Roxane Manley

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is welcoming more than $10 million in funding under the Growing Regions Program which will deliver new community infrastructure in Wagga Wagga, Cowra and Parkes.

“I’m really pleased the communities of Wagga Wagga, Cowra and Parkes will be receiving a share in more than $10 million to support the development of local community and economic infrastructure,” Mr McCormack said.

“Parkes Shire Council Mayor Cr Neil Westcott described the $943,738 secured for bird-hides and boardwalks in the Parkes Wetlands as ‘wonderful news’,” Mr McCormack said.

“I’m really looking forward to the Boardwalks and Bird hides: Elevating Parkes Wetlands project to support habitat creation and promote tourism at the wetlands.”

“I’m always interested to see innovative uses of defunct facilities, particularly when land can be reclaimed for environmental purposes that benefit the whole community as well as ecological diversity,” Mr McCormack said. “This new funding under the Growing Regions Program will take the wetlands to the next level.”

“I look forward to seeing works for these projects getting under way and I eagerly await the time when the community can start to benefit from them.”

Last Thursday, 16th May the ladies from the Companions Through Cancer held a Biggest Morning Tea in the Parkes Red Cross Room to help raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council. They raised an amazing $475.90 and the winner of the raffle was Marie Walker.

The ladies are thrilled with the money that was raised and will continue supporting the Cancer Councils Biggest Morning Tea next year in 2025. Until then, the ladies have plenty to keep them busy and talk is swirling about the upcoming soup day in June, which is a favourite for many.

Companions Through Cancer is a local support group that was formed by Parkes business woman Dianne Tanswell after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in mid 1977. After multiple operations, intensive radiation and chemotherapy, Dianne learned that a positive mindset was vital and her will to live took on a new purpose – to live with cancer and to help others do so.

A lot of people fall apart when they are told they have cancer, I just began to fall into place, said Dianne.

Companions Through Cancer is a support group for people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Their main purpose is to provide companionship. The group started with 78 members, however over the years this number has dwindled to just 20 current members, so Companions Through Cancer are putting a call out for new members to join.

The group meet once a month for lunch, enjoy planned outings, have a BBQ day and a fun Christmas party. Money raised by the group is distributed to local support networks at the end of each year. The group is open to men and women of all ages and is only $10 per year to join.

If you are interested or would like more information, contact Neighbourhood Central on 6862 3757.

 

The Parkes Que Club are always busy planning, staging, helping, listening, responding, working and, of course, laughing and enjoying our time together as we endeavour to help our community whenever we can.

Two nights after our highly successful International Women’s Day Luncheon, many of us attended the VIEW Club’s Trivia Night to help them support some disadvantaged children’s education, while some of us go regularly to Southern Cross to conduct art lessons with the residents in care.

At our April dinner meeting we welcomed a new member, Colleen Staples and in May Sue Maddison joined our ranks. Our club is growing again after the Covid hiatus, which is great. We always welcome new members of any age and appreciate their new ideas and enthusiasm, call 0407 894 498 to learn more.

We recently gave $4,000 to P.E.C.C. to subsidise the hearing and speech testing of their children. Many youngsters develop middle ear infections and if these are not picked up and treated before they start school, so if this donation finds even just one child, it’s well worthwhile.

This year our major project is Life Education which teaches children important health and wellbeing lessons so that they can thrive. Last week, during the Parkes Festival of Health Family Event, which included the Healthy Harold’s Colour Run, we took the opportunity to add to the subsidy that Northparkes Mine provides to ensure all local young students would be able to attend. Healthy Harold was there at Keast Park and the children were ecstatic.

We had an afternoon last week when many of us received painting lessons from three of our talented members, and we also enjoy a morning tea each month just to enjoy each other’s company.

By Pam Nankivell