General Interest Archives - Page 118 of 352

Time To Get Up! Show Up! Stand Up!

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The 2022 NAIDOC Female Elder Award went to Ronda Sharpe (middle). She received her award from (L-R) Irene Ridgeway (MC), Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith, Pam Oliver and Kim Oliver.

The Bushman’s Hill Indigenous Precinct came alive with music, dancing and lots of people on Saturday for this year’s NAIDOC celebrations.

The NAIDOC theme this year is Get Up! Show Up! Stand Up! and celebrates Australia’s Indigenous cultural history of fighting for systematic change.

In keeping with the theme, Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith said in his opening address it was time for the terrible things that happened to First Nations people during colonisation to be taught in history lessons in school. “This will help us to move forward. The massacre of Aboriginal people is something we are not proud of.”

The program on Saturday included a smoking ceremony, dance performances by the Dyagang Koori Dance Group and Wiradjuri Guwals, music by the Parkes Shire Concert Band, stall holders, basket weaving, beading, face painting and a free barbeque.

The Mayor also helped to present the 2022 NAIDOC Week Awards. The award recipients are: Innovation Award- Neighbourhood Central; 2022 National NAIDOC Education – Geoff Anderson; Caring for Country and Culture Award – Tyrone Robinson; Creative Talent Award – Dyagang Koori Dance Group; Youth Award – Brock Charlton; Sportsperson – Reece James; NAIDOC Female Elder Award – Ronda Sharpe; NAIDOC Male Elder – Geoff Anderson; NAIDOC Person Award – Scott Sauce Towney; NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement – Irene Ridgeway.

Lebron Murray is part of the Dyagang Koori Dance Group who performed on the day. The group received the Creative Talent Award. Tyrone Robinson, who runs the Dyagang Koori Dance Group, won the Caring for Country and Culture Award.

Wonderful Organisation Turns 100!

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

MILESTONE… The Parkes CWA branch was formed on 4th April 1924 and currently has 225 members, including 8 juniors. The organising committee for the 100-year celebration were (L-R) Ann Olson, Lisa Bicket, Julia Macauly, Alice Milne (president) Dorothy Macdonald (member for 50 years) and Annette Moss. Insert: High tea at its best – CWA style.

There is only one way for the NSW CWA to celebrate its centenary and last Saturday 120 Parkes women were treated to a high tea out of the books, plus a fashion show, as the local branch celebrated this milestone occasion.

Established in 1922, “the ladies of the CWA forged a foundation of friendship and service that spread around the state and nation creating a legacy of strength and communities,” said Parkes President Alice Milne in her welcoming address at the Parkes Golf Club. “We seek to serve our community through friendship, advocacy and fundraising.”

Dorothy Macdonald, member of the Parkes branch for 50 years, reminisced about the friendship, good times and laughter over the years. “There are many treasured memories,” she said recalling how her mother was given life membership from the Peak Hill branch when she was 16 years old.

“At the age of 100 my mum still wanted to know what the CWA was doing.” She said Parkes branch had always been very busy and singled out catering for the opening of the Parkes Radio Telescope as a highlight. “Nothing was too hard, members are very skillful, accept all challenges and are able to achieve whatever they put their minds to, whether it is caring for others, or helping those in need to a love of cooking, flowers, music, and handicraft. “To enjoy what you do is not a chore and for all the years I have been involved with the CWA I have had the most enjoyable learning experiences in my life,” said Dorothy.

Upgrade For Tullamore Pool

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The 500 residents of Tullamore in the Parkes Shire can look forward to their pool getting a face lift thanks to $100,000 of funding from the NSW Government through the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).

The funding will see a new shell installed to provide a modern, easily-cleaned facility that will reduce maintenance for repairs and ensure its longevity into the future. “Tullamore is a small town of just over 500 residents and the community pool is at the centre of this township’s social gatherings throughout the hot summer months,” said Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM.

“This is a well-used facility that sees people enjoy it of all ages from young families to elderly citizens.”

