Teddy Bears are not really recognised as life savers, but a donation to the Parkes Ambulance Service could potentially make a huge difference to children. Currajong Disability Services, with the help of St. Vincent De Paul, recently donated hand-made teddy bears to Parkes Ambulance Services. The teddy bears will not only serve as a comfort to children but could potentially be a vital life-saving tool. Parkes Ambulance Service Station Officer Geoff Lovegrove said: “Teddy bears are helpful when we need children, who are injured or scared, to point to us on the teddy where they feel pain,” Geoff said. St. Vincent De Paul donated the teddies to the Currajong Sewing Group who repaired them.

The Parkes Shire Concert Band (PSCB) recently welcomed two new members.

Amelia Leach and Hanah Kim are both new residents to Parkes.

The band also welcomed Steve William, a visiting musician from Sutherland Band who did contract work in Parkes. PSCB also collaborate with music groups in the Shire. Some members recently played in the fabulous Anne of Green Gables band.

The next venture is the New Harmonies Concert with primary schools, community singing groups and Lachlan Regional Orchestra at the Parkes Services Club on 2nd June at 2pm for an afternoon of community music.

The band has an open invitation to anyone interested in learning to play an instrument, or anyone wanting to pick up an instrument again. Rehearsals are every Tuesday during the school term: beginners 6:30-7pm; juniors and seniors 7-8pm, main band 8-9pm. Contact Duncan Clement, PSCB Music Director, on email: duncanclement@ hotmail.com or on 0405 035 164.

The 100-year-old German Feldkanone has been restored and recently returned to Cooke Park with a brand new coat of mid grey paint and two new wheels.

A wheelwright from Bywong in NSW, Mark Burton, made the wheels to the original specification, and Councillor George Pratt undertook the rest of the restoration work with the help of Council workers at the depot.

The project took about 16 months to complete.

George explained the cannon was painted in its original mid grey colour, which matched the colour of German uniforms at the time.

The colour also helped to camouflage the cannon during winter time when it snowed.

On Tuesday Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack visited Parkes to see the end result as he was instrumental in assisting the Parkes RSL Sub-Branch to get a Commonwealth grant of $9,500. The Parkes Shire Council contributed $1,000 as did the Parkes RSL Sub-Branch.

“We need to conserve these monuments,” said Michael of the cannon that was offered to Parkes after an application to State Government was made for it.

“It is a magnificent WWI relic and is now completely restored for people to see,” said Parkes RSL Sub-Branch secretary/treasurer Paul Thomas. He thanked Michael for his timely and generous support in assisting the local Sub-Branch and making time to see the end product in Cooke Park on Tuesday.

Paul and George both thanked the Parkes Shire Council for its valuable assistance. Paul could not praise George enough for his commitment to the task. He also said the work of Mark Burton, the wheelwright, was outstanding and he was a credit to his industry.

The cannon was officially dedicated by Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM and the town’s Anzac Day ambassador Lt Colonel David Heatley at the recent Commemorative Service.

 

The Northparkes Indigenous Scholarships for 2019 were awarded during a presentation held at the mine last month.

Sophie Cusack from Parkes has been accepted into Charles Sturt University in Bathurst to study a Bachelor of Nursing and Kristi Logan from Peak Hill has been accepted into Charles Sturt University in Dubbo to study a Bachelor of Nursing.

Sophie and Kristi will both receive $5,000 per year of their study as part of their nontechnical scholarship. The recipients also received a laptop, and will be given work placements at Northparkes and throughout Australia.

“I am extremely grateful,” said Sophie. “Not only has it given me the opportunity to attend university, but it will assist with purchasing text books and support during my work placements.” Sophie wants to specialise in mental health.

“This is a wonderful opportunity and I hope that I can encourage others to get involved in the future. Once I finish my degree, I am really hoping to go into community health.

It is underutilised and understaffed area,” said Kristi.

Hubert Lehman, Managing Director Northparkes, said: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Sophie and Kristi to the scholarship program. We welcome them to our employee pipeline and wish them all the best in their studies.”

