THUMBS UP
To Parkes Paragon Cafe – top food, top place!
THUMBS UP
To the nurses Georgia and Sue at Parkes Hospital for the care and comfort they gave to my little boy and I. Also, a shout out to Herbie and Ashley from Forbes Ambulance for taking us to Orange. You all made such a stressful time seem easy and under control. I can’t thank you enough!
THUMBS UP
To the Vandenberg Hotel on their extensive renovations, we can’t wait to see the finished product.
PARTNERSHIP… Jason Kennedy and his partner Kate Bush are offering a prep service to new customers at Kustom Autospa to help them choose the best option for their car. Easy payment options are available at all the machines offering a choice between eftpos, tap and go or cash.
The hottest must do activity in Parkes these days is taking your car for a wash! Yes, that once mundane slog has been turned into an exciting experience at Kustom Autospa where the latest technology in the industry coupled with a racing theme have customers lining up from all over the region.
“We have brought a new concept to Parkes giving customers a unique experience they won’t easily find anywhere else in Australia,” said owner Jason Kennedy.
He has done extensive research and visited many carwash businesses to come up with his concept that is quite new for Australia. He incorporated his love of racing cars and worked with a designer and architect from Sydney to run the Ford GT40 racing theme throughout the design from the colours to the art work and signage. The washing bays feature famous race courses from around the world, and Formula One racing driver Jim Clark’s car to make it all more inviting.
“Everyone knows me for my cars,” said Jason, who has a Ford GT40 in his collection.
Apart from televisions in every wash bay, and a full sound system throughout the complex, the soft cloth and touch free machines bring a new concept to washing cars.
“The soft cloth machines, which takes about 12 minutes, comes from Europe and is one of the best on the market.” The touch free machine, taking about eight minutes, is a market leader from America and best suited for tradie vehicles, four-wheel drive and larger cars. Both machines have driers that ensures a shining clean vehicle at the
The current wave of COVID-19 infections continues to grow and all NSW residents are urged to ensure they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations and to practise COVID-safe behaviours.
There are fears the number of serious illnesses and death toll will increase significantly as the latest wave is driven by the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said figures showed 56% (or 1,232 cases) of COVID-related deaths this year were in people who have had two or fewer doses.
“We are at the beginning of the third wave of Omicron which is likely to peak in late July or early August. This increase in community transmission brings with it greatly increased risks for those not up to date with their vaccines,” he said.
“The best way you can protect yourself from serious illness or worse is to get every vaccination that is available to you.”
If you are fully vaccinated you have a 65% greater protection against hospitalisation or death from Omicron than two vaccine doses alone affords, according to data from the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said in addition to booking in for a booster, people should exercise common sense and wear a face mask in public indoor spaces, where physical distancing cannot be maintained. “Face masks, hand hygiene, staying home when ill, testing yourself when symptoms present, physically distancing, all these measures are not new to us,” Kerry said.
Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are reminded to speak to their GP or health professional about antiviral medications if they contract COVID-19. Antivirals work best when taken within five days from when symptoms onset.
COVID-19 booster doses are recommended for anyone 16 years and older who had their last dose of a primary course at least three months ago. To find your nearest vaccination clinic, visit nsw.gov.au.
MORE TO LOVE, SUPPORT AND READ… The merger of The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix into one publication will mean more local news, events and opportunities for our readers every week.
Today is the beginning of a new era as we bring you the very first edition of The Forbes & Parkes Phoenix.
As the two shires share so many interests, including some ‘sibling rivalry’, with hundreds, if not thousands of residents travelling for work, sport and leisure up and down the highway every day, it makes sense to open up the news landscape between the two communities.
“Regional print media is doing it tough at the moment, and is not showing any signs of changing,” said Phoenix Group of Newspapers owner Joshua Matic. “As such, we needed to adapt to ensure our local publications in Forbes and Parkes can continue to deliver news absolutely free to read each week.
“We decided to combine our printed product for both towns into one as many news stories relate to both shires.”
Josh said the merger would not affect the digital publications and the websites and social media pages would remain independent as The Forbes Phoenix and The Parkes Phoenix.
More exciting news for our readers is that the Phoenix Group is boosting its digital platform and has started to release mobile apps. The Parkes Phoenix app is now live and ready to download from the app store for free, while The Forbes Phoenix app is in production.
“While other regional media are now hiding most of their stories behind digital paywalls, and continue to charge readers for a printed newspaper, we continue to ensure our news content is completely free to read both in print and online,” said Josh.
By Maggi Barnard
The Parkes Branch of the Red Cross in 1914.
The Parkes Branch of the Red Cross was not only one of the first branches to be formed in Australia, but also has the longest running tea rooms in NSW.
The Parkes committee began work in August 1914 at the outbreak of World War I with the initial work carried out by Rev W Finlay-Brown and Mrs Stewar (Mayoress) was appointed president.
At the end of the first year Parkes had raised 608 pounds. By October 1918 the Parkes branch had sent 1,954 parcels and collected 1,220 pounds.
With the beginning of Word War II fundraising was stepped up again with as much as 3,058 pounds raised in 1943.
During the war years until the end of 1946, St George’s Church crypt was used for rmeetings and as a workshop for cutting and making garments, knitting of wool socks and kneecaps and making of camouflage nets. Many members used to meet daily to help with the war effort.
The work of Red Cross continued after the end of the war, and on 15th November 1946 the Red Cross Tea Rooms opened in Parkes on the top floor of a building owned by Mr Mansour on the site of what was Fosseys in Clarinda Street.
