While other events were being cancelled, the Peak Hillians, in typical fashion, braved the weather forecast and pushed on with Plan B to get everyone under cover to ensure the annual Meet you up the Street went ahead last Friday.

“Although numbers were down due to the forecast of severe weather, we still had loads of fun, and the biggest amount ever raised with the chocolate wheel,” said a very happy Betty Zdan, one of the organisers. “More than $2,000 was raised!”

Mr and Mrs Santa Clause did not disappoint and arrived for the children’s photo, and the Nativity scene proved to be as popular as always. The children’s entertainment was moved to the Southern Cross Hall where there were Sumo wrestler suits, a jumping castle and mechanical bull among other things.

Shops decorated their windows and vending spilled onto the street to provide a festive atmosphere. At 6pm just as Twilight Busking commenced the heavens opened. It went ahead regardless, and the winners were the Tid & Pauleen Duo and the McFayden Musicians equal first.

According to Betty the event next year could possibly merge with the Peak Hill National Busking Event that was staged successfully for the first time this year.

Parkes Shire Council is receiving $1.21 million from the NSW Government for upgrades on The Bogan Way and the completion of sealing works on the Middle Trundle Road. These are two of the 67 projects across regional NSW approved for funding in the third round of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program. According to
Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW Rick Colless, the NSW Government is committing $710,000 to upgrades along The Bogan Way, which include widening along 6.2 kilometres, 2 kilometres of shoulder upgrades and replacing and strengthening drainage structure to allow for roadtrain access.

“This road provides access for heavy vehicles to Narromine, Forbes and Parkes – and will benefit heavy vehicles carrying livestock, grain and other agricultural produce throughout central NSW.” Middle Trundle Road will receive $500,000 for widening and sealing works along the final 6 kilometre section. The completion of these works will benefit livestock movements with more than 32,000 sheep, cattle and pigs being transported along this road per week.

This project is jointly funded with Parkes Shire Council contributing $300,000 and $340,000 to the respective projects. Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Ken Keith said: “Our roads carry our food, produce and raw materials that power, feed and provide for the community. That is why it is so important to ensure our country roads make it easy for freight vehicles to get to where they need to be.”

The Fixing Country Road program complements the Fixing Country Rail initiative, with both focusing on improving freight infrastructure and efficiency across the state. The NSW Government has set aside more than $1 billion for regional road and rail projects.

A challenge to go plastic free has turned a Mum of two from Forbes from a passionate cling wrap user into a war on waste warrior. “I used to put everything in cling wrap,” said Linda van Coller. When her son Marno’s teacher at Forbes Public School challenged the class to find alternatives for plastic for their school lunches after they had watched the ABC program War on Waste, Linda started searching on Google for ideas.

She discovered beeswax wraps are highly effective in keeping food fresh and safe as the wax is both anti-bacterial and preserves food better than any plastic can do. As a creative person there was nothing stopping her to start making her own wraps. “It did not take long for her wraps to be noticed at school, and she started getting orders.”

That lead to the birth of Earth Child, Linda’s small business she runs from home using 100% organic beeswax sourced locally from the Forbes region and 100% cotton. Linda’s daughter Melandri has become her right hand in the business. “It is so much fun doing it together over weekends,” said Linda.

She went public with her product at the Farmer’s Market in October, and sold out by 11am! “People just love it, because it is eco-friendly, reusable and cuts out the need for cling wrap completely. After about six months, I am happy to rewax the sheets for clients, which means they never have to dispose of them.”

Linda warned it could take a bit getting used to them, but the secret is to simply use the warmth and pressure of your hands to mold your beeswax wrap around a bowl or snack. These wraps make great Christmas presents, contact Linda on 0477 309 807 or find Earth Child on Facebook.

By Maggi Barnard

With the holiday around the corner we are all getting ready for our summer break. Wherever you are heading, you need to ensure your vehicle is safe and ready. You are not only ensuring the safety of your family, but also other travellers on the road.
Here are some safety tips to ensure you arrive safely and on time:
• Service your car: Make sure your car is serviced before setting out on that trip. Better to be safe than sorry.
• Insurance and registration for your car: Double check that your insurance is up to date, and with some people not always receiving their registration notices in the mail and no evidence on your car to remind you, check that your car meets all criteria.
• Chips in your windscreen? Why not get them fixed rather than run the risk of it cracking further when left out in the sun. It doesn’t take long to get it repaired.
• Check all of your tyres, including your spare, and have your wheels aligned. Nothing worse than being stuck in the
middle of nowhere with no spare tyre ready to go.
• Keep your mobile phones charged, a first aid kit in the car and a map handy in case you get lost, either mobile or paper.
• Carry water and oil in your car at all times, you never know when you might need them.
• Ensure you have the correct child restraints in your car, and keep pets restrained as well for everybody’s safety.
• Remember double demerits over the Christmas period, so do not speed, it’s not worth the accident or fine.

NRMA estimates the busiest times to be the last day of school: 15th December; two days before Christmas 23rd December; the day after Boxing Day 27th December and January 4th. Enjoy your holiday!

