General Interest Archives - Page 76 of 342

Nominate A Local Dad For “Community Sports Dad Of The Year” Ahead Of Father’s Day

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Bradley Benjamin from Lightning Ridge was Community Sport Dad of the Year 2022.

Nominations are now open for the tenth annual Philips Community Sports Dad of the Year award, acknowledging the contributions and positive impact that Australian dads have made both on and off the sporting field.

Celebrating ten years of this prestigious award, dads across Australia have been acknowledged for their commitment to community sport – from coaching duties, painting lines on the pitch to raising funds for new equipment.

Damien Cook, Rabbitohs and NSW origin star who won the 2022 Celebrity Sports Dad of the Year award, knows first-hand the support he received from his own dad growing up and aspires to do the same with his kids, Willow and Jagger.

“Speaking from experience with my own dad when I was younger, community dads are so important with the roles they cover – from being a coach, setting up fields, refereeing and driving us to and from training and on game days.

“My dad did this all while working full time and then worked overtime just to earn the extra time off to be able to get me to and from my commitments and be there to support me.”

Every athlete, no matter grassroots or professional, has their story of who has supported them over the years.

Nominations are now open and close midnight AEST on 22 August 2023. To nominate a community sports dad, submit 100 words on why they should win via www.sportsdads.com.au/community. The winner will be notified prior to Father’s Day, Sunday, 3 September, with the prize pack including a Philips male grooming pack valued at over $1,000 RRP, as well as a $5,000 Rebel Sports voucher to purchase clothing or sporting equipment for the community sports club of choice.

To submit a dad who deserves to be recognised, visit www.sportsdads.com.au

Bush Kids Wanted For Aus-Wide Wellbeing Program

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Rural Aid is playing a vital role in helping school children bounce back from their traumatic flood experiences with the roll-out of the Mustering Growth wellbeing program.

Developed in collaboration with experts at Monash University, the program focuses on strengthening kids’ innate resilience, normalising mental health experiences and decreasing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and building strategies to cope with challenges that are unique to the experiences of rural children.

Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said “Rural kids are the farmers of our future, and we recognise that many of our ‘little mates in the bush’ need some extra help and support.”

“Last year’s floods left many children struggling with strong feelings and requiring support,” said John.

The program is fun, interactive, flexible and includes nature-based activities. Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Myf Pitcher, said Mustering Growth was helping kids be the healthiest version of themselves by teaching them a variety of tools. “We’ve had great feedback from schools who’ve already taken part. One facilitator reported at the program’s end: ‘Children discussed how it helped calm them down when they were feeling anxious’,” Myf said.

Mustering Growth is run by Rural Aid’s counsellors and is completely free for schools. Primary schools across Australia are being encouraged to reach out to Rural Aid for more information on the program. For further information contact Myf Pitcher at mhwb@ruralaid.org.au

International Accolades For Local Photographer

August 17, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Marc Payne’s two winning portraits of Stan Adamski (left) and Kevin Dumesny (right).

Marc Payne has once again received recognition for his portrait photography, collecting two awards, from five entries, in the International Portrait Photographer Of The Year competition.

The competition attracted 704 entries from photographers from across the globe, with two of Marc’s entries being listed in the top 101 images in the world for the third consecutive year.

Marc said, “It is a true honour to be recognised with some of the best portrait photographers in the world, and to do it three years in a row has his head in a spin.”

All of his portraits have been of local people from Parkes, and the two images that have made it into the top 101 portrait images in the world are of well known local personalities Kevin Dumesny and Stan Adamski of Parkes.

According to Peter Eastway, an Australian photographer known internationally for his landscape photography and chairman of judges in the prestigious competition, “The main aim of the competition is to be selected in the top 101 and be published in the exclusive annual book.”

Feedback on Marc’s entries has been very positive from the judges, scoring in the 80’s for his entries and his unique style.

Marc has published past entries in a variety of well known photography magazines and newspapers in Great Britain, in addition to the Spanish National Geographic.

Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Regulations are constantly changing and events like this are important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before the upcoming harvest period.

Farmers, contract harvesters, truck drivers, transport companies, pilots and agricultural machinery retailers are invited to attend this year’s Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day on Thursday 17th August at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange.

Breakfast will be provided from 7.30am, with the official program kicking off at 8am. There will be a hands-on machinery display from 9am.

Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, said that this year’s event will focus on the rules and regulations for safely and legally moving agricultural vehicles, combinations and trucks on the road. There will be speakers from NHVR, Transport for NSW and the GTSN/Graincorp.

Safety and compliance during harvest is very important. Operators need to be aware of their responsibilities and ensure all warning devices and travel requirements are adhered to.

Regulations are constantly changing and it’s important to ensure people are up to date on what’s required before harvest period

Registration is free but spaces are limited, so get in quick. Register via the Parkes, Forbes or Lachlan Shire Councils’ Facebook pages or this link: https://forms.office.com/r/GX9WVkWYCT

“We’ll also be running four satellite events to provide the same information to more farmers across the three local government areas. You can register for these events using the above link” Ms Suitor said.

