Parkes author Beth Thomas was invited by Bathurst City Library to give an author talk on her historical fiction novel, Remember Oradour. Almost thirty people attended to hear Beth speak about her inspirations for her successful
debut novel, which was launched in Parkes in March. “It was a lovely, informal gathering with a really warm group of people,” said Beth. “They were very attentive and genuinely interested. Bathurst is a very cultural rural city and I felt honoured that they had invited me.”

Beth spoke about her feelings for Oradour, its people and its history. She tells the gripping story of a village in war-torn France. “My book brings the town back to life with characters from all generations with multifaceted relationships. From generations of adults to babies being born…just as in reality.” From readers’ comments it is obvious Beth has brought Oradour back to life in its beautiful setting, with its authentic historical background, and with very real characters.

Beth’s readers have been profoundly touched by her passionate retelling of the true events of Oradour. As one reader said: “That was the most beautifully written book!” Another talented person in Parkes we can be proud of.

The Parkes Show once again features an action-packed entertainment program. Headlined by Rooftop Express Spectacular, an amazing family friendly arena show that encourages crowd involvement. It features hilarious Australiana comedy and electrifying stunts sponsored by McPhersons.

The Young Farmer Challenge is a crowd favourite and returns with a new set of tasks for participants. The Northparkes Kidzone will have free activities like kite making, face painting and balloon sculpting, while more
free activities will be on offer at the children’s activity centre in the Blatch pavilion.

Whether you love adrenaline pumping excitement, locals in novelty events, Westlime’s fireworks display or free activities, there is something for everyone this year.

Mention the name Kittie Dwyer around the Parkes Shire and comments such as “dedicated, passionate and determined” are often the response. Kittie has always possessed a can-do attitude and it is that mindset that saw her
former neighbour and current Currajong Disability Services (CDS) Chairman Neil Unger ask her to get involved.
“I knew little about Currajong but I was prepared to give it a go,” said Kittie. “Working with people like Neil who are
enthusiastic, want to improve and have worthwhile goals made the decision about 12 years ago so much easier.

“Currajong are doing great things and undergoing major changes, and I am pleased to have been a part of that,” she said. While Kittie may be stepping back she certainly won’t be lost to the organisation vowing to remain an interested observer and contributor when and where she can. Kittie believes the biggest challenge facing CDS remains the same challenge when she arrived – to provide the best care and options for clients. She believes CDS is meeting it head on and going in the right direction.

“Not all participants have the same challenges nor are they the same people just because they share a common disability,” said Kittie. “It is the same challenge across the industry but I think we do it better and are getting better.” Kittie has a lot of empathy for carers in the industry. “We need lots of support for carers as well as clients as they go through a lot too,” she said. “We have to keep encouraging them and new people into the industry. It was one of
the reasons the Currajong Carers Support Group was started – to assist families and those who care for people with a disability,” Kittie said.

Kittie Dwyer is a former chair of the Currajong Carers Support Group and CDS board member. CDS acknowledge and appreciate all the work she has done and her positive contribution. All the best Kittie and thank you from everyone at CDS!

By Dane Millerd

Benjamin Franklin might have said: “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy,” but for the owners of Twisted River Wines outside Parkes a very special trophy for their Shiraz has put them in high spirits.

“When we bought the vineyard in 2007, I had a vision of us picking grapes to the sound of Vivaldi. It is in fact very hard work,” said Michelle Davies, who handles sales and marketing. She and Helen Armstrong, the vigneron, not only have day time jobs, but do everything by hand, including pruning and picking, on their 14 acre property
about 40km outside Parkes. That was why winning the trophy for the best Shiraz at the 2017 Australian New Zealand Boutique Wine Show with their 2016 Shiraz Viognier was a very big deal for them.

“We are really excited as there were 196 entries. It is so good to see our hard work come to fruition,” said Michelle. She was also relieved winning the prestigious prize, as the same wine won the trophy for the best red blend at the recent Cowra Wine Show. “This shows consistency, and that our win was not a flash in the pan.” According to Michelle the main motivation for them to enter wine shows are to get feedback on their wines, and to know they are on the right track. She said credit was also due to their winemakers, Chris Derrez and Lucy Maddox from Orange, who have been with them since 2010 when they first started making wine.

If you would like to share in the happiness of the Shiraz, you’d have to hurry as only 300 cases were produced. Visit the cellar door on weekends, or join the Twisted River Wine Club.

By Maggi Barnard

Three day passes for the Parkes Show are now available from Cunningham’s IGA, Byrnes Clothing and the Show Office in Welcome Street. The passes are only available until Sunday, 27th August. Once the Show commences on Monday, 28th August, a single entry at the gate will be $15.

A three day pass offers you unlimited entries over the three days of the show for just $5 for Schoolies (anyone attending school), $15 for Adults, and kids not yet attending school are free. This amazing deal offers one of the cheapest show tickets in the Central West! Concession tickets are only available from the Show Office and are $10 each.

If you buy tickets before the Show you can also go into the draw to win a $500 open order from Cunningham’s IGA or Byrnes Clothing, or one of two packs of 20 show ride tickets.

Parkes has many talented people and two of them combined their creative powers to do something they have never done before – writing and illustrating a children’s book. Erica Brazel and Jasmine Cole launched their book, I’m special and it shows from my head down to my toes, at the Parkes Library last Saturday.

“It is a book to help children learn more about their different body parts, from their head to their toes ad all the bits in between,” said Erica, mother of three boys. She started writing the book about five years ago when her eldest was two years old.

