Maggi Barnard

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

Tackling Driver Fatigue

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Charlie and the team at Parkes Coffee Pot clocked up 10 years of participation in the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme last year.

Ten businesses from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council joined the ‘Free Cuppa for the Driver’ scheme that started on Tuesday and will run until 31st May. A total of almost 70 businesses from across regional NSW have signed up for the scheme in its 12th year.

Drivers who are more than 100km away from home can get a free cup of tea or coffee at the participating businesses.

Since 2010, the scheme has seen more than 27,000 free cuppas given away in 265 participating businesses across 91 towns, villages and cities in regional NSW. During that time NSW fatigue-related crashes have fallen by 19%.

Café Eighteen73 in Parkes and the Tullibigeal Co-Operative are the new businesses to join this year. The Parkes Shire businesses taking part this year are Café Eighteen73 and Parkes Coffee Pot, BP Tullamore and Casho’s.

The ‘Free Cuppa’ website, freecuppa.com.au, allows drivers to search for the nearest participating business. There is also a Facebook page with information.

Women’s Bowls

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

On Tuesday the semi-finals of the Club Championship Major Singles were on the docket. In a nail-biting “a-salt”, Liz Byrne played her way to a 12-point lead by the half-way mark, only to be caught by Maree Grant on the 25th end, 22-all. The last four ends were one-pointers, with Liz milking the victory by 2 points. In the second semi, Cherie Frame demonstrated a blend of great bowling and trick shots with a pinch of luck, resulting in a generous win over Betsy Johnstone and putting an end to her run of good fortune during the early rounds!

The final of the Major Singles between Liz and Cherie will be played next Tuesday, March 8. Spectator sport at its best!

By Lea Orr

Local Business Sponsors Parkes Croquet

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Alex and Marty Sammut-Paul of Regional Business Supplies (middle) with Joan and Bill Paul and croquet players sporting their new shirts.

There was some excitement at the newly established Parkes Croquet Club last Saturday when members arrived in their brand-new club uniforms, generously sponsored by Regional Business Supplies (RBS).

Gregor Sammut-Paul of RBS was pretty proud of his dad, croquet star Bill Paul, for making the sports pages.

“He’s 87 years old,” said Gregor, “and he’s just started making a name for himself in sport!”

Chuffed at his dad’s achievement, Gregor circulated the sports article far and wide to the delight of family and friends. With his mum Joan also taking up croquet, Gregor and his wife, Marty, decided that RBS would become a sponsor.

Marty and daughter Alex were present on Saturday to receive a big cheer and to see the club members sporting the new apparel.

Bill continues to be one of the consistent high scorers on the croquet field and is always fun to play with or against.

“We just like the game, the group and the atmosphere,” said Bill, “and it’s a good laugh to be recognised in sport at 87!”

Croquet is played at 10am on Saturday mornings at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. Newcomers are always welcome. Call Beth Thomas 0418 253 045 for more information.

By Beth Thomas

Men’s Bowls

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

It has been a very busy week for bowlers. Tom Furey, Maree Grant, Mark Dwyer and Eddie McPhee travelled to Orange for the Golden Eagle. Mark and Eddie just missed out on going through to the finals section in the main draw. Tom and Maree won 3 out of 3 in the constellation section.

Over the weekend Guy Ellery and Gary McPhee travelled to Dubbo to play in the Champion of Champions Pairs. They won their games on Saturday and Sunday Morning. On Sunday afternoon they played the sectional final against Mudgee but were defeated. A great effort by the boys with some great bowls played.

On a balmy Friday evening the first game in the Major Fours was played between team Townsend (Tom Furey, Joanne Simpson, Mick Simpson, Brian Townsend) and team Harris (Rob Irving, Steve Turner, Guy Ellery, Wilbur Harris). Team Townsend won the game 20 to 14.

By Colin Miller

Exciting Developments For Tourism And Economy

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

TOURISM BOOST… The Dish and Parkes Elvis Festival received a major funding boost this week to upgrade facilities and erect replica gates of Graceland at the Visitors Information Centre. Celebrating the announcement at the Parkes radio telescope were founders of the Parkes Elvis Festival Anne and Bob Steel (middle) with Elvii Al Gersbach (left) and Anthony McGrath (right).

MORE TOURISTS

Parkes will soon be home to a replica of the most famous gates in the world of rock ‘n roll thanks to a grant of the NSW Government’s $30 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

The storied wrought iron gates of Graceland are among the most famous gates in the world and visited by thousands of Elvis fans each year offering a warm welcome. The replica gates at the Parkes Visitors Information Centre will welcome tourists to our town offering them an authentic experience all year long.

“The Elvis festival celebrates The King like no other event in the world and the addition of these iconic gates will bring the Memphis mansion to Parkes and have every impersonator lining up for selfies,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole at the CSIRO radio telescope on Tuesday where he announced the $376,707 funding for the project, as well as $500,000 for The Dish

The gates will also be a monument to inductees to the Elvis Wall of Fame, replacing the current structure built in 1995 near Bushman Dam, with all 26 plaques honouring Australian musicians moved to the new site. In addition, stars for the yearly winners of the Parkes Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will be placed in cement around the gates. The winners will be invited back to Parkes to unveil their stars.

