Maggi Barnard

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

Exceptional Neurodiversity Event In Parkes

November 3, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes residents have a rare opportunity to listen to two internationally renowned speakers next Saturday at the Celebrating Neurodiversity event. Chris Ulmer from Florida, USA is a special education teacher who founded Special
Books by Special Kids (SBSK) wanting to share the unique talents and incredible personalities of the students in his special education classroom with others.

The second speaker is Tim Sharp, an internationally acclaimed 28-year-old artist from Brisbane, most famously known for his creation of a superhero called Laser Beak Man. Tim has autism and at age eleven he invented Laser Beak Man. Tim is the first person in the world with autism to have his art turned into an animated television series screening on the ABC and internationally through the Cartoon Network. There is an exhibition about Tim in the National Museum of Australia. His story has been on Australian Story. The event is at the Parkes Leagues Club from 2 to 6pm. Tickets can be booked at www.parkesleaguesclub.com and are $65 which includes a delicious afternoon tea.

All profits from the event will go towards supporting the projects that the Central West Autism and Special Needs Awareness Group are working on achieving to benefit the children with autism and other special needs in our community.

Parkes Slowly Recovering From Flash Storm

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes community is still reeling from the tornado-like flash storm that hit the town last Friday night with clean-up operations going on unabated. The effect of the freak event was felt immediately when the storm caused power
outages to more than 4,860 households and businesses. Some households’ power were only restored by 2:30pm on Saturday. “The damage to the electricity network was significant and included many fallen service lines and powerlines due to the wind, trees, and damaged buildings,” said the manager community relations Northern, David Crough.

The SES received 126 requests for assistance. According to the SES Facebook page the Parkes Unit, with assistance from ten other SES units and NSW Rural Fire Service, had cleared all the requests by Tuesday. According to the Communications & Marketing Officer of the Parkes Shire Council, Emily Brotherton, damage caused to community
infrastructure, footpaths and roads has been extensive. “We don’t know exactly how many homes have suffered damage as yet.”

The 88-year-old grandstand of the Parkes Racecourse seemed to have taken the brunt of the storm and was left in ruins, while a wall collapsed at Gecko Pizza and Take Away on Forbes Road. Several carports, sheds and trampolines were either blown away or left crumpled up like pieces of paper.

Emily said Council crews responded immediately to calls from residents for assistance and by Tuesday had received over 100 calls for assistance to remove debris from roads, footpaths, community infrastructure and homes.

Just a Short Drive to Dubbo…

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Dubbo’s Double Dozen Attractions
The city of Dubbo is just over an hour’s drive away, but a visit there can feel like it’s a world away with more than 25 attractions and activities and lots of shopping opportunities, coffee shops and restaurants. Taronga’s Western Plains Zoo is often touted as the jewel of the Central West, and for good reason. Whether you just want to cycle around the safari-like park, or get up close and personal with some of the more exotic and endangered creatures from around the globe, the zoo is a perfect way to spend a day. But there’s a lot more to explore around Dubbo than just the big
game.

The Dubbo Gaol, nestled right in the CBD, will transport you to another time. It’s an immersive experience, with costumed characters, animatronics and holographic displays bringing the prison’s barbaric 119 year history to life. If the dark cells and hangman’s rope collections aren’t eerie enough, you could book into a night tour or the ominously named ‘beyond the grave’ tour.

There’s a lot more history to uncover just a short stroll away at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, which is home to the Dubbo Regional Museum. The museum boasts a 5,000 object collection, featuring a permanent local exhibition, as well as touring exhibits. The WPCC is also home to the Dubbo Regional Gallery, which hosts curated shows, regional exhibitions, a children’s gallery and a space devoted to the moving image. The WPCC offers a great opportunity to enjoy history and high culture.

This weekend Dubbo is hosting ARTLANDS, a regional arts conference and festival. The Western Plains Cultural Centre will be awash with vibrant and creative activities. Free entertainment includes Circus performances, lively music, and the spectacular, site-specific audio-visual installation, Spark.

But a trip to the bigger smoke shouldn’t be limited to entertainment; Dubbo is a treasure-trove of shopping delights, with popular fashion and retail chains as well as a range of exclusive boutiques. Orana Mall is known as the Central West’s premier shopping mall, and with 70 stores to browse through, it’s a day-trip in itself. Fortunately, Dubbo also boasts an array of cafes and eateries. The Local Coffee Co. is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and enjoy an exquisitely made barista coffee. Or you could enjoy a lunch on Grapevine’s outdoor patio, their extensive menu has something to appeal to any palette. But if you happen to have the kids in tow, you can’t go past PK’s Bakery, which offers a tasty selection of sweet and savory pastries, and has the added bonus of a kids’ playground, so they can keep
busy while you enjoy a cuppa.

