“It is surreal. I just could not believe it. I’ve resigned myself to not seeing him again…” It’s been four long and agonising months for pet shop owner Sean White searching for his beloved Eclectus parrot called Horace.

Horace disappeared from the Parkes Pet Barn in November last year. Security camera footage revealed a ‘customer’ took Horace from the shop when the attendant was not looking.

Sean reported the theft to the Police and mounted a massive search with Facebook posts, advertisements and followed leads all the way to Newcastle, Penrith and Sydney.

Last week he received the best news ever: the Police had found his parrot in Parkes! They went to a resident’s house for another reason, and saw a parrot there.

“It is the last thing I expected, and he was here in Parkes all the time!” said Sean holding his beloved pet of five years. “It is absolutely awesome. I cannot thank the Police enough.”

In the same week Horace was found, the person identified on the camera footage appeared in the Penrith court. The man who had Horace claimed he had bought it from the pet shop for $700.

In what is becoming an annual highlight Parkes joined significant buildings and landmarks across the world by lighting up The Dish in blue in celebration of World Autism Awareness Month.

The Central West Autism and Special Needs Awareness Group (CWASNAG) organised two events under the Blue Dish last weekend. On Friday night over 300 people enjoyed a family-friendly picnic night.

On Saturday night the weather remained perfect for another beautiful evening when about 50 people, all wearing something blue, enjoyed a cocktail fundraiser evening with live entertainment by Westland (Glen Westcott and Travis Boland), an informative and thought provoking panel discussion and lovely food by The Dish Café.

“The Blue Dish is a fantastic initiative, shining a spotlight on this important cause. A big thank you is extended to CSIRO for their support in making this happen,” said Mayor Ken Keith.

CWASNAG president, Angela Wilson said: “By lighting our Dish up blue during the month of April, we are creating an awareness of Autism and in turn, prompting conversations about it.”

Angela said feedback from the panel discussion was that everyone took something away from the evening that will stay with them for a long time and encourage them to ask more questions.

Iconic structures across the world lit blue in April include the Whitehouse and Rockefeller Centre in the United States, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, and the Opera House in Sydney.

Prevent Ticks And Fleas
Autumn is the time to prepare your pets for the winter season. Although fleas and ticks are mostly found right through the year in Australia, there are particular challenges that need to be met during autumn.

Even though autumn is cooler, household warmth can keep undetectable flea’s larvae and pupae alive for several months. It is therefore important to use preventive treatments.

There are lots of monthly flea preventives that come in both topical and oral form. Tablets and spot-on treatments can prevent not only fleas but also heartworm disease and intestinal worms in pets.

To prevent fleas from affecting your pets, it is important to wash beds, carpets and other areas where the pet goes. Each and every pet in the house should be given flea preventive treatment so that they are free from any irritation caused by these nasty pests.

You can try Nexgard Chewables which are available at the Parkes Pet Barn. Some ticks go into feeding period of hibernation in autumn, but adult stage deer ticks are at their peak in autumn. In fact, they can cause Lyme disease in pets. The most prevalent tick is the brown dog tick that is found in the Northern Territory. This tick has the ability to utilise three hosts to complete its lifecycle. It requires a blood meal before reaching the next level. Each female brown dog tick can lay around 4,000 eggs. There are different sprays and spot-on treatments for ticks.

If you find fleas and ticks on your pets, talk to Sean at the Parkes Pet Barn or consult a veterinarian about the best possible preventive treatment for fleas and ticks on your pets.

(additional source: www.vetsupply.com.au)

In a month’s time Trundle will be transformed into a colourful flares and sequins paradise when 5,000 ABBA fans descend on the small town to say ‘Thank You for the Music’!

The eighth festival on Saturday, 4th May, has once again secured the most successful tribute act of all time, Björn Again, as the feature act and they will be performing their 30th Anniversary Tour celebrating 7,000 shows in over 100 countries.

The main stage at Berryman Oval will be rocking all day with support acts like Parkes’ very own Amitie, rocker Ben Ransom, soulful vocalist Ingrid Mae.

The day also features Fashions of the Festival, Dancing with the Stars with Alana Patience and Tristan McManus, DiscodTours (silent discos), face painting and markets.

The ABBA Express will again be running a return service from Sydney, Parkes and Forbes, while there will be buses from Parkes, Forbes and Canberra.

If you are planning to stay over, there are still unpowered camping sites and glamping tents available at the Racecourse. Bookings can be made via www.123tix.com. Tickets to the festival can be pre-purchased via www.trundleabbafestival.com.au. Enter our competition on page 6 to win a double pass to the ABBA Festival.

Three months ago Donna Monkerud took on the immense challenge started by Ellie Hetherington eight years ago of selling plants for charity.

“I love everything about growing and selling plants,” said Donna. “We need more gardens and trees. I feel that I’m helping with that, and at the same time I’m helping Can Assist.”

