General Interest Archives - Page 67 of 351

Marion Jones’ Mothers Day Flowers

May 9, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Marion Jones busily working in her garden.

Each year for the past 15 years, Parkes woman Marion Jones has been selling flowers from her garden in order to raise money for charity.

She previously donated the proceeds to the local Uniting Church to go towards their Monthly Monday Meal, but recently Marion has been raising funds to donate to a Ministry in Cambodia that is printing children’s books for local children to learn bible stories. This year Marion is being helped by the wonderful women from the Que Club.

Bunches of flowers will be available for sale at the front of the Uniting Church, this Saturday 11th May from 9am.

Youth Actor Auditions Mock Crash 2024

May 9, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Filming a scene from the 2023 Youth Driver Education Program.

Calling all amateur actors across the region! Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils are on the search for youth actors to star in this year’s NOT A STATISTIC! Youth Driver Education Program.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, is encouraging local up-and-coming youth actors to audition to be part of this road safety initiative which has seen a 27% reduction in crashes involving young drivers since its inception more than 10 years ago.

“We are looking for four new actors to join our team and are holding auditions on Thursday 16 May from 5pm – 8pm at the Parkes SES shed in Clarke Street.

“The auditions will give participants an overview of all aspects of the project, then youth actors will take part in both filmed and live ad-lib exercises. The youth actors will also undergo road crash rescue training to see what it’s going to be like being cut out of a car and removed on a spine board.

“We are hoping to uncover some undiscovered talent who will bring something new to mock crash. So, if you are interested in getting involved and are over the age of 16 be sure to register and come along,” Ms Suitor said.

The program offers youth actors experience with filming as well as a live performance. Dates are still being set for the live mock crash demonstration, but will likely remain in its August timeslot at Parkes High School.

Pre-registration for the auditions is essential. Contact Ms Suitor on either 6861 2364 or Melanie.Suitor@parkes.nsw.gov.au for more information and to book your place.

Do It For Dolly, And Help End Bullying

May 9, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Dolly Everett, who we remember each year on Do it for Dolly Day and her parents, Tick and Kate Everett who are determined no other family should suffer the loss they did.

Dolly Everett was only 14 years old when she tragically took her life in January 2018, following relentless and sustained bullying and cyberbullying. Sadly, six years later the problem is not going away.

A recent report from the eSafety Commissioner has shed light on a troubling trend: cyberbullying is on the rise. There has been a staggering 40% increase in cyberbullying reports. What is particularly worrying is that two-thirds (67%) of these reports were concerning children aged 12-15 years old – just like Dolly – highlighting the vulnerability of young people to online harassment and abuse.

Determined that no other family would suffer from the same devastation, Dolly’s parents Tick and Kate Everett established the anti-bullying organisation Dolly’s Dream. They have committed to changing the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression, and youth suicide, through awareness, education and direct support to young people and families.

“We don’t want other families to ever have to go through the heartache we have experienced. We are proud that Beacon provides easily accessible support and information to families, especially in our rural, regional, and remote communities, that we wish we had,” Kate Everett.

Each year in May thousands of wonderful communities come together to remember Dolly by going blue, donating and participating in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, sharing the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.

To register, donate or to find out more visit www.doitfordollyday.org.au

Free Online Child Car Seat Safety Workshops

May 2, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Over 30 local families have attended the online workshops since their inception. Participants rated the workshop 4.8 out of 5, said they would be very likely to recommend it to a friend or family member.

Parents, carers and grandparents are invited to attend one of two free online workshops being held to provide important safety information about child car seats.

The workshops are being conducted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils in partnership with Transport for NSW West Region.

The workshops will be held via MS Teams, on Tuesday 7 May at 11am and again at 7pm, and will run for about an hour.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said the correct selection, installation and adjustment of child car seats is vital in ensuring children’s safety when travelling in vehicles.

“The workshop will cover the National Child Restraint Laws, types of child car seats available, correct installation and adjustment, when to move to the next car seat, accessories, tips for second-hand car seats and much more.

“It will be a great refresher for grandparents, as child car seats and the rules have changed a lot since they had their children, but also for parents and carers as they are navigating their way through their child or children’s growth.

“The results of our local checking day events show that around 80% of the child car seats that were checked were incorrectly installed. Transport for NSW research shows that children who are not restrained correctly are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash than those who are properly secured. It is so important to ensure your precious cargo is safe” Ms Suitor said.

The online workshops were the first of their kind in NSW when they were trialed in May 2023 and were held again in November 2023.

To book your place, visit the event listing on the Councils’ Facebook pages, use this link: https://bit.ly/WorkshopRegoMay24 or call Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364.

Author And Illustrator Of All Things Weird And Wonderful

May 2, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Sami Bayly is pictured with children who took part in a workshop at Trundle Library.

