One Parkes High School student was spending lots of time with algorithms, informatics and coding for a week during the summer holiday, while the rest of the country’s school population was lazing on the beach or at the pool. Year 9 student Tynan Matthews was among 60 of Australia’s brightest technology buffs hand-picked to attend the very
first digIT ICT Summer School at the Macquarie University in Sydney last month. “It was good being around other kids with similar interests,” said Tynan. “I learned a few cool things.”

The program, which runs over six months includes two residential camps and a mentoring program, will help students to take their skills in all aspects of digital literacy, science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the next level. They explored all aspects of information and communication technology through guest lectures, interactive sessions, practicals and field trips. The visit to the Google Headquarters in Sydney impressed Tynan. “We were shown around the relaxation areas including craft and wood workshops, a virtual reality room, libraries, Lego rooms, cafés, restaurants and pop-up kitchens.

The 14-year-old from Parkes, the only student from the Central West to attend, was happy to make friends with students from other small towns in Australia he had never heard of. Over the next six months, Tynan will be
working on a project with another student and their mentor, which they will present at the winter school in June. “We still need to decide on our project,” said Tynan.

As for his future career plans, he hasn’t made up his mind yet. “I just want to keep on experimenting and learning for now.” And when Tynan is not experimenting or learning, he likes to play cricket and relax playing on his Xbox with online friends.

By Maggi Barnard

If you’ve ventured from Clarinda Street a little, you might have stumbled upon a curious new shopfront on Dalton Street. The Brighter Futures Lending Hands workshop is a unique blend of retail space, workshop, and not-for-profit program for the longterm unemployed. Inside you’ll find a team of people practicing their newly acquired woodwork and craft skills.

The participants work with recycled materials, such as wooden pallets or discarded furniture that can be repurposed into something new and functional. The crafty crew have made coffee tables, book cases, glory boxes, and a garden bench that was created out of an old bed. They’ve even built their own wall as a practical and cost-effective solution to the sawdust generated by the woodwork.

Creative Supervisor Debbie Robson said that it’s a fantastic program that gives the participants practical skills in a simulated workplace. “It’s great to see the group share skills and work together as a team,” she said. “There are usually stereotypes around the unemployed, but we’ve found that people really want to do something and be involved.”

Woodwork supervisor Mark Horner said he enjoys mentoring others. “You get satisfaction that you’ve been able to help them. You’re giving them confidence and hopes for their future,” he said. Patrick, a participant, said he was looking forward to completing a wishing well for a private commission. “It is a really supportive environment, and it’s good to learn to use tools that I haven’t used before,” he said. John has been in the program for several months. “It’s a great learning experience,

I’ve developed woodworking skills I didn’t have before,” he said. The good news? Everything they make is for sale, at very affordable rates. Members of the public can purchase hand-made, recycled furniture that has its own bespoke charm and a guaranteed sustainable origin.

By Raen Fraser

Applications are open for the 2017 National Indigenous Youth Parliament (NIYP). The NIYP is a week-long leadership program for Indigenous Australians aged 16 to 25, to be held in Canberra from 23rd to 29th May. The Australian Electoral Commission will bring 50 young Indigenous Australians to Canberra – six from each state and territory and two from the Torres Strait Islands.

The centrepiece of the NIYP is a two-day simulated parliament in the House of Representatives chamber at Old Parliament House. Participants will debate bills and issues important to themselves and their communities. No specific skills or experience are required to participate in the NIYP, apart from a desire to have a say in what’s going on in your community.

Applications are open until Friday, 3rd March. Participants will be chosen based on their ideas, community activity and leadership potential. To apply visit www.aec.gov.au/indigenous.

Ballet is a great way for kids to get fit and active. It is also an excellent place for beginners to start learning dance, and for seasoned dancers to hone their skills. Twinkle Toes Dance Studio will be hosting Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D.) Ballet exams this year! After studying for two years to achieve her Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies, Miss Bre is now a Registered Teacher. This status with the prestigious R.A.D. is a treasured skill in the Central West, with only a few teachers in the region holding this qualification.

Miss Bre is so excited to be offering R.A.D. exams to the dancers of Parkes this year. For more information, please
contact Twinkle Toes Dance Studio by phone, email or facebook.

The oldest established dental practice in the Parkes Shire has a new and fresh look for the future. Richardson Dental Surgery has been a hive of activity over the past three weeks to transform the 50-year-old interior at 19 Church Street into an ergonomically friendly and comfortable space.

“We wanted to welcome our clients into a friendly and spacious environment to help ease the stress of visiting the dentist,” said Dr Khazima Riaz. Everything is new, including a mobile friendly entrance for people with walking frames and coloured dentist chairs in the two identical treatment rooms. Khazima said the renovation was planned
around utilising space more effectively to allow her practise to offer the best service possible. “We totally believe in preventative care, perform all aspects of general dentistry, as well as cosmetics and implants.”

She had very good advice for people fearful of visiting the dentist: “It is very important to keep up with preventative care to avoid any major dental issues, which is usually more stressful than a regular check-up.” So if you have not scheduled your checkup yet for the new year, pop in and enjoy the fresh and modern look of Richardson Dental Surgery.

The day of love hearts, red roses and romance is just around the corner… Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day, is a day that many Australians celebrate with someone they love. The day originated as a Western Christian liturgical feast day honoring one or more early saints named Valentinus, and is recognised as a significant cultural and commercial celebration in many regions around the world.

According to Wikipedia, the day first became associated with romantic love within the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.

These days typical Valentine’s Day activities include picnics in the park, buying gifts of chocolates, flowers, jewellery, or other items for loved ones, a romantic meal at a restaurant, a boat cruise with a special meal, sharing Valentine’s Day messages via social media and radio announcements. You can have your special Valentine’s message printed in the Parkes Phoenix too – see Love Notes at the end of this story.

Some people choose Valentine’s Day as the day to propose to their partners, while others set February 14 as their wedding day. Some charities and other organisations hold special events, such as a Valentine’s Day ball, to raise funds for various causes that help others in need. Although Valentine’s Day is not a designated nationwide public holiday in Australia, restaurants, theatres, coffee shops, and shops selling Valentine’s Day related products may be particularly busy on this day. It is wise to make a booking if you plan to treat your loved one with a dinner on Valentine’s Day.

The day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. The most common symbols of Valentine’s Day are heart shapes, which are used to decorate many things, including cards, trees, wrapping paper, cookies and gift boxes. Other symbols associated with Valentine’s Day are pairs of birds, cute teddy bears, Cupid and his arrows and couples kissing or embracing. The colors red and pink are often associated with Valentine’s Day.