Maggi Barnard

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

Monumental Visit By Minister For Veterans’ Affairs

November 4, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

As part of his whirlwind tour of Parkes on Wednesday, the Hon. David Elliott made announcements from his portfolio as the NSW Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Councillors, Parkes Shire Library staff and school students attended Memorial Hill to hear the Minister announce a $2,000 grant from the State Government to develop content for an interactive learning experience for the site.

The history content would be accessed via Quick Response, or “QR” codes, which will be installed around the site. The QR codes are similar to barcodes, and can be scanned using a smart phone. The codes will then link to information on Council’s website, creating an interactive lesson available for visitors. Councillors Pat Smith, George Pratt and Deputy Mayor Barbra Newton welcomed the donation, along with student representatives from Parkes High School and the Holy Family School. David reminded the school children of the significance of war memorials.

“We live so far away from the battlefields, so memorials offered relatives a place to honour the boys who didn’t come home,” he said. David enjoyed a stroll through the Remembrance Walk Theatre of Conflicts Gardens. The symbolic gardens feature plants typical of each battlefront, and donated benches offer visitors a moment to reflect. Landscaper Elizabeth Briton, who led the dignitaries along the path, designed the Remembrance Walk.

The Minister for Veterans Affairs has a very personal connection to his portfolio. David had a long career in the army, and served with the peace-keeping forces in Bouganville, Papua New Guinea. The Minister for Veteran’s Affairs also visited the Trundle War Memorial Hall on Wednesday to announce a grant for the War Memorial Hall’s restoration. The building’s foundation stone was laid 90 years ago, and throughout those years it has seen mixed fortunes. Thanks to the efforts of the very dedicated Trundle War Memorial Hall Committee, the Trundle War Memorial Hall is slowly being restored.

By Raen Fraser

Ostini Wool Weekly Market Update

November 4, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The NRI maintained its sixteen-month high this week closing at 1375, a level that has only been exceeded on three
selling days in past 5 years (each of which occurred in June 2015, when the NRI peaked at 1399). Despite the significantly larger offering that was put before the trade this week, the market held up well, with only minor adjustments recorded.

Again it was the Best and Spinners styles that received strong competition and recorded solid premiums over other
types in the finer microns. A number of the finer MPG’s maintained their recent 5-year highs, while any odd pockets
of weakness were limited. Merino Skirtings were also well supported in the finer microns, with best types up to 20 cents dearer, while the MC indicator rose 29 cents for the week. However the Crossbred market had another soft week, losing 10-20 cents for most microns.

Next week’s offering extends to over 49,000 bales with sales in Melbourne, Sydney and Fremantle.

Demolition Of Old Hospital Half Way

November 4, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The prolonged period of wet weather hasn’t delayed the progress of the old Parkes hospital demolition, with the project reaching the half way mark recently. Five out of the nine buildings have come down, with completion of the demolition well on track for mid-December.

Parkes Shire Council’s Director Engineering Services, Ben Howard said: “For the second half of the project, the contractors are transporting the building material off site to the Parkes Waste Facility for crushing.” There has also been a minor variation to the transport management plan, with vehicles now accessing the site via Ainsworth
Street, rather than Rose Street.

“Once demolition is complete, site remediation will begin to prepare it for redevelopment. The remediation process will see the contractors remove all the footings and underground utilities, top dress, and seed all affected areas.”
The existing education centre and community health buildings will be retained for repurposing.

If members of the public have any concerns or would like more information, please contact Ben Howard on 6861 2333.

Collaboration Is The Key

November 4, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Five members of the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) will travel to Leeton this month to play at the 5th Leeton Outback Band Spectacular. PSCB members have been attending this event since its inception. December is fast approaching when the band will be performing at various events.

These are the Christmas Street Parade and the Christmas Carols. They will also do their usual December Saturday morning performances for shoppers. In January the PSCB will be leading the 25th Elvis Street Parade. If any musicians out there plan to be in Parkes for this big weekend, contact Duncan Clement if you’re interested to play in the parade.

The PSCB annual community concert in September was a big success. It was the second year in a row the band invited the local Lachlan Community Orchestra (LCO), singing group Tapestry and soloist Gordon Richter on the clarinet to perform with them. The grand finale of the concert combined LCO and PSCB playing Amazing Grace with music director Duncan Clement conducting and playing the bagpipes!

