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Parkes Phoenix

Lights Bring Christmas Cheer All Around Town

December 11, 2020 By editor

The Christmas decorations will serve an extra special purpose this year to bring some cheer to a year that has been a struggle for all of us.

After this year of turbulence and drama, we need all the cheering up we can get. Driving around Parkes at night certainly makes things brighter as festive lights and decorations have started to appear all over town for the past few weeks.

In the absence of all the traditional Christmas events this time of year due to COVID cancellations, looking at the lights will probably become a focal point for many families for some cheer and excitement in the buildup to Christmas.

There are some beautifully decorated houses around our town with the owners putting in so much effort into every single detail. From giant Santas and little elves, to reindeer, candy canes and flashing lights. Many businesses in the CBD have also gone to great lengths to decorate their windows. Have you seen the Christmas tree in Cooke Park yet? It’s time to get the kids in the car and take a drive!

Here is a list of some of the streets around town with decorations: Moon Crescent, Molong Road, Paterson Street, Medlyn Street, Banjo Place, Fisher Street, East Street, May Street, Military Road, Billabong Crescent, Orange Street, Clarinda Street, Gap Street, Nash Street, Lower Bushman Street, Grenfell Street near skatepark, Evans Parade, Cookopie Street and Moulder Street.

Stay Safe In The Heat

December 11, 2020 By editor

Summer has set in and while everyone wants to soak up those summer rays, it is extremely important to stay SUN SAFE.

Increasing temperatures lead to an increase in dehydration, particularly in the elderly and young children. Your body needs both water and electrolytes to help you through the day. Water helps you digest food and maintain a normal body temperature, while electrolytes help keep your muscles functioning.

In the heat, or if you are unwell, the balance of water and electrolytes may become disturbed leading to dehydration. Look out for the following signs and symptoms: a dry or sticky mouth; increased thirst; fatigue; headache; decreased urine output and dark yellow urine.

In young children, it can be quite hard to see the signs of dehydration. Look out for dark yellow urine, fewer wet nappies or dry lips.

If you are getting older or care for an elderly person, it’s important to recognise the above signs as elderly persons are at a higher risk of dehydration. A vital sign of dehydration in the elderly is reduced sweating.

How to stay hydrated:
• Keep a water bottle nearby to make a habit of drinking water regularly – at least 8-10 glasses per day.
• At the first signs of dehydration, increase your fluid intake by drinking a large glass of water or sipping on replacement solutions such as Hydralyte (might be better tolerated if frozen).
• Avoid sugary drinks.
• Introduce more ‘wet’ foods into your diet, such as jelly or soup.

Come and see our pharmacists or staff about what else you can do to stay hydrated and safe this summer!

Of Serial Killers And War Heroes

December 11, 2020 By editor

Yarrabandai images (clockwise from top left): Yarrabandai store; Australia’s first serial killer, Frank Butler; Yarrabandai silos; and Victoria Cross recipient Rawdon Hume Middleton. (Source: www.historyparkes.org)

The first murder from Australia’s first serial killer was committed in Yarrabandai – one of many towns and villages in the Parkes Shire that have all but disappeared.

Less than 20km away from Bogan Gate, Yarrabandai had a population of 166 people in the 1961 Census. Like other towns, sport was a key part of life and Yarrabandai had a tennis and a cricket club.

Due to the rich agricultural land, a railway station was built at Yarrabandai forming part of the Condobolin-Parkes line.

Yarrabandai had its share of adventure and misadventure, and in 1896 Yarrabandai was the site for the first murder from Australia’s first serial killer, Frank Butler.

A Norwegian man, known only as Burgess, trekked with Butler from Sydney hoping to go halves in any gold found. Burgess dug what was to be his own grave before Butler shot him in the back of the head.

Frank Butler would go on to murder at least three other men, using a similar modus operandi, but he did not venture as far west again. The other murders occurred in the Blue Mountains before he fled to Newcastle.

He caught a ship to San Francisco thinking he had eluded the law. NSW police made it to San Francisco before Butler, arresting him at the port and arranged his extradition back to Australia, where he was tried and hung at Darlinghurst Gaol.

As for adventure, Yarrabandai was the workplace and residence for one of the greatest war heroes in Australian history.