The satellite events will be held on: Tuesday 29 August at Bedgerebong Showground from 7.30am – 10.15am Wednesday 30 August at the Parkes Show Farmer’s Day from 10.30am – 12 pm Thursday 31 August at Derriwong RFS Shed from 7.30am – 10.15am Friday 1 September at Trundle Golf Club from 7.30am – 10.15am.

Parkes Spacemen Raise $8,800 To Support Safe Haven

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Not only did the Spacemen raise $8,800 but they came away with the win over Dubbo Macquarie 44 – 12.

Our local Parkes Rugby League Club are out of this world amazing. The Parkes Spacemen went above and beyond last Sunday, when they donned special jerseys that were destined to be auctioned post-game at the Coachman Hotel in Parkes to raise funds for Safe Haven in Parkes.

Safe Haven is a place you can go if you are feeling distressed or having suicidal thoughts. It is a safe place where you can talk openly about how you are feeling and what you are going through. A place where you can feel supported and not judged. You can talk to peer-support workers or be connected to a mental health professional. If you don’t feel like chatting, you can spend time in a quiet space and listen to music. It’s free and you don’t need an appointment.

This is the first time the club has held this special day to support Safe Haven and suicide prevention but it certainly won’t be the last. Club President Tony Dwyer said, “We want to try and do it every year. If we can help just one person, then it will be a great thing.”

“The whole idea came about at last years presentation night when Captain Coach Will Wardle decided to donate his coaching money back and said he wanted to do something for suicide prevention charity.That is when we teamed up with Safe Haven in town, they are a new initiative set up by a few local people to help with mental health and suicide prevention.

“As a club, the Parkes Spacemen and the Junior League have lost three young men to suicide over the years and so we feel anything we can do to raise awareness is a great thing,” said Tony.

The club purchased a set of jumpers and decided that the Sunday, 6th August game against Dubbo Macquarie would be a fitting round as the Dubbo club have also been affected by suicide.

An incredible total of $8,800 was achieved, with $1,000 raised on the day by walking around the ground with buckets, and a further $7,800 from the jumper auction. All funds will go towards assisting the Safe Haven office in Parkes.

Tony is exceptionally proud of the clubs effort in supporting such an important issue, going on to say, “There is always a stigma with men and young blokes, they tend to bottle things up and won’t open up to people. We’ve been banging on all year about getting together, talking to your mates, make sure you open up, there is always plenty of help there and always a light at the end of the tunnel.

“We have always said with our club, there is a lot of senior people and coaches, if anyone has a problem or needs to talk just come and chat to us and we can help or we can point them in the right direction.”

What’s On @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

FRIDAY FLICKS

This 2022 rom-com follows the blossoming romance between two writers brought together in Mexico. With its beautiful scenery, this fish-out-of-water story where opposites attract, makes for a mini romantic getaway.

Friday 25 August, 6pm. Bookings essential.

JUNIOR BUILDERS

Bookings are now open for the Junior Builders workshop on Tuesday August 22 from 4-5pm. Students in Years 3-6 are invited tocome any enjoy a free after-school activitycreating and contributing to a communityart project. Spaces are strictly limited – call6861 2309 to book.

CURL UP THIS WINTER WITH ONLINE WINTER-READS

This winter join libraries throughout the state to read the gripping, fast-paced crime thriller The Other Side of Her by B.M. Carroll. Login to indyreads to start now! Need help accessing our online collections? Our staff are happy to help! Winter-Reads runs from Tuesday 1 August – Thursday 31 August

GET INVOLVED IN THE CARDBOARD SHOW

Got an empty box at your house? Across the month of September the Coventry Room will be hosting an ever-changing and expanding community exhibition of art work made from CARDBOARD. Get involved and enter a piece – build with it, paint on it, create a sculpture or piece of furniture from carboard. All entries to be delivered to the Coventry Room on 4th or 5th September.

Need some inspiration? Join one of the FREE cardboard workshops in the Marramarra Makerspace & Coventry Room:

• Friday 8th September @ 6pm: Workshopand wine (especially for adults)

• Saturday 9th September @ 10am: Cordialand cardboard (especially for kids andparents welcome)

• Saturday 16th September @ 10am: Continue with cardboard (everyone welcome)

Friday 29th September @ 6pm will be the celebration and grand finale event (a free event where artworks will be sold by donation). To book into any of the workshops or events contact Parkes Library 6861 2309.

First Temporary Pod Resident Returns Home As Central West Recovery Continues

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Eugowra resident Grace Katon celebrates returning to her home and also her 83rd birthday.

Long-term Eugowra resident Grace Katon is the first Central West resident to move out of a temporary housing pod and back into her own home. She was met by Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully and Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib who were able to welcome her home.

Following catastrophic floods last year, Grace and her dog Honey lived in the temporary housing pod while her home’s kitchen, bathroom and walls were repaired.

As part of the free Pods on Private Property Program across the Cabonne, Forbes and Parkes Local Government Areas, 98 temporary pods were installed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

As of today, 88 households have been able to take advantage of the program, with another 10 pods in the final stages of fit-out.

