Maggi Barnard

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

Our Gal – Alice Milne

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Alice Milne

How long have you lived in Parkes?
For almost three years. I moved here with my husband from Scone in the Upper Hunter Valley.

Where do you work?
I am the owner of the Pink Orchid Florist.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love bringing joy to people and surpassing their expectations. That is the point of flowers, to bring joy.

What do you do in your free time?
Spending time with my family and friends and baking. At the moment I love baking a gluten free banana and coconut bread. It is really yum.

How do you like your coffee?
My preference is flat white, but I often end up drinking all sorts of coffees made by mistake in the shop.

What makes your day?
Being productive and seeing people enjoy what I create, and of course beautiful, fragrant, brightly coloured flowers.

If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday where would it be?
Barbados, because it looks amazing with its lush green vegetation, beautiful tropical water and lovely people. It looks like you would get a really relaxed vibe there.

Northparkes Indigenous Scholarships Awarded

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

On Wednesday 29th June, the 2016 Northparkes Mines Indigenous Scholarships were awarded to Gabrielle Ebsworth and Kerrod Griffiths. Gabrielle is from Narromine and is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne. Kerrod, who is from Condobolin, is currently studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Indigenous) at the University of Wollongong.

The scholarship presentation was held at Northparkes and attended by scholarship holders, their families and Ralph Smith and Rob Clegg from the Northparkes Wiradjuri Executive Committee. The Welcome to Country was delivered by Rob Clegg to open the proceedings, who said; “I’m so happy to see young Indigenous people going to university and moving forward.”

Northparkes Managing Director Stefanie Loader welcomed the scholarship holders and their families to Northparkes, “You are a part of our future, and we hope you find your place at Northparkes,” she said. Kerrod said he appreciated the financial support provided by the scholarship. “Down the road I see myself moving back to the country and working in public health, helping Indigenous people.” Gabrielle Ebsworth said; “I might work in Indigenous Affairs when I’m older, I think it’s important and more effective when Indigenous people help each other.”

In addition to financial support, students receive work placements on site at Northparkes and throughout Australia. Gabrielle and Kerrod join a cohort of eight Indigenous tertiary students across NSW who study in a variety of fields including electrical engineering, environmental science, social work, and communication and media. The program is in its fifth year and is available to Indigenous students aged 30 years or younger who have been accepted into a tertiary degree.

Question of the Week?

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

What do you like to do on a rainy day?

Kerrie Evans, Network Video: I love watching movies – anything from romance or comedy to action. It is hard to name my favourites as there are many movies I can watch over and over again. I am spoilt for choice working in a video shop!

Suzie Hill, Parkes Diagnostic Imaging: I love reading – novels and articles, watching Ted Talks and tennis, and painting. I am still learning so at the moment I paint everything.

Billie Jones, French Taste Bakery: I watch movies and eat pizza! I like horror movies – Friday the 13th is my favourite.

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

“Isn’t the weather just horrible?” is a common greeting around Parkes these days. The deluge of rain over the past couple of weeks has pushed the total recorded over eight days of rain to 45.8mm. This is 1mm more than the long-term average of 44.8mm recorded over 12.6 days for July. The wettest day so far this month was last Friday when 17mm was recorded, according to the Weatherzone website. This lead to the closure of the Eugowra Road as the Billabong Creek was running over the road. The weir at PAC Park on East Street was flowing very fast and provided some fun for kids on holiday when the rain stopped. School children have been housebound most of the holiday so far with the wet weather. Every bit of sunshine is a good opportunity to get out for fresh air and some exercise. Although it feels like it is raining non-stop, we still need a lot more rain to reach the record of 2010 when 110.8mm fell during July.

To make the wet weather more intense, the average maximum temperature of 12.9°C for this month so far is also lower than the long-term average of 14.3°C. The highest temperature this month was 16°C on the 7th and the lowest temperature recorded this month so far was on 4th July when it dropped to -0.4°C.

According to the weather forecast we might be getting some warmer weather next week with a maximum of 18°C on Monday, hooray! Many communities in the Central West have surpassed seasonal rainfall averages including Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Wellington, Mudgee and Cowra. The widespread rain has increased many dam levels significantly with some even overflowing.

