General Interest Archives - Page 103 of 352

What’s on @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre

March 3, 2023 By Roxane Manley

FRIDAY FLICKS

Described as a wonderfully weird, exhilarating all-over-the-place absurdist comedy, this 2022 movie lives up to its title. Incredible acting, stunning visuals, with a deeply powerful story, this movie is as funny as it is moving. Friday, 31st March at 6pm. Bookings essential.

SCANNING WORKSHOPS

Throughout March, Parkes Shire Library will be out and about with our high-quality scanner (during library opening hours). If you have photos you’ve always wanted scanned come along and learn about this piece of equipment. Call 6861 2309 for more information.

Wed 8th March: Tullamore Library

Sat 11th March: Bogan Gate Village Fair

Tue 14th March: Peak Hill Library

Fri 24th March: Trundle Library

Wed 5th April: Parkes Library

WHILE THE WORLD WAITS

This exhibition showcases the work of artists across the central west in response to their experience of the COVID pandemic. Don’t miss this beautiful exhibition in the Coventry Room from 25 Feb – 11 March 2023 from 9:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:30 – Midday Saturdays. FREE

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN MARCH

4 Mar Waste to Art T-Shirt Yarn Workshop: 9am – 12pm $30pp bookings essential. Join local artist Helen Standen in learning to create yarn from old t-shirts.

The following workshops are funded by NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program.

11 Mar Festival Bunting Workshop: Free 9am – 12pm. Join local artists Deb Jones & Helen Standen to make batik bunting in preparation for the upcoming Homegrown Parkes. Limited spaces, so book now.

18 Mar Costa Rocks, Beards and Carrots Drop-in maker session: Free 9am – 12pm.

Get ready to join in the fun of Homegrown Parkes and Costa Georgiadis’ visit to Parkes. Join local artists Deb Jones, Helen Standen and Elsie Mahon to make Costa Rocks for the ‘rock concert’, Costa Beards for the Parade of Beards and carrots for the carrot tree. Book now at Parkes Library.

Currajong Disability Swimming Carnival

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Pictured left to right are: Lucy Turner (support worker), Chris Spicer, Blake Huntly, Bonitta Brady and Angela Wall-Powell.

The highly anticipated Currajong Disability Swimming Carnival will be taking place this Wednesday, 1st March.

In 2012, Jodie Turner and Currajong took over the carnival from Cowra and a few other service providers. Currajong have been hosting this event since then, and in the past 11 years, there was only one year the event was not held due to COVID.

The event promotes inclusion, an active and healthy lifestyle and is an opportunity for a social interaction for people living with a disability in the central west. Participants travel from as far as Trangie, Temora, Cowra, Forbes, Orange, Bathurst and Parkes.

The Currajong Disability Swimming Carnival is an event that all participants and spectators look forward to and it averages 50 or more attendees each year.

The Currajong Dissability Swimming Carnival will be held at the Parkes Aquatic Centre, Dalton St Parkes. Arrival time is from 9am onwards, events will commence at 10am and finish by 2:30pm. The cost is $10 which includes pool entry, sausage sizzle, drink and an ice-block. The kiosk at pool will be open for other purchases.

A list of events and agenda for the day include:

• 50 metre freestyle: unassisted
• 25 metre freestyle: unassisted
• 50 metre any stroke: assisted
• 25 metre any stroke: assisted

Across pool relay/novelty events: assisted and unassisted

For more information and to register, phone 6863 4713 or 0409 264 394 or email douglas.pout@currajong.org.au. Race entries must be returned 27th February.

Please reply ASAP. Assisted swim support workers will have to swim with the participants. For any service that wish to stay the night in Parkes, please feel free to call 6863 4713 for assistance.

$250 Hip Pocket Bonus For Regional Apprentices And Trainees

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

More than 50,000 regional apprentices and trainees can now apply for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative would help ease budget pressures for apprentices, trainees and university students in the bush.

“We know that young people in our regions are faced with greater travel costs than those in the city, often having to travel long distances to work or training,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This card will reduce travel costs by providing a $250 boost to the budgets of young apprentices and trainees in the bush, covering the cost of fuel, taxis and public transport.

