General Interest Archives - Page 126 of 352

Parkes Brothers Dance For PM At Parliament Opening

July 29, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY… Holy Family students Tyrece and Keanau Robinson-Towney (middle) with their uncles Daniel and Nagara Williams and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Opposition leader Peter Dutton at the opening of the 47th Federal Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra. (Photo: AAP/Lukas Coch)

Two young Parkes boys took centre stage in the welcome to country ceremony at the significant occasion of the opening of the 47th Federal Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday morning.

Tyrece (11) and Keanau (8) Robinson-Towney, who are known as the Dyagang Boys with their seven-year-old twin brothers, performed two dances and a smoking ceremony with their uncles Daniel and Nagara Williams from Canberra.

They were seated just off the stage in Parliament House for the welcome to country ceremony conducted by Aunty Matilda House and her son Paul, and then led the procession outside where they performed two dances, Speak the Truth and Brolgan Moth, to the Prime Minister and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“It was nerve wracking, but went really well,” said mum Jade of the big occasion that made her heart swell with pride. “I cried so much watching them.” She said the boys were besides themselves with excitement afterwards.” The event was live streamed, and they think they are famous now!”

They did steal the lime light with Aunty Matilda, who was the first Aboriginal woman to do a welcome to country at the Parliament House in 2008, who rugged the boys up in her traditional skins. Ministers and senators also took photos with them.

Jade said the twins were going to take part too, but during rehearsals on Sunday and Monday they were just too nervous.

It is still a bit unreal for Jade and Abel that their sons have come so far with their performances after Tyrese started playing his didgeridoo in public just over a year ago.

From Cooke Park To Carnegie Hall

July 29, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Fourteen-year-old Annabelle van Wyk made her debut in New York last week at the Winners’ Concert of the Golden Classical Music Awards in the Weill Recital Hall at the world famous Carnegie Hall.

Fourteen-year-old saxophonist Annabelle van Wyk made her New York debut last Monday at the Carnegie Hall, the most prestigious concert stage in the United States.

“It was amazing. Carnegie Hall is definitely an awesome place to play, not just because of the wonderful acoustics and beautiful interior, but also because of its history. So many incredible people have performed there, and it was unbelievable to follow in the footsteps of the icons,” said Annabelle.

The former Parkes Christian School student won the Intermediate category (13- 15 years) of the ‘Golden Classical Music Awards’ and was the only Australian among the 30 other winners who performed at a recital at Carnegie Hall last week. She played Concertino for Saxophone, Opus 78 by Jean-Baptiste Singelee.

She said her performance went really well, but it was slightly daunting to play in such a famous venue. “I saw my dad in the audience as I walked onto the stage, but after that I was just focused on playing.”

The best memory for Annabelle of her performance was the incredible acoustics in the Weill Recital Hall. “It is the only place I have played where I could hear myself perfectly whilst playing. It was a surreal performance as I could almost experience what the audience heard! In most places, I can barely hear myself, making it difficult to adjust my sound and expression in performances, but this wasn’t an issue in Carnegie Hall.”

In her five years of playing the saxophone, Annabelle has performed at different venues from busking on the streets of Peak Hill to the Memphis Stage at the Elvis Festival to playing a solo at Overture at Cooke Parke Pavilion in April this year.

“Carnegie Hall is by far the most impressive place I have ever played in! Not only in terms of the prestige, but also because of the acoustics. The architect was a cello player, so he took inspiration from the shape of a cello and modelled Carnegie after that. It means that the sound vibrates from underneath the hollow stage, which is why I could hear myself playing, and then moves to the audience.

“All the structures are rounded to allow the sound to continue to move for a long time. This means no matter where you are sitting in the audience, the sound will be exactly the same. Carnegie Hall definitely lived up to my expectations! It is just so beautiful and an amazing place to play.”

Annabelle’s saxophone teacher from Parkes who has been with her since she started playing saxophone said he was very excited at her success. “Anabelle has been a musician who has demonstrated that success comes through diligence and hard work. She is a tremendous player and I wish her continued success as she keeps playing saxophone,” said Paul Brown.

The glamour of Carnegie continued for Annabelle as she and her dad explored some of the famous New York sights and catching two musicals on Broadway. “Seeing Chicago and Phantom of the Opera were a definite highlight.

“I also loved how New York came alive at night. All of the lights were dazzling after sundown, especially in Times Square. New York is just so lively with seemingly endless amounts of people, doing different things. It was really interesting to just walk around and see everything! We also visited the Statue of Liberty, Central Park and the 9/11 memorial.”

Although she’s had to come back down to earth pretty quickly being back at school in Orange this week, she has a symphony of memories in her head and a dream to go back to Carnegie. “I would be honoured to play in Carnegie Hall again someday. It’s an incredible place to perform in and hopefully I am invited back one day.”