Flower Show Lift Spirits After Storm

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

After such a dreadful storm last Friday evening, the St George Flower Show and Market offered a burst of colour to lift everyone’s spirits. Behind every event organised in Parkes is a great group of people who make it all happen. The cheerful volunteers at St George were no exception, working hard to ensure the flower show was a blooming success.

While the storm might have shaken a few branches, the unusually wet winter and spring certainly benefited the blooms. The Irises climbed to heights unseen for many years, and roses were the best they have been. Southern Cross displayed a beautiful range of roses, and the Red Bend Catholic College picked the finest from their college
garden. The winner of the Peoples Choice for the single bloom was Lucinda Auld. Her grandmother Margaret McMillan proudly accepted it on her behalf.

Mavis Moon was delighted to receive first prize for her collection of flowers with a bouquet of Double Delight Roses.
Alliance Pharmacy kindly donated the prizes, and the winners were thrilled by the lovely assortment of goodies. Discount Dave’s sponsored the lucky door prizes, which added to the fun on the day. Attendees were treated to a delicious tea provided by the Anglican Ladies. Vivian, Heather and Mavis were run off their feet as the demand for cakes and lamingtons was great.

The market stalls offered something for everyone, with a range of crafts and gift packages on offer and the Trash and
Treasure gave shoppers a chance to find an unexpected gem. Lorraine Chambers and her helpers had a plant stall that went on and on all day.

By Norma Garment

Snippets…

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Kite Festival: The Reach for the Sky Australia Day Kite Festival will be on again next year. Bring your kite to the Northparkes Oval from 8 to 11am on Australia Day, 26th January. You can decorate your kite with Australian imagery, or even shape a kite like the Parkes Dish! Or you can ask Santa to give you one for Christmas. The festival is open to all ages

Cultural Awards: Do you know a person or group that has helped advance the arts in our shire? Someone who has achieved exceptional results in an examination, performance or exhibition? Parkes Shire Council invites you to nominate them for a cultural award. The purpose of the awards is to recognise, reward and encourage excellence in the performing, visual and creative arts and crafts. The awards will be announced at the 2017 Australia Day celebrations in Parkes. Nominations close at 10am on Monday, 5th December. Forms are available at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au or at any Shire Library. Contact Ellie ODonoghue or Sally Chapman, Grants Officers,
on 6861 2398 or ellie.odonogue@parkes.nsw.gov.au, sally.chapman@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Australia Day awards: Do you know someone making a positive difference in the Parkes Shire? Nominations are open for the 2017 Parkes Shire Council Community Awards, recognising outstanding service to the community. To nominate someone, pick up a nomination form from Council, one of the libraries, or at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre. Or you can download a nomination form from www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Return forms via email to events@parkes.nsw.gov.au, or to Council’s Administrative Building, with supporting photos, articles or documents. Nominations close 10am on Monday, 5th December. Contact the Events Officer on 02 6861 2333.

Needlework & Pottery: Two exhibitions, showcasing the artistic talents in our Shire, are being held at Parkes Library and Coventry Room during November. A display showcasing local embroiderers goes on display at Parkes Library on 1st November. Members of the Embroiders Guild NSW, Parkes branch, will demonstrate their art on various days throughout the exhibition, which concludes on November 30. It has been a couple of years since the Parkes Potters exhibited in Parkes. On Friday, 25th November they are opening a wonderful exhibition of functional pieces, as well as, sculptural artworks. The exhibition will close at 4pm on Saturday, 26th November.

Question of the Week?

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

How were you affected by the storm?

Troy Hutchings: I was lucky, I wasn’t affected by the storm much at all, but I am spending this week cleaning up after it.

Derrick Milling and dog Monty: It was just the most incredible wind, it twisted the crowns out of the trees. Most of the devastation was done in three minutes. It was mostly landscape damage. I had some hail through the skylights in the shed.

Liz Noakes: It was really scary – the wind was so intense. We have heaps of small animals and the wind threw their cages all over our property. Two of our rabbits didn’t survive, and some of our chooks were injured by flying debris. Our dog had puppies the day before, and sadly we lost one of them too. We’re still hoping to find our two geese. We’re lucky we didn’t have more damage, but I would have preferred for my animals to be okay.

Our Bloke – Ken McGrath

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Ken McGrath

How long have you lived in Parkes?
I’ve lived in Parkes all my life, so that’d be 64 years.

Where do you work? I’m self-employed. I own an earth moving and landscaping business, which I’ve run for 40 years.

What do you enjoy most about your work? It’s great doing different jobs all the time. I like working with different people, and facing different challenges. My favourite job has to be building swimming pools. I’ve got nine to do at the moment, everyone’s getting ready for summer!

What makes your day? I just like it when everything goes right. It’s great when you have no problems, no dramas, everything just works.