Other community commitments included playing at the Christian School Spring Fete and the Classic Car Club. If you would like to join the band, contact Duncan. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays from 7 to 9pm during school term. PSCB are keen to playout more in the community, so let them know if you have an event. Contact Duncan Clement on email duncanclement@ hotmail.com or 0405 035 164.

Our Gal – Helen Magill

November 4, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Helen Magill

How long have you lived in Parkes? I’ve lived in Parkes all my life.

What do you enjoy the most about living in Parkes? I love the galvanising community spirit and the freedom of country life.

What do you do for work? I am a professional tennis coach in Parkes, which I’ve been doing for 33 years, and a Coach Mentor for Tennis Australia

What do you enjoy most about your work? Every day I have interaction in young people’s lives and see them grow and develop. I get most pleasure out of seeing the happy faces on children when they work hard and enjoy their time on court with me.

What makes your day? People smiling and being kind to each other – it’s not hard.

How do you like your coffee? Skim Latte

Where would your dream holiday be? Anywhere in the world with my husband and two children without mobile reception.

Letter to the Editor…

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Letter to the Editor
I believe it is wise to take the time to write to the people of the Orange Electorate making it very clear why I see the importance of standing up here and now for my principles, my country values and the people of this region. The catalyst for my decision to stand as an Independent, apart from the many people who approached me to do so, was the proposed ban against the greyhound industry.

I believe the values of democracy in country areas in New South Wales are being eroded and this is our opportunity to voice our concerns not only over the greyhounds but other issues that are important to us such as Forced Amalgamations which this Coalition promised would never take place. I do not believe in Forced Amalgamations as I believe that country people have the right to participate in the decision making process of issues surrounding the
future of our regional towns and villages.

I will also work hard to close the gap of inequity in funding for rural roads and transport infrastructure. There is also parking at the Orange Health Service, TAFE and its cutbacks, and a respite centre for Forbes and other issues for which I am prepared to fight. I have also been working very hard to find investors to bring an export abattoir to Forbes as this could create 800 jobs for the area.

We need a member who is going to listen to the real issues of real people and who will stand up for the values of country people. I am a businessman of 36 years, a farmer, a family man and someone who empathises with the issues that you face as country people. Send this government the message that country people will fight for their rights and Vote 1 Munro for strong representation in Parliament.

Scott Munro

Snippets…

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Win A Double Pass: The world premiere of The Legend of Ben Hall will be shown on 12th November at the Forbes Showgrounds. In attendance will be the Director Matthew Holmes (Twin Rivers) and actors Jack Martin (feature film debut), Jamie Coffa (TV’s Gallipoli, The Lucifer King) and William Lee (feature film debut). You can win a general admission double pass for the premiere. Enter online at www.parkesphoenix.com.au and go to What’s Hot.
Make sure to be in the draw by entering by 3pm on Thursday, 10th November.

Long lunch by the lake: Come and enjoy a two course lunch to help raise funds for a mobile Physio Touch machine for Forbes and Parkes Hospitals on Sunday, 13th November in Lions Park, Forbes at 12:30pm. The guest speaker is Dianne Green, McGrath Breast Cancer Nurse. Plenty of tickets still available at $80 per person including a gourmet BBQ and dessert provided by Peter Ashcroft, beer, wine and soft drinks, as well as entertainment by Adam Enslow. Bookings close on 9th November. Contact debbie@roylances.com.au.

Canowindra Christmas shopping evening: Are you stuck for ideas for Christmas presents and can’t bear the thought of crowded shopping centres? Visit Canowindra on 26th November from 3 – 7pm and enjoy a friendly, relaxed shopping atmosphere with live music, while the kids can get their faces painted and take a photo with Santa. Canowindra business owner Liz Mitchell said the aim of the event was to remind people how much variety is available in Canowindra, and to challenge shoppers to think about shopping locally before going online or out of town.

Exercise equipment: Parkes Shire residents will soon be able to access state-of the-art exercise equipment for free with the construction of a new outdoor multi-station gym underway at Kelly Reserve and walking paths at Bushmans Hill. Mayor Ken Keith said: “Bushmans Hill and Kelly Reserve were identified by the community as popular recreation locations. This project will enable residents to better utilise these spaces for health and fitness pursuits.” Parkes Shire Council successfully secured $50,000 for the project from the Department of Family and Community
Services. The project will further enhance and support the existing facilities at the two locations. Construction started last week, with work on the new pathways set to begin in the coming months.

