What chance our molecules collide?
Millenia wandering,
Did they suddenly find purpose?
Or have they always sought this circumstance?
Millions of days have brought them to this day,
And in another million, million moments
They will still exist,
Meandering randomly or propelled
No longer your or I,
They may travel far from here,
And perhaps repeat
The kind energy of our collision.
By Jim Cassidy
I hear the songs of woven light
I see the warp and weft alight
The wax and wane of moon at night
The molten sun a golden kite
The telescope in silhouette
Canola gold, green fields of wheat
Across the valley tractors roar
As magpies warble, brown hawks soar
Along the day, into the night
Flow memories of woven light.
By Jim Cassidy
The poem ‘Melodies of Woven Light’ was used by Jason Murchie to enter a song for the Parkes Radio Telescope 60th Anniversary Competition. Jason won the music prize in the competition. The song features the sound of two pulsars, and the music’s percussion and melodies were written in response to the interesting sounds pulsars can generate.
Readers can submit creative writing of up to 500 words to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au for publication in The Write Stuff column.
I have been married for 33 years to my wife Alison and have three gown-up children. I am a fifth generation farmer of Alectown and business partner with Gregor and Marty Sammut-Paul at Regional Business Supplies. I attended Parkes High School and have been on the land ever since.
I am a life member of the Parkes M & D Society, member of the Parkes Uniting Church and Alectown Rural Fire Service. I am a vocal advocate for sustainable change in the face of global warming and am constantly looking to encourage action that protects and presents opportunity to our shire. I also like nothing better than to pick up my guitar and have a good sing.
Since being elected to Council I chose to chair the Rural Roads Committee looking after over 2,000km of rural roads.
I have had the satisfaction of being involved in projects that have gone from an idea to completion including the Arts Advisory Council, the Country University Centre, Lower Clarinda Street upgrade, new library, Family Day Care Centre, Cooke Park Pavilion, Recycled Water Ring Main and many other sporting and community facilities across the shire. I am proud to be a part of a Council that during the drought implemented free domestic and stock water for our farmers and free admission to our swimming pools.
I wish to continue to be part of a progressive team that will continue to build confidence and prosperity for everyone in the Parkes Shire. The Special Activation Precinct will move into its next phase, and this will bring amazing opportunities to farming and town businesses alike. A growing population presents new challenges but things that seemed out of reach will become possible and we dare to dream.
Balance is important in any community and a focus on family activity venues and events, as well as affordable housing partnerships, will all be high on my list of priorities if I am re-elected to Council.
Another important balance is female representation. With Barb and Pat stepping down I would urge your consideration of this in the numbering of your ballot.
I believe I have worked hard in my first term of Council to create the relationships and knowledge to be an effective and articulate representative for my community. Being a councillor is important to me because I can make a difference for others, creating legacies that make the Parkes Shire an even more attractive place to live.
The weather gods smiled on us on Saturday and four championship matches were played.
Minor Pairs Championship
Rob Irving and Jim Blake started well against Brian and Greg Townsend and lead 10-1 after nine ends. Brian and Greg fought back, but Rob and Jim advanced to the next round with a win 18-12.
Mixed Pairs Championship
Gwenda Carty and Col Hayward had a close match against Merilyn Rodgers and Wilbur Harris. After six ends Merilyn and Wilbur had opened up a lead of 10-3, Gwenda and Col gradually got back into the game, but in the end Merilyn and Wilbur won 24-20.
Maree Grant and Tom Furey were too strong for John Wright and Bettsy Johnstone, winning 31-15.
In the Handicap Pairs Dave Johnson and Mal Porter lead all the way against Col Miller and Ron Hornery, running out winners 33-21.
By George Bradley
Angus Johnston and Kaiden Budd
Angus: I felt very nervous and awkward as I do when meeting new people.
Kaiden: It felt like meeting anyone new. He took a lot of photos of me welding. I never expected to meet him.
Ruth Murray: It was a big surprise and over-whelming. I never thought I would meet him. He was really nice and showed interest in what we’re doing here.
Jazmen Teerrill and Iesa Smith
Iesa: It was exciting, although I did not know it was him at first.
