Maggi Barnard

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

Winding Up The Soccer Season

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Action from one of the under 8 games – Falcons vs Emus – played at Harrison Park last year.

With the 2021 season coming to an unfortunate early finish due to COVID lockdowns, the Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association committee has been working hard behind the scenes finding ways to wind up the season.

The Policies and Procedures Meeting will be held on Monday, 18th October at 6:30pm at Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. Any application to change current by-laws must be received via email to pdasasecretary@outlook.com.au by 6pm Friday, 15th October. All Open Ladies teams from the 2021 season need to have a representative in attendance.

The Junior Presentation will be held on Saturday, 30th October 1pm at Harrison Park. COVID rules and regulations will still apply with QR check in and social distancing enforced. All participants in our non-competitive junior teams will receive an individual award with a team photo taken. Presentation times for each group are: 1pm – Under 6; 1:30pm – Under 8; 2pm – Under 10.

In the competitive age groups only premiers and runner-up trophies will be presented with the individual best and fairest awards. The following teams will receive trophies from 2:30pm: Under 12 Premiers: Strikers; Under 12 Runners-Up: Victory; Open Juniors Premiers: Rangers; Open Juniors Runners-Up: Wolves

No presentation will be held in both divisions of our Open Ladies Competitions with teams instead receiving awards at the compulsory Policies and Procedures meeting. The teams are: 1st Division Premiers: Cougars; 1st Division Runners-Up: Commercial Kookaburras; 2nd Division Premiers: Forbes Power; 2nd Division Runners-Up: Railway Bowling Club.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday, 8th November at 6pm at Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. All positions on the committee will be declared vacant. Anyone interested in volunteering to join the committee should attend the AGM or email pdasacommittee@outlook.com.au.

Our Bloke – Michael Lynch

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

How long have you lived in Parkes and what do you like most about living here? I have lived in Parkes for almost 30 years and I enjoy the fresh air and friendly people.

What is your favourite thing about your working life? When working in the Department of Community Services, protecting children, and in retirement, visiting people.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Among the green fields of Ireland.

What makes you laugh most? Making four putts on the first tee. Maybe that should be ‘cry’!

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Swim, read and spend time with family.

If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to and why? I have a difficulty with that one. I would choose two events; 16th June 1963, the day I was ordained a priest, and 26th March 1978, the day I married my beautiful, Peg.

If you were ruler of your own country what would be the first law you would introduce? Ecology awareness, peace and justice.

Do you believe in random acts of kindness and which is your favourite one? Yes I do, and I enjoy visiting and listening to people.

What is one thing you will never do again? Walk out on the Burrendong Dam retaining wall.

Prostate Golf Competition

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group is sponsoring a 4 Person Ambrose, ‘Awareness’ Golf Competition at the Parkes Golf Club tomorrow 16th October. Come along and swing a club and wear something blue.

Letter to the Editor – Who named the Earth

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Regarding the Parkes Phoenix dated Friday, 8th October, the section titled DID YOU KNOW. Your article indicated that no one knows who named the earth or where the term came from.

I would point you to the opening verses of the Bible in Genesis 1:1-2 which says: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

These words were penned by Moses around 1450BC under the inspiration of God’s Spirit. Genesis means ‘beginnings’. Hence, since God inspired the book of Genesis [and the whole Bible], it was the God of the Bible who named our planet earth and revealed that truth through Moses.

I am sure your readers would be interested in knowing there is an answer to the question raised.

Regards
Pastor Greg and Judy Willis

Where Are They Now?

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The 30m high war memorial on Memorial Hill in Parkes stands out from the average statue in the town square, and was part of the memorable World War II reunion in 2004 of soldiers who trained at the RAAF base in Parkes.

Seventeen years ago former prime minister Gough Whitlam was part of a record breaking crowd in Parkes to celebrate Anzac Day as part of a World War II reunion.

The theme for the reunion of soldiers who trained at the RAAF base in Parkes was ‘They Were Here’.

During WW2, Parkes airport became RAAF Base Parkes, accommodating No.1 Air Navigation School, No.2 Wireless Air Gunners School, No.8 Operational Training Unit and after the war No.87 SQN operated from Parkes. The former prime minister did his training in Parkes in 1943 before serving in the Pacific.

Organiser of the reunion and secretary of the Parkes RSL at the time, Arthur Parker, still have very fond memories of the event and is wondering where they are now. He added that most of the soliders had since died, including Gough Whitlam who passed away on 21st October 2014 at age 98.