By Maggi Barnard

GOLFERS BATTLE TERRIBLE WEATHER

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Atrocious conditions greeted golfers at the Parkes Golf Club last weekend, with the clubs Greens and Match Committees forced to close the course to golf carts as the course had received in excess of 200mls of rain in the past month. Despite the conditions, members still contested last Saturdays Parkes Champion Post sponsored 18 hole 4 Man Team Stableford competition for the companies Perpetual Trophy that honoured one of its former employees the late Frank ‘Wacka’ Smith, a much renowned cricketer and golfer.

Leading home the field of mud larks were Garry Phipps, Dave Harwood, Kieran Deland and Joey Van Opynen, all renowned sportsman in their own rights. The victorious team combined superbly to record 134 points to finish 4 points clear of the field.

At the presentation of trophies Parkes Golf Club captain, Paul Thomas, gave a brief history of how the event came to fruition and thanked not only the players who played in the conditions but the sponsors prior to introducing Christine Speelman as the new editor. Christine also congratulated the players and the Golf Club for its valuable contribution to the management of sport in the town. Other highlights from the day saw David Stevenson awarded the Handiskins award after he returned a solid 37 points in the Stableford. Stevenson won the award on a countback from Robert Cheney and Joey Van Opynen.

Michael Horan also had a big day out as his tee shot on the Idle Rite Tyrepower sponsored 1st Hole earnt him 10 golf balls as he finished at 188cms from the flag, thus earning 20% of the jackpot. The jackpot this week now stands at 40 golf balls for a player whose tee shot comes to rest inside of 100cms of the flag.

NSW MIXED 4BALL HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP
Parkes will be represented by Ian Phipps and Kaye Jones and the husband and wife combination of David and Leone Stevenson in this Sunday’s Lachlan Valley District Golf Associations Regional final of one of the state’s premier golfing events, the annual Keno NSW Mixed 4Ball Handicap Championship at the Peak Hill Golf Club. The winner of Sunday’s event progresses to the State final which is an all-expenses paid three days of golf at the magnificent Bonville Golf Resort near Coffs Harbour from the 6th to 9th September.

THIS WEEKS GOLF
This Saturday, members will contest an 18 hole 4BBB Stableford for the All Settlers Motor Inn trophies. There will also be an individual competition in conjunction along with the 5th and final qualifying round of the Handiskins Championship while the ladies will play an 18 Hole Stableford for a Club trophy as well as the Handiskins qualifying. Locals Dominate in Scramble Local golfers dominated last Sunday’s Holden Scramble 4 Person Ambrose event at a very wet Parkes Golf Club. Club Captain Paul Thomas stated that the event was very nearly postponed due to the conditions on the course, “If the club had received any more rain last Saturday then we would have had no hesitation in postponing the popular event” he said.

Despite the conditions the local quartet of Robert Cheney, Peter Magill, Troy Thomson and David Stevenson will now proceed to the Regional Final to be played at a venue yet to be announced after they fired a great 7 under par round of 64 for a nett 58 5/8 to record a narrow victory over the Forbes team of Andrew Dukes, Shane Sallaway, Phil Maher and Michael Browne. Despite firing a solid 64 off the stick for a 59 nett, Forbes were unable to defeat their Parkes rivals. In third place was another Parkes side containing Mitchell McGlashan, Ben McNaughton, Kasey Fay Rice and Tony Hendry who fired a 66 off the stick for a 59 1/8 nett.

All players congratulated the Parkes Club for the conduct of the event and for the delightful luncheon provided to all players which saw a field of 68 players grace the course. Sundays Nearest the Pin awards were won by Andrew Dukes on the 4th Hole, Wayne Parker, 6th Hole, Justin Sutton the 11th and Robert Hey claimed the difficult 15th Hole.

PJL Parkes Open For Business!

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

PJL Group have recently expanded their operations, adding a fifth site to their Australian footprint. PJL have purchased Parkes Heavy Mechanical Repairs, allowing them the opportunity to expand their capabilities and become a major shutdown supplier, infrastructure maintenance and construction service provider throughout NSW.

Heading up the Parkes operation is Clayton Maynard, who brings with him industry specific and managerial experience. Keen for the challenge, Clayton has worked with PJL for 7 years, previously managing PJL’s Engineering facility in Orange.