What do you do in your free time? I follow the kids around. A few have moved away, so we go visit them when we can. I don’t really play sport, but I do follow Rugby League; I’m a St George supporter.

How do you take your coffee? White no sugar.

Where would your dream holiday be?
Somewhere in Fiji. We’ve been there once before and it was incredible. It is such a nice spot, and there’s so much sight-seeing to do. The people there are so friendly, their culture is amazing. It’s just unbelievably lovely.

The Early Bird Has A Stress Free Christmas

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The count down is on; it’s only eight weeks until Christmas! It’s the most wonderful time of the year – but also one of the most stressful! As Christmas approaches life seems to get more hectic. The hustle and bustle can be overwhelming so make the season more enjoyable by stopping stress in its tracks and get organised.

Christmas parties are a great way to celebrate, so book it in now to save you the stress down the track. Christmas parties are a celebration of what all your staff and the business have achieved throughout the year. It is a time to unwind and enjoy the company of your fellow employees out of the work environment and to enjoy a nice meal and a cold beverage. Local businesses are taking bookings now so be sure to get in quick to secure your spot.

It is not too late to get feeling and looking great. Everybody wants to look their best on Christmas day so take action now. Sign up to a gym, walk to work or even just park further from the shops. Every little bit helps and it will not only help you drop those few winter kilograms, it will also make you feel great moving around again.

With days getting longer and warmer why not get some friends together and workout. Catching up with friends is a great way to burn more calories while you talk and walk. Get the kids active this summer too with lots of different classes available to sign up to. Eating well seems to always become much easier as summer approaches with so many delicious salads and BBQ recipes to try. Fruit comes into season and it’s easier to drink more water. A reminder to stay hydrated this summer season as water flushes out your body’s toxins and assists with all bodily functions.

Christmas shopping is next on the list and you either love it or hate it. So start thinking about gifts now to avoid the rush. There will be markets on in the coming months so be sure to go along as you might just find a bargain. This year try making some of your gifts, as they can be more personal and thoughtful that way. It can be as simple as
making gingerbread men to make a small gift or to accompany another. Homemade goods are always a hit so try your hand at baking or making. There are loads of ideas available on the internet.

The secret is to focus on what’s most important, remember to have fun and to do something that makes you happy.

Mayoral Notes…

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

I would firstly like to thank the emergency services, Essential Energy and Council crews for their outstanding efforts in responding to the impacts of the severe flash storm in Parkes last Friday evening. They have worked around the clock to ensure services, roads and facilities are cleared and restored. It was pleasing to see such community
spirit displayed as neighbours and friends assisted those badly affected by the storms. What a great community we live in.

Motorists please be extra vigilant as crews continue to clear debris from the road. Residents are encouraged to nominate deserving people for a Community Award. Each Australia Day, Parkes Shire Council recognises, rewards and encourages outstanding community service by individuals, groups and events. Nominations are open for the 2017 Parkes Shire Council Community Awards, with nomination forms available for download from Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Demolition of the old Parkes Hospital has reached the halfway mark, with five out of the nine buildings being pulled down. The project is well on track to be completed by mid-December. The Parkes Shire was showcased at two major events in Canberra. Parkes Shire Council representatives attended the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia
(CMCA) Rally and the Canberra Home & Leisure Show to promote Parkes Shire as a weekend getaway destination. Congratulations to Nikki Fallon from Kambah in the ACT who won the Parkes Elvis Festival Package.

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

Have a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM
Mayor of Parkes Shire

Relay For Our True Heroes

October 27, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

More than 400 people braved an icy cold wind on Saturday to create a festival atmosphere at the Northparkes Oval for the Parkes & Districts Relay For Life event. At the opening of the relay in the afternoon, organiser Renee Rice said the overnight section might be called off because of the strong wind.

Relay For Life is an overnight, team fundraising event that brings local communities together in the fight against cancer and to honour cancer survivors and their carers. After the opening ceremony cancer survivors and their carers did the first lap of the day after which it was open to the rest of participants to start doing laps. The Hope Ceremony with candles was held at 7:30pm after which the event was unfortunately called off and everyone packed up to go home.

A spokesperson of the Cancer Council NSW said this week they were possibly looking at re-holding the event in March next year. The relay is normally held every two years in Parkes. Despite the disappointment of the cancellation, the event still managed to create community spirit and support for everyone affected by cancer.

Andrew Cusack, who delivered the survivor speech, said the true heroes in our community were the cancer survivors and not sports champions. “We have to fight cancer every single day. Sports heroes do not have to do that.” He called cancer survivors warriors. “A warrior is someone with great vigour, courage and determination and so many people
with cancer fit this description perfectly.” He said there were many warriors in our community, “and I want everyone to remember that”.

Maggi Barnard

Subscribe