Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring the mother of the family, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May.

It complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Father’s Day, Siblings Day and Grandparents Day. In the United States, celebration of Mother’s Day began in the early 20th century. It is not related to the many celebrations of mothers and motherhood that have occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration
(originally a commemoration of Mother Church, not motherhood). However, in some countries, Mother’s Day has become synonymous with these older traditions.

The day is celebrated in more than 40 countries worldwide. Whether you go full out or feel the day has become too commercial, take time on Sunday, 13th May to honour the mother figure in your life. Something as simple as a phone call will make her feel loved!

Once a year in May we applaud our mothers.
Unlike Christmas when we rush and
stress to find a present for everyone, this
day is simple and easy: time to spoil just
one person. Here are some local ideas
how to best go about celebrating this day.
If your mum is the type of person who
says: “I’d rather wear flowers in my hair
than diamonds around my neck,” you are
spoilt for choice in Parkes.
At Pink Orchid you can get a special, individualised
creation if you tell them about
your mother and what she loves. You can
also get your mum to attend a floral bouquet
masterclass offered by Pink Orchid.
(Only limited space available, so hurry!)
With the help of Ivy Lane you can organise
the perfect gift for your mum! They offer
a huge range of stunning floral arrangements,
homemade candles, and special
gift boxes especially made for Mother’s
Day! Get your orders in quick! Ivy Lane will
be open on Mother’s Day too from 8am to
5pm, and make deliveries in town.
If your mum loves dressing up, why not
get her something special and unique at
Adela Rose where you will find an eclectic
range of dresses, crystals and jewellery.
Food is a vital ingredient to make celebrations
memorable, and Mother’s Day is no
exception. If it is your special day to treat
the family to a meal out – Parkes has a lot
to offer.
The Station Restaurant’s new autumn
menu is one you can definitely give a go.
With fresh produce form their very own
veggie patch, the menu is guaranteed to
be fresh and delicious.
Other favourite places for families in
Parkes are The Railway Hotel’s Hart Bar
and Ikon at Hotel Gracelands where there
are always specials on offer or old favourites
to enjoy. Mother’s Day is a celebration honouring
the mother of the family, as well as motherhood,
maternal bonds, and the influence of
mothers in society. It is celebrated on various
days in many parts of the world, most
commonly in the months of March or May.
It complements similar celebrations honouring
family members, such as Father’s
Day, Siblings Day and Grandparents Day.
In the United States, celebration of Mother’s
Day began in the early 20th century.
It is not related to the many celebrations
of mothers and motherhood that have
occurred throughout the world over thousands
of years, such as the Greek cult to
Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or
the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration
(originally a commemoration of Mother
Church, not motherhood). However, in
some countries, Mother’s Day has become
synonymous with these older traditions.
The day is celebrated in more than 40
countries worldwide.
Whether you go full out or feel the day
has become too commercial, take time on
Sunday, 13th May to honour the mother figure
in your life. Something as simple as a
phone call will make her feel loved!

The Parkes community flocked in huge numbers to the Anzac Day events in Parkes last week making it the biggest attendance yet. Parkes RSL Sub Branch secretary Paul Thomas said it was the biggest attendance he had seen and was full of praise for the hundreds of people attending the dawn service, the Anzac Day march and the civic ceremony in Cooke Park.

He was particularly happy with the representation by all the schools in town at the march. The Parkes RSL Sub Branch also unveiled two memorials dedicated to two Parkes men who served in World War II on Anzac Day.

The memorials at the Parkes Services Club, were of Victoria Cross recipient Flight Sergeant Rawdon Hume Middleton and first Corporal, then Flying Officer Colin Francis Hendry. The unveiling was done by former Parkes resident and one of Australia’s most senior officers in the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne.

Marty Davies and Alana Folau, school captains of Middleton Public School, after whom the school was named, were also invited to the unveiling of the memorials at the Parkes Services Club. Middleton school’s Anzac choir were also invited to sing at the civil service in Cooke Park.

Plans are well underway for this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program, with the youth actors for the mock car crash demonstration selected, dates set for filming the establishing videos and the rehearsal schedule locked in.

“There was a lot of interest in the auditions this year – we had the largest turn-out of youth actors yet. Most had been to mock crash last year and wanted to be involved, especially as this year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.

“Casting was very difficult – everyone was so talented. Whilst there are only four roles available for the mock crash demonstration, we offered the other actors roles in the establishing scenes.” “Our youth actors have already been put
through their paces, attending Road Crash Rescue Training with the Parkes State Emergency Services, to see how they cope being cut from a car and carried on a casualty board.”

“Work now turns towards the table reads and getting ready to film the establishing scenes and victim impact statements.” “Once filming is completed, there will be briefings from NSW Ambulance about injuries, a table read to get a feel for the script and ab-lib opportunities, with rehearsals kicking off in July,” Ms Suitor said.

“During the 10 years that this program has been running we have recorded a 27% decrease in crashes on local roads involving a young driver (17 – 25 years old),” Ms Suitor said.

