Community members across the Parkes region are invited to come together for the sixth Parkes & District Relay For Life event on 22nd and 23rd October to remember loved ones, celebrate survival and fight back against cancer. Participants will walk or run continuous laps of a track as part of a relay team of 10 to 15 people. Cancer doesn’t sleep, and in recognition of that simple fact, teams camp out around the relay track for the overnight experience, with one member from each team encouraged to be on the track at all times. For those not busy walking there will be food, games and activities to provide entertainment and build camaraderie.

From this year it is predicted that more than 1,800 people in the Western region alone will be diagnosed with cancer in a single year, with over 582 deaths expected. Relay For Life gives the opportunity for close-knit communities to come together, walk for hope and give back in honour of all those in their area affected by cancer. Since the inaugural event in 2006, Parkes has raised a massive $240,685. The aim this year is to raise $60,000.

Relay For Life fundraising helps Cancer Council NSW fund vital cancer research that will improve treatment and diagnosis for cancer patients in Parkes and across Australia.

Relay For Life is the world’s largest movement in the fight against cancer with around 200 relays held annually across Australia. To register a team for your local Relay For Life event, or to donate, visit: www.relayforlife.com.au

The 2016 Parkes Show features an action packed entertainment program rarely seen in a regional area. Whether you have a hunger for heart stopping, adrenaline pumping excitement, seeing locals in novelty events, Westlime’s spectacular fireworks display or taking in all the amazing free stuff the Northparkes Kidzone has to offer, there is something for everyone this year.

The program is headlined by Showtime FMX, one of the nation’s leading and most spectacular freestyle motorcycle teams. They are looking forward to dazzling the crowds with their tricks, thanks to McPhersons. Don’t forget to try your luck on the free mechanical bull in the machinery area on Tuesday in what is a practice day for the Langlands Longhorn Bullride Championship to be held on the trotting track on Wednesday evening.

The Young Farmer Challenge returns with a new set of tasks for participants. CMOCNorthparkes Mine’s Kidzone will have free activities like kite making, face painting, nest box painting and balloon sculpting. Wednesday sees the return of the famous dog jumping event, as well as the first ever game of Parkes Toyota quad bike soccer, the celebrity barrel race and the crowning of the districts Bullriding Champions in men’s, women’s and junior classes.

Wednesday finishes with an old crowd favourite, the demolition derby. Throw in the animal nursery and all the fun of sideshow alley, the Parkes Show is a must do for all.

Raen Fraser has joined The Parkes Phoenix team as our Reporter. She moved to Parkes with her husband and children from the Blue Mountains earlier this year. Raen is a freelance writer and has done work for television, including Channel 7, and national newspapers, before moving to Parkes.

Although she planned on reinventing her self as a novelist, she is looking forward to getting out and about reporting for us and getting to know the region and its people better. She wants to make the most of what country life has to offer. Raen takes over from Maggi Barnard, who became Editor a month ago after the departure of the Parkes Phoenix’s first editor, Rhi Quinn. Maggi joined The Parkes Phoenix shortly after it was launched in March this year. She mostly has newspaper experience having worked for daily newspapers, a weekly newsletter and as a freelance writer.

If you have a great story to tell us or event you would like us to cover, please contact Raen on her email address, raenfraser@gmail.com or 0404 464 106, or Maggi at editor@parkesphoenix.com.au or 0403 080 085.

This year Leading Edge Computers Parkes (LECP) celebrates 20 years in business, servicing the Central West and beyond. In July 1996, Greg and Marisa Liebich started Parkes Computer Scene. It was a small shop in Clarinda Street, selling computers and servicing businesses. After a year of being independent, they decided to join the Leading Edge group as one of the first members of Leading Edge Computers. Today the group has more than 130 independently owned stores nation wide.

The group provided a space where Greg and Marisa could share their ideas and pull from the wealth of support that the group offered. In May 2003, the store could no longer fit in their small shopfront, and they decided to relocate across the road into a larger premises. With a new workshop, the team grew and the business flourished.

In November 2006, Greg tragically died in a light aeroplane accident. This was a difficult chapter in the life of LECP, however the team rallied with the support of the local community. The business continued, with Marisa taking up the role of sole owner and becoming the face of LECP. Today she is supported by Luke Williams, John England and Jason Murchie.

As Greg had always been a proactive member of the Leading Edge Group, and following his loss, an award was named after him. The Local Hero Award celebrates the group member that has been voted most willing to lend a hand to the rest. The award is presented after a vote from all the stores as to who they best think fits this role, and is presented at the yearly Leading Edge Computers conference.

With the combined total of over 50 years of experience in the industry, the Parkes team is always striving to be on the Leading Edge of technology and provide the right solution for our customers.

