General Interest Archives - Page 88 of 352

Not Now Darling

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Pictured is the Cast and Crew of Not Now Darling.

Not Now Darling officially opened over the weekend for their 3-weekend run of this hilarious comedy play which follows two fur salesmen as they navigate scantly clad women in closets, mobsters, mistresses, and wives. The audiences were continuously amused throughout the production as our leading men got themselves caught in a tangled web of secrets all while various items were thrown from the salon window.

This production is the directorial debut for Hannah Symonds, and even with 20 years of theatrical experience under her belt, she was still overwhelmed by the support of the community. “Directing has been a dream of mine for a long time now, I love being on stage but felt I needed a challenge after performing my dream role of Elphaba in Wicked in 2021. Directing has not been without its challenges, but these challenges have helped me gain a greater insight into the world of theatre and with the mentorship of the amazing Lyn Townsend its an experience that I will treasure. Being a small cast comedy play, I was nervous that this production wouldn’t be as welcomed as most of our larger cast musicals, however the community has been wonderful in supporting the theatre and I look forward to opening our doors for the last 6 performances of Not Now Darling.

The production has received a lot of positive feedback, praising the detailed set, hysterical storyline and fabulous acting from all involved.

Not Now Darling will run for another two weekends with closing performance on the 30th of July 2023, with a group discount of buy 5 get 1 free on tickets, this is a production not to be missed. Tickets can be purchased through our website or directly from the theatre box office 30 minutes before each performance. www.parkesmandd.com.au.

Muddy Path Ahead For Labor’s Feral Pig Control Plan

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders has criticised the Labor government for lacking a long-term vision to help tackle the growing feral pig problem across regional NSW.

Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty have today outlined plans for an additional $8 million to fund a coordinated control program, adding to the $5 million that had already been committed by the former Coalition government.

Mr Saunders said Labor needs to look beyond the next 12 months when it comes to addressing the issue.

“I welcome any investment into regional NSW, particularly for pest animal eradication and biosecurity” Mr Saunders said.

“But a one-year sugar hit won’t achieve the results we need unless there is a plan and funding for the weeks, months and years after that.

“This announcement shows Labor has no long-term ideas for agriculture or biosecurity in the bush, and all we have heard since the election is how many regional initiatives apparently need to be cut to balance the books.

“It’s a difficult pest to manage, and while we welcome the funding on the table, we need more of a long term solution.”

Promising Results From New Alzheimer’s Drug

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

CEO of Dementia Australia Maree McCabe AM.

Dementia Australia has welcomed the publication of the results of a trial showing that a new drug, donanemab, has been able to slow the progression of symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said this drug was an exciting new development and another step forward in expanding the number of treatments for dementia.

“With dementia the second leading cause of death of Australians, and the leading cause of death of Australian women, we welcome any steps taken towards improving the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers,” said Ms McCabe.

“Donanemab will need to be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use in Australia. It also comes with possible side effects that need to be carefully monitored by health professionals.”

The drug, developed by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, works by inducing antibodies designed to attach to and remove amyloid plaques from the brain.

Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Bill Yeates, who was diagnosed with younger-onset-dementia in 2019, said the results were remarkable.

“This demonstrates that it is possible to significantly slow down the rate of cognitive decline through the removal of amyloid beta (plaques) from the brain,” Mr Yeates said.

“For me it’s that ‘ray of hope’ that I believed would happen one day, where people living with dementia can have a future. One where you can lead a better life, one that you value.”

For support contact National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. For information visit dementia.org.au

Embrace The Magic Of Winter At The Orange Region Winter Fire Festival

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Orange360’s Winter Fire Festival showcases the best of what’s on offer in our communities in Winter.

This season, join us for the hottest winter celebration of the year – the Winter Fire Festival. Running across two weekends from the 4th – 13th August, the Winter Fire Festival showcases Orange and the villages of Blayney and Cabonne at their winter best! The festival program comprises a range of events in our region’s cellar doors, restaurants, villages, and other venues that celebrate the magic of winter.

The chill of winter is no match for the warmth of Orange’s hospitality. The region’s charming cafes, pubs, cellar doors, and restaurants offer cosy retreats complete with crackling fireplaces, comfortable armchairs, and friendly locals eager to share stories. Sample freshly roasted coffee, savour house-made specialties, or enjoy a warming glass of local award-winning red wine.