Tiffany Steel, Parkes Elvis Festival Director, said visitors would be able to experience the gates as if they were standing at Graceland, while a rose remembrance garden and several other iconic elements of the King’s famous house were incorporated into the design.

A major upgrade at The Dish will enhance the experience of the 100,000 visitors annually with a space-themed playground to be constructed on the lawn and ensuring people of all abilities can visit. The visitor areas will be upgraded to provide wheelchair accessible paths, automatic doors and accessible bathrooms.

“We are thrilled to improve the facilities at one of the landmarks for tourism in the country,” said John Reynolds of the CSIRO

“It is a wonderful day for Parkes,” said Mayor Ken Keith. “Tourism is so important for rural areas. We have to make sure we have things for them to see.”

It took 18 months of work for this team to get to the announcement on Tuesday that the Parkes Special Activation Pre-cinct was chosen by global company Brightmark as the site for the very first plastic recycling plant of its kind in Australia. At the announcement were Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith (left), Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole (right) and Kean Flanagan from Brightmark (4th from the left).

PLASTIC RECYCLING PLANT

The very first plastic recycling plant of its kind in Australia will be in operation in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (SAP) by 2025 following a $260 million investment.

The global plastics recycling company Brightmark will bring its innovative waste solution technology to the Central West as the first anchor tenant in the SAP creating 125 jobs during the 22-month construction period and 100 permanent jobs once the plant is operational.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole was in Parkes on Tuesday for the announcement saying it was going to be a game changer for our community.

Processing 200,000 tonnes of plastic waste, the facility in Parkes will be the largest of its type outside the United States.

Brightmark’s Project Lead Developer, Kean Flanagan, who was also in Parkes on Tuesday, said the plastic waste would be diverted from landfill and be turned into over 100 million litres of usable, ubiquitous diesel.

“Our company is all about reimagining waste and turning waste into resource. We are giving Australia the ability of dealing with its own waste issue.”

Kean explained that the process used to convert plastic into diesel was very different to that of a waste to energy plant. “We don’t combust plastic at all. There is zero incineration as we don’t apply heat directly to the plastic. We use a process called hydrolosis, which means heating in the absence of oxygen. The process itself has zero emissions.”

In addition, the plant will operate on 83% energy use savings, 40% water use savings, and its carbon footprint would save over 70,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas as opposed to standard or mineral diesel. The economic impact of the plant would be $3 billion at the current oil price.

“We are so delighted that Brightmark made the decision to establish here, and chose Parkes out of all Australia,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Ken Keith OAM.

“We want the SAP to be the first United Nations economic development site in Australia where we have a circular economy reusing waste materials, using energy from waste, and doing a whole range of things.”

What’s on @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre?

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

LIBRARY LOCK IN

Programs for youth are being launched at Parkes Shire Library with an After Hours Lock In on Monday, 14th March.

The event is exclusively for 12-16 year olds (in Years 7-10) and will feature a movie on the big screen, video party games, free pizza dinner and outdoor physical challenges. There will be prizes to be won so you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Bookings are essential and limited. Please contact Emma at Parkes Library on 6861 2309 for more information.

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE STUDIO – LET’S GET MAKING!

The Marramarra Makerspace Studio is now open for public use on Mondays from 3pm- 7pm and Wednesdays from 3pm-5:30pm!

To use the space you will need to become a library member – which is easy and free. You can drop in and get making using our range of art and craft supplies, or call Roxanne on 6862 9101 to book a safety induction and a time to use one of our machines.

You can 3D print, laser cut and engrave, create vinyl designs, paint, draw, build Lego or carboard constructions, play boardgames, sew and much more!

Saturday Beginner Art Classes have commenced, and are almost fully booked, but call to register for our next offering.

Tuesday night Creative Journaling is going well and it’s wonderful to see the space in action.

If you have a suggestion for a workshop or event in the Makerspace Studio, please call Creative Learning Programs Coordinator Roxanne Gallacher on 6862 9101 or send through an email to makerspace@parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Facing Friday Morning!

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Friday morning, 18th February I awoke early to do my art tutorial, with a cup of coffee.

Stop press: a face time call from three-year-old Vincent.

“Hey; Nana, your grandson wishes to talk to you.”

“Oh, nooooooo…I still have not had my breakfast!”

“Good morning Vincent”, I say with a smile.

“Love you Nanny!” I think to myself; what does he want?

“Nanny, how come you’re my mummy’s mum?” Vincent asks.

Yakes this is a curly question before breakfast, I say to myself. “Vincent, your mummy was in my tummy!”

“Hmmmmm! Well, what about grandad?”…now I am in trouble think quick! Well, sweetie I married your grandad and grandad is your mummy’s daddy! Vincent you know above your mummy’s bed there is a picture of your mummy and daddy’s wedding, well; I will show you a picture of Nana’s and Grandad’s wedding.”

