General Interest Archives - Page 80 of 352

Cast Your Vote This Saturday For The Voice Referendum

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

If you are over 18 you must vote this Saturday. Find your nearest polling place at https://www.aec.gov.au/referendums/voting

This Saturday, 14 October 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on a single question. The question will be:

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

The Voice will be an independent, representative body for First Nations peoples. It would advise the Australian Parliament and the Government and give First Nations peoples a say on matters that affect them.

If approved at the referendum, the following words would be added to the Constitution: Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia: there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

Missionary Sunday At St Paul’s Lutheran Church

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Cambodian family will be staying with Marion and Ian Unger of Parkes, from 13th -15th October in the company of Tim Fisher and his wife.

Parkes resident Marion Unger is currently preparing to welcome special visitors this weekend. Marion’s long time friend Tim Fisher and his wife, are travelling with a Cambodian family who are visiting Australia to share and give thanks for the amazing work of the holy spirit in bringing the good news of salvation to the children and the families of Cambodia.

Everyone is invited to head along to the St Paul’s Lutheran Church on Sunday at 10am to join in this unique ministry by sharing in prayer and thanksgiving.

After 18 years of leading a children’s ministry team through Trans World Radio in Cambodia, Charia You, felt God calling her to change her ministry to concentrate on independently training the children’s teachers and reaching out to all Cambodian children through face to face teaching and printed and electronic media.

Marion Unger sells roses every Mother’s Day and raises money to send to Cambodia to help support Charia’s ministry. Marion’s husband Ian, had an uncle who generously left a significant legacy to the ministry which has helped in enabling the printing costs of “The Best News Ever” which is a bilingual book that has now printed 100,000 copies and given to the children of Cambodia for free.

Charia and her husband Thearith will both be guest speakers this Sunday 15th, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church at 10am for Service with Communion, followed by morning tea at 11.15am, the first guest speaker at 11.45am, lunch will then be provided at 12.30pm. After lunch there will be games and trivia finished off with afternoon tea at around 3pm. All welcome.

Freaky Friday Cast Members Ramp Up Last Minute Rehearsals

October 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Freaky Friday actress Kayla Hall takes centre stage.

Kayla Hall, the enigmatic new talent of the Parkes Musical and Dramatic Society, will be making her performance debut in the upcoming production of Freaky Friday.

Kayla has been a part of the band at the M&D for many years, playing clarinet in musicals including Wicked, Big and Anne of Green Gables. Kayla said that “Being in the band was great, getting to play the music and provide for the cast on-stage.”

This month however sees Kayla take on a new challenge: taking the stage herself in the new show Freaky Friday.

Kayla is taking on the role of Ellie Blake, a (somewhat) wild teen eager to take on ‘The Hunt’ – a scavenger hunt full of crazy challenges. There’s just one issue with that: her mother Katherine. On the eve of her mother’s wedding, there is no way her mother will allow her to go. In the ensuing argument where mother and daughter argue that the other doesn’t understand them, the two magically switch bodies and are then faced with experiencing the other’s challenges.

For Kayla this means taking on the acting challenge of Ellie and also the challenge of being Katherine in Ellie’s body – often with surprising and amusing results.

When asked about the experience, Kayla said, “Getting to be on-stage and being in a different position of the theatre is life changing and extraordinary seeing everything from above. Everything is more immersive and delicate.”

Kayla has always dreamed of having a career in musical theatre and has taken this opportunity to gain experience for her studies in Sydney next year.

For your chance to see Kayla’s incredible talent, head to www.parkesmandd.com.au to secure your tickets. Freaky Friday will be performed at the Parkes Little Theatre throughout the months of October and November and it’s not to be missed.

Celebrating Regional Women

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Nominations are now open for this year’s NSW Regional Woman of the Year Award.The awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional women doing inspiring things in their communities.

The award is all about showcasing women who contribute to the fabric of their local area by making contributions that have a significant and positive impact on the lives of others.

There’s no denying that women who live and work in rural and regional areas face conditions that sometimes require that extra level of resilience and determination, so it’s fitting that there’s an award that specifically honours women in the regions.