By Maggi Barnard

The AstroFest Is Back!

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

IMAGES: Two shortlisted images in the 2022 CWAS ‘David Malin Awards’ by Central West astro photographers. Top is The Gas Giants by Niall MacNeill and above is Orion the Hunter by Rodney Watters. They are both from Bathurst.

Star gazers and astrophiles are rejoicing about the return of the Central West Astronomical Society (CWAS) AstroFest returning this weekend after a two-year forced hiatus brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

The one-day conference takes place in the Starlight Room of the Parkes Services Club tomorrow, 23rd July. The guest speakers will provide fascinating insights into various aspects of modern astronomy.

On Sunday, 24th July events will move to the CSIRO Parkes Observatory Visitors Centre for daytime astronomy and talks.

The keynote address, or ‘John Bolton Lecture’ will be presented by Dr John Reynolds this year. John is the former officer in charge of the Parkes Observatory and is currently the Head of CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) Operations. He will present the plans for the future of Australian radio astronomy in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) era at 4:30pm in the Starlight Lounge tomorrow with a $10 entry free. Free entry for school students in full uniform.

Other speakers include Tori Tasker from the Australian Space Agency with detail on Australia’s plans for the Moon to Mars programme, including the options for an Australian human spaceflight program, which she is leading.

Blake Estes of Coonabarabran’s itelescope.net Observatory, and Garry Copper, of the Tamworth Astronomy and Science Centre, will provide details of their impressive facilities.

Another highlight of AstroFest is the announcement of the prestigious 2022 CWAS ‘David Malin Awards’ in astrophotography. The official opening of the Astrophotography Exhibition will take place from 10am on Sunday at the Parkes Observatory’s Visitors Centre. Daytime astronomy viewings will also be held (weather permitting) on the lawns of the Visitors Centre.

Registrations are required to attend the full conference. Visit www.cwas.org.au/astrofest/ for more.

Take Note – Parkes Shire Concert Band News

July 22, 2022 By Ellen Tom

IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook

The exciting news is that David Rowden and the Omega Ensemble will perform at Cooke Park Pavilion tomorrow, 23rd July at 2pm (7pm cancelled).

This is a wonderful opportunity to see David, one of Australia’s finest clarinetists. The concert is an initiative by Music in the Regions. The Omega Ensemble are also playing in Forbes tonight at 7pm at the Forbes Town Hall. Tickets available at musicintheregions.com

If our community wants to hear live performances such as community band music and touring ensembles, we need to be in the audience to support the musicians, and to sustain music in our community. We need to give school students and community members the opportunity to learn or take up an instrument again – there are many people who would like to.

The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) rehearsals are every Tuesday during school term from 6:30 to 7pm for learners and those picking up the instrument again. New members always welcome. The main band’s rehearsal time is from 7 – 9pm in the Music Room above the Pool Complex in Dalton Street. For further information contact Duncan Clement, PSCB Music Director on email duncanclement@hotmail.com or his mobile 0405 035 164.

By Ellen Tom

A Delicate Balance Between Humans And Nature

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

‘21st MOVEMENT…’ Sonata at Warroo Reserve, approximately 45km from Forbes, is the 21st artwork added to the popular Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail. It is one of two sculptures to be located within Warroo Reserve. The second will be unveiled later this year.

The 21st addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail depicts a child playing the violin while balancing on the back of a life-sized bull.

The Warroo Reserve, 45km from Forbes, is home to this new sculpture called Sonata by Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend that is an exploration of the delicate relationships between humans and nature.

“The bull represents the powerful forces of nature in contrast to the fragility of the child and her violin. It is as if the bull is held under a spell by her music,” said Suzie.

“At the heart of it, Sonata expresses the need for an accord with nature. When properly appeased, the raging bull can become surprisingly tender. This sculpture is especially significant at this moment in human history. It explores our relationship with nature and of the delicate and careful balance required if we are to survive the challenges of climate change and the viral pandemic.”

Working with 3mm corten steel plate, the creative duo from the Sapphire Coast in NSW took seven months to design and create the 800kg piece.

“Our process begins with anatomical research and life-sized drawings. A friend’s enthusiastic daughter was our model for the child figure. She chose the outfit, gumboots and all!”

“The sculpture consists of hundreds of individual steel panels traced from cardboard patterns and then pressed, hammered and welded to assume the desired form,” said Suzie.

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson Trudy Mallick said the latest installation looked at home within the striking landscape of Warroo Reserve.

“Not only does Sonata continues the trail’s unofficial theme of environmental sustainability and preservation, the sculpture also commemorates a significant moment in history and will play an important role in our region’s post-pandemic recovery.”

Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said: “I think it is a beautiful piece which connects this amazing art program with our strong agricultural legacy. It is a great honour to be fostering an inclusive and culturally rich community with our world class permanent public art trail.”

