The countdown is on until the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, with a weekend of astronomical proportions planned for Parkes.

On Monday 21 July 1969, six hundred million people watched as Neil Armstrong took the first steps on the moon. Those iconic pictures were thanks, in part, to CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. ‘The Dish’ received the television signals that allowed one fifth of humanity at the time, to watch  the broadcast.

To mark the milestone, there are a stellar line up of events and activities being held across the Parkes Shire.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM, said “as a community, we are extremely proud of the role that the Parkes Radio Telescope played in this significant moment in history, and for its ongoing contributions to astronomical discovery.”

“We are delighted to welcome visitors to the region to showcase our Shire and arguably our most iconic attraction.”

“While in town, I encourage everyone to explore the Parkes Shire and experience all the unique and quirky attractions and activities that the region has to offer,” said Cr Ken Keith OAM.

Only a 20-minute drive from Parkes, The CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope is opening its doors to the public on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July. The Open Days are a rare opportunity to see inside The Dish!

There’ll be plenty of activities for everyone across the two days with science talks and presentations, observe pulsars in real time, face painting, roving performers and live entertainment, vintage car display, as well as a delicious range of food from The Dish Café.

There will also be free Apollo Express shuttle buses running return trips out to The Dish on both days, picking up at Cooke Park. To find out more about the Open Days, visit www.apollo11.csiro.au/parkes-open-days/.

In July 1969, the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope played an important role in history, when it received and broadcast the television pictures of the first moon landing.

‘The Dish’, as it has affectionately come to be known, was one of three tracking stations receiving signals of the moon landing, which were being relayed to Mission Control in Houston, Texas. The quality of the pictures being received by The Dish were of such superior quality that NASA  used the Parkes signals for the majority of the 2.5 hour broadcast. The images of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon were viewed by six hundred million people, one fifth of humanity at the time – thanks in large part to Parkes!

On 20 and 21 July 2019, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, CSIRO will open the doors to the Parkes Radio Telescope – a rare opportunity for visitors to see inside.

The Cedar Café will be showcasing an art exhibition titled ‘To the Moon and Back’, featuring artwork by local youth. There’s also plenty to see in Parkes after dark, with stellar Apollo 11 light installations, projections, and multimedia artwork lighting up our dark skies at various locations throughout the weekend, including a special Dish installation in Cooke Park straight from Vivid Sydney 2019!

To help plan your activities for the weekend, download the Parkes Destination Guide from www.visitparkes.com.au or pick up a copy form the Parkes Visitor Information Centre.

Never again will so many tea towels and tea pots be seen in the same place. There was a vast array of tea towels with colourful images and wonderful sayings from places all over the world. One tea towel showed a family tree and the owner discovered three more relations!

What a great gathering of over 100 people all enjoying the Anglican Ladies’ warm soups, yummy slices and appreciating each other’s company. Reverend Ron and Reverend Crystal were amazed at the tea pot collections, which had to be seen to be believed.

Rhonda Dunn’s collections showcased an unbelievable range of tea pots, and these were only a small portion of all that she has been collecting for the past 6 months or so. Many of her other pots can be found in her ‘teahouse’ at home, where she grows a wide range of succulents.

Jan Tanswell showcased a 150-year-old teapot, and Maureen Stirling some miniatures. There was also a Kombi VW collection from Paula, and other collections from Joan, Cheryl, Betty, and Rodney. As with all of the Anglican ladies’ activities, the main thing was the enjoyable company and fellowship.

All profits for this event go to the ongoing care of the St George’s Church buildings, which is always an ongoing project, employing local trades people to keep it looking good. Thank you to all who came and kept out of the dust storm raging outside.

Hundreds of people gathered at last week’s rally to provide a loud, clear and strong message of support for the Parkes Hospital’s Maternity Unit.

As the speakers commented on the impact that the loss of maternity services would have on the local community, I was reminded of stories I heard from my mother, Leona (Lee) Ramsay, who was Nursing Unit Manager of the Parkes Maternity Ward from the early 1970s through to the late 1990s.

Although there were many positive reports of successful childbirths, I particularly remember the stories of critical situations that had developed very quickly and unexpectedly.

Some of those unforeseen situations had been as a result of people having to travel from out of town, with babies being delivered in a car, or under a bush.

I mentioned this to my mother at the rally. “Through those years there were also quite a few doctors skilled in birthing and you could rely on them and call on them at any time of day or night,” my mother replied.

The current lack of qualified doctors in Parkes has impacts beyond practicality and the potential risks of having to travel to Forbes. Being able to give birth in your own community is an important part of people’s lives. This is evident when people continue to stop my mother in the street to say, “thank you for delivering my son/ daughter/s,” or “my mother says you delivered me,” with a warm smile.

