The future of water security in Parkes received a $5 million boost in funding on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP announced the funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Partnership at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant. The funding will go towards Stage 2 of the Parkes Water Security Projects for two new pump stations.

Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM said: “These valuable water projects will future proof the Parkes township water supply and support anticipated residential growth as a result of the thousands of new jobs created by developments such as Inland Rail, mining and the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.”

Andrew Francis, Director Infrastructure at Parkes Shire Council, said the total project was about $60m. “The $5 million will provide two key parts of scope for the project: one pump station on the Lachlan river and one on the outskirts of Parkes township. This will really activate water security into the future on the 40 to 50 year time horizon with a 3,000 to 4,000 population increase for Parkes providing long-term strategic investment in Parkes, with water a key part of that.”

Andrew said once the full project was complete, Council would have access to the full 12 gigalitres of water that it owned within the Lachlan valley. “Currently we only have access to about six of those gigalitres, which means it would be a 100% increase in the total value of water supply over the next 40 to 50 years.”

The announcement formed part of a $10M commitment to deliver three projects in Central West NSW to strengthen economic growth, that also includes the Central West Industrial Park in Forbes, and a $1 million upgrade for the village centre of Lake Cargelligo.

Michael McCormack said the funding would make such a difference by creating jobs and opportunities, and unlocking the wealth of these areas.

Famous TV presenter known for his knowledge on growing food and flowers as well as beards, Costa Georgiadis entertained 350 Year 5 students from Parkes and Forbes on Eco Day last week.

Students from the five primary schools in Parkes travelled to Forbes where Costa talked about sustainability, while they also attended several hands-on workshops.

Costa inspired and encouraged students to be the change makers and work at things that they were passionate about. He reminded the children that he did not start out life planning to be a television host on Gardening Australia!

“He is such a vibrant ambassador for the environment and a dynamic presenter,” said Judy Unger who helped out on the day. “The coordinators of this event, Marg Applebee and co did a fabulous job. It was a great day!” The day was organised by Central West Lachlan Landcare.

Parkes student Ella Butler who volunteered at Eco Day said he was wonderful with the kids and got across a good message while keeping it interesting and relevant to the audience. “There were a few giggles too. He is definitely passionate about what he does.”

Costa attended a Landcare dinner in Forbes on Friday night and to finish off his visit, he attended the Forbes Riverside Community Garden’s open day to give the community an opportunity to meet him and be part of his visit.

A former Parkes resident received a singular honour last month becoming only the third musician to be awarded an honorary doctorate from one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.

Gary McPherson received an Artium Doctorem Honoris Causa from Lund University in Sweden based on his international reputation as a leading researcher and music educator. Gary is regarded as a great inspirer with a long and multidisciplinary inter-national career.

He watched the formal ceremony via a live stream on Friday, 15th May from the Lund Cathedral (ca 1145) with the ceremony conducted in Latin. Established in 1666 Lund University has only awarded the honour to musicians on two previous occasions: 2010 to George Martin, Beatles producer; and in 2015 to Nina Stemme, Swedish dramatic soprano.

Gary is the brother of Cheryl Thompson and Dennis McPherson from Parkes, Roslyn Dean now living in Brisbane, and the son of George and Lorna McPherson of Close Street Parkes (now deceased).

Gary was born and bred in Parkes and played in the Parkes Shire Concert Band. He won various regional, state and national awards on the soprano cornet, and went on to study and gain academic qualifications from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Indiana University, Trinity College (London) and the University of Sydney.

Gary performed professionally on the trumpet for many years and has had a long, illustrious career as an academic with well over 250 publications including 12 edited or authored books for Oxford University Press. He has also held professorial positions at major universities in Australia, Hong Kong and the United States, and during the last 12 years, the Ormond Chair of Music at the University of Melbourne where he served for 10 years as the Director of the Conservatorium.

During the ceremony Gary was bestowed with the insignia; a hat, gold ring and diploma. The doctor’s hat symbolises freedom and power and is covered with black, pleated fabric. The ring is made of gold and symbolises loyalty to science. The diploma (in Latin) is the written confirmation of the rights awarded to honorary doctors.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils have become Yellow Ribbon Councils for their long-time support of National Road Safety Week.

Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) President Peter Frazer presented the Councils’ representatives with their certificates during National Road Safety Week.

“It has been fantastic to have local government demonstrating how they can actively protect their own community. With this in mind we welcome Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ leadership in joining as Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Councils.”

Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith OAM and Forbes Shire Council’s Director of Corporate Services Stefan Murru accepted the certificates. Lachlan Shire Council’s certificate was presented to General Manager Greg Tory earlier this week.