She said the dynamic arts and events program made Forbes a regionally iconic tourist destination.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the unveiling of the new sculpture would provide onlookers with a unique experience, while adding to the region’s growing reputation as an arts and cultural destination.

“The Sonata sculpture is a fantastic addition to the Lachlan trail, providing visitors with a unique experience and a powerful and timely message. I urge locals and visitors alike to take a stroll along the trail to see this new addition for themselves.”

For more information about the project, visit www.forbesartssociety.com.

Kardashian Famous Kate Kelly

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Rebecca Wilson with her favourite painting of Kate called Carte De Visite. Calling cards, or Carte De Visite, were all the rage from France from the 1860s. An original calling card of Kate’s was listed for auction for $5,000 – $8,000 in recent years, and showed Kate in her riding habit. (The Kate Kelly Exhibition is on at the Coventry Room until 6th August.)

Many people might only know her as the little sister of Australia’s infamous bushranger Ned Kelly, but Kate Kelly was incredibly famous in her day.

“Kate was absolutely Kardashian famous! Everybody knew who Kate Kelly was and by 1882 she had her own wax replica on display at the wax works that were quite popular in those days.”

Artist and former Forbes resident Rebecca Wilson entertained the audience with some incredible stories about Kate’s life at the opening of her exhibition in Parkes last Friday.

Rebecca spent ten years researching the life of Kate after a conversation over Christmas lunch. “I was thinking why don’t I know these stories, and that set me off on an investigation of over 10 years.”

As a painter, she was drawn to Kate’s story because of the Forbes connection, but also because it was such a visual story. “I wanted to paint her story, but first had to do research.”

Rebecca discovered a woman who was extremely loyal to her family and friends. “She was feisty, adventurous, brave, intelligent, and a highly skilled horse woman. It was important for me that more people learn about Kate’s story and how she was involved in a very important part of Australian history.”

Rebecca discovered so many impressive things about Kate and all the adversaries she had to deal with until the tragedy of her death in Forbes. She was only 14 or 15 when she was riding through the bush as a decoy for the Kelly gang, delivering messages, getting supplies and information to help the gang stay at large. She ended up witnessing the Glenrowan siege in 1880 when her brother and two friends were killed and Ned was captured.

She campaigned and raised 30,000 signatures to try and spare Ned’s life and even met with the Governor when she was only 17.It was a showman called Flashjack Donovan who contributed to her fame whenhe convinced Kate and her brother Jimto tour with him across regional Victoria,South Australia, and up to Sydney. Thousands attended their performances, but thepolice could not stand it so they shut themdown.

Eventually the fame and ridicule she received in the press, led to her wanting to escape Victoria, and she ended up in Forbes at age 22 under the alias of Ada Hennessey in 1885 and worked as a domestic servant. She married, had six children and was found dead in the lagoon on the outskirts of Forbes at the age of 35, perhaps suffering from peri-natal depression.

Rebecca not only created a beautiful cohesive body of work about Kate, but also wrote a book telling her story. “The incredible and amazing story of Kate Kelly is a story you can’t not know as it has a lot of relevance for us now.

“In a way our society has changed, but there are still many of those fundamental things that haven’t changed. We are still struggling for more rights and recognition for women, there’s still poverty, and a class structure.”

Rebecca said while she was doing the research she had a sense of real gratitude to all the women who have gone before us. “They’ve made my life a lot easier and we should not forget that as they worked really hard. And I hope our modern generation will be leaving some kind of legacy and be improving things for the next generation too.”

CDS Bowled Over By Donation

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Services Club President Dorothy Charlton and General Manager Mike Phillips with members of the Currajong Disability Services bowling team.

Playing ten pin bowling every month against several other regional towns means a lot to clients of Currajong Disability Services (CDS).

The Parkes Services Club has stepped up again for the sixth year running to sponsor the transport of about 30 players to get to Orange once per month to play in a post school options bowling league.

“The $5,000 donation enables the players from Parkes, Forbes, Peak Hill and Condobolin to all travel together in a bus,” said Doug Pout from CDS. “Competing and socialising with their peers in the region means the world to them.”

Parkes Service Club General Manager Mike Phillips said the board was very passionate about helping the team to go to Orange every month.

First Languages Talk In Parkes

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The launch of the Wiradjuri Ngurambang Exhibition at Parkes Library & Cultural Centre will include a talk by two prominent guests to make for a very interesting and informative event.

Beau Williams and Bruce Pascoe will be at the centre on Tuesday, 26th July from 6-7:30pm for the First Languages Australia talk. Beau Williams is the CEO of FirstLanguages Australia, an organisation that works to maintain and strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages across Australia.

Bruce Pascoe will be discussing his award-winning book, Dark Emu, which offers an alternative perspective of Australia’s First Nations, a history that for many Australians has been largely silenced.

