Special Counsel Belinda Rayment will be representing the Envi­ronmental Defenders Office at the event.

The NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Energy-from-Waste is still ongoing, and another public hearing has been sched­uled. The Inquiry continues to examine a range of issues associated with Energy-from-Waste in NSW, including environ­mental regulation, planning frameworks, community consultation, and the poten­tial impacts on local communities and in­dustries such as agriculture.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) will be in Parkes on Wednesday, 1 July at the Parkes Services Club to pro­vide information and guidance regarding the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery Project.

The Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is Australia’s leading public inter­est environmental law organisation and the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific region.

The EDO is taking the time to visit Parkes to provide the community with independent information about the plan­ning and assessment process for the proposed Parkes Energy Recovery Pro­ject. The purpose of the information night is to help residents better understand their rights and opportunities to partici­pate in the assessment process once the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is released.

Topics to be covered at the information evening will include:

• Understanding the process once the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) goes on public exhibition

• How to write effective submissions in response to the EIS

• Opportunities for community involve­ment and how to have your say throughout the assessment process.

There is no need to register in advance, community members are simply encour­aged to attend. With the EIS expected to be a substantial and complex document, this information night will help equip the community with the knowledge and con­fidence to have their voices heard when the public exhibition period begins. The session is an opportunity to hear inde­pendent information about the planning process, understand what happens when the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) goes on public exhibition, learn how to prepare an effective submission, and ask questions about how to partici­pate in the assessment process.

(L-R) Parkes Shire Council’s Director Planning & Community Services Annalise Teale, and Deputy Mayor Marg Applbee. Representing Evolution Mining – Northparkes Operations were Processing Manager Mitch Garside, and Communications and Engagement Superintendent Brooke Plunkett.

A significant new investment in the future of young people across the Parkes Shire has been announced, with Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations and Parkes Shire Council partnering to deliver a new Youth Officer position.

The new part-time position, established for an initial three-year term, represents a major commitment to strengthening youth engagement, participation, wellbeing and opportunities across the entire Parkes Shire.

Funded by Northparkes Operations and managed by Parkes Shire Council, the role has been designed to provide a coordinated and flexible approach to supporting young people, responding directly to community feedback that identified youth activities and mental health as key priorities.

The Youth Officer will work closely with young people, schools, community organi­sations, sporting clubs, and service provid­ers to create meaningful opportunities for youth engagement, leadership develop­ment and social connection.

Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Marg Apple­bee said the new position will play an impor­tant role in ensuring young people have a stronger voice in shaping the future of their communities.

The role will support youth-focused pro­grams and events, coordinate activities through Council facilities and community venues, establish partnerships across the region and deliver outreach initiatives to smaller communities throughout the Shire.

Importantly, the position has been de­signed with flexibility in mind, recognising that effective youth engagement often oc­curs outside traditional business hours.

Council is now preparing to advertise the position and is seeking an enthusiastic, in­novative and community-minded individual who can help make the role truly excep­tional.

The successful applicant will have the op­portunity to help guide the program from the ground up, develop strong community part­nerships and create lasting outcomes that support young people across the Parkes Shire.

Hello Readers!

One of my favourite things about owning a bookshop is the conversations.

Not just the ones about books (although I could happily talk about those all day), but the stories people share when they walk through the door. The parent looking for something that might finally tempt a reluc­tant reader away from a screen. The cus­tomer who pops in “just for a quick look” but leaves an hour later with a growing pile of books and three new recommendations or the lady who saw a book advertised and rushed in to see if we could order it (of course we can!)I received a card last week from some­one who recently had to move away from Parkes back to Ireland. In that card they thanked me for creating Inkwood & Ivy, de­scribing it as a home away from home and place they felt comfort in books and likeminded people. Books have a wonderful way of connecting people and creating a community.

If you’d love to experience the space we have created here, come for a browse, play the piano, place a few pieces in our com­munity puzzle or drop into Silent Book Club on Thursday nights at 7pm.

As winter settles into Parkes, there seems no better time to curl up with a good book. Whether you’re discovering a new favourite, revisiting an old classic, or in­troducing a young reader to the magic of stories, I hope you’ll find a reason to visit us soon.

Until next time, happy reading.

Deb

Inkwood & Ivy Books & Curiosities
www.inkwoodandivy.com.au
Shop 1/250-268 Clarinda Street, Parkes

Members of the Parkes Camera Club in the 1960’s.

The Parkes Camera Club traces its begin­nings back to 1958, when Alan Steel and Jim Watts each purchased their own camer­as, a Yashica 35mm and a Kodak 35mm, re­spectively. As they began comparing notes and experimenting with photography, they recognised there may be others in the com­munity interested in developing their skills and formed a photographic group.

