in anti-social behaviour, by providing engaging, alcohol and drug-free activities for the community. For more information,
www.visitparkes.com.au. #Visit-Parkes #BigSummerSplash

New Guide Will Help Harvesters Prevent Fires

December 1, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is requesting landholders and harvesting operators in Mid Lachlan Valley Team area to make use of the new Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide to enable them to determine if it’s safe to harvest. NSW RFS Superintendant Ken Neville said those operating harvesting machinery needed to take a proactive approach to minimise the risk of fire in certain conditions. “Each year, fire fighters attend a number of fires on farms, which have been started as a result of harvesting operations. Many of these fires have the potential to destroy
homes, crops and livelihoods,” Ken said.

“The NSW RFS appreciates the cooperation of farmers on days of heightened fire danger. A few hours of down time lowers the risk of fires breaking out and can prevent a great deal of damage,” he said. “Listening to the concerns of the current broad area cease harvesting requests, this guide was developed in partnership with NSW Farmers and Australian Custom Harvesters to overcome some of the downtime this has caused for local land holders and contractors.

“The Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide is designed for farmers and contractors to make an informed decision at the local level, based on a set of identified weather conditions.” Ken said using this step by step approach can determine if the current conditions need harvesting operations to stop until the weather is safe to return to the paddock. “The Voluntary Grain Harvesting Guide is easy to use and compact enough to have readily accessible, whether it’s in the
harvester cabin, shed or home.”

You can access and download the guide through the NSW RFS website, with current and forecast fire danger ratings also available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Ostini Wool Weekly Market Update

December 1, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The AWEX-NRI rose 59 cents this week, taking it to 1418 (its highest level since June 2011). The market started off slowly when Melbourne sold in isolation on Tuesday; the small Australian based catalogues were only slightly dearer before a late NZ-catalogue found better support and set the tone for the rest of the week. Wednesday initially jumped 20 cents but quickly gathered momentum to close 40 cents higher for most of the Merino microns. Thursday repeated the pattern with the finer microns again the centre of buyer attention and making further increases of 30 cents.

By the end of the week the finer microns were around 70 cents higher than the previous sale and many of the MPG’s closed at 5-year highs. Merino Skirtings tracked a similar line to the fleece, while crossbreds were mixed, initially gaining ground before a lacklustre finish. Merino Carding types maintained their renewed interest, rising 20 to 50 cents. Next weeks sale is currently estimated at 48,603 bales.

New Grain Storage In Forbes

December 1, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Robinson Grain is pleased to announce it has secured the lease of the Linx grain storage site at Forbes (previously known as Mountain Bulk). With 26,000mt of storage we will be providing competitive cash pricing and warehouse options for all wheat grades, barley and canola. Opening hours at the site will be from 7am to 11pm. Site manager Dave Simpson is excited about the opportunity this provides growers in the Forbes district.

Three storage options
The new addition at Forbes complements RGT’s other two storage locations at RGT Yethera and Dubbo Grain Packing (DGP). Yethera will be offering both cash and warehouse options for wheat and Dubbo Grain Packing has contract options available for all grains and pulses. DGP also has cleaning options if required for grain that does not meet specifications. Robinson Grain is particularly keen to buy ex farm after harvest and throughout 2017 for growers who have the storage. Let’s utilise grower storages for growers benefit. RGT also buy into most graincorp receival sites.

Site Contacts
Dubbo: 02 6884 4000
Yethera: Trent 0407 667898 or Ryan 0402 373614
Forbes: 02 6851 2157 or 0427 253020
Grain Marketing Sydney: 02 9976 3625

Helen Hits Ace With Prestigious Award

December 1, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes local and tennis stalwart Helen Magill won a prestigious award at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne on Monday night. Helen, who runs the Parkes Tennis Club, won the Newcombe Award for Coaching Excellence – Club at a glittering event at the Palladium Ballroom at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex.

The Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the year in tennis with legends of the past and the greats of today. Awards were presented in 14 categories. Paralympic gold medallist and Australian Open champion Dylan Alcott winning the 2016 Newcombe Medal, the highest honour in Australian tennis.

First Green Army Marches Forth With Pride

November 24, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The first Green Army team deployed in the Parkes and Forbes Shire Council areas did not only win the hearts and minds of everyone they worked with, but also made a valuable contribution to conservation projects. The team of six young participants graduated on Tuesday from Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) after 20 weeks of work.
“It was an amazing experience and I am very proud of myself,” said Chelsi Edwards, one of the participants.

Thomas Staff of Skillset congratulated the team on their marvellous achievement saying the CEO of Skillset was amazed by the team’s positive spirit. The participants worked on several projects including the tree lines at the Central West Livestock Exchange at Forbes, two planting projects on Condobolin Road and PAC Park and other projects. “All these projects have a focus on maintaining and improving biodiversity in our local area,” said CWLL Chair, Margot Jolly.

Marg Applebee, CWLL Co-ordinator said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Skillset to provide work experience opportunities to young people. We hope this is the beginning of new opportunities and that they build on their skills acquired to pursue further employment.” CWLL will be working with Skillset again with a second team starting in mid-January 2017. Marg said she would like to hear from local landholders willing to work with CWLL and to contact her on 6862 4914. Young people interested in joining the Green Army should contact Skillset.