Among the hundreds of people who attended the reunion weekend were also ex Italian interns and their families.

Arthur said while the weekend took months of organising, it was all worth it. The programme ran over three days from Friday, 23rd to Sunday, 25th April 2004.

The program on Friday included a Morse Code display, a street parade and flyover and a civic reception at Council chambers with children singing wartime songs.

Saturday included visits to the Parkes Radio Telescope, Parkes cemetery with a short commemorative service and a visit to Parkes airport and barbeque lunch. There was a Catholic Anzac service before a reunion dinner at the Parkes Services Club and wartime songs performed by a group of Parkes singers.

On Sunday the Anzac Day program started with the usual dawn service at Memorial Hill, followed by a breakfast at the Parkes Services Club before the program continued in Cooke Park at the cenotaph.

Citizen Scientists Needed To Count Birds!

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

BIRDS OF A FEATHER… These cousins are looking forward to be part of the Aussie Backyard Bird Count next week. They are (L – R) Elly Lewis, Emma Hando, Jenson Howard, Bradley Lewis and Alexis Lewis.

Bird enthusiasts and nature lovers in the Parkes Shire are invited to become citizen scientist and participate in next week’s 2021 Aussie Backyard Bird Count.

The annual event runs from 18th to 24th October and requires participants to spend 20 minutes in their backyards, local parks or favourite nature spots recording and counting bird species present. Observations are submitted either through the Aus-sie Bird Count app or through an online web form.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to get out in nature, observe and potentially learn more about the bird species that call the Parkes Shire home. Parkes Shire residents came out in force last year, and we would love to see similar or even higher numbers of participation this year,” said Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Coordinator Michael Chambers.

Last year the Aussie Bird Count saw over 100,000 Aussies count more than 4.6 million birds. Involvement across the Parkes Shire was significantly up from previous years, increasing from 30 participants in 2019 to 231 in 2020 counting a total of 4,232 individual birds across 94 species.

Consistent with previous years, the most recorded species across the Parkes Shire was the iconic galah, followed by magpies, house sparrows, crested pigeons and magpie-larks. Residents also managed to record several vulnerable species, including the superb parrot, grey-crowned babbler and Major Mitchell’s cockatoo.

Encouragingly, of the 94 species recorded in 2020, only six were introduced species. Across Australia, the most commonly re-corded species was the rainbow lorikeet, with more than half a million counted in 2020.

“This species has finished on top every year, reflecting the changes in Aussie backyards over the past half century. The replacement of European-style cottage gardens with native backyards containing eucalypts, grevilleas and bottle brush is ideal for species like the rainbow lorikeet,” said Michael.

Data obtained from the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count will enable Parkes Shire Council to increase environmental engagement among residents, inform land management decisions and monitor the success of tree planting efforts across the Shire.

Originating in 2014, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count provides an opportunity for anyone to become a citizen scientist. The event has become one of the largest citizen science projects in Australia, helping to fill critical knowledge gaps concerning common backyard bird species.

“With growing national and international concern for the welfare of Australian wildlife, results from the Aussie Backyard Bird Count can provide important insights into how native birds are faring. The data can also inform policies, species management decisions and provide advocacy for threatened species,” said Michael.

Registrations for the 2021 Aussie Backyard Bird Count can be done online at https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/.

Magic At Work On Bowling Rink

October 8, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

A fantastic number of 33 players came along on Tuesday! The magic was certainly working for the two winning teams of the Club Fours semi-finals.

Chris Cox (sub), Laurie Keane, Eileen Bradley and Carol Reed combined beautifully to take their match, 20 – 17, over Di Howell, Valmai Westcott, Lea Orr and Robyn Morgan.

Likewise, Marja Iffland, Maria Willcockson, Gwenda Carty and Cherie Frame took the lead early and won 20 – 15 against the combination of Brenda Davies, Betsy Johnstone, Liz Byrne and Rhona Went.

In social games, the pairs enjoyed a close tussle, with Lynn Ryan and Helen Heraghty winning by just one point against Vi West and Chris Curteis.

In a triples game, Anne Wright and Isobel Svensden shared the lead spot, and with Jan McPhee and Elaine Miller, they were too good for Kim Evans, Merilyn Rodgers and Maureen Baillie.

