Maggi Barnard

It really felt like 2021 was trying its best to beat 2020 for the worst year trophy. Little did we know the super cell storm event on the second day of 2021 was an indication of what was to come.

It was a trying year for many, especially for Year 12 students, health care workers, business owners, farmers, and everyone who faced personal challenges and experienced loss.

At least the sun cracked open those dark clouds and we still found lots to celebrate as life went on, albeit not always as planned.

As the sun shone on us, so did our indomitable community spirit that kept on sparkling when we needed it most.

How can we forget the long queue of cars lining up all the way from Northparkes Oval to the highway the first day of the pop-up vaccination clinic, or the overwhelming support recently for the opening of the Safe Haven for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or distress.

There are so many heart-warming, inspiring and precious stories in our community and it was a privilege to bring them to you our readers this year.

Thank you to everyone who sent in contributions, and a huge thank you to our advertisers who ensured we remained in print every week.

We are very excited to end the year with a bumper 16-page edition packed with festive stories. Thank you Roxane for your mammoth effort to make this happen!

Wishing you all a peaceful festive season and a wonderful 2022!

Maggi

Parkes School of Dance students literally danced with joy on Sunday having the privilege of being the very first performers to inaugurate the brand-new Cooke Park Pavilion.

The school’s annual end-of-year concert showcased different dance types from classical ballet, tap dance and jazz to contemporary, lyrical and acro with more than 70 dancers presenting a program of 15 different items.

“We were pretty privileged and it was wonderful that we could share our love of dance in the open air,” said Natalie Williams.

As the sound travels well outside, they acquired more spectators on Sunday and during rehearsals from people in the park and bystanders.

Being the guinea pigs testing out the new venue, Natalie said everything went pretty seamless. “Not having to hire someone to do the lights was huge for us, and backstage we could iron costumes and do everything we needed.”

It was a great way to end a tumultuous year of COVID interruptions, the sad loss of teacher Cathy Acret in March to cancer, the return to online learning in term 3, and having to film students for their Royal Academy of Dance exams.

“We are so proud of the students showing so much resilience, determination and grit to get through this year,” said Natalie.

“The students were thrilled to be back on stage, and for many it was their first time with 20 pre-schoolers also performing.” Despite the extra level of organisation required to ensure a COVID-safe event, “it all came together in the end on a sunny day!”

By Maggi Barnard

Despite all the interruptions and stoppages of many activities due to COVID, the Year 5 ambassadors did a wonderful job this year keeping their respective schools up to date with happenings at the Parkes Shire Library.

Representing all five primary schools, the nine students each received a certificate and a small gift last week as a thank you. In her final official duty as Councillor, it was fitting for Pat Smith to hand over the certificates as she welcomed them to the program at the start of the year.

Debbie Gould and Emma Brown of the Parkes Shire Library also thanked the schools, teachers and parents for their support.

If you want to do something for your community in 2022, you might be the right person Mr Perfect is looking for.

The grassroots charity brings men together at BBQs in local parks to create community and connection, and also provides online support, information and resources for the good of men’s health.

Mr Perfect wants to support the men of Parkes and is looking for a BBQ host. This role will be the ‘conduit for connection’, and the main tasks would involve the following: find a good public BBQ spot locally; be available for two hours per month for the BBQ (usually Sunday mornings); buy food/drink/equipment; cook the food with a co-host; introduce/chat to the attendees and sometimes provide an activity (footy, cricket set etc if people want to do that).

Mr Perfect will reimburse all costs for food and equipment and send the host a pack of merchandise, a banner, provide a detailed BBQ Host Guide, and money to advertise the BBQ online. The host will do an hour or so local groundwork each month putting up flyers, posters, and talking to local people.

If you are interested or would like to know more, send an email to hello@mrperfect.org.au.

This year the Summer Reading Club at the Parkes Shire libraries is open to ALL ages! Children up to Year 6 have a three-part challenge:

Part 1: Where’s Ollie? Follow the Parkes Shire Libraries Facebook page for pictures of Ollie the Owl reading at locations around Parkes or visit the libraries to see a picture of where he is reading.

Part 2: Draw a picture of Ollie reading somewhere at your house.

Part 3: Reading Tic Tac Toe. Read three books in a row matching the categories on the Reading Challenge Sheets.

The Year 7 to adults challenge is to read four books in a row matching the categories on the Reading Challenge Sheets.

Visit the Parkes Shire libraries in Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore to collect your Challenge Sheets.

Reading starts on Monday, 20th December and finishes on Monday, 31st January 2022. Remember to return your completed Challenge Sheets to one of the Parkes Shire libraries by 5:30pm on Friday, 4th February 2022 and collect a prize.

Happy reading!