Reportage was the headline act at the Parkes School of Dance end of year concert held at the Parkes Leagues Club on Sunday. The Robert Wilson auditorium was almost full to capacity, with an audience of nearly 500 flocking in to grab the latest headlines. The concert was the culmination of a year’s hard work for the students and teachers of Parkes School of Dance, with routines presented from the preschool classes all the way through to the performance groups.

An otherwise eclectic array of dance styles and abilities was united by the journalistic theme, providing an engaging link between the various routines. The concert program was endearingly designed in a broadsheet format, and the decorative bunting was made of newspaper. Some of the dancers even structured their choreography around the happenings of a newsroom.

Of course the real good news story here is the kids themselves, most of whom had spent the year refining their movement and learning their routines. The youngest performers to tread the boards were preschoolers, who were joined on stage by their teachers as they wowed the crowd with their diminutive dance-moves.

From Petite Ballet Junior through to Senior Contemporary each performance was a highlight in itself, although one of the more memorable moments came when young Melinda McKeowen took to the stage. Melinda has Joubert Syndrome, so Parkes School of Dance arranged for an assistant to help her with her routine, which she performed with sheer vibrancy. Melinda’s mother Amanda Clarke said Melinda loved getting dressed up and performing. “Melinda is often left out of things because she can’t walk on her own and Parkes School of Dance made it possible
for her,” she said.

For all the young performers and their families, the concert was the good news story of the day.

By Raen Fraser

“I will stand up, speak out, and act to prevent men’s violence against women.” Thisis the oath that dozens of Parkes Shire men took during the White Ribbon March last Friday. Parkes’ second White Ribbon event was attended by more than 100 locals, who marched from the new Parkes Arbor to Cooke Park to raise awareness of men’s violence against women.

The guest speakers included Cr Bill Jayett, former Senator and Olympic gold medalist Nova Peris, and IPROWD founder Peter Gibbs. The speakers shared heart-wrenching personal testimonies and confronting statistics with the crowd. Each year an average of one woman is murdered each week by a current or ex-partner, and the Parkes
Shire rates 17th in the state for incidents of domestic violence. While the statistics are sobering, the event was a celebration of positive change, with a free sausage sizzle, snow cones, a jumping castle, and live entertainment by
Orange-based musician Jacob Sutherland.

Nova said that while most men were not perpetrators of abuse, the vast majority of domestic abuse was committed by men. “We need men to be part of the solution,” she said. Stephanie Loader, Managing Director of Northparkes Mines, announced that Northparkes have become the first White Ribbon accredited mine in the country. “We have
an opportunity to influence culture,” she said.

Peter Gibbs’ revealed how the death of his sister inspired him to establish IPROWD, an organization that helps indigenous students join the police force. “Don’t be at the back of the room. Don’t be bystanders,” he urged the crowd, “men need to stand up against violence”.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, dial 000. To access support contact: 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732 for domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 for men dealing with family and relationship difficulties.

By Raen Fraser

There is an abundance of Christmas spirit in the Parkes community as the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child was supported in a big way. A total of 420 boxes were filled with gifts to be sent to children all over the world. It is a great improvement on the 300 that were collected last year. “It was a great opportunity for parents and
grandparents to sit down with their kids and teach them about how many people in the world live in poverty compared to us,” said Alice Milne, who co-ordinated the effort.

Samaritan’s Purse developed a program called Operation Christmas Child that encourages the general public to pack a shoebox for either a boy or a girl in poverty stricken countries. Contributors received a box and a list of gift suggestions and prohibited items. The suggestions included something to wear, something to love, something special, something for school, something to play with and something for personal hygiene.

Contributors are able to follow their box online to see where it goes. “Thank you to everyone who contributed and we look forward to collecting even more boxes next year!” said Alice.

The new upstairs Hart Bar at the Railway Hotel made a grand entrance onto the Parkes social scene with a bold and striking exhibition by local artist Jac Clark. If locals have not seen Jac’s signature brightly coloured art works, they will be familiar with her street art creations of Elvis, the girl reading books, the astronaut and other, that went on display earlier this year in the Central Business Distrcit.

Jac’s art has had a presence in the Railway Hotel since Kasie Ferguson and Bianca Sheridan became owners six years
ago. So when the trendy new bar was being planned, there was no question about who to ask to look after decorating the walls for the opening. Jac decided to step away from her signature bright colours and ventured into the world of monochrome for the first time to explore the boldness of using black and white for her paintings.

She worked for 12 months on 14 paintings for the exhibition titled Figure. She did not specifically choose her subjects but over time ended up painting a variety of subjects including people and animals. At the official opening of Hart Bar last Thursday, people were naturally drawn to the huge black and white images in the beautiful space created by Josh Fisher, the builder, and Beck Thompson, the designer.

The complete product left guests feeling like they could be in any trendy city bar. “It is just amazing what they have achieved here,” was the general consensus from many. “We can’t believe this is actually in Parkes,” others said.
Jac said she had also received very positive feedback with many prints sold and some enquiries about commissions, while the cow painting proved to be a hit. The artworks can be seen online at www.morabon.com.au

By Maggi Barnard

With the weather finally warming up swimming is an ideal way to get a full body workout. Unfortunately due to the repetitive nature of swimming overuse injuries in the shoulder and neck are common. The shoulder is a ball and socket joint with a ring of cartilage around the socket to make the joint more stable. Around this is a loose joint capsule that is reinforced with ligaments and muscles. Because the shoulder is a very mobile joint it relies on the action of these muscles and ligaments to maintain stability. These muscles are called the rotator cuff and consist of four muscles that work together to keep your shoulder centred in its socket.