If you know of an inspirational woman that is making an outstanding contribution, whether it be in education, health, agriculture, the arts, fundraising, volunteer work, or just generally within the community, please take the time to nominate them.

Nominations close Tuesday 24th October 2023, and can be made at: www.nsw.gov.au

McCormack Slams Labor’s Superannuation Betrayal

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP.

Federal Member for Parkes Michael McCormack slammed the Albanese Labor Government’s proposed superannuation tax changes as a betrayal of its pre-election promise not to touch super.

Mr McCormack said the proposed changes to increase tax on unrealised gains to 30 per cent were not only a betrayal but also fundamentally flawed policy that would disadvantage farmers and young people into the future.

“Labor’s proposed changes are an absolute betrayal of the Australian public who expect consistency and honesty from the Government when it comes to superannuation,” Mr McCormack said.

“How can people have the confidence necessary to make investments into their retirement when Labor backflips on its promises and change the rules?”

Mr McCormack said he was particularly concerned about how the proposed changes would affect farmers and young workers. “While Labor might think the $3 million threshold only hurts the big guys, they have forgotten that many farmers own their farms through self-managed super funds – and $3 million doesn’t buy a lot of farm.

“These are businesses that face a lot of uncertainty and volatility in terms of weather, natural disasters, land and global commodity prices. To tax unrealised gains at 30 per cent when a farmer never knows what’s in store for them next season is just bound to hurt farmers’ ability to plan for the next season.

“Young workers aren’t going to escape Labor’s cash grab either. The proposed $3 million threshold isn’t indexed to inflation. Who knows what inflation will be over the next 30 or 40 years?

If this wasn’t simply a cash grab by Labor, the Government would do the honest thing and index the threshold to inflation,” Mr McCormack said.

Modeling by the Grattan Institute predicts around one in 10 workers retiring within 30 years will have super balances of around $3 million.

Parkes Turns Pink To Support The McGrath Foundation

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Members of the Pink Up Parkes Committee L-R Kerryn Jones, Carolyn Ricr, Marg Applebee, Margot Jolly, Vee Vian Higgins, Ken Kieth and Hannah Farrant-Jayet.

The Pink Up Parkes (PUP) Committee welcomes support from community members to join their fundraising efforts during the month of October to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation Breast Care Nurses.

In Australia, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Australia.

There are currently 200 McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia, who have supported over 123,000 families since 2005. It costs around $140,000 to fund a McGrath Breast Care Nurse for a year including training and development.

You can help support the Pink Up Parkes campaign in so many ways: pink up your business, pink up your school, hold a pink up event, fundraise, attend a pink up parkes event, donate and support the pink up parkes campaign on social media.

PUP Chairperson Carolyn Rice said, “The Committee is still encouraging organisations and businesses to register to be a contributor to Pink Up Parkes. It isn’t too late to be involved. Just go to our webpage at www.pinkupparkesnsw.wordpress.com and all of the information on how to be involved or donate is in one place.”

“We want to support the McGrath Foundation to raise funds and awareness for our Breast Care Nurses, of whom we are fortunate to have one working to support patients and their families in Parkes, Forbes, Condobolin, Trundle, Tullamore, Tottenham and Peak Hill,” said Carolyn.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Pink Promise

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

October 1 marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and at Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) the theme is “Living Well, Your Way”. With 20,458 women and 217 men expected to receive a diagnosis in 2023, raising awareness around the different support and resources available to help people live well with or beyond breast cancer is essential.

The theme recognises that many people struggle to ‘live well’ following a diagnosis of breast cancer and that a quality lifestyle looks different for different people.

“Living well looks different for everyone, and it is likely that people affected by breast cancer will require different types of support at different times,” said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti. “It means seeing the whole person, rather than the disease.”

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BCNA will share information about different resources available, across topics such as psychosocial support and exercise. They will also share personal stories from members about what helps them to live well.

BCNA offer trusted information and a variety of resources which can all be accessed via BCNA’s newly refreshed website at www.bcna.org.au.

