Articles Archives - Page 196 of 452

From Phoenix Mine To Parkes Pool

August 13, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

LEARN TO SWIM… Dorothea Tom was one of the instructors of the very successful Learn to Swim program that ran for five decades and taught more than 15,000 children to swim. “It was a lovely time,” said Dorothea of her 18-year involvement. Dorothea is standing at the new Parkes Aquatic Centre exhibition at the Henry Parkes Museum.

Have you ever wanted to swim in a pot of gold? That is literally what you are doing at the Parkes pool every summer as it was built over the Phoenix gold mine, which was the richest mining area in our town’s ‘golden’ history.

Before the pool was officially opened on 16th January 1935, the local swimming hole was at Doyles Crossing near the Eugowra Road crossing on Goobang Creek. The problem was that every time the creek flooded, the pool washed away. When this happened the Parkes Council and Goobang Shire had a fight over whose responsibility it was to repair it.

A referendum was eventually held in January 1934, on the hottest day on record, and 80% of the population voted for a pool in town. Construction on the 55-yard long pool in 1934 was a monumental job as it was done by pick and shovel.

If you want to know more about one of the most important features in our town, there is a new display at the Henry Parkes Museum highlighting its interesting history and development over the years. With lots of historic photos and interesting facts, including a feature on Olympian swimmer Rex Aubrey, it is worth a visit during these COVID times when we have to rediscover our own backyard.

“Locals are welcome to come and have a look,” said President of the Parkes and District Historical Society Bruce Hall. “You can use your NSW Discover vouchers before they run out at the end of the month.”

Let It Flow, Let It Flow

August 13, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

While we are slightly down on total rainfall so far this year compared to last year, the rainfall figures still look very good.

The total rainfall figure for Parkes so far this year stands at 481.6mm, while in the corresponding period last year we had received 560.6mm.

Lake Endeavour filled to capacity for the first time in four years in July last year with water running over the spillway.

The level had gone down slightly over summer, but late last month inflow filled it up again and water started running over the spillway once again.

The overflow runs 5km down stream to Bumberry dam that is also overflowing at the moment.

Here are some photos taken on Sunday of Lake Endeavour and its spillway.

Meet And Greet And Weave

August 13, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The next event of the Parkes Meet and Greet group will be a creative one with Ronda’s recycled weaving workshop at Marramarra Makerspace, Parkes Library on Monday, 23rd August from 10:30am to 2pm. Migrant Support Officer Anni Gallagher says the event is open to everyone to join in.

Participants will be making a bookmark, or a bangle, or coffee cup cover! Ronda will offer an alternative option for those more advanced at weaving. The ladies from Condobolin will come across, and possibly some women from Forbes too!

The shared lunch menu includes two crock pots – Lamb Randang and Butter Chicken – with rice. Participants to bring a small plate of something sweet to share for dessert. Book your spot by sending a message to 0409 458 156.

Free Mental Health Workshop

August 13, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway (right) with the Headspace team of Jess Hapwood (Youth Care Coordinator) and Jake Byrne (Community Engagement Officer).

Parents, carers and community members supporting young people experiencing mental health challenges can register to attend a free mental health workshop in Parkes on 24th August at 12pm.

The workshop will be hosted by Headspace thanks to a $1.2 million investment by the NSW Government. NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the work-shop would help parents and carers better understand the unique challenges facing young people and how to access appropriate support.

“We want everyone in the community to have the opportunity to learn more about the experiences of young people so they can be supportive of the children in their lives as well as becoming strong advocates for positive mental health in the community,” said Sam.

“This is about improving mental health literacy in the community in areas such as recognising danger signs, learning share-able coping skills and accessing local support services.”

Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said understanding suicide would be a key part of the training. “The vast majority of these young people will not act on those thoughts, but we want parents and carers to be able to talk about such thoughts in a way that doesn’t inadvertently shame the young person or encourage them to stay silent.” https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/head-space-national-youth-mental-health-foundation-30549822220

World Class Aviation Museum For Parkes Takes Flight

August 13, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The design for the new world class aviation museum at the Parkes airport.

The dream of a world class aviation museum in Parkes is one step closer after the development application was approved by Parkes Shire Council last month.

The new building will allow all of the museum’s aircraft to be displayed undercover in a purpose-built aircraft shelter that has been designed with minimal internal support columns to allow the display and movement inside of large aircraft.

The entry area will be extensively glazed to showcase aircraft and will have a small café to serve snacks and coffee and pro-vide access to facilities for all visitors. The café area will open onto landscaped areas that include a rainfall garden and extensive water storage for aircraft cleaning and landscape maintenance.

