Parkes resident and master cake decorator Kath Swansbra has been named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for service to decorative food arts.

Kath has made some iconic cakes depicting various themes including Villers-Bretonneux, World War 1 and various other commemorative cakes on display at the Henry Parkes Museum. She also makes a special cake for the Parkes Elvis Festival every year.

Kath started decorating more than 34 years ago and has been national champion at the Royal Easter Show many times.

 

Seven Parkes locals had the experience of a lifetime last Thursday at Parkes Airport when they hurtled through the sky in tandem jumps with Skydive Oz.

Three ‘crazy’ members of Parkes Dragon Boat Club, Suzie Griffey and Bill and Beth Thomas, used the opportunity to raise just over $800 for their club.

What does it actually feel like to plunge from a plane at 14,000 feet? Let me tell you what the ride of my life felt like.

We arrived at the airport to the smiling faces of the Skydive Oz team. They sensed my nervous fear immediately and gave calm and relaxed instructions. We would ascend for 20 minutes to reach a height more than 4 kilometres above terra firma.

My instructor Richie, whose honest face and trustworthy eyes put me at ease, had done over 6,000 jumps. This gave me the confidence to stay and not run out the door.

We were loaded into the small plane sitting on the floor facing backwards in front of our instructor with our harnesses clipped securely to theirs. A note on the back wall said ‘Relax’. I tried taking deep breaths, but they sounded more like shudders as I tried
to quash my nerves.

After what seemed an hour Richie said: “You doing OK Beth? We’re half way.”

Bill was beside me cool as ever giving me a reassuring squeeze now and then. Richie reminded me that when the window rolled up and we slid to the edge I was to tuck my feet under, hang onto to the harness at my shoulders, and head back – shape myself like a banana.

The window opened. The photographer flew out. Richie and I sidled along until my legs were out in the open sky and nothingness opened up before me. This was the biggest moment of fear I had ever known in all my 66 years.

Then in a flash we were gone, free falling in the most amazing minute of my life.

The rush of adrenaline, the wonder of everything around us, the sheer absolute joy.

There was no room for fear. It had totally dissipated. I spread my arms and I was flying.

After this glorious minute of free-fall, we floated for four more minutes enjoying the amazing feeling of freedom. The landing was perfect.

The glorious thing about a skydive, apart from conquering your own fear, is that you live the elation of every single, vibrant instant of the experience to the utmost.

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!

By Beth Thomas

 

Rural Aid’s Farm Army will roll into Trundle this Sunday for a week to revitalise the rural community and support farmers experiencing hardship on the land.

More than 70 volunteers will set up camp at the Trundle Showgrounds to work on four farms, at schools and various community projects.

Trundle farmer Rhonda Milgate’s family has lived and worked on the farm for 140 years with sheep, cattle and cropping, and is now experiencing the worse drought of her lifetime.

“It touches my heart to know the Farm Army are coming out for a week to help out and it’s unbelievable that people are giving up their time and putting their lives on hold to help us out,” she said.

“Sometimes it gets so overwhelming with so much to do and the Farm Army are helping with fencing, carrying out mechanical repairs to the truck, installing a water tank, painting and doing handy work inside the house.”

The volunteers from throughout Australia are from all walks of life with the common goal to make a difference working to reinvigorate the community lifting people’s spirits and forming lasting connections with country folk.

Rural Aid will also provide school children with musical instruments through its Gift of Music program, boxes of Lego, stationery and an iPad.

Foresythes Recruitment will sponsor the event with 36 employees on the ground lending a helping hand.

Rural Aid will also provide country cards to help farmers purchase food for their families and much-needed goods.

A Rural Aid counsellor will reach out to farmers during the visit and offer mental health support.

The community also received a recent boost with a hay drop, with fodder going to local farmers to feed their livestock.

If you are interested in making a donation to Rural Aid or to get involved with an upcoming project visit: ruralaid.org.au

A highlight on the Parkes social calendar takes place tomorrow when the annual Parkes Picnic Races make a fashionable return from 11:30am at the Parkes Racecourse.

This year’s Fashions on the Field guest judge is Anna Barwick, a former Peak Hill local. Anna is a pharmacist, academic, PhD student, mum of two, fashionista and Miss Royal Easter Showgirl in 2008. She is also a keen Fashion on the Field entrant at country race meets, and has won the Lady of the Day at Tamworth Cup in 2017 and 2018, Armidale Cup, Guyra Cup, Walcha Cup, Tomingley and Mungery.

Parkes Picnic Races is a regular outing on her calendar. Known on Instagram as the ‘Phashionable Pharmacist’, Anna appreciates classic and cutting edge looks, while reflecting the seasonal racewear guidelines. This year at Parkes Picnic Races, her attention will be drawn to unique and superbly finished style.

