It was all hands on deck for last week’s solar panel installation ceremony. Mayor Ken Keith and Wiradjuri elder Robert Clegg donned hi-vis and hard hats to help install solar panels at the Parkes Solar Farm.

They were joined by a handful of other VIP’s, or Very Important Panel-installers; Ian Learmonth, CEO of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and senior executives from the Australian Renewably Energy Agency, French renewable energy firm Neoen, and construction company Bouygues were made honorary solar panel technicians for the ceremonial event.

Construction on the Parkes Solar Farm is already well-underway, with acres of piles and panels already erected. The solar farm is situated on 240 hectares of land to the west of Parkes, and is the largest of Neoen’s four Australian solar plants.

Ultimately it will be connected to the future solar farm substation, and will produce up to 80MW of renewable energy – or enough to power more than 20,000 homes.

Bouyges CEO Jean-Chrisophe Perraud said that he’s excited to be part of a project that will bring the green power our planet deserves. He credited the local and international crew with the project’s successful progress. “We have the right people on the ground and are tremendously engaged with the local people,” he said. “We’re us- ing an ambitious mix of local know-how and global skills.”

The Rotary Peace Precinct stood almost abandoned as it was dusted by light rain on Wednesday, while across town the official dedication ceremony was conducted indoors. The standing-room-only event was moved to the Little Theatre, but even though attendees were unable to walk amongst the peace pillars at the base of Memorial Hill it was none-the-less an appropriate location.

Theatres are magical places that can transport an audience across time and place, and Wednesday’s ceremony was no exception. The audience was invited to visualise the Peace Precinct, to consider the symbolic imagery in the totem sculptures and dry creek bed, and to imagine how the installations interact with the land.

The audience was also transported further afield, as each of the official speakers reflected on the nature of peace, sharing their personal connections to various countries and conflicts, not just across the world, but also across history.

Even though the dedication was not held within the precinct, it was a deeply moving ceremony that evoked the passion and energy of the many talented and dedicated people who worked to bring the project together.

The Peace Precinct represents the values expressed in the Rotary Peace Communities credo, with a particular emphasis on reconciliation. The five timber sculptures are carved with Wiradjuri iconography, each reflecting the tenets of the credo; Respect, Reconciliation, Families, Newcomers and History. Four of the pillars are positioned to represent music notes, which together create harmony.

Harmony was the enduring theme through- out the ceremony. Students from Holy Fam- ily School and Parkes East Public School formed a joint school choir to perform Kookaburra in both English and Wiradjuri. This was later followed by an emotive flash-mob performance of I Am Australian.

The Peace Precinct is yet another of Parkes’ treasures. When you visit be sure to take time to engage with its poignant symbolism.

By Raen Fraser

If she could, Roberta Stone would work at Currajong Disability Services forever. Helping people comes naturally to her and is a part of her make up. She spent 26 years in child care prior to a decade with CDS. That came to a tearful end on June 15 when she officially retired.

“I will miss it at CDS and cannot thank my colleagues and the board enough,” Roberta said. “I’ll especially miss the clients, their re- actions when they achieve their goals,” she said. “We’ve all been through so much to- gether, but now it’s time to travel and catch up with my other family and grandchildren.”

When Roberta first walked through the doors of CDS ten years ago she was seek- ing a new challenge. The interest in special needs and the disability services industry had always been there but she said it took a long time to take the leap.

“Helping people is who I am and keep- ing my emotions in check has always been

tough,” she said. “The rewards are there for the right people and they are immeasurable and everlasting.”

With massive positive changes ahead in- cluding the roll-out of the NDIS Roberta has no regrets and knows it is the right time. “Donna Little is great and she is more than capable of taking CDS into the next phase of their development,” she said.

For Donna Little, the new system represents fresh challenges but more importantly new ideas and a chance to build on the good work of those before her like Roberta.

“Roberta has been tremendous and a great source of knowledge and support,” Donna said. “I know I speak for all staff when I wish her all the best.”