I hold the phone up to our wedding photograph.

“Nanna? Who is that handsome man in the picture?”

“Vincent it is grandad! He looks just like you!”

“Nanny, Blue (a fluffy blue elephant) wants to say hello.”

“Blue and I are eating peaches…as Vincent continues to count the peach segments on his plate, one, two three come Nanny you count too!”

“Look Vincent how many pieces of fruit can you see in my box?” I say.

To encourage Vincent to eat his fruit, Nana picks up a fig from the box and bites right into it…One very big mistake! It is alive and most of it is in my gob!

I have to control myself as I try to swallow the wriggling mass in my mouth taking a big gulp so as not to make a song and dance about the contents in my mouth!

With a big smile on my face, I say; “Vincent you are such a good little boy!”

Gulp! Gulp!……and left speechless, I have to sit down and try to read a story to him.

I am saved by the arrival back home of his twin sister who wants to play…” Bye Nanny!”

Does Nana feel like breakfast?

By Bev Rowe

Our Bloke – Trevor Chatman

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Trevor Chatman
Referee, Umpire or Official of the Year

Where were you born? In Parkes.

Were you named after anyone? No.

Which of your accomplishments are you most proud of? Winning a couple of grand finals with Reedy Creek Cricket Club.

What historical moment stands out most in your memory? Watching the Sydney Swans win their first AFL Grand final in 2005.

What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received? Keep the ball on the ground – that’s fine for cricket but not so good for golf!

What is the greatest risk you have ever taken? Letting my daughter drive the header.

What are the 3 things you would take to a deserted island? My wife – so I didn’t get lost, my recliner – so I had somewhere to sleep, and my golf sticks.

If you had to spend $10,000 today, how would you spend it? I’d buy a couple of ton of Super to put the crop in.

When are you happiest? When I am playing or watching sport… so my wife says.

Zackhary Makes The Most Of Every Day

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

After a kidney transplant Zackhary Gadsby received a second chance at life and he is making the most of every day, and enjoying surprises like going on a helicopter flight.

In March 2015 my son Zackhary Gadsby went to the doctor with a rash and came out with a rare double kidney disease –one in 50,000 people get it.

We were told to be prepared for the worst, but we weren’t ready for what came next. He needed a transplant after three years, went on dialysis, had a fistula operation, there were multiple 000 calls, and we almost lost him a few times due to infections.

We received a call on 10th December 2018 with the news that a 19-year-old from Sydney had passed away. If his family had not donated his organs my son would not be alive today.

It was the most amazing Christmas gift any family could have hoped for. After a gruelling seven-hour operation, my son made it through as the donor was a 100% match.

We had to stay for four weeks in Westmead away from family and friends, but lots of phone calls, and the amazing care from Westmead helped us stay strong.

He is now living on medication, and we make the most of every day as not knowing when this disease could take my son away from me is a mother’s worst nightmare.

Spending time together is precious, like when Zackhary went on a surprise helicopter ride. Just to see the smile on his face was fantastic, but when he got to sit up front with the pilot I was overcome with tears of joy.

He now has a second chance at life, and being a teenager, he is making the most of this chance. My message to everyone is to never take life for granted and to make the most of every day. Love those around you, never stay angry at others because one day it might be too late.

We could not have done this without my partner Wayne Mills, our family and our friends in Parkes. We will be grateful forever for your support.

By Virginia Dufill

It’s Time

March 4, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

It is International Women’s Day on Tuesday, 8th March when we celebrate the achievements of women and look at how much still needs to be done, especially in the field of human rights.

Most of us have believed that women are doing pretty well in Australia, and certainly we are when you look at their treatment in countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and India for instance.

In the last two years, however, thanks to brave and outspoken young women like Brittany Higgins, Chanel Contos and Grace Tame, we have learned that bullying and sexual harassment in the workplace is rife, that many young girls, and young boys, are taken advantage of by people they should be able to trust, while many men regard their wives as their property, mentally or physically abusing them and all too often even killing them.

Fifty years ago Gough Whitlam was swept to power when he campaigned under the slogan “It’s Time!” and he made huge changes for the good of society, including properly funding public schools, and by not charging fees for attending university.

It’s time for a huge cultural change in the way Australian society treats women. Governments can pass laws to help, but that alone will not solve the problem.

All of us, men and women, must ensure that children from an early age are taught, both by our actions and our words, that men and women are equal in every way and all deserve to be treated with consideration and respect.

We also need to ensure the subject is continually talked about, and perpetrators are called out and stopped, until we rid ourselves of this cancer in our society.

By Pam Nankivell

Visit www.internationalwomensday.com for more information on how to get involved.

Maggi Barnard

MORE TOURISTS

PLASTIC RECYCLING PLANT

LIBRARY LOCK IN

MARRAMARRA MAKERSPACE STUDIO – LET’S GET MAKING!

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