Close to home, is WoodFired Eugowra which is happening on Saturday, 5th August. Nothing ignites the soul like an afternoon with friends and family along the Mandagery Creek. Be warmed by the crackling fire as you take in local artisan food including woodfired pizza and low and slow meat. Sample regional wine, cider, and beer whilst you sit back and enjoy live music from local musicians. The kids will be entertained with a jumping castle, face painting and their own food options. Bring the family and venture to Eugowra for a cosy Saturday afternoon! This is a free event but registration is required to secure entry.

Orange360 General Manager, Ned Sweetapple commented, “We’re proud to showcase what we love about this region in winter. The Winter Fire Festival is our regions antidote to the cold and is the opportunity to celebrate all the good things about our Winter season and the fun to be had! Hearty, warming meals, sipping cold climate wine and artisan drinks around the bonfire, sharing stories, music, dance and laughter with friends and strangers under starry crystal-clear skies.

Bookings for all events during the festival can be made by visiting Orange360’s website, www.orange360.com.au

It’s Never Too Early

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Que President Kath Whitchurch with PECC Director Amii Marchant and Speech and Hearing teacher Michelle Jelbart.

Children learn more in the first five years of life than at any time in the future, so Parkes Que members were delighted to give the Parkes Early Childhood Education Centre a cheque for $4,000 dollars to subsidise their hearing and speech testing program.

P.E.C.C. screens all their children to make sure that any who are having problems with hearing, listening, understanding, speaking clearly and fluently receive help so that when they later go to school, they will have high self-esteem and the best chance for a good start and a happy life.

The parents of children who are having problems are contacted if it is considered that a visit to a speech pathologist or audiologist is required, and, when a specific program is devised for a child, it is followed up at the Centre.

Que members are now busy, in particular, planning the Open Gardens in October and knitting teddy bears for the ambulance while many of us are looking forward to seeing ‘Not Now Darling’ at the Little Theatre which, incidentally, was also built by volunteers many years ago.

Our Que members, who are also all volunteers, would like to thank everyone who supports us in our fund-raising efforts. It is that support that enables us to make donations like this one to P.E.C.C. that improves life for so many of us in the Parkes community.

Of course, if you would like to know more about Que you can ring Pamela Nankivell on 0407 894 498 and, if you think you might like to join Que, we welcome and value new members.

Disrupt Weed Cycles And Drive Profit

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Farmers and agronomists in the Western region in NSW are dealing with several difficult-to-control weeds, and herbicide resistance is adding to the challenge.

For the past ten years, WeedSmart has promoted science-backed weed management tactics proven to work in the field to drive down weed numbers and contain herbicide resistance in dryland and irrigated cropping systems.

Project manager, Jessica Strauss, says that the tenth WeedSmart Week event, planned for Dubbo in early August, promises to deliver practical solutions to the weed management challenges facing growers on the Western Plains.

“The 3-day event will delve into ways to mix and rotate herbicides within a diverse cropping rotation that tackles herbicide resistance head-on,” she says. “Local agronomists and growers will speak about how they are disrupting weed cycles and using mechanical and cultural practices to underpin their herbicide programs to drive down the weed seed bank in crop and in the fallow.”

WeedSmart Week begins with the forum day at the Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre on 1 August, 2023. The 3-day event includes bus tours to three farms in the region and a machinery expo, where growers can see the latest in spray and camera technology, impact mills and other mechanical weed control tools used on Western Plains farms.

“At the forum, the speakers and panels will address wide-ranging topics, including the use of residual herbicides, pulse width modulation technology, the role of livestock in weed control and ways to increase crop competition across farming systems,” says Ms Strauss. “The farm visits and machinery expo are always a highlight of the event as forward-thinking growers outline how they implement the WeedSmart Big 6 tactics in their farming system.”

Register for this important 3-day event for the ‘early bird’ single ticket price of $290, which includes the bus tours, machinery expo and forum, all fully catered. Early bird pricing is available until 2 July. Group bookings and student discounts are available.

The New Parkes Elvis Festival Team Are Out Of This World!

July 20, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Pictured left to right is Events and Festival’s Specialist, Rochelle, Festival Producer Julian and Event Sponsorship and Attraction Officer Charlotte. Missing from the photo is the Brand and Marketing Coordinator, Bec.

There will be no more “Suspicious Minds”, as the new Parkes Elvis Festival Team have been announced and they “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with Parkes.

Festival Director Julien Poluson was joined this week in Parkes by colleagues Rochelle Livingstone, Festivals and Events Manager and Charlotte Lepriere, Sponsorship and Marketing to discuss everything Elvis. Julian will be residing in Parkes, whilst Rochelle and Charlotte will be working remotely and returning to Parkes as needed.

