The Parkes community is still reeling from the tornado-like flash storm that hit the town last Friday night with clean-up operations going on unabated. The effect of the freak event was felt immediately when the storm caused power
outages to more than 4,860 households and businesses. Some households’ power were only restored by 2:30pm on Saturday. “The damage to the electricity network was significant and included many fallen service lines and powerlines due to the wind, trees, and damaged buildings,” said the manager community relations Northern, David Crough.

The SES received 126 requests for assistance. According to the SES Facebook page the Parkes Unit, with assistance from ten other SES units and NSW Rural Fire Service, had cleared all the requests by Tuesday. According to the Communications & Marketing Officer of the Parkes Shire Council, Emily Brotherton, damage caused to community
infrastructure, footpaths and roads has been extensive. “We don’t know exactly how many homes have suffered damage as yet.”

The 88-year-old grandstand of the Parkes Racecourse seemed to have taken the brunt of the storm and was left in ruins, while a wall collapsed at Gecko Pizza and Take Away on Forbes Road. Several carports, sheds and trampolines were either blown away or left crumpled up like pieces of paper.

Emily said Council crews responded immediately to calls from residents for assistance and by Tuesday had received over 100 calls for assistance to remove debris from roads, footpaths, community infrastructure and homes.

Parkes Shire Council has won the greatest accolade a council can achieve at the NSW Local Government Annual Conference held in Wollongong this week. The prestigious 2016 AR Bluett Memorial Award recognises the most progressive rural council in the state based on all council operations and services.

Parkes Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM, said this was a tremendous achievement. “The AR Bluett Memorial Award is the greatest accolade, as it is recognition from our peers that Council is achieving excellence in delivering progress and value to our community. “We have a harmonious and cohesive Council that works together to make meritbased decisions. Under the superb leadership of our General Manager Kent Boyd, Parkes Shire Council has been able to deliver innovative and sustainable projects,” Cr Keith said.

Over the course of the last financial year, Parkes Shire Council has delivered a number of major projects, including the Lake Endeavour upgrade, Parkes Regional Airport redevelopment, new waste service facilities, the construction of a second synthetic hockey pitchas well as a number of upgrades to sporting and recreational facilities. Council has also committed to a long term CBD Main Street Vibrancy Strategy and commenced work on the new Water
Treatment and Sewerage Treatment Plants.

General Manager, Kent Boyd said: “While 2015/16 was one of the most progressive years for Parkes Shire Council,
our achievements haven’t happened overnight”. “We’ve had to make some hard decisions, and we thank the community for trusting Council.”

There is a special tree in the Parkes Shire Library and everyone can help to make it flourish and blossom. The tree was “planted” on a library window by Di Gill, Co-Ordinator of the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program last week as the theme for Mental Health Month in October is Learn and Grow. “Everyone is encouraged to write on a post it note what they have learnt to help them grow, and add it to the tree as leaves or blossoms,” said Di.

“There are also packets of seeds, donated by Greenparkes Nursery, for the taking for people to plant and watch them grow as gardening is very good for mental health.” According to Di nearly half of all Australians will experience some form of mental illness during their lifetime, and those that don’t will mostly likely know someone that does. “But there’s still a lot of stigma and confusion around the topic and that is where learning and growing comes in.” Cr Neil Westcott, attending his first function as a newly elected Councillor, said as a farmer mental health was a big part of
his life. “I am a smiling participant in these activities very dear to my heart.”

Cr Westcott launched the fifth edition of the Glove Box Guide for Mental Health at the event. The guide has personal stories of people living with a mental illness, as well as contact numbers of where people can find help.

Rock of Ages, the latest Parkes M & D production, is set to be one of the most fun and high energy shows so far! It’s got a great cast, a brilliant 80s soundtrack and a really funny script, and it opens tomorrow night. If you liked Footloose, Hairspray or The Wedding Singer, this will be right down your alley. Director, Greg Ballantyne, is thrilled with the way the show has come together. “I started out directing at the M&D ten years ago with an 80s show that I wrote myself called Groovy Moves, and then followed that up with The Wedding Singer. “Rock of Ages definitely has the same vibe as those shows,” Greg said.

It features a mix of new, young talent and familiar faces. Greg is appearing as the offbeat narrator and guitarist Lonny, while the lead roles are filled by teenagers Matt Prow and Shannon Green. “Matt and Shannon are just unbelievable in this show”, said Greg. “At times you forget that they’re just kids, they are so professional.” Dooley Thomson stars as legendary singer Stacee Jaxx, while Harrison Baker returns as washed-up rocker Dennis Dupree.

