Maggi Barnard

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

Netball on Again

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Welcome back after the school holidays, hope you all had a great break and enjoyed a few sunny days. If there are any players who are interested in umpiring or learning to umpire, please see Calli Miller. Parkes Netball Association will be holding its monthly meeting at the Parkes Services Club on Monday, 25th July at 7pm. Please remember all teams need to send a representative to the meetings.

Results Round 7
Division 1
Avenyers 32 def Dynamites 14
Super Stars 26 def Vipers 14
Division 2
Diamontes 23 def Rockettes
U11s Rep Team 27 def Sparkles 7

Draw Round 8
Division 1 – 9:30 AM
Court 2: Dynamites v U12s Rep Team (Umpires: Kaity Macdonald, Amelia Green)
Court 4: Vipers v Avenyers (Umpires: Mikeeley Birmingham, Jack McGrath)
Bye: Super Stars
Division 2 – 10:45AM
Court 2: Diamontes v U11s Rep Team (Umpires: Brooke Norman, Julia Williams)
Court 4: Sparkles v Rockettes (Umpires: Mikeeley Birmingham, Kasey Macdonald)
Super 8s – 9:30AM
Court 5: Butterflys v Twinkles (Umpires: Jen Ryan, Tianna Simpson)
Court 6: Glitter Bugs v Lady Beatles (Umpires: Larni Ryan, Alex Williams)

Could You Be The 2016 Parkes Showgirl?

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Show Society is looking for young ladies aged 18 to 24 to be in the 2016 Showgirl Competition. All entrants will be presented to the Parkes community at the Presentation Evening on Saturday, 13th August at 6pm at the Parkes Golf Club.

The 2016 Parkes Showgirl will be announced at the official opening of the Parkes Show on Tuesday, 30th August 2016. Although the title might sound like it is another pageant, the Showgirl competition is not a beauty show. The most important quality of the Showgirl is that she must have a genuine interest in and some knowledge of rural NSW.

The competition encourages the participation and subsequent awareness of rural woman’s contribution and involvement in both local communities and rural NSW as a whole. Participation in the Parkes Showgirl Competition
opens up personal, professional and networking opportunities for the winner as they will progress on to the Zone judging in Cowra in February 2017, followed by The Land Royal Showgirl Competition Finals at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

The 2016 Parkes Showgirl will win approximately $1,500 in prizes donated by local businesses. Contact Lisa Bicket on 0427 652 262 for more information, or check out the Parkes Show website – parkesshow.org.au.

Do You Want To Be A Parkes Shire Councillor?

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Council is running pre-election information sessions on 27th July and 3rd August at the Parkes Shire Council Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street. Mayor Cr Ken Keith said this was an opportunity for potential council election candidates and community members to learn more about the role of local government.

“The role of a councillor is considerably varied. It’s a wonderful way to make a positive impact on your community and provide great leadership and advocacy at a local level,” Cr Keith said. “Even for people who are just looking for information about Council, I encourage you to come along and ask questions to better understand the process of local government.

“Casting a vote in the upcoming election means voting for someone who you think is best going to represent you and the interests of the community.” “Senior Council staff and councillors will facilitate the sessions and will speak about
the benefits and challenges of local government and hopefully encourage people to consider nominating for the next council elections,” the Mayor said.

“Even if you have had some local government experience or association before, I urge you to come along as the local government industry has undergone considerable change in the last few years and the process is continuing. These changes will be discussed as well,” said the Mayor.

The sessions start at 5.30pm and will run for approximately two hours. The election will be held on Saturday, 10th September. Nominations to become a Councillor close with the Returning Officer at 12 Noon on 10th August. More information including nomination forms can be obtained by visiting the election web page at www.votensw.info

What’s Hot

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Shannon Bermingham from Forbes Central Butchery is making prize winner sausages. He has won the continental category with his German Bratwurst and Australian Lamb Sausage at the Central West Sausage King and Best Butcher competition held at the Orange College of TAFE. Shannon said:

“The secret is good quality meat, including good local lamb and the addition of great herbs and spices.” Shannon has new ‘sausage flavours of the week’ every week. Follow his Facebook page to stay up to date with more specials, including steaks, lambchops, cutlets, roasting portions, and chicken and pork. This week’s $50 pack includes two large breast schnitzels, two large blade steaks, four marinated pork chops, nine thin snags, six rissoles and six rashers of bacon.

