Articles Archives - Page 190 of 452

Parkes Needs To Catch Up On Second COVID Jab

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

There was great elation all over the Parkes Shire last Thursday when we returned to some form of normality coming out of lock-down from 1pm.

After almost five weeks of stay-at-home orders, catching up with friends and family was definitely one of the most popular activities a lot of people prioritised when we returned to freedom.

Some restrictions remain in place though with mask-wearing mandatory for all indoor public venues including retail, workplace offices, hospitality and also extends to hospitality staff working in an outdoor setting.

Hospitality venues, retail stores, hairdressers and nail salons, gyms and indoor recreation facilities were all allowed to reopen with specific conditions for each venue in place.

The big challenge remaining for the Parkes Shire is to catch up on its second dose vaccination rate, which is at 52%, to help keep our community COVID-free and out of lockdown. The first dose is almost at 85%.

Other good news this week was the introduction of surveillance testing across the health district. This means you don’t have to isolate while waiting for your test results, unless you or someone you live with has symptoms; you have been directed to isolate by NSW Health or have been to a venue of concern; or someone in your household is a close contact of a confirmed COVID case.

Surveillance testing encourages people to be tested even if they have no symptoms, and is designed to give clearer insight into whether COVID-19 is present in a community.

Upgrade For Driver Reviver Program In Parkes

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Parkes Visitor Information Centre will soon be upgraded under the Driver Reviver Australia Program to accommodate more people and introduce them to what our Shire has to offer.

Parkes was granted $232,100 as part of more than $1 million of funding to upgrade Driver Reviver sites across the Riverina and Central West.

Parkes Shire Council’s Tourism Team Leader Lisa Moon said the upgrades at the centre included seating, picnic settings, bins and a shade sail outside and hot/cold water dispenser, fridge and some tables and chairs inside. The grant for Parkes also includes money to upgrade the signs at the entry points to town, which will be electronic and controlled from the Visitor Information Centre.

The program was moved to the Visitor Information Centre last year when Destination NSW, Transport for NSW and Driver Reviver Australia announced an extension to the program to include various Visitor Information Centres across NSW.

Lisa said it was a good move as the centre was open seven days a week. “We are also hoping to catch people who do not normally go to visitor centres. It is an opportunity to tap into that flow of people and to engage them in what Parkes and our region has to offer. It would also blend in well with the holiday programs we usually run at the centre.”

Closing Shot

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Windmills revolutionised rural living in Australia and have been part of the landscape since the late 1800s.

We might not always notice them, but caught at the right angle and time of day, they can be very photogenic.

Sharon Woods took this beautiful shot of a windmill on her farm outside Parkes.

If you have an iconic or local image for ‘Closing Shot’, send it to editor@parkesphoenix.com.au.

Snippets…

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

World’s Biggest Garage Sale

Started from a neighbourhood garage sale in 2013, the World’s Biggest Garage Sale (WBGS) is now revolutionising how Australians engage with dormant goods. Australian homes currently have $43 billion of under-utilised goods at risk of ending up in landfills. WBGS is solving this issue through the activation of dormant goods for good and building a truly circular economy. By empowering Australians to reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose, the World’s Biggest Garage Sale helps people to see the beauty in re-loved or ‘second life’ goods. Its online store and events provide community members with alternate ways to source and purchase high-quality products (such as clothing, antiques, furniture and white goods) at prices that are affordable, paving the way for thousands of Australians to save money, time and the planet.

National Landcare Program

Review of the National Landcare Program is open for public consultation until 15th October. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback as part of its second five-year review. Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said: “The National Landcare Program has been pivotal in improving how farmers and other land managers look after their land, and this review provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to tell us what works, what doesn’t and where it can be improved.” A terms of reference for the review, along with information on how to get involved, is available at www.nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-program.

Royal Far West Receives Gift

Royal Far West announced the receipt of a gift of more than $650,000 from The James G. Boswell Foundation, following the sale of the Australian farming and cotton operations known as Auscott Limited. Jacqueline Emery, CEO of Royal Far West, said: “We are honoured to be selected for this incredible donation and with the gift being unrestricted, it means we will be able to use it where we see the most need. After some of the most challenging times for Australian country families, this wonderful gesture by The James G. Boswell Foundation will give hundreds of country kids the chance to thrive.”

New Website For School Holidays

Fam-ilies across NSW can enjoy a new website – Family Project – that provides fun COVID safe ideas for families to connect including rock art, backyard movies, building herb gardens, creating chalk art and meditation. The safe online portal provides a new project daily at familyproject.org.au

What a difference a week makes – 32 bowlers were back at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club on Sunday after-noon to welcome the end of lockdown! (Photo: PBSC)

Parkes Action Club Keeps Parkes Proud

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The Action Club members hard at work on the corner of Currajong and Clarinda Streets to update the signs for services clubs on Saturday.