The museum will provide facilities and access for large numbers of aviation minded visitors to enjoy this heritage and learn more about Parkes and it’s WW2 and migrant camp history. Many new Australians commenced a new life in Australia at Parkes and many young Australians trained at Parkes before travelling to the conflict overseas.

The museum will have a key focus on education and training and will continue to work with Parkes High School students and others.

The Historical Aircraft Restoration Soci-ety (HARS) has had a presence in Parkes since 1975.

While the museum was being established HARS procured aircraft and components to allow future generations to see, touch and experience Australia’s aviation history both civil and military. This has preserved numerous aircraft that would have been scrapped due to their age and condition.

This restoration, preservation and presentation is carried out by volunteers and they are always on the lookout for new members with mechanical, history or tour guiding capabilities to join the group.

During COVID, check HARS Aviation Museum – Parkes facebook page or call Col on 0428 625 269 for opening times.

Major Funding Boost For Show Society’s Pavilion Dream

August 6, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

GOOD NEWS… After the second cancellation of the Parkes Show this year, the Show Society received good news this week of $4 million funding for the new pavilion. At the announcement in the old 1927 main pavilion were (L-R) Parkes Mayor Ken Keith, NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway, Chairman of the Parkes Showground Tim O’Brien and President of the Parkes PA & H Peter Unger.

Excitement for the 2022 Parkes Show received a major boost this week with the announcement of a $4 million allocation for the new main pavilion.

NSW Upper House MP Sam Farraway was in Parkes on Wednesday to announce the $4,046,020 grant from the latest round of the COVID-19 showground stimulus program.

“I never thought I’d see this ‘pipe dream’ of 15 to 20 years come to fruition in my life time,” said President of the Parkes PA & H Peter Unger. He said the plan was to have the new pavilion of 80m by 20m including a function room, commercial kitchen, toilets and showers, ready for next year’s show. “It is going to be fantastic,” said Chairman of the Parkes Showground Land Manager Tim O’Brien.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith said apart from hosting the largest individual exhibition outside of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the new facility would be available for a range of other activities, such as Elvis events, weddings, trade shows and more. Project Manager Nathan Weeks of Lyons Advantage said the demolition of the old pavilions would start by the end of August after a proper heritage recording of the nearly century old main pavilion had been completed. He said the tender process for the building of the new pavilion would also be set in motion. The Show Society received a grant of over $200,000 earlier this year for the demolition of the old pavilions.

By Maggi Barnard

What’s on @ the Parkes Shire Library & Cultural Centre?

August 6, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The library welcomes Kim Colbourne to our team. Kim moved from Western Australia to Parkes to take up the position of Team Leader. As well as Kim being new, we have many of the latest releases of books, DVDs, CDs, Talking Books and magazines. If you are staying home during the cold winter months make sure to access our extensive online collections at My Online Library.

FRIDAY FLICKS

Our next movie will be on today, 6th August at 6pm. Come and enjoy a 2020 British comedy-drama based on true events. Tickets are free for library members but bookings are essential so call 6861 2309 to book your seat!

STOP, DROP & ROLL – YOUTH GAMES GROUP

Want to make new friends? Learn something new? Or just have some fun? Come along to Stop, Drop and Roll, the Parkes Shire Library youth games group for young people aged 13-25. It runs on the second Friday of the month from 4-6pm in the Marramarra Makerspace Studio at Parkes Library. Bookings are essential and spaces limited.

JUNIOR MINDBENDERS SOCIETY

Challenge your mind and book in for this four-week program. This after school fun program is for primary aged students Year 3-6 every Wednesday from 4th to 24th August from 4-5pm. Bring a parent/guardian with you to Parkes Library to register.

OLYMPIANS OF THE PARKES SHIRE

Don’t forget to drop in and see our continuing displays of Olympians of the Parkes Shire. We have curated a display in partnership with the Henry Parkes Museum to honour the Olympians who at some stage in their life called Parkes Shire home. This week hockey players Stephen Davies and Mariah Williams are on display.

In-School Celebration For Community Reading Day

August 6, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

At the PTTR National Conference in Sydney were (L-R) Rhonda Brain, Hugh Campbell, Linda Hurley (as the Cat in the Hat), Shonel Redfern and Pat Deady.

The reality of COVID-19 has claimed another community event and the planned return to the CBD for the staging of the Parkes Community Reading Day had to be cancelled.

