At the handing over of the donation last week were (L-R) Eric Barras, Denise Field, Tim Keith, Ray Knights, Stephen Hall, Chris Duffy, Garry Phipps, Kaye Lindsay, Bob Steel, Maria Buchanan, Kim Sheridan and Dianne Scott.

The important work carried out by palliative care volunteers in Parkes will be amplified thanks to a generous donation made by members of the Goldfields Masonic Lodge.

The Neighbourhood Central Palliative Care Volunteer Service last week received a $4,490 donation from the Goldfields Lodge 40 raised from local fundraising and the Masonicare InterACTION Grants. 

Masonicare is the charitable arm of the United Grand Lodge of NSW and the ACT, which is the governing body for Freemasonry in NSW and the ACT.

“We are very happy to be able to help the locals,” said Eric Barrass of the Goldfields Lodge. “That is what we are all about.”

Neighbourhood Central Executive Officer Dianne Scott said the Palliative Care Volunteer Service had been running for the past ten years and was a very valuable service for the community.

The competence of volunteers is extremely important. Training also aims to enhance access for volunteers to support palliative care patients and their carers and families in terms of physical, functional, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual care in the end-of-life period.

“Our carefully selected palliative care volunteers are active and important members of our Parkes and Forbes Shire communities,” said Dianne. “They provide a range of support at no cost to help patients and their carers and families at a difficult time. This includes practical assistance and respite for carers, or companionship to support a person to pass away at home if that is their wish.”

IMAGE SOURCE: Facebook

More than 60 delegates from across the region attended the Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum recently.

The event, hosted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils, was essential in providing opportunities to share information, network and discuss local issues.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor said: “Freight is important – everything we consume comes off the back of a truck, and safety in that sector is vital.”

The forum was attended by local transport companies, truck drivers and farmers along with various associations and government agencies.

“There were a lot of questions about rest areas, local access and the cost savings that are offered by PBS vehicles,” Melanie said.

New District Governor Geraldine Rurenga (left) with Parkes Rotary Club President Robert Shore and President of Canberra Rotary Sandra Turner at the awards night.

It was a night of many awards for the Parkes Rotary Club at the recent District 9705 Changeover held in Mittagong with the Parkes president taking out Area Rotarian and District Rotarian of the Year.

The main award of the night was the presentation of the District Rotarian of the Year. Parkes Rotary Club President Robert Shore was recognised for his hard work in promoting the club, attracting new members, getting grants for projects and contributing to district and international projects. Robert also started the Parkes Rotary YouTube channel, and produced a successful three-monthly speaker program bringing speakers from all over Australia to Parkes.

Robert received the Area Rotarian of the Year for the work done by the club. Parkes not only attracted 10 new members this year, but contributed to the community by purchasing a driver simulator, conducted mental health first aid courses, and held an Australia Day community dinner.

“The awards really recognise the hard work and the support which comes from the Rotary Club of Parkes,” said Robert who felt “humbled and embarrassed” by the awards. He said Parkes was a terrific club.

The third award for Parkes on the night went to Robert and Rotary club member Ian Freestone. They received the first of four District Awards for excellence in Public Image and Communications for the Parkes Rotary YouTube Channel. The channel was started nine months ago and the 36 episodes have been viewed over 9,000 times. The episodes focus on Rotary projects and topics of general interest. The six episode series of six migrants from different parts of the world who now live in Parkes was particularly popular. It was done as part of the Australia Day celebrations in Parkes.

District 9705 includes nearly 2,000 Rotarians in 87 clubs, and the Changeover sees a new District President inducted and awards presented to clubs and individuals for their contribution during the year.

The three Paul Harris Fellowship recipients are Kerrie Peden, Charlie Pecenka and Janice Cassidy recognised for their service to the community.

The Parkes Rotary Club ‘no-Changeover dinner’ held at the Bushman’s Motel on Saturday was a wonderful night of recognition and celebration attended by 70 people. 

President Robert Shore introduced a new award and presented Life Membership to three stalwarts of the club: Arthur Byrne, Bill Ward and John Pizarro. The three current Rotarians have each been with the club for over 50 years.