The day also includes a five-race program, including the Coradgery Cup, as well as full TAB and betting facilities, canteen and bar services, a coffee van, and live entertainment by Trundle band Geroholom Johnson.

Entry is free for under 16-year-olds, and $20 adult general admission tickets are available at the gate on the day. For more details, visit parkespicnicraces.com.au.

Excitement is building for tonight’s opening of the latest Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society production that also only features juniors.

Shrek the Musical Jr will only play for two weekends and tickets are selling like hotcakes at www.parkesmandd.com.au The shows are on Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2 and 5:30pm, Sunday at 2pm and Monday at 2pm. Don’t miss out on the ultimate feel-good show! There is also a special Autism friendly show for the first time ever on 15th June at 2pm.

Central West Lachlan Landcare, in partnership with the Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party celebrated National Reconciliation Week at Bulgandramine last weekend.

The formerly aboriginal mission site, 22km west of Peak Hill, was returned to the local Wiradjuri community and is a unique and special space used to celebrate and learn more about Wiradjuri culture.

The celebration included performances, music and story telling, tasting of traditional foods, Wiradjuri dance and language, children’s activities and history talks, and a Sunday church service.

It was a great weekend to catch up with old friends and make new ones, with participants coming away with a sense of healing and a feeling of achievement for providing a cultural celebration for the community.

Hand Raised Birds Are Easy Pets
Hand raised birds are one of the best and easiest pets you can own. Being hand reared they are cuddly, tame and easy to handle. Many hand raised birds can be taught to mimic or talk.

Hand raised birds are fed and raised by humans, thus ensuring them to be tame and human oriented. They make fabulous pets who are loyal and fun to the very end. It’s best to keep them indoors, but play and talk to them a lot. They can become your best friend for the next 25 to 30 years.

The Parkes Pet Barn have some hand raised conures for sale and includes green cheeks and sun conures. Originally from South America, sun conures live for about 30 years and have lots of personality. They love attention and are quite easy to train as long as they are socialised from a young age.

Conures do have the ability to talk, however it takes a lot of patience and training. Conures often grind their beaks as a form of self grooming. This is very common and should not be of concern, it is also an indication that your bird is feeling relaxed.

Like all parrots, it is very important to give conures plenty of toys to play with. They have a tendency to chew as well so toys that are made from natural wood are highly recommended. Toys that have a variety of shapes, colours, materials and sizes are the best for sun conures as this will stimulate them mentally as well.

Conures like a large variety of fruit and vegetables, as well as the nuts and “parrot pellets” occasionally.

The New Harmonies concert at the Parkes Services Club last Sunday was a sell out! The community concert was a huge success with performances by the Parkes Shire Concert Band, Tapestry, the Parkes Community Choir, Parkes Public and Middleton school choirs, Lachlan Regional Orchestra and the Forbes Town & District Band. “It was a wonderful collaboration for all the groups involved,” said one of the organisers. Special thanks to Parkes Services Club, Sue and Jim Connors and all participants. Raffle won by Jeanette MacGregor.

PARKES LIBRARY IS ON THE MOVE!
The big news is that during June/July Parkes Library is going to pack up and move to a temporary location in Clarinda Street for one year. The present library space is about to undergo extensive renovations and expansion. Stay tuned for further details.

TO THE MOON AND BACK ART WORKSHOPS
Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June
Midday – 4pm
Cost: $20 per student
Regional Arts NSW and Parkes Shire Library invite 12 to 17-year-old students to a weekend art workshop in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Parkes’ role in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. Experienced local artist Leanne Wilson will lead the workshops and participants will produce a canvas artwork which will be displayed at a public exhibition during the anniversary celebrations. Places are strictly limited, book early to secure a place. Bookings and payment at Parkes Library.

AUTHOR TALK AND AUTHOR WORKSHOP – AMANDA HAMPSON
Wednesday 19 June
Author Workshop: 10am – Midday
Author Talk: 6 – 7pm
Amanda Hampson grew up in rural New Zealand. She spent her early twenties travelling, finally settling in Australia in 1979 where she now lives in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. In researching her upcoming novel, Sixty Summers, Amanda embarked on a European trip retracing her own youthful journey from the 1970s. She is the author of two non-fiction books, numerous articles and novels The Olive Sisters, Two for the Road, The French Perfumer and The Yellow Villa. Bookings required due to limited places at Parkes Library, library@parkes.nsw.gov.au or call 6861 2309.

BOOK CLUB
Peak Hill – First Wednesday of every month @ 6pm
Parkes – Last Wednesday of every month @ 3pm or Last Thursday of every month @ 6pm