The mock car crash demonstration is scheduled for Friday 17th August 2018. More than 500 Year 10 students from across the Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils will be attending. The final dress rehearsal on Monday 20th August will be open to the public.

For further information please contact Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, on (02) 6861 2364.

As part of the Parkes Cemetery Tree Replacement project, 100 per cent of the eleven trees removed from the cemetery entrance will be repurposed for environmental sustainability projects. Following a severe storm in November 2016, Council commissioned a consulting arborist to inspect the trees. The arborist determined that the trees must be removed due to their deteriorating condition, which posed a risk to visitors of the cemetery.

Parkes Shire Council’s Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator, Michael Chambers said “while we are sad to see the old eucalypts removed from the cemetery, it is fantastic that we are able to use all eleven of the trees for a range of other environmental projects throughout the Parkes Shire.”

“The leaves and smaller branches will be turned into mulch for re-vegetation and general Parks and Gardens use.” “The larger branches and main trunks will be stock piled off site and used in future rehabilitation projects, including the rehabilitation of the old Sewage Treatment Plant effluent ponds into a wetlands habitat. The eucalypts will create the perfect habitat for water birds, turtles, yabbies and other native fauna.”

Last year, Council successfully repurposed several trees removed from Kelly Reserve by installing them as habitat in PAC Park. Council will remove the declining trees lining the cemetery entrance, totally rehabilitate the site and replace with a smaller deciduous tree species, as well as install irrigation, construct kerb and guttering along the internal road, and install a new footpath.

The Parkes Cemetery Tree Replacement Strategy is available for download from Council’s website, www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.

Do you feel like you have a novel, a memoir or a travel book in you, waiting to be crafted? Do you like to journal, write poetry or short stories? Sometimes writing can be highly rewarding but also a very lonely enterprise. It can also be a daunting one, if you haven’t written anything before, or when you realise how many words you still need to write!

There is a writer’s group in Parkes that provides the space and time for adult and teen writers of all skill levels to gather together to talk about their writing. Author-rised began 5 ½ years ago and has had a range of guest speakers visit to provide presentations, including published authors, editors and media organisations. Some members of the group have self-published their works in hard-copy books, or as e-books. Others have won awards for poetry competitions.

For those who are busy with work and family commitments, the writing group offers the time to get some words down. Dan Fredericks, the coordinator of the group, prepares a program for the evening based on the groups’ topics of interest. There is also time to Share if you Dare. This time provides the opportunities for writers to read their work
aloud to the others in the group and ask for feedback, if they would like it. Reading out loud is a great practice for writers, and for those interested in participating in the Elvis Poet’s Breakfast, this may be a good opportunity for you to practice performing your would-be winning poem.

Author-rised meets at the Parkes Library on the first Tuesday of every month, between 6pm-8pm. There is time allocated for a BYO supper at the end of the meeting. For any enquiries regarding the group, contact Dan Fredericks on 02 6861 2309.

Music has the remarkable power to stir us emotionally and physically, whether we’re nine years old, or 99. It is also incredibly therapeutic for people impaired with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Music can help to shift mood, provide a sense of control over life, manage stress, stimulate positive interactions with others, facilitate better brain function, and coordinate motor movements.

The residents of the three aged-care facilities in Parkes, Southern Cross Care, BaptistCare Niola and Rosedurnate, were each treated to a one-hour singing concert yesterday by Musica Arioso students. Musica Arioso is a local business owned by Gail Smith, who teaches music and singing to individuals and groups of all ages.

Gail prepared a group of her students with a variety of solo and group numbers to perform at the nursing homes. The group consisted of Gail Smith, Liz Naveau and five youths: Gracey Jones, Melissa McCreadie, Hope Kealley-Smith, Ruby Markwort and Lily Kealley-Smith.

“It went really well. The residents knew some of the songs, so they would sing along, for others they would clap or tap their feet. Some had big smiles and others a few tears. All in all, it was a lot of fun for all,” said Gail.

Last year the group did a Christmas concert at Southern Cross and Rosedurnate and have added Niola this time. Gail has also organised concerts at the nursing homes for the next two school holidays and hopes to do a Christmas one again, time depending.

Could hamstring injuries be back related? The short answer is – Yes. All hamstring injuries have some involvement
either directly or indirectly from our back and nerves and how we control movement of the pelvis. Our hamstrings attach to the bottom of our pelvis. They work to not only straighten the hip and bend the knee but to also help stabilise the pelvis. Any change in back position affects our pelvic position which in turn affects our hamstring length.

The nerves supplying our hamstrings originate in the lumbar spine. Any tightness or  stiff joints in the lower back can impact on the ability of the nerves to glide and move through the hamstrings. We know muscles protect nerves, so if we have a tight nerve coming from our lower back, the hamstrings will tighten to protect this nerve. This tightness puts the muscle at risk of injury when it is working hard. The load is magnified if the hamstring is working overtime to control the pelvis when the gluteal muscles or the joints in the lumbar spine are not working efficiently.