The existing operation in Parkes has been co-ordinating and running shutdowns for a number of years with various clients in the local area. This required a particularly unique skillset within management and trade based staff, therefore 90% of the existing Parkes Heavy Mechanical Repairs employees accepted roles under the new PJL business management.

“With the majority of the existing employees coming over to PJL, we hope to integrate these skills and processes throughout our other operations.” Clayton said. The Parkes operation brings with it a number of different service offerings, allowing PJL to expand their capabilities and increase efficiencies across the group. New services such as poly welding, sheet metal folding, pressing and rolling will be leveraged by PJL’s Orange, Cobar, Perth and Mt Isa facilities, allowing them to offer more fit-for-purpose services for their clients.

PJL’s existing operations and experience within them will also complement the Parkes business model and enable the group to offer a more specialised service to clients in this area. “This, combined with PJL’s scale, in house qualified engineers and internationally accredited operating systems will assist local clients with upcoming projects as well as planned maintenance events”. Clayton explained.

PJL currently have a contract in place to supply shutdown services, scaffolding and poly welding to CMOC at Northparkes Mines, which is not something any of the other operations specialise in. “Engineering opportunities into solutions is something PJL has seen great success with since its inception back in 2006, and it is something that will take us forward into the future” Clayton went on to say. “We are excited to now be a part of the Parkes community.”

Snippets…

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Olympians: One of the youngest players in the Hockeyroos squad at just 17 years old, Parkes local Mariah Williams is set to play with her team in the upcoming Rio Olympic Games. Mariah has always been active, playing soccer, touch footy and hockey. She secured her place in this year’s Australian team last year when she won gold in the Oceania cup and placed sixth in the World League Final. Mariah will join other Parkes local Scott Westcott, who will be competing in the marathon, in Rio. Scott secured his spot on the Rio team two days after his fortieth birthday, when he ran a qualifying time of 2:15.30 at the 2015 Berlin Marathon. Scott was a high school teacher for eleven years, teaching maths, science, physical education and agriculture. We wish both Olympians the best of luck at the Games!

Muster for Music: Today the Parkes Country Music Club will be setting up a street stall in Clarinda Street from 8.30am until 3.30pm. If you’re doing a spot of shopping in town today, be sure to pop by and see what the stall has to offer. The stall is being set up prior to the Parkes Country Music Muster which will be held at the Parkes Service Club on Sunday 17th July from 1pm. The Music Muster will feature guest artist, Gary Hollier and entry is $5.

Fun Galore at Parkes Library: Once again the Parkes Library has been a hive of activity during the school holidays. Children have been busy creating their own puppets and using them to perform a story with nursery rhymes as their inspiration. The Magic of Science activity was a fun time full of science experiments such as lemon volcanoes, fake snow, balloon rockets and melting ice cubes. Children reported that being a scientist for the morning was very exciting. Gold fever hit in a big way! Children learnt about life on the goldfields and were quite shocked to learn that there were no toilets, fridges or mattresses for the miners during the gold rushes. Panning for gold was a great success and the eager miners weighed and valued their finds. A total of 180 children attended
activities over the two-week period. All children borrowed items with many becoming first time members.

Get Healthy

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Tullamore local, Jenny Harvey, has recently participated in the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service. Jenny struggled with mobility due to her bad knees, back and arthritis. She was unable to walk or stand for very long and Jenny’s doctor told her she would need a wheel chair in the future if she didn’t get healthier.

Spurred on by her doctor’s advice, Jenny joined the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service and was given a dedicated health coach named Jordon. “I loved hearing from Jordon every fortnight. I felt really comfortable with him and fantastic after each call. He really made me motivated,” Jenny said; “I have never exercised. I registered with the Get Healthy Service as part of the Healthy Towns Challenge and started with the local aqua fitness group. I felt so light the first time and now I can’t go enough! I even did two, one hour sessions in a row!”

In the winter Jenny stays motivated by her coach, trying Tai Chi and joining an adult exercise class. She has improved her eating habits, can do more gardening and has lost weight from around her waist. “Since joining the Get Healthy Service I get a lot more satisfaction from life. It means I get out more and the social benefits are really great. One thing leads to another!” Jenny said.

“I feel fantastic! I have had fantastic people around me. I get off my backside and do much more and my family are all proud of me. I’d be so happy if my story helped other people get healthier.” Have you heard about the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service? If you’d like to find out more about this free service, go to www.gethealthynsw.gov.au.