Massive Sale At Tyreright
Tyreright Forbes is your one-stop shop for all your tyre needs. With everything you need for your ute, 4WD, family car, trucks, farm equipment and more. Look out for the massive Christmas tyre sale catalogue with loads of specials. If you need a service before the Christmas holidays, give the shop a ring and book now!

Reading a trashy magazine while waiting for your hair appointment is something many of us have done, but what about reading to the person cutting your hair? Six salons in Parkes have joined a new and exciting project by the Paint Parkes REad Committee encouraging children under 11 years to read a book while getting a haircut. As a bonus the salon deducts one dollar from the price of the haircut.

Smaller children are encouraged to talk about the pictures in the book during the haircut. According to Rhonda Brain, who initiated the Fringe Benefits Project, after she had read about it being done successfully in Finland. “The reaction from the salon owners has been so positive and supportive as they felt it was a good way of promoting reading.”

Nicole Rosser of Charisma Hair Salon said it was a great idea. “I especially like how it continues to involve the community in spreading Paint The Town REad’s message. Reading is so important and books give kids a break from playing computer games.”

Adele Hawke of Adele’s Salon said it definitely helped kids to sit still too. “It is a good idea and the kids have taken to it.” She has added to the initiative by donating one dollar for every haircut, and collected about $60 in a month’s time for Lilly Wyburn, who recently passed away from leukaemia. Rhonda said the initiative would continue as long as it was supported.

By Maggi Barnard

Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) won the Environmental Partnership of the Year Award at the glittering 35th awards gala of Skillset held in Bathurst recently. CWLL has hosted three very successful Green Army Projects over the past 18 months in partnership with Skillset. CWLL Co-ordinator Marg Applebee said they were thrilled to be recognised with this award.

The two organisations are now working on potential projects and further work together to bring mutual benefits to young people and the community. The last Green Army project finished in October.

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop at Parkes Christian School on Wednesday, 6th December at 6pm. The two-hour workshop, Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers, will offer parents and supervisors hands-on advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, who is presenting the workshop said: “Parents and supervisors have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer.”

“The workshop covers the changes to the licencing system that has come into effect on 20th November, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook including the use of digital logbooks, licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.”

Melanie said parents and supervisors who had attended the workshop in the past found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors.

Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Melanie on 6861 2364. Light refreshments will be available during the workshop.

Still not on a corner after their fourth move, but happy to remain in the heart of the central business area of Parkes, the Craft Corner officially opened their new premises at 257 Clarinda Street last Thursday. “The shop looks fantastic,” said Councillor Bill Jayet at the opening. “The Craft Corner committee is so resilient. They never despair,
and always look for a solution.” President Rosemary Mitchell said they were happy to be able to fit everything having
moved to a smaller premises. They managed to complete the move over a weekend with many helping hands.

With the range and variety of local items and goods on offer in the shop highlighting the creative talents of Parkes, Bill said his dream was to establish a facility where all the creative groups of the town were housed under one roof including the Craft Corner, the potters, painters and everyone else.

“The Craft Corner not only attracts a lot of visitors to our town, but also generates a lot of social capital through the engagement of the community,” said Bill.

With almost 100 members, the Craft Corner offers a delightful range of local goods from local produce, artworks and sculptures, hand-made household items, clothing and accessories. Pop in for your Christmas shopping – you won’t be disappointed.

By Maggi Barnard

Today is the start of the festive season, and Peak Hill is pulling out all stops to start it off with a bang with its annual Meet You Up The Street Festival. The streets will come alive with music, street stalls, raffles and loads more. You
can have an early start at 8:30am to see the Nativity Scene at the Commercial Gardens and from 9am onwards the street stalls and shop specials will provide you with a day of easy browsing and shopping.

Look out for the Red Cross stall with home cooking to support this worthy cause. There is also Live Art in the street from 9am with Maria Harrison, which will be judged at 4:30pm. The entertainment continues at 10:30am with Sing Australia, and at 11am the first round of the mighty Chocolate Wheel will commence, while the second round will be at 2pm. From 12 noon it’s time for lunch up the street of course.

At 1pm the Commercial Gardens will be the place to be for fun, including a mechanical bull ride, bungee run, gladiator and sumo, and a jumping castle.

Santa has promised to drop in and will be happy to pose for photos from 2:20 to 3:30pm at the Temple Lion Antiques & Patisserie. Speaking of Santa – children remember to post your letters to Santa at the letterbox near the post office.

Come up in your favourite outfit for the children’s dress up near the Library at 4pm, while from 5pm it is time again for dinner! There will be Twilight Busking between 6pm and 8pm with great money prizes up for grabs. Any act is welcome, contact Pat on 0429 000 050 to participate. There is also judging of the Christmas decorations with prizes for Best Town and Best Country Letterboxes, Best Decorated House, Best Decorated Shop and Best Shop Window.

Drop In At Mackenzies
Festivities tend to activate your appetite. If you are looking for a unique dining experience in Peak Hill, look no further than Mackenzies Kitchen.

You will find hot dogs with sour kraut and mustard, gourmet beef burgers, roo and lamb on turkish bread, and exclusively roasted coffee beans from Central West NSW. Mackenzies is also the only shop in town with fresh, hand battered fish.

Don’t walk past the green building with old-fashioned music pouring from its windows.