Donna has an impressive set-up of greenhouses, vegetable gardens and propagation enclosures at the corner of Kelly and Military Roads where she works mostly on her own. But she does welcome help from friends.

“Ellie and her friend Marg still help me out with propagating, Fay Blackstock gives me lots of cuttings and roots, and I have wonderful support from my next door neighbours, Cathy and Peter McPherson.

“I could not have done this without Colin my husband – he built the green house and lots of other things – and my daughter Emma and son-in-law James, who collects milk bottles in town and shovels lots of horse manure and dirt!”

Donna has around 4,000 plants for sale, and lots of trees going for $5. There are plenty of hedge plants, lots of salvia and she expects new arrivals of native grevilleas and bottlebrushes late April. Can Assist receives 100% of sales from the plants, apart from some of Donna’s expenses.

If you’d like to help out, Donna is always in need of 2L and 3L milk and juice containers, which can be dropped in a cage at the back past the greenhouses. Seeds and cuttings are also very welcome, and can be dropped in a bag over the fence. Donna says a label of what’s in the bag would be helpful.

If you’d like to support Donna’s nursery, she’s open on weekends, and if she’s around during the week she’s more than happy to help you. If you want to call her on 0418 258 617 she’s happy to find a time for you.

By Beth Thomas

The Parkes Library Ambassadors for 2019 were appointed last week from three primary schools in town. Year 5 students could apply for the role to promote and communicate what is happening at the Parkes Library with their respective school communities.

Debbie Gould, who runs the program with Sandie Ward, said they had learned from a trial run last year that when students heard something from their peers it had more value.

The ambassadors from Parkes Public, Middleton Public and the Parkes Christian School will learn about responsibility and leadership while sharing news about new books, holiday programs and other events at the library.

Each week, K-2 students at the Middleton Public School get the opportunity to spend time gardening. Last week Kindergarten students planted leek, radish and Brussels sprouts. They also harvested beans and a strawberry.

AUTHOR TALK: ADAM COURTENAY
Thursday 11 April, 6pm Parkes Library

The Ship That Never Was is Adam Courtenay’s entertaining and rollicking account of the greatest escape in Australia’s colonial history. Adam is a Sydney-based writer and journalist. RSVP: 6861 2309 or email
library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Aqualife event for the whole family
Tuesday, 16th April 10:30 – 11:30am and 1:30 – 2:30pm
Interact with LIVE sea creatures and experience the magical underwater ocean world with Puffer fish, Port Jackson Shark and Pencil Urchins!

Origami
For years 3 – 6 on Wednesday, 17th April, 10:30am – 12pm
Learn about the art of origami and create your own.

Grow a Pizza topping!
For kinder to year 2 on Thursday, 16th April 10:30am -12pm
Plant a herb to take home, put on your chef’s hat and make yummy pizza.

Minibeast Workshop event for the whole family
Wednesday, 24th April 10:30am – 12pm
Hands on workshop featuring our live and preserved minibeast collection including magnifying glasses and devices.

Outdoor Minibeast Hunt
For year 3 – 6 on Wednesday, 24th April 2:30 – 4:00pm
Meet at PAC Park and learn how to identify habitats, build pitfall traps and loads of other fun activities.

Un-bee-lievable Bees!
For kinder to year 2 on Friday, 26th April 10:30 – 12:00pm
Explore all things bees and honey, make your own damper and try different flavours of honey. Bookings open Monday, 1st April and need to be done in person at Parkes Library. Cost $2. Wear old clothes, closed in shoes, bring your drink bottle & library card. All children must be library members to participate.

The Bogan Gate Community Memorial Hall has historically been the focal point of many important community activities, and last week received a welcome grant for its upgrade.

“The funding of $13,536 would benefit the entire community,” said President of the Bogan Gate Community Memorial Hall, Ron Umbers.

Member for Orange, Phil Donato MP announced the grant through the 2018 Community Building Partnership Program. The money will be used for a partial roof refurbishment.

The local CWA, the Community Consultative Committee and other organisations use the hall on a regular basis, and many important community events are also held in the hall.

Saturday afternoon is not usually a time to go to church, but the St George’s Anglican Church filled up with over 100 women last weekend for a fashion parade.

Narelle Pizarro, Jennifer Calvert and Lindy Tanswell became models for the afternoon to showcase 17 creations of Carole Corbett, which were all for sale afterwards.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Lindy Tanswell, who ended up buying the can can skirt she modelled with some flair.

It was the men’s turn next when the Southern Cross Vocal Band from Sydney took to the stage for a performance of old gospel songs, much to the delight of the audience.

The group first performed in Parkes at the Elvis Festival earlier this year, and they were invited back by Rev Ron Spindler for performances at the St George’s Church last weekend.

Leader of the group, Bruce, said they would definitely be back for the festival next year. “Elvis preferred singing gospel songs, and that is what we love doing too.”

The silver wear and polished tea pots came out next for a delectable high tea to end the afternoon on a social note.
The event was organised by the Anglican Women’s Association of Australia, Parkes branch.