Parkes Shire Council invites farmers, residents and business operators to attend the Parkes Shire Drought Forum on Tuesday, 11th September at Parkes Services Club at 5:30pm. The Australian Government recently announced
an additional drought assistance package, which includes an allocation of $1 million to 60 Councils across Australia
of which 36 are in NSW, including Parkes Shire.

Council will host a drought forum to gain input from the community on how the money can be applied for best effect across the Parkes Shire, in line with the funding guidelines.

“We will be looking for community insight as to where the Federal Government funding may be best utilised across the Shire, as well as develop a meaningful short, medium and long-term action plan for the drought affecting our community,” said Parkes Shire Mayor, Councillor Ken Keith OAM.

“The forum will also ensure Council is well informed of the administrative obstacles and barriers that farmers and affected businesses are experiencing with regard to drought-based support initiatives.”

The forum will also provide an opportunity to communicate what other relief programs and support are on offer.
Register your attendance for the Parkes Shire Drought Forum via https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/parkes-shire-droughtforum-tickets-49460556857

For further enquiries contact Parkes Shire Council on 6861 2333.

SATURDAY STORYTIME!
8 and 15 September from 11am – 12pm
For families with school aged kids. Families are invited to find the hidden library treasures! Fun, Play, Games, Stories, Make, Discover

PARKES FUN PALACE
Saturday, 22nd September, 9am – 3pm, Parkes Library ALL DAY!
Join the Parkes Library team for a family day of science, play, art and games! Activities include: fingerprinting, dancing ballerinas, stortyime with pets, community art collage, sausage sizzle and more…

ADVENTURE QUEST
9:30 – 10:30am AND 11am – 12pm Free. Book please.
All you need is a little imagination! Families are invited to join this interactive show based on the ideals in the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books. Music, storytelling, drama and dance in one all-inclusive show!

TRASH PERCUSSION
1pm – 3pm Free. Bookings required.
This workshop is a whole lot of LOUD fun! Anything and everything can be used as a musical instrument and everyone can play music. Kids aged 8 and older can join this music workshop hosted by Ian from Fun Day Out.

Central West Police District Commander Superintendent Chris Taylor invites the Parkes community to join police in paying tribute on National Police Remembrance Day.

A service will be held on Friday, 28th September at St George’s Anglican Church at 10am. National Police Remembrance Day on 29th September each year is one of the most important events on the NSW Police Force calendar and holds special significance to police throughout Australia and the Pacific region.

It is a day to remember those officers who have given their lives in the course of their duties. Not only will the service pay tribute to fallen NSW Police Force Officers, but those from all Australian states as well as New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

Remembrance Day is also a time to remember both sworn and unsworn members of the NSW Police Force who lost
their lives through illness, accident or other circumstances in the previous 12 months.

Some traditions have a lot of value as the Rotary Club of Parkes recently discovered. The club reinstated an event that was previously held annually by hosting a combined service clubs dinner. Parkes Action Club and the Quota Club of Parkes combined with Rotary to organise the dinner and host former Australian politician Kay Hull.

Kay was the first female NSW National to be elected to Federal Parliament and the first female Chief Nationals Whip.
In her address Kay spoke about peace, the value of the young people to our communities, reconciliation with Australia’s First Peoples, and ‘the good old days’ that were perhaps not as good as we’d like to remember them.

“Communal harmony is the tool in the process of peace. When we embrace the formula of caring, sharing and acceptance then we have a greater chance of living a peaceful and fulfilling life with fewer concerns for our health and well-being,” said Kay.

While we are subjected to doom and gloom on a daily basis, Kay said we needed to stop and take stock of the fact 95% of our society were good living and giving community members. “Australia is the most giving nation in the world. Every day groups of individuals band together and rise up to support others. We are a truly amazing country.”

Quota will organise a combined service clubs dinner in 2019, followed by the Action Club in 2020.

Royal Far West announced it will scale up services to support country children with disability. The children’s health charity was successful with a $1.339 million from the NSW Department of Industry’s Disability Sector Scale Up grants.

“This is great news for country families who have struggled to access local services through their NDIS package,” said Royal Far West CEO Lindsay Cane. “Our disability programs will support children aged 2-12 years with autism, intellectual and psychosocial disability concerns, for example”.

Services are scarce in rural and remote communities with long waiting lists for paediatricians, allied health and mental health professionals. “This grant will allow country families to get the help they need by implementing
new service delivery models to bring specialist disability services to the bush, to homes and schools.

“We will introduce new immersion programs in rural and remote areas and bring Royal Far West’s Speech and occupational therapists, psychologists and special education staff to communities to deliver therapy services where they are most needed.

“And we will also be able to offer intensive programs for families in need at our Manly headquarters. Country families now won’t have to go without service,” said the CEO.

In 1918 the very first upright bulk wheat silo was built in Peak Hill, and today the community will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the silos. What was a single 50,000 concrete bushel bin, is now a 35,000 tonne storage complex.

“Peak Hill’s central location within the state’s wheat belt made it the ideal site for the silo,” said Councillor Louise O’Leary. “Agricultural production is one of the largest contributors to our local economy, with cereal crops accounting for 51.3% of the Parkes Shire’s total agricultural output in value terms.

“Furthermore, Peak Hill’s positive lifestyle is underpinned by the agricultural sector, so it’s important that we celebrate the success of Peak Hill Silos over the past 100 years.”

Built by John Howie and Sons in 1918, it was two years before the silo was filled as the region had very dry conditions in 1918 and 1919. The silo filled for the first time in 1920 with a bumper year.

Since that time the complex has grown significantly to include a six-bin Metcalf, a weighbridge, additional storage sheds and bunkers. The complex is now owned and operated by GrainCorp.

The community are invited to attend a commemorative ceremony today (Friday) at 10am at the GrainCorp Silos.

There are so many options to spoil our fathers. Here are some ideas to splash out locally.

With Spring just around the corner Greenparkes Garden Centre is just the place to get the Dad with green fingers a gift. Summer seedlings have arrived, as well as lots of Spring plants that will help the garden get back its green shine for Summer.

Parkes Bricks, Paver & Tile Supplies has interesting options for Dad this Father’s Day including wine barrels. There
are plenty of ideas you can use wine barrels for. These include garden beds, keeping drinks cold at events, turn it into a display cabinet or table, or use it as a feature fountain. Pop in at 94-98 Forbes Road to check out the displays and discuss your ideas.

If Dad is keen to get fit this summer, why not head over to Kinsela to look at the wide range of bicycles and other gear. If he is more a fan of motorised transport, Kinsela has over the past 50 years been providing motorcycles, bicycles, power equipment and so much more to Parkes and the Central West. Whether you’re looking for a new lawnmower or buying that dream motorcycle… go and have a look.

Is it perhaps time for Dad to renew his glasses? Hansen Optometrists Parkes has gift vouchers on offer, as well as a
Spring range for a new look. The colour green is synonymous with Spring as it represents growth, renewal and rebirth. It’s a sanctuary away from the stresses of modern living, restoring us back to a sense of well-being.

End Father’s Day with a lovely dinner at the Parkes Services Club. Take the whole family to enjoy a special dinner prepared for Father’s day including a mouthwatering mixed grill or lamb shanks for only $25! Remember to reserve your table by calling 6862 1966.