Parkes Shire Councillor Daniel Weber said the pool was used by the aqua group, Tullamore Central School and the Tullamore Swimming Club, whose relay team have made it to state for the last three years.

“Swimming is a vital life skill to learn. We are pleased that the upgrade will allow for these skills to continue to be put into practice and ensure the safety of our community around water,” said Daniel.

Works are expected to completed by November.

Focus On Deaf People

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The display in the Parkes Library created by Roxanne Gallacher (left). She is with Rose Jones, Kalisha Jones and Mazikeen Davis, who had a hearing aid fitted when she was only a few days old.

The National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) was celebrated in Parkes last week with displays in the Parkes Library and at the Henry Parkes Museum.

The annual event is an opportunity for deaf people to celebrate their communities, language, culture and history, and to create public awareness.

In Parkes a group of 14 people have started learning Auslan, the sign language of the Australian Deaf community. Classes are taught by Rose Jones. “The interest was overwhelming with more people on the waiting list said Rose.” She learned Auslan when her daughter was born with deafness.

Mock Crash Video Ready For Students

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Constable Emma Montgomery, Kaitlyn Stevenson, Constable Cooper Crouch-McKinnon and Sam Hargraves during the filming of the crash scenario.

The horrors of a vehicle accident will confront students when the screening of this year’s Youth Driver Education Program starts next month.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be hosting an official screening of the NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program video on Tuesday, 11th October.

“This year’s project is a little different from previous years,” said the councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor.

“Like so many events, we have experienced two years of COVID disruption. This year we made the decision to film the crash scenario, which is usually the live mock crash demonstration, to provide us with a contingency for future programs. The video will also allow us to train new actors and could be used in other areas across the region.”

The youth actors involved in this year’s program, local emergency services, Councillors, council staff and invited guests will attend the official screening, which will be the first time the video has been viewed publicly.

Ten local high schools will take part in the program over three weeks, starting on 17th October.

“Year 10 students from our local high schools (and Year 9 or 11 in some of the smaller schools) will be taking part in the program, which includes a pre-lesson, the video and a follow-up lesson. “The pre-lesson provides information about the licensing system, licence conditions, common P plate offences and random breath/drug testing.

“The follow-up lesson will provide students with the opportunity to ask us questions about the crash scenario and we’ll also provide them with additional information about the Emergency+ app, car safety ratings and tips on being a safe passenger,” Melanie said.

The NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program has been running since 2009, during that time crashes on local roads that involved a young driver (17 – 25 years old) have decreased 27%.

ABBA-Mania Returns To Trundle!

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

TIME OF YOUR LIVES… Excitement is building up for the return of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday 15th October with a fantastic line-up including world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again.

ABBA fans only have to wait two more weeks for the much-anticipated comeback of the Trundle ABBA Festival on Saturday, 15th October.

This year Parkes Shire Council has announced a hugely entertaining schedule full of ambition, breadth and range for Australia’s one and only ABBA festival.

Headlining the festival is the world’s number one ABBA tribute band, Björn Again. ABBA fans from all over the world are packing their dancing shoes and sparkly outfits to ensure Trundle’s Berryman Oval is full of Dancing Queens while they also enjoy the five fabulous bands supporting Björn Again.

The hottest live disco show on the circuit, Disco Revolution is set to have the crowd dancing to classic hits from the 70s and 80s, while those who prefer to shake their tailfeather will enjoy the fun-loving Blues Brothers Re-Booted with their soul, rhythm and blues set.

Plump, the dynamic five-piece band from Canberra will channel a Studio 54 vibe bringing some funky disco tunes to the party. Trundle ABBA Festival also continues to showcase local talent with Parkes trio, Amitie back by popular demand to harmonise with sweet sounds from the 50s, 60s and 70s. For the very first time teenage sensations, Plus One from Cowra will win over the crowds when the gates open at 12pm.

Irish born dancing sensation and co-host of Studio 10, Tristan MacManus will be the official festival host, bringing together the fabulous line-up and keeping the crowd dancing the day away.

