General Interest Archives - Page 109 of 352

Premier’s Back To School NSW Vouchers Ease Pressure On Parents

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

BACK TO SCHOOL…Parent are being encouraged to access their Back to School NSW vouchers on the Service NSW app.

Parents across the State can access $150 worth of vouchers through the Premier’s Back to School NSW program from Monday, giving a boost to household budgets through savings on textbooks, uniforms, stationery and other school essentials.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Summer holidays are a good time for families to start buying supplies for the new school year and the voucher program would help cover those costs.

“The NSW Government wants to make sure every child attending school has the opportunity to strive for their best when they are in the classroom and providing access to essential items for learning is our priority,” Ms Cooke said.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said people can start applying for the vouchers from Monday, until they expire on 30 June 2023, giving everyone plenty of time to take advantage of the savings.

“Applying for the vouchers is simple and can be done in a matter of minutes using the Service NSW app, on the phone or by visiting a Service Centre,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Premier’s Back to School NSW program would ensure every school-aged child has a brighter future.

The Premier’s Back to School NSW program is one of more than 70 government rebates and vouchers available through the Savings Finder program.

For more information about the vouchers visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/back-to-school-vouchers, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your local Service NSW Service Centre.

Customers can search for registered businesses here: https://vouchers.service.nsw.gov.au/vouchers/providers-search/

A Reminder To Motorists To Plan Ahead This Festive Season

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Motorists from all across western NSW are being urged to consider the safety of other road users this holiday season by leaving the car at home and having a Plan B ahead of the festive season.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said drink driving remains an extremely serious issue in western NSW with 34 fatal crashes involving alcohol in the last three years and another 79 resulting in serious injuries.

“No one wants to lose a loved one this Christmas period which is why I am telling people to think about others on the road and not do something stupid like drinking and driving,” Mr Farraway said.

Mr Farraway said country people make up around a third of NSW’s population, but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 67 per cent of lives lost on our roads.

“These are the impacts that I want drivers on our regional roads to think about the next time they get behind the wheel and why I urge all drivers to have a Plan B.”

For more information visit Plan B – Campaigns – NSW Centre for Road Safety.

Miss Priscilla Dinner Celebrates 15 Years

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

The beautiful, enigmatic Priscilla Presley made her indelible mark on fashion in the ‘60s with her signature winged eyeliner, sensational bouffant hairdo, and ultra-glamorous take on fashion.

Hailed as the Queen of rock ‘n roll, with The King by her side, Priscilla’s signature looks throughout the ‘60s were instantly recognisable. Priscilla was emblematic of the era’s decadent ‘Rock ‘n roll meets Hollywood’ lifestyle that has been celebrated for the past 15 years at the Goodsell Machinery Miss Priscilla Dinner.

Attending a Miss Priscilla Dinner then it is highly recommended by all those that have previously attended. Enjoy a two-course dinner and a night of entertainment that includes performances, dancing and a whole lotta fun. Watch an extravagant floorshow by one of Australia’s premiere swing dancing performance troupes, the Sydney Swing Katz. Local favourites Amitie will mesmerise you with their harmonies, then dance the night away to NZ Elvis tribute artist Brendon Chase.

The evening promises to be a fun night where guests are encouraged to dress in the Blue Hawaii theme and watch the bevy of beauties and their stylists as they compete for the coveted title of Miss Priscilla – Face of the Festival. There are fabulous prizes on offer including balcony cabins on P&O’s Tribute to The King Cruise for Miss Priscilla and her stylists.

There are two other competition categories in the Festival’s Blue Hawaii theme;

Miss Blue Hawaii – will have the best interpretation of Blue Hawaii, inspired by the 1961 classic movie with the hairstyle, makeup, and dress in theme. This is a fun competition where you can use your imagination!

Blue Hawaii Theme – best dressed audience members in the Blue Hawaii theme.

Tickets and competition information can be found on parkeselvisfestival.com.au. The Miss Priscilla Dinner is proudly sponsored by Goodsell Machinery.

Members Of New Religious Communities Advisory Council Named

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Engagement with the state’s multicultural and multi-faith communities will be much stronger thanks to the NSW Government with the formation of the new Religious Communities Advisory Council.

Following a competitive, merit-based assessment process, 15 members have been appointed to the new council, which will be led by Multicultural NSW Advisory Board Chair Nick Kaldas.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure welcomed the new members, who will advise on matters relating to religious communities across NSW.