In 1959, the Methodist Church Trust of­fered the group the use of meeting rooms in Court Street, on the condition that the club operate under the name “The Methodist Camera Club.” Under this banner, the club staged the very first Parkes National Photo­graphic Exhibition in March 1960.

Following the success of the inaugural exhibition, members voted to rename the organisation the Parkes Photographic Soci­ety. Early members included President Don McAlpine, who later became a world-re­nowned cinematographer, Vice Presidents Herb Pollock and Ken Field, Secretary Alan Steel, Treasurer Alan Bennett, along with 20 other club members.

The club’s new meeting place was the old library meeting rooms in Currajong St. The club continued to meet there until the end of 1986. In January 1987, the club moved to the Parkes Neighbourhood Centre in Cur­rajong Street, where it still proudly meets twice a month today. If you are interested in joining the Parkes Camera Club please contact cameraclubparkes@gmail.com.

Hello Readers!

One of my favourite things about owning a bookshop is the conversations.

Not just the ones about books (although I could happily talk about those all day), but the stories people share when they walk through the door. The parent looking for something that might finally tempt a reluc­tant reader away from a screen. The cus­tomer who pops in “just for a quick look” but leaves an hour later with a growing pile of books and three new recommendations or the lady who saw a book advertised and rushed in to see if we could order it (of course we can!)I received a card last week from some­one who recently had to move away from Parkes back to Ireland. In that card they thanked me for creating Inkwood & Ivy, de­scribing it as a home away from home and place they felt comfort in books and likeminded people. Books have a wonderful way of connecting people and creating a community.

If you’d love to experience the space we have created here, come for a browse, play the piano, place a few pieces in our com­munity puzzle or drop into Silent Book Club on Thursday nights at 7pm.

As winter settles into Parkes, there seems no better time to curl up with a good book. Whether you’re discovering a new favourite, revisiting an old classic, or in­troducing a young reader to the magic of stories, I hope you’ll find a reason to visit us soon.

Until next time, happy reading.

DebInkwood & Ivy Books & Curiosities
www.inkwoodandivy.com.au
Shop 1/250-268 Clarinda Street, Parkes

Attendees at the Central West NSW Heavy Vehicle Breakfast Forum held in Forbes.

Heavy vehicle safety was in the spotlight recently at a breakfast forum hosted by Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils.

Around 60 delegates from across the region, attended the Central West NSW Heavy Ve­hicle Breakfast Forum in Forbes, to explore the current road safety and freight issues af­fecting the local heavy vehicle industry.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says the forum has become a regular fixture on the road safety calendar since its inception in 2012.

“Events like this forum are essential in providing opportunities to share informa­tion, network and discuss local issues,” Ms Suitor said.

The forum was attended by local transport companies, truck drivers and farmers along with various associations and government agencies. The topics covered included poli­cy updates, NHVL reforms, access improve­ments, a case study on electronic braking systems, first aid, mental health and a Q & A with NSW Police.

Presenters were from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Transport for NSW, Parkes Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council, Air Brake Systems, NatRoad, NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW Police.

“We recorded the forum, and the videos of each session can be viewed online in the coming weeks – keep your eyes on the Councils’ Facebook pages for details,” Ms Suitor said.

Organisers are now turning their attention to the annual Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day which will return on Thursday 30 July at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange.

There will also be Field Days held In Con­dobolin and Parkes in late August and early September. Watch this space for more in­formation.

Men’s Health Week is an important reminder for all blokes to check in on their physical and mental wellbeing and to stay connected with those around them. It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout at my GEIN’-A-GRIP event, which brought together community members, health professionals and sporting identities for a day focused on men’s health, connection and conversation. Through friendly competition, health information sessions and plenty of laughs, the event highlighted the positive impact that mateship, support and meaningful connections can have on our wellbeing.

Thank you  to everyone who attended, volunteered and helped make the day such a success. Together, we sent a powerful message: men’s health matters, connection matters, and no man should have to face life’s challenges alone. And a reminder, blokes – the next Mr Perfect Men’s Health BBQ is on Sunday 5 July at Cook Park, Orange and Sunday 12th July at Memorial Hill, Parkes.

GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY CLOSURE CONTINUES …

Over 12,000 vehicles rely on this vital corridor every day, yet over 100 days on, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Despite almost 60,000 voters in the Orange electorate alone, the NSW Parliament ePetition has attracted just 6,362 signatures. If you’re frustrated by the ongoing disruption, now is the time to act. Sign the petition, make your voice count, and help send a clear message to the Government: Regional NSW deserves better. Sign the petition via link: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/Pages/ePetition-details.aspx?q=ePgxgO_S2ZIo-lr1dUByuw