“Slashing travel costs will make a real difference to young people in the bush who clock up the miles travelling to work or to university.

“This $250 hip pocket bonus for regional apprentices and trainees is only possible thanks to the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Successful applicants will receive a $250 prepaid debit card within weeks.

Around 51,000 regional apprentices and trainees, aged between 16 and 66, can start taking up this offer right now by applying through Service NSW and save $250 on fuel, taxis and public transport to help with the cost of traveling to work or study.

Applications for university students will open from the end of April when enrolments are confirmed. Apprentices and trainees have until 30 November to apply for the 2023 card.

The initiative will run as a two-year trial until the end of 2024.

Parkes Liveability Strategy To Be Developed Thanks To NSW Government

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is helping Parkes Shire Council be better prepared to create opportunities in the community thanks to a $186,562 grant from the Business Case and Strategy Development Fund.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the program will provide funding that will enable the Parkes Shire to engage experts to investigate new project ideas and assist with funding applications.

“Investing in the liveability of our regional communities is crucial for their sustainable growth and success,” Mr Farraway said.

“With this funding, Parkes Shire Council will be able to develop a comprehensive strategy that identifies key projects and infrastructure requirements to support our skilled workforce and industries.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the regions are bursting with people full of ideas with the potential to create jobs, boost economies, and attract investment.

“Any successful project starts with evidence-based planning and this program will help take great ideas and concepts a step closer to reality, benefiting entire communities,” Mr Toole said.

“This is about helping make business cases stand out and be more competitive, it will help break down project costs, outline how projects will benefit the community and identify any challenges that need to be met.

The Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund is part of the $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund. For further information, go to www.nsw.gov.au/BusinessCaseFund

“We’ve Been Playing Russian Roulette With Lives”

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The plans to upgrade The McGrane way between Tullamore and Narromine.

We caught up with the very passionate President of The McGrane Way Committee, Gary Langley who explained that The McGrane Way is the main access road from Narromine to Tullamore, and links up with other shires including Hillston and Condobolin.

There has been an increase in traffic on The McGrane Way since the road was sealed, as provides access to Dubbo, Newcastle and Brisbane.

“People are coming through with caravans, and the corner is so sharp that we lost about nine or ten hay trucks during the drought, they turned over,” said Gary.

Gary went on to praise Minister for Regional Transport Sam Farrawy MP: “Sam Farraway has been excellent, even before he was minister. We met up with him in Tullamore, four to five years ago to lobby him, and he secured us an audience with Deputy Premier and leader of the Nationals, Paul Toole”.

Gary explained how this upgrade will help those who travel The McGrane Way. “Once this project is finished it’s not going to matter how much rain we get because it is going to be out of the flood zone, the bridge will be up high and people will not be cut off anymore after a shower of rain.”

Sam Farraway spoke after his announcement and said of the plagued McGrane Way: “Unfortunately we saw a tragic death here only a few months ago, and it just reminds us that if it’s flooded, forget it!”

“In 2022 this road was closed for over 150 days, we need to make sure this infrastructure is upgraded for tomorrow not just today.” said Sam Farraway.

Marnie’s Amazing German Adventure

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

A picturesque photo of German scenery taken by Marnie whilst out exploring.

We are excited to share an update from Parkes Christian School student Marnie Noakes, who is on a 12 month student exchange program in Germany.

It’s Marnie here. Here’s a brief overview of the my first month in Germany:

It is very cold, mostly around minus 4 degrees. Within the first few days of being here I even had to go and buy special snow boots. We have played in the snow and built a snowman.

I have visited two castles. One is up on a hill opposite my school, and the other is called the Residence which is where the Prince Bishop of Würzburg lived.

On my first weekend here we went to a wool shop. I have also been to the opera, out for lunch to a traditional German restaurant, to an animal park and for a horse riding lesson with my host sister.

I played laser tag with my new class and then we went back to school for pizza. I went bowling with my host sister and her youth group and I have watched lots of movies and TV series with my host sisters and host family.

I went to work with my host mum, who is a teacher, and I spoke to four different english classes about my life in Australia, where I live, my family and my pets.

