Articles Archives - Page 146 of 452

Snap Our Biodiversity And Win

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The weird and wonderful plants, fungi and animals of the Parkes Shire will be the subject of a new photography competition for students.

The inaugural Biodiversity in Focus photography competition is open to all students across the Parkes Shire with cash prizes for the most creative and intriguing photos of the biodiversity found in the Parkes local government area.

Students can submit up to three of their most striking and engaging photos. A judging panel will select the finalists, and their images will be displayed in the Coventry Room at the Parkes Library & Cultural Centre in November.

Finalists will be chosen across three divisions: infants (K-2), primary (3-6), and secondary school students (7-12).

“This competition aims to showcase and celebrate the beauty of the natural world through the eyes of our local youth, as well as improve awareness and interest in native organisms and the ecosystems they inhabit,” said Parkes Shire Councillor Marg Applebee.

“In addition to having their photographs displayed in the Coventry Room, one winner from each division will receive a $50 Shop Parkes Gift Card and will score their school a nesting box,” said Marg.

“The nesting box will benefit native species who rely on tree hollows for shelter, nesting and raising offspring. The opportunity to observe animals interacting with the nesting boxes will provide students and staff with an uplifting learning experience,” said Marg.

Visit council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au to enter. Entries will be open from Thursday, 1st September to Wednesday, 28th October. Students must upload at least one image and provide a title and short description. Up to three submissions per student are welcome.

The Stories Old Photos Can Tell

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

If you have old family photographs you would like to preserve, and perhaps share with the rest of the community, the Parkes Shire Library is the place to go.

For Family History Month, Parkes Shire Library is offering to scan your family’s photographic history. The library is also planning an exhibition of local historic photographs later in the year.

Members of the public can visit the library with their photos to get it scanned.

Next week the library will be hosting family history talks and workshops.

On Thursday, 1st September NTS Corp historian, Michael Bennet will talk on Finding Your Ancestors: Contemporary Techniques in Aboriginal Family History from 10 t0 11:30am, while research officer Rosanne Jones will conduct a Family History Research for Beginners workshop from 1 to 3:30pm.

On Friday, 2nd September museum consultant Margot Jolly will talk about The Importance of Family Photographs to Museums from 10 to11:30am, and from 2 to 3:30pm Rosanne Jones will talk about Parkes Shire Historical Society, Family Collections.

Contact the Parkes Shire Library on 6861 2309 to secure your spot or for further information.

By Maggi Barnard

Tim’s Toy Story Continues After 50 Years

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

I’M SO EXCITED… Tim Goodwin from Peak Hill opens his birthday present to find the very first toy car he bought with his pocket money. It disappeared 50 years ago until he found it on eBay. (Photo: The Guardian)

When Tim Goodwin from Peak Hill opened a present for his 58th birthday recently he was shaking with anticipation.

When he finally got all the bubble wrapping off he exclaimed over and over: “It’s my toy, it’s my toy!”

Tim, who has been the mail contractor or postie in Peak Hill for 22 years, was scrolling on eBay one day when it was too wet to mow the lawn during winter.

“I typed in Ford Capri, not sure why, and started looking at all the toys, and on the third or fourth page I saw it.

“It was my toy car – the very first Matchbox car I ever bought with my pocket money when I was a kid in Wellington, Somerset in the UK in the early 1970s!”

Tim said he slept over it and a few days later he looked at it again. “It was definitely mine.” He said after many years of playing with it on a homemade dirt track in the backyard with his two brothers, it was chipped and he painted it red over the original pink and turned it into a rally car. “I stuck a Castrol sticker on the bonnet and cut the tow hook off.

“I bought the car with the pocket money I earned washing the family car, which was about 25 pence.” He said Ford Capri was much loved in the UK. “It was the Englishman’s Ford Mustang. Some teachers at our school had them and we held them in high regard. It was a great car and I always wished I owned one. I even collect the workshop manuals.”

His favourite toy car went missing one day. “I remember seeing a boy in our shed one day taking something, but he denied it.” While the seller on eBay was in Doncaster, about 370km away from his home town, the car on eBay looked exactly like his with the modifications. “Nobody has changed it.” Tim sent a photo of the car to his brothers in England and they also recognised it.

When Tim’s wife Cathy asked what he wanted for his birthday he did not hesitate to show her the toy car on eBay for $34.62.

The seller has a toy shop and promised Tim to try and trace the whereabouts of how the Ford Capri came to him.

Tim is stoked to have his toy back and although he will become a grandfather for the first time later this year, he is not prepared to let the grandkids play with it. “This one has pride of place on the mantelpiece.” While Tim has a collection of over 300 Matchbox cars dating form the 60s to the 90s, he has now been inspired to look for more of his childhood toys.

“I am still gobsmacked that I found it back. I felt like a little boy again. It has brought back so many family memories and of playing in the dirt with our Matchbox toys.”