Even though mums give us so much help and love every day, there’s only one Mother’s Day, and this year it is on Sunday, 12th May. Show your appreciation and love and make it a memorable day this year.

Here are some ideas to help you make Mother’s Day 2019 as special for your mum, as special as she is to you.

Children love to make homemade gifts. There are plenty of very handy DIY ideas online to give mum a very special gift that she will be able to use for a long time to come. Many ideas use supplies you already have hanging around the house, including yarn, paper, a mason jar, even an old shirt!

If you need a quote for the home made Mother’s Day card, here are some ideas:

• For when a child is born the mother also is born again. – Gilbert Parker

• All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. – Abraham Lincoln

• Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love. – Mildred B. Vermont

• My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, But I think she enjoyed it. – Mark Twain

• Children are the anchors of a mother’s life. – Sophocles

• Men are what their mothers made them. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

• My mother is a walking miracle. – Leonardo DiCaprio

• The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom. – Henry Ward Beecher

To make the day even more special, get the kids to help whip up a delicious brunch or treat for mum (remember to clean the kitchen as well!).

Create a playlist for your Mother’s Day brunch, lunch or dinner with these sentimental songs…

1. Mama’s Song — Carrie Underwood

2. I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack

3. A Song For Mama — Boyz II Men

4. Mom — Garth Brooks

5. Turn To You — Justin Bieber

6. Hey Mama — Kanye West

7. The Best Day — Taylor Swift

8. Baby Mine — Alison Krauss

9. Like My Mother Does — Lauren Alaina

10. Mama Liked Roses — Elvis Presley

A Mother’s Day film is a great way to end a fun day with Mum. Here are a few movie ideas she might enjoy …

1. Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

2. Brave (2012)

3. Juno (2007)

4. Knocked Up (2007);

5. Terms of Endearment (1983)

6. The Perfect Man (2005)

7. The Big Sick (2017)

8. Tiny Furniture (2010);

9. Life as We Know It (2010)

10. The Parent Trap (1998).

BOOK SALE

Time for Parkes Library’s annual book sale. Opens Monday, 6th May to 11th May Prices start at 50 cents, many bargains!

NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME

Wednesday 22nd May, 9:30am and 11:00am Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove is the book to read and enjoy together this year. National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an annual campaign that aims to encourage more young Australians to read and enjoy books. This is the 19th successful year of reading fun. Parkes Shire Library will host this event in the Coventry Room with pre-schools and child care facilities already booked in for both sessions. Please bring your pre-school age children to either session and have a great time reading a colourful, vibrant and fun story together as a community.

JUNIOR CODE CLUB

WHEN: Starts Tuesday, 7th May 4pm – 5pm Explore technology and learn to use Scratch to create your own cool projects. Designed for those with no prior knowledge. This is run over six weeks, one afternoon per week. Bookings are essential, please come into Parkes Library to register your child prior to starting date. Don’t be disappointed places are limited.

HUBLET

Offering a new form of digital access to our customers at Parkes Library. Loan a tablet for use anywhere in the library and complete your banking, emails, book reading or any other digital activity from the comfort of our lounge chairs. This tablet when docked will have all personal activities removed, protecting your online privacy and details.

This is a self-service facility. All you need is your library card and your password. Acting Cultural, Education and Library Manager, Andrea Lovell said: “This is another tool to support equal access to the digital world for our community.” Come in and take the opportunity to relax and complete your online activities within a safe, secure and pleasant environment. Staff are very happy to show you how to use the Hublet.

 

Hundreds of Parkes residents turned up for the annual Anzac Day March led by 97-yearold World War II veteran Thomas Forrester.

Tom, accompanied by his daughter Narelle Sunderland, was pushed in his wheelchair by Corporal Craig Cole and joined by the official Anzac Day special guest Lieutenant Colonel Dave Heatley. The Parkes Shire Concert Band set the pace for the rest of the procession of ex-servicemen and women and their relatives, and a good number of students representing seven schools, as well as other community groups.

The younger generation also featured when the Parkes East Public School captains, Will Rix and Daisy Dawson, and the Parkes High School captains, Ethan Pay and Becky Wright, addressed the civic commemoration in Cooke Park.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Heatley specially thanked the students for embracing Anzac Day. “It will become part of your responsibility to continue this into the future,” he said.