‘We are all touched by road trauma, which echoes through our community and is felt by so many others – family and friends, work colleagues, community groups, emergency service workers and local communities,” said the Parkes Mayor.

“We’ve been participating, supporting and promoting National Road Safety Week since 2017. Our staff wear yellow lapel ribbons, our vehicles are fitted with the yellow vehicle stickers and our email signature displays the National Road Safety Week artwork.

“This year we had lapel ribbons and vehicle stickers available for the local community to collect for free and there are still some available.”

Two fashion lovers from Sydney will be this year’s judges for Fashions on the Field at the Parkes Picnic Races on Saturday, 12th June.

Elizabeth Pakchung and Dixie Coulton are both lawyers, and met and became friends through their mutual love of fashion. They have attended many fashion events together.

Elizabeth was born and raised in Sydney. She learnt to sew at school, and loved making her own clothes as a teenager, and reading her mother’s Vogue magazines. She studied Economics/Law at Sydney University and became a corporate lawyer. She is a keen racegoer and was the proud part-owner of “Crows Before Dawn” which won a number of city and country races.

Dixie was born in Goondiwindi, Queens-land and grew up on a rural property. She attended university in Sydney completing Arts /Law in 1982 and has been practicing law in Sydney and New York City. Dixie has a wide range of interests including the arts, community affairs, urban design and of course fashion.

Elizabeth and Dixie will be judging the four categories of Millinery, Elegant Lady, Stylish Man and Best Dressed Couple looking for modern cutting-edge style and originality, discreet elegance and fine craftsmanship, attention to detail with accessories, excellent grooming and deportment and an understanding of current fashion trends for winter.

The Parkes Shire has seen eight vandalism incidents over the past few months costing the Council $5,000 in repairs to fix the damage caused. “I was incredibly disappointed to see the damage caused to the turf at the Parkes Skate Park, which has been ripped up by a motor vehicle last week,” said Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith. Other reports of vandalism were at Harrison Park, with damage to the fencing and sprinklers and at Keast Park, with damage to the pick-et fencing, as well a 100-metre strip of turf being ripped up.

The Lachlan Valley Branch of National Parks Association has been nominated for the NSW Environmental Citizen of the Year Award.

The group won the Environment Award at this year’s Australia Day Awards ceremony in Parkes, and will now compete with other nominees for the state-wide award. The winner, to be announced on World Environment Day on Saturday, 5th June, will receive a one-off donation of $3,000 to put towards their community initiative.

The Lachlan Valley branch of the National Parks Association has been operating for over 20 years. To promote the natural environment, the group of knowledgeable volunteers provide several walks each quarter, showcasing parks and reserves in the Central West of NSW.

Besides being important educational oportunities, the walks promote exercise, mental wellbeing and provide participants with the opportunity to create meaningful community connections.

Even though the initial goal may have been to enjoy nature and record the region’s flora and fauna, the outcome has exceeded expectations with lifelong friendships and strong local partnerships being forged as well.

“The Australia Day Council of NSW is proud to once again to partner with Return and Earn to present the inspirational Environmental Citizen of the Year Awards. This important initiative, in its third year, recognises the incredible efforts being made by NSW citizens – young and old – who are creating a more sustainable environment that benefits all of us,” said Andrew Parker, Chair, Australia Day Council of NSW.

Parkes Taxis has been providing passenger transport services for Parkes and surrounding areas for over 40 years.

The business run organisation is keeping up with the latest technology using the smartHAIL app that allows you to book and track your taxi.

With the Parkes Picnic Races weekend coming up soon, download smartHAIL to ensure you can enjoy the biggest social event in Parkes responsibly.

Parkes Taxis also has a position for a driver – full time, casual or looking to make some extra money on the weekends.

If you would like more information, contact Sarah Smith on 0407 513 848 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or email parkestaxis@bigpond.com.

Plenty of nursing home residents had the pleasure of catching a ride on a trishaw over the past two weeks resulting in lots of smiles and some even started singing when they felt the wind blowing through their hair.

The newly established Cycling Without Age charity in Parkes had a trishaw on loan from Canberra for the past two weeks to introduce more residents to the concept.

Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit charity that provides a community service by connecting those no longer able to ride for themselves with the Parkes community by giving them free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.

Peter Guppy offered rides to residents at Southern Cross, Niola and Rosedurnate with several of them coming back for a second time to enjoy a ride in the sun and waving at passers-by.

The charity is working hard at raising funds to buy a trishaw for Parkes, and is currently in the running for an Essential Energy Community Grant. The public can help them by voting for them online to secure the grant.

To cast your vote every day until Monday, 31st May, go to www.essentialenergy.com.au/choices