Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM, Mikala McLean, and Council’s Manager Cultural Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones.

Growing up on a sheep, cattle and grain property near Tullamore, Mikala McLean has always loved animals and the business of running a farm.

As the recipient of this year’s Jack Scoble Educational Scholarship it is only fitting that she will use the funds to embark on a course she hopes will eventually benefit farmers across the Parkes Shire region.

Mikala graduated from Tullamore Central School last year and will leave the family farm next month to undertake a Bachelor of Animal Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. The scholarship will support her studies and accommodation.

“When I have completed my degree I hope to move back to regional and rural NSW to help farmers through easy and harder times with the changing environment,” Mikala said.

The Jack Scoble Educational Scholarship provides support for Parkes Shire high school graduates, undertaking their first year of full-time university studies in 2020.

Fifteen applications from across the Shire were received for the 2020 Jack Scoble Educational Scholarship.

Parkes Shire Council’s Manager Cultural Education & Library Services, Kerryn Jones said Mikala was chosen from the five shortlisted candidates.

“Mikala is a very worthy recipient and we are delighted to help kick-start what is sure to be a promising career.”

Parkes Dragon Boat Club members who took part in the club’s Clean Up Australia Day event at Lake Endeavour on Sunday are (L-R) Allan Gersbach, Harley Tom, Gemma Francis, Louise Moore, Robyn Teet, Jason Gosper, Beth and Bill Thomas, Janine Hando, Sue Griffey, David Potts and Deb Abela in front.

Members of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club not only love being on the water, but they also cherish the natural beauty of their training ground at Lake Endeavour.

The sad reality is that they pick up rubbish every week after their training session to keep the area as pristine as possible. Despite their weekly efforts, they managed to collect another ten bags of rubbish at their annual Clean Up Australia Day event last Sunday.

“I am so disappointed to see so much broken glass everywhere,” said Club President Bill Thomas. He said he was saddened by some of the items picked up and how people polluted such a beautiful environment.

“Thank you so much to the great group of members who stayed on to do the clean up and try to take care of such a wonderful asset to us and all other responsible people who love to use it.”

Parkes Dragon Boat Club member Janine Hando said it was well worth the effort. “Sadly there was a significant amount of rubbish, although I think the 10c return on recycling has reduced the amount of cans and bottles.” She also commented on how much broken glass was still everywhere, plus the usual amount of cigarette butts and well-known fast food containers.

“There was also a lot of fishing line, which poses a huge risk to the many species of birds around the lake,” said Janine. “It’s such a lovely area for the public, so we need to look after it!”

President Bill handed over Clean Up Thank You Awards to the members after their sterling effort.

Clean-Up Australia Day, started 30 years ago by ‘an average Australian bloke’ who had a simple idea to make a difference in his own backyard, has now become the country’s largest community-based environmental event.

UNITED IN SONG… Wiradjuri students, teachers, members of the Wiradjuri Language Group and other people con- nected with the language attended a celebration of International Mother Language Day in Parkes last Friday.

Two new Wiradjuri songs were introduced to a small gathering at the Parkes Library last Friday to mark International Mother Language Day.

Sean Cassidy of the Ub Ubbo Exchange, that promotes indigenous art forms, collaborated with the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group and local musicians to create the songs titled Nuganirra and Gujung Giiny.

Nuganirra, meaning Beat with the Heart, Beat Regularly as the Heart, was developed in memory of Ron Waldrop, the first Wiradjuri language teacher in Parkes.

The project and concept were initiated by Lionel Lovett, current Wiradjuri language teacher in Parkes. “The song celebrates Ron, who would’ve turned 50 last year,” said Geoff Anderson.

This song was created by listening to the heart beat, then listening to the heart beat responding to the sounds in nature, and then responding to the rhythm of nature and the heart together. “Ron’s heartbeat echoes through the song,” said Geoff.

Nuganirra is the follow up song to “I am My Elders Blood” of 2016.

Newell Highway Taskforce Meeting

The Australian Government committed $510 million to deliver targeted upgrades on the Newell Highway in its 2019 budget of which $300 million has been committed to the NSW section.

Planning is now underway, with the Department of Infrastructure Regional Development currently holding community consultation sessions at Narrandera, Gilgandra, Parkes and Narrabri.

“The Newell Highway is a critical link in Australia’s freight transport network, so it is great to see the Federal Government investing in targeted upgrades to increase access for higher efficiency freight vehicles, which will increase the overall efficiency of the corridor, as well as safety for all road users,” said Chair of the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee, Parkes Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM.

At the last meeting of the Taskforce earlier this month, members heard about discus- sions with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) regarding grade separation of the Inland Rail on new and existing level crossings.

There were also updates on the Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Parkes Bypass that has been released, including economic and social impacts. The concept design for the bypass was presented to the community in July and August last year, with more than 100 people making formal submissions about the concept design, with several changes to the plan being made.

Other projects updated included an additional $75 million committed for the heavy duty pavement work below Boggabilla, and five overtaking lanes completed and six more currently under construction. Studies on flood prone sections have commenced.

The next meetings of the Newell Highway Taskforce Committee will take place at NSW Parliament House, Sydney in May 2020.

CONGRATULATIONS… The eight new Australian citizens welcomed to the Parkes Shire on Tuesday are (L-R) David Serna Benavides, Jane Lee, Shuxin Wu, Maricel Smeaton, Mayor Ken Keith, Paulini Lagilagi, Sereima Corerega, Gina Hernandez Sastoque, Phil Donato MP and Eriberto Da Silva seated. He had the honour of cutting the beautifully decorated cake made by Kath Swansbra.

The friends and families of eight new Australian citizens packed the Parkes Shire Council chamber to capacity on Tuesday to witness a very special ceremony.

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith congratulated the shire residents on their decision to become citizens with each receiving a citizenship certificate and other commemorative items. The new citizens, who came to Australia from six different countries, were also welcomed by Member for Orange, Phil Donato who attended the ceremony.

The ceremony included a special treat this time with Councillor Neil Westcott playing the National Anthem on his guitar.

Councillor Neil Westcott, who is also a talented musician, brought his guitar along on Tuesday to play the National Anthem for the new citizens.

The new citizens are:

Eriberto da Silva, or Beto as he is known to his friends, is from Chile in Brazil and first arrived in Sydney in 2012 with his Australian partner (who is from Parkes) and their first child. Sydney proved to be too big and they moved to Parkes soon after arriving. Beto works as a gardener and is the owner of Parkes Gardening Services. He enjoys soccer, BBQs, fishing and camping.