This is why sometimes you can stretch and stretch your hammies and they just won’t loosen up. They may be protecting a tight nerve. By stretching them you are putting the nerve under strain which actually makes the muscle tighten further. In this case we need to look to the lumbar spine to free up this tight nerve.

If you suffer from hamstring tightness or recurrent hamstring injury it is important to address what is happening in your lumbar spine and pelvic control before your hamstring can completely recover.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

The Parkes Waste to Art & Design Exhibition and Competition is a regular fixture in the cultural calendar of the Shire. This year the 59 artworks entered made a colourful, engaging exhibition.

“This year’s exhibition features some stunning artworks created from what could have ended up in landfill. Many of the entries from primary and high school students have been inspired by the annual theme Year of Polystyrene” said Shellie Buckle, Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services.

Councillor Bill Jayet announced the following winners last Thursday evening:
• Building/ Sculpture 3D: Winner – Out of Hot Water by Julie Dearden.
• Building/ Sculpture 2D: Winner – Why Do Trees Need to be Green by Middleton Public School.
• Open 3D: Highly Commended – Hare by Christine Somers; Winner – Whooot Made This Nest by Helen Standen & The Dog by John Grady.
• Open 2D: Winner – Warped by Helen Standen.
• Open Functional: Winner – Stamp Printing by Jocelyn Moles.
• Community 2D: Highly Commended – Faces by George Heath; Winner – Quenching Life by Rebecca Parkes.
• Community 3D: Highly Commended – Beauty Above the Cliffs by Sharelle Mac-Rae; Winner – Clip Art by Annette Peterson.
• Community Functional: Winner – Blue Murder by Julie Dearden.
• High School 3D: Winner – A Bugs Life by Parkes High School Support Unit
• High School Functional: Winner – White Polystyrene Cup Chair by Connar Cashman.
• Primary 3D: Winner – Little Critters by The Little Art Company.
• Primary 2D: Highly Commended – Person by Anna Cronin; Winner – Remains of the Bushfire by Riely Sterland.
• Primary Functional: Highly Commended – Bowled Over by The Little Art Company; Winner – Pineapple Lamp by Adam Barnard.
• Yearly Theme polystyrene: Winner – Styrotea Hop by Jacob MacRae.
• Yearly Scrap Metal: Winner – Whoot Made This Nest by Helen Standen.
• Library Team packers Prize: Winner -100% Fat Free by Lauren Badman.

The competition judges, Sally Chapman and Michael Chambers found the task of selecting winners thought-provoking and difficult. “The works were of high quality and very imaginative, addressing the theme very well. It is great to see so many thinking about waste,” commented judges Mr Chambers and Mrs Chapman.

Come along to Parkes Library to see the exhibition for yourself. The exhibition is open until 24 April.

The Parkes Painting Group are presenting their 16th annual art exhibition later this month. Parkes local artist, Helen Huntly, is part of the team that organises the exhibition.

Helen had an avid interest in art as a youth. “I would get in trouble from my Mum, for drawing in all the wrong places,” said Helen. The combination of raising four children, and doing shift work for many years, meant that Helen didn’t really start to paint or draw again until after she retired from nursing.

Helen did complete one year of art at TAFE, after which the course was cancelled. Now, she dabbles with acrylics, water-colours, pastels and even photography. “Wednesday is my selfish day – I don’t think about anything but colour and what I’m going to do with it,” said Helen.

The group meets at 10am every Wednesday at North Parkes Oval. There are approximately 20 people in the group, with numbers fluctuating week to week. All forms of art projects are explored, including painting, drawing, and pottery. Most members are contributing two-three pieces each for the exhibition. Contributing artists include Pol Cruz, Elsie Mahon, as well as Kath Swansbra, national award winner and champion for cake decoration. There will also be works by the exhibition’s guest artist, Susan Carter. Susan is a visual artist from Narromine, who also exhibited in the Australia Day Exhibition earlier this year.

The exhibition is being held in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Shire Library, 25 Bogan St, Parkes. Opening night will be Friday 27th April from 7pm with an entry fee of $10, and an official opening by Councillor Bill Jayet. A raffle will also be held, with proceeds going to Currajong Enterprises. The exhibition will remain open from Saturday 28th April til Thursday 3rd May from 10am-4pm, with an entry fee of $2.

The NSW Business Chamber is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards.

Winners of the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards will represent the region at the NSW Business Chamber’s State Business Awards held in November in Sydney.

Western NSW Business Chamber Regional Manager, Vicki Seccombe, said this year’s finalists represent a fantastic cross section of businesses from right across Western NSW.

“These awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate excellence in the local business community and showcase their success at a local, regional and state level,” Ms Seccombe said.

Parkes finalists in the 2018 Western NSW Regional Business Awards are:
• Outstanding Young Entrepreneur: Stephanie Hughes, Hughes & Co Lawyers & Conveyancing
• Outstanding Business Leader: David Thompson, McPhersons Parts & Service
• Excellence in Small Business: La Bella Medispa
• Excellence in Business: K&H Geotechnical Services
• Excellence in Social Enterprise: Parkes Shire Food Service