Maggi Barnard

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

Look Out For Locusts This Spring

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

With bumper crops on the horizon for much of the state, landholders are urged to be on the lookout for locust activity this spring and report any sightings immediately.

Adult plague locusts usually lay eggs in harder loamy red soils, especially on compact roads next to crops, tree lines and farm buildings, especially those built on higher ground such as ridges.

NSW Plague Locust Commissioner Scott Charlton said while fewer reports of locusts had been received than in previous years, landholders west of the ranges should still be vigilant and expect sporadic outbreaks.

“We are still encouraging landowners in the upper Western and far Northwest to monitor for any activity, as this will help control teams with their response efforts and limit further spread of locusts.

“Locust hatching is still expected in the northwest of the state throughout September as temperatures increase, while outbreaks throughout the lower western Riv-erina may not occur until October.

“On-ground treatment by landholders is by far the most effective treatment option and will help limit new swarms.”

If you suspect Australian Plague Locusts, contact your nearest LLS office on 1300 795 299. To find out more visit NSW DPI and LLS websites.

Critical To Look After Your Mental Health

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

GET OUT… Exercise is a great way to improve your mood. Parkes residents have taken to walking during this lockdown with so many people making use of the lovely spring weather and walking tracks all around town. (Photo: Parkes Shire Council)

“Look out for your family and friends, check in with them and see how they’re doing and, most importantly, reach out for help when you need it.”

NSW Minister for Mental Health, Bronnie Taylor joined the Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright and Chairman of Lifeline Australia John Brogden in calling on the community to be aware of their own mental health, as well as that of their family and loved ones while the COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

“This can be an incredibly stressful time for families, parents and children,” said the minister.

“There are services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Anyone in crisis can reach out at any time to get the help they need.”

Dr Murray Wright said the message of hope is extremely important during this challenging time. “It’s a message that’s been lost in much of the recent coverage, but we need to reassure ourselves that the current situation is temporary. It will end, especially as our vaccination coverage increases.

With Lifeline taking a record numbers of calls, John Brogden said it was more important than ever for people to continue to reach out for help when they need it.

“Just as we’re all doing our bit to protect everyone’s physical health, it is critical we also look after our mental health.”

If life is in danger, dial 000 (Triple Zero) immediately. For crisis support, call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. For mental health advice, call Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348.

To connect with specialist mental health services, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

What has been your biggest challenge in preparing for your Year 12 exam under lockdown?

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Josh Winter: The biggest challenge for me is not having verbal interaction with my teachers, although Zoom calls do help a lot as you can talk to them online. I found that by keeping up with all my schoolwork it helps me under lockdown because it reduces all the stress that I am under. I hope things get under control with COVID for next year for the Year 11s when they prepare for their HSC in a better way than what we had to go through this year.

Anouk Labuschagne: Unfortunately, COVID brought on so many challenges to overcome. For example, online trial exams, Zoom meetings and the constantly changing HSC date, but the biggest one was and still remains to be, procrastination. It took a state-wide lockdown for me to realise that my school’s strict phone policy existed for a reason. Technology is the greatest cultivator of procrastination – why should I study for the HSC when I can just surf the web? But a mindset like that doesn’t produce good results and I knew I had to make a change. Just because I am at home doesn’t mean that school simply disappears. I decided to recreate a school structure, no phones from 9am to 3pm, stick to my timetable and only take breaks that I would’ve had if I was at school. I feel my preparation for the HSC has greatly benefited from this mindset!

Jorja Mann: Preparing for Year 12 HSC exams is daunting enough without COVID, so lockdown and online learning have added to the pile of stress. I have always been very motivated and determined to achieve good marks. However, after completing our trial HSC exams online and being informed that our final HSC has been delayed until November, I am starting to become very resentful towards the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), as well as our premier, who are pushing for these exams to go ahead. Like many other Year 12 students, completing my final weeks of Year 12 in my bedroom and not being able to connect face to face with teachers and friends, has posed an enormous challenge to my motivation and mental health. Some mornings I am tempted to stay in bed and not attend any classes at all, or I am too distracted by my phone and social media to remain concentrated. I have started to adopt a negative mentality and attitude of ‘who cares’ and ‘it’s not going to matter’, which is not usually something I would say. Therefore, my biggest challenge has been maintaining my motivation. Whilst I’ve been making an effort to wake up early to attend all five periods every day and sticking to a routine, I do not feel like I am preparing for the HSC. I hope my assessment marks and trial HSC result will be enough to gain me acceptance into university. Whilst it does not seem possible at the moment, I hope that sometime next term my friends and I will be able to have a graduation ceremony to celebrate our 13 years of schooling.