The next round of competition for Shannon is the State Final in Bathurst on Saturday, 24th September. Good Luck Shannon!

Heritage Fund Program Now Open

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Council is inviting owners and leasees of significant land and buildings to apply for dollar for dollar matched funding under their Local Heritage Fund Program. Council’s Heritage Committee Chair, Cr Alan Ward said since the program was implemented in 2000 it has achieved great results. “The program has successfully delivered 69 heritage projects valued at more than $400,000 with $133,000 provided through local heritage funding.”

“A number of significant heritage places and items have been restored including the Old Post Office building, St George’s Anglican Church, Trundle Hotel, Bogan Gate Uniting Church and Peak Hill and Trundle Main Streets,” Cr Ward said.

Last financial year, Council’s Local Heritage Program successfully completed more than $58,000 worth of heritage projects. More than $41,000 was contributed by the applicants with $17,000 provided through local heritage funding.

Work included the repair and repointing of a brick wall at the Parkes Old Post Office, the reinstatement and repainting of Balmoral House, the reinstatement of the bar and pressed metal ceiling at Peak Hill’s Carrington Hotel, and the repainting of the Tullamore Hotel in period style colours. Applications for the 2016/17 Heritage
Fund close on Friday, 26th August 2016. Application forms, conditions and guidelines are available on Council’s website or from Council’s Administration Centre. Council encourages anyone interested in maintaining their heritage building to make an appointment with Council’s Heritage Advisor.

Free professional advice is available to owners who want to renovate or redevelop private homes or commercial buildings. The advice is of a general nature. For more information, or to make an appointment, please contact Council’s Planning & Environment Department on (02) 6861 2373.

Wedding Feature…

July 21, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Make Your Dream Wedding A Reality
When it comes to weddings, Cowra Hire have everything you need to organise your special day with ease. They have the right equipment to help you pull off the perfect event with everything from cutlery, linen and glasses to marquees, a cool room, dance floors and a jukebox. The list goes on.

Charlie has been in the business for 30 years so has plenty of experience in organising everything you need and making your dream a reality. As well as having an extensive range on offer, the team at Cowra Hire will deliver your equipment as well as assemble and dissemble your marquee to save you the stress and hassle, and allow you to enjoy your special day to the fullest.

Visit the store at 76 Redfern Street, Cowra or their website www.cowrahire.com.au or give Charlie and the team a call on 6342 3498 to see the fantastic range they have available for hire.

Fresh Pickings at Native Botanical
Following in the footsteps of her mother Marie, Steph Cooke has taken her passion for fresh flowers to become the Central West region’s most stylistic florist. What began with just Steph and her Mum in 2008 working from a studio in Temora, has now grown in to three gorgeous studios with a talented team all working together to bring their clients beautiful floral artistry. The three stores are located in Temora, Cootamundra and Young.

“My vision has been brought to life through our gorgeous studios,” Steph says. “Every day we find ourselves surrounded by over 100 varieties of the most beautiful, fresh flowers and foliage from Australian growers as passionate as we are about creating beautiful, long lasting designs.”

Native Botanical has beautiful arrangements to choose from, especially when it comes to weddings. They have a massive range of bouquets specifically dedicated to weddings. By supplying a stunning range of flowers, those who are looking for something different will also be satisfied by what Native Botanical has to offer. To see the latest designs and creations, follow Native Botanical on Facebook.

By Debra Clarke

Mayoral Notes…

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

This year’s annual trip to Weberek in East Timor was a success despite the constant rain. We installed new solar panels and replaced the meter on the water bore, doubling the capacity of the village water supply. We also held a fencing demonstration day teaching locals how to use strainer posts by erecting a fence around the health clinic. We continued the good rapport with the villagers enjoying a community volleyball game, which the locals won convincingly.

The container of hospital equipment is yet to arrive in Dilli but when it does Bill Shalvey the coordinator of the operation will head back with a few others to receive and distribute the items. Geoff Steventon needs congratulations for his organisation of this and previous trips to East Timor. Parkes welcomes world renowned astronomers for AstroFest this weekend. The annual conference and astrophotography festival endeavours to expose the people of the Central West to the wonders of modern astronomy.

