General Interest Archives - Page 182 of 352

Foxxy In The Park

April 16, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

It was a freezing cold day, but Parkes band Foxxy Cleopatra turned up the heat in Cooke Park on Sunday afternoon for a free family friendly event. The crowd came rugged up and were not disappointed as the five-piece band kept the hits coming.

Twins Every and Averie Smith (4) came dressed for the weather and the occasion with their funky, colourful outfits.

Stanley Drooger and Riley Miller load up on energy before the next round of jiving to the sounds of Foxxy Cleopatra. Riley loved dancing with his mum, Alyssa Miller, on stage singing.

Olive Cope and Ella McColl enjoyed the afternoon’s entertainment.

It was a mother and daughter day out for Chelsea Skinner and Robynne Casperson.

Enjoying the Foxxy Cleopatra show in Cooke Park on Sunday were Quinn Kriedemann, Milly Witherow, Laylah Logan and Sharla Parerlee.

Julie Deale and Tracey Byrnes relaxing on Sunday afternoon.

Memories From Margaret

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Our youngest daughter, at 14, had obtained work at a fast-food outlet not far from our home. Thrilled that her entrepreneurial spirit had found a means of earning her own money, she worked hard, and everything was going well until the day she came home from work in tears.

As we stood in our driveway, trying to comfort and understand our distraught child, our eldest son, Jim a third-year apprentice boilermaker who was very protective of his siblings, arrived home to find out that a manager had been propositioning her along with all the other young girls at her workplace.

At closing time, as that manager walked across the parking lot, he noticed a big grey Valiant and leaning on it was what seemed like a giant of a man covered in grease and dirt. The giant grabbed him by the shirt front and, holding him off the ground forcefully, told him just what he thought of a scumbag who would proposition young girls, using his authority to intimidate them. He finished his tirade with the promise that if the manager said so much as a nasty word to the giant’s sister anytime in the future, then he, the giant, would be back to deal with him. With that he let the man go, returned to the Valiant and drove away.

When Julie arrived for her next shift, she was stunned to find that the manager had, overnight, become a gentleman treating all the girls with respect and diplomacy. None of them knew what had happened in the car park the previous night, and the manager had no idea which girl was the giant’s sister.

By Margaret Irwin

$3.3 Million For Currajong Street Rehabilitation

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack

Currajong Street in Parkes will be rehabilitated with $3.3 million from the NSW and Federal Governments as part of projects rolling out under the latest round of the Fix-ing Local Roads program.

Forbes Shire Council will receive $2,382,564 to improve the Yarrabandai Road affected by recent heavy rainfall.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the road funding would help to tackle the increasing amount of work required to provide safe roads for communities.

“Safe reliable roads are essential infrastructure for communities in regional New South Wales – by improving roads, we are making a big difference to people’s lives in ensuring they get home sooner and safer.”

The two projects are part of 16 successful road projects across the Riverina and Central West receiving over $20 million in funding to help residents and businesses recover from the effects of bushfires, drought, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. NSW Upper House MP, Sam Farraway said that it was great to be able to work with the Federal Government to deliver these vital upgrades to local roads.

“NSW has a road network of more than 180,000 kilometres in length, and nearly 80% is classified as local roads, so it is a real challenge for councils to effectively manage and maintain their road assets,” Sam said.

State Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the NSW Government was committed to helping councils to create and support jobs, drive productivity and keep regional communities connected.

All successful projects will be completed within two years to ensure local communities see the benefits as quickly as possible.

A Beautiful Life

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

THANKFUL… Maureen Massey made this mosaic as a farewell gift to Parkes East Public School when she retired last week. With her is her husband Peter and at the back are four of her grandchildren who are students at the school. They are William and Olivia Mathews and Lockie and Max Jones.

She wears many hats in our community, but after 50 years in the profession Maureen Massey finally decided it was time to take off her teaching hat.