Show Pavilions Come Crashing Down

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The skeleton of the main pavilion was the last to go.

Last week Tuesday was a show day with a big difference. Instead of hundreds of people streaming to the annual show, there was only a handful of people who saw the 1927-built main pavilion come crashing to the ground.

The Grand Old Lady filled with arts, crafts, cakes and many other great displays has a special place in many people’s memories. Sadly, the frail building had reached its used by date and construction of a new fit for purpose pavilion is set to start soon.

The rest of the pavilions also went down last week, including the small photography pavilion, the bird pavilion, the commercial or McGlynn pavilion and the RS Howard pavilion.

The Parkes PA & H received a $4 million grant for the new pavilion to fulfill its 20-year dream that will be available for many other activities, such as weddings and the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The rest of the pavilions went down one by one last week. (Photos: Jason Kennedy)

Parkes Forum Sets Tone For Low Carbon Future

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Cr Neil Westcott is also a farmer and said agriculture would play a key role over the next decade to sequester carbon which would form an important part of farming profit.

Parkes has placed itself firmly on the map as a model others can look to following a forum hosted by the Parkes Shire Council recently on the global move towards a circular economy.

The 20 speakers at the Activating the Low Carbon Economy in Regional Australia forum held over 150 attendees, who joined in online, captivated for the whole day.

“It is exciting to be part of the solution and to know Parkes is heading in the right direction,” said Cr Neil Westcott, who was a main driver behind the forum.

He said the purpose of the forum was to build a platform for knowledge sharing and innovation. There were many fantastic ideas shared that could be relevant to not only Parkes and regional NSW, but all of regional Australia.

“The key drivers for the day were urgency, empathy and opportunity. It is a very unique time in our history as there are some enormous problems, however a fantastic opportunity to make better use of the resources we have available to us and to set a mode of operation built around the circular economy.”

Topics covered included the role and impact of renewable energy in the regions, the nature and benefits of a circular economy and what this means for business and government, the importance of a low carbon economy to regional and rural Australia, and how all of these will combine to embrace new industries and create local employment in Parkes, accelerating a transition to a prosperous low carbon future.

Multiple speakers applauded Parkes Shire Council for its strategic vision in hosting the forum and the work that Council is doing to champion a low carbon and circular economy to boost regional productivity and opportunities.

Beyond the forum, Council plans to develop a white paper to guide future projects, opportunities and embrace new industries and create local employment in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.

Neil said the forum had also led to many spin-off meetings between the speakers that would hopefully lead to many more great outcomes.

Western NSW Business Awards Finalists

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

A number of Parkes businesses and business leaders are among the finalists of the 2021 Western NSW Business Awards.

Damien Newham from Giles Group Australia and Tyler Warren from Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical are finalists in the Out-standing Employee Award category, while Peter Giles from Giles Group Australia is a finalist in the Outstanding Young Business Leader category.

Kitson Manufacturing Solutions is a finalist in the Excellence in Small Business category and Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing is in the Employer of Choice category.

Vicki Seccombe, Regional Manager – Western NSW at Business NSW, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross-section of businesses from right across the region.

Winners will be announced via an online awards ceremony (date to be announced), and will represent the region at the State Business Awards to be held in November.

Our Young Gal – Chelsea McMaster

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Prefect Middleton Public School – Chelsea McMaster

How old are you? 11.

Where do you go to school? Middleton Public School.

What is your favourite after school activity? Jumping on the trampoline and mowing the lawn.

What is your favourite food, movie and music? Food: Sausages; Movie: Rams; Music: Country.

What do you want to do when you grow up? I want to be a vet nurse, or build kitchens like my dad and mum.

If you could have a superpower what would it be? Teleport, fly or invisibility.

What makes you laugh the most? My brother Riley, or my friend Ashlee.

If you were the ruler of your own country, what would be the first law you would introduce? Everybody needs to be kind.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself. I have three scars from a barb wire fence.

Sherly And Watto And The Case Of The Great Infestation

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

We’re enjoying a billy, Sherly and me

By the side of the dam under a kurrajong tree.

Cockatoos screeching and dropping down bits

As they flap and they feed in the eucalypts.

Sherly points at a movement nearby

A train of echidnas trundle merrily by.

Then a shriek jolts us both to our feet

Over the noise of the cockatoos’ feast.

As we race to Matt’s house on the edge of town,

Sherly pulls his stockman’s hat down.

‘Ah! Sherly! Watto! There you are!

I was making some jam, but ran out of jars.

Ducked out to get some, came back to this mess-

Jam on the floor and the house full of pests.

What’ll I do?’ he cried in despair

“The missus home soon and ants everywhere!”

We follow him in to check out the digs

It looks like it’s been lived in by pigs.

