The BEST Carrot Cake
An easy to make cake using carrots on special at Cunningham’s IGA this week!

For the cake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• 1½ cups light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots

For the icing:
• 227g cream cheese at room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
• 2 cups icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

To make the carrot cake:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Spray two 22cm round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add the grated carrots and mix until combined.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk or rubber spatula until just combined, making sure not to over mix.
5. Pour the batter evenly between both cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack, and cool in the pans for about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the pans and return to the wire rack.

To make the cream cheese icing:
Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the butter and mix for about 30 seconds-1 minute until well combined and smooth. Add the icing sugar and vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully combined.

To assemble the cake:
Place one of the cakes on a cake stand, top with a little over 1/2 cup of the frosting, and smooth it out into one even layer. Place the other cake on top and use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake. Top with pecans or other toppings of choice if desired.

(Source: www.livewellbakeoften.com)

In about 50 days on 21st July it will be 50 years since NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar module landed on the Moon and the human race took its first steps onto another world.

Australia, and in particular Parkes, played a key role in communicating with the Apollo 11 spacecraft, tracking it, and sharing news of this ‘giant leap’ to 600 million people around the world via the technology and teams at NASA’s Honeysuckle Creek, and CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope and Tidbinbilla tracking stations near Canberra. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has worked with NASA for almost 60 years as its official ‘cooperating agency’ in Australia.

CSIRO is supporting many events in the lead-up to the anniversary.

One highlight will be open days at the Parkes radio telescope, the world famous ‘Dish’, over the weekend of 20th and 21st July when thousands of visitors are expected with former staff that supported the Apollo 11 telecast.

CSIRO has a 75-year history in the space sector that includes tracking spacecraft exploring our Solar System, Earth observation analytics, managing complex facilities, processing big data and supporting manufacturing supply chains.

Art Workshops
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Parkes’ role in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission, Regional Arts NSW and Parkes Shire Library will host a weekend art workshop for 12 to 17-year-olds.

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.

As places are strictly limited, make sure to book early to secure a place. Bookings and payment ($20 per student) to be made at Parkes Library. The workshop will run from midday to 4pm on 22nd and 23rd June.

If you are a Joe Cocker fan don’t miss Australia’s greatest soul voice Doug Parkinson in his ultimate tribute coming to Dubbo on 22nd June.

It will be a night of soul and rock classics with electric current running high generated by a very talented eight piece band and of course the powerful and unique voice of Doug Parkinson.

Joe Cocker was an irresistible force that combined a love of American soul music with standout interpretations and depth of feeling, terms often used to describe the soulful smoky voice of Australian singing legend Doug Parkinson.

Cocker is most famous for what he did with other people’s songs like Hitchcock Railway, Delta Lady, You Can Leave Your Hat On, She Came in through the Bathroom Window, The Letter, You Are So Beautiful,Up Where We Belong and Cry Me A River.

Just a few of the songs Doug Parkinson has included in his show and leaves the audience spellbound. Doug is not only an entertainer but an amazing vocalist.

Doug is also a multi award winning artist of soul and rock and box office hit musicals. (See details of show on front page.)

The shore of Lake Endeavour was a scene of festivity when about 100 people helped to celebrate the first anniversary of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) on Sunday.

As colourful flags fluttered in a slight breeze on the last beautiful day before the cold stepped in, Phil Donato MP praised the club for what it has brought to the community of Parkes.

Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton thanked the club for looking after the lake and its environment.

Once the dragon birthday cake was cut, it was time to get on the water. Club members came from Forbes, Bathurst, Orange Pinnacles, Orange Colour City and Mudgee to help celebrate the day.

The two boats went out several times with mixed teams including first time paddlers.

“What a splendid day it was,” said PDBC President Bill Thomas. “It was great to see so many members from other clubs joining us for a fun-filled day both on and off the water, and all the first-time paddlers who hopped in a boat. I can only say a big thank you to everyone for making it a great day!”

The Pinnacle Dragons agreed it was a wonderful day. “Thank you Parkes Dragon Boat Club – it was a joy to help you celebrate your first birthday – you are a credit to the dragon boat world.”

Some club members reflected on the first year with Michael Hutchison saying: “It’s been a wonderful experience. The people who established the club have done an absolutely magnificent job.”

Chris Auld said it had changed his life, while Sue Griffey said: “Being on the water is so peaceful and relaxing, which is very good for the mind.”

Mayors from councils across the country have demanded swift action to tackle climate change from the Federal Government.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith and 14 other mayors from the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate alliance, have joined forces to demand more Federal support for local work on climate change, commitment to a national 100% renewable energy target and rapid phase out of fossil fuel subsidies.

Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said local governments around Australia and the world had been leading on climate action for decades, however their efforts were increasingly stifled by the shocking inaction of their state and federal governments.

“By stoking fear and ignoring the science, our federal parliamentarians are distracting voters from the inarguable truth – that without urgent, coordinated, and global action to reduce emissions and shift to renewable energy, we will trigger runaway climate change.”

Climate Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said the next Federal Government must act swiftly to avert a climate crisis – and that means supporting local solutions.

“Mayors are making a stand to demand that Federal leaders commit to meaningful action on climate change – and that means switching to renewable energy and ending subsidies for the dirty coal and gas industries that are putting our communities at risk of serious climate damage.”

The mayors demanded three major actions from Federal leaders:
• Strong national climate policy aligned to the science and a national commitment to rapidly transitioning to 100% clean energy
• Support the rapid phase out of fossil fuel subsidies which contribute to climate change
• Provide long-term finance to support implementation of clean energy and sustainable transport, such as rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicle charging stations, public and active transport infrastructure in council and community areas.

