Maggi Barnard

MSM Milling, organisers of the most successful Mill2Mill charity bike ride, recently presented $117,423 to this year’s chosen recipients. The recipients are a national charity beyondblue, as well as local Manildra community groups and regional schools.

The grueling 577 km ride from Gunnedah to Manildra took place over four days in April with 48 riders, and 12 volunteer support crew. Rodney Coleman and Tina Jones from Parkes took part for a second time in the event.

MSM Milling Director Pete Mac Smith, said this year’s total brings the funds raised by the biennial event since its inception in 2009 to $337,000. “What made this ride different to our previous charity rides was the inclusion of an authorised and trained mental health spokesman Jeremy Suggett. Jeremy rode the four-day event with us and spoke to children at schools along the route about the importance of good mental health and how to help a friend in need,” said Mr Mac Smith.

He presented beyondblue with a cheque of $97,260, as well as $14,150 to Manildra community organisations and $6,000 for regional schools – including three in Manildra. Georgie Harman, beyondblue CEO, said demand for their support service grew by 44% last year. “We can only continue to meet this rising demand with help from the community. This is so important because one call could save a life.”

A free support service is available 24/7 by phone on 1300 224636. She thanked the team for their time and energy to encourage people to talk about their mental health openly to help break down stigma and discrimination. The local community organisations to benefit from the financial donation are the Manildra Men’s Shed, the Manildra Showground Trust and the Montana Skatepark.

The next ride will take place in 2018.

Central West Glass was founded in 1961, making it the longest established glass and aluminium merchant in the region. Mick and Kim Horan took over in July 2013 to continue offering a wide ranging service backed with a wealth of experience. Central West Glass specialises in glazing, aluminium, windows, doors, shower screens, glass splash backs, security doors, screens, mirrors, sliding wardrobe doors, commercial shop fronts and office partitioning. In addition, an emergency service for after-hours glass replacements are in place.

The Central West Glass team has a wealth of experience to offer: Nick started his 35-year career in the building trade as a joiner doing commercial and residential work; Rob Simpson has 15 years’ experience at the business, having worked for the previous owners; and Mick Smith joined six months ago bringing with him a career in the glazing industry.

Looking after the office and administration side are Kim Horan four days a week, with Veronica Sutton standing in on Fridays. For Mick it is important too to keep up with the latest trends, such as glass splash backs, as well as the closing of outdoor living areas to make it more user friendly in colder months. Mick also recommends energy efficient glass for new homes, which helps to reduce energy as required by building standards.

Central West Glass is the only licensed dealer for Invisigard security screen doors in the region, and uses Wideline windows and doors.

Due to a grim weather outlook forecast for Peak Hill on Friday, the decision has been made to postpone the Back To Bulgandramine event to the 18th and 19th June. “We’ve decided to postpose as we feel that it’s too much of a risk with a lot of people in an area like this and lots of people travelling distances” said Marg Applebee of Central West Lachlan Landcare.

The Back to Bulgandramine Cultural Gathering will hopefully start 10am on the 18th and will run through until the evening with free entertainment and food, as well as workshops, cultural presentations, performances and kids’ activities including craft, games and a jumping castle. The weekend will conclude with a church service commencing at 9am on Sunday morning.

Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party, with the support of Central West Lachlan Landcare, Parkes Shire Council and Neighbourhood Central are hosting this free community event to Celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2016. The gathering brings culture alive through performance, food, art, storytelling and dance. This event will showcase Wiradjuri, Maori, Fijian, Samoan and Tongan artists and performers with an evening kids show.

Free camping sites are available if you would like to stay overnight, while a free bus service will run from Parkes. If you want to drive there, the Bulgandramine Mission is located 22.5km west of Peak Hill. From Parkes, drive through Peak Hill and take the Tullamore Road 800m to the Bulgandramine turnoff on the right. The weekend can be provided for free thanks to the support of the BBA Miller fund, the Australian Communities Foundation, Northparkes Mines, Alkane Resources Limited, Central West Lachlan Landcare and Parkes Shire Council. Bookings are essential.
By Maggi Barnard

Craft Corner on the main street is growing in popularity by the day, and might soon rival The Dish and the Elvis Festival as one of the town’s main attractions. “Since our move to 227 Clarinda Street two years ago, business has improved 1000% and our membership has more than doubled,” said Rosemary Mitchell, President of the Craft Corner. “We are now considered an asset to the town.”

In addition, travellers and visitors often comment that it’s the best and most beautiful craft shop they have seen in Australia. Located in what used to be a jewellery shop, the glass shelving, mirrors and high ceiling add to the splendour of the displays. The Craft Corner, established 42 years ago in 1974 with the aim to showcase and sell work by local artists, crafters and artisans, has 95 members of all ages, although the majority are pensioners. The oldest member is 99 years old and she still makes crochet bookmarks.

New members are accepted once the committee has assessed the quality and appropriateness of the applicant’s work. The shop takes 25% commission, while members who volunteer to work in the shop only pay 15% commission. Rosemary said the volunteers enjoy the retail aspect, as well as the comradeship, exchanging of ideas and social interaction.

There is something for everyone with a wide range of items for sale. Rosemary said they try to keep up with trends and fashions, old favourites, and of course hand crafted items for the Elvis Festival. “We were almost overwhelmed by the amount of people in our shop during the festival this year.”

Teapot cosies have made a big comeback and are in high demand, while kitchen towels, baby quilts, baby booties and olive oil soap are current favourites too. Next time you have visitors, remember to take them to this new and popular attraction.