Library Officers, Emma Brown and Dan Fredericks have begun packing boxes for the move back to Bogan Street and into the newly renovated library space.

A new chapter will start for the Parkes Shire Library next month with the opening of the new contemporary, state-of-the-art space.

The new architecturally designed indoor and outdoor library precinct will provide an additional 455m2 metres of space, including an intergenerational Makerspace Studio, meeting rooms, quiet study areas, additional space for children’s programs and places to connect with technology.

Council’s Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services, Kerryn Jones said library staff were excited to make the move back to Bogan Street. “Thank you to our valued library members and wonderful community for their patience as we undertake the mammoth task of relocating all our resources back to Bogan Street.

To facilitate this process, the library will be closed for four weeks. “Our last day at the Clarinda Street temporary library will be Friday, 11th September. We look forward to opening the doors to our new library precinct on Monday, 12th October.”

Throughout the closure period, a computer will be made available for free public use at Parkes Shire Council’s Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street. This includes accessing the Internet and Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Use will be limited to 30 minutes.

Access to online collections and resources will still be available during the closure period.

The honeybee need our help, to secure our food supply.

Our national parks are our home and we’re feeling a little displaced after the bushfires – with habitat loss and our food source gone – we need a little help.

We’re the little livestock that makes a big impact. We’re the honeybees and we’re crucial to everything you eat, every day. Without us, your favourites like avocados, almonds and blueberries wouldn’t be a reality.

Did you know that nine billion of us are on our way to Victoria’s almond farms to help with pollination as well as collecting nectar for honey?

“Without bees, a third of the supermarkets would be empty and your favourites at the farmers markets would be in short supply,” said Rural Aid CEO John Warlters.

“Through Rural Aid’s Stronger Futures program, Hive Aid is ensuring that this essential industry is safeguarded for generations to come, but we need your help. Recent events including drought and bushfire impacted thousands of beehives across Australia. Thankfully, the beekeepers are doing their best to get back on their feet. However, they are struggling to feed their bees and pay their bills.”

In NSW alone bushfires have burnt over 9,809 hives and wiped out the field bees of over 88,094 hives.

“That’s why we are asking everyone to #BeeAnAngel by supporting Australia’s littlest livestock, the honeybee.”

NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner McKechnie presented long service medals to 13 members from the Mid Lachlan Valley Team in Parkes last Saturday, as well as one posthumous medal, in acknowledgement of the members’ commitment to the service and community. Absent from the ceremony: Joel Breaden (10 years); Kenneth Ladbury (23 years); Robert McConkey (52 years) and Ron Fisher from Ootha (61 years).

Several snow figures appeared on Mount Canobolas Road on Sunday as hundreds of people were out to have fun in the snow.

With spring blossoms starting to colour our wintry world, last Saturday saw the coldest day of the year with snow falling widely in NSW.

While rain and freezing winds allowed the temperature to only reach 10 degrees in Parkes, many locals took the opportunity to drive to Orange and beyond to have some fun in the snow.

Up to a metre of snow fell in some parts turning places like Oberon and Millthorpe into picture perfect postcards.

For some Parkes residents it was a real novelty to be in the snow. “It really looked like a Hallmark movie,” said Rochelle Frame who had moved to Parkes only last year from Queensland. She said her toes had started to defrost by Monday!

While more rain fell overnight on Saturday and Sunday morning, there were still loads of people out and about looking for snow. They were not disappointed with a good covering still to be found on Mount Canobolas in Orange on Sunday.

While Mount Canobolas Road was closed for traffic, it looked like a highway filled with adults and children dressed in all kinds of snow gear.

With snowballs flying everywhere, children on taboggans, the sound of shrieks and laughter everywhere, the coldest weekend would be remembered by many as a time of fun and good memories.

By Maggi Barnard

ARTC will be doing maintenance work on the railway line from Cootamundra to Parkes next weekend.

Next weekend the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) will run its massive annual maintenance program from Cootamundra to Parkes and between Moss Vale and Albury investing $8 million in regional NSW.

Rail workers will carry out essential rail maintenance and enhancement works as part of ARTC’s annual ‘Super Possession’ from 6am Saturday, 5th September to 6pm Monday, 7th September. “This year’s works include track re-railing, resurfacing and reconditioning, as well as level crossing upgrades, track ballasting, turnout maintenance and bridge maintenance,” said ARTC’s General Manager of Asset Management – Interstate, Brian Gree.