Another very close result when Beth Thomas, Fran Dixon and Heather Harvey went down by 2 points against Sue Maddison, Kay Craft and Lorraine Baker.

Happy draw winners today: Sue, Kay and Lorraine, with Helen, Vi and Di cashing in, in the 100’s club.

Next week, Tuesday, 12th October will see the Final of the Club Championship Fours: Team Reed vs Team Frame. Good luck to all eight players. Play begins at 9:30am, with a press photo taken at 9:15!
We’ve flipped the calendar over to a new month filled with birthdays.

Happy days and celebrations to Rhona, Flo, Cherie, Wendy, Chris and Brenda!

Nominations are open for the Club Minor Singles and Pairs for 2021. Remember Trading Table (floral) on 19th October.

By Lea Orr

New Public Health Advice For NSW Reopening

October 8, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Beryl Westcott (left) went to the pop-up clinic in Parkes this week for her second vaccination. Her daughter Elizabeth Westcott, who is fully vaccinated, went with her. They wanted to get vaccinated to look after their health, protect their family and to be able to get the freedoms fully vaccinated people will enjoy from 11th October.

While the Parkes Shire has been fortunate to come out of lockdown after five weeks, the rest of NSW will begin to reopen soon when it reaches the 70% double dose vaccination target.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while high vaccination rates were the key factor in the roadmap to recovery, COVID-19 would continue to circulate in the community.

Some of the key public health advice for the general community from 11th October will be:

• Everyone, vaccinated and not vaccinated, is urged to get tested if you have any symptoms and immediately self-isolate until a negative result is received.

• Whether you are vaccinated or not vaccinated, if you test positive you must self-isolate for 14 days.

• Close contacts will include household members of positive cases and close social contacts.

• If you are a close contact of a positive case and vaccinated, you must get tested and self-isolate for seven days. On day six, you must get tested again. If it is negative and you are well, you can end isolation after day seven. For the following seven days you must work from home where practicable.

• If you are a close contact and not vaccinated you must get tested and immediately self-isolate for 14 days. On day 12, you should get tested again. If it is negative, you can end isolation after day 14.

• The Service NSW QR code check-in system will remain in place in the general community.

• People aged 16 years and over will only be allowed entry into some venues if fully vaccinated, and people with emptions. Children under 16 will have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household to enter hospitality venues, non-critical retail stores, personal services, sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities and events. Critical retail such as supermarkets and pharmacies will still be accessible to those not fully vaccinated.

Visit nsw.gov.au for the latest information.

Snippets…

October 8, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall with a trout at Malpas Dam southeast of Guyra.

No Trout About It

The NSW trout fishing season started on Saturday, 2nd October with expectations it will be the best in years. “Rain over the key trout spawning period in late autumn and early winter has hopefully resulted in good natural recruitment, which also bodes well for the next few seasons,” said Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall. He said there were many popular trout fishing locations across NSW, including a range of productive streams in the New England area, the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers in the Snowy Mountains, and the Fish River near Bathurst. “It is important all anglers check they have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing Licence, and that anglers are aware of the rules associated with recreational fishing, particularly during times of COVID. For more information visit the Marine Area Command – NSW Police Force page or www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19.

RASF Grants

The Royal Agricultural Society Foundation (RASF) is offering up to $25,000 in grants for projects that can provide long-term social or economic benefits to regional areas in NSW. Applicants must identify a need within the community and partner with a local community organisation to be eligible, before creating a clear plan that outlines how they intend to complete the project. Previous projects range from rebuilding areas of showgrounds impacted by bushfires to local education workshops and social programs that give back to the community. Applications for the 2022 RASF Community Futures Grant Program close on Friday, 31st December 2021. Visit rasf.org.au to find out more and apply.

High Value Conservation Areas

The NSW Government has opened nominations to identify and protect Areas of Outstanding Biodiversity Value (AOBVs) on both private and public lands across the state. “Local communities or private land-holders can now conserve areas that would otherwise not be captured or recognised through any other legal instrument, such as in National Parks,” said Environment Minister Matt Kean. Once identified, AOBVs are an ‘automatic priority’ for investment by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), meaning landholders can access funds to manage the land for conservation. Identified by rigorous scientific assessment, AOBVs are designed to conserve high value conservation sites, threatened species or critical habitats. This includes climate refugia, migratory pathways or areas with a high variety of biodiversity values.