She retired from Parkes East Public School last Thursday just before her 70th birthday ending an association of 41 years with the school as a parent and teacher.

“The eldest of my three daughters started in 1980, and I’ve had six of my 12 grandkids in the school. It was pretty special to have that.”

Being a learning and support teacher for the past 20 years, Maureen has built up a special bond with many students. “I am going to miss the kids the most, but as soon as volunteers can go back to school, I’ll be there as a nan, and not a teacher.”

Teaching has been such a huge part of her life with lots of beautiful memories, but the school’s 50th anniversary and the mini relays for life are two that stand out for her. Combining two of her other loves in life, she made a huge mosaic for the 50th anniversary with every child in the school putting a tile on it, and had 40 kids doing a dancing routine.

She was also instrumental in starting a mini relay for life at Parkes East to give the students the opportunity to take part in the event.

Maureen Massey at a hockey photo wall in her house.

“The community support was just unbelievable. We raised about $4,000 the first time we organised it.”

Having survived two bouts of breast cancer and a melanoma herself, fundraising for cancer is another of Maureen’s passions and the mini relays became an event very close to her heart.

“I’m not retiring because of my health, I just felt it was time to bring some flexibility into my life. I’m so grateful that I can retire in good health to enjoy more gardening, making mosaics and crafty things, photography, watching my grandkids play sport and spending time with my family. I just want to be Nanny Maudie.”

Being Nanny Maudie means you still play A grade and B grade hockey with your grandkids in the same team. Hockey has played a massive role in Maureen’s life from the day she started to play when she was about nine in Peak Hill.

She was back on the hockey field three weeks after the birth of her third child, and it was once again hockey that brought some normality into her life after her first diagnosis of breast cancer at age 37. “The tears just rolled down my cheeks the first time I hit that ball after my mastectomy.”

Maureen has gone on to be selected for the NSW Masters team ten times, and has represented Australia since 2012 having won two gold medals and a bronze at three World Cup events. While COVID has derailed some overseas tournaments, Maureen is all fired up to go to the NSW state selection in Newcastle in June. “The moment you stop is when you start wondering about your future.”

Another hat Maureen has been wearing with great success is managing the Parkes Boppers Dance Troupe. “We started with a group of six dancers and it has grown to 18 with them performing five 30-minute sessions at the Parkes Leagues Club at the last festival. We will have to see what happens next year, but I know the kids are still very keen.”

She has always given everything she’s done her best. “I’ve been very fortunate with a lot of things in my life,” says the busy lady who had the special honour of being part of the Olympic and Commonwealth torch relays in 2000 and 2018 respectively.

“What you put in, you get out. I’ve had a beautiful life.”

By Maggi Barnard

Play, Chill, Create, Learn During Youthweek

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Roxanne Gallacher in the Parkes Library foyer where the program is displayed for Youthweek.

Youthweek in Parkes this year will see a full program of events from 16th to 24th April.

The Shire’s 12 to 25-year-old young people can look forward to banner making, illustration and skills for youth workshops, a chill-out zone, a games day, and going backstage at the new Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s production of Wicked.

“We have put together a program to involve the young people in our shire and use the Makerspace venue at the new library,” said organiser Roxanne Gallacher, Parkes Library and Cultural Centre’s Creative Learning Programs Coordinator.

The banner-making workshops are a repeat of the very popular workshops at the Arts Revival Festival last year.

“We have organised with the high schools that students can attend the illustration workshops of author Alan Robinson.”

The backstage @ Wicked event will offer students a glimpse into the world behind the scenes of a production that includes lighting and sound.

A team from Games n More in Orange will be at the games day with 30 board games and various other games with the help of the Parkes Games Group, while the Railway Hotel has sponsored pizza for the lunch.

YOUTH WEEK: 16-24 April Bookings must be made prior to attending by calling Roxanne on 6862 9101.