“The maintenance program requires track closures to allow access to the tracks for works that cannot be done safely when trains are running. We apologise for the inconvenience and as always we appreciate the patience and cooperation of motorists, commuters and customers.”

In addition to the shutdown, there will be preparatory work along the rail lines from 29th August, as well as some demobilisation work during standard working hours following the shutdown until 11th September. These works should see minimal impact to the community.

Brian said the shutdown of the network was required for works to be carried out as safely as possible. Under COVID-19 requirements the company will be doing a letterbox drop of information flyers instead of a door knock to inform nearby neighbours of the upcoming works. Ongoing strict hygiene protocols are also in place to minimise potential risks to the community and the teams involved in the maintenance shutdown.

Passenger services are impacted, and replacement coaches will be operating. More information can be found at www.transportnsw.info for NSW TrainLink services. More information is available on the ARTC website. Community members can also contact ARTC Enviroline on 1300 550 402 or email enviroline@artc.com.au if they have questions about the works.

Students in the Royal Academy of Dance Grade 5 ballet class with their dance diaries. They are (L-R) Pippa Robinson, Jemma Underwood, Madison Wynstra and Charlotte Baird.

Cleaning out your childhood room during COVID lockdown might bring you unexpected surprises as ballet teacher Natalie Williams discovered earlier this year.

She found a dance diary she had kept at a winter dance school she attended in Mudgee and decided it was a perfect activity to start with her students at Parkes School of Dance.

It was really tough for the students when classes were cancelled, but with a micro grant from Arts OutWest, Natalie was able to launch her idea and give her students a new sense of commitment during lockdown.

“The dance diaries have helped and will continue to help our dancers to maintain their passion for dance,” said Natalie. “During lock down, all of our students missed dancing in the studio with their friends and teachers.”

The students are still using the diaries as journals to record anything to do with dance from photos, information, to questions and explanations.

“My dance diary helps me remember things to practice and do at home,” said Jemma Underwood, who does Royal Academy of Dance Grade 5 Ballet and Junior Contemporary dance.

For senior student Sophie McQuie the diary is a good representation of what she has learned. “When I’m not at dance during the week, I’ve been able to write questions and points down so that I can ask and talk about them in class. Things like effacé positions, and our intentions for each class. I’ve kept feedback from teachers and have enjoyed researching particular dancers,” said Sophie, who attends Royal Academy of Dance Advanced One, Repertoire, Senior jazz and senior contemporary classes, as well as private lessons for solos.

Almost 7,000 votes were cast on the project page of Parkes Shire Council’s grant programs. Council was overwhelmed with the response and community contribution to this recent consultation for the Local Road and Community Infrastructure and Resources for Regions grant programs. The community was invited to share their priorities for identified projects on a new online engagement platform, Your Say Parkes.

The project page was viewed over 7,900 times with 1,746 registered participants casting 3,665 votes by the end of last month. Council also received useful comments on existing ideas and other valuable contributions for future projects.

Parkes Shire Mayour Ken Keith said while community feedback and sentiment were important, it was only one piece of the puzzle. “Council also needed to take into consideration the guidelines, budget, and the benefits to the community.”

This is the final list of projects to be submitted, but final approval is entirely at the discretion of the government.

• Resources for Regions $1.67M: Spicer Oval amenity building and carpark upgrades $1,620,000; Newell Highway Bypass $50,000.

• Local Roads and Community Infrastructure $1.3M: Woodward Oval Tennis Court Upgrades $175,000; Spicer Oval Lighting $400,000; Child Safety Traffic Upgrades at Parkes East School $250,000; Road, Footpath & Stormwater repair & maintenance $95,000; CCTV Main Street, Peak Hill $20,000; Parkes Coventry Room Community Cultural Space $100,000; Wiradjuri Keeping Place and preservation of artefacts $35,000; CBD Smart Infrastructure (banner raising components) $30,000; Doctors Residence Upgrade, Tullamore $80,000; Fence at Cemetery, Alectown $30,000; Henry Parkes Centre – Repairs and maintenance to protect collections $50,000; Rose Street Footpath Upgrade $35,000.