The Parkes Action Club decided it was time to refresh the service club signs around Parkes.

With lockdown lifted in Parkes last Thursday, Bob Steel rounded up a group of Action Club members on Saturday for the job. They removed the signs that had old information and faded logos. Some were for clubs that closed down many years ago.

With the help of the other service clubs, they were able to repair and update the signs and replaced them at the two entry points into Parkes. “It is good to see the local service clubs working together to help the community of Parkes to be proud of where they live,” said Bob.

The old and faded signs of service clubs in Parkes.

Parkes Trishaw Outings To Start Soon

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The trishaw is a light three-wheeled motorised tricycle with a basket in the front designed to transport two passengers. On the photo are Peter Guppy who took the Town Crier Tim Keith for a ride earlier this year when Parkes became the latest member of the international movement Cycling Without Age to promote the social inclusion for people facing increasing immobility.

The Parkes trishaw campaign has not been in lockdown behind the scenes and managed to secure the loan of a bike from Cycling Without Age Australia until enough funds have been raised to keep it in town on a permanent basis.

“We are not able to use it at the retirement villages until they are out of lockdown but it gives us the chance to raise the funds and to train those who will be doing the riding,” said committee member Peter Guppy

Peter said the plan was to have everything in place by the end of October.

Cycling Withouth Age – Parkes has about ten volunteers so far, but most of them work full time and can only do trips over weekends. “We would really like people to come forward who would be able to do trips during the week.”

Peter said it was very easy to handle the electrically assisted trishaw. “It only goes at 10km/h and it is great for improving the fitness and mental well being of the riders too.”

If you would like to volunteer email trishawforparkes@gmail.com or ring 0448 166 016.

If you would like to support the fundraising campaign, go to https://chuffed.org/project/cycling-without-age-parkes.

Improvements Motor Museum Forward

September 24, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

A 1911 Swiss Martini Model GA, believed to be one of only five left worldwide. Martini cars were manufactured in Switzerland from 1897 to 1934 by Adolph von Martini, whose father Friedrich was the inventor of the action used in the Martini–Henry rifle. The car’s badge includes a rifle.

The Parkes Motor Museum is regarded as one of the top motor museums of its size since its relocation to the Henry Parkes Centre 11 years ago. Recent changes have made it even better.

The museum is now fully air conditioned to provide a comfortable environment for visitors all year round, and helps to keep the exhibits in great condition. Parkes Shire Council provided the improvements with assistance from the Federal Government’s Local Roads & Community Infrastructure Grant. The museum’s display also received a significant boost with some new exhibits.

A Harley Davidson motorcycle outfit on loan from the NRMA. The NRMA established its roadside assistance service in 1924 with two patrols dressed in khaki, with the motto “Never Refuse Motorists’ Assistance.” Contrary to popular belief the first patrols didn’t fix broken-down cars, but supervised parked cars, taking them for ‘short spins’ so their owners didn’t get a parking fine.

Snippets…

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Kind and considerate community – with so many people out and about walking their dogs, this resident has placed some water at the front of their house for passers-by.

Return Of Students

As students and staff are preparing for a return to face-to-face learning in NSW public schools next month, the NSW Government is ensuring that all schools are safe, clean and secure. The Department of Education is carrying out a systematic review of all learning spaces, including libraries and halls, to ensure all schools continue to operate in the safest ways possible. The review will focus on ventilation in classrooms and also provide support to schools to adapt lessons to make full use of school facilities including outdoor learning areas. This mammoth task includes 2,200 schools in the public system. “The health of students and staff has always been our priority and parents should feel confident their child’s school is well equipped to keep them as safe as possible,” said Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.

2021 HSC Enrolment Snapshot

There are 68,710 students working towards the 2021 Higher School Certificate. Most of this year’s cohort started Kindergarten in 2009 and will finish their 13-year schooling career in the next few weeks, before exams begin on 9th November and ending on 3rd December. Enrolment this year is consistent with previous years, with Mathematics, Biology and Business Studies attracting the largest number of students for nine years running. There are 898 sets of twins and 15 sets of triplets and quadruplets spread across NSW cities and regions. “The entire NSW community is behind you as you prepare for your final exams. It is not too late to ask for help, either for your study preparations or for your personal wellbeing,” said Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell.

Creatability Internship Program

The NSW Government’s Createability Internship Program for NSW artists and practitioners with disability is calling for applicants for 2021/2022. Arts OutWest has been approved as a potential host organisation for this program. The Createability Internship Program provides customised training for up to 10 participants with disability, followed by paid internships in major NSW organisations across the arts, screen and cultural sectors. Arts OutWest are open to creating a program of experiences to fit the intern, which could include: general administration, graphic design, marketing and communications, exhibition assistance, programming, production management, research and events. Applications open Monday, 20th September and close at 5pm on Monday, 18th October. Guidelines are available on the artsoutwest.org.au website.