Parkes Shire Libraries had the pleasure during April school holidays of hosting Illustration Workshops with author and illustrator, Sami Bayly.

Nearly 50 children and young people at Parkes and Trundle Libraries enjoyed hearing some fascinating, fun, and revolting facts from Sami’s vast knowledge of animals, birds and insects. Sami then walked our young library members step by step through the process of illustrating different interesting animals.

Sami’s works include The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals and Creatures of Camouflage and Mimicry. She is also the feature artist for the 2024 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge promotion.

This was Sami;s very first visit to the Central West and many young fans were excited to meet her, have a photo and have their books autographed. Call in to Parkes and Trundle Libraries to borrow Sami’s beautifully illustrated Junior Non Fiction books.

One young person who attended commented that the workshops were “very unique and gave a lot of information about what is in the world.” Another said “My favourite part of the activity was hearing the disgusting stories, but I didn’t think they were disgusting!”

Sami commented that she had a fun and joyous trip to Parkes and Trundle and will be sure to visit again. “I really had a wonderful time!” she said.

These illustration workshops were generously funded by NSW Office of Regional Youth for the benefit of young people in regional and remote communities. Keep an eye out for more children and youth activities hosted by Parkes Shire Libraries.

Applications Extended For Leadership Program

April 25, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Women wanting to increase their leadership skills and contribute to narrowing the gender gap in agriculture still have time to apply for the National Farmers’ Federation flagship Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program.

The mentorship-based initiative aims to deliver on the NFF’s goal to double the number of women in agriculture’s leadership ranks by 2030 – a goal the industry is well on its way to achieving.

NFF President David Jochinke said the Program had made a significant indent in increasing the number of women on boards, stepping up in their communities and in leadership roles, but there was still more work to be done.

“It’s time to level up the imbalances in gender and take on roles to lead our agriculture forward,” Mr Jochinke said.

The program has alumni across Australia, including Alison Hamilton from Wagga Wagga who said this to potential applicants:

“The opportunity and the ongoing benefit from the learnings of the program are unique. Grab it with both hands and throw your hat in the ring, there is so much to be learned and experienced on many levels. The investment in your time and commitment will pay dividends.”

Mr Jochinke said the program was held up through the support from 31 dedicated partners, including multinational corporations, advocacy bodies and government entities, all who are leading by example in ensuring diverse voices are represented and championed within their organisations.

The Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program provides 12 women with a retreat in Canberra, a five-month intensive one-on-one mentoring opportunity, graduation ceremony, and the opportunity to join a supportive alumni base of 64 graduates. Applications are open until 5pm, Sunday the 28th of April.

Connectivity Issues Spotlighted

April 25, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Communities across regional, rural, and remote Australia can now have their say on telecommunications issues as public submissions open on the Regional Telecommunications Review.

The input of local communities will form an essential part of the Review – held once every three years – which will see the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee deliver recommendations to Government.

The Review is closely examining the experiences of people in regional, rural, and remote parts of Australia with telecommunications delivery, as well as considering the unique needs of First Nations communities.

Residents, businesses and community organisations can make a submission, with the Terms of Reference – announced by Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP – outlining key issues for the Committee to examine. An issues paper has been released to help frame ideas.

Feedback from the public has been essential in previous reviews to ensure the Committee’s recommendations are well-targeted and based on evidence. For this Review there are three options available to have your say: attending a face-to-face consultation, providing a formal submission or completing a survey. The survey will be published in May 2024.

Since March 2024, the Committee has visited Western Australia and Tasmania for face-to-face consultations with local issues also forming an important part of the Committee’s considerations. More locations for face-to-face consultations will be announced shortly.

The 2024 Review is being led by the Hon Alannah MacTiernan, former Western Australian Minister for Regional Development as Chair of the Review Committee. She is supported by the Hon Fiona Nash, Ms Kristy Sparrow, Dr Jessa Rogers and Mr Ian Kelly.

To have your say just visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/2024- regional-telecommunications-review

Chair, the Hon Alannah MacTiernan went on to say “Access to telecommunications services is critical for regional residents and businesses across so many aspects of everyday life – and we want to understand the lived experience of these services so that future policy actions are well-targeted and backed up by evidence.

“We really encourage Australians in the bush to have their say via a submission or completing the survey in coming months, while we continue our face-to-face consultations across the country.

‘Waiting For Rain’ Finds New Home In Forbes Town Centre

April 25, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is the sculpture “Waiting For Rain” and the artist Jimmy Rix. For more information, visit www.sculpturedownthelachan.com

The latest addition to the Sculpture Down the Lachlan public art trail has found a green oasis in the heart of Forbes to call home.