Georgia Goodrick, Piper Hennock, Erin O’Leary and Kiira Christensen turn in great performances along with Christie Green, Andrew Francis and Hannah Tanswell. The original musical inspired the hit film Rock of Ages starring Tom Cruise, Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin. Show season runs until 23rd October. Get tickets at www.parkesmandd.com.au.

Forbes not only experienced a deluge of floodwater over the past week, but also an influx of politicians to see the flood affected areas. The outcome of these was the announcement of disaster assistance to affected communities in Forbes and other towns in NSW. Another important message is that Forbes is open for business. “Forbes is up and running,” said Chris Roylance, President of the Forbes Business Chamber. The Parkes Phoenix want to encourage residents and visitors to support Forbes and live local, love local and support local.

While floodwaters were slowly starting to recede by Wednesday, Mayor Phyllis Miller said: “We now wait with anticipation what the next lot of water does in the catchment. We are well prepared with all our services remaining operational. Please call the SES on 132 500 if you need help.” She said residents would hopefully be able to return to their homes by the weekend. Evacuation orders have affected more than 230 residential properties and some businesses. By mid week 97 requests had come in for rescues and more than 2,300 requests for assistance.

“Emergency services and volunteers have been doing an incredible job,” said NSW Premier Mike Baird when he visited Forbes on Monday. While farmers have experienced extensive crop losses, Rob Whelan, CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia, said it would take several weeks for the full extent of the losses to be known, but it could be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Olympic fever returned to Parkes last weekend when local Hockeyroo star Mariah Williams came home.

She visited schools, handed out many autographs, took countless photos, and also became the very first recipient of a Star of Parkes Shire at a civic reception held in her honour.

“This evening we recognise excellence in sport at an international level. Mariah is just that, a sports star,” said Ken Keith, interim Mayor.

“Tonight we present the first Star of Parkes Shire, a star in the Orion Belt that can be seen in the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere. And as of today, named after this sports star, Mariah Williams.”

Ken said The Star of Parkes was a symbolic honour, inspired by the tradition of presenting the Key to the City. “The Stars are reflective of the Parkes Shire – our starry skies, the iconic CSIRO Radio Telescope and our shining future.

“We are proud of you and the wonderful ambassador you have been for Parkes Shire and for Australia in the 2016 Olympic Games.” Mariah said she was proud to call Parkes home and thanked everybody who have given her so much love and support in her journey to Rio.

She said playing for Australia had been a childhood dream since Year 3. “It is hard to describe the feeling when I first ran onto the Olympic field in Rio. I had this burning sensation all over my body. It was unreal!”

By Maggi Barnard

 

Parkes is going to be all gold and glitter for the 25th anniversary of the Viva Las Vegas Elvis Festival from 11th to 15th January next year.“It’s going to be all gold, gold, gold for the community,” said Parkes Mayor Ken Keith on Monday at the media launch of the festival. Ken said he expected 25,000 people if not more in January with an expected $15 million boost to the local economy. “January is by far the biggest tourism month for Parkes and the festival swell the coffers of businesses,” he said.

Among the invited guests on Monday were Bob and Anne Steel, who established the Parkes Elvis Festival in 1993. “Your idea has paid dividends and has evolved significantly,” the Mayor said. Cathy Treasure, new Festival Director, said the festival was going to be all silver and gold: celebrating the silver anniversary and the golden theme of Viva Las Vegas. The five-day program includes more than 120 events with festival highlights like the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner, favourites like the Northparkes Mines Street Parade, the Elvis Gospel Service that attracted 8,000 people this year, the Renewal of Vows Ceremony and new events like Viva Splash Vegas at the Parkes pool and the launch of Outback Elvis, a book on the festival.

The feature concert series, starring two renowned international Elvis tribute artists – Pete Storm from the UK and Jake Rowley from the US, will consist of four different shows. Jake is said to portray a young Elvis in every possible way from looks, voice and of course his moves. The legendary Mark Andrew will pay tribute to The King at the 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner. Digby Dig Richards, the Australian rock n roll singer, will be included in the 2017 Wall of Fame by his brother Doug Richards who lives in Parkes.

The ever-popular Elvis Express will run again, and tickets are on sale on Monday, 19th September. Cathy said people should get in early as tickets sell out in the first 20 minutes.