Charlie Pecenka received the Arthur Roeder Shield for service to the Rotary Club, and three Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to members of the community. Kerrie Peden and Janice Cassidy were recognised for their service to the community and to people in need, and Charlie Pecenka was also presented with a Sapphire Pin in recognition of his service in the Parkes community and within the Parkes Rotary Club.

Robert was inducted for a second term as president, and the board members also remained unchanged from last year.

Robert praised the board members for the way they had worked together to create a welcoming and enthusiastic club that everyone was proud to be associated with.

A new member, Michelle Cook, was inducted from the Grenfell Club by District Governor Nominee Rob Uhl.

A fundraising game of heads and tails was played with proceeds (over $300) going to Robert and Judy’s fundraising for ShelterBox. Robert has recently taken on the role of chairman for ShelterBox in the District. Shelterbox is a charity supported by Rotary that provides emergency aid for people who have lost their homes. Robert, and his wife Judy recently spent the night sleeping at Jemalong Weir without power and raised over $2,000. The Parkes Rotary Club also donated a Shelterbox for the Haiti Appeal.

Artist Jimmy Dvate at the mural at the Manildra Flour Mills that he completed using a photo taken by Cathy McPherson from Parkes. Right: Cathy McPherson is an active member of the Parkes Camera Club.

Parkes Camera Club member Cathy McPherson loves taking photos of birds but she never dreamed that her images would end up as giant artworks.

About 18 months ago a friend of Cathy from Manildra, Sue Reynolds, asked her for some wildlife photos of the region. Last week Cathy’s image was turned into an amazing mural on a tank at the Manildra Flour Mills.

If you’ve driven through Manildra over the past week you might have noticed the first mural of Cathy’s king parrot and grass parrot on a tank near the Mandagery Creek Bridge.

Jimmy Dvate, a renowned Australian contemporary artist who specialises in large scale public murals, was commissioned by the Manildra Flour Mills and the first mural he painted was Cathy’s birds. “It looks amazing, I am really thrilled,” said Cathy.

Sue proposed the idea of the murals to the owner of the Flour Mills Dick Honan and he agreed to commission the artist. “I chose Jimmy because his speciality is flora, fauna and wildlife,” said Sue.

Actively painting on the streets of Melbourne since 1997 Jimmy has become synonymous with the graffiti and street art scenes, and his work can now be found all over Australia and the world including Adelaide and Melbourne Zoos, Phillip Island Nature Park, Darwin, Alice Springs, Wollongong and silos at Rochester, Goorambat, Waikerie and Picola.

Sue said another one of Cathy’s photos of a white cockatoo would be part of the second mural that Jimmy is currently working on that also features the historic cement bridge which is going to be replaced.

“I selected images for the designs and submitted a picture board mock up to Jimmy the artist. He refined the pictures and blended them with the background for the final design,” said Sue.

Another two, perhaps three, murals are being planned to be painted around September at the Flour Mills. 

The change of ownership of White’s Electrical from March Ralph (left) to Ken Van Dyke (right) last week was a historic moment with the original owner Bill White in attendance to give the transfer of ownership his seal of approval. (Photo: Les Finn)

In its 55 years operating as a business White’s Electrical changed ownership for a third time last week. 

Bill and Isabelle White started WJ White Electrics in 1967 when they moved to Parkes from Nyngan. On 1st December 2003 Marc and Deeon Ralph took over when Bill and Isabelle retired, and last week Ken van Dyke became the third owner. 

Ken, who also owns Parkes Electrical, will be keeping the name as he feels it is a well-known and respected business name in the community. Marc decided to sell the business when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s as “I wanted to enjoy some quality of life,” he said. 

Looking back over the 18.5 years at White’s Electrical he said his fondest memories were of the 20 apprentices that the business trained during that time. “We were like a training centre and gave a lot of young people a good start in life.” He said a total of 53 employees worked at the business during his time there. 

Five staff members will be transferring to the new owner including Anna Isbester who has been with the business for 18 years. “She would be a great help to the new owner,” said Marc. 

Another long serving employee Bev Finn has taken to opportunity to retire with the departure of Marc and Deeon.