Parkes IGA Supports Pink Up Parkes

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Parkes IGA Store Manager Steven Langlois, and popular employee Joyce Sefonte dressed in Pink to support Pink Up Parkes.

Businesses, schools and organisations across Parkes are showing their support, and getting involved in Pink Up Parkes for the month of October to help raise money for the McGrath Foundation who support Breast Care nurses across Australia.

At IGA in Parkes the Store Manager Steven Langlois is putting it all on the line to raise as much money as he can for the cause. Steven has set a fundraising target that they will donate to Pink Up Parkes, and once the target is raised he is committing to shave his head. So head on into IGA and support a great cause.

You Are Invited To QUE Open Gardens ‘n’ Markets

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Spring has sprung and QUE has organised five beautiful gardens for you to view

Parkes QUE members look forward to your company this Sunday, 8th October, 10am-4pm at the Parkes Racecourse and in the five open gardens. Money raised stays in our local community, supporting hearing, speech, and wellbeing.

291 Back Yamma Road

Two years ago this property was a cow paddock! Last November the nearby creek flooded the garden and the house, and during this last winter the garden has endured severe frosts! This garden was chosen for our Open Gardens event to show people how quickly a garden can be established, and what plants will survive the “sometimes

harsh” weather conditions. We anticipate opening this garden again in a year or two so that viewers can measure progress.

5 Arana Place

The drought-tolerant front garden is easy care and sustainable. The back garden provides the visitor with a totally different perspective and includes a Balinese hut, decorative items such as water fountains, plants, shade, and garden art – all providing a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

1 Jubilee Street

This is a plant lovers haven, especially under the back deck where the owner has a huge variety of very loved indoor and outdoor plants and hanging baskets. Screening trees surround the house and provide a wonderful forum for the collection of artworks, sculptures, mirrors etc.

35-37 Thomas Street

With over a hundred different species, these extensive surrounding gardens have been

through quite the makeover in the last two years! Featuring a broad range of unique Australian natives alongside a careful selection of exotic plants, this garden abounds with vibrancy and colour.

Cnr Reymond and Jones Street

This is a wanderer’s paradise with lavender, pink jade, a vibrant Loropetalum with its unique tussle flowers, and a wonderful Bohemia Butterfly Tree, all with a magnificent view to the east of Parkes. (best parking in Jones Street)

Simple, Summer-Ready Checklist

October 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

As another scorching summer approaches, Royal Life Saving NSW is preparing communities to avoid the alarming spike in drowning incidents witnessed last year.

Are You Summer Ready? Here are four tips to staying safe this summer – before you head out to the water. The leading organisation for drowning prevention, Royal Life S aving (RLS) NSW has issued a simple, Summer-Ready Checklist of tips for a safer summer.

Craig Roberts, RLS NSW ACT TAS General Manager of Drowning Prevention said, “Preparation can help us avoid another tragic summer. Our Summer-Ready Checklist is a simple reminder of what to do before heading to the beach, coast, pool, or inland waterway.”

“In the lead-up to summer, checklists with advice for pool owners, families, regional communities and over-65s will be appearing at councils and community organisations around the state and online.

No matter where you go to enjoy the water, now is the time to:

• Learn to swim

• Get active, and check in with your health

• Learn CPR

• Check around your home and pool

To find out how, visit www.drowningprevention.org.au/are-you-summer-ready

The latest National Drowning Report found 57% of drowning fatalities last year occurred in people over 45 years old. The second highest cause of drowning fatalities was slips and falls.

“These tragedies are powerful reminders that even if you don’t intend to swim, learning or brushing up on swimming and lifesaving skills at any age can keep you and your family safe,” said Mr Roberts.

While national drowning rates decreased in 22-23 from the 10-year average, NSW still suffers almost double the number of drownings than QLD and VIC, and triple the rate of WA, with 107 lives lost in 22-23.

“We want people of all ages and from all regions, to be ready and able to enjoy the water safely, and that starts now. Check in with your family, friends, sporting and school groups to get your community Summer-Ready,” Mr Roberts concluded.

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