By Maggi Barnard

The Ford capri with modifications Tim made as a child

Kalarney Is July’s Tradie

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Kalarney VanDyk

Congratulations to Kalarney VanDyk who is the winner of July’s Tradie of the Month competition. She runs her own business in Parkes called Komplete Electrical servicing the town and surrounding areas. Kalarney is out of town for a while and has not been able to pick up her prize sponsored by Totally Workwear.

We are entering our final month of the competition, so make sure to nominate your favourite tradie by Friday, 16th September! Pop into Totally Workwear or send us an email to editor@parkesphoenixlcom. au with the tradie’s name, workplace and contact number.

More Sessions After Successful Harvest Field Day

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Measuring equipment to ensure the operator adheres to travel requirements is but one of the many topics covered at the Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day.

More than 50 people attended the recent Be Road Ready For Harvest Field Day at the Forbes Central West Livestock Exchange, while a further 15 were watching online.

Attendees were a mixture of farmers, contract harvesters, transport companies, agricultural machinery retailers, government agencies, council staff and relevant associations.

“It was great to be back face and face, but also to be able to offer the online functionality to increase the reach of the event across the region,” said Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer Melanie Suitor.

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

“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,’ Melanie said.

The program included presentations about access, permits, fire safety, fatigue, safety around powerlines, compliance, insurance, mental health and more.

“Participant feedback was mostly positive, with attendees reporting a good range of relevant information on offer and that it was a great opportunity to stay up to date.

The event was recorded and is available via YouTube, search ‘Be Road Ready for Harvest Field Day’.

The winner of the feedback form prize, a Brass Monkey 15 litre fridge worth $230, was Darren Keane.

Free satellite events will be held in Lake Cargelligo, Wirrinya and Peak Hill in the coming weeks (with breakfast provided):

Lake Cargelligo: Wednesday, 31st August 7:30 – 10:15am at the RFS Shed

Wirrinya: Thursday, 1st September 7:30–10:15am at the Community Hall

Peak Hill: Friday, 2nd September 7:30 -10.15am at the Golf Club

Something For Everyone At The Parkes Show

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The Airtime FMX team performed at The Ekka in Brisbane recently and will be back at the Parkes Show next week with their death defying jumps. (Photo: Airtime FMX facebook page)

After two years of a show drought, excitement is building for this year’s Parkes Show from Monday to Wednesday next week. Show enthusiasts can expect the best of local produce, livestock and all their favourite entertainment.

The traditional fireworks display is set for Tuesday at 7:15pm, while the favourite demolition derby will be on Wednesday at 7:30pm preceded by ute barrel racing at 6pm.

Apart from all the fun and excitement of the show rides and show bags, the kids can also look forward to the animal nursery, Troppo Bob and the WOW Dinosaur and Reptile display.

There will be some changes to the showgrounds this year as the new pavilion is still under construction. This means the displays of local produce, art and craft and floral arrangements will move to the industrial pavilion across the road, while the schools and stall holders will be housed in tents around the showgrounds.

The luncheon room will be run by Meals on Wheels this year, and in the arena there will be show jumping and Airtime FMX will be back with their bikes and breathtaking aerial tricks for several shows over the three days.

In other good news for the Parkes Show Society was an announcement this week from Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway of a $42,000 investment in the show from the NSW Government after a tough few years. “The show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen.”

The full show program is available on The Parkes Show facebook page and website. Tickets can be bought at www.123tix.com.au.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets 7th Annual Sale

August 26, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

The 7th Goonigal Poll Dorsets Annual Sale takes place on Friday 9th September at the
Canowindra Showground Pavilion at 1pm.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets have been operating since 2006 making it 16 years of breeding good quality rams and getting great feedback from clients over the years.

Goonigal Poll Dorsets breeds flock rams to produce prime lambs, which sells to the sucker and export market. They have been selling suckers at 14-16 weeks and around 24 kilos in dressed weight. Robert, Maureen, Charles and Kylie are looking forward to their upcoming sale on 9th September at the Canowindra Showground Pavilion.

Rams will be penned by 11:30am for clients to inspect before the sale starts at 1pm. All Rams have been vet checked and are Brucellosis free accredited.

Stockscan figures will be available from the 5th September on the business facebook page, Goonigal Poll Dorsets, or by emailing a request to goonigal@bigpond.net.au

Snippets…

August 19, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Scaffolding has gone up at the De Havilland Jet at Lake Forbes to give the iconic plane a structural makeover after being in all kinds of weather for 50 years.

