This year’s Jack Scoble Education Scholarships was awarded to Josie Thompson. At the announcement was (L – R) Mayor Ken Keith OAM, Manager Cultural, Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones, Cr Bill Jayet, Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton, Trish Morgan, Monique Morgan, Alan and Cheryl Thompson (accepted the scholarship on behalf of Josie Thompson) and Cr Neil Westcott.

Parkes Shire students undertaking their first year of full-time university studies in 2022 are encouraged to apply for a Jack Scoble Scholarship.

The scholarship offers students assistance to purchase a laptop and textbooks, or relocation and accommodation costs.

“Receiving a financial boost can help make university education more accessible for regional young people to help ease the financial pressures of tertiary studies,” said Council’s Manager Cultural Education & Library Services Kerryn Jones. “I also strongly encourage students who will be registering with the Parkes Country Universities Centre to consider this scholarship as they are also eligible to apply. “

The late Jack Scoble MBE, OAM was Mayor of Parkes from 1966 to 1979. He died in 2003, providing a profound legacy of community involvement, civic pride, leadership and high personal values.

The Jack Scoble Education Scholarships have provided financial assistance to students to the value of $100,000 between 2006 and 2021.

Josie Thompson was awarded the scholarship this year. She is studying a Bachelor of Speech Pathology at the University of Newcastle.

“My first year of university was met with many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scholarship helped significantly financially, as I was able to purchase textbooks and a printer for my first year at university. Having my own resources was extremely beneficial as I had limited access to physical resources due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Scholarship guidelines and the application form are available on Council’s website www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/living-here/your-community/education/scholarships/

Applications close on 21st January 2022 at 10am. For more information, contact Kerryn Jones on 6861 2338.

Dawn Ball and Ankush Dogra at the CUC. “The CUC is just a gem and there is so much opportunity if people want to learn. I need another 100 years or so for all my interests!” said Dawn.

While the Parkes Country Universities Centre (CUC) celebrated its first successful year last week, two students reflected on how much more their enrollment has meant to them in their lives.

It has given retiree Dawn Ball new purpose, and provided friendship and a sense of belonging in a new community for immigrant Ankush (Addy) Dogra.

Dawn said boredom brought her to the CUC. “I was just moping around in retirement and wanted to do something which makes me happiest, which is studying.” She likes languages, having taught Indonesian for 16 years at Red Bend Catholic College, and decided to study German through the University of England.

“German culture interests me, and I love the sound of the language.” She read about the CUC in the paper, and I ended up signing up!

Dawn said the support she had received from Manager Jacob Cass had been fantastic “I’m not very savvy with technology, and Jacob is just available for anything. How he puts up with me I don’t know.”

Addy moved to Parkes from Brisbane to work at the Indian Cuisine restaurant. He was doing a Certificate IV in IT Networking, but could not find a place to study at night. The CUC was the perfect fit as he could access the facility at all hours.

“Jacob helped me to find a Bachelors degree in Applied IT at Latrobe University, and also a job at Parkes Shire Council for two months.”

Addy, who comes from a small town similar to Parkes at the foot of the Himalayan mountains in India, said he wanted to move back to Brisbane when his job finished at Council, but Jacob encouraged him to stay. “I’ve now made friends, and don’t want to move. I have started to feel part of the community.”

By Maggi Barnard

High School students with Mike De La Hunty from HARS (left), Premier Dominic Perrottet and Deputy Pre-mier Paul Toole (middle) and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott (back).

Nine Parkes High School students had no idea they were going to meet the NSW Premier last Thursday.

They were busy working at the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) at the Parkes Airport for their weekly Aviation Restoration session when the eminent visitor showed up.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Deputy Premier Paul Toole and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott flew from Sydney to the Parkes Airport and then went by helicopter to look at the flooding in Forbes.

On their way back Mike De La Hunty from HARS saw them at the Parkes Airport and invited the politicians over to have a quick look at the work the students do at the Aircraft Museum.