In December 1959 the Red Cross bought an old building in Church Street for 2,200 pounds from Mrs RM Ridley who had used the building as her home. A building fund was opened and after alterations were made the official opening of the Red Cross Centre took place on 27th April 1960.
Over the years many more changes, extensions and alterations took place and in 2014 Parkes celebrated 100 years of the Red Cross in Australia.
The tea rooms are still open on Fridays offering a delicious plate of goodies and tea/coffee for only $7, but this amazing community facility is in need of more volunteers to keep it running. If you would like to get involved contact Sue Strahorn on 0401 223 195.
By Maggi Barnard
Volunteers helping out at the Red Cross Tea Rooms last Friday were (L-R) Ruth Simpson, Norma Pollock, June Cassel, Alison Dixon and Margaret Ward.
Congratulations to Ellie Russell, the winner of The Tradie of the Month competition for June and also the first female apprentice winner! Ellie has been an apprentice for three and a half years at Parkes Electrical and she loves it. She moved to Parkes to take up the apprenticeship. Ellie received her prize sponsored by Totally Work Wear from Shann Kriedemann. We hope you have great use for your prize Ellie.
The competition continues for July, so remember to send in your nomination by email: editor@parkesphoenix.com.au stating your favourite tradie’s name, workplace and contact number. You can also pop into Totally Work Wear to nominate someone. The closing date for entries is Friday, 29th July.
Meet Jordan Powter – he keeps everyone at Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) on the beat. He started learn-ing drums 10 years ago, taught by the previous legend drummer Doug Richards. He reads all styles of music, and also plays country, rock, gospel, metal, punk, funk and jazz. Some bands that inspire him are Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops, Blink-182, and KISS.
PSCB hosted a regional bands workshop last weekend with members from bands in Forbes, Griffith, Hillston, Leeton and West Wyalong participating. The workshop concluded with a concert at Cooke Park Pavilion for the public on Sunday.
Sam Hunt, Middleton Public School student, plays trum-pet in the PSCB. He was fortunate to attend a workshop by legendary jazz musician James Morrison in Grenfell recently. Sam is still very excited about the experience. PSCB welcomes students to play with them. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9pm on Tuesdays during school term in the music room above Parkes pool complex in Dalton Street. For further enquires contact Music Director Duncan Clement on 0405 035 164.
‘CHILLING’… Judy Shore in the tent they pitched at Jemalong Weir for their sleep-out last weekend. Inserts: The Fireball damper made by Robert proved a winner against the cold, the fire not so much!
There are many fun ways to raise money for charity, but last weekend Robert and Judy Shore chose to spend a cold night outside sleeping at the Jemalong Weir near Forbes.
As members of the Parkes Rotary Club, they were part of the Australia wide #offthegrid Challenge asking participants to spend 24 hours without electricity or electronic devices sleeping out to raise money for Shelterbox.
“It was a reasonably warm day, but still very cold at the weir,” said Robert. “Once we were in our swags, we were nice and warm. We had a fire earlier but the green wood didn’t put out much heat. I cooked a Fireball damper (with whiskey) and that seemed to take the edge off the cold!”
He said a few Rotarians from Parkes drove out to enjoy afternoon tea with them. “We really appreciated their support.”
Shelterbox provides emergency shelter for people who have been made homeless due to natural disasters or military conflict. The charity started 20 years ago in England but quickly grew to become an international Rotary project. A green box, provided by Shelterbox contains a family tent, cooking gear, eating equipment, tools, blankets, water purifying containers and a solar light to support a family who have been made homeless in a disaster.
So far, Robert and Judy have raised over $1,200. It is not too late to donate, simply search #offthegrid.raisely.com to sponsor them.
Parkes is in for a fantastic musical treat this month when one of Australia’s most dynamic chamber music groups will give a concert at the Cooke Park Pavilion as part of the Music in the Regions’ Winter tour.
Omega Ensemble will perform a high-energy program from Mozart’s cherished Clarinet Quintet to the world premiere of a new contemporary Australian work by Australian composer Carl Vine on Saturday, 23rd July.
Audiences on the Winter Regional Tour will be among the first in the world to hear the new work by legendary Carl Vine, which Omega Ensemble commissioned especially for the program.
“Omega Ensemble are lauded nationwide for their exceptional world-class performances, an incredible cultural experience these regional audiences would usually have to travel to a city for but can now enjoy close to home,” said Music in the Regions Executive Director, Janine Collins.
Founded in 2005, Omega Ensemble has a mission to champion extraordinary Australian musical talent through high-energy and impactful performance. The Ensemble presents an annual National Touring Program to metropolitan and regional cities across Australia and frequently appears in national cultural festivals. They have also twice toured to China, delivering concerts and masterclasses in Shanghai and Beijing.
To book tickets, visit www.musicintheregions.com
Future local doctor Hannah Hawker.
The closure of the Parkes maternity ward has inspired a Parkes student to pursue a career in medicine to make a difference in our community.
Hannah Hawker is one of 69 recipients of this year’s RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships. “I decided to pursue a career in medicine when my local hospital maternity unit closed because we could not attract an obstetrician to the area,” said Hannah. “This unit serviced Parkes and all of the small surrounding localities of mostly farming families. I hope I can make a difference by filling a gap and providing top quality accessible and long-term health care.”
Hannah, who was born and raised in Parkes, completed her studies in secondary teaching at university in the Riverina. “I am now retraining through Charles Sturt University’s medical program in Orange.”
The RAS scholarship is designed to financially support rural and regional students, studying at university, college or TAFE, and are aimed at students who are passionate about applying their knowledge and skills within regional communities. RASF Rural Scholarship recipients will receive financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study, made possible with the assistance of generous donors.