Julian’s background is in arts, music production and public arts events. His career started at the Hobart Mercury Newspaper, in the 90’s he worked in the Australian Music Industry, before moving to East Timor and then Cambodia where he went working for three months and stayed for 12 years.

Julian went on to say that as a team they are all “Very much part of a transition, an evolution of the festival. It’s gone from being a conversation around a bar in a hotel, to a community committee run festival, to a semi council run, to now fully run within the corporate framework, and the framework is good, it secures it and means the investment of everyone’s time, sponsorship money, talent, patience and enthusiasm, it all pays off over the long term and way into the future”.

The team are busy collaborating with each other and Julian said they are excited to bring “More colour, more diversity, more youth, more culture, the Wall of Fame story, developing Theatre.”

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay Set To Light Up Forbes

July 13, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 set off on it six month journey from France on 23rd April and set to pass through Forbes on 31st July.

The Legacy Centenary Torch Relay 2023 began its journey in Pozières France on 23rd April, then travelled to Menin Gate, Belgium and onto London before arriving in Australia where it is undertaking a six-month journey visiting all Legacy Club locations around the country, before culminating in Melbourne.

The first NSW relays will be in the Far North Coast towns of Casino, Lismore and Ballina on Friday 23rd June. The flame will then travel throughout the state, with further relays in Grafton, Inverell, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Taree, Forster, Maitland, Newcastle, Gosford, Sydney, Penrith, Wollongong, Goulburn, Orange, Forbes, Cowra, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Queanbeyan.

The Legacy Centenary Torch will be in Forbes on Monday 31st July at 12pm in the park on corner of Bridge and Hill Streets.

During the Centenary tour, the torch will travel 50,000 kilometres, with 100 stops over 75 days, and be carried by over 1,300 Torch Bearers, all with a personal connection to Legacy Australia.Torch bearers of note include Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, Former Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, former Olympian Jana Pittman and Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson.

Legacy Australia has been supporting Veteran’s families since 1923 and was founded on a Promise made from one digger to another. Today, Legacy supports over 40,000 partners and children of veterans’ who put their health and lives on the line for our country.

Eric Easterbrook OAM, Chairman of Legacy Australia, says “The torch relay is a fitting commemoration of a century of service.

To date, torch bearers have raised over $180,000 for Legacy. Donations allow Legacy to keep the promise to veterans’ families. To donate visit https://legacy.com.au/donate.

$61.7 M Parkes-Peak Hill Water Project

July 13, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Work has begun on one of the largest water infrastructure projects in NSW, with the Parkes-Peak Hill Water Supply Project designed to put the region in a stronger position to manage water in a drier climate.

NSW Water Minister, Rose Jackson said, “The Australian Government is proud to have committed $11 million to ensure this much-needed water infrastructure project becomes a reality, bolstering drinking water security for the Parkes and Peak Hill communities.

“Our Government has an unwavering commitment to continuing to invest in Australia’s regions to create jobs, build opportunity and unlock economic growth.

“We’re putting in 39 kilometres of new pipelines, two new pump stations, an upgraded Lachlan River pump station, a new pre-treatment plant at Eugowra Road and a new raw water storage lagoon at the Parkes Water Treatment Plant.

“To make sure we are doing everything we can to shore-up water security for the community, especially during dry periods. The project will more than double Parkes’ current transfer capacity from the Lachlan River and bore fields, which is major win for the community as it will secure better access to safe, clean drinking water”

Let People Know You Are Here To Hear

July 13, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Send a text, organise to catch up, start a conversation, ask “r u ok”.

R U OK? is a public health promotion charity aiming to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues.

Joiner’s theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide, one of which is a decreased sense of belonging.

R U OK? Day is an annual National Day of Action; held on Thursday 2nd September, and a reminder that every day is a day to start a conversation.

Asking R U OK?, how are you doing, or what’s going on for you – is the first step, but genuinely listening to the answer is key. That’s why it’s important you’re here to hear – whatever comes next.

Make sure you’re giving your mate, your colleague, your family member or loved one the right environment to open up. They know you, you know them. You know when they feel most at ease. So, take some time to think about where and how you’ll be completely here to hear.

Choose a time and a place where you can give your full attention, free of distractions. Create a situation where the person you’re asking feels comfortable discussing difficult thoughts, feelings, or emotions.

Tie it into something that makes sense to you both – no matter what that is and where it takes you. From a walk in the park, a sit down over a coffee, or a quiet night in, you’ll know when and where will be best.

Every day is the day to ask R U OK? and let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life.

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