Mayoral Notes…

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

This week we welcomed NSW Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The Hon David Elliott who was in town to trial a new interactive learning experience at Parkes Memorial Hill. Parkes Memorial Hill Rejuvenation Incorporated received $2,000 from the State Government to develop interpretative content to link to Quick Response (QR) Codes located
around the site. The QR Codes will link to Council’s website, providing residents and visitors more information about the site.

Development of the website content and installation of the QR codes will take place in the coming months. Council invites residents who participated in the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme to attend an Energy Opportunity Workshop in the Parkes Shire Council Coventry Room on Monday, 14th November at 5.30pm. With the scheme closing at the end of the year, the workshop will inform customers about what you need to do in the lead up to the closure and the important steps you need to take to get the best out of your renewable energy system. For more information, contact
Council’s Environment and Sustainability Coordinator on 6861 2343.

It’s never too late to learn to swim, with adult swimming lessons kicking off Tuesday, 15th November. The five-week program offers adults a chance to learn the skill at their own pace, with the lessons tailored specifically for adults. Enrolment forms are available from Council’s website and closes next Friday.

Remember to get social during the Colour Parkes campaign. Share your favourite images of our Shire on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Use the hashtag #ColourParkes and tag @ParkesTourism to stand a chance to win a prize package.

Enjoy your weekend.
Yours Faithfully
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Market Prices Remain At Good Levels

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Summer is upon us but you wouldn’t know it with the cool changes that are still coming through. The good thing the wet Spring has done is give a controlled flow of livestock into our markets. Both cattle and sheep sales have only seen one week with excessive numbers that had an adverse effect on prices.

Sheep and lambs have been able to hold reasonable rates as numbers have been on the lower side of the averages for this time of year. We have also seen the wet Spring hold off the grass seed issues this time of year. The good finish to Spring has enabled many producers to continue to sell off lambs prior to be shorn. The question that has been put out there is “How will this extended selling season affect our numbers of shorn lambs for later in the year or early 2017?” Traditionally by this time we have seen a dramatic drop off in rates due to dryness and numbers. Earlier in the year the forward contract rates for this time were approximately $1.00/kg below current rates.

There are many factors currently affecting where our market is and where it may go. For what it is worth, I believe lower numbers will continue to keep a firm market with only slight changes dependent on weather and supply numbers. Cattle have seen our local numbers starting to come back as our market has eased. The market is still well above average rates. I attended a meeting in Sydney with Richard Norton, CEO of MLA. It was interesting to hear his views on where our cattle market is heading. In his opinion, the global market has signs of oversupply and price pressure but we are insulated slightly by the current low Australian herd numbers. Our current market possibly could see up to a 20% correction. It sounds like a big fall but we would still be at very good levels.

It must be said that store markets for lambs, ewes and cattle are still very strong and this may have the effect of limiting numbers as our best young replacement stock are so hard to purchase. In conclusion, I believe we can see price corrections and still have a good year ahead for livestock.

By Geoff Rice

Christmas Comes Early For SES And RFS

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

State MP David Elliot wore several different ministerial hats when he visited Parkes on Wednesday, making a number of announcements from his Emergency Services portfolio. This was the Minister’s third visit this year. He came to offer support during the Forbes floods, then returned to survey the damage caused by the Parkes storm two
weeks ago. This week David came under happier circumstances, making funding announcements and expressing his gratitude to the selfless helpers in our community.

The minister joined the Parkes SES staff and volunteers over a lunch, before he officially announced an $8,000 equipment grant, as well as the arrival of a new SES rescue truck. The $213,375 truck will make the SES work more efficient and safer. The truck’s features include seven specialty lockers with streamlined storage and lighting, ergonomic ladder access on the roof, an inbuilt generator and water tank, and a remote-controlled light-post. The truck’s impressively engineered features make it easier to access equipment and mobilise the crew.

Wednesday also saw the official handover of a brand new Rural Fire Service vehicle. The $310,000 truck boasts improved fire-safety features. The cabin is equipped with safety curtains and fire blankets. Retardant spray has been applied to the wheels to prevent them from igniting, and the cabin features monitors and joy-stick capability for remote operation of sprays. Rural Fire Service Superintendent Ken Neville says the new truck will give the crew a better chance if they’re caught in a fire.

By Raen Fraser

Maggi Barnard

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