CMOC-Northparkes Mines announced the launch of the first edition of the Northparkes Newsletter on Wednesday. The e-newsletter will be distributed on a monthly basis.

“The aim of the newsletter is to create another channel to connect with our local community members,” said Community and External Relations Advisor, Ali Standen.

“The newsletters will include updates about our operations, our people, career opportunities, scholarship programs, up-coming events and our investment pro- grams and partnerships.” Stacey Kelly Manager People, Safety and Environment said: “This e-newsletter is another way for us to ensure our local community members are aware of our current job vacancies, including our traineeship and scholarship programs, that are designed to support the local communities in which we live and work.” We also invite the community to connect with Northparkes on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Ali invited residents to keep up to date with all the latest news by signing up to the e-newsletter. Visit www.northparkes.com to sign up and get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.

The winters during World War I were bitterly cold. The trenches did not provide any warmth. Everything froze from clothing to blankets to food. Many soldiers died from pneumonia or froze to death in the flooded and muddy trenches.

When the Australian troops went off to war, they had no idea what was to await them. Not only were they a long way from home, they had to fight in extremely difficult circumstances.

One Australian woman wanted to help them keep warm and had an idea to make sheepskin vests. Eleanor MacKinnon managed to rally Australians for money and bought sheepskins to be turned into vests for the Australian, British and Canadian troops.

Wool brokers collected the skins and tanned them, while the Red Cross co-ordinated an army of volunteers to stitch the ‘Digger’s Vest’, as they became known, together. By 1916 over 75,000 vests and 61,000 insoles had been sent to soldiers at the front. The vests helped to save thousands of lives.

One of these historical vests is now on display at the Henry Parkes Museum. Rosemary Prior of the Parkes and District Historical Society came across the 100-year-old vest when she was sorting out the archives during the COVID-19 lock-down.

Rosemary was so stirred by the discovery that she decided to expand the display to honour local troops from the Parkes Shire who went to war and recognise what they went through.

She tapped into the army records of John Daniel McGee and Frederick Packham to detail their experiences during World War I and John Turner in World War II.

The display also include many other items including army uniforms, a gas mask, tobacco pouch, RAAF sewing kit, army dixie and even a pattern book to knit socks, gloves, vests, balaclavas, scarves and knee caps for soldiers.

A hail storm near Tullamore and Peak Hill left paddocks white as snow on Sunday afternoon. Farmers are relieved the hail did not cause serious damage, although it blanketed winter crops. (Photo: Nicole Ross)

Three female students in the Parkes Shire made it to the final cut to receive scholarships from the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Foundation (RASF).

Emma Rice from Parkes and Peak Hill’s Mikaela Dart and Molly Wright are among the 21 recipients from the Central West and Orana. A total of 73 scholarships were awarded under the 2020 program.

Emma (21), who grew up on a mixed livestock and cropping property in Parkes, is doing a Masters of Teaching at the University of New England (UNE). She has always been interested in combining agricultural science and the education of young people in rural areas. Emma completed her Bachelor of Agriculture also at UNE. She believes the longevity of regional communities is reliant on quality schools and educational facilities.

Mikaela (23) is enrolled at UNE in Armidale and is studying a Bachelor of Nursing via distance education. She is passionate about health and in particular emergency nursing and mental health. She is hoping to work in Peak Hill after graduation to help support the much-needed services of rural towns.

Molly (20) is in the second year of her Diploma of Agribusiness Management through Wagga Wagga PIC. She also works in the family enterprise of sheep, beef, cattle and cropping. Wanting to promote agriculture and her regional community, Molly is focused on the business and management aspects of running a property, along with sustainable techniques. She hopes to use her education to help others in regional areas.

The RASF scholarships, awarded to regional and rural students who are studying at a NSW university or TAFE, support students seeking further education with the goal of injecting their new skills back into rural areas.

The scholarships offer financial grants of $6,000 for full-time study and $3,000 for part-time study to give students the freedom to study without the stress and financial challenges brought about by the need to relocate.

Sixteen community groups were successful in the first round of this year’s Northparkes Community Investment Program.

The successful recipients from Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin and Bogan Gate will share in $40,000 donated each round. Since its inception, over $760,000 has been invested in the Parkes and Forbes Shires.

“To achieve our vision of ‘A century of mining together’, we invest in the future of our community through meaningful partnerships,” said Northparkes Managing Director Hubert Lehman.

“Despite the COVID-19 health pandemic, we want to ensure we are still able to support our local community through this investment program.”

The successful applicants are: Aruma (formerly House With No Steps), Bogan Gate Golf Club, Central West Astronomical Society, Condobolin High School P&C Association, Condobolin Pony Club, Forbes District Soccer Club, Forbes Golf Association, Forbes Rugby Union Club, Mitchell Conservatorium, Parkes & District Historical Society, Parkes Aero Club, Parkes Early Childhood Centre, Parkes High School, Parkes Painting Group and The Sprouts Project – Parkes Shire Early Intervention.

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee, made up of community members from Parkes and Forbes. Round two of the Community Investment Program is now open. Visit www.northparkes.com to apply. For more information, please contact Ali Standen on 02 6861 3621 or ali.standen@au.cmoc.com.

The heritage-listed Parkes station has become a focal point of activity during the annual Elvis Festival when hundreds of festival goers meet the Elvis Express and Elvis Blue Suede Express.The station building is currently receiving very welcome improvement work that will not only improve accessibility and safety for customers, but is also creating 30 local jobs.

The upgrade to the footpath, car park and toilets will make it easier for customers, including people with a disability, to access public transport services from the station.

“It will provide a welcoming gateway to all those who travel by train to visit the Parkes region for great events like the annual Elvis Festival,” said Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway.

The project includes upgrading the existing footpath; upgrading the car park; new ambulant toilets and a family accessible toilet; a formalised bus stop at the station entrance; and improvements to CCTV, lighting and wayfinding.

The upgrade is delivered under the NSW Government’s Transport Access Program.

The CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope has been abuzz since its re-opening last Saturday. “It is great to be back,” said CSIRO Operations Scientist John Sarkissian. “We had a great response, with many families visiting with their kids.”

John said a range of new safety measures were implemented to create a safe environment for visitors, including only allowing 50 people inside the centre at any given time, limiting numbers in the 3D theatre and signing in on arrival. The Dish Café is also open with appropriate social distancing measures in place. The Visitors Centre is open from 8:30am to 4:15pm every day with lots of fun activities, and things to see and do during these school holidays.