‘Lyell’ worth his world record price. ((Photo: Australian Poll Dorset Association)

When you’re wanting to buy one of the best rams, you anticipate paying the best price. However, the simple idea of boosting stock was what led to Kinellar Stud paying the world record price for a ram.

Victoria Patterson and family from Kinellar Stud, Canowindra (75%) and James and Rosemary Corcoran from Gooramma Poll Dorset Stud, Galong (25%) paid a record-breaking $41,000 for a Poll Dorset ram last Monday.

They bought the ram ‘Lyell’ (formerlly known as Valma 200040) from Valma stud in Whitemore, Tasmania via an online auction hosted by AuctionsPlus.

“We weren’t setting out for a world record. We just wanted a ram for our pad-dock,” said Lachlan Patterson.

He said ‘Lyell’ is one of the country’s best rams. “The ram is probably in the top five per cent in growth and top five per cent for muscle,” said Lachlan.

“He’s also got good eating quality with good marbling and quite tender meat.”

Heading into the auction, their budget was $40,000. They were expecting a price in the mid-20,000s, keeping in mind that good rams go for prices in the 30,000s.

The auction bidding was hot, with blind timing keeping everyone on the edge. “We didn’t expect this kind of competition,” he said.

The family are supremely content with their purchase. “By 2023 we will have bred great lambs by him, will win a lot of shows and sell a lot of rams by him,” Lachlan said.

They also want to ensure the customer has the best eating experience.

Following on from last week’s windmill photo, Barry Green sent us this impressive collection of windmills at Penong in South Australia. Penong is on the Nullarbor Plain in the far west of South Australia located about 616 km north-west of Adelaide. (If you have an iconic or local image for Closing Shot send it to the editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.)

Construction on the Parkes Special Activation Precinct has started with the upgrade of Brolgan Road to incorporate a roundabout, two bridges over the railway lines and a new 30MVa sub station.

Construction on the Parkes Special Activation Precinct has started and locals will see this huge development starting to take shape over coming months.

“The Parkes Special Activation Precinct has been in the pipeline for a number of years, so it is really exciting to be able to mark the start of construction on this transformational investment,” said the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro.

“The precinct will focus on sustainability and aims to become Australia’s first UNI-DO Eco Industrial Park where businesses will work together to create a true circular economy, where one corporation’s waste becomes another’s material for production.”

Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM said it was a significant milestone for the Parkes Special Activation Precinct. “With construction commencing, job opportunities will be created for not only Parkes but for the region. This announcement means that we are one step closer to realising the benefits of the Parkes Special Activation Precinct, which will attract and grow businesses, drive agriculture value-adding, facilitate modern manufacturing, stimulate the local economy, and provide more local employment opportunities.”

Early works include the upgrade of Brol-gan Road to incorporate a roundabout for the future Coopers Road realignment, two bridges over the existing railway lines, and a new 30MVa sub station, as well as all as-sociated utilities. These works are expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.

Construction company Fulton Hogan will deliver the construction work, which is expected to require up to 125 construction jobs throughout the build.

“The early works will open around 1,500 hectares for development by local and international investors, who will work with us to create more economic opportunities for Parkes and the wider Central West region,” the Deputy Premier said.

Special Activation Precincts are being delivered by the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation and funded by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. To follow the project’s progress go to www.rgdc.nsw.gov.au/precincts/parkes.

“We get on like a house on fire.” Debbie Larkings could visit Robyn Eggleston at the Niola Nursing Home in Parkes again when the stay-at-home orders were lifted.

“It means everything to me. It makes my week.”

This is how much Robyn Eggleston (73) looks forward to a weekly visit she gets from Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) volunteer Debbie Larkings. Debbie takes her on drives and visits, but the stories and laughter they share are what gives their time together so much meaning.

“I just like it – from the stories they tell to how much I learn from them,” said Debbie, who also visits other people as part of her volunteer work with Neighbourhood Central.

“I would recommend it to anyone. The experience and enjoyment you get out of it is just priceless,” said Debbie. “It makes you feel so much better helping others. It is like a domino effect, it’s so good for everyone involved.”

Neighbourhood Central is looking for more volunteers to join the CVS program. Val Mann said it only entailed a visit or phone call (during lockdown) once a fortnight to provide friendship and companionship through visits to residential aged care individuals who are isolated or at risk of social isolation or loneliness.

“The only requirement is that the volunteer needs to have a pretty stable life to make a long-term commitment to be able to see the person regularly.”

If you are interested contact Val at cvs@ncentral.org.au.

The iconic Dish will be re-opening to the public on Saturday, 4th July.

It will be 60 years on Sunday, 31st October since the opening of CSIRO’s Parkes Radio Telescope.

In celebration, the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre and Parkes Radio Telescope team, are hosting a competition and design challenge.

Parkes Shire residents aged 16 and over can enter five categories using the CSIRO Parkes radio telescope as inspiration to submit works in art, writing, drama, music or painting a 3D model of The Dish. Entries will be displayed both online and at the Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre.

First prize in each category will receive a guided tour of the telescope and a $50 Shop Parkes Gift Card. The two runners-up in each category will win a $50 Shop Parkes Gift Card each. CSIRO will donate small memorabilia from The Dish shop for honourable mention entries.

Children under 16 can design and create their own Dish at home from objects and materials they can find around the house. Whether it be a sculpture, kitchen utensils, in the garden, baked goods or human pyramid style, let your imagination run wild.

The competition closes at 5pm on Friday, 15th October. For more information visit Council’s website or the Parkes Libraries Facebook page.