Rawdon “Ron” Middleton lived and worked at “Leewang” homestead before becoming a bomber pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force in the Second World War. His final fatal flight he displayed tremendous bravery and self-sacrifice to save his crew and he posthumously received the Victoria Cross, the first member of the RAAF to receive the award during WWII.

By Dan Fredericks

New Design And Technology Building For Parkes Christian School

December 4, 2020 By editor

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack with Parkes Christian School Principal Glen Westcott.

Parkes Christian School received a Federal Government grant of $800,000 that will go towards the construction of a new design and technology building.

The $1.3 million project will include a new workshop, learning areas, a storeroom and student and staff amenities.

Parkes Christian School Principal Glen Westcott said the new learning spaces would provide a raft of new opportunities for students. “Our current facilities are too small for what we need. The school has a heavy focus on the industrial arts with plenty of students looking to pursue hands-on projects as part of their senior studies.

“Having a facility where the students have a purpose-built space and equipment to undertake subjects such as engineering, timber and metals and automotive studies, will be a real benefit.

“It has been a long time in the planning and we are absolutely thrilled with this announcement.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the funding, delivered through the Capital Grants Program, would go towards the refurbishment of a science classroom into a science lab.

“This wonderful school community will be further enhanced by these improvements.

The funding announcement is one of 158 projects approved for funding under the Capital Grants Program to begin in 2021.

Excitement Builds For Arts Revival Festival

December 4, 2020 By editor

Emily Webb, Hamish Sanderson and Jess Morgan during a rehearsal of The Proposal.

The Arts Revival Festival from 14th to 19th December aims to end a year of no creative stimulation and revive, celebrate and foster artistic activity in the Parkes Shire community.

The festival, organised by the Parkes Shire Arts Advisory Council and Parkes M&D Society, has a full program of a variety of workshops, three one-act plays, an art exhibition, a craft market and various musical performances.

“As there was hardly any creative stimulation during this year of the pandemic, the festival aims to help people have something to work towards,” said spokesperson Lisa Ramsay.

“We hope to make it an annual event and introduce new facets of artistic endeavours into our community. That is why we have included the improvisation workshops for instance for kids and adults.”

Improvisation, a collaborative method of creating live spontaneous theatre that is funny, often touching and frequently poignant, would broaden participants’ skills in how they react and be more authentic on stage, according to Lisa.

“It opens up a different avenue on stage, as musicals might not be for everyone.”

If there is enough interest after the workshops, Lisa is keen to start an improvisation group meeting on a monthly basis to inspire continuous engagement in new artistic endeavours. The workshops will run on 18th and 19th December.

Lisa is also very excited about the three one-act plays to be performed at the festival. “The M&D have not done a play for more than seven years, and we should attract a different audience.” The plays are The Proposal and The Wedding, adapted from Chekhov’s original plays to a farming landscape in 80s Australia, and a junior play Mother Duck and the Golden Goose.

The Arts Revival Festival is a wonderful way to end this tough year on a cheerful note. See the full program of events on the Parkes Shire Council’s website. Tickets for the shows are available online.

Floods And Some Fires This Summer

December 4, 2020 By editor

Australia can expect a wetter than normal summer, but bush and grass fires cannot be ruled out completely, according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s Summer Climate Outlook.

The outlook for summer has been issued as Australia continues to experience an active La Niña event which is expected to remain until at least the start of autumn.

The Bureau’s Head of Operational Climate Services Dr Andrew Watkins said this meant large parts of eastern Australia had an increased risk of flooding.

“Our climate outlook is the opposite of what we experienced last year in Australia. This summer, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are expected to see above average rainfall, meaning we face an increased risk of widespread floods.”

Andrew said that while the risk of bushfires was not as high as last summer, fires would occur. “There’s a great chance of grass fires in some areas as recent rain and warm weather have led to vigorous vegetation growth.”

He said the outlook was also a reminder for communities to be prepared for heatwaves over the coming months. “This summer heatwaves may not reach the extreme temperatures of recent years, but may be longer duration and more humid.”

Northern Australia remains on track for an average to slightly above-average cyclone season.

Happy Birthday Parkes!

