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Parkes Phoenix

Did You Know?

January 22, 2021 By editor

Feeding the ducks is a great activity to do with the little ones… but it is not good to feed only bread to ducks as it has no nutritional value for them. Just like humans, birds need a varied diet to stay healthy. Too much bread can leave them feeling full without giving them all of the important vitamins, minerals and nutrients they need.

This does not mean you have to stop feeding them all together. You can still feed the ducks at Bushman’s Dam and other water ways, but take some sweetcorn, oats, defrosted frozen peas, cut up grapes, cooked rice, chopped lettuce or bird seed with you. They will love that, and you will know you’ve helped them with a more balanced diet! If you must feed ducks with bread, the best would be to use something other than leftovers from a cheap white loaf.

Thank you to Kim Shambrook for sending us this photo she took of a sign in Orange to alert the public about feeding bread to ducks.

Electronic Prescriptions

January 22, 2021 By editor

A convenient alternative to paper prescriptions

What is an electronic prescription?
An electronic prescription is a digitally generated prescription that is sent to you via SMS or email by your health care provider. When visiting an authorised prescriber, you may be given the option to choose an electronic prescription.

To access your medications, you will need to present your SMS or email to the pharmacy. The pharmacy will then scan the QR code attached to unlock your prescription and dispense it as per normal.

If you have repeats, a new SMS or email will be sent to you when you get your medicine from the pharmacy.

What are the benefits?
All medicines can be prescribed using an electronic prescription. The message containing the link to your electronic prescription is stored on your digital device, so you can access it whenever you’re ready – saving you time, streamlining the process and improving medicine safety.

What other services can help me manage my medications?
There are a range of different supports and services we provide to help ensure easier access and improved safety when it comes to managing your medications.

We are here to help. Electronic prescriptions are new to all of us, and with that comes questions. Please feel free to call or pop in if you have any questions about electronics prescription or anything regarding your health and managing your medications.

Rediscover Bushman’s Dam This Holiday

December 18, 2020 By editor

A turtle and a duck swimming together at Bushman’s Dam. (Photo: Kim Shambrook)

Did you know there are plumed whistling ducks at Bushman’s Dam in Parkes?

A reader of The Parkes Phoenix, Kim Shambrook, said she was spending time with her grandkids there recently and they discovered not only turtles, but also plumed whistling ducks. “We were excited to find lots of turtles swimming around, and then discovered the whistling ducks visit Parkes this time of the year.”

Kim wanted to remind residents to never feed bread to ducks as it has no nutritional value for them.

“How good is it to have Bushman’s Dam. It is a wonderful place to visit with grandchildren to explore and play,” said Kim.

Colouring-in Winners

December 18, 2020 By editor

Joan Carolan (12) won the 7 – 12 category of our Christmas Colouring-in Competition and received her prize from Candy Jubb at Idlers Den on Tuesday.

 

Matilda (6) is the winner of the 1 – 6 category. Congratulations to both winners on doing a sterling job, and thank you to everyone else who entered.

Letters To Santa

December 18, 2020 By editor

One week to Christmas! Just enough time to still send those all important letters to Santa. You can post them at Terry Bros Parkes, and while you are there, get a photo in Santa’s sleigh with the kids!

Other fun activities to do with the kids in the run-up to Christmas is to go look at all the lights around town. There is a huge Christmas tree in Cooke Park, and many families have put up beautiful decorations all around town. There is also a $1,000 prize for the best local business Christmas window display. Time to go window shopping too!

Travels And Gifts Mix Well

December 18, 2020 By editor

Global Gatherings is a new business in Forbes and was born from a love of travel and appreciation of unique handmade products made in communities striving for sustainable livelihoods.

The passion of the people and communities is the main reason the owners want to bring these products to a larger audience. “We feel that our business offers our customers a win-win situation. By purchasing one of our rare finds, you are not only getting a wonderful, handmade product for your home or business, you are also contributing to the preservation of many cultures by helping a craftsperson become financially independent. It is a true economic partnership in every sense of the word.”

Every product has a story. If you listen closely, every product will tell you of the hands that held it and crafted it with care. Every stitch, bead, carve, cut, sand and polish represent a moment an artisan has spent, practicing and perfecting their craft. Handcrafted products celebrate the traditions of cultures around the world.

Each product you purchase has the promise of taking you on an adventure. It is also a great spot to find Christmas presents that are unique and different.

www.globalgatherings.com.au

Shade For Christmas

December 18, 2020 By editor

Phil Donato with Beth and Bill Thomas at Lake Endeavour where the Parkes Dragon Boat Club erected a shade structure with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program. They are also holding new carbon fibre paddles purchased with the funding.

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) will be celebrating their Christmas paddle this Sunday under a brand new shade structure made possible with funding under the Local Sporting Grant Program.

