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Parkes Shire Library 2023 Student Library Ambassadors Announced

May 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Standing are L to R are Isaiah Stokes and Lachlan Watt from Parkes Christian School, Ned Hewes from Holy Family school, Sam Hunt and Corban Cunningham from Middleton Public School, Jacob Swindle and Sophie Francis from Parkes East Public school. Sitting L to R are Mary Gray from Holy Family School, Isla McLeod and Beth Deland from Parkes Public School, Sarah Knowling from Home School Community.

Parkes Shire Library received a whopping 40 applications from eager year five students to become Library Ambassadors this year. All of the 40 applications received were extremely well written, making the decision very difficult.

This week, Parkes students attended a small presentation ceremony and afternoon tea at Parkes Library. Library staff also visited branch libraries and schools to present the 2023 Ambassadors with their official badges.

The role of a Library Ambassador is to inform their school community of upcoming events, programs, exhibitions and activities that are taking place at the Libraries in Parkes Shire and Marramarra Makerspace.

The Library Ambassador Program has successfully run in Parkes for several years, and this year, the smaller towns within Parkes Shire were invited to participate in the program. Interested students were asked to apply for the position of Library Ambassador for their town, and a total of 16 applications were received from four schools. As a result, Bogan Gate, Trundle and Peak Hill now also have their very own Library Ambassadors.

Parkes Shire Library Ambassadors for 2023

Marshall Roach from Bogan Gate Public School.

Jawarn Read, Jodi Sant (Peak Hill Library) Kyanna Dargin from St Josephs at Peak Hill.

Lili Stephenson and Harry Quade from St Patricks School Trundle.

Billy Zerafa and Tom Walter from Trundle Central School.

Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers

May 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Free two-hour workshop for parents and supervisors of learner drivers.

Parents and supervisors of local learner drivers are encouraged to attend a free workshop which will be held at the Cooke Park Pavilion in Parkes on Tuesday 23rd May. Commencing at 6pm, the two-hour Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers workshop will offer parents and supervisors practical advice on how to provide the most effective driving practice for learner drivers.

Parkes Shire Council’s Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that after two years of COVID disruption, it will be great to return to face-to-face delivery.

Parents and supervisors of learner drivers have a crucial role to play in making our roads safer. That is why we have teamed up with Transport for NSW to hold this workshop.

The workshop covers the licencing system, how to use the Learner Driver Logbook (including the use of digital logbooks), licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, the benefits of on-road driving sessions, tips on supervising a learner driver and more.

Parents and supervisors who have attended this workshop have found that it boosted their confidence, helped them better plan driving sessions and allowed them to share their experiences with other parents and supervisors” Ms Suitor said.

We want our children to feel confident when they get behind the wheel of a car, and if you are a parent or supervisor in charge of helping a learner driver then this course help you guide them to be confident drivers. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Ms Suitor on (02) 6861 2364. Refreshments will be available.

It’s Time To Care About Aged Care Workers

May 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Australia’s largest provider network, UnitingCare Australia has welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement to give more than 250,000 aged care workers a much needed pay rise.

“Older people and their families, workers providing care, and the families who rely on those workers. This overdue pay rise will go a long way toward dealing with the cost-of-living crisis the lowest paid workers are currently facing,” said UnitingCare Australia National Director, Claerwen Little.

“We know that investing in our aged care workforce is essential for the well-being of older Australians. This increase will help attract and retain skilled workers and we reaffirm our pledge to pass on this additional funding to staff.

“UnitingCare Australia was the first national aged care body to publicly support a 25% pay rise for workers in March 2022. We boldly costed the ask and put our support behind our workforce.

“Millions of Australians depend on the care sector every day to provide vital services that support individuals and communities to thrive. As the largest and fastest growing employer in the country, the opportunity for the care sector to be transformational for Australia’s future is boldly evident. We have an historic opportunity to advance gender equality through a strengthened care workforce,” said Ms Little.

Snippets…

May 12, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Next Monday 15th May, 5pm – 7pm the Locals Know Best workshop will be held at the Parkes Services Club. Numbers are limited, register at https://forms.ruok.org.au/230607395773968

Conversation Convoy Heading To Parkes: Next Monday, 15th May R U OK? will be in Parkes as part of the R U OK? Conversation Convoy 2023. The R U OK? Conversation Convoy travels to regional communities around the country.

Determined to help all Australians understand the important role they can play in looking out for their friends, family and colleagues. R U OK? will be meeting with communities for a cuppa and a chat. We’ve also got some free resources to help communities know how to have an R U OK? Conversation.

You can find more at ruok.org.au including a schedule of public events and resources to help support local communities. R U OK? is grateful for the support we receive from our Conversation Convoy partners: Connor Menswear, Kit Kat, The Audi Foundation, Spirit Super and Nescafe.

Event Registrations Now Open For Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week 2023: Being held from 4th – 8th September, the theme for Womens Health Week is: Helping you make the right decision for your health.

In its ten years, Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week has cemented its status as the leading national event dedicated to women’s health.

The 2022 campaign broke previous records with over 2,000 events and 250,000 attendees. The upcoming 2023 week is anticipated to be even bigger.