“Today is a special day for our country as we remember those who served in the Australian Defence Force. It is also a day of thanks and quiet reflection on what a lucky country we live in,” said Dave.

“In a perfect world there would be no wars, no aggression and no requirement for a defence force. Unfortunately, this is not the case and we need to preserve peace in our region and elsewhere in the world.”

Dave, who joined the army after completing his schooling at Parkes High School in 1982, said some people say Anzac Day glorifies war. “But veterans will be the first to say that their greatest wish is that their children and this nation never have to witness the horrors of war again. We commemorate this special day to reflect on our freedoms that had been hard won and to recognise

the futility of war.”

By Maggi Barnard

RSPCA NSW recommends a few key tips to keep your beloved pet warm and healthy this winter:

• Sleeping: Outdoor pets need well-insulated shelter that is weather proof, such as the laundry or another protected area.

Indoor pets will love it if their bed and blanket are placed in the cosiest part of the house. Older pets may need to wear a coat at night. Never use a hot water bottle or wheat bags, as these can overheat and cause burns.

• Sunlight: Getting enough warmth is just as important during the day. Move kennels into the sun, and cat beds into light drenched windows.

• Coats: If you’re out for a walk in winter consider a waterproof walking coat for your dog. Make sure the coat is fitted correctly and is not too tight or too loose.

• Food: Pets feel hungrier in winter as they burn more calories to stay warm. Ask your vet if you’re not sure how much to feed your pet to avoid weight gain.

• Water: Many dogs do not drink enough water during winter months. Add something like a stock cube, or a teaspoon of vegemite in warm water with their dinner.

Make sure the water is warm, not hot.

• Exercise: Exercise is important even in winter. Take your pet for a walk, making sure to accessorise short-haired breeds with a warm jacket.

• Grooming: Pets’ fur is designed to keep the warmth against their skin, but the heating system doesn’t work right if their fur is matted or tangled. Regularly groom your pet.

The Pet Barn in Parkes can supply your pets’ needs for the winter, including selfwarming beds and dog coats.

The election of Directors for the Board of the Parkes Services Club will take place at the AGM on Sunday, 27th May at 10am.

“The prospective director would need a high level of entrepreneurial skill, be a strategic thinker, have empathy with the aims and goals of the Club’s members and be a team player,” said Club President, Terry Knowles.

“The Parkes Services Club is a multimillion- dollar organisation focusing on entertainment, food, bars, gaming, functions, its members and community support. It is a cooperative and a not-for-profit entity.”

“Club directors play a vital role in ensuring the success of a club. We are looking for the next generation of club directors with a diverse range of skill sets and backgrounds to join our Board.”

According to Terry the role of a director is the formulation of the strategic direction of the Club, oversighting and responsibility for the financial stability and performance of the Club, overarching responsibility of the Club and the preparation of and implementation of its strategic plan.

“Directors are not paid and do not receive an honorarium. Their work is entirely voluntary, but they do receive out of pocket expenses when travelling.”

“Directors are required to complete compulsory training in the first year. Board meetings are held every month, and committee meetings are held regularly and special formal or informal meetings held from time to time. Director attendance is expected.”

Applications are now open to members. Non-members can join to be eligible to stand as a board member. Nominations close Sunday, 12th May at 5pm.

Feel free to contact the General Manager, Denis Lane on 6862 +1966 to discuss being a Director or for more information.

Disaster relief for communities in the Parkes Local Government Area was announced following the destructive storm on 22nd January.

The NSW State Emergency Service received more than 250 requests for assistance following the storm and flooding.

The disaster relief was welcomed by the Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

“It is a cruel irony that areas suffering from this insidious drought were hit by ferocious storms which did nothing to break the dry spell,” he said.

Assistance is provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Financial support is available to help affected individuals, small businesses, primary producers and councils to get back on their feet.

Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include: help for eligible people whose homes or belonging has been damaged; support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets; concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; freight subsidies for primary producers and; grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

More information is available at disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency

information and response website at emergency.nsw.gov.au.