We are all collectors, but Ian and Judy Chambers have set themselves apart over 50 years of working together as professional treasurers. They have not only owned a collection of businesses, but Ian the hobbyist has amassed an amazing treasure trove of old Australian comics, corner shop items and tin toys.

The entrepreneurial and industrious couple was recently recognised for their life’s work by being awarded the Ken Birch Memorial trophy at The Henrys business awards. “We have lived in Parkes all our lives, and we both started work at the then Central West County Council in 1966.”

In 1978 they bought Coulston’s Jewellers, changed the name to Reflection Jewellers, and nine years later installed the first onehour photo lab in Parkes. In 1997 they sold the jewellery shop, only to get back into business about 15 months later purchasing the Video Ezy stores in Parkes and Forbes, which Ian said had been the most enjoyable business to run.

“People always came into the shop in a happy mood.” In 2000 their son Dave and his partner Tracey took over the management of the two stores and incorporated both stores shortly after as Discount Tobacconists. The sad news is that the video part of the shop is closing down, but the good news is the business is moving back full circle to
where the jeweller shop used to be at 225- 227 Clarinda street, and will be expanded to include a men’s gift ware section. Next door is Dad and Daves – father and son’s collection hobbies turned into business.

Ian and Judy continue to fill in as required, while also being very active in the community. Ian served as a Councillor for 12 years among other things, has a keen interest in the history of Parkes photographing the shops and businesses for the past 40 years and published a book in 1988.

“We feel pretty privileged and lucky with what we have done in Parkes.” They have not only preserved history but
have accumulated a treasure trove of stories too as every item in their vast collection has a wonderful tale attached to it.

By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes College for Seniors joined knitters from around Australia to help create 60,000 poppies to mark the centenary of the end of World War I in November next year. About 20 members and guests held a special session last week to create the poppies to be sent to Canberra. The group has done close to 500 poppies to contribute to the centenary that will see a carpet of poppies at the Australian War Memorial. Each poppy knitted will represent an Australian life lost in World War I – the costliest conflict to Australia in terms of deaths. Out of the 416,809 men who enlisted, 60,000 were killed and 156,000 were wounded, gassed or taken prisoner.

Embroiderers’ Guild Exhibition – 6 to 30 November, Parkes Library
It has become a tradition that an Embroiders Guild NSW, Parkes Branch, exhibition is on display at Parkes Library during November. This year the exhibition is going to feature Parkes Branch founding member Margaret Lewis’ amazing range of embroidery works.

Kate Kelly: Sister Of An Outlaw Exhibition – 7 – 18 November, Coventry Room
Rebecca Wilson’s exhibition retells a visual story of events and folklore inspired by the life and times of Kate Kelly, re-interpreted by the artist to include a collection of portraits and event-based imagery based on photos and extensive research.

Rebecca Wilson artist talk on Thursday, 16th November, 6pm – 7pm
RSVP essential on 6861 2309 or parkes.library@parkes.nsw.gov.au New Online Collection – Talking Books
Parkes Shire Library is proud to launch a new online collection – eAudio, talking books. Talking books can be downloaded and listened to on your own device via the Parkes Shire Library eCollection website parkesshirelibrary.wheelers.co/. You can borrow three eAudio titles at a time, for up to four weeks. Parkes Library is inviting those interested in talking books to help select titles for the new collection. Please email your name and contact details to parkes.library@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Jane Austen High Tea – Wednesday 29 November at 3pm, or Thursday 30 November, 6pm.
This November the Parkes Book Club will be hosting a very special Jane Austen book club event. This year is the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s death and yet she is still a much-loved author of the English language. The Parkes Book Club will take the form of an open mic event with everyone encouraged to share their favourite Jane Austen quote and explain what they like about it. There will also be a high tea and plenty of laughs as Elizabeth Bennett says, “I dearly love to laugh”. Book Club regulars, prospective new members and Jane Austen lovers are all welcome!

Locals and visitors are invited to make their ’68 Comeback to the 2018 Parkes Elvis Festival as a volunteer. Parkes Elvis Festival Director, Cathy Treasure said: “The Parkes Elvis Festival would not be possible without the assistance of our wonderful volunteers.”

There are a range of volunteer roles including stage management, street parade float coordinator, busking assistant, merchandise supervisor, photo booth coordinator, survey staff, and pre-festival administration support.
Register online at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au or attend a Volunteer Induction Night on Monday, 13th November at Parkes Shire Council Administration Building 6pm, or Monday, 4th December at Parkes Coventry Room 6pm.