Over the past 250 years significant environmental and cultural knowledge of Australia’s First Nations people has been lost or has become fragmented, including many of the languages that were spoken across Australia. More recently, there has been lots of work undertaken to preserve and revive First Nations languages, knowledge and culture.

In the Parkes Shire many schools are teaching the Wiradjuri language to children.

“We are honoured to be hosting such esteemed guests as part of this First Languages Australia talk,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones said. “Both Beau and Bruce have such a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with the community.”

This is a free event, but bookings are required as places are limited. Visit Parkes Shire Council’s website or Facebook page, or contact the Parkes Library on 6861 2309. The Wiradjuri Ngurambang Exhibition is a permanent display, located in the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre.

Prostate Cancer Now Most Common Cancer In Australia

July 22, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Prostate cancer diagnosis has reached a crisis point. It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, overtaking breast cancer as the country’s leading cause of cancer.

To make matters worse, testing guidelines are based on outdated data and are likely contributing to the deaths of an increasing number of men. New data by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates 24,217 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, compared to 20,640 women diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s a 34% increase on the previous year.

This news confirms that prostate cancer is among the most significant challenges facing men’s health in Australia, and simply cannot be ignored any longer by policy makers and practitioners who do not realise the significant toll the disease takes on our lives.

Prostate cancer accounts for more hospitalisations than any other type of cancer in the country. This data provides further justification for an urgent review of the nation’s Clinical Guidelines for PSA testing, which measures prostate-specific antigen levels in the bloodstream. Existing guidelines are now six years old and based on outdated data. We hold grave fears they are putting men’s lives at risk, with 66 men diagnosed every day and more than 3,500 men expected to die from prostate cancer this year – a toll we can avoid if the disease is diagnosed early.

Nationally, we have seen a fourfold increase in the proportion of men waiting for more than a year for a prostatectomy, with nearly 1 in 10 patients waiting 12 months or longer in areas where incidence and referrals are higher, as in NSW.

Investing now in the restoration of services and staff is urgently needed to ensure safe, timely, and effective care. Without immediate action Australia will be confronted by an increase in excess avoidable deaths from prostate cancer.

A review of the Clinical Guidelines for PSA testing is urgently needed to ensure we triage patients appropriately and diagnose prostate cancers before they spread outside the prostate. The consequences if we don’t could be catastrophic for thousands of men at risk of being bottlenecked in a health system that is not coping with the service pressures of the post-COVID period.

More broadly, this is a call to action for all Australians. Over the past 26 years the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) has played an important role in vastly expanding our efforts on all fronts of research, awareness, and support. You can expect us to act on this news with great resolve, in concert with Prostate Cancer Support Groups Australia wide.

By Professor Jeff Dunn AO
(chief of mission and head of research at the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia)

The Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at Parkes Neighbourhood Central at 7pm. Contact Michael on 0408 975 643.

Calling All Farmers – Unite In Forbes For Agribusiness Today Forum 2022

July 15, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

This year’s Agribusiness Today Forum on 4th August at the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel is one Farmers in the Central West should not miss.

Members of the Central West agribusiness community are set to get together in Forbes for Agribusiness Today Forum 2022, with the Forbes Golf and Sportsman’s Hotel set to host the major event on Thursday, 4th August.

The theme for the 2022 forum is ‘Mixed Farming Enterprises – Adapting to a Changing Climate’.

For more than 25 years the Agribusiness Today Forum has brought together expert speakers to give an insight into domestic and international market trends, the opportunities for improving productivity and sustainability, and increasing market growth.

The forum is expected to attract over 100 delegates to Forbes who will be addressed by high calibre speakers including representatives from Rabobank, Department of Primary Industries, Endeavour Meats, HE Silos, Lachlan Commodities, Select Carbon, Future Feed, Charles Sturt University, AgStar Projects, AWI Sheep Connect NSW, The University of Melbourne and NBN Co.

Regional Development Australia Central West (RDA Central West) CEO, Wayne Sunderland said this year’s event is one not to miss.

“The Agribusiness Today Forum is a fantastic platform to highlight the agriculture sector and the developing research and new innovations driving the industry,” said Mr Sunderland.

“The industry is constantly evolving, especially regarding technology, sustainable farming practices and climate change adaptation. This year the forum will focus on adapting to the changes we are facing when it comes to climate and I’m looking forward to hearing the speakers discuss this important topic.

“It’s fantastic to see the Agribusiness Today Forum back for 2022 after two years of postponement due to Covid and we are also excited to announce the forum will be hosted by ABC Central West rural reporter, Hugh Hogan.”

To learn more about the event and to purchase tickets, visit the Agribusiness Today Forum website at www.agribusinesstodayforum.com. The $50 ticket price covers entry to hear from 13 expert speakers as well as morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

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