In response to a question of where the idea came from, she said the honest answer was in the shower and it was as a tune. “I never intended to publish the book, and if it was not for Jasmine I would never have done it.”

Erica and Jasmine are friends from church. Jasmine does drawing for a hobby and ventured onto new ground illustrating a book. “The first time Jasmine showed me her drawings for the book, I started crying,” said Erica.

Although it took Erica five years to see her first book published as she was doing it herself, she has since written six more books. “I have done a book about dads who sometimes work away from home, as my husband had to do FIFO (Fly In Fly Out). I am keen to see this one published too.

Shellie Buckle of the Parkes Library said it was very exciting to be hosting the launch. “We look forward to adding the book to our collection.” Erica grew up in Lake Cargelligo and moved to Parkes when she was 14. After living in Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle until 2008, she moved back with her husband to have their family.

By Maggi Barnard

Brittany Glover joined the team at Charisma Hair Design in Parkes last week. Brittany has gained a great deal of knowledge and experience in her career as a hairdresser. She has worked with Paula Hibbard styling hair for the magazine, Modern Wedding Bridal and will soon be working back stage on the bridal hair expo runway.

Brittany enjoys making beautiful balayage/ombré with blondes and coppers, loves upstyling, blowdrying, and creating personalised hair styles for the individual. She is excited to share her knowledge and skills with the community of Parkes!

Hailing from Wollongong, Brittany is looking forward to enjoying a slower pace in Parkes and meeting new people. “It is not as crazy here as it is in Wollongong,” said Brittany. Although she’s been a dancer all her life, she might try something different to do in her free time.

Call Charisma on 6862 3798 to book an appointment with Brittany. You can also follow Brittany on Instagram: hairbybritterz.

 

Re-awaken your sense of wonder …. Let curiosity lead your life.
WHAT’S ON @ The Library
SATURDAY ART CLASSES
Join guest teacher Leanne Wilson (Little Art Company) and have fun creating art on Saturday mornings.
• 12 August, 10am to 1pm – Space Madness
• 19 August, 10am to 12pm – Hoot Hoot!
• 26 August, 10am to 1pm – Magical Monster
• 2 September, 10am to 12pm – Bok Bok B’Gerk!
• 9 September,10am to 1pm – Woolly Sheep
• 16 September, 10am to 12pm – Mini Abstract Cost $2 per class. For children aged 8 to 12 years. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

MAKE A KOKEDAMA WORKSHOP
Saturday, 2nd September, 10am – 11am. For teens and adults. Kokedama, which means ‘moss ball’, originated in Japan in the 1600s. Originally invented for bonsai trees, but are now making a comeback in various forms. Participants will get their hands dirty and learn all the steps to construct a succulent kokedama. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

MAKE YOUR OWN TERRARIUM WORKSHOP
Saturday, 2nd September, 1pm – 2pm. For teens and adults. You’ll be getting your hands dirty and learning all the steps to construct your very own terrarium. The class will start with a short demo and presentation and then give you
time to put the knowledge to practice to make your own terrarium. Bookings required in person at Parkes Library.

SEPTEMBER SATURDAY STORYTIME
• “Escape to Everywhere” for families! Stories, singing, craft and special guests. 10.30am – 11.30am.
• 2 September: Escape to countries.
• 9 September: Escape to your own special place.
• 16 September: Escape to fantasy land.

BUSINESS LAW…. DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS
Are you looking to set up a new business, buy or sell a business? The law puts a tremendous amount of responsibilities upon business owners and employers.
Starting in business can be an exciting time.
However, there are a range of business law issues you must take into account:
• Will you be employing staff to help run the business?
• Will you have contracts with your customers or clients?
• How will you deal with leases, insurance, debt recovery?
• Do you have finance in place?
• What tax implications are there in your business?
• Do you understand the fair trading regulations?

Before you commit to a lease, employ people or start work for clients, you need to be sure that you are not putting yourself in legal jeopardy or risking criminal or financial penalities.

Running your business may involve a range of business law issues:
• Guarantees and security documents;
• Confidentiality agreements;
• Copyright and intellectual property law;
• Partnership and shareholder disputes;
• Customer disputes;
• Supplier and contractor agreements;
• Terms and conditions of trade;
• Bankruptcy and insolvency;
• Work health and safety requirements.

Selling your business has a range of issues you need to think through before signing a contract. In particular, the negotiation for the sale of the business. Many factors come into play when deciding on a sale price for your business. Issues include whether GST is applicable in the sale price and liabilities, responsibility for employees, and trading restrictions that may apply.

The Henrys – Parkes Business Awards is generating a lot of interest and is set to become a major annual event on the Parkes calendar with the launch of brand new categories, a new independent judging system and new modern branding.

The Parkes Chamber of Commerce awards sub-committee has been determined to invigorate the business awards to
become a much easier, more relevant and more encompassing to cover all industries and individuals in business.

The aim is to allow every Parkes business and businessperson the platform to not only receive local recognition, but also the opportunity to move forward as an award winner to regional and state awards.

The awards are aligned with the NSW Business Chamber so all judging will be facilitated by them with independent judges overseeing the nominations and deciding on the winner in each category. The online entry system and judging process is totally removed from the local level allowing complete confidentiality and impartiality throughout the whole process.

Nominations close on 23rd August; enter online at http://www.businessannualawards.com.au/loginchamber=parkes

Enquiries to Chamber@parkeschamber.com.au or through the Facebook page: The Henrys – Parkes Business Awards. The gala black tie awards presentation event will be held in Parkes on Friday, 20th October.