By Lisa Ramsay

The Parkes community is called on to rise up today for a rally at the Hospital at 12:30pm to stop the downgrading of maternity services.

The Parkes Hospital has been in the news all week after a decision to temporarily close the maternity service due to an alleged shortage of medical proceduralists.

Residents can also sign a petition of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Union at the rally and at local businesses to get to 10,000 signatures to present it to Parliament.

On Tuesday the Parkes Chamber of Commerce stepped forward in support to organise a ‘field of babies’ for the rally. “We, as the business community, want to show our support for keeping the Parkes Maternity Ward open by decorating the lawn with named baby outfits. We live and work in Parkes and want to ensure that children continue to be born in our wonderful Shire.”

According the Parkes Chamber of Commerce President Geoff Rice “It is just devastating to lose such a basic necessity. We are trying to entice families to our town, but if you can’t offer them such a basic service, they might reconsider.” Geoff encouraged all residents and business owners to attend today’s rally to support the cause.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM also expressed alarm and frustration over the decision and said: “It is exasperating that the situation has reached a crisis point. This dilemma has long been foreseen, as our long serving proceduralist neared retirement and should have been proactively planned and managed by Western NSW Local Health District.

The Mayor said the community had done its part in attracting doctors through the GP Working Group and fundraising initiatives, like the GP Cup which had invested over $100,000 in attracting doctors (including proceduralists) to Parkes.

“With the Special Activation Precinct, construction of Inland Rail and other major developments, our region is experiencing unprecedented growth,” said the Mayor. “This decision seems to be contradictory to the growth that Parkes is experiencing and defies belief.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato reacted to ‘the genuine concern brewing in Parkes and Forbes’ on his Facebook page saying: “I want to reassure the communities of Forbes and Parkes that I will be working feverishly to get to the bottom of this.”

On Tuesday he delivered a notice of motion in the Legislative Assembly that he would move the house to demand that the Government immediately restore maternity services and maintain level 3 birthing at the Parkes Hospital, and he would call on the Government to urgently source and locate obstetric and anaesthetic services to Parkes Hospital, and implement contingency and succession planning for future resignations or retirement of medical practitioners.

The Western NSW Local Health District released a statement saying there is a shortage of medical practitioners to support maternity services at both Parkes and Forbes. “The WNSWLHD is working hard to find ways to attract doctors to our communities.

It is the intention to continue to provide birthing services at both Parkes and Forbes.”

“To maintain safe maternity services the right medical, nursing and midwifery staff need to be available; there must be sufficient numbers of births to maintain skills and experience,” said a spokesperson for the Western NSW Local Health District.

By Maggi Barnard and Beth Thomas

The weather played along for last Saturday’s premier social event on the Parkes calendar when 1,500 patrons attended the Parkes Picnic Races in their finest winter racing outfits.

People flocked to Parkes from all over Australia, with the Fashions on the Field competition drawing entrants from Canberra, Sydney, Mudgee, Dubbo, Orange and closer to home.

“I am amazed at the high quality of entries today,” said Fashions on the Field guest judge Anna Barwick. “It was very difficult to choose the winners, especially in the Elegant Lady category.” She said the men had also gone to a lot of trouble for the Elegant Man category.

“I just love winter racing for all the different fabrics like velvet, wool and furs,” said Anna, a former Peak Hill local and winner of several titles at country race meets, and the Miss Royal Easter Showgirl 2008 title.

Parkes local Nic Dolbel won the Contemporary category, with Josie Anderson from Cobar taking out the Millinery title, Elegant Lady was won by Michelle Meyers from Mudgee, and Stylish Man by Tommy Jeffs from Canowindra.

The event had three commercial tents and numerous private tents. The Railway Hotel’s theme was Woodstock and won the prize for the Best Private Tent. Terry Bros Parkes took out the Best Corporate Tent prize.

President of the Picnic Races Tim Keith was very happy with the “fantastic attendance” and the excellent condition of the facilities at the track. He thanked all the sponsors for their support saying “it is good to see so many people having a good time and enjoying the day”.

The day’s program featured five races. The Minstaff Survey Maiden Plate was won by Madam Ruby ridden by Tiffany Jeffries.

Simon Miller on Snipps Parade took out the Telescope Tyres Class 1 Handicap.

The feature race of the day, the Mcdonalds Coradgery Cup, was won by Waldo Waldorf ridden by Bryan Murphy and trained by Darryl Rolfe.

The Parkes Services Club Handicap was won by Wispadah with jockey Aaron Sweeney, while the final race of the day, the Agriwest Maiden handicap, went to Rufio ridden by Anthony Cavallo.

Australia is at a critical juncture on our journey to reconciliation.