The Premier asked the students lots of questions about the Skills Training and Employment Program and the restoration work on historic aircraft that they do with the HARS volunteers as their mentors. He also wanted to know from the students what they planned to do after finishing school.

The visitors had a quick tour given by Mike of some of the aircraft on display before flying back for question time in Parliament.

The museum is open on Thursdays and Sundays 9.30am – 3.30pm, or by appointment.

Why Your No.1 Vote Should Be For Me!

During my 13 years on Council there have been many things that we have achieved, from the National Logistics Hub, Inland Rail, the Airport Business Park, the Special Activation Precinct (SAP), to new playgrounds, sporting facilities, and improvements to infrastructure within the shire.

Having village representation also ensures a voice, so all shire residents are heard.

If re-elected my focus will be on making sure project ideas, that have been suggested during the recent community consultations, are prioritised and developed into planning phase. There are several community/village projects that are still being finalised, so their completion will also be at the top of the list.

I am also committed to continue to work with the members of the Parkes Sports Council with the prospect of hosting a master sporting event in Parkes in 2023. The Parkes Shire has excellent sporting facilities, with many recent upgrades to amenities and playing fields and with a variety of accommodation, has the potential to be a sporting mecca.

Community – being a Councillor for the Parkes Shire gives me the opportunity to give back.

Peak Hill – living in the village of Peak Hill, I believe it’s important that the smaller communities have a voice with Council decisions to provide true representation of the Shire.

Women Power – we need more women in government roles and local government is a good place to start.

During my 13 years on Council, I have met some very interesting, and inspiring shire residents and joined many community group meetings. It is heart-warming to experience their passion and vision about the communities they live in, and I look forward to working with them again.

Hello Parkes Shire residents, my name is Glenn Wilson. I am running as a candidate in Group ‘A’ on the voting ballot paper for the upcoming Local Government election on Saturday, 4th December.

I say a NEW BROOM is needed to run through the entire Parkes Shire Council activities. We need a completely new set of councillors to enable this.

I believe that too many residents of our shire have had poor service from the Parkes Shire Council for far too long. I will seek to represent ALL residents in a fair and equitable way, not just a select few.

I stand against fraud and corruption and welcome full investigations into suspect land deals, tenders and council issued contracts. I would like to seek a review of how rate payer funds are being used and how funds could be better invested into the community.

There needs to be better planning to increase the availability of low-cost housing for the people that are on the breadline, and more protection for renting residents from huge price increases and evictions.

Other issues that concern me is the need for an improved home waste collection by having the RED lid garbage bins collected

every week, and better road maintenance. Some of our roads are in a terrible state, full of potholes and ruts, and poorly resealed over.

A big campaign is needed to have maternity returned to Parkes Hospital and to tell the Health Department bureaucrats to pull their head in. Many other needs are also required at the hospital.

The list of required investigations and changes to Council is too long to list here.

One or two new councillors will not change anything, only a majority, if not a complete new council, will.

Most people know me as the face of Betamix Concrete Parkes. My family has operated a quarry for 45 years, started by Colin (Shorty) Wilson and Eileen Wilson (Shorty’s Fashions) and a concrete plant for 29 years in Parkes. I have dealt with councils, bureaucrats, courts, barristers, politicians, police and tribunals and am not intimidated from my resolve to ensure the right thing is done.

If you want a better council to be more concerned about the residents that live here and much better roads and services, then vote 1 to 6 in GROUP A and 7 to 10 on the other side.

IMAGE: Mayor Ken Keith (left) with retiring councillors Barbara Newton, Alan Ward and Pat Smith.

The last Council meeting of the current term was held on Tuesday before the Local Government Election in a week’s time on Saturday, 4th December.

Mayor Ken Keith thanked all the Councillors for their effort and team work for the betterment of the community.

At the Mayor’s Christmas party on Tuesday night a presentation was held for the three Councillors who are retiring to thank them for their service. Deputy Mayor Barbara Newton served four terms, while Cr Alan Ward and Cr Pat Smith both served for three terms.