The festival is a day of family fun and entertainment as Trundle comes alive with colour, glitter and music. It’s time to ‘dance and jive and have the time of your lives’ as the Trundle ABBA Festival returns to light up the region.

Don’t miss out! For more information on the festival and to purchase tickets, visit www.trundleabbafestival.com.au.

First Time At Schools Spectacular

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Wiradjuri Guwals dance group of the Parkes High School performed at the NAIDOC celebrations on Saturday.

The Wiradjuri Guwals dance group of the Parkes High School will be taking part in this year’s Schools Spectacular in November.

“This will be the first time ever for Parkes High to be taking part in Schools Spectacular,” said teacher Rayleen Mills.

The 14 girls will be part of the Aboriginal Dance Ensemble with about 350 other participants. The Wiradjuri Guwals group was started last year for students. “We work with the Bangarra Dance Theatre in Melbourne to learn the dances,” said Rayleen.

Family Walks In Memory Of Isaac

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Tulloch family team called the Cackling Kookas will be out walking every day of October in the OneFootForward# challenge in memory of their son and brother Isaac Tulloch (right) and to raise funds and awareness of mental health. They are (L-R) Matt Ward with Oscar, Kayla Ward with Huxley, Mandy Tulloch, Laura Tulloch with Finley Ward and Simon Tulloch.

The Tulloch family from Parkes have formed the Cackling Kookas team to take on the Black Dog Institute’s OneFootForward# challenge in October.

“We have each pledged to walk a distance in memory of our son and brother,” said Mandy Tulloch. “We lost Isaac to mental health in September 2019 when he was 18 years old.”

Mandy and her two daughters, Kayla and Laura, have each set a target of 100km, and her husband Simon will be doing 50km.

October is mental health month and the OneFootForward# challenge encourages people to walk, run or roll in solidarity with the one in five Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illness every year to show them they are not alone.

Mandy said her family would attempt to do some of their daily walks together in Parkes. “We will start the challenge in Mudgee where we will be spending the long weekend.”

Mandy, Kayla and Laura did the challenge for the first time last year and managed to raise $4,000. “We hope to do better this year,” said Mandy.

Their aim is not only to raise much needed funds for the Black Dog Institute, but to also raise awareness. “It is so important that people will feel comfortable to ask for help. If we can save one family from the devastation of losing their loved one that we endure every day, we would have achieved a great deal,” said Mandy.

The Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan. The institute also work on addressing new challenges and opportunities in mental health – suicide prevention, digital innovation, lived experience, youth and workplace mental health.

If you would like to support the family with a donation you can follow any of the links below:

• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/SimonTulloch115483
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/LauraTulloch50732
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/KaylaWard50731
• www.onefootforward.org.au/fundraisers/MandyTulloch

Sports Grants Program

September 30, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The latest round of applications for sports grants are now open to local sporting groups and educational institutions under the CMOC-Northparkes Mines / Parkes Shire Council Sports Grant Program. A total of $30,000 is available for distribution.

Funding is split between participation projects that must deliver a sport or physical activity participation experience, and facility development projects that involve building new or upgrading sport and recreation facilities.

For more information about the CMOC-Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council Sports Grants Program, contact Council’s Grants Officer on 6861 2398 or visit www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Applications close 7th October 2022.

Loki Joins The Band

September 23, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

PSCB music director Duncan Clement with new member Loki Ramsay.

Loki Ramsay has been playing brass instruments since he was a child. “I started on cornett because my hands weren’t big enough for a trumpet. I continued on trumpet because my arms weren’t long enough for a trombone. Now I’m bigger, I play trombone like my father and uncle. I took a few years away from brass, training my voice to sing instead.”

He said playing brass instruments had been in his family for generations. “It only felt right to go back to my roots and join a band.”

He joined the Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) recently. “I’m glad I did, as I missed the feeling of playing in a band with brass instruments.”

He said PSCB had been very welcoming. “I encourage anyone, who used to play, or any new people to Parkes, to come along.”

PSCB rehearses every Tuesday from 7 to 9pm during school term in the Music Room above the pool complex in Dalton Street. Beginners at 6:30pm. Contact music director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.

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