Maggi Barnard

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

‘Quality Education For All’

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Public School Kindergarten teaching team at the back (L -R) Judy Elliott, Jane Howard and Jayne Ware. In front are Tracey Lickess and Colleen Leonard.

Parkes Public is an excellent educational facility for children attending Kindergarten through to Year 6. Our school motto ‘Strive for Success’ reflects the attitude of our students and staff towards all aspects of our school, including academic growth, extra-curricular efforts and personal goals.

We offer a balanced curriculum of academic, cultural and sporting programs with a strong focus on the core subjects of English and Mathematics. All children receive personalised, individualised educational opportunities.

Our enthusiastic and dedicated staff operate under the ‘School Excellence Framework’ and the ‘What Works Best in Practice’ guidelines, which are supported by ongoing professional development, and innovative practices are embraced.

Our school maintains a strong wellbeing focus, with our core values being respect, responsibility and safety.

Enrolment Information for Kindergarten 2023

Parents and children are welcome to attend our Open Day on Saturday, 4th June at 11am. Entry via the Kindergarten Hill Street gate. Kindergarten 2023 enrolment information will be provided along with a tour of the school. Please phone our friendly office staff on 6862 1702 for further information.

The Parkes Public School transition to school program (Preps) begins Monday, 15th August. When you enrol your child at Parkes Public School, you will be given a date for a pre-kinder interview where you will receive all the necessary information about our Preps program.

For more information visit https://parkes-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/, email parkes-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au or follow us on Facebook.

Letter to the Editor

May 13, 2022 By Malcolm & Pam Nankivell

Dear Editor

Time for change! We watched the TV debate at the National Press Club between our Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, and the Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

The treasurer harped on about the Labor policies in the last election and just offered more of the same old ones under the Coalition.

The shadow treasurer quickly pointed out that Labor had discarded the unpopular policies from the last election and went on to discuss some of Labor’s new initiatives which would make a better Australia for us all. What a contrast!

Change is needed right now if we are going to enjoy fairer and better lives, so please on 21st May, even if you’ve never done it before, do not vote for the present Coalition government.

Malcolm & Pam Nankivell
Parkes

Snippets…

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Congratulations to the 2022 Major Pairs Champions Liz Byrne and Rhona Went (pictured) who beat Cherie Frame and Betsy Johnstone at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club on Tuesday!

Arts OutWest in Canowindra: Arts OutWest invites creatives and community members to join them for their annual regional gathering and AGM on Sunday, 5th June in Canowindra. The day starts with coffee at 11am at Perennialle Plants, co-owned by musician Nerida Cuddy. Then visits to local galleries: David Isbester Gallery, Canowindra Arts Gallery and Melissa Barder Galleries and Café. A light lunch at The Old Vic Inn and the AGM at The Age of Fishes Museum. The day ends around 3:30pm at the Canowindra Historical Museum. The event is free but places are limited to 50 people. RSVP via Eventbrite or artsoutwest.org.au or call Arts OutWest on 02 6338 4657.

Prepare For Flu Season: Seniors and other vulnerable people across NSW are encouraged to protect themselves against the flu by getting vaccinated, given COVID-19 is also circulating in the community. People aged 65 and over can book in a free flu shot at pharmacies and GPs, as well as pregnant women, children aged under five years, Aboriginal people and those with serious health conditions. Influenza cases have more than doubled in recent weeks. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: “Alongside the increase in flu cases, we are seeing more people with flu being admitted to hospital, including young children. This can be very serious especially for young children who have had little to no exposure to flu over the last two years.” People are also encouraged to continue to keep up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. It is safe and convenient to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time.

Aboriginal Ancestors Reburied In Wellington: The remains of four Aboriginal ancestors have finally been laid to rest in a traditional ceremony after being returned to the Wellington Aboriginal community at the Wellington caves. The burial ceremony last week completed the repatriation process for 13 Aboriginal ancestral remains that were taken from the area from the late 1800s to the 1970s. Local community members conducted a cultural ceremony for the remains after they were repatriated from the Australian Museum. The repatriation process was led by Heritage NSW, in line with the wishes of the Wellington Aboriginal community. Local elder Uncle Barry Smith welcomed the repatriation saying: “This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to Wellington.”

Parkes Dragon Boat Club is celebrating its fourth anniver-sary on Sunday with a fun day at Lake Endeavour.

Welcoming, Caring & Inclusive Community At Holy Family

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The 2023 Kindergarten Information Night at Holy Family Parish School is on Tuesday, 17th May at 6pm in the school hall.

Holy Family Parish School in Parkes has a student population of 170 and prides itself on being a welcoming, caring and inclusive community where all are welcome and every child participates fully in the life of our school.

“We are looking forward to sharing with you the journey your child will commence here at our school.” Says Principal Denise Gersbach.

“The staff are committed to achieving our goals and they take their role as Christian educators seriously, acting with integrity and dedication. We are very proud of the educational opportunities we are able to provide to our children. We look forward to partnering with our parents on this educational journey.”

The 2023 Kindergarten Information Night on Tuesday, 17th May is the perfect opportunity to meet the staff of Holy Family, tour the classrooms and extra-curricular spaces such as the MakerSpace, Sensory Room and Religious Education Room.

Students at Holy Family have an opportunity to experience learning as an exciting challenge and a lifelong endeavour. They do this through a curriculum that is student-centred and teaches that knowledge brings responsibility.

Holy Family offers the same curriculum as government and independent schools, whilst at the same time integrating a Catholic vision of life. Expectations of achievement and conduct are high. The growth and development of each child are fostered by providing pathways for them to achieve their potential.