Farm Financial Skills Workshop: On Thursday, 1st September farmers can attend a free workshop in Forbes from 8:30am to 3:30pm on the financial skills essential to managing an agricultural operation. The practical Financial Skills Workshops is offered by Rabobank’s Client Council, and will provide practical, hands-on advice for understanding financial statements and banking requirements, and explore topics such as taxation versus management accounting, essential business management ratios and understanding key components of a business’s financial profile. Make sure complete your registration to ensure a spot at https://rabobankaunz.eventsair.com/financial-skills-workshops/registration/Site/Register

Trash Into Treasure: Households are encouraged to step up their recycling efforts to help contribute to a cleaner environment and transition to a circular economy in NSW. Minister for Environment James Griffin said: “Two thirds of all waste in NSW is already being recycled, and we want to do even better to boost the circular economy.” Use the Recycle Mate app to tell you exactly what can and can’t be recycled in your local government area. Sixty-four per cent of all waste generated in NSW is recycled, being remade into new items such as building materials, packaging, and new food and drink containers.

Spring Bee Swarming: New measures have been put in place as part of the Varroa mite emergency response to help deal with an expected increase in bee activity as the weather heats up. “Bees typically swarm during warmer months as a way of establishing new colonies, so we’re reminding people to be aware that these swarms can become feral or unmanaged,” said NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders. “Reporting these swarms and colonies is really important so we’re asking members of the public to exercise caution and contact the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), so they can take targeted action to remove them. If you come across a feral bee colony, contact DPI’s Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 (9am to 5pm, seven days a week). For more information on the Varroa mite emergency response, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa

Reading Day: The annual PAINT THE TOWN REaD day in Parkes is back next Friday, 26th August and this year’s theme is Paint Parkes REaD, Rhymingly. The theme is focusing on traditional nursery rhymes, contemporary rhymes, ditties and made-up rhymes – basically all things rhyming. Primary school students and pre-school kids can look forward to a fantastic day filled with many different shows and activities, including a graffiti wall, photo booth and lots more, from 9:30am in Cooke Park and the CBD.

Have you got your entries ready for the Parkes Show? The closing date is 26th August and enter at https://showday.online/show/6Rw9LV7 The Parkes Show Office is open every day for tickets and entries too. If you cannot enter or buy tickets online, visit the show office at 61 Welcome Street.

Lachlan Health Service Welcomes Students

August 19, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Students and staff at Parkes Hospital.

The Parkes Hospital played host to a group of health-focused students from regional areas in support of their studies.

Seven students across a range of disciplines, including medicine, nursing and allied health, from Charles Sturt University and the University of Wollongong, and two work experience students from Parkes High School who focused on physiotherapy, gained valuable insight from experienced clinicians during their visit.

Rach Ellem, Health Service Manager of Lachlan Health Service, said it was exciting to support the development of students in a local healthcare environment with practical knowledge and skills.

“It’s incredibly important that we continue to provide these learning opportunities for students to support their growth and showcase how rewarding it can be to work in a regional area.”

Associate Professor Kerrie Stewart, Head of the Charles Sturt University Central West Clinical School and local Parkes GP and visiting medical officer, said: “We know that students studying in rural areas already have a commitment to our communities and region, so by supporting them locally we can help students build their skillset and develop important professional relationships.”

Professor Damien Limberger, Associate Dean of the Charles Sturt University School of Rural Medicine, said supporting students during their formative years would not only benefit them, but the entire community.

“Involving students at local sites and facilities won’t just provide them with a taste of what rural healthcare can offer, but will also continue to help our workforce.”

Parkes Shire Council To Run On Wind Energy

August 19, 2022 By Maggi Barnard

Parkes Shire Council’s streetlights will be powered by wind energy from next year.

Parkes Shire Council has embraced renewable energy signing a new electricity contract with a wind energy supplier at Wellington.

The new electricity contract with Iberdrola Australia was finalised last week for the supply of energy for Council’s large sites and streetlighting from 1st January next year. The Bodangora Wind Farm near Wellington in NSW will supply the electricity, while Council will also have the option to change to the Flyers Creek Wind Farm near Blayney when it becomes operational.

“We know that electricity prices are skyrocketing, and this new deal means Council has security in terms of pricing in the coming years,” said Mayor of Parkes Shire Ken Keith OAM.

“The eight-year contract is a huge achievement for Council, and we are excited that we have been able to secure such a great deal in the current electricity market.”

Iberdrola Australia Managing Director and CEO Ross Rolfe AO said: “We are delighted to be partnering with councils in the Central NSW and Riverina regions, enabling them to access reliable and affordable clean energy backed by our wind farms and flexible, fast-start assets.

“We have worked with the councils and communities in these regions for many years. These councils have supported the Australian economy’s green energy transition.”

The new contract is for 50% renewable energy, which means Council can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 2,318t CO² annually, while also helping to support new renewable energy development.

“We’re all looking for ways to keep costs as low as possible and this contract allows us to do that while reducing our carbon footprint,” said the Mayor.

Central NSW Joint Organisation Chair, Cr Kevin Beatty said: “Collectively, the Central NSW region will source around 78% of its electricity for councils’ large sites and streetlighting from renewable energy under this deal. This is a huge win for the region,” he said.

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