16 Apr – Banner making workshop with Deb Jones @ Peak Hill Leisure Centre from 10am-1pm.

17 Apr – Banner making workshop with Deb Jones @ The Parkes Library Makerspace from 10am-1pm.

17 Apr – Chill out zone with Gracey Jones and DJ Jabba @ The Parkes Library from 9:30am-12pm and outdoor games, bean bags and relaxed atmosphere to chill out with friends.

18 Apr – Banner making workshop with Deb Jones @ Trundle Branch Library from 9:30am-12:30pm.

19 Apr – Skills for Youth Workshop @ Parkes Library Makerspace from 4pm-6pm.

21 Apr – Illustration Workshop with Alan Robinson (local author/illustrator) @ Parkes Library Makerspace from 2pm-3pm; Author talk with Alan Robinson “Writing a Children’s Picture Book” from 6pm-9pm.

22 Apr – Illustration Workshop with Alan Robinson (Local author/illustrator) @ Parkes Library Makerspace from 11:30am-12:30pm.

23 Apr – Backstage @ Wicked – a behind the scenes look at the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society’s current production, plus a Q&A with the director @ The Parkes Little Theatre from 6pm-8pm.

24 Apr – Games Day (Boardgames, Tabletop Gaming Demonstrations, chill out) @ Parkes Library Makerspace from 9:30-4pm.

Bridge Banter

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Working out what to finesse are (L-R) Val Worthington, Jenny Freeman, Laurie Keane and Barbara Hughes.

To finesse or not to finesse… that is the question. Finessing is a great technique by which you can make an extra trick if a high card is held in the right opponent’s hand. Some say never to try a finesse unless you must have that extra trick in order to make your contract. A statistician will tell you that a finesse will work 50% of the time (unless a clue in the bidding suggests otherwise). A bridge player, however, will invariably tell you that their finesses almost never work.

Last week’s smart players, who knew when to and when not to finesse were:

Tuesday, 30th March – Jenny Freeman and Jill Peterson.

Thursday, 1st April – Louise Payne and Peter Quin for north/south; Jennifer Calvert and Dawn Phipps for east/west.

If you want to learn about the art of finessing come along to the Parkes Bridge Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm and Mondays at 6:30pm at the Lutheran Church Hall in Currajong Street. See our page https://www.parkes.bridge-club.org or call Greig Ball 0429621712 or Bev Laing 0418114826 for more information.

By Beth Thomas

Lots More Space At Balloon Glow For Food Vendors

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Cabonne Community Glow is back this year and promises to be an amazing spectacle with balloons lighting up the night sky in Canowindra. This experience includes night markets with food and wine stalls, entertainment and the highlight of the evening, the Cabonne Community Glow – a magical experience where you’ll see hot air balloons lighting up their burners synced to all new mu-sic under the beautiful evening skies in the Central West.

With the dark COVID cloud still lurking in the background, food vendors and stallholders have been slow to sign up. The organisers are looking for more food vendors and stallholders to help make it a real celebration and attract more visitors to the region.

Tickets for the event are on sale at $10 for adults (18 and above) and $2 for children under 18 plus booking fees and can be purchased from www.canowindrachallenge.org.au Attendees can also now book their campsites by visiting www.canowindrachallenge.org.au

Lovers Become Library Ambassadors

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

New Parkes Library Ambassadors for 2021 were announced last week. At the back are Cr Pat Smith, Emma Brown and Debbie Gould. Middle row: Molly Clohessy (Parkes Christian School), Evelyn Greef (Parkes Public), Anna Orr (Parkes Public) and Grace McGirr (Middleton). In front are Knox Lamont (Parkes Christian school), Toby Fliedner (Middleton) and John-Tian Waters (Parkes East).

Seven Parkes Library Ambassadors for 2021 received their badges at a special ceremony last week.

The Year 5 students represent four of the five primary schools in Parkes: Parkes Christian School, Parkes Public, Parkes East and Middleton. Debbie Gould, who runs the children and youth services team with Emma Brown, said it was very exciting to have the ambassador program running again this year.