Our school strives for excellent educational outcomes by enlivening the minds, hearts and souls of our children in a faith-centred learning environment.

We expect high standards of student behaviour based on respect and kindness for each other. Our school is committed to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for our students, staff and families.

For more information contact the school office on 6862 1610 or via email admin.parkes@wf.catholic.edu.au. Enrolment packs will also be available on the night.

‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon…’

May 13, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Yellow ribbons have become synonymous with National Road Safety Week which starts on Sunday.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be getting behind this initiative with a range of activities to help raise awareness of road safety as they’ve done since 2017. This includes honouring the memory of the 1,200 lives lost and more than 44,000 seriously injured on Australian roads each year.

“Yellow ribbons will be displayed all across the country to remember those we have lost on the roads and to remind us to drive safely,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor.

Members of the public are encouraged to pick up a vehicle sticker and/or lapel ribbon for free from Council’s administration office, while the Councils’ fleet and staff will display yellow ribbons during the week.

The monument on Memorial Hill and the Sir Henry Parkes statue will be lit in yellow.

Teenagers

May 6, 2022 By Margaret Irwin

My stepsister, Carole, and I were the same age and when we were 15 years old, we had some lovely times together. Like the times we were supposed to be learning typing at the evening college and learned to play poker at a friend’s house instead. I had won a pocketful of pennies and halfpennies, and my pocket was bulging with them the night we ran back to the college to catch the bus and found Mum and Dad waiting for us. We had nothing to say on the way home and the typing lessons ceased forthwith.

Unbeknown to our parents, when Mum and Dad went out, leaving us to babysit our younger brother, we invited a few friends around and innocently danced the evening away. This ended abruptly when Carole’s partner failed to catch her hand and she hurtled backwards, crashing into the record player. A couple of weeks later, the damage having been discovered, we both acted innocent and looked in bewilderment at the resultant destruction.

I think it was the best time we had together, in spite of our naughtiness, or maybe, because of it.

By Margaret Irwin

Craig Is Our First Tradie Of The Month!

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Tradie of the Month winner Craig Gould receives his prize from TWW’s Shann Kriedemann.

Craig Gould was picked as the first winner of the Tradie of the Month competition sponsored by Totally Work Wear. Craig works at Brian Collins Smash repairs and is also on call 24-7 for the Rural Fire Brigade. Congratulations Craig and we hope you enjoy your prize!

WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRADIE?

We are looking for new nominations for May’s competition sponsored by Totally Work Wear. For another five months we will pick a Tradie of the Month and the public is invited to nominate a tradie every month.

The winner each month will win a prize from TWW. “We would love to see male and female tradies being nominated,” said TWW Manager Laura O’Shannessy.

Simply send your nomination to us by email: editor@parkesphoenix.com.au stating the tradie’s name and workplace, or drop your nomination in at TWW. The closing date for this month’s nominations is Friday, 27th May.

Women’s Bowls Notes

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The semi-final of the club pairs and two social triple matches were played on Tuesday.

Cherie Frame and Betsy Johnstone out played Maureen Miller and Chris Curteis in the club pairs game.

There was a blizzard of bowls put down by team Byrne and team Grant. It took four before Liz Byrne and Rhona Went had a final storm surge to overcome Maree Grant and Jan McPhee.

The wind was certainly behind Elaine, Heather and Sue, with a good win over Marja, Kay and Frances. Hilda battled water over the roads on her way to play bowls and playing with Lorraine and Merilyn continued to steam ahead of Rose, Carol and Fran.

Flowers For Mother’s Day

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Show your love and appreciation for your mother and support a local initiative to raise funds for a charity.

Parkes resident Marion Unger will be selling flowers from her garden on the front lawn of the Lutheran Church in Currajong Street (opposite Parkes Public School) from 8:30am tomorrow, Saturday. Her bunches start from $5 for the smallest size. The bunches of chrysanthemums, the traditional Mother’s Day flower, come mostly from Marion’s garden. She will be donating the money to a children’s ministry in Cambodia. She has attached a small card with information about the ministry to every bunch. Contact Marion on 0447 165 229 for more information.

Taylor Appreciates Elvis Fans In Parkes

May 6, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Champion and Feature Artists at the Parkes Elvis Festival Taylor Rodriguez at one of his shows in Parkes.

He first dressed up as Elvis for Halloween when he was nine, and in 2019 he reached the pinnacle of his career at only 21 when he became the ‘world champion’ of Elvis Tribute Artists.

Taylor Rodriguez swept the crowds off their feet with his high energy shows at this year’s Elvis Festival, but it was the humble kangaroo and koala that crept very deep into his heart on his first visit to Australia. “To be able to take pictures with a koala and kangaroo, is a definite highlight,” he said.

He also rated the people he met in Parkes very highly. “I will always remember the people of Parkes. I want to come back to Parkes every year!”

If it was not for his aunt Diane who played Elvis records and movies when she babysat him, Taylor would never have discovered his passion. “I just fell in love with Elvis’ music. “For Halloween I wanted to be Elvis and I had a jumpsuit made and I started shaking my leg and started practising and going to competitions, and it got me where I am today.”

Coming to Parkes introduced him to a completely new type of festival and fan. He said the Parkes Elvis Festival was quite similar to the Tupelo Elvis Festival where Elvis was born, “but on another level”. He said Parkes was definitely the Elvis festival he would tell everyone to attend.

He found the Australian audience very different to the rowdy US crowds. “Australian people enjoy the concert more and really listen to you. The fans are totally different here. Australian people have love and respect for Elvis, maybe because he never performed here.”

Maggi Barnard

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