By Maggi Barnard

Snippets…

November 24, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Special needs golf day a huge success: Children with special needs were on the receiving end on Sunday when the Parkes community shared their generosity to help raise funds at a golf day hosted by John Holland. “We are totally blown away by today’s John Holland golf day,” said Angela Wilson of the Central West Autism and Special Needs Awareness Group. The auction alone raised over $7,000.

The Parkes Phoenix in Peak Hill: The weekly issue of The Parkes Phoenix is available for free at the Peak Hill Newsagency each week.

Parkes White Ribbon Day March today: Join special guests Peter Gibbs and Nova Peris and take a stand to stop violence against women. Members of the community are invited to march against domestic violence. Meet at the new Parkes Arbor at 12:45 for 1pm start followed by free sausage sizzle in Cooke Park. For more information call 6862 1872.

Go Mariah! Parkes’ hockey star Mariah Williams is leading the Australian Junior World Cup squad at the Junior World Cup in Chile this week. At 21 and with 56 Hockeyroos caps, Mariah is the side’s most experienced player at international level. Mariah’s grandmother, Atholene Alting was very excited in Parkes this week about her granddaughter’s achievements.

Bikers Bring Bears To Bushman’s Dam: The Mid State Motorcycle Club is bringing a Motorcycle Toy Run to Parkes at 11:30am on Saturday, 3rd December at Bushman’s Dam. All registered motorcyclists are invited to participate. There will be plenty of fun for non-riders too with prizes for the best-dressed Christmas characters and
the best-decorated bike. Donations of toys and non-perishables can be left at KicXstart Motorcycles. Contact Kerry Smith on 0449 744 679.

Christmas Parade next Friday: The Christmas Parade returns next Friday with more than 30 entries already received. The Parade will start at 6pm.Today is the closing date for entries. Call 0448 166 016 to get a last minute entry in.

Meals On Wheels Deliver Thanks

November 24, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Meals on Wheels hosted a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, but it was the volunteers’ turn to receive a meal. Eighty-six of the Meals on Wheels volunteers came together for the luncheon filling the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club with Christmas cheer and plenty of good will. Meals on Wheels Manager Gillian Kinsella said it was wonderful to provide a meal for them. “We really appreciate what they do,” she said. “Without our wonderful volunteers the service couldn’t run.”

The volunteers deliver 300 hot and frozen meals each week in Parkes alone, providing a vital service to the local community. The service isn’t just about supplying nutritious food, Meals on Wheels allows people to remain in their own homes, helping them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. The volunteers also offer social
interaction, and can provide important social analysis and welfare checks to clients who might otherwise be isolated.

While Wednesday’s luncheon was about showing gratitude to the volunteers, the service’s clients weren’t forgotten. On Thursday 150 Meals on Wheels patrons were invited to celebrate Christmas at another special luncheon at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. This time it was the clients who were delivered to their meals, with transport specially organised for the clients who were able to attend. Meals on Wheels also operates in Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate.

By Raen Fraser

Parkes Festive Season Wrapped Up In Joy

November 24, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

This festive season will be filled to the brim with things to do, see and enjoy across the Parkes Shire. Christmas events will kick off on Friday, 2nd December with the Parkes Christmas Parade, followed by Sparkle in the Park UpMarkets and outdoor movie, The Santa Clause, in Cooke Park. As the sun sets, the Parkes CBD will be ignited with illuminations and projections across buildings and streetscapes. On the same day, Peak Hill will come alive for the Meet You Up The Street Festival with street stalls, music, shopping and family fun.

The Parkes Shire will be Jingle Bell Rockin’ for this year’s Carols in the Park. Everyone is invited to sing along in Parkes on Sunday, 11th December and in Peak Hill on Sunday, 18th December. For more details, check out our events page on www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Residents and visitors are encouraged to Shop Parkes this Christmas to stand a chance to win a fabulous trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000! Shoppers can enter by simply making a purchase and filling out an entry form at any participating business.

Keep an eye out for the Shop Parkes Catalogue in your mailbox or download it online at visitparkes.com.au. Follow Shop Parkes on Facebook for lots of special offers and gift ideas this Christmas. Local businesses are encouraged to
deck out their shop fronts from 2nd to 24th December. The most creative CBD Christmas window display will be awarded a marketing package valued at $500 for the 2017 Christmas Shopping campaign.

The winner will be announced on the Shop Parkes Facebook page on Friday, 16th December 2016. #shopparkes

Our Bloke – Brendan Allen

November 24, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Brendan Allen

How long have you lived in Parkes? We moved over from Peak Hill two and a half years ago.

What do you like about Parkes? It’s progressive! There’s always improvements being made to local services and businesses.

Where do you work? I’m the owner/manager at Greenlight Collectables.

What do you enjoy about your work?
Finding new things! Learning about vintage items and their purposes.

What do you do with your free time?
Spending time with my wife and kids and reading comics.

How do you like your coffee? Flat white with two sugars.

What makes your day? Finding something I never knew existed.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday, where would it be? Machu Picchu.

Maggi Barnard

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