Times have changed in the last 20 years, and technology has changed dramatically. Twenty years ago the internet was still only being introduced to the world through dialup at a speed of 56kbit/second. Since then we’ve watched it grow into ISDN, ADSL, ADSL2, 3G, 4G, and now Leading Edge Computers have partnered with a local Internet company, BitWave Networks to provide high speed fixed wireless broadband to households and businesses all around Parkes. This network has speeds up to 100Mbit/second, which is nearly 2, 000 times faster than the older dial up network.

Another development is our new managed services allowing us to remotely manage sites via the internet. From powering on a server, to installing a program, it can now all happen remotely without even leaving the shop. Twenty years ago, Intel had just released their new processor: The Intel Pentium Processor, which had a 200MHz single core. These days we have the new core processor range with the newest i7 processor featuring 10 cores and 20 threads that can all run at 3.5GHz, which is around 350 times faster.

Laptops have gone from being expensive and heavy, to sleek, lightweight and powerful. Where in 1996 laptops were few and far between, these days they rival the desktop in power and price and far out sell the bigger desktop personal computers (PCs). Times have changed, but Leading Edge Computers Parkes always strives to be the leader in new technology. We are always there to provide the latest advice on all that is new to the market, and can quote on anything that your home or business needs. The last 20 years have had many highlights for the team at Leading Edge Computers.
• In 2003, the shop was able to move out of their smaller premises, and buy the shopfront where the shop is now.
• In 2011, through meeting sales and service goals with our suppliers, the store was awarded a brand new car.
• Through our new partnership with BitWave Networks, we are now able to provide highspeed fixed wireless broadband to businesses and homes in Parkes, Forbes and surrounds.

• Always being on the cutting edge of new technology, and providing solutions to any home or business system.

Leading Edge Computers Parkes would like to thank the community for getting us to where we are today. Without the support of the Parkes, Forbes and surrounding communities, LECP would not be where we are today. And to the support team at the Leading Edge Group and all of our suppliers, who have created a community in the group that is always ready to lend a hand with information on new technology, support queries, and just about anything that you need to know to run a store.

Here’s to the last 20 years, and many more to come!

Each year in September, Parkes Shire Library celebrates literacy, science, art and creative play, by dedicating the month to exploring Curiosity + Wonder! “We are known in Parkes for our engaging interactive programs, cultural events and variety of workshops offered,” said Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services, Shellie Buckle. “The Library Team and I have drawn upon the community’s enjoyment of meeting authors and excellent response to art workshops when arranging the first Curiosity + Wonder events,” she said.

The celebration kicks off with two exciting events: a visit from a best-selling Australian author and a weaving workshop from a well-known Central West artist. Karen Viggers is the award-winning internationally best-selling author of three novels: The Stranding, The Lightkeeper’s Wife and The Grass Castle. She writes contemporary fiction set in wild Australian landscapes, and her work explores connection with the bush, grief and loss, healing in nature, death, family, marriage and friendship.

Karen is a wildlife veterinarian who has worked and travelled in many remote parts of Australia, from Antarctica to the Kimberley. Her novels are known for their evocative portrayal of Australian people and landscapes.

Karen is joining the Parkes community for lunch at Parkes Library on Tuesday, 6th September. Her talk is titled “Finding Stories in Australian Landscapes”. Weaving artist Lanny Mackenzie from Orange, enjoys using naturally sourced and recycled materials for her works. Lanny started weaving in 2002 in Condobolin and found it quite therapeutic, cathartic and a great artistic outlet.

Lanny often travels around the central west of New South Wales to pass her skills on to others, and will be at Parkes Library on Sunday, 4th September holding a weaving workshop. Bookings are required for the weaving workshop as there are limited places, and to ensure there are enough sandwiches for lunch the Library team would like to know if you are coming to the author talk. Call Parkes Library on 6861 2309 or email library@parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Re-awaken your sense of wonder… Let curiosity lead your life.

There are some must see events at this year’s Parkes Show to give you your money’s worth. These events include the Parkes Show Fireworks on Tuesday at 7:10pm, the Demolition Derby on Wednesday at 7:30pm, the Showtime FMX Freestyle Motorcycle Stunt Team, various displays, Kidszone free activities and entertainment for the children and many more!

The 2016 Parkes Show Official Opening is at 3:10pm on Tuesday followed by the announcement of the 2016 Parkes Showgirl! Entries for the Junior Showgirl and Master Stockmen events (ages 3-5 and 6-10) will be accepted until 1pm on Tuesday, with the winners announced at 2:10pm, just before the official opening!

Miss Teenager entries close at 12 noon on Tuesday, and the presentation is at 5:30pm in front of the grandstand. The free Mechanical Bull-riding will be running on Tuesday in the Machinery area, and those with the best times will be invited back for the finals on Wednesday in the main ring at 6:00pm. There will be something for every taste
and interest with gymnastic displays, dancers, dog jumping, young farmers challenge.

Buy your three day pass tickets before the show at the Parkes Show Office, Cunninghams IGA or Byrne Clothing. Three days of fun for only $15 adults, $10 Concession and $5 for Schoolies – don’t miss out!