December 4, 2020 By editor

Parkes turned 147 years on Tuesday! The township was officially named Parkes on 1st December 1873 in honour of the then premier of the colony of NSW, Sir Henry Parkes. Parkes Shire Councillors joined in a cutting of a birthday cake in the Council Chambers, while the staff at the Henry Parkes Museum (above) also celebrated. They are (L-R) Bruce Prior, Dorothea Tom OAM, Rosemary Prior, Rose Jones and Bruce Hall.

Snowy Contract Big Boost For Local Jobs And Economy

December 4, 2020 By editor

PARKES MADE… The team at Midland Industries in Parkes who are building 42 trailers for the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project. Sales Manager Roy Trimmer is standing on the far right.

A family business in Parkes is playing a major role in the largest renewable energy project in Australia.

Midland Industries landed a contract in May this year to design and build delivery trucks for the massive Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro project.

The contract to build 14 sets of custom-made trailers totalling 42 trailers presented a massive challenge to the specialist truck trailer manufacturer in Parkes.

“It is a pretty unique story and we have come up with an innovative design that is a first for Australia,” said Sales Manager Roy Trimmer at a media event on Tuesday. “This is record-breaking stuff,” said Snowy 2.0 Relations Manager Dean Lynch of the project that is a first in the world to build a 27km tunnel of 11m in diameter. “Parkes helped solve the problem of transporting 130,500 concrete segments to the two sites.” He said it would’ve taken 45,000 loads on a semi-trailer, but the Midland unique trailer design reduced it to just un- der 15,000 loads.

Midland had to come up with a design to transport nine concrete segments at a time weighing 6.5 tonnes each from the factory in Cooma to the building sites navigating public roads and roundabouts, harsh weather conditions, very steep roads while reducing noise, ensuring no cracking and no failure on the trailers.

“We started with a design used in Iceland and did over 60 simulations with GPS coordinates to eventually come up with this unique design of three axles on each trailer carrying a total load of 91 tonnes,” said Roy. The weight had to be distributed over the axles to lessen the impact on the road surface. A completed truck and set of trailers are 27m long, 2.5m wide and has 46 wheels.

The first six completed trailers were on display this week to the media. Three more are in fit-out stage, while another 33 are yet to be built.

Midland has employed an additional eight people for the project to bring the team to a total of 28, “but we need many more employees,” said Roy. The contract, which has secured jobs for employees during COVID, is said to inject $9 million into the local economy. “It is great for our company, but it is also about the flow-on effect to everyone else,” said Troy.

Dean said the CEO of Snowy 2.0 was very big on getting Australian manufacturers involved in the project.

“It is just so exciting to be out here in Parkes and see design innovation and manufacturing expertise in regional NSW. It is awesome that we can support a business like this. They are not just making trailers, there is so much more to it.”

By Maggi Barnard

Check On Charities’ Credentials

December 4, 2020 By editor

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is urging the public to do a quick online check on a charity’s credentials before donating this festive season.

“It takes a minute to check the ACNC online Charity Register to see if an organisation you would like to support is a legitimate charity,” said ACNC Commissioner Dr Gary Johns

“Unfortunately, fraudsters masquerade as charities, exploiting goodwill — scams are on the rise. It is crucial to do at least a quick online check before giving to be confident your donation is going to an organisation that genuinely does good work.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be from a charity, ask to call them back. Search the Charity Register and call back using the phone number published there.

Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails and social media posts. It is safer to visit a charity’s website, to avoid clicking a link to an imitation website.

Don’t give out your credit card and bank account details on social media and be cautious when doing so online.

Always ask for identification from door-to-door and street fundraising collectors.

Mayor Takes Lead At CMA

December 4, 2020 By editor

Parkes Shire Mayor Cr Ken Keith OAM was elected chair of the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) representing almost 70 rural and coastal councils across NSW. “It is a wonderful privilege and I look forward to carrying on the good work of the previous chair Katrina Humphries, Mayor of Moree Council. I am proud to be working with other driven country mayors and to be a part of a group that supports each other and our communities.” Some of the key priorities for the CMA is looking at converting waste to energy, improving roads, attracting country doctors and investing in new technologies.

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