Donna Little will take on the role of Residential Team Leader that will incorporate much of Roberta’s old position and some other responsibilities.

By Dane Millerd

Middleton Public students embraced a Life Education fund raiser recently by creating fruit and vegetable sculptures. Over 80 entries were received which were displayed in the school hall. Staff also entered the competition. Students paid a gold coin donation to view the amazing display. Healthy Harold and Life Ed Educator Rai Mitchell made an appearance at the weekly Assembly to give out the prizes. Thank you to the students and parents for supporting this fun event.

Parkes Shire Council are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles with free child restraint checks at local Authorised Child Restraint Fitting Stations Thursday 6 July.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that the free child restraint checking day is held every year and is important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk in the event of a crash.

“Last year 80% of the child restraints in-spected were found to be installed incorrectly. Most had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child, such as tightening straps, checking clips and replacing loose bolts.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

Free child restraint inspections will be pro- vided by RMS Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Parkes on Thursday 6 July at two different locations. Inspections will be held from 11am – 1pm at Col Fletcher Ford and Kia, and from 2pm – 4pm at Parkes Tyrepower.

Information about the national child restraint laws, the types of restraints and ad- vice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will be available. There will also be a free BBQ and a colouring-in competition for the kids with a prize worth $50.

Whilst this free child restraint checking day is a one-off event, Col Fletcher Ford and Kia as well as Parkes Tyrepower install and check child restraints every day for a small fee.

Bookings are essential, phone Melanie Suitor on 02 6861 2364.

On Friday 21st July, Dr Robi Sonderegger will be speaking for a full day conference on Resilience at the Parkes Christian School.

Building resilience in children and teen- agers with a Godly perspective is so important in a changing world, dealing with social media, family changes, health, and relationships. One of the key responsibilities of parenting is showing our children and teenagers how to deal with difficult experiences and equipping them for the future.

Dr Robi is a world renowned Christian clinical psychologist, a consultant in trauma associated with war, exploitation and natural disaster as well as being a passion- ate international speaker. Dr Robi tackles the hard-core issues faced by families using original, educational and highly entertaining methods. Dr Robi is best known for combining the best of science and scripture in his messages that are actively designed to equip and empower participants.

Over the past 15 years Dr Robi has transformed himself from a snowboard instructor to the rich and famous of Europe, to become a humanitarian activist and an expert consultant in trauma associated with war, exploitation, and natural disaster. He has spoken at Hillsong conferences, schools, churches, parenting seminars, Sunday school conferences and now we have him coming to Parkes to speak to teachers, parents and other community members. The day will consist of three sessions with a question time at the end.

The cost is $40 which includes lunch. This can be paid directly to the school or online by Friday 7th July 2017. Don’t miss out on your place at the Dr Robi- Resilience Conference. Contact Lisa in the school office at administration@parkescs.nsw.edu.au.

Parkes residents will experience the energy and joy of African culture, as well as an insight into their hardships, when the 100% hOPE Choir and dance troupe visits from Uganda on 14th July.

The choir from the 100% hOPE school in Uganda will be accompanied by their ‘mum’, Aussie school teacher and former world championship dragon boat racer Trishelle Sayuuni. She founded the charity which is working to give over 115 orphaned and vulnerable Ugandan children a home, school, and vocational education.

The 100% hOPE Children’s Choir performances range from traditional African mu- sic and acapella singing to head spinning break-dancing.

“There’s so much joy in Uganda, even amongst the poverty, and we want to share that and inspire Australians,” Trishelle said. “This is an incredible adventure for the choir, but they’re working so hard, because they know this is their chance to use their talents to help their 100% hOPE brothers and sisters, now and into the future.”

The Choir’s first tour to Australia last year raised funds for five additional classrooms. This year they are aiming to raise enough for four fully-equipped girls’ homes, starting with homes for the 42 girls currently living in their classrooms.

The public are invited to come and see the Choir perform at the Parkes Christian School Hall on Friday 14th July at 6:00pm.