Congratulations to Parkes Services Club on winning The Parkes Phoenix Footy Tipping Competition. Here is Meg Hunter (right) accepting the winner’s television from Ian Westcott of Betta Home Living who sponsored the prize.

New Resting Place For Rescued Scar Trees

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Four ancient scar trees that were sadly cut down last year have found a new home in Parkes where they will serve as a visual reminder of their cultural significance for the Wiradjuri people.

The trees, estimated to be older than 400 years, are now part of the Wiradjuri Garradyang Cultural Garden at the Bushman’s Hill Reserve with plans to develop a unique storyline intertwining the garden and trees using QR Codes and mobile technology.

Scott Turnbull, Rhonda Sharp and Geoff Anderson, representing the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group and Parkes Aboriginal Working Group, told the story of the trees to The Parkes Phoenix.

The trees were on a property on Back Trundle Road and were unfortunately cut down to make way for a development. “A lack of First Nations and Wiradjuri cultural knowledge lead to the demise of a sacred place,” said the representatives. “There were sincere apologies given, but unfortunately the damage was already done.”

During the relocation process the trees were identified to be in excess of 400 years old – this predates the recolonisation of Australia and a time period when Wiradjuri people thrived in this region.

The Wiradjuri community became aware of the incident around April last year and after a lot of consultation and collaboration with Parkes Shire Council and other parties involved the trees were relocated in order to preserve what was left of them. Kent Boyd of Parkes Shire Council arranged funding for the works to begin, while Steve McGrath, Derrick Hoe and Bob Moon assisted with the removal of the trees, and designing and building steel enclosures for the trees.

“This incident has been a huge learning curve for our People, the Shire Council and others who may wish to destroy anything before consultation.

“The trees are now in a far better place than being desecrated and burnt. We can now use them as an educational tool for many years to come.

“The local community have to understand that scared trees are culturally significant and protected and are a visual reminder that First Nations Peoples did exist and have survived.”

Two of the trees have been placed in steel structures to hold them in place, and the other two will take a bit of searching to find up on Bushman’s Hill.

Aboriginal people caused scars on trees by removing bark for various purposes, such as canoes, coolamons, shields, geo-graphical markers and significant sites. The scars, which vary in size, expose the sapwood on the trunk or branch of a tree.

One of the trees removed from the school was identified as a woman’s tree by the shape of the markings, while the other three were identified as large coolamons that would have been used in ceremonies and as geographical markers from the direction it was pointing, as Parkes was a meeting area for Wiradjuri people for tens of thousands of years.

There are many more scar trees around Parkes at about 30 different sites including at the cemetery and above the football ovals.

RELOCATED… Rhonda Sharp, member of the Wiradjuri community, with one of the two scar trees that were placed in a steel enclosure at the Wiradjuri Garradyang Cultural Garden at the Bushman’s Hill Reserve. (Photo: Geoff Anderson)

Myopia

September 17, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Did you know that by 2050 almost half of the world’s population will be myopic?

Myopia is more than just needing glasses or contact lenses to see clearly in the distance. People with myopia are at greater risk of developing conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular disease.

The onset of myopia is usually around puberty, however we are now seeing kids in primary school becoming myopic. An earlier onset means a higher degree of myopia and a greater risk of permanent vision loss.

Is it Preventable?

Both environmental and genetic factors are thought to play a role in the development and progression of myopia, however there is now proven ways to delay the onset and slow the progression.

1. Get Outside! Spending at least two hours a day outside will help delay the onset of myopia.

2. Orthokeratology: Ortho-K corrects myopia by wearing a hard contact lens overnight. The lenses are removed when you wake leaving you with clear vision throughout the day without needing glasses or other contact lenses. Ortho-K has been shown to significantly slow the progression of myopia.

3. Myopia-Controlling Contact Lenses and Spectacles: There is now the option of speciality contact lenses and spectacles to slow myopic progression.

4. Eye Drops: Compounded eye drops can be prescribed that are also effective in slowing myopia.

5. Binocular Vision Assessment: Eyes that do not work well as a team or struggle to change focus are at a greater risk of developing myopia.

Identifying and treating these problems can help reduce the onset and progression of myopia.
The experienced optometrists at Hansen Eyecare Plus have undergone further training and study so that we can offer all treatment options for myopia control. Come in for a comprehensive eye examination and find out ways that you can prevent or control myopia for you and your family.

Eye Health Brought to you by Eyecare Plus

World’s Biggest Garage Sale

National Landcare Program

Royal Far West Receives Gift

New Website For School Holidays

Return Of Students

2021 HSC Enrolment Snapshot

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