It’s been a year since the Parkes community was shocked by the sudden passing of one of Australia’s music legends.

Last week a permanent memorial was installed in honour of Phil Emmanuel outside the Henry Parkes Centre on the first anniversary of his death.

The memorial was organised by Phil’s brother and Parkes resident, Darcy Emmanuel, and kindly donated by Rod and Cheryl Fletcher from Rocks of Remembrance.

It was officially unveiled at a special tribute show held in Phil’s honour at this year’s Parkes Elvis Festival. The memorial is positioned outside the entrance to the Parkes and District Historical Society Museum where there is an exhibit honouring the Emmanuel family.

Parkes Elvis Festival Director Cathy Treasure said: “It was an honour to meet Phil in 2018 when he was inducted into the Wall of Fame.”

“He was both a great musician and a lovely man to work with. This memorial is an important installation to honour his memory,” Cathy said.

Phil could well have been the greatest electric guitar player Australia had produced, according to rock historian Glenn A Baker.

Baker presented the music TV show After Dark in the 1980s when The Emmanuel Brothers blew everyone away performing a trick that involved the two of them playing the one instrument.

“Tommy would [go on to] be the greatest acoustic guitar player we’ve probably seen,” said Glenn.

He started his music career at a young age as part of the Emmanuel Quartet. The Emmanuel family settled in Parkes in 1967, where Phil attended school prior to moving to Sydney.

Phil and his brother Tommy were inducted into the Elvis Wall of Fame at last year’s Festival, with Phil performing a solo show to a sell-out crowd. He was planning to return to Parkes this year to perform.

The premier event of the Parkes and districts social calendar is fast approaching with the Parkes Coradgery and Diggers Picnic Races to be held on Saturday, 8th June.

Coradgery, a place near  Parkes, held a picnic meeting very early in 1900 at a property called Riverview, and called it the Bogan Riverview Picnic Races. Farmers from the surrounding district used their horses to carry farm produce in the morning, and took their families to the race meeting on the same day. They would harness the same horse into gigs, for the trotting races and others including barrel and flag races. The meeting changed properties in later years, and was followed by a ball. This annual event continued until the mid-1960s until it was transferred to the Parkes Racecourse.

The Parkes Diggers races were held at the Parkes Racecourse for many years, and was another popular social occasion in the district, as well as the St. Patrick’s Day Races.

In the early 1980s it was agreed to combine resources of the three groups, and to hold one huge picnic race meeting once a year onthe Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Since this momentous decision, the two committees have worked together very amicably with great success as one incorporated body.

The June long weekend has since become a ‘Back to Parkes’ weekend, with many residents opening their homes to friends and relations, while visitors come from all over the state, and even interstate.

This year the Quota ladies will cater the food, with full bar facilities and a band for entertainment.

Fashions on the field will be judged in the categories of Contemporary, Millinery, Stylish Man and Elegant Lady with some excellent prizes. Entry is $20 and gates open at 11:30am.
By Stafford Orange

Extension work at the Parkes Regional Airport has been completed and was officially unveiled last week.

The work included better links between the tarmac and taxi lanes as well as an extension to the tarmac, a new taxi lane and better connection of services to the commercial hangar.

“This is a major modernisation of one of Australia’s most important regional airports,” said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack.

“As a well-established national transport hub with links to both major cities and the country, Parkes is the ideal location for aviation industries to flourish,” he said.

Member of the NSW Legislative Council Wes Fang said: “Parkes is now better placed to attract new business investment, capitalising on the movement of metropolitan- based business to regional areas.”

Parkes Shire Councillor and Chair of Economic Development – Airport Sub Committee, Alan Ward said this project was part of a suite of investments in the region, including the construction of Inland Rail, expansion of CMOC Northparkes Mines and establishment of the CleanTeq Sunrise Nickel Cobalt Scandium Project.

“Following the announcement that Parkes will be the State’s first Special Activation Precinct, we are experiencing unprecedented levels of enquiries from businesses looking to capitalise on Parkes’ strategic potential.” This $3,115,000 project was jointly funded with the Federal Government investing $1,557,500, the NSW Government investing $1,030,000 and Parkes Shire Council investing $527,500.

The long-awaited Parkes Bypass will be delivered with the re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government committing $100 million to the project.

“The Parkes Bypass has been on everyone’s lips for many years now and I want to see it become a reality with up to $100 million committed by the Liberal and Nationals Government,” said Riverina MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack in Parkes last week.

“I want to see greater freight efficiency and productivity, and I want to see improved amenity and safety for pedestrians and other road users in the Parkes centre,” he said.
“The bypass will allow heavy vehicles to avoid the town centre where intersections, as well as railway crossings, have a big impact on travel times and productivity. And most importantly it will help people get home sooner and safer.”

The $125 million project will be delivered in partnership with the NSW Government.

Consultation with the community will continue on the best design for the bypass, building on the concept design released by the NSW Government.

“The final design of the bypass will identify how best to integrate with Inland Rail intermodal hubs, which are so exciting for the economic development of the Parkes region,” said Michael.

“The Newell Highway is the longest highway in NSW, and provides a major freight and passenger transport connection to Victoria and Queensland. Many towns, farmers and small businesses throughout the Central West, Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and western NSW rely on the Newell to connect product from paddock to plate, as well as providing a vital economic boost to communities along the highway.”