‘Waiting for Rain’ is now permanently located on the intersection of Rankin and Lachlan Streets (formerly known as the Pitt Stop takeaway site). The site has been transformed into a public greenspace in recent months.

Forbes Arts Society Chairperson, Trudy Mallick commended Forbes Shire Council for integrating the sculpture into its plans for the site and helping to make public art more accessible.

“Locals and visitors now have a greater opportunity to engage with world-class sculpture,” Trudy said.

“Art in public spaces plays an important role in regional communities. Public art provides economic, cultural and social benefits, and improves the aesthetic and overall experience of the built civic environment.”

Made from Corten steel and enamel paint, ‘Waiting for Rain’ represents the importance of seasonal rainfall for farming communities. Sculptor Jimmy Rix was compelled to create the piece following a trip to Forbes in 2018 amidst the then drought.

‘Waiting for Rain’ is Jimmy’s second sculpture to feature along the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail; ‘Road Kill’ is located at the 4 Mile Reserve, and was unveiled in 2021.

The Sculpture Down the Lachlan expansion is part of the $7.2 million ‘Boosting the Lachlan Valley Economy Art Project’ which is proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, the Forbes Arts Society, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Evolution Mining.

Antique Motor Club 50th Anniversary at CHMC Rally

April 25, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Over the Easter long weekend, motoring enthusiasts from all over New South Wales gathered at Parkes Racecourse to celebrate the 53rd Council of Heritage Motor Club (CHMC) Annual Rally coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the Parkes Antique Motor Club.

A total of 79 vehicles were entered into the rally, showcasing a remarkable variety of automotive history. Among them were 9 XY Falcon 4X4’s and 29 vehicles belonging to club members. The vehicles hailed from all corners of NSW, demonstrating the widespread appeal of the event.

The oldest vehicle on display was a meticulously preserved 1921 Douglas Motorcycle, juxtaposed by the youthful charm of a 1990 Mercedes Benz, representing the breadth of motoring heritage on display.

Sunday’s activities included a well attended Easter Service conducted by Father Brian Schmalkuche and afternoon tours which took participants on a journey through the picturesque landscapes of Eugowra Murals, Forbes Sculptures, Sculptures Down the Lachlan, and iconic Utes in the paddock, offering a blend of sightseeing and motoring.

The highlight of the weekend was Sunday evening’s Presentation Dinner, with 204 attendees to commemorate the Parkes Antique Motor Club’s 50 years of legacy and excellence. All trophies and shields were presented on the night with our very own Philip Dixon taking out ‘Best Veteran’ for his 1912 Albion Fire Engine. The club that won ‘The Mal Mason Shield’ for 2024 was the Central Coast Historic Car Club.

The Parkes Antique Motor Club remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant community of motoring enthusiasts and welcoming visitors to experience the warmth of Parkes hospitality. As they celebrated their Golden Anniversary alongside the 53rd CHMC Annual Rally, they extended a warm invitation for all to join the festivities and revel in the joy of motoring heritage. The next CHMC Annual Rally will be held in Dubbo for 2025.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Parkes-Antique-Motor-Club-100067164804858/

All Ages Podiatry & Mobility – Now Open 5 Days

April 18, 2024 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is Karen Thompson, pop down to 89 Lachlan St, Forbes and say hi.’

After 8 years of providing podiatry services to Forbes, Parkes and surrounding towns, All Ages Podiatry is now offering a wide range of mobility equipment, and as such has been rebranded All Ages Podiatry & Mobility.

The mobility showroom and podiatry clinic at 89 Lachlan Street, Forbes is now open weekdays from 9am-4pm.

Along with this new offering comes a new face who may be familiar to some. Karen Thompson has now joined the team and will be operating the mobility store. Karen has lived in Parkes for over 50 years and was previously a Senior Service Advisor with a local home care provider. With years of experience in health and aged care, Karen’s knowledge will be an asset to the community.

“We’re excited to make mobility equipment more accessible to the Forbes community! From walkers and shower chairs to mobility scooters, recliner lift chairs and adjustable beds, we know that Forbes is going to benefit from having access to these aids all in one place right on their doorstep,” Mrs Thompson said.

Studies show that a lifestyle that is too sedentary can lead to a number of chronic conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. A mobility scooter can help you to maintain your mobility and independence as you age. With added accessories such as cane holders and rear walker holders, you can ride to your favourite park or waterfront, and park your scooter while you go for a walk. Visit our website to view our range of scooters and scooter accessories or phone 02 4396 5179 to enquire today! https://allagespodiatry.com.au/product-category/scooters/

“We have a range of equipment available for hire, and we will be offering delivery to Forbes, Parkes, and surrounding towns.”

To contact the store or to book a podiatry appointment, phone 02 6815 7123.

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