Event registrations are now open and free for all participating community groups, organisations and individuals. Event hosts will receive exclusive access to Jean Hailes health information, promotional materials and merchandise.

This year’s theme focuses on helping people make the right decisions for their health.

Register your event and find event promotional tools such as posters, name tags and templates by visiting womenshealthweek.com.au

Drop-In Community Sessions To Provide Updates On The Parkes Bypass: Community members can access the latest information on the Parkes Bypass project through two drop-in sessions to be held next week.

The two-lane corridor will feature five key intersections and two new bridges, including one over the rail corridor and a second over the bypass on Victoria Street.

The drop-in sessions will be held at The Little Theatre, 34 Bogan Street, Parkes on:

• Tuesday 16 May, 9am – 6pm
• Wednesday 17 May, 4pm – 7.30pm

The project’s engineering site team, hygienist and geologist will be on-hand toprovide more information and answer any questions from community members.

Snippets…

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

GrainGrowers Chair Rhys Turton said thefunding pack-age proposed by Rural Roads Alliance would be a smart investment in the future of our regions. “This funding package is an opportunity for the Federal Government to stem the rapid deterioration of Australia’s rural road network, and to reduce the cost to the budget of future climate events.”

Rural Roads Alliance Outlines Infrastructure Priorities To Parliament: Newly-formed Rural Roads Alliance has this week given evidence to a parliamentary inquiry, reiterating its call for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion in next week’s Federal Budget.

In the lead up to the Federal Budget, the Rural Roads Alliance is calling for an emergency funding package totalling nearly $5.5 billion, including:

• A one-off injection of $1 billion over four years directed at regional road and infrastructure reconstruction for councils impacted by flooding and other natural disasters to ensure the rebuild is to a standard more resilient to future disaster events;

• $800 million a year over four years for the Roads to Recovery Program;

• $300 million a year over four years to address first and last mile freight productivity; and,

• Targeted funding through the Roads of Strategic Importance program to improve the long-term climate resilience of freight networks.

Cost Of Living Data Proves Need For Payment Reforms: The latest ABS Living Cost Indexes show pensioners and other government payment recipients are hit the hardest by rising cost of living pressures.

National Seniors Australia Chief Operating Officer Chris Grice said the latest quarterly figures reveal a worrying increase with pensioner and age pensioner households recording the largest rise at 2.2%. Households receiving other government payments recorded a rise of 2.1%. “Under the current system, pensions are adjusted every six months, in March and September. This leaves recipients playing a game of catch up when inflation is unusually high.”

Mr Grice said the federal government should index the pension more frequently during times of high inflation to help those most vulnerable.

Coles Shoppers Helping To Clean Up Australia: Unilever Australia, maker of household staples including Omo, Rexona, TRESemmé, Dove and Streets ice creams, has partnered with Coles and Clean Up Australia to supply free Clean Up Kits to schools and communities across the country. From 3rd to 30th May, whenever shoppers buy one of Unilever’s participating products at Coles supermarkets or online, 10 cents from each purchase will go to Clean Up Australia.

Shop at Coles during May to help Clean Up Australia.

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

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

WHAT’S ON MONTHLY CALENDAR

With so much going on at the Library, Marramarra Makerspace & the Coventry Room come in and grab a copy of our new handy calendar to keep you up to date with all the events and activities. An online copy is also available on our Facebook page!

YOUTH BOOK CLUB NOW ONLINE!

Download the book we are reading The Theory of Hummingbirds, by Michelle Kadarusman on the indyreads app and join the online book club guided forum at www.parkeslibrary.freeforums.net. Open toall Parkes Shire Library members aged 12 – 25 years until 20 May 2023.

Parkes Library will also be hosting our Term 2 Youth Library Lock-in during Law Week for young people aged 12-18 with fun and games where you can learn something about the law and how it affects you. Tuesday 16 May from 5:30-8:00pm. Contact the library to book in.

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME RETURN IN MAY!

Storytime resumes on Tuesday 2nd May at 10:30am for 3–5-year-olds and their parents/carer. Rhyme Time resumes on Thursday 4th May at 10:30am for babies to 2-year-olds and their parents/carer. Bookings are essential for these programs.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN MAY

Recycled Art Workshops (FREE). Join Ronda Sharpe in this 2 hour workshop and turn repurposed recycled materials into art that you can submit into the Waste to Art competition! Sunday 7th May 10am – 12pm or 2pm – 4pm. Age 6 – 12-year-olds. Contact the library to book in.

Milk Crate Theatre Workshop (FREE) Milk Crate Theatre is coming to Parkes to offer a free community creative workshop in embodiment and play for adults! Artistic Director Margot Politis will lead the group in a session of collaborative and creative play. This will include movement, games and improvisations, leading to the creation of small sequences or scenes to share with the group. Saturday 20 May 11am – 2pm in the Marramarra Makerspace. Contact Parkes Library to book in and for details.

Doing It For Dolly

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Do it for Dolly Day encourages parents to strike up the conversation with their kids.

One in four Australian school students between years 4 and 9 are being bullied. One in seven of them won’t tell anyone. That’s over 340,000 young people staying silent.