The pod program provides people with a safe and comfortable place to live in their own community, while they rebuild or repair their homes, relocate or secure a rental property.

More than 130 pods in total are expected to be installed across the Central West by the end of August, while decommissioned pods will be used again in the area or across NSW as part of future disaster recovery efforts.

The NSW Government has also established an At-Home Caravan Program for eligible Central West residents with 129 caravans delivered and in use.

The NSW Government has provided more than $42 million in grants and subsidies to individuals, households, small businesses and primary producers across the Central West impacted by last year’s devastating floods.

Almost 3,000 people have received practical assistance at Recovery Assistant Points across the Central West since November 2022 including accommodation assistance, mental health support and access to clean-up services.

Danielle McDonald Is Riding High Following International Selection

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Danielle McDonald has just been selected to compete in the International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE) in Argentina.

Local Parkes girl, 16 year old Danielle McDonald has been dominating the junior girls division in Australian offroad and motocross for many years now. She has just been selected to step up to the senior category and compete in the International Six-Day Enduro (ISDE), being held from 6th- 11th November in San Jaun, Argentina.

Each year, three women from Team Australia head overseas to compete against the best women in the world. Each riders time is accumulated to score a team result, fighting for the top step on the podium.

The Team Australia women have won six world ISDE titles, they have scored multiple podiums over the years and are in a great position for 2023.

Joining Danielle McDonald in Argentina to represent Australia will be Tayla Jones and Jessica Gardiner, who have both been a part of the previous six consecutive ISDE wins.

We met up with Danielle and her dad Jason at their family property in Parkes where Jason has set up a mini motocross track for training purposes. Danielle is only 16 years old but she has already been riding motorcycles for 14 years and competing for 11 years.

“I was two years old when I first started riding, and about five years old when I started racing against the boys at our local track over at Condobolin,” said Danielle.

To say Danielle is dominating the Junior Girls competition in Australia it is no understatement; Danielle has won four Junior Girl HATTAH Titles, one of the biggest desert races in Australia. She won the MX Junior Title and has also won two Offroad Championships.

“My major goal is to get to the world stage, and hopefully win it one day,” said Danielle.

Racing motorcycles is a family affair for the McDonalds, with Danielle’s brother Dylan also a competitive rider who is currently placed second in the Australian Offroad competition.

Proud dad and number one supporter, Jason McDonald said, “She was picked up a few years ago by champion rider Jessica Gardner, and since then Danielle has gotten quicker and quicker. We’ve just returned from the Australian Junior Motocross in Darwin where Danielle won, so that means she is the Australian Junior champion.”

Danielle races with YAMAHA JGR Ballards Offroad Racing and is set to compete in the last round of the World Enduro Series, the competition that Jessica Gardner is currently placedsecond. Danielle will be competing in the last round of that competition as a taste-test to her debut on the international stage for the ISDE.

Tayla, 27 and Jess, 30, are both extremely accomplished in the sport are excited to race alongside Danielle who is the future of the sport. As a team, their goal is to represent the Australian colours to the highest standard and level in Motorcycling and showing that women in sport are powerful. The team are focussed on continuing to achieve great results and once again return to Australian soil with the perpetual ISDE women’s cup trophy.

A Go Fund Me page is currently being set up to to help get the team get to South America. Details will be published when available.

Danielle pictured out on the track doing what she loves, riding and competing.

Simulator Experience ForTrundle Students

August 10, 2023 By Roxane Manley

“Students organised in pairs were provided two experiences on the simulator,” said Ken Engsmyr of Parkes Rotary.

Students from Trundle Central School recently spent time learning about the effects of alcohol, drugs, and distractions when they experienced a driving simulator.

The effect of distraction is demonstrated by asking a driver to maintain control of a vehicle while being distracted by text messages, trying to pick up an object from the cabin floor, and taking selfies. The participant experiences how it’s difficult to maintain control of a vehicle when distracted.

After trying to drive the simulator when distracted, Trundle Central student, Harry said “It’s much harder to drive while distracted because you are not focusing on the road anymore.”

Legacy Centenary Torch Relay In Forbes

August 3, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Students at Forbes Public School cheered on, and saw the exchange of torch lighting during the Legacy Relay.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023, presented by Defence Health arrived in Forbes, Monday 31st July, as part of its Australian journey to commemorate Legacy’s Centenary. The Forbes tour began at Lake Forbes Water Park at 11am, travelled a 2.5 kilometre route before culminating at Forbes Legacy Club for lighting of the cauldron.

Torch Bearers included Legacy beneficiaries, Legatees and Defence Personnel. The relay also featured an Australian Defence Force tri-service escort. Official Torch Bearers include Martin Cunningham, Frank Hanns, Michael Walker, Pam Bellhouse, Phyllis Miller, Diana Morris, Margaret Simmonds and Paul Findley.

FRIDAY FLICKS

JUNIOR BUILDERS

CURL UP THIS WINTER WITH ONLINE WINTER-READS

GET INVOLVED IN THE CARDBOARD SHOW

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