We all had to hit pause on our plans in April to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But with restrictions easing on travel in NSW and school holidays starting today, it’s time to press play.

The popular CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope and Henry Parkes Centre museums will reopen to the public tomorrow, 4th July.

The Parkes Visitor Information Centre can help you plan your holiday adventure in the Parkes Shire and provide you with the latest updates for the region. Contact them on 6862 6000.

There is also a jam-packed itinerary available, full of free and fun activities to keep the whole family entertained. Download the Press Play itinerary from the Visit Parkes website at visitparkes.com.au/whats-on/school-holidays/.

“With restrictions still in place for intra-state and international travel, you’ve practically got the whole of NSW to yourselves – so, there’s no better time to take the regional road trip you’ve always dreamed of,” said Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mayor of Parkes Shire.

Just a reminder to safely explore the Parkes Region practicing good hygiene and social distancing to reduce this risk of spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community.

Remember to stay home if you are sick; wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitiser; cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze; avoid handshaking, leaning on service counters and use online/contactless payment.

Norma Garment attended a very special morning tea last week in her honour. She was recognised for her outstanding commitment to teaching Special Religious Education (formerly School Scripture) for 50 years. She started in Bourke in 1974 and later moved to Parkes teaching a lesson at all three primary schools each week. At her retirement morning tea last week she said every week was a highlight. Her main message to children is easily summed up in two songs she always taught: Jesus Loves Me and Love And Care For One Another.

Last week VERTO made the exciting announcement that its Lachlan Disability Employment Services team was awarded a five-star rating by the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services.

The Australian Government’s Disability Employment Service Program aims to assist people with illness, injury or disability to find and maintain employment. To gain a five-star rating, service providers are assessed on how successful they are in placing participants in sustainable, long-term employment or education. The star ratings system allows both employers and participants to help them chose the right service provider for them.

Ratings assess two of three performance indicators, the first of which measures the efficiency of a service provider, by looking at the average time it takes for providers to achieve employment outcomes for their participants. The second measures the effectiveness of service providers in how many outcomes are achieved for individual clients, including maintaining participants in employment where they may need assistance.

VERTO chief operating officer, Alyssa Bennett, said the Lachlan area, which includes four locations – Forbes, Parkes, West Wyalong and Condobolin – had received a five-star rating, the highest possible ranking from an independent Australian Government assessment.

“The VERTO Lachlan Disability Employment Services team does an outstanding job of assisting local job seekers to find and maintain employment,” Alyssa said.

“The five star rating is indicative of our commitment, dedication, and ongoing reliability in helping the Lachlan community, and ensures that those with illness, injury or disability looking for employment will have the chance to find and maintain meaningful work.”

For more information about VERTO’s specialised Disability Employment Services employment assistance, visit www.verto.org.au or phone 1300 483 786.

With the end of the financial year just around the corner, now is a great time to evaluate if there are any minor repairs or maintenance needed at your investment property.

This may include tasks that you have been putting off that may need doing annually. Some of these tasks include general repairs, painting, pest treatments, gutter cleaning, or annual yard maintenance.

These are things that landlords may be able to claim on tax and will also be beneficial for maintaining your property and ensuring its value in the long run.

Are you claiming depreciation on your investment property? If not, now may also be a good time to have an assessment done from a tax depreciation specialist. Depreciation is the natural wear and tear of a building and its assets over time. The Australian Tax Office allows owners of income producing properties to claim this depreciation as a tax deduction. Century 21 Central West can arrange this service on your behalf.

At Century 21 Central West, we suggest these tasks to landlords throughout the year, usually after a routine inspection of an investment property has been done. For landlords who wish to have an assessment from a tax deduction specialist, it is as simple as letting Century 21 Central West know when, so that Tara Kelly and her team can do all of the hard work for you!

If you would like to find out more on how we can manage your investment property to its full potential, please contact the Century 21 Central West team today – 02 6852 3793 or Tara Kelly 0418 465 407.

 

The Parkes P A & H Association advised last week that due to the uncertainty around the rules and regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Parkes Show has unfortunately been cancelled.

The show was scheduled to be held from Monday, 31 August to Wednesday, 2 September however the committee believe the cancellation is in the best interest of the community at this time.

“To all of our valued sponsors, volunteers and stewards, thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to working with you all to make our Parkes Show in 2021 even greater,” said Peter Unger, Parkes P A & H President.

There are also some major works currently taking place at the showground with the Luncheon Room & Grandstand receiving a face lift as well as the construction of a new Animal Nursery also taking place.

These works are happening with Public Works NSW through the funding that was received from the Federal Government. It would have been a race to have all these works completed by show time.

We look forward to celebrating the 140th Parkes Show in 2021 when it returns better than ever with all the new upgrades to the showground.

Jim Bailey was the first runner to break the four-minute mile on American soil. He was also a one-time resident of Parkes – his father Patrick Joseph Bailey being the health inspector for Parkes Municipal Council from 1930-1940.

By age 19 he tied for first in the 880 yards at the 1949 Australian Championships with David White. In 1951 Bailey was national champion outright in 880 yards. It was his first time on the new cinders track in Melbourne which he found harsh. The French miler, Michel Clare, invited Bailey to train and compete in Europe where cinders tracks were the norm. The harsh winters were tough; Bailey returned to Australia in 1952 out of form, finishing second but missing out on the sole Olympic Games spot in 880 yards.

Injury meant Bailey missed the Vancouver Empire Games 880 yards final and the “Miracle Mile” won by UK’s Roger Bannister with Australian John Landy second. Bailey moved to USA and trained with Bill Bowerman at University of Oregon. He was invited to the blockbuster mile race in LA Memorial Coliseum where experts hoped for the first sub-four-minute mile on American soil. Bailey triumphed in an amazing race, beating the two favourites Roger Delany and Landy. Sadly, Australian media turned on Bailey for beating their “darling” Landy, and the Australian public did the same. Bailey was booed in Melbourne at the Olympic trials. Bailey and Landy were good friends.

The NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards were held last Thursday, 18 June. The awards were due to be held earlier this year in April at NSW Parliament in Sydney, however due to the COVID-19 health pandemic, the event was cancelled. In order to still recognise and celebrate the people and companies powering the mining industry, the awards were live streamed via social media.

Ellie Hawkins, Scheduling Engineer at CMOC-Northparkes Mines (Northparkes) was announced as the joint winner of the Young Achiever of the Year award.

Ellie joined the Northparkes team in 2017 as a Graduate Mining Engineer. Within her first 12 months, she transitioned from being a Graduate Mining Engineer to a Drill and Blast Engineer with a concurrent role as Project Team Leader for the Wireless Detonation Trial.

In mid-2019, Ellie was promoted to Scheduling Engineer. Whilst working full time at Northparkes, Ellie is also completing a Master of Research at the University of Wollongong on the blast optimisation of the drill and blast practices of the E26 Sub Level Cave at Northparkes.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have received this award. At 26 years of age and only 4 years into my mining career, I know I’ve picked the right industry. The way we have held strong in the face of adversity in 2020 sings true to the great industry we are,” said Ellie. “Achieving this award would not be possible without my family at Northparkes. We are a tight knit community and the support received, with individual drives means that opportunities are boundless.”