Local Government Elections will be held on Saturday 10th September. Anyone wishing to find out more about becoming a Parkes Shire Councillor is invited to attend an information session. The information sessions will be held on Wednesday 27th July and Wednesday 3rd August at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Centre from 5.30pm. Visit parkes.nsw.gov.au for details.

Enjoy a happy and safe weekend.
Yours Faithfully,
Cr Ken Keith OAM

Squash Championships

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The NSW Junior State Age Squash Championships held in Parkes and Forbes last weekend were a huge success, bringing more than 500 people to the two towns. More than 250 matches were played by 100 squash players coming from as far as Darwin. It was the first time this event was held in a regional centre and was one of only two gold ranked events to be held in the state this year, attracting the top players for the ranking points on offer. The NSW Blue Tongues team for 2016 was announced at the conclusion of the event.

The team includes two to three players in each age division from under 13 to under 19. Four players from the local region were selected in the team. They are Haylee and Jemma Besant from Rylstone and Elle and Georgie Lane from Dunedoo. To make NSW teams you have to attend several other tournaments and camps leading into this event, therefore unfortunately none of the local players were eligible.

They still had a good tournament with Kacey Nightingale finishing fourth and Bronte O’Shannessy fifth in the Under 15 Girls. Marley O’Shannessy came sixth in the Under 13 girls, and Henry Kross finished fourth in the Under 11’s. The big news is that the Parkes and Forbes Squash Clubs have been announced as hosts for next year’s Greenshield. It is the state’s major teams event. It will take place over three days with eight teams – four boys and four girls teams from Under 11 to Under 17 – from seven regions in NSW and ACT competing.

Letters to the Editor…

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Dear Editor,
It will be a very sad day if Parkes Ladies Gym, Curves, has to close at the end of August after operating for nearly 10 years in the town.

Many members have been attending for 9 plus years and many have come and gone only to return again as they realise the benefits of the exercise circuit in calm, secure and friendly surrounds. For me, I consider it as a prescription to help manage my health and wellbeing, others have found it helps them lose weight and keep fit. All this will be lost if someone does not come forward to take on the gym from its current owner who is wanting to retire.

With sadness but with much appreciation we will be farewelling Barb who has done a wonderful job in setting up and managing Curves in various locations in Parkes. It would be great if a new owner could be found soon.

A very grateful Curves Member

Dear Editor,
Essential Energy would like to remind tradespeople, scaffolders and other construction workers to be aware of the potential for electrical hazards on the worksite and stay safe around electricity. Regional manager Northern, Mark Summers, said plant equipment and temporary structures should be kept well clear of the electricity network.

“Powerlines can be situated underground and overhead and workers should be aware of their location before picking up a jackhammer, operating machinery or excavating an area,” Mark said; “We recommend every worker, from the foreman through to the apprentice complete an onsite safety induction before commencing work – identifying the location of all electrical hazards.”

The Electricity Supply Act requires any excavation work to be logged with the free Dial before you dig referral service at www.1100.com.au, to identify the location of underground utility assets. The safe operating distance for workers and their equipment from overhead powerlines is three metres for distribution and transmission lines up to 132kV and four metres for scaffolding.

If scaffolding has the potential to encroach within four metres of powerlines, builders must contact Essential Energy to ensure safety controls are implemented to keep workers safe.
“We also recommend a competent safety observer be assigned to each worksite to monitor work teams and guide machinery movements near overhead powerlines,” Mark said. For more information contact 13 23 91.

House of the Week

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

78A Shallow Lead Rd, Parkes $579 000
Agent: Langlands Hanlon
Phone: Greg Miller 0448 433 317
Open for inspection: By Appointment or Open House Saturdays 16/7, 23/7, 30/7 from 10:30 – 11:15

Lifestyle: This large family home offers executive style living with maginificent views. Situated on 10 acres also allows plenty of room to run a pony or fun on a motorbike. Whilst the deck and pool area is great for entertaining.
Features: This high quality 4 bedroom home, master with ensuite & walk in robe, and 3 others that boast magnificent views from all windows. It has a large kitchen with a second preparation area, dining & living area, formal lounge and patio for entertaining, swimming pool and decking area, 3 way bathroom & decent sized laundry. Outside is a beautiful landscaped low maintenance garden. Zoned split system heating & cooling, and large garage & carport.

Location: All on 10 acres in an elevated position right on the edge of Parkes.

Maggi Barnard

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