“It was very difficult to choose from the 26 applications received as everyone did a wonderful job telling us why they wanted to be a library ambassador.”

Councillor Pat Smith handed each ambassador a Parkes Shire Library badge that they would be able to wear at school. “It is an amazing program for such a lovely library,” said Pat. “The program offer a great learning curve for the children.”

Year 5 students could apply for the role to promote and communicate what is happening at the Parkes Library with their respective school communities. The ambassadors will be invited to events at the library and write book reviews of new books. Debbie said they were also role models to Year 4 students who would like to apply for next year’s program.

The program was started in 2019 after a trial was run in 2018 and it was found that when students heard something from their peers it had more value.

As a bonus the ambassadors will be allowed to attend school holiday programs run at the library for free.

The school holiday activities for Kind-er to Year 6 will be still run next week on Wednesday and Friday morning at 10:30am with some space-themed fun and movies on the big screen. The Wednesday activity is $2 per child, and the Friday Flicks are free of charge.

Read more about the Youth Week activities on this page on offer from 16 – 24 April.

Mousecapades In The Bush – Part 2

April 9, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

“I can see the funny side of it. It’s the only thing which has kept me going through all this.”

I hear a plastic bag rattling in the dining room. Found a mouse trapped in a ziplock bag. Zipped it and gently applied pressure. No more mouse. After brekkie more party food put behind TV. All eaten within two hours – amazing! Refill with larger amount. Didn’t expect it to disappear so quickly. Second pile of party food is eaten in two nights.

The verandah has a few partially missing boards in it so I load party food into the spaces. Also, a rat bait container (I had to put a piece of wood on it as rats had moved it away from where it was supposed to be) and a knot hole in one of the boards have food put in them as well. I check these each day and replenish as needed. I’m very careful to make sure the animals can’t access the bait or dead mice. Those furry party go-ers sure love their food! I worry about the electrical wires being chewed through and a fire starting. Where, oh where, is the Pied Piper of Hamelin?

I’m really sleep deprived by now and desperate. So deprived, that one morning when the alarm goes off, I get the clock and try every way I can to turn the darn alarm off but it won’t stop. Then I see my phone, pick it up and that was the thing making all the noise.

Just as well there was no one else in the house. They would have been cursing me.

I try the car for two nights. First night, laying across the back seat. Car needs to be another half metre wider. The cat discovers me and walks over the car a couple of times. Later I hear it telling me it has a mouse for me but I lay there and pretend I don’t know it. So, a very uncomfortable night. Feel like half my brain has dissolved I’m so tired. Next night I sleep in the front of the car. Pretend I’m on an overseas flight. After little sleep, I give up at 4am, taking the doona with me and fall into my bed.

Surprise! There are no mice, absolutely no mice in my bedroom! I sleep for two hours before I need to get up. The mice have partied too long and too hard. The next day I sleep during the morning, that afternoon and sleep again that night.

Postscript. I pick up three dead mice from the verandah. The cat has brought me some furry gifts. I let the chooks out for the afternoon, head back to the verandah only to see, too late, a chook scoffing a mouse down in one go! She was still part of the count when I locked them up that night!

By Bush-Tales

Cycle In Canowindra

April 1, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Whether you are hoping to explore the wonderful cycling routes Canowindra has to offer, or just want to spend a weekend away, Eddy’s of Canowindra has a lot to offer visitors.

Situated in an authentically restored 100-year-old historic convent building full of unique character and country charm, Eddy’s can cater for two to 32 people.

Eddy’s is the ideal base for small to larger groups. So whether you are looking for accommodation for a wedding or hen party, a cycling group or a company conference, call Eddy’s for pricing.

It is the perfect weekend retreat situated in a fantastic spot in Canowindra.

YOUTH WEEK: 16-24 April Bookings must be made prior to attending by calling Roxanne on 6862 9101.

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