“I want to thank each member for self-nominating themselves and helping the NSW Government strengthen engagement with faith communities,” Mr Coure said.

The members, who will all serve two-year terms, include:

• Imam Shadi Alsuleiman of the Australian National Imams Council

• Dr Basim Al-Ansari of the Office of the Ayatollah Al-Ansari

• Mr Darren Bark of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

• Mr Murray Norman of ICCOREIS

• Reverend Father Fadi Nemme of St Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church

• Rt Reverend Dr Michael Stead of the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney

• Pdt Ramachandra Athreiya of the Australian Council of Hindu Clergy

• Mr Surinder Jain of the Hindu Council of Australia

• Reverend Heather Joyce Topp of the Buddhist Council of NSW

• Mr Elias Attia of the Islamic Council of NSW

• Reverend David Riethmuller of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and ACT

• Mr Gawaine Powell Davies of the Buddhist Council of NSW

• Very Reverend Father Tadros El-Bakhoumi of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Diocese of NSW

• Ms Monica Doumit of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

• Mr Parviz Deamer of the Australian Baha’i Community

The Council’s work is guided by the Multicultural Principles, which are enshrined in the Multicultural NSW Act 2000 as the policy of the State in NSW. The council’s first meeting will be held on 23 January 2023.

Show Tickets A Perfect Christmas Gift

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

Parkes Elvis Festival will be celebrating 30 years of from 4-8 January 2023.

Kicking off the Festival on Wednesday, 4th of January will be music legends, Ross Wilson, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilleri and Normie Rowe, performing in a special 30th anniversary Wall Of Fame concert.

ELVIS by Anthony Petrucci is performing at the Parkes Services Club, he incorporates a modern twist on Elvis’ songs while maintaining Elvis’s famous soul and authenticity.

Sons of Sun is a wild rock and roll play about Sun Records, Memphis, featuring songs from Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison with shows on Wednesday and Thursday.

Adam Harvey’s return with his tribute to Elvis’ country hits, Adams performance starts at 4pm on Friday, 6th January.

The Feature Concert Series will headline Dean Z and Victor Trevino Jr, two of the world’s best Elvis Tribute Artists performing five shows from 4th-8th January.

The preliminary round of the international Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest will see 19 leading Elvis tribute artists from Australia and abroad battling it out in heats and finals on 6th and 7th January.

The ultimate christmas gift for lovers of the Festival.

Children Learn The True Spirit Of Christmas Is To Give

December 23, 2022 By Roxane Manley

The preschool children from Central West Family Day Care in Parkes are pictured with their Christmas Giving Tree.

This year the Christmas tree at Central West Family Day Care (CWFD) was turned into a Giving Tree, with aim of teaching the children that Christmas time is not just about receiving gifts but also about giving to those who may be in need.

Each child from the center was asked to bring in a wrapped gift to place under the Giving Tree.

“The tree was set up before the recent flooding events, but when the children heard about all of the children in Eugowra who lost all of their toys, they decided themselves to donate their gifts to those children,” said Ann-Marie Winter who is Manager/Co-Ordinator of the Central West Family Day Care facility in Parkes.

The CWFD educators reached out to their connections in Eugowra to identify and contact a family that had been affected by the flooding to be the beneficiary of their giving tree.

The Fenton family lost everything when flood waters rose up to a meter and a half at their Eugowra property. Their house and all of their belongings were destroyed, and they are now tasked with having to rebuild their lives, literally from the ground up.

Laura Fenton went on to recount the terrifying moments when they had to flee for their lives.

“Isabella was asleep and Harry was outside playing. Our neighbour wandered over to just say hi and check on us because at that stage we had already had water coming up to our driveway, but that was before all the water came from the hills,” said Laura.

“It was lucky she came over when she did because we were just standing there chatting when we saw the water coming at us. We had about six minutes from when we first saw it coming, to when it his us.”

“I ran in and got Isabella out of bed, got Harry in the car and let the dogs out. By the time I drove up to the higher part of our property that didn’t flood, I was driving through water,” said Laura.

Eugowra was already experiencing flooding prior to the big surge and Kyle Fenton, who is a Helicopter Rescue Pilot, had been trying for hours to get home to his family but was unable to due to the bridge thatwas impassable at Cudal.

Laura remembered facetiming her husband Kyle and frantically saying “You need to pray for us, because we are about to die.”

The Fenton family were overwhelmed by the gesture of kindness from the children at CWFC and Laura said “The support has been incredible.”