Three students received scholarships from Sumitomo Metal Mining Oceania (SMMO) last week. Mihran Sarkissian, Peter Lindsay and Eloise Clayton were awarded the scholarships, which are supported and administered by Northparkes Mines.

SMMO Managing Director, Hitoshi Ito, said: “Sumitomo has been a partner of Northparkes since its very beginning in 1993. We have provided SMMO scholarships to students for the past three years to demonstrate our commitment to Northparkes and our wish to work with the local community for many years to come.” Northparkes Managing Director Stefanie Loader said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity via SMMO to support local students pursue a career in mining.”

Eloise attended Trundle Central School and is now studying a Bachelor of Science at Western Sydney University. Eloise is excited about the possibility of a work placement at Northparkes, and would like to return to the region when she completes her studies. Mihran and Peter are both Year 11 Students at Red Bend Catholic College. Mihran said: “My dream is to study electrical engineering, and I hope to participate in the Honeywell Engineering Summer School this year via the University of NSW. The support from SMMO will help me achieve this.” Peter plans to become a mechanical or electrical engineer. “I appreciate the ongoing support from SMMO, and the opportunity for work experience through Northparkes Mines”.

The two Year 11 students will receive $500 for successful completion of Year 11 and $1,000 for successful completion of Year 12. There is also a $2,000 grant to scholarship students who enter and successfully complete their first year at university in a mining related course.

Children’s author Susie Sarah visited Bogan Gate Public School at the end of July to conduct a two-day workshop. Students travelled from Tullamore Central School to join in for the first day. Everybody worked together with Susie to explore the process of character development and to gain insight into how authors gather inspiration.

Students made friendship murals, brainstormed ideas, wrote poetry and had a great day of learning and writing together. The Bogan Gate students enjoyed working with students from other schools. On Susie’s second day Bogan Gate students learned about geocaching. Afterwards students had the opportunity to create the school’s very own geocache, setting the teacher the task of being the first to find it!

If you would like to find Bogan Gate Public School’s geocache, the instructions are on the school website at www.bogangate-p.schools.nsw.edu.au. Geochaching is like creating your own Pokemon Go game. It is a treasure hunt with something for everyone. You use map coordinates and a GPS enabled device to find a geocache near your home, in the city, in the bush or even in Antarctica. Geochaches come in all shapes and sizes and some might even have exciting treasures inside.

Susie Sarah is the author of children’s books like Playing Possum, Mother McGinty’s Goat, Emily Emu Chick, The Big Green Tractor, Jumping Jack Jones, Snug Cove Sam, Bob the Bakery Cat, and Wilberforce the Wombat.

Greenlight Collectables have a new home in the Parkes central business district at 240 Clarinda Street between Miller’s Clothing and Domino’s. Greenlight is a local, independent retailer and second hand dealer of mostly retro collectable items focusing on vintage gaming, records, toys and comics. It is all about fun and nostalgia. Gaming supplies and electronics are also for sale.

If you are a Batman fan, make sure not to miss the celebration of International Batman Day in September with Greenlight running special promotions and specials on its Facebook page in the build-up to the day. Make sure to pop in regularly as the store’s inventory is constantly changing and take a trip down memory lane to the 1980’s for instance.

Do you remember the Intellivision? Released in 1979 by Mattel Electronics, it was a widely popular console until the early 1980’s. Games included Frogger, Astro Smash and Zaxxon. It is currently available at Greenlight.

Artists in Parkes have captured the calm, uplifting atmosphere of the natural environment in new artworks made for the Parkes Hospital. The artworks celebrate wellbeing by exploring the relationship between the natural environment and our life cycle by reflecting imagery that is uplifting, nurturing, light and colourful to create an oasis of calm for people during their hospital experience.

The project was initiated by Arts OutWest in partnership with the Lachlan Health Service and Parkes Shire Council. Bathurst based artist Maralyn Nash facilitated the workshops over six mornings during May and June.

The 12 workshop participants sketched and photographed plants, flowers and scenery which were developed into a series of completed art works. Workshops included outdoor excursions to bushy parkland areas around Parkes. Participants experimented with watercolour and acrylic paints and adding collage papers and fibres to pastel and charcoal drawings.

One artwork from each participant will be gifted to the Parkes hospital. “It felt like a release to start drawing without having to prove anything,”’ said one participant. “I find nature so healing to draw,” said another. The creation of artworks for the Parkes Hospital has been an activity in response to the Lachlan Health Service Culture and Arts Working Group. The Lachlan Health Services Project team engaged regional arts development organisation Arts Out-West to integrate culture and arts into the Forbes and Parkes Hospital redevelopments. The NSW Government provided $113.7 million to redevelop the Forbes Hospital and build a new Parkes Hospital. A component of this funding was used to help deliver the Lachlan Health Service Culture and Arts program.