Member for Orange, Phil Donato visited Lake Endeavour on Tuesday to see the fruits of the total of $20,680 the club had received under the program for three projects. The rest of the funding will go towards a sports development clinic for members, and new carbon fibre paddles were purchased.

“Dragon boating is growing in popularity, and its inclusiveness has played a big part in attracting newcomers to the sport,” said Phil. “Parkes is lucky to have the Endeavour Dam within close proximity providing an accessible body of water for members to gather and train on.”

The coach of PDBC, Beth Thomas said the club was extremely grateful for the support received. “The club is always welcoming new people to join and having great facilities and equipment make it so much more attractive to prospective members.”

The club trains on Thursday afternoons at 6pm and Sunday mornings at 9pm. Contact Beth on 0418 253 045 if you would like to do a try out session.

Editor’s Note

December 18, 2020 By editor

A year ago we were battling dust storms and smoke and could only hope the year 2020 (it had such a good ring to it) would roll in a positive change… little did we know how much of a transformation it would bring!

So much has been said and written about this turbulent year that will be etched into our memories forever. There have been countless challenges for all of us, but if we take a moment to reflect, we will all find some positives too.

During the lockdown I was forced out of my comfort zone and had to start digging deep to find positive stories for the paper every week. That was when I discovered once again what a wonderful community we live in, and how easy it was to find great stories once you started looking beyond the obvious.

I also realised, in asking people to write about their experiences, it brought the paper so much closer to the community and fulfilled a new role in sharing experiences and letting everyone know we are in this together.

The absence of events and therefore ‘news’ opened my eyes to the stories that really matter in our community and collecting and writing about these have brought me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Not only did the rain bring us relief and give us so much hope, but the community spirit we shared this year motivated us to keep on enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

I would like to send a big virtual hug to everyone who contributed to keeping our paper going this year. Thank you to our readers, advertisers and everyone who contributed a story, news tip, photo, thumbs up or letter. Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and serene 2021.

Maggi

Christmas Thoughts

December 18, 2020 By editor

It’s time to lift our spirits, raise a glass to happiness.
For Christmas is upon us, when joys o’ertop our stress.
Time to embrace Santa, reindeer, snow and Christmas cards
(Though the greeny-greys and browns outside sometimes make it hard)
Time for harvesting, for gathering in
Be it grain, or the year’s ideals.
Though some deny it, many share the excitement that I feel.

Current happenings in our world we find a little fearsome
Package up your doubt and fears,
But don’t put them on the tree.
Place boxes holding Peace and Joy,
Or filled with Love to spare.
Then watch those first two slink away
They have no business there.

Welcome all our newcomers, it’s sometimes hard to do.
To reach out from our safe little world
When beset by changes new.
But new friends bring a richness
That may catch us unaware.
As we swap our knowledge, we may find It’s a privilege to share.

Be humble, but not servile. We should all feel satisfaction
When good comes from a word or deed
A comfort, a kind action.
It isn’t glory-seeking, it’s a case of “job well done”
The profit is the thanks you get – it comes back to everyone.
Nurture friends, and help them,
You will get the same from them.
Remember, times were also tough in the days of Bethlehem.

Enough lecturing – It’s Christmas time!
Leave behind all thought of stress.
What matters if it’s noisy? Christmas wrappings make a mess.
It’s time for joyous homecomings
Laughter, peace and simple fun.
My message to you all is… GOD BLESS YOU – EVERYONE!

By Heather Veal

Peace, Love And Joy

December 18, 2020 By editor

It has been suggested that 2020 has been the most stressful year that most of us have ever experienced and so our government has invested much into providing anxiety care. I can imagine what my grandparents would say: “You should have seen what we went through: two world wars, the Spanish flu and the great depression!”

In spite of what has been a very difficult year, we have so much to be thankful for including the lifting of so many restrictions over the past few weeks. Our thoughts and prayers are for all who have experienced loss and grief including loss of loved ones, prolonged separation from family, downturn of business, loss of work and severe crop damage. May the special comfort we sing about at Christmas be especially yours.

The chosen family experienced all kinds of stress: a mandatory government census that required the heavily pregnant Mary to travel a long journey to her ancestral home, the struggle to find a place to stay and even a place to lay her new-born baby. Later they were forced to flee for their lives to a foreign country, as refugees.

But at every stage God provided for their needs. God brought many special visitors including humble shepherds and very wealthy Magi bringing expensive gifts. Most of all, they experienced God’s special peace.

This heavenly peace is promised to all who receive God’s Christmas gift given freely to everyone: His Son. We, all the local Church leaders, have been constantly praying for you and your families that you too will experience heavenly peace and provision especially over the holiday season. Please contact your local church leader regarding Christmas service times.

Heavenly peace, love and joy be multiplied to you and your family.

By Andrew Taggart
Parkes Ministers Association

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