The day will continue though with another in-school celebration, which is the safest and most confident way to go. Whilst the PAINT PARKES REaD (PPR) committee members were disappointed, they quickly turned the discussion to positivity and creativity with the input from Parkes M & D Society members, Lisa Ramsey and Gail Smith, for a great day of reading on 10th September.

PPR Coordinator Shonel Redfern, and mentor Rhonda Brain, expressed their appreciation for the ongoing support of the Parkes community in celebrating literacy and spreading the vital message of READ, SING, TALK, RHYME to your children from birth to Kindergarten.

As for gussing who the mystery person was dressed as the Cat in the Hat. The person proved to be too mysterious, and no one made a correct guess, but Lorraine Chambers’ name was drawn from the entries.

The identity of the person: Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, wife of the Governor General, and Patron of PAINT THE TOWN REaD. Rhonda said: “She is a wonderful patron, so committed to our cause, hands-on and a great sport.” The photo was taken at the 8th PTTR National Conference in Sydney in May.

Snippets…

August 6, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The winner of the 2020 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist con-test, Toki Toyokazu, will represent Parkes Elvis Festival at the semi-final round during Elvis week in Memphis from 11th – 17th August.

Bush Tucker Day Cancelled: The Trundle Bush Tucker Day committee announced the cancellation of Trundle Bush Tucker Day on 4th September with great sadness. “Given the unpredictable nature of the current COVID situation in NSW, we feel it is not safe to proceed with the planning of TBTD 2021.” The committee thanked all volunteers and people in the background helping to make the event come together, with planning and commitment all year around. “We would also like to thank the community of Trundle, our generous sponsors, stall holders, food vendors, entertainment, Parkes Shire Council and most importantly our ticket holders! This has been a difficult decision to make, but was based on the safety of our region and our community here at Trundle.”

Technology And Homelessness: Technology can be the key to helping curb homelessness by playing a part in helping to create environments where people with rooms to spare can provide much needed aid to homeless people. A program like the Mend App gives the public an opportunity to help those who are homeless in their community by taking action instead of simply walking by. The app will send a report to local services with a request to check on this individual, and ensure they are receiving the care they need, while also analysing in real time a more accurate picture of what is happening for rough sleepers and couch surfers in NSW. Another way the public can assist is through the text line and web platform Mend: Couch Surfers. Download the Mend app in the App Store or Google Play.

Best Spring For Cattle: Cattle producers are expected to experience the best spring in recent memory, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest Australian Cattle Industry Projections. MLA’s Market Information Manager Stephen Bignell said: “With a favourable three-month weather outlook signaling a strong spring, average adult carcase weights are set to rise significantly leading to higher weight gain. Carcase weights have been revised 11kg higher to average 311.7kg and slaughter will remain depressed, with the 2021 volume expected to hit 6.3 million head.” He said the national herd is estimated to reach 26 million head this year, 5% above 2020 levels.

WE NEED YOUR BREAD TAGS… Parkes High School is asking the community to help them collect bread tags that will be recycled into wheelchairs for kids. There is a big glass jar in the Parkes Library for the collection of the tags. The aim is to fill the jar before Christmas!

We Are 320 Trees Richer!

August 6, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

National Tree Day, Australia’s largest community tree planting and nature protection event, was held in Parkes on Sunday. Margot Jolly and Marg Applebee volunteered on the day.

Forty volunteers turned up on Sunday for National Tree Day to plant 320 trees and shrubs at Akuna Road.

The planting site will provide important Fuzzy Box Woodland habitat and further connectivity on the site that is part of a larger Parkes Shire Council project to utilise the retired water treatment ponds.

The wind and rain held off for the tree planting event, while volunteers abided by COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the event could go ahead.

“It was wonderful to have so many volunteers of all age groups,” said Marg Applebee of Central West Lachlan Landcare. “There was definitely a feeling of positivity in the air amongst volunteers which made for an enjoyable day.”

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith and Cr Louise O’Leary also joined the planting effort. “National Tree Day provides a fantastic opportunity for Parkes Shire residents to make a personal difference through positive, on-ground environmental action,” said the Mayor.

“It was wonderful to see so many volunteers show up, and their efforts to plant over 320 native trees and shrubs was greatly appreciated by Council.”

“It was a great day,” said volunteer Geoff Anderson, who came with his grandchildren.

“Central West Lachlan Landcare appreciates being able to work in partnership with Parkes Shire Council Staff to deliver the event,” said Marg.

Seth McGrath and Geoff Anderson are hard at work.

FRIDAY FLICKS

STOP, DROP & ROLL – YOUTH GAMES GROUP

JUNIOR MINDBENDERS SOCIETY

OLYMPIANS OF THE PARKES SHIRE

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