National Reconciliation Week is held between 27 May and 3 June every year, and the theme for last week’s celebration was ‘Grounded in Truth Walk Together in Courage’ representing the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community.

This relationship must be grounded in truth and the journey towards reconciliation, and requires us all to walk together with courage to become reconciled.

Proud Wiradjuri Elder and Parkes local, Robert Clegg, said: “The Aboriginal community has had a bad history. The present is alright. But the future gets better.”

Robert was born on the banks of the Bogan River and is proud of the Wiradjuri people’s history and culture.

Robert believes: “We need to teach the language. Learn the language. Keep our culture alive. Once we as Aboriginal people learn who we are, and when the Australian people learn who they are, we can have a conversation to learn where we want to be. Because in the future everyone will know where we stand, and why we stand.”

As Australia moves forward, reconciliation needs to be adopted in the minds, actions and, most importantly, the hearts of all Australians. Doing this will create a strong Nation with respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

By Adam Nicholson

Much tougher penalties for drivers under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol were introduced last week.

Drivers caught drink driving will receive a $561 fine and immediate three-month licence suspension, even if they are a first time or low-range offender.

Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Belinda Coe said: “Driving with the presence of drugs or alcohol in your system is not only illegal, it’s extremely dangerous and puts your life and the lives of all other road users at risk. This reform will ensure offenders receive swift and certain penalties to help protect all road users.”

Western Region Traffic Tactician, Inspector Ben Macfarlane said alcohol was one of the major factors in crashes that kill or injure people on NSW roads. “The 0.05 blood alcohol limit has been in place for almost 38 years. If you are caught drink driving, there is no excuse,” he said. “If you have an illegal level of alcohol in your bloodstream or have used illegal drugs, you can expect to be caught and charged by police.”

The latest change is one in a wave of drink and drug driving reforms introduced since July last year, aimed at reducing the number of crashes and fatalities. These include the extension of Mobile Drug Testing with the inclusion of testing for cocaine.

Kerryn Jones returned to Parkes after 38 years to be closer to family. Little did she know she would end up Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services.

“I am thrilled to be in this role,” said Kerrynin her new office at the Parkes Library.

“I am on a steep learning curve as I have alot to learn in the library area, but I’m lucky to have a very strong team here and in the other libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.”

Kerryn left Parkes to attend Sydney University where she completed a degree in education, and worked in Sydney for about 18 years before she moved to Adelaide where she lectured at the university and TAFE. She tasted small town living again moving to Roxby Downs for three years. She returned to Adelaide to work with the Education Department, and in December last year she and her sister decided to move back to Parkes.

Initially she thought her biggest challenge was to start a garden at her newly bought house, but her new position is going to stretch her even more.

Apart from learning about library services, she will have to oversee the library expansion project, as well as moving the whole collection and all the library services to a new location during construction.

“It is a really exciting project flowing from consultation with community groups. The library is a fabulous community service and has excellent programs, but space was a limitation. With the expansion project completed by the middle of next year, we will be able to grow and respond better to community needs.”

Kerryn envisions the new space to become a hub for culture, education and library services offering lifelong learning to the community.

She is looking forward to connecting with all the cultural groups in Parkes to use the new space to its full potential.One thing Kerryn does not need to work on is her love of reading. “I have a wide taste for fiction and non-fiction, and especially Australian literature, as well as Australian movies and music.”

After a little bit of thought she did confess that the classic To Kill A Mockingbird was one of her favourite books of all time though.

By Maggi Barnard

 

More than 60 excited pre-schoolers gathered at Parkes Library for the 19th annual National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday.

Children from Central West Family Daycare, Parkes Early Childhood Centre, Cabonne Family Daycare and Nurture One were enthralled by Matt Cosgrove’s Alpacas with Maracas. The story was brilliantly performed by Parkes Library’s Dan and Ann Marie as the Alpacas and Jill, Debbie, Teena and Ellie as the four mice. Reader Sandy held the children’s interest throughout the performance and Leon and Sally looked after the technical side of the presentation.

National Simultaneous Storytime brings together thousands of children across the country to read the same picture book.

Events were held in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes and bookshops across the country.

This year’s book selection of Alpacas with Maracas has been reviewed as short, engaging and fun making it perfect for three and four-year-olds, who request it a lot.

The author, Matt Cosgrove, is an artist and illustrator of children’s books, based in Sydney.

He has a first-class honours Bachelor of Design in Visual Communication majoring in Illustration and received the University Medal for Academic Excellence. He has worked in the publishing industry as an author, illustrator and designer for over twenty years, and is a former Creative Director of Marie Claire, an Australian fashion magazine. His most recent books, written and illustrated by him, include A Stack of Alpacas, Macca the Alpaca, Alpacas with Maracas and Macca’s Christmas Crackers.

By Beth Thomas