I enjoy going on walks with my host family. We went to the city center and saw some very cool historical sites. I also watched the Carnival parade, a German festival, with one of my host mums colleagues and her daughter; they are very nice.

I’m making lots of friends and my host family is amazing. I’m enjoying it so much, learning heaps and having a great time!

Kind regards Marnie

Our State’s Best Farming Land Is Under Threat

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Farmers on the state’s best agricultural land have faced years of uncertainty because of complex red tape that threatens food production.

New analysis from NSW Farmers revealed a cloud over ongoing farm production on two-thirds of State Significant Agricultural Land because of conflicting mapping and land use definitions from the NSW Government.

NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said there was an urgent need for clarity and co-ordination from government so farmers could get on with the job of growing food and fibre without worrying about inaccurate maps and indecipherable restrictions.

“It’s simply not good enough for government to slap a restrictive map layer nearly the size of Tasmania over the state’s best farmland, and then drag their feet for over two-and-a-half years failing to give farmers clear guidelines on what they can and can’t do on their land,” Mrs Reardon said.

“We’re calling for a truly independent, fully-resourced Agriculture Commission”.

Under state laws there were fines of up to $1.65 million for corporations or $330,000 for individuals for breaching environmental protections, but the guidelines on what continuing agricultural uses would be permitted in listed zones was years overdue.

“It’s time governments recognised they need to work with farmers rather than tying them up with spools of red tape,” Mrs Reardon said.

“Australia experienced a 14 per cent decline in land used for food and fibre production between 1973 and 2017, a loss of about 106 million hectares.

Parkes Bowling & Sports Club

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Open Pennants season commenced last Sunday, 19th February with both Pirates teams playing in Parkes in grade three and grade five. A terrific and overdue initiative from Bowls NSW to allow Pennants teams to be open to male and female Bowlers this year, saw Liz Byrne, Joanne Simpson and Maureen Miller bowling with the men for the first time. Unfortunately, both teams representing Parkes Bowling & Sports Club (Pirates) were soundly defeated.

The grade five Parkes Pirates Bowlers teams were outclassed and soundly beaten on two of the three rinks, by Parkes Railway Diggers Club on Sunday at the Railway Club. The only win was a win by one shot as skipper Liz Byrne led her team to a narrow win. Congratulations and well played to the Railway team – too good on the day.

The highly fancied grade three Parkes Pirates teams were beaten by Manildra on their home green, with Manildra winning by 57 shots to 48, winning two rinks to Parkes’ one rink win. Manildra were very strong across the three teams and were deserved winners away from home – congratulations to the Manildra Bowlers.

Twenty social bowlers played two games of triples and two game of pairs on Thursday, 16th February, with all games very closely fought. There was an18 shot all draw in the triples game between George Bradley, Bob Freeman and Steve Ryan against John Niddrie, Ian Simpson and Jake Brown. This was a very tight game with the margin never more than two shots between the two teams, so a draw was a fitting result.

Mike Valentine, Chris Harrison and Rob Irving had a narrow three shot win over Al Affleck, Graeme Dixon and Paul Kirwin, winning by 22 shots to 19. Team Irving were four shots behind after the 15th end, but were able to string together a couple of winning ends, to take and hold the lead, winning by three shots.

Rob Tinker and Phil Barncred had a closely fought one shot win over John Ward and Brian Townsend, winning 18 to 17. Rob and Phil were two shots down after the penultimate end but were good enough to jag three shots on the last end to win by one shot.

Ray Jones and John Corcoran defeated John Carr and Col Hayward by 18 shots to 16 in another tight game of social pairs. Corky and Ray were able to move ahead on the scorecard to lead by two shots after the 19th end, and then were composed enough to hang on and win by tow shots.

There were no organised social bowls on Saturday as the Bowls NSW Heat policy was enacted, preventing Bowlers from playing organised Bowls in the extreme heat.

Almost $8 Million For New Bridge At McGrane Way

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Candidate for Orange Cr Tony Mileto, Parkes Shire Council Deputy Mayor Cr Neil Westcott, MR354 Committee Member Fiona Aveyard, President of the MR354 Committee Gary Langley, Parkes Shire Council Director of Operations Ben Howard, Transport for NSW Western Manager Kristine Boggs and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway.

