Left: Fortunately the galah sustained no serious injuries and has recovered completely from the ordeal. He is still in the care of WIRES to keep him safe from possible poisoning, which is affecting wild birds at the moment, with the wide-spread use of mouse bait. Right: Steve McGrath came to the rescue with his cherry picker to reach the distressed galah high up in the date palm tree

They say there are days when you should not get out of bed, especially when your pet dog has got a gripe. Saturday 29th May was one such day in Currajong Street, Parkes.

For years we have been blessed with the frequent visits from two paired galahs (known as the local yokel entertainers’ troupe) who have their play dates in our neighbours’ date palm. They giggle along with their acrobatics in the palm fronds hanging upside down and jumping up and down playing silly games in the fruit pods much to our delight and encouragement. We feel they are a part of the family so to speak.

At about 10:30am I commented to my husband with great affection… “that silly galah is there by itself acting the fool and showing off again”. When, hanging out the next load of washing I observed that the galah was in trouble and ran next door to my neighbour, who was also concerned for the parrot’s welfare.

So, we set about seeking help… It was most frustrating ringing for assistance. First the SES advised us to ring the local police who then explained that such rescues were the concern of the local fire brigade. The fire brigade believed the Council would be the best to ring. The after hours number in Sydney advised us to ring the fire brigade on the 000 number. The lady on the phone on the emergency line suggested we ring WIRES.

The galah was hanging upside down with his feet all tangled up in the palm fronds.

As time wore on we were losing hope of saving the entrapped parrot as we believed we did not have any WIRES volunteers in Parkes anymore. But, a lovely local resident and WIRES volunteer came to our assistance. Confronted with the Galah some 10 metres up, she once again called the fire station and a lovely, caring firie called Jacob came to assess the situation, which had now gone on for more than two hours.

Our firie looked in dismay as he knew the bird could not be freed from even the tallest of ladders available safely. We were all becoming increasingly distressed seeing the bird becoming further entangled in the cotton-like fibre of the date palm fronds. With thinking caps on it was decided the only way of safely rescuing the bird was with a cherry picker, and Steve McGrath arborist extraordinaire, came to the rescue! He said he’d be there in half an hour.

Up, up and up they went armed with pruners, gloves and a comfortable bag to remove the entangled galah!

Hooray, hooray as Steve and co safely removed our resident galah. We were all so relieved and happy and gathered around for hot tea and scones!

Thank you WIRES and Steve McGrath! Note: It was distressing to learn that family pets can be rescued readily by some services, but uncaged beloved family friendly animals (wild by definition) were not considered for rescue.

By Bev Rowe

Members of public can call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or report online through wires.org. au for help with wild animals in distress. With the current mouse bait situation, if you find more than five dead animals of the same species, please make a report to the EPA’s 24-hour Environment Line on 131 555.

The Fashions on the Field winners are (L-R) Elegant Lady won by Rachael Sladden, Stylish Man won by Ben Dietrich, Millinery went to Josie Anderson, Best Dressed Couple went to Linden and Keryn Green and Ruby won the Best Dressed Child. (Photo: Stafford Orange)

Around 2,000 patrons attended the Parkes Picnic Races last Saturday, which turned out to be a fabulous day after a week of freezing cold and wet conditions.

Parkes Picnic Races committee chairman Tim Keith said the races were an outstanding success, and the new fencing completed the picturesque race grounds along with the restored pavilion.

The event not only brings the community together, with family and friends returning home to visit and socialise over the long weekend, but the popular Fashions on the Field attracted entrants from all over. Judges Elizabeth Pakchung and Dixie Coulton picked the following winners: Stylish Man – Ben Dietrich from Dubbo; Millinery – Josie Anderson from Dubbo; Best Dressed Couple – Linden and Keryn Green from Dub-bo; Elegant Lady – Rachael Sladden from Parkes and Best Dressed Child – Ruby.

The Best Private Tent was won by Terry Brothers, and Best Corporate Tent by the Railway Hotel.

The Que ladies provided a great service to race patrons and were kept busy catering to the hungry crowd.

“What a great day of rural racing,” said Stafford Orange of the organising committee.

“Thank you to everyone who contributed or participated. We look forward to a bigger and better event in 2022.”

He called on new members to join the committee to start planning for next year.

Leanne Heywood OAM.

A Peak Hill resident was one of the 1, 190 Australians recognised in the Queen’s Birthday 2021 Honours List.

Leanne Heywood was awarded in the General Division of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to business through a range of organisations.

She has spent most of her career in the mining industry, including a number of years at Northparkes Mines, and now holds a portfolio of non-executive directorships across various industries, including mining.

Leanne was also named NSW Business Woman of the Year in 2019. She was recognised for overcoming the isolation of living in rural Australia to create an enviable international career and using her experience to empower other women to achieve their personal and professional goals.

“It is an absolute honour for my work to be recognised at a national level with the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia,” said Leanne.

