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.”

Parkes Services Club donated $5,000 for the second year in a row to Currajong Disability Services (CDS) to assist with transport costs. “It will make a massive difference,” said Currajong CEO Jeff Evans. At the handover were (L-R) Jye Jeffrey from Currajong (with trophy), Jeff Evans, Terry Knowles (Club President), Cheryl Cunningham (Director Parkes Services Club), Jarrad Simpson and Dan Jones with clients and staff from Currajong.

The next big show for the Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society is Shrek the Musical Jr. It will run over the first two weekends in June with a cast of 38 between the ages of 7 and 19 from Parkes, Forbes and surrounding towns. It is a wonderful show for the whole family from 3 years to 100!

For the first time ever, the Society is staging an Autism friendly performance on 15th June at 2pm that will be specially adapted to be accessible to people with Autism, a learning disability, or anyone with sensory disposition. All sudden lighting and sound effects will be taken out and house lights will be left on at 50%. There will be no aggressive or confrontational content and all main characters will be introduced before the show commences. There will be quiet spaces, and an open day before the show so kids can come along and get familiar with the theatre environment.

“We are very excited to be the first regional company to hold an Autism friendly relaxed performance and look forward to seeing many kids experience theatre for the first time,” said Director Lyn Townsend.

A Parkes heath professional received a welcome surprise recently when she was named Midwife of the Year.

The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) announced Cath Byrnes as its Midwife of the Year when celebrating International Day of the Midwife.

“It was a surprise and an honour,” Cath told The Parkes Phoenix. “It is also nice to be acknowledged.” Cath has been a midwife for 23 years and has lived in Parkes for the past 20 years.
She said the award encouraged her to continue her studies and to become a lactation consultant. “The course is for 12 months and I have to pass an exam in order to become a clinical expert in breastfeeding.”
Executive Director Quality, Clinical Safety and Midwifery Adrian Fahy said: “Cath is a hard-working midwife and an asset to the Lachlan Health Service team in Parkes. Cath shows great innovation and initiatives towards clinical education and mentoring new staff”.

He said Cath not only demonstrated all of the required qualities, but was also a fantastic role model to not only other midwives but staff across the hospital.

“Cath’s passion is women centred care and looking at the family as a whole unit and adjusting her care to suit the woman’s needs,” Adrian said.

Over the past 12 months Cath has been working to improve patient outcomes through educating staff. Cath not only attended training to develop her own skills but then brought the training back and developed training sessions for staff at the Lachlan Health Service.

“Cath is a role model and mentor to new graduates and students and is seen as a senior staff member in the unit that staff can approach for direction and learning.”
“We are extremely proud of Cath, and her passion and dedication to providing excellent care to our women.”

Guarantor loans have become prevalent in recent times as banks try to spread the liability for loans. These types of loans are usually structured in such a way that the loan is secured by both the property you are buying and the property owned by the guarantor. Here are some types of guarantees:

1. Security guarantee: First time home buyers with an excellent credit history but no deposit will use this type of guarantee.

The guarantor, called an ‘equity guarantor’ by some lenders, uses real estate they own as additional security for the mortgage in question. If the guarantor has a loan on their property already, the bank can usually take a second mortgage as security.

2. Security and income guarantee: These guarantors are often parents helping their child who is a student or who has insufficient income to buy a property. The lender will use the parents’ property as additional security and rely on the parents’ income to prove that the loan is affordable.

3. Limited guarantee: The guarantor only guarantees a part of the loan. This is mostly used with security guarantors to reduce the potential liability secured on the guarantor’s property. Guarantees can either be limited or unlimited, depending on both the guarantor’s wants and the lender’s requirements. If you use a limited guarantee, then you are reducing the guarantor’s exposure to your mortgage although you may still be up for interest and charges by the bank in excess of the limit of the loan.

Some banks require the customer to obtain independent legal advice from a solicitor. If we at Matthews Williams can help you on any legal matter, feel free to call us.

Local businesses flew the flag for Parkes at the 2019 Western NSW Regional Business Awards in Mudgee last Friday with Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical taking out the top award for Business of the Year. Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical also won the Excellence in Small Business and Outstanding Young Entrepreneur awards.

Another two Parkes businesses walked away with awards with Tracie Robertson from Ray White Parkes winning Outstanding Business Leader, and See Solar taking the StartUp Superstar category.

“It was a fantastic honour to receive these awards, which was a combined effort by the entire team and our loyal customers to get us where we are today,” said Patrick Lenehan, Director of Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical.

“Our ultimate goal is to be recognised as the best company in the industry by offering superior service through continually training staff and seeking out new ventures.”

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe congratulated Regos Plus Tyre & Mechanical saying the business highlights the ingenuity and perseverance of the Western NSW business community. “Patrick started his business five years ago as a young 24-year-old and has, in the last 24 months, nearly doubled revenue and staff. Patrick has also implemented a range of new services with a high level of customer service – and he has a great focus on employing young people in Parkes.”

Tracie won the Outstanding Business Leader Award with Rusty Russell from Double R Equipment Repairs in Mudgee. As the Managing Director of Ray White Parkes, Tracie has grown a struggling business from just one small rented office in Parkes with five staff, to six franchises across three towns with 22 staff. Tracie manages all operations of the company encompassing real estate services, mortgage broking, training, and guest speaking. She also wrote and produced the jingle for the current Ray White Orange television advert!

Rob Ehsman, Managing Director of See Solar said the StartUp Superstar Award meant the idea he had around five years ago had grown into something that looked like it would be sustainable, innovative and enjoyable. “This award brings a sense of achievement and satisfaction to my family, my staff and myself and provides something to build on in the future.”

See Solar strives to supply green, reliable and innovative standalone solar powered lighting and power solutions. They have completed a number of significant projects and extended their reach right across the Central West and several other regions of NSW.

 

Brooke Lees, Organisational Development Specialist at CMOC-Northparkes Mines is a finalist in the NSW Women in Mining Awards in the Exceptional Young Woman in NSW Mining category. Winners will be announced at a dinner and ceremony held at NSW Parliament House on Thursday, 30th May. NPM MD Hubert Lehman congratulated Brooke and said: “We are extremely proud of you and wish you all the best.”