“This is five days of hip-swivelling, lip-curling, collar flicking tributes to the King of Rock and Roll.” Former international cricketer Mike Whitney from the national Sydney Weekender travel show zoomed in on the Parkes Elvis Festival on last Sunday’s program.

A lot of well-known faces were seen including Miss Priscilla 2017, Jackie Batt; Elvis Festival Director, Cathy Treasure and Mayor Ken Keith dressed in his famous suit. Mike also enjoyed a special Elvis burger at The Railway Hotel.

“Great advertisement for Parkes. I loved seeing my daughter Kasie serving Mike the Elvis Burger,” said Michelle Ferguson. Other residents also felt it was great for the town, but said more footage of the actual festival should have been used to show the crowds everywhere.

Social Futures, an official partner of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), opened an office in Parkes this week with three Local Area Coordinators (LAC). The role of an LAC is to support a participant by identifying current support needs in order to develop an NDIS plan. Once the plan has been approved they help to ensure participants are connected to supports and work with them to achieve their goals.

If you are eligible for the NDIS and have not yet signed up, contact Social Futures at 31 Bogan Street, or on 1800 522 679 or email lacenquiries@socialfutures.org.au.

The Newell Highway Taskforce met at Narrabri last week. Mick Savage from Roads and Transport Directorate highlighted the importance of getting additional funding for the Newell Highway Flood Study completed recently by Professor Peter Brain to pursue the work already undertaken by Roads and Maritime Service (RMS).

Chair Cr Ken Keith outlined the major upgrades that have taken place since 2011 including 18 overtaking lanes completed at a cost of $40.3 million and another 10 overtaking lanes planned with completion expected in 2018/19.

Projects nearing completion include the realignments at Grong Grong and Trewilga where the speed limit will become 110 km/h. The NSW Government’s Future Transport 2056 draft document was also discussed. The omission of a future Bells Line road upgrade from the report has significant ramifications for the Newell Highway network, particularly the Central West, for connectivity to the Sydney region.

Inspired by a hot flush and a bottle of wine, Jeanie Linders created Menopause the Musical as a celebration of women who are on the brink of, in the middle of, or have survived ‘The Change’. Since its first performance, the show has evolved as a ‘grassroots’ movement of women who deal with life after 40.

Could 500,000 Australian women be wrong? That is how many have seen this one act laugh-a-thon show of 90-minutes over the last two and a half years. One attraction is the songs that everyone grew up with – The Great Pretender, Only You, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Stand by Your Man, I Will Survive and twenty more with ‘new’ lyrics. Or maybe it is the realisation there is a wonderful life waiting after ‘The Change.’

Come and see for yourself. You will leave the theatre uplifted and joyous. See page 1 for dates and locations. Head online to www.abstractentertainment.net to book your tickets today.

For the past six years Trundle residents have put in hours of hard work and this week they were rewarded with $100,000 to help restore the second longest hotel balcony in Australia.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western NSW, Rick Colless handed over the ‘massive’ cheque at the Trundle Hotel to Andrew Rawsthorne, Grants Officer for the Trundle & District Progress Association.

This grant will see the remaining 60m of the 90m balcony at the Trundle Hotel restored, as well as a derelict unit on the first floor that will be used to support an artist in residency program.

According to Andrew community members banded together in 2011 to start the Trundle Main Street Rejuvenation. “Over the past six years 95 volunteers have given more than 1,500 hours of their time to give the town a face lift.”

In 2011 almost 50% of the shops in the Trundle Main Street were empty. As the renovation work has progressed, new business started up again including the first pharmacy in Trundle since 1976; a Bowen Therapist/ B&B; an arts shop, a physiotherapist; a new Landcare office, new shop for the Trundle Royal Far West Sub branch, a revamped hardware shop, a new Food Works supermarket and a new picture theatre/art gallery in the former Trundle Post Office.

“This is a very strong result for a small community of 750 residents,” said Andrew. So far 75% of the shop fronts have been repainted, every veranda repaired, original signage repainted and extensive work carried out on the Trundle Hotel. A hotel has been operating on the site since 1888, and in 1912 the current hotel was built. By 2010 a large section of the balcony was closed off and the overall the hotel was in a dire state.

Things radically changed when Dannielle Ward, a former resident, bought the hotel in 2010.

By Maggi Barnard