Dolly Everett was one of those students being bullied. Tragically, she was only 14 when she took her life in January 2018, following relentless and sustained bullying and cyber bullying.

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 are 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.

This May on Do It For Dolly Day the Everett family are encouraging everyone to help break the silence around bullying.

Psychologist and Dolly’s Dream advisory board member, Dr Charlotte Keating agreed that “As parents, carers, educators or concerned family or friends, each one of us can choose to have the critical conversations that will help end the cycle of bullying.”

This is why resources such as the Dolly’s Dream Support Line are critical. This free, 24-hour telephone service provides a way for young people anywhere across Australia to connect with a trained counsellor who is ready to listen and help.

This invaluable support service was only made possible with the funds raised by our generous supporters and the wider community.

Every year in May we see thousands of wonderful communities come together to remember Dolly, participate in fundraising activities to help support the important anti-bullying work of Dolly’s Dream, and share the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.

On Friday 12 May, Do It For Dolly and donate to help make Dolly’s own dream of a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities a reality.

For more information visit: www.doitfordollyday.org.au

New Fencing Has Tails Wagging

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Phil Donato MP, Member for Orange with Parkes District Kennel Club member Fiona Watts and Fiona’s dog Willow, in front of the newly erected fencing

Earlier this week, Member for Orange Philip Donato MP caught up with Parkes District Kennel Club Inc to inspect their newly completed fencing, funded by a $24,910 grant under the 2022 NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership.

Funding was allocated for the removal of existing ring pipework, construction of new post and rail, chain, wire and mesh fencing and construction of entry and exit gates for competition rings. All works have now been completed.

Parkes District Kennel Club member Fiona Watts was on hand to show Phil the completed works, saying, “An enclosed fence was a pipe dream for us. We’ve received a few smaller grants from Council for equipment, as that can be expensive, but the cost of the enclosed fencing seemed unobtainable.”

The club applied for a grant and under the Community Partnership Program. Phil explained the process, “The applications come to my office, I asses them, score them and rank them, whhich accounts for 60% of the overall ratings of the scores. Applications then go to an independent review panel where they get scored again and the scores are collated before funding is allocated.”

The new fencing was erected by local contactor, Matt Clarke from Central West Fencing.

The Parkes District Kennel Club has been operating for 60 years, predominantly as a confirmation club for breeders. However, for the past six years, they have been focusing on sporting.

Dyagang Koori Dance Group Receive Commonwealth Bank Community Grant

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

The four original members of the Dyagang “Boys” Keanu, Ashton, Tyrece and Abel Robinson with Troy, Branch Manager of The Parkes Commonwealth Bank.

The Dyagang “Boys” were originally group of four brothers learning and representing Aboriginal culture. The group expanded in 2022 and now consists of 12 kids and a few adults.

Jade Alexander, the mother of the four Robinson brothers, was shocked to receive a call from Troy at the Commonwealth Bank to inform her that the Dyagang Boys had been voted winners of a $500 community grant. Jade said, “The boys were stoked to hear the news.”

The group recently performed at Eco Day in Trundle, Homegrown in Parkes and the Back to Peak Hill event.

Ensure The Safety Of Your Precious Cargo With A Free Child Restraint Check

May 5, 2023 By Roxane Manley

Authorised Child Restraint Fitters will be in Parkes on Friday 12th May and Forbes on Saturday 13th May.

Parkes and Forbes Shire Councils are ensuring that children are safe and secure when travelling in vehicles with free child restraint checks by Authorised Child Restraint Fitters in Parkes on Friday 12 May 2023 and Forbes on Saturday 13th May.

The Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor, says that these free child restraint checking days will now be held bi-annually as they are usually well patronised and are important in ensuring the safe travel of young children.

“Due to the success of previous events, we’ve received funding to offer this service twice a year to residents in Parkes and Forbes – one round of checking days will be held in late November/early December and the other round will be in April/May,” Ms Suitor said.

The upcoming child restraint checking days will be held in Parkes on Friday 12 May from 11am – 3pm in the carpark at Kelly Reserve and in Forbes on Saturday 13 May from 10am – 2pm in the Bunnings carpark.

The correct fitting and adjustment of child restraints is vital. Research shows that two out of three child restraints are not being used properly and this puts children at risk of injury in the event of a crash.

“Most of the restraints we have checked at previous events have had minor problems that needed fixing to ensure the safety of the child – such as tightening and untwisting straps, fitting gated buckles and correcting the seatbelt’s path through the restraint.

“It is important to have your child restraint checked regularly after prolonged use and installed correctly before use to ensure that your precious cargo is safe,” Ms Suitor said.

Bookings are essential – phone 6861 2364 to secure your place. Information about the child restraint laws, the types of restraints and advice on moving children from one restraint type to the next will also be available.

Parkes Shire Library Ambassadors for 2023

WHAT’S ON MONTHLY CALENDAR

YOUTH BOOK CLUB NOW ONLINE!

STORYTIME AND RHYME TIME RETURN IN MAY!

LEARN SOMETHING NEW IN MAY

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