The Fenton family pictured receiving gifts from the children at CWFD. Parents Laura and Kyle are holding their children Isabella and Harry.

Big W’s Giving Tree Has Returned

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

GIVING TREE…Monica Kearney is pictured with the Giving Tree located at the entryway of Parkes Big W.

BIG W is inviting Parkes and Forbes residents to share in the true spirit of Christmas, with the return of its annual Giving Tree initiative.

From now until Christmas Eve, customers can donate a gift at their local BIG W store, supporting families in need and helping to spread some joy to households across the country.

Managing Director of BIG W, Pejman Okhovat, said: “Our BIG W stores have had a strong connection to their communities for over 50 years. Our annual Giving Tree initiative gives us the opportunity to support local charities and families at a time that is special for many families, but also a time of need.”

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of both our customers and team last year, collecting and distributing over 11,000 gifts nationwide. With many households doing it tough this year, even the smallest gift can still make a big difference.”

St Vincent De Paul is the local Parkes charity that is collecting and distributing the gifts left under the Giving Tree located in the entryway at Parkes Big W.

“We have already had St Vincent De Paul come in and collect two loads of gifts, so people are really getting into the giving spirit this year, but there are always more donations needed,” said Monica Kearney.

Alison Covington AM, Good360 Founder & Managing Director, said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for the most vulnerable members of our communities. We’re very proud to once again be working with our long term partner BIG W to support families facing hardship after a difficult year. The Giving Tree will allow people who are in a position to give back to help share the magic of Christmas with other families and let them know they are not alone at this special time of year.”

Plenty Of Holiday Fun At The Parkes Radio Telescope

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

THE DISH…The Parkes Radio Telescope is located 20km north of Parkes on the Newell Highway.

The January School holidays are just around the corner, and the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, Murriyang will be hosting Astronomy Talks each weekday at 11am from Monday, 9th January through to Friday, 27th January 2023.

There will be three different CSIRO astronomers presenting talks, providing a rare opportunity to speak with a real astronomer and ask them your space questions.

Tickets are $5 per person and can be booked online at https://parkesdishshop.com/products/school-holiday-talks, by calling the Visitors Centre on 6861 1777 or in person at the Parkes Radio Telescope Visitor’s Centre.

All ages are welcome to attend. It is an out-of-this-world school holiday activity so be sure to head along!

Whilst you are visiting, don’t forget to check out the 3D Theatre (admission applies). The half-hour show is currently showing “Expedition Earth”, “Parkes – Beyond the Barrier” and “Bigger than Big.”

While there, enjoy lunch or refreshments at the famous Dish Café. The kids can have some fun and explore the newly opened space playground just across from the café. There are also many hands-on displays to provide endless fun for all ages.

If you are visiting during the 2023 Elvis Festival, don’t miss the daily science fun shows at 1:30pm.

These free, one-hour shows un by Fizzics Education are sure to blow your mind. This outdoor event, right in front of the Dish, will be perfect for families or anyone with an enquiring mind.

The Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre will be open daily throughout the school holidays from from 8:30am – 5pm, except for Christmas day and Boxing day.

Team Flood Relief Races To Help Eugowra

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

HARNESSING SUPPORT…Pictured here is Michael Dumesny on the right and Fellow Team Flood Relief member Jack Trainor on the left.

Have you heard of “Team Flood Relief?” It is a fundraising initiative designed to help the flood affected community of Eugowra, and is being driven home by well known Parkes local and racing industry identity, Michael Dumesny.

Born and raised in Parkes, Michael started coaching rugby league in Eugowra after spending time in the town where his partner and two young daughters resided. “I ended up coaching and being on the committee for four years and absolutely loved the place, loved the people and made many good friends,” said Michael.

The horrific flash flood that hit Eugowra on 14th November took two lives, and 150 Eugowra residents had to be airlifted to safety. Michael said: “My little girls still live out there and although they were not involved in the floods physically, they basically lost everything in their lives when that little town flooded.”

“I also saw a lot of heartache from some of my very good friends. After being out there on and off for the few weeks after the major wave hit, I knew I had to help in some way.”

It all started when Michael and his good friend and fellow Parkes Harness Racing trainer/driver Brett Hutchings were throwing around a few ideas of ways to make some money through racing. One thing led to another and Team Flood Relief was formed.

Brett Hutchings has pledged a part of his driving fee and winning driving percentage right up until New Years Eve at Parkes towards the current flood situation in Eugowra and Forbes.