So, if swimming strengthens the shoulder muscles why do so many swimmers have shoulder problems? The simple answer is due to the repetitive nature of swimming. The more complex answer lies in the fact that many swimmers don’t have good stroke technique and those that do can still have problems because the swim stroke (in particular freestyle), mainly strengthens the shoulder internal rotators and adductors. This causes muscle imbalance, leaving the scapular stabilisers and external rotators relatively weak and joint laxity increases. The rotator cuff then must
work harder to keep the shoulder centred in the socket. When the already relatively weakened external rotators fatigue the ball of the shoulder joint moves forward and the tendon of the rotator cuff muscles is pinched
between the bones as the hand is raised above shoulder height.

Next column I will cover some practical ways to prevent this happening and what to do if you already have impingement problems.

“For the fitness of you”
Linda Reilly

Next Saturday the Parkes Aquatic Centre is holding the Shire’s biggest pool party, the Big Summer Splash. Parkes Shire Council, in partnership with the Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), are hosting the outdoor event for students aged 10 – 18 years. Member of the Parkes Pool and Youth Committees, Cr Patrica Smith said this was a great opportunity for Parkes Shire youth to cool off and kick back to some live entertainment.

“Parkes Aquatic Centre will be extending its opening hours into the night to host the Shire’s biggest pool party. The cost is just pool entry which grants you access to the giant inflatable slide until sundown, a sausage sizzle, and a front row seat to the gig.” Local acoustic duo, Salt to the Wound, will be performing live from 7pm to 10pm.

The Junior Splash Party for 10 to 12 year olds will be from 6 to 8pm, and the Senior Splash Party for 13 to 18 year olds is from 8pm-10pm. Members of CDAT will be cooking the free barbeque, while the Poolside Café will be open for everything else. The event is part of CDAT’s efforts to prevent young people from engaging in anti-social behaviour, by providing engaging, alcohol and drug-free activities for the community. For more information,
www.visitparkes.com.au. #Visit-Parkes #BigSummerSplash

Parkes local and tennis stalwart Helen Magill won a prestigious award at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne on Monday night. Helen, who runs the Parkes Tennis Club, won the Newcombe Award for Coaching Excellence – Club at a glittering event at the Palladium Ballroom at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex.

The Newcombe Medal at the Australian Tennis Awards presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the year in tennis with legends of the past and the greats of today. Awards were presented in 14 categories. Paralympic gold medallist and Australian Open champion Dylan Alcott winning the 2016 Newcombe Medal, the highest honour in Australian tennis.

Meals on Wheels hosted a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, but it was the volunteers’ turn to receive a meal. Eighty-six of the Meals on Wheels volunteers came together for the luncheon filling the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club with Christmas cheer and plenty of good will. Meals on Wheels Manager Gillian Kinsella said it was wonderful to provide a meal for them. “We really appreciate what they do,” she said. “Without our wonderful volunteers the service couldn’t run.”

The volunteers deliver 300 hot and frozen meals each week in Parkes alone, providing a vital service to the local community. The service isn’t just about supplying nutritious food, Meals on Wheels allows people to remain in their own homes, helping them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. The volunteers also offer social
interaction, and can provide important social analysis and welfare checks to clients who might otherwise be isolated.

While Wednesday’s luncheon was about showing gratitude to the volunteers, the service’s clients weren’t forgotten. On Thursday 150 Meals on Wheels patrons were invited to celebrate Christmas at another special luncheon at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. This time it was the clients who were delivered to their meals, with transport specially organised for the clients who were able to attend. Meals on Wheels also operates in Peak Hill, Trundle, Tullamore and Bogan Gate.

By Raen Fraser

This festive season will be filled to the brim with things to do, see and enjoy across the Parkes Shire. Christmas events will kick off on Friday, 2nd December with the Parkes Christmas Parade, followed by Sparkle in the Park UpMarkets and outdoor movie, The Santa Clause, in Cooke Park. As the sun sets, the Parkes CBD will be ignited with illuminations and projections across buildings and streetscapes. On the same day, Peak Hill will come alive for the Meet You Up The Street Festival with street stalls, music, shopping and family fun.

The Parkes Shire will be Jingle Bell Rockin’ for this year’s Carols in the Park. Everyone is invited to sing along in Parkes on Sunday, 11th December and in Peak Hill on Sunday, 18th December. For more details, check out our events page on www.parkes.nsw.gov.au. Residents and visitors are encouraged to Shop Parkes this Christmas to stand a chance to win a fabulous trip to Las Vegas valued at $4,000! Shoppers can enter by simply making a purchase and filling out an entry form at any participating business.

Keep an eye out for the Shop Parkes Catalogue in your mailbox or download it online at visitparkes.com.au. Follow Shop Parkes on Facebook for lots of special offers and gift ideas this Christmas. Local businesses are encouraged to
deck out their shop fronts from 2nd to 24th December. The most creative CBD Christmas window display will be awarded a marketing package valued at $500 for the 2017 Christmas Shopping campaign.

The winner will be announced on the Shop Parkes Facebook page on Friday, 16th December 2016. #shopparkes