An Astronomical Weekend

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

The Central West Astronomical Society (CWAS) is proud to announce the shortlisted finalists in the 2016 CWAS Astrophotography Awards – the ‘David Malin Awards’. Astrophotography is taking a photo of an object in space, from the Milky Way to the Moon and will be featured during the CWAS AstroFest held in Parkes this weekend.

The 2016 winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the 2016 CWAS AstroFest Conference Dinner tomorrow. Congratulations to the 28 finalists for their mesmerising contributions. To view the shortlisted finalists’ pictures view them online www.cwas.org.au or visit the exhibition at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre from 17th July.

This year’s competition had eight categories: Deep Sky, Wide-Field, Solar System, Nightscapes, Animated Sequences (Scientific and Aesthetic), Themed Section ‘Light Pollution: The Bad and the Beautiful’, and a junior section (18 years old or younger). The entries were judged by world renowned astrophotographer and award namesake, Dr David Malin. The judging process accessed not only the technical skill, but the ability to capture the beauty of the sky and the intrinsic interest of astronomy.

“This year’s pictures maintained the high standards we have come to expect from the Australian community,” said Dr David Malin. “There are some splendid examples of modern astrophotography among the finalists.” Canon Australia continues to support the astrophotography competition with E-store Voucher prizes to the value of over $10,000. “These awards showcase the extraordinary beauty of our night sky and wonderful night time landscapes,” said Alan Brightman, General Manager of SUNSTUDIOS, Canon Australia; “With patience, commitment and good equipment, these photographers capture breath-taking images.”

The astrophotography competition finalists will be exhibited at the CSIRO Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre from 17th July for 12 months. For more information about the 2016 CWAS AstroFest, visit www.cwas.org.au/astrofest/

Wiradjuri Language At Lachlan Health Services

July 14, 2016 By Maggi Barnard

Next time you visit a new mother in the maternity ward at Parkes or Forbes Hospitals, follow the signs to Yinaagalang Nguranggu – Wiradjuri for ‘woman’s place’. If you need pathology, look for Guwany Barramali (to take blood). The new signage is part of a project to integrate Wiradjuri language signage and translations into the new Forbes and Parkes Hospitals, which has recently won one of the Western NSW Local Health
District’s top awards.

Lachlan Health Service’s Mali Marambir Ngurang: to make better place; has won the Chief Executive’s Award at the Western NSW Local Health District’s annual Living Well Together Health and Innovation Awards. More than 50 projects were received for the Awards, which is a record number of entries. Key directional signage around the hospitals is written in English beside the Wiradjuri interpretation, which is then translated back into English. Local Wiradjuri Elders worked closely with Dr Stan Grant, co-author of the Wiradjuri dictionary, to ensure the words were correct and close to their English meaning. The project aimed to make the hospital spaces more inviting and less daunting for Aboriginal people.

The English translations also helps to educate non-Wiradjuri people about the Wiradjuri language. For example, the Wiradjuri words Marrin Mumali (to rub the body between the hands) points to the physiotherapy department while Mungarr Ngadhurinya (care for kidneys) points to the renal department. More than 20 key places in the hospitals have bilingual interpretation. Others include Ngaagigu Mulunma, (to see inside) which is used alongside signage for ‘medical imaging’; Ngurang Mindyali (to be fixed fast) are the words for ‘operating theatre’. Waluwin Ngaan (‘healthy mouth’) points the way to ‘oral health’; and Wambuwanbunmaldhaany (medicine maker) points
to the pharmacist. The wayfinding signage has been informed by The Lachlan Health Service Culture and Arts Working Group.

The Lachlan Health Services Project team engaged regional arts development organisation Arts OutWest to integrate culture and arts into the Forbes and Parkes Hospital redevelopments. The Culture and Arts Working Group includes representation from the Lachlan Health Service Project team, Arts OutWest, the Lachlan Health Council, health staff and the Aboriginal community and is responsible for implementing a flexible and sustainable program that promotes well-being and creates a welcoming, vibrant place for the Forbes and Parkes communities. For more information about the Lachlan Health Service Culture and Arts program, please contact Arts OutWest.

Maggi Barnard

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