While the Parkes Shire has been fortunate to come out of lockdown after five weeks, the rest of NSW will begin to reopen soon when it reaches the 70% double dose vaccination target.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while high vaccination rates were the key factor in the roadmap to recovery, COVID-19 would continue to circulate in the community.

Some of the key public health advice for the general community from 11th October will be:

• Everyone, vaccinated and not vaccinated, is urged to get tested if you have any symptoms and immediately self-isolate until a negative result is received.

• Whether you are vaccinated or not vaccinated, if you test positive you must self-isolate for 14 days.

• Close contacts will include household members of positive cases and close social contacts.

• If you are a close contact of a positive case and vaccinated, you must get tested and self-isolate for seven days. On day six, you must get tested again. If it is negative and you are well, you can end isolation after day seven. For the following seven days you must work from home where practicable.

• If you are a close contact and not vaccinated you must get tested and immediately self-isolate for 14 days. On day 12, you should get tested again. If it is negative, you can end isolation after day 14.

• The Service NSW QR code check-in system will remain in place in the general community.

• People aged 16 years and over will only be allowed entry into some venues if fully vaccinated, and people with emptions. Children under 16 will have to be accompanied by a fully vaccinated member of their household to enter hospitality venues, non-critical retail stores, personal services, sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities and events. Critical retail such as supermarkets and pharmacies will still be accessible to those not fully vaccinated.

Visit nsw.gov.au for the latest information.

 

 

Parkes photographer Marc Payne was out on the weekend and managed to capture the moment when the sun broke through the cloud cover and lit up the sky and the side of the Tichborne wheat silos. “The silos are a strong subject when you get the right conditions,” he said. If you have an iconic or local image for Closing Shot send it to the editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

We are back at the bridge tables! Albeit in masks, with chairs pushed back from the table to maintain reasonable distance, which can be tricky when you need your glasses to read the bidding sheet from that distance, but your mask keeps your glasses fogged up. But despite everything COVID, it’s great to be back.

We have a change of guard on the club committee. We thank Greig Ball for his work as past president as the role passes to Kevin Robinson who is applying himself to the position with the rest of the committee who are keeping the Parkes Bridge Club in good hands.

Winners over the past week were Bev Laing and Joan Reilly on Tuesday, 28th September, Louise Payne with Peter Quin, and Jill Peterson with Lee McCabe on Thursday, 30th September, and Rosemary Morris and Anne Berkeley on Monday, 4th October.

Newcomers are welcome. We play Tues-days and Thursdays at 1pm and Mondays at 6:30pm at the Lutheran Church Hall.

Check our website www.parkes.bridge-club.org or call Kevin Robinson 0429 621 712 for more information.

By Beth Thomas

 

Two online workshops for parents and supervisors of learner drivers in the Parkes Shire will provide practical advice and information about completing the 120 hours of supervised driving.

The free ‘Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers’ work-shops are scheduled for Wednesday, 13th October and Wednesday, 27th October from 5:30pm.

“It’s unfortunate that the COVID-19 restrictions haven’t allowed us to deliver the workshops as we usually would face to face, however the online delivery will hopefully make it more easily accessible for participants to attend,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

“Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why we have teamed up with Transport for NSW and other councils across the Western region to hold another one of these workshops via Zoom.”

Participants can attend from the safety and comfort of their own home. The estimated run time is around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.

“Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop in the past have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors,” Melanie said.

Bookings are essential and can be made online via Eventbrite, through the Councils’ Facebook pages or by calling Melanie on 6861 2364.

I first noticed that I had a possible prostate problem about 16 years ago. I was in pain and had difficulties passing urine. I put up with this pain for a number of years and it was not getting any better.

I was having a haircut one day when I noticed on the wall a notice about a Parkes Prostate Cancer Awareness and Support Group meeting. I sat outside the meeting place for three meeting evenings, trying to get to courage to go in.

On the third evening I did go in. I was made very welcome and all my fears were put at ease. The procedures and my options were explained and I was given appropriate material to read. I was told that what decision I made, was mine to make, in consultation with my doctor.

My doctor advised me to have a PSA (Prostate-Specific-Antigen) blood test. The reading was high and I was referred to a urologist. I ended up in hospital where I had the cancerous growths of the gland removed. Apart from a little discomfort due to leakage, I never regretted my visit to that meeting with the Prostate Cancer Group.

I thank them sincerely for their advice and support and urge others on the same journey to seek their support and if you are experiencing prostate problems, visit your doctor. It may save your life’.

By Anonymous

The beautiful forested area behind the Parkes Hospital will be cleaned and fenced off to protect it from illegal dumping following a resolution by the Parkes Shire Council last week.

Council recognised the ongoing environmental issues of illegal dumping, burning out of cars and weed infestation in the precinct. It was resolved to spend $25,000 to erect a fence of rural nature with two top lengths of barbed wire to restrict vehicle access, but include a number of pedestrian access points.

Councillor Ken McGrath also proposed that a clean-up of the area be undertaken and suggested to make it the focus of next year’s Clean Up Australia Day.

“I’m happy to coordinate it, and have already spoken to some contractors to volunteer their equipment to help with the clean-up effort.”

The Mayor said he had also received several complaints from people who enjoy walking there about the dumping problem.

Erik Lensson, whose property borders on the area, had written to council and Member for Orange Phil Donato about the issue. He was following the Council meeting online last week and was extremely pleased with the decision to go ahead with the fencing, as well as the additional motion by Cr Ken McGrath of clearing up the forest rubbish.

“There are not many such readily accessible forested areas around Parkes Shire and the town itself. The forest behind the hospital is a great exercise track for walking the dog, riding mountain bikes and enjoying wildlife like kangaroos and the odd blue tongue or bearded dragon,” he said.

“I would like to extend my appreciation to the council staff, the council, the Mayor Ken Keith and especially Cr McGrath and the Member for Orange, Phil Donato, MP.”

Council noted the positive contribution from surrounding landowners who carried out mowing and general maintenance in and around the site.