Michael posted the concept of Team Flood Relief and Brett’s pledge through his social media channels and it instantly received well over 100 shares. Before he knew it, people were phoning and messaging him wanting to be involved. Within four days the numbers had ballooned and there well over 60 people involved in the fundraising effort.

Team Flood Relief is made up of some of the biggest names in the racing industry across Harness Racing, Thoroughbred Racing and Greyhound Racing.

Michael considers anyone who has contributed in any way to be part of the team. He was unwilling to name the big racing identities that have supported Team Flood Relief, and appreciates each and every person who has assisted the cause, regardless of the size of their contribution.

“We will be raising money in any way we can. Whether that be through drivers, trainers and owners winning races and donating part of their winnings or through silks that have been sponsored and specially made and sponsored. Direct donations from people have been humbling and unreal,” explained Michael.

Racing is in Michael’s blood, and he has been around the industry since birth. “Our family owned ‘Ruby Vale’ stud at Alectown and most of my weekends growing up consisted of being around the horses.”

In Michael’s later years he moved to the media side of things, writing stories, working on radio and eventually ending up a race broadcaster. As far back as he can remember, racing has been an important part of his life.

We asked Michael what his message for the Eugowra community would be? Michael went on to say, “I guess my main message is that we are just hoping everyone is coping as well as they can both physically and mentally in these tough times. We have got their backs one hundred percent and will work our backsides off to make as much money as we can for that beautiful community. If we can put a small ray of light into their days that is all we are trying to achieve.”

Deano, “You Are Appreciated”

December 16, 2022 By Roxane Manley

THANK YOU…Pictured with one of his helicopters is Dean Brus from Orange Helicopters.

Originally from the Pinnacle area south of Forbes, Dean is the Director and chief pilot at Orange Helicopters. In recent weeks he has been engaged in various roles assisting with SES flood relief activities.

Dean has assisted with relocating people and re-supplying residents in addition to the movement of equipment from pumps and boat motors to mail.

He has also aided in the important task of stock movements and fodder drops to stranded stock isolated on islands throughout the areas of Forbes, Bedgerabong, Condobolin, Louth, Wilcannia and Bourke.

“The amount of help that is needed during and after an event such as the latest floods means there is a lot of coordination from all of the services,” said Dean

“This particular operation is being co-ordinated by the SES, however they are working closely with the RFS who contribute a great deal of people power and trucks. The airbase at Parkes has been managed by a a team from New Zealand. We’ve had the ADF, the Singapore military and also a New Zealand fire fighting team here.”

“Both the Local Land Services (LLS) and Department of Primary Industries (DPI) are involved with the coordination of stock rescues. They liaise with the farmers first, then organise suitable helicopters with the correct equipment to conduct the lift and relocation. It’s very complex, but works well when all parties are working together,” said Dean. Dean also works alongside two sons Peter and Jarrod who are both qualified crewmen.

Imagine little islands surrounded by water, and on those islands are livestock stranded with no food; this is what farmers have been faced with.

If the waters are expected to rise, teams are called in and tasked with airlifting stock in cages to a safe location nearby. If the stock can’t be moved, or if water levels are not expected to rise, stock feed is dropped so they don’t starve.

Dean explained, “The LLS provide the service to get the feed to the stranded livestock, but they don’t provide the fodder, that is up to the farmer. Sometimes a farmer doesn’t have any hay and he might have some donated to him.”

Dean became a helicopter pilot after being a firefighter with NSW Fire & Rescue for 24 years, and enjoys that his job still allows him to help people.

“We build a lot of rapport with the farmers and I always wish them all the best. We’re not just there to do our jobs, there is definitely a lot of compassion there,” said Dean, who often refers to the livestock that he drops feed to as his ‘babies’.

Dean went on to say, “A complete stranger whom I have not met, nor probably will, gave us a lovely message and some home made goodies as a thank you gift. It’s nice to know that people appreciate your efforts whilst they are experiencing tough times themselves. It’s not expected, but certainly appreciated.”

Orange Helicopters own and operate four different helicopters, each with different capabilities including charter, weddings, farm inspections, fire and flood relief, joy flights and specialised training.

Keep an eye on the Forbes & Parkes Phoenix facebook pages for some footage courtesy of Orange Helicopters.

HOMEGROWN GRATITUDE…An appreciation gift left with a thank you note from a grateful stranger.

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