Jazmen: It was overwhelming. He was very polite and nice and asked us questions.
How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I moved with my family to Parkes 27 years ago (on Australia Day, 1995). I like the strong sense of community that exists in a country town (that you just don’t find in Sydney, where I grew up).
What is your favourite thing about your working life? As a schoolteacher, I feel privileged to help prepare our next generation of leaders and citizens. The future is in good hands. When I am working at the Parkes Radio Telescope, I also feel privileged to work at such a world-famous scientific facility, and to be able to share my passion for astronomy.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Although there are some wonderful places in the world, I honestly cannot think of another country that I would rather live in besides Australia.
What makes you laugh the most? Episodes of Hard Quiz, a good comedy movie or a good joke.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Lots of things, but one would be to visit Sir Douglas Mawson’s historic hut in Antarctica.
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? Although we often complain about life, it seems to me that we are privileged to live in Australia in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries. I suspect that a lot of people living in developing countries would agree.
If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? I’d make it compulsory for every school student to learn a second language. Learning another language develops a greater empathy for other cultures.
Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? I certainly do. Above all, I try to behave towards others in the same way that I would hope that they would behave towards me.
What is one thing you will never do again? I love eating olives…but will never again eat an olive straight off the tree…..urrggghhh!
The women raised the grand amount of $1,065 at their Spring Fling event last week for CanAssist. President Maureen Miller presented the cheque to CanAssist President Sylvia Glendenning on Tuesday.
The rain has given the greens a blast of oxygenated H2O, and Ground Control have done a grand job preparing the perfect surface.
In the semi-finals of the Minor Singles Lorraine Baker defeated Lynn Ryan in a close tussle in atrocious conditions last Friday, and Maureen Miller sewed up the match against Heather Harvey on Tuesday. The final will take place between Lorraine and Maureen next week.
In a social game of pairs, Marja Iffland and Fran Dixon kept it very friendly when playing against Betsy Johnstone and Lynn Ryan, drawing the game 15-all.
Sue Butson of Ulladulla and Flo Riseborough were pleased with their game, and enjoyed a win over Kay Craft and Carol Reed.
Valmai Westcott/Chris Cox/Merilyn Rodgers had a challenge on their hands against Frances Charlton/Di Howell/Vi West, the eventual winners by a good margin.
Kim Evans/Jan McPhee (sisters with attitude), together with Rose Mitchell and Joan Simpson were even-stevens against Eileen
Bradley/Hilda McPherson/Maureen Baillie, 20-all after 21 ends!
To play social bowls, call the club between 9 – 9.30am with play to commence at 10am.
By Lea Orr
Minor Triples Championship
Rob Irving and Jo and Mike Simpson had a bit of trouble shaking off Greg Huggins, Jim Blake and Mal Porter. After 16 ends Team Huggins lead 14-13 but then Team Irving took control and won all of the remaining ends to win 25-14.
Mixed Pairs Championship
Only one match of Mixed Pairs was played last week, and what a close game it was. The team of Brett and Cherrie Frame were up against Dave Johnson and Lorraine Baker. The scores were locked at 21 all with one end to play. Both teams were holding shot but eventually Brett and Cherrie scored two shots to advance to the semi-final.
By George Bradley
When you are the defenders in a bridge game it is a good idea to vigilantly take note of your partner’s opening lead. One piece of advice from my dear departed original bridge teacher, Pick Ongley, was to always, absolutely always, return the suit led by partner as soon as you gain lead.
“There are only two acceptable reasons for not doing so,” Pick said. “The first is having a void in that suit, and the second is having a death wish.” Mind you, Pick was a bit of a rebel and often made exceptions to following rules, even those she instilled in her pupils.
Winners for the past week, who most likely returned their partner’s opening lead, were on Tuesday, 9th November Kevin Robinson and Barbara Hughes; Thursday, 11th November Anne Berkeley and Bev Laing and Monday, 15th November Peter Dearden and Rick Twardy.
This week we also celebrated the return of Tim and Gai Baker after their year of sojourn.
If you are interested in learning to play bridge we can arrange private lessons. Call Greig Ball 0429621712 or Kevin Robinson 0429 621 712.
By Beth Thomas