Announcing the list, the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General David Hurley (Retd) said: “On behalf of all Australians, congratulations to all recipients. Each of these individuals are unique and their story deserves to be shared widely and celebrated.

“Collectively, they speak to who we are as a nation. There are countless examples of selflessness, commitment and dedication. There is diversity and there are examples of exceptional achievement in almost every field imaginable.

This year’s list includes 44% women, which is the highest ever percentage of women recognised through the General Division of the Order of Australia.

“It is important that the Order of Australia represents the diversity and strength of Australia – for this to happen we need to ensure outstanding women, members of our multicultural community and First Nations people are nominated by their peers in the community,” said the Governor-General.

The Parkes Picnic Races is back this year and promises to be a huge day of socialising and catching up with friends.

The Parkes Picnic Races is set to be a great day of fun and excitement tomorrow, and the best news is you can purchase your tickets this year using your Dine & Discover vouchers by going to 123Tix.

The highlight on the Parkes social calendar will also be COVIDSafe event requiring sign in with the QR code. This is non-negotiable for everyone attending.

To makes things even more simple, there will be a bus service from town and back later in the day.

The Parkes Jockey Club racecourse is regarded as a premium location, and the new fencing at the track in the spectator’s area looks fantastic.

It is time to get out your race wear, hats, and fascinators, with interest in the Fashions on the Field event growing by the day. Go to the Parkes Picnic Races website for further information and categories, and the great prizes available on race day.

The Newell Highway Taskforce Committee met at Parliament House.

The Newell Highway Taskforce held its meeting at Parliament House in Canberra with an address by the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. He focused on the budget outcomes and the commitment by the Federal Government to the Newell Highway’s continued improvement at over $700 million.

Grade separation of the Inland Rail along the corridor is a major issue and the Federal Government has initially committed $187.5 million for prioritised works. This will increase the cost of Inland Rail and as a result the completion date is now expected to be 2027. Comprehensive updates were provided by Robyn Legg and Cathy Milfull from the Department of Infrastructure and Alistair Lunn from Transport for NSW. They highlighted major safety improvements along the length of the Newell Highway, including heavy duty pavements, additional overtaking lanes, centre line separation and audio-tactile treatments. Chairman of the Newell Highway Taskforce, Cr Ken Keith OAM from Parkes commended both the Federal and State Government for contributing over $1.4 billion into this vital inland corridor, the third busiest in the state.

The Newell Highway Taskforce Committee agreed to lobby for continuous mobile phone coverage. The next meeting will be held in Coonabarabran on 10th August.

(Photo: Susan Mill)

It’s been called the State’s most iconic steam locomotive, and it came to Parkes on Tuesday. The historic steam train 3801 returned to the Central West for the first time since 2007. On Tuesday it came through Parkes from Orange and on its way to Dubbo, much to the delight of train spotters. Its beautiful whistle could be heard across town. (Photo: Susan Mill)

There has been a 47% increase in the demand for food relief in communities across Australia in the past 12 months

In response Woolworths and FareShare have launched the 2021 Feed Appeal with 100% of all funds raised in NSW to be distributed to local food relief charities either as grants, or the direct donation of ready-to-eat meals.

Feed Appeal grants enable local charities to purchase equipment like fridges, freezers, ovens and vans, building their capacity to receive, prepare and distribute more food.

The aim is to raise enough money to create the equivalent of 3 million meals for vulnerable Australians. Woolworths also donates the equivalent of over 22 million meals in surplus fresh food per year to food relief, and supplies half of the fresh fruits, vegetables and meats donated to Fare-Share.

“We encourage Parkes Shire custom-ers to make a donation to the Feed Appeal the next time they shop with us, by simply rounding up their purchase at the checkout. Just 50 cents means a meal can be placed in the hands of an Aussie in need,” said Parkes Store Manager Harjit Sing.

Playing last week were (L-R) Kevin Robinson, Rosemary Morris, Ingrid Stephenson and Beryl Twardy hoping for 7NT.

Today we continue explaining some bridge terminology: 7NT is the highest possible bid in bridge and gives the highest points, if you take all 13 tricks winning your contract.

The opposition may have a couple of good honours (picture cards) and doubt your ability to make the contract. So, they put a cross on the bidding sheet. That means you are doubled! If you do win your 13 tricks, you have just greatly increased your score. A coy smile at that could be excused. But wait there’s more!

If you and your partner understand each other’s bidding conversation as you should, and you believe you can make your contract you can put two crosses on the bidding sheet. You have now redoubled. This is a great score on any contract, but 7NT doubled and re-doubled is as colossal as it gets. Be sure to smile sweetly without smirking.

Smiling winners over the last week were on Thursday Catherine Smith with Peter Quin north/south and Rosemary Morris with Beryl Twardy east/west; Monday Beryl Twardy and Barbara Hughes.

New players are welcome. We play Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Lutheran Church Hall.

Check our website https://www.parkes.bridge-club.org or call Greig Ball 0429621712 or Bev Laing 0418114826 for more information.