Saucepans, utensils all over the floor

Ants on the table and benches and more.

I reach up to a cupboard over the hob

But as I shut it my hand sticks to the knob.

I take a cloth and wipe it all clear

“Didn’t think you had sheep; why are these bottle teats here?”

Before he responds, Sherly gives up a shout

“That’s it, Watto! I’ve figured it out!”

He’s standing in the hallway towards the back

With a draught blowing through that near knocks off his hat.

“Tell me, Matt, you ever bottle-fed a roo?

Yes? Then, you know what happened, don’t you?”

Matt and I exchange a bewildered gaze.

Sherly sighs and elucidates.

“Looks like you’ve been doing some washing in here;

Opened the door to let it all air?

Your joey- now grown up a little bit,

Saw the laundry door open and thought

he’d visit.

Jumped up on the bench where his old bottles were,

But on the way he bumped your preserve.

Must’ve given him a fright, he jumped all around-

Eh Watto? that’s the sticky prints you found-

Crashed into some things along the way,

Leaving your kitchen in this disarray.

Then out the back the way he came.

It’s simple, he shrugs as he explains.

“Well, Sherl, that’s great, but- one more thing!

I need the ants gone ‘fore the missus gets in!”

‘Ah, now you just leave it to us.’

And with a tip of his stockman’s, he dashed out the house.

I followed him down to where we’d began

“Sherly, what are we doing back here by the dam?”

But he doesn’t answer, just searches around

Past the cockies throwing gumnuts onto the ground.

‘Til, finally, he reaches a spot in the grass

“Ah, here they are, Watto! Found ‘em at last.”

The echidna train is still lumbering on

With careful steps, we guide them along.

‘Til they reach the teeming ant-filled house

Wind round the legs of the anxious spouse.

We watch for a while, as they snuffle inside

“There you go, mate.” Sherly puffs up with pride.

I turn to face him, and punch his arm

“Look at that teamwork. Worked like a charm.

Maybe we could make something of this sleuthing thing

“Consultant detectives- give us a ring.”

A silver car starts to come up the road

We suddenly decide it’s time to go.

We race to the dam as it turns in the gate.

“’Nother cuppa, Sherly?” “Love one, mate.”

By Jay and Wendy Richards

Snake Season Has Started

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Spring has hardly sprung and reports of snake sightings around Parkes have started.

With so many people out walking during lockdown, it is important to know what to do when encountering a snake.

If you come across a snake, your first instinct may be to run, which seems logical, but it’s actually not the best thing to do.

The best advice is to stand still as snakes do not have very good eyesight, so if you stand still the snake won’t feel threatened or scared. Slowly back away from the snake so you don’t startle it or trip over.

Treat all snakes you come across as venomous and do not try and identify the snake, instead just leave them alone.

If you find a snake in your backyard, get everyone and pets inside and away from the snake, and let it move on.

If it doesn’t appear to move on by itself, then call a snake catcher. Snakes come for water, food or shelter so keep your yard clean and limit water, rats, mice and frogs that might be around.

Remember snakes play an important role in eating rats, mice and other animals humans don’t particularly like.

We Can Do It Parkes!

September 10, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

WE BAND TOGETHER… The Parkes community has done brilliantly to get the vaccination rate up with 1,270 people getting their first dose at the three-day ADF clinic at Northparkes Oval recently. Go to www.health.gov.au to book your vaccination. INSET: Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has received both his jabs and is calling on his electorate to seriously consider rolling up their sleeves to help fellow community members.

The Parkes Shire community is stepping up to help keep us all safe with an 80% first dose vaccination rate in our sights.

Parkes is at 72.8% for the first dose, which is a little bit under the state wide 75% for the first dose.

This week Member for Riverina Michael McCormack appealed to his electorate to get the jab.

“Regional Australians are among the most resilient people in the world,” he said.

“The very worst of circumstances always brings out the very best in regional and rural people. We battle through fires and drought, storms and floods – and we do it together.

“We band together, we help our fellow community members. It is what we do.
“Now the COVID-19 pandemic is another significant challenge and, again, our regional and rural communities will rise to the occasion – together.”

Michael said the Delta strain of COVID-19 had presented a situation not experienced since the Spanish Flu pandemic more than 100 years ago.

“But we have a solution up our sleeves – it requires as many of us as possible to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

“I thank each and every person who has rolled up their sleeves for the jab and I urge and encourage those who have not yet done so to discuss your options with your GP to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith joined 11 other Mayors in the Riverina to call on residents to get vaccinated in a video released by the MP.

“It is so vital all our community get vaccinated,” said Ken, “and I encourage you to not only look after yourself, but your friends and family. Please get vaccinated!”

Maggi Barnard

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