The long awaited announcement has been made that the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest almost $8 million to build a new bridge at Graddle Creek on The McGrane Way through the latest round of the Fixing Country Roads Program.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the new bridge will improve safety and ensure the community and truckies have better access during times of extreme wet weather events.

“This will ensure local freight operators and farmers in the region can get our region’s great produce to international and domestic markets sooner and more safely, which will keep our state moving forward,” said Sam Farraway.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM said the community is very excited and very grateful for the near $8 million that has been allocated for a new bridge at Graddle Creek and realignment works on The McGrane Way through the Fixing Country Roads Program.

“This road is a vital route for transporters connecting the west to Narromine and Dubbo, producers to grain silos, saleyards and mining operations,” Ken said.

“The new bridge will be more resilient, replacing a narrow causeway that is subject to frequent flash flooding which has posed a serious safety risk for the community.

“This project will deliver safer and more reliable journeys for all road users across the region, helping to keep moving the more than 800,000 tonnes of freight transported each year along The McGrane Way.”

Member of the MR354 Committee and local farmer Fiona Aveyard thanked the NSW Government and said the investment was a big win for the community.

“We are grateful to the NSW Government for this investment of close to $8 million,” Fiona said.

“This investment will keep freight moving, get families home safe and will keep Tullamore, Parkes and regional NSW moving forward.”

Tony Milleto Revisits Old Forbes Stomping Grounds

February 24, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Former Forbes police officer Tony Milleto, still feels at home here in Forbes.

Former Forbes resident, Tony Mileto, took us to a few of the places around Forbes that holds the fondest memories for him.

Born in Sydney and raised on the Central Coast of NSW, Tony moved to Orange at the age of 12, where he completed his schooling and eventually followed his long time ambition of becoming a Police officer.

Upon following through with his dream of joining the Police Force, Tony chose to be stationed at Forbes Police Station where he served for just over three years.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, Forbes was a 24-hour police station back then, it’s not anymore,” said Tony.

Whilst reminiscing about his time as a police officer in Forbes, Tony went on to talk about why he initially joined the police force: “I chose to be a police officer because there is no greater honour or privilege than to represent your community, and that is what I wanted to do, serve the community. That’s what I enjoyed during my time in Forbes,” said Tony.

During his time with Forbes Police, Tony was also the School Liaison Officer and described himself as passionate about working with kids at risk. He knows many kids come from challenging backgrounds and beleives it is always worth investing time in our youth as they are our future.

During Tony’s three year stay in Forbes, he proudly talks about his time spent enjoying local sport. Tony said he spent two years playing with the Forbes Magpies reserve grade team and then one year playing with the Forbes Platypi, stating “I thoroughly enjoyed playing with both clubs”.

After his three years in Forbes, Tony returned to Orange, where he continued his work with local youth while working at Orange PCYC, before moving into more mainstream police work.

Tony worked in different specialist areas of the police force until he was unfortunately involved in a serious motor vehicle accident while on duty. Tony was in a police vehicle when another driver drove head first into his vehicle. Whilst he eventually recovered, that accident ended Tony’s police career. He went on to become a Factual Investigator, which involves investigating serious motor vehicle accidents.

“My life changed when I came across a motor vehicle accident where three young boys were killed at Billpin,” said Tony. Following this, he committed himself to making our roads safer, for young people and the community as a whole.

In 2017, Tony joined Orange City Council, so that he could have a platform to make a positive difference in his community, and that is where his political journey started.

Tony is extremely passionate and dedicated to serving the communities in his region which include Parkes, Forbes and surrounds. Tony explained that in order to actually make things happen, “You need to do it at the highest level, and that is why I have joined up with a strong political party like The Nationals who I know can deliver.”

NSW Nationals Candidate for Orange Cr Tony Mileto and his campaign signage which you may have noticed around the region.

Tony recalls fondly, the mateship and comradery he ex-perienced being part of the Forbes rugby union and rugby league community.

FRIDAY FLICKS

SCANNING WORKSHOPS

WHILE THE WORLD WAITS

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN MARCH

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