The festival has a competition for all tastes from look-alike fans, rock and roll dancers and buskers to poets and photographers. If you just want to enjoy the sights and sounds, the Cooke Park main stage will have non-stop free entertainment, Clarinda Street will be closed and turned into Festival Boulevard with the buildings lit up at night, there will be cooling stations and Elvis Central will open for information and shopping.

According to Cathy the biggest challenge of organising the festival is visitors’ services. “Phone calls have doubled from last year.” She said shuttle buses would run from Forbes and Orange for festivalgoers finding accommodation outside Parkes. So get your golden outfit ready to Viva Las Vegas in January!

By Maggi Barnard

 

Mayor Ken Keith welcomed six new Australian citizens at a citizenship ceremony held in the Parkes Council chambers on Tuesday. The Mayor read a welcome message from Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, in which he said: “Thank you for taking this important step today. Australian citizenship confers on you great benefits; but equally rights and obligations.”

The six new citizens are from Malaysia, Fiji, India and Italy. Clarence Goh, Yee Wern The and their son Christopher came from Malaysia in January 2011. They moved from Melbourne to Parkes in July 2015. Clarence teaches at the Christian School and enjoys making computer games, robot assembly and programming, while Yee is a keen photographer.

Aruna Swamy arrived in Australia in 2006 from Fiji and moved to Parkes in August 2008. She loves all things Bollywood. Aswin Rajendran is originally from India and arrived in Australia in February 2012, and relocated to Trundle in September of the same year. He works as a registered Nurse and enjoys watching cricket, movies and farming.

Franco Tiveron came from Italy to Australia in January 2012 and settled in Parkes straight away with his wife and two sons. He is an engineer and enjoys music and software. “I congratulate these candidates on their decision to become Australian citizens,” said the Mayor. Each candidate received an official citizenship certificate, a Bible, Parkes Shire Council pen, Australian Citizenship coin and a Parkes booklet.

Show bags, fireworks, baby animals, free mechanical bull rides, KidZone, poultry, face painting, balloon sculpting, dog jumping, sheep shearing, rides, FMZ show, equestrian competition, exhibits, demolition derby, ice creams, dagwoods, pizza… the 136th Parkes Show did not disappoint!

“It is hard to believe it was the 136th show,” said Garry O’Brien, Show President. “It can be attributed to the support of the entire community who continue to enjoy everything our show has to offer.” While the main attraction for many kids are the thrilling rides and choosing a showbag, other people love the animals, food and art and crafts on display.

One tradition going for more than 100 years is the Parkes District Exhibition that attracts a large number of visitors to the main pavilion. It is not only considered the crown jewel of the show but also the biggest industry exhibition outside the Royal Sydney Show. The theme of the exhibit this year displayed the new branding of the Parkes Shire Council and was only made from natural products like wool, grain and fresh produce.

Another huge drawcard to the show is the equestrian competition attracting more than 100 competitors from all over Australia. Rain threatened to wash out the last show day on Wednesday, but the sun came out in the afternoon for the much-loved Demolition Derby to go ahead.

Garry thanked his committee, volunteers and stewards for their hard work to ensure the long running tradition of the show continues.

A Vietnam-era Caribou has joined the ranks at the Parkes Aircraft Museum, which is run by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS). The Caribou provided essential service as a troop and cargo carrier during the Vietnam War. The aircraft is famed for its short takeoff and landing capability, which enabled it to access short and rugged airstrips, earning it the nickname the “Great Green Gravel Truck”.

Despite its high-flying career the retired Caribou arrived at its new base at Parkes Regional Airport by road, and was partially disassembled to make the journey. The wings and engines were removed to reduce its 29 metre wingspan to a more manoeuvrable 8.8 metres. HARS volunteers are busily restoring the Caribou to its former glory.

Vietnam War veterans from Parkes visited the aircraft last Thursday after the 50th commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam where 17 Australians were killed. The Parkes Aircraft Museum is a satellite museum of HARS based at the Illawarra Regional Airport at Albion Park where there are over 40 aircraft on display. These range from a Tiger Moth to an ex Qantas Boeing 747.

HARS has had a storage facility at Parkes since 1976, and about two years ago converted the historical World War 2 hangar into a museum building. Mike De La Hunty of HARS welcomed new members saying it is a great opportunity for anyone interested in aeronautical engineering to get involved with planes.