Unlike many other towns, Parkes does not have a natural water supply, and has been ‘making do’ with the original infrastructure for sewage and water since the 1930s, and 1950s respectively.

Last Wednesday, Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, joined Mayor of Parkes Shire Council, Ken Keith OAM, to officially open  the new water infrastructure renewal projects as part of a $100 million program of works in the state’s Central West.

Mr Grant said the NSW Government contributed to the infrastructure projects to provide the regional community with safe and secure drinking water. “Water security is vital to the life of regional towns and cities. These projects renew the town’s entire urban water cycle, encompassing raw water supply, water treatment, as well as wastewater treatment.”

“These upgrades represent the largest capital works program that Parkes Shire Council has ever undertaken,” Mr Grant said. The NSW Government has worked closely with Council to help upgrade the Parkes Sewage and Water Treatment Plants, the Lachlan River Pump Station and Bore 8 refurbishment.

The new Water Treatment Plant uses state-of-the-art processes to treat the potable water supply. The Lachlan River Intake upgrades strengthen Parkes raw water supply and water security for Parkes.

The new Sewage Treatment Plant produces high quality effluent that increases treatment capacity and minimises impacts on the local environment. “These upgrades provide immediate amenity improvements for residents while
future-proofing their water supply,” said Mr Grant.

Parkes Shire Council’s Mayor Ken Keith OAM thanked the NSW Government for its contributions to the water infrastructure projects. “Council are incredibly proud of these new facilities, and of the flow-on benefits to the community.”

The Council held a Community Open Day last Saturday to celebrate the completion of the new treatment plants, which attracted a steady turnout of locals keen to learn more about their water and wastewater services.

Netball is ranked as the leading women’s participation team sport in Australia for 15 to 24 year olds. It is a great sport to develop health and fitness in a team based environment regardless of the level of competition.

Like any sport there is an inherent risk of injury. National insurance data indicates that as high as 25% of all major injuries are attributed to Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Furthermore ACL injury comes at high physical, emotional and financial cost to the athlete.

The ACL is the main stabilising ligament in the knee. Females are 4 to 6 times more likely than males to rupture this ligament. There is also further risk associated with athletes participating in sports involving deceleration, pivoting and twisting. This means that netballers have a high risk of injury to the ACL and lower limbs.

Research tells us that 50 to 70% of all ACL injuries can be prevented with neuromuscular training programmes. These types of programmes are basically designed to improve the strength, flexibility, control, balance and co-ordination of the athlete.

Not only can they decrease the incidence of lower limb injuries, they have the added benefit of enhancing performance. With this in mind Netball Australia, along with the Institute of Sport has developed the KNEE programme to provide education to coaches, players and parents. The KNEE programme is a netball specific neuromuscular training programme and can be accessed at www.http//knee.netball.com.au.

Whether you are a coach to your child’s netball team, support staff, athlete or parent this programme is designed to keep players on the court for longer and moving more efficiently when there.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Northparkes Mines did exceptionally well at the NSW Mining Industry & Suppliers Awards last Thursday at NSW Parliament House in Sydney. Robyn Teet won the Young Achiever award and Rob Cunningham won the Outstanding Contribution to Mining award.

Robyn joined Northparkes in 2016 with the Life of Mine and Exploration department and has since transitioned to the Mining Operations department as the Operations Geotechnical Engineer. On a daily basis, Robyn works with the mining operations team to ensure the geotechnical safety and security of the operation.

Rob Cunningham joined Northparkes in 1993 when the operations first opened. He started as an operator and is now the Manager of our Mining Operations department. Rob is responsible for safe production in our underground operations, as well as delivering quality product to the operation’s ore processing facility.

Jim Fowler, Managing Director, Northparkes, said, “We are very proud to have both Rob and Robyn as a part of our
team at Northparkes. It’s fantastic to see them being recognised for their incredible achievements and dedication to not only Northparkes, but the mining industry.”

For those of you on the road this long weekend, whether going on a trip or even just driving around town, be aware. Double demerit points will be in force again over the Easter holiday period to improve safety on roads across the state.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that the double demerit point period would commence on Thursday 29 March and conclude on Monday 2 April (inclusive).

“Double demerit points will apply to all speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences this Easter holiday period. NSW Police will also be targeting dangerous driving behaviours such as drink driving and driver fatigue.”

Since their inception in 1997 there have been significant reductions in fatal crashes over the holiday periods; including Christmas/New Year, Easter and long weekends. Mobile phone offences were added to the list of double demerit point penalties in December 2015, with the aim of deterring this dangerous and distracting behaviour.
“Driving over the speed limit to save a couple of minutes, pushing on driving when you are tired, using your mobile phone whilst behind the wheel and driving after a few drinks isn’t worth the risk of not arriving at all.”

“I ask all drivers to remain vigilant over the Easter holiday period. We all have a part to play in reducing the amount of crashes and risks. Remember to slow down, schedule plenty of breaks during your trip, limit distractions in the car, don’t drink and drive and ensure all your passengers are wearing their seatbelts,” Ms Suitor said.

Lachlan Highway Patrol Sergeant Dearne Jeffree is encouraging all road users to pay attention to road conditions and allow plenty of travel time. “People may think that it is never going to happen to them – but unfortunately none of us are immune. Disturbingly almost three times as many people died on NSW roads over the Christmas/New Year break. We have seen some poor decisions made by a handful of drivers across the state.

“Drivers should be warned that they are at greatest risk of losing their licence during this five-day period. There will be more Police on the roads and therefore more chance of getting caught,” Sergeant Jeffree said.

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

The 2018-19 edition of the Parkes Shire Destination Guide was officially launched last Wednesday at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope. The new destination guide is set to become the cornerstone of the region’s destination marketing and creative for a destination appeal campaign promoting the Parkes region as a place to ‘be out there’, explore, and see first-hand what makes the Parkes region all add up as an appealing tourist destination.

Parkes Shire Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM said, “our new Destination Guide showcases our unique events, experiences and iconic attractions that make Parkes all add up as an appealing tourist destination.” “Tourism provides a significant economic contribution of over $58 million to the local economy each year and we need to continue to
implement these key marketing initiatives to ensure visitation and spend continues to grow for our local businesses.”

Delegates at the recent 2018 Local Government NSW Tourism Conference got a sneak preview of the new cover and  promotional video ahead of the official launch.

For the first time, the Parkes Shire Destination Guide has been developed as a digital experience with a magazine flipbook and clickable video content taking viewers on a visual journey of our major attractions and experiences throughout the region. A record number of industry partners have joined the campaign promoting their establishments, attractions and events in the advertisingdirectory which financially supports the production of the
guide and promotion of the region to potential visitors.

30,000 copies of the full colour brochure will be strategically distributed throughout Australia to encourage awareness and visitation to the region. You can pick up a copy of the free Destination Guide at the Parkes and Peak Hill Visitor Information Centres and key visitor outlets and gateways including the Parkes Airport, The Dish and coffee shops, pubs and shopping outlets throughout the Shire.

You might be planning a trip somewhere with Easter and the school holidays fast approaching. Before you set off be sure to get your vehicle checked over.

Do the following:
Check tyre pressure; replace tyres when you only have 2mm wear left; use a match head to check tread – if part of the head shows, it’s replacement time; replace tyre caps to keep water and debris out of valves; don’t forget – check the spare too!

At Tuned Suspension in Parkes, an agent for Pedders Suspension, you can get a tow and load assessment for $75. This world first and comprehensive service is designed for those who tow or carry loads to better understand the effects of weight on their vehicle relevant to their individual driving scenarios. The end result of the assessment
will provide your vehicle weight relevant to the likely driving scenarios that you will face.

Give Warren a call from Wops Glass and get that annoying chip in the windscreen fixed before your holiday road trip. Wops Glass also specialises in Insurance work.

With all of this in mind stay safe on the road this Easter and school holidays!

An eight-year-old Parkes student with a heart of gold is dancing and cooking for the benefit of less fortunate people.
Alex Sammut-Paul raised over $200 dancing outside Parkes Stationery and Office Furniture during the Elvis Festival. Her aim was to raise money for East Timor through her church, Uniting Church Welcome Congregation.

After ‘tasting’ success, Alex did not want to stop and the idea for a business venture was born when she was helping her mum Marty cook food for their new puppies, Rupert and Scout.

As Alex loves cooking it was agreed she would prepare and sell wholesome, home cooked pet food to raise money for more charities. Alex has been working very hard getting Great Grub up and running. It functions as a self-serve, honesty-based business with food put in the freezer at 46 Military Road (Cnr Cheney Rd) carport. People can pick
up containers and pay in the honesty box, or place orders on Messenger on the Great Grub Facebook page.

“I feel happy when I can help people in need. It is very sad to see children especially who do not have enough food, water or clothing or doing it tough,” said Alex. “I feel compelled to help.”

The 2018 Sydney Royal Easter Show from Friday, 23rd March to Tuesday, 3rd April will have many new attractions this year including the likes of Paw Patrol, Despicable Me 3 and Shimmer and Shine for children. The Outback Stockman Arena will have Sheep Shearing, the Bonnie Yard Dogs and the Dairy Farmers Milking Barn. The show also offers the latest in fashion and technology. See our competition in What’s Hot to win tickets to this year’s show!

It is time for the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave and one Parkes  resident is going to need a lot of support today.

Trilbie Bermingham from Currajong Disability Services will be shaving her head at the Parkes Hotel at 6pm today to help raise vital funds for Leukaemia and cancer research.

The World’s Greatest Shave, now in it’s 20th year, is well supported by locals each year, and a big turn-out will be on hand to watch Trilbie lose her locks tonight. “So far I have managed to raise $570,” said Trilbie. “I am hoping to add to that. There will be raffles on the night,” she said.

Blood cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in Australia with 35 people diagnosed every day.
For more information on how to donate or get involved go to www.worldsgreatestshave.com Good luck Trilbie! We are all very proud of you!

By Dane Millerd

Parkes Christian School might not have defended their title at the Moomba Birdman Rally successfully, but they raised lots of money for a good cause and came back rich in experience.

In blustery, unpredictable conditions in Melbourne on Sunday, the title for the longest flight became a virtual lottery, however the Parkes Christian School crew did well to manage five metres from a standing start into the Yarra River.

Design and Technology teacher Jason Wynstra said this distance was short of what the students were hoping for, “however it is the experience that really mattered”. “The flight of our craft, the Parkes Flyer 2, was forced into a stall by a gust of wind, and although we lost momentum, it levelled off and gently descended into the Yarra performing exceptionally well. With our charity points added we achieved a respectable 14 metres.”

Pilot Phil Seeley was very impressed with the construction of the Parkes Flyer 2. Another great achievement for the team was raising $1,400 for Currajong Disability Services (CDS). “We are absolutely over the moon,” said Dane Millerd, Communications and Marketing